CHAPTER 463: CHAPTER 460 [TEAM BUILDING 2.0]

Chapter 460 Team Building 2.0

According to Chen Nuo’s understanding of Li Qingshan, the old guy was usually either at Wind Shelter Hall or his spa resort, which served as his main base of operations. Generally speaking, it was more often the latter.

Chen Nuo didn’t go to Wind Shelter Hall but headed directly to the spa resort.

Chen Nuo was naturally very familiar with the spa resort. He and Li Qingshan had a good relationship back when Chen Yanluo’s Consciousness Space shattered, and he had stayed there for a long time to recuperate.

The Number One villa inside was originally Li Qingshan’s own private reserve, which Chen Nuo had occupied for quite a few days.

When Chen Nuo arrived at the spa resort, he walked straight through the main entrance. The security staff at the door still recognized this young master—it hadn’t been that long since he left, just a year. Back then, he acted as if the place was his own home. The boss, Hall Master Li, used to serve this young master with a respect almost comparable to serving his own father.

Now that the young master had returned, who would dare to stop him?

Chen Nuo directly ran to Villa Number One, which was in the best location of the entire spa resort, with the largest hot spring pool and the most luxurious decoration.

Then, somewhat unexpectedly, yet also as anticipated—Li Qingshan was actually not there.

Chen Nuo stood in the empty villa living room, squinting, a hint of a cold smile playing on the corners of his mouth.

Had he... run off?

One of the managers of the spa resort heard that this young master had arrived and hurriedly drove over in the resort’s touring electric cart. Upon seeing Chen Nuo, he began nodding and bowing.

"Where’s Li Qingshan?" Chen Nuo had no reason to lose his temper with these ordinary staff members and instead asked with a smile, "I’m here to find him; where has he gone?"

"Mr. Chen..." The manager, wiping sweat from his forehead and smiling obsequiously, said, "Our Director Li left early this morning and is not currently at the company."

"Hm, not here," Chen Nuo said unhurriedly. "Where did he go? Did he leave a message?"

"This... I really don’t know," the manager replied, somewhat embarrassed. "The boss doesn’t report his whereabouts to me."

Chen Nuo nodded, then suddenly asked, "He left early in the morning? What time?"

"Uh..." The manager thought for a moment and then said with a wry smile, "Well, it was quite early. I got to work at eight o’clock in the morning, and by that time, the chairman was already gone."

Chen Nuo laughed.

Not here by eight o’clock?

That meant... he left before dawn?

Well, that meant there was definitely a problem.

Obviously, had he heard about Luo Dachanzi’s trouble and fled before dawn?

The manager chuckled and said, "Well, if you’re looking for our director, why don’t you call him?"

"Okay, I got it," Chen Nuo replied very amiably, dismissing the manager before turning to leave.

He walked to the main entrance of the spa resort but wasn’t in a hurry to leave just yet. Instead, he stood at the gate, pulled out a pack of cigarettes, and began smoking quietly.

After smoking half a cigarette, he suddenly saw a car racing toward him at the end of the street by the spa resort entrance. It screeched to a stop before Chen Nuo. The car door opened, and a middle-aged man rushed out, hurriedly running towards Chen Nuo.

"Mr. Chen, Mr. Chen!"

Chen Nuo glanced at him and nonchalantly hmmed, continuing to take a puff of his cigarette.

The man was Li Qingshan’s trusted confidant, the middle-aged person known as Old Seven, whom Chen Nuo had seen many times before.

Old Seven stood in front of Chen Nuo. The weather today was originally very nice, with the sun overhead, but he only felt a chilly draft on the back of his neck.

"Um, it’s Mr. Seven, right?"

"I’m not worthy, not worthy!" Old Seven quickly shook his head. "In front of you, I can’t be called ’mister.’ You can just call me Old Seven."

Chen Nuo sighed softly. "Li Qingshan left me a message, right?"

Old Seven exhaled and quickly nodded. "Exactly! Hall Master knew you would definitely come to find him, so..."

"So he ran away first?" Chen Nuo shook his head. "Is he that guilty? If he’s afraid of me, why would he do such a thing?"

"No, no, you’ve really misunderstood," Old Seven quickly said with a serious expression. "Mr. Chen, shall we... sit down and talk?"

"’Don’t bother. He left a message for me, didn’t he? Just say it,’ Chen Nuo shook his head. ’I don’t have that spare time.

"’Honestly, the time it takes for me to smoke this cigarette here is the last chance I’m giving him.

"’If he really ran away without leaving me a single word, then... this time he’s really in big trouble. You know that, right?’"

Old Seven quickly nodded. "I know, I know! I’m aware!"

"Okay, speak. Since he left a message, I assume this incident really wasn’t his doing—I know he doesn’t have the guts."

"Old Seven composed himself, then bent slightly and whispered, ’Mr. Chen, our Hall Master is indeed filled with trepidation, but there’s more to this incident.

"’The message he entrusted me to leave for you is...’"

As he spoke, Old Seven took a deep breath and slowly said, "Hall Master told me to tell you: he knows that because of the things he did when he was young, you already look down on his character. He’s paid the price for that incident, and since then, he has not dared to shamelessly cling to you."

Chen Nuo nodded. That was the truth. At the time when Li Qingshan had the best relationship with him, he was subtly being included in Chen Nuo’s inner circle, and indeed, Li Qingshan had made substantial efforts for him.

Later, after the incident in Thailand, when he learned that Li Qingshan, in his youth, had taken his comrades’ life-saving money and deceived them into taking his place to face death... Chen Nuo completely lost respect for his character.

"Mm, I acknowledge that—but surely, he didn’t just leave that message? There must be more, right?"

"’There is!’ Old Seven clenched his teeth and, with bolstered courage, slowly said, ’There’s a second part. He told me to tell you: in the early days, because of the issue with Bald Lei, he offended you and suffered for it. Later, in every job he did for you, he was dedicated and committed, never shirking or resorting to trickery. When your girlfriend, Sun Keke, was kidnapped, he also went to great lengths to help search the city for her.

"’In a series of events thereafter, wherever you needed him, he never shirked his duty.

"’Also, that time you asked him to find a certain jade pendant, he was caught by your enemy. Even though you saved him personally later—during the time he was captured and faced harsh interrogation from the enemy, he held out and didn’t betray you.

"’These are the facts, right?’"

Without hesitation, Chen Nuo nodded immediately. "They are the facts."

"’He said that, publicly or privately, while he may have wronged others, he has absolutely never wronged you.’"

"Mm, that too is a fact," Chen Nuo nodded.

"So, he asked me to tell you... the matter with Luo Dachanzi, it really wasn’t done by him, and he implores you to believe him on this point."

Chen Nuo frowned. "I also understand he wouldn’t dare to touch the father of my friend. But he must know something!"

"He dares not say," Old Seven shook his head, offering a smile, his demeanor so humble it nearly touched the ground. "The boss asked me to pass a message to you."

"Speak up!"

"’When you immortals fight, he’s just a little ghost who can’t afford to get involved, so he can only hide.’"

Chen Nuo considered the phrase and laughed.

"’So... a powerful outsider has come to town?’"

This is getting interesting.

Chen Nuo nodded. "Anything else?"

"’My boss isn’t clear on the background of this powerful outsider. He asked me to tell you that while he is involved in this matter, his connection is genuinely minor.

"’A few days ago, he was dragged into a dinner gathering by a local friend. At that time, he was just a guest. If the gathering worked out, they promised him a share; if not, he was just lending his presence as a favor.

"’Now he even feels he was used as a front that day. He never anticipated the other party would resort to such tactics against Luo Dachanzi.

"’Think about it from his perspective: he knows full well that Luo Qing is your brother. Even if he had three times the courage, he wouldn’t dare plot against Luo Dachanzi. He wouldn’t even dare to get involved.

"’Previously, he was really just invited to a dinner party. That person clearly wanted to meet Luo Dachanzi, but Luo Dachanzi isn’t easy to schedule a meeting with these days.

"’So they invited our boss to dinner, using connections and his reputation, just to get Luo Dachanzi to show up. Our boss really doesn’t know much about this matter.’"

Chen Nuo shook his head. "If he knows so little, why is he so afraid of the other party? Talking about deities fighting each other. If he knows so little, how does he know that the opposing party is a deity?"

"’Because another local friend of his was the one truly involved. That guy has a much deeper relationship with this outsider ’deity’ than our boss does.

"’The fact that the other party is a deity was also revealed by that local friend, who said their power and influence are formidable, far beyond what our boss could dare to provoke or offend.’"

Chen Nuo raised an eyebrow. "More formidable than me?"

"Old Seven hesitated for a moment, then whispered, ’Our boss said... that friend told him some things. He said... the other party also has capable people under them!

"’The boss of the opposing party is surnamed Gai. Everyone calls him Director Gai, but our boss really doesn’t know the specifics of his background.

"’That’s all he knows.

"’However, if you want to learn more, you can ask someone else.’"

"Ask that friend of Li Qingshan?" Chen Nuo smiled. "Tell me, who?"

Xiao Guohua, Boss Xiao, had been feeling like things were going exceptionally smoothly for him recently.

The mistress he kept near Yin Lane became pregnant with another child a few months ago; a checkup at the hospital revealed this pregnancy was a girl.

Xiao Guohua was grinning from ear to ear.

This woman had given him a son in her first pregnancy, and now she was having a girl.

What does this mean? It means having both a son and a daughter.

Together, a son and a daughter form the Chinese character for ’good,’ don’t they?

It was as if good fortune was smiling down on him.

An enterprise he had been preparing to take over suddenly collapsed due to poor management. Xiao Guohua acquired the business for less than half the price, then went to Shanghai City to find a top designer for a renovation.

They also imported a batch of equipment and facilities.

In two months, after the renovations, the plan was to turn it into the leading nightspot in Jinling City!

To radiate throughout the Yangtze River Delta cities and establish a benchmark for nightlife—that’s a business that rakes in big money!

Then, unexpectedly, a long-lost friend introduced him to an outsider who was an up-and-comer.

The person’s influence was very solid. During their first meeting, Director Gai invited him out to sea to fish?

Listen to that!

Although Xiao Guohua had made some money over the years, he was still fundamentally a country bumpkin.

With his newfound wealth, he had simply slept with more women, bought more properties, and purchased more fancy cars.

Director Gai took Xiao Guohua straight to a yacht club.

Xiao Guohua’s eyes were instantly opened.

That place was truly membership-only—if you weren’t a member, they wouldn’t let you in even if you offered money.

The first requirement for membership was that you had to own a yacht.

That day, Xiao Guohua sat on Director Gai’s yacht, said to be worth tens of millions. He experienced sea fishing and enjoyed a bottle of Mouton worth over a hundred thousand. Director Gai, accustomed to tucking a silk scarf into his shirt collar, casually made phone calls, effortlessly instructing his subordinates on deals worth tens of millions...

That demeanor made Xiao Guohua deeply feel that he was truly a country bumpkin.

Moreover, the other party didn’t bring up any serious business, saying that this meeting was just to make friends. In the future, when they started doing business in Jinling City and there was an opportunity to make money, he would invite Xiao Guohua to buy into the venture.

Before they went ashore, Director Gai casually asked, "So, how did you find the sea trip? Is the boat to your liking?"

Xiao Guohua responded politely, though he was somewhat bemused.

After returning to the club’s membership center, the staff directly assisted Xiao Guohua in obtaining membership.

And what about Boss Xiao’s yacht?

He had one now!

The one he had just been on!

He was told by the staff that Director Gai had transferred ownership of the yacht to his name, right there at the club, and his membership was also arranged.

From then on, at any time, Boss Xiao could visit the club and enjoy his yacht.

A yacht worth tens of millions was given away just like that!

This generosity astonished Xiao Guohua!

Of course, during subsequent interactions, Director Gai effortlessly resolved one or two "minor troubles" for Boss Xiao in his business affairs.

The miraculous methods demonstrated left Xiao Guohua completely in awe!

He knew he’d truly encountered a ’divine dragon from afar’ this time!

This was a powerful backer he absolutely had to hold onto tightly!

That evening, Xiao Guohua walked out of the clubhouse he frequented, a bored expression on his face.

Coming out of the clubhouse lobby and glancing back at the scantily clad throng of women behind him, the usually lively Boss Xiao today found—no matter how he looked at them—they just seemed LOW!

Yes, what was it that Director Gai had said?

Tacky! Right, that’s the word!

This kind of place, these kinds of women, Director Gai wouldn’t even deign to give them a glance.

Now Xiao Guohua himself felt that the place he frequented was somewhat LOW.

He hadn’t drunk much tonight, and he no longer felt interested in cuddling with the Red Card Fairy inside and singing "Grand Sedan Chair" as usual.

No matter how that little demon flirted with him and threw him suggestive glances, Xiao Guohua pretended not to notice. In the end, he left alone.

Standing on the steps, he caught a breath of fresh air. His chauffeur had gone to the parking lot to fetch the car.

Boss Xiao rubbed his face. He still felt a bit tipsy.

A black Audi car slowly drove up and stopped in front of him.

Before getting into the car, Xiao Guohua was still pondering to himself.

Should I get a new car too?

Audi, Mercedes, BMW... none of them seem classy enough anymore.

What was that one Director Gai drove last time? The one with a golden, winged angel on the hood... what was it called? Something-something-ce?

That seems to be what truly wealthy people drive.

I have to get one! Definitely!

Once this project is done, Director Gai promised I’d make a fortune! Then I’ll get that new car!

As he opened the car door and sat in the back, Xiao Guohua narrowed his eyes. "Old Wei, let’s head home."

The car slowly set off.

Xiao Guohua leaned back in the rear seat, his mind swirling with thoughts, and he felt a bit drowsy.

After an unknown amount of time, he drifted off. Suddenly, a sense of unease jolted him.

Xiao Guohua instinctively opened his eyes and glanced out the window... unfamiliar streets, and they seemed desolate?

Hm?

Xiao Guohua jolted and sat up straight in the back!

After a few seconds of silence, glancing at the car’s rearview mirror, Xiao Guohua composed himself. He reached into his pocket for his cigarettes, put one to his lips, then tapped another one partway out of the pack and offered it towards the driver’s seat.

"Bro, in the middle of the night like this, how about a smoke to perk you up?"

"Driving now, maybe later," Chen Nuo steadily replied.

Boss Xiao said nothing.

He looked at his bag in the back seat and then felt his pockets.

He hadn’t brought a weapon. At his current status, he no longer needed to carry one; he was long past the stage of brawling and trying to prove his toughness.

"’Brother, are you short on cash, or have you run into some insurmountable trouble? Why don’t you tell me about it?’ Xiao Guohua said with a steady smile. ’I carry some weight around here; maybe I can help.

"’There’s nothing in this world that can’t be resolved. You have to look on the bright side. When problems arise, don’t be afraid; we can figure something out.

"’Going to extremes is really not worth it.

"’Brother, what do you think?’"

As he spoke, Xiao Guohua picked up his bag, unzipped it, and pulled out a stack of cash.

"That’s all I’ve got on me, bro. If you’re in a tight spot and need some cash, take it and deal with your emergency!"

Xiao Guohua said this as he pricked up his ears waiting for the other party to respond.

Chen Nuo calmly turned the steering wheel, made a turn at an intersection, and then pulled over to the side of the road.

Xiao Guohua swallowed and glanced out the window.

A small grove of trees, with a faint outline of a hillside in the distance.

"Boss Xiao, your words are almost the same as last time," Chen Nuo sighed. "Is it because people like you, who are bosses, encounter such events so often that you already have a set speech?"

Xiao Guohua was stunned, a sense of unease suddenly growing in his heart. "Last, last time?"

Chen Nuo hummed in acknowledgment and nodded. "That team-building event, Boss Xiao, you haven’t forgotten, right?"

Team building!

Xiao Guohua’s face turned pale as soon as he heard it!!

Forget?

How could I possibly forget?!

I’ll never forget it for the rest of my life!

It was this guy last time too!

He kidnapped me in the middle of the night, took me to a deserted mountain where a hole had already been dug in the ground—just the right size to bury me! There was even a shovel stuck in the dirt beside it!

Shit...

No!!

If you’re going to kidnap people, don’t just keep picking on me!!!

Last time, I offended you!

But I haven’t provoked you this time, have I?!

Chen Nuo turned his head directly—this time without a motorcycle helmet.

But he was wearing a mask on his face and glasses on the bridge of his nose.

Xiao Guohua instinctively glanced at him but quickly averted his gaze to the window. Can’t look at his face!

I know the rules! Seeing a kidnapper’s face means death...

"Suppressing the helplessness and frustration in his heart, Xiao Guohua forced a bitter smile and said through clenched teeth, ’Brother... I haven’t stepped on your turf, have I? You’re targeting me for the second time; isn’t that against the rules?

"’I play by the rules in my dealings; I don’t mess around. Brother, in your line of work, you should have some rules too, right?’"

Chen Nuo smiled, suddenly stretched out his hand with two fingers and made a ’V’ gesture.

Xiao Guohua was taken aback, immediately grasped the meaning, and quickly passed a cigarette over, placing it between Chen Nuo’s fingertips.

Chen Nuo smiled, pulled down his mask to put the cigarette in his mouth.

Xiao Guohua immediately turned his head away to look elsewhere.

Chen Nuo lit the cigarette and took a puff. Then, seeing Xiao Guohua craning his neck to look out the window, he laughed and flipped the rearview mirror down.

Xiao Guohua let out a sigh of relief.

"Boss Xiao, to put it bluntly, you’ve stepped on my turf this time," Chen Nuo spoke slowly. "I’m not here for money, but for Luo Dachanzi."

As soon as he heard Luo Dachanzi’s name, Xiao Guohua sat up straight!

His face showed a mix of shock and tension, but he shook his head, "I don’t understand what you’re saying."

"Chen Nuo smiled. ’You’re a smart man, Boss Xiao. We’ve dealt with each other before, and I’ve always thought you were smart—so why play dumb now?

"’Since I’ve found you, do you think I’d come without knowing what’s going on?’"

"The business with... Luo Dachanzi, it wasn’t me," Xiao Guohua shook his head. "I don’t have that kind of power."

"But you know the person who did it," Chen Nuo’s tone was very calm.

Xiao Guohua fell silent.

"A few seconds later, he shook his head. ’Brother, listen to my advice.

"’I don’t know what your relationship with Luo Dachanzi is. But if you’re looking to stand up for him out of loyalty or obligation, let me tell you, this world isn’t just about fighting and killing.

"’You might be skilled with your fists, strong, and brave; I don’t doubt that at all, brother.

"’But there are some things that a lone wolf like you can’t get involved in.

"’And there are some people that a lone wolf like you can’t afford to offend.

"’If... you’re not doing this for loyalty, but for money—if you’ve been hired to do a job...

"’Brother, whatever they’re paying you, I can double it! Don’t worry about the price. Even if you think I’m not rich enough, the people I know are definitely richer than you can imagine!

"’Do you understand what I’m saying?’"

Chen Nuo said earnestly, "I understand. Thank you for the advice, Boss Xiao—but let me also tell you something sincerely."

"As he spoke, Chen Nuo turned around and looked Xiao Guohua straight in the eye. His tone was gentle, his attitude extremely sincere as he said,

"’If you don’t talk, you will die.’"

Was Xiao Guohua afraid of death?

How to put it?

In his youth, he truly wasn’t.

Back then, he felt he had a worthless life, nothing to rely on besides his life itself.

So, he fought fiercely to earn that dishonorable black money, clawing his way to where he was today.

But at some point, Xiao Guohua realized he had started to fear death.

When did it begin?

Probably... when he made his first million, bought a big house, got used to drinking fine wines every other day, and every other day could flaunt a pretty girl much younger than himself around town... At that time, although Xiao Guohua would never admit it and always acted tough and fearless.

But deep down, he knew the truth about himself.

He knew he had actually started to cherish his life.

Drinking fine wines, living in a mansion, driving luxury cars, embracing beautiful women that his younger self wouldn’t have dared to dream of...

There were many zeros in his bank account.

He owned many profitable businesses and properties.

Who wouldn’t fear death living such a life?!

When he went to the hospital for injuries from fights in his youth, and the doctor was stitching up his wounds, Xiao Guohua dared to urge the doctor impatiently to hurry up.

Now? He wasn’t just scared of getting hurt. Even for a mere health check-up, every time he received his medical report and saw the doctor, he was extremely polite, terrified the doctor might tell him something bad.

A single abnormal indicator on his blood test report would make Xiao Guohua nervously consult the doctor if something was amiss.

Afraid of death?

Absolutely terrified!

But...

"’Brother, I believe you’re capable of it,’ Xiao Guohua answered honestly. ’This isn’t our first time dealing with each other. Last time, you wrecked my business, and all my men were taken down without laying a finger on you!

"’You also kidnapped me in the middle of the night that time, and the pit was already dug for me.

"’I understood then that if I hadn’t cooperated, I would have been buried in that pit.’"

"Xiao Guohua chuckled bitterly, then said in an almost pleading tone, ’Brother, I am afraid of dying.

"’But... I also have to tell you clearly, if I help you...

"’That person, he can also take my life!

"’Not just my life, but the lives of my entire family!

"’Do you believe what I’m saying?’"

As Xiao Guohua spoke, his heart was filled with grievances.

Damn it, I’m really in a tough spot...

"Chen Nuo thought for a moment. ’Make a phone call to that Director Gai. Tell him you’ve been captured by Luo Dachanzi’s men.

"’That’s simple, right? Then let his people come rescue you. I’ll wait here.

"’Don’t worry, once they arrive, you’ll be out of it. I won’t touch you.

"’Boss Xiao, this is the best offer I can give you.

"’If you still don’t agree... well, I can always dig that pit again.’"

Xiao Guohua’s eyes lit up!

He probed, "Brother, really? I just make a call, tell the truth that I’ve been caught by you, ask them to rescue me—and that’s it? You really won’t touch me?"

Chen Nuo nodded. "A debt has its debtor and a grievance its culprit. Luo Dachanzi’s troubles, I understand, weren’t caused by you. You’re definitely connected, you definitely know, but... you don’t have what it takes to go after Luo Dachanzi."

Xiao Guohua was quite impressed at this moment!

This fiend...

He doesn’t seem to be avenging Luo Dachanzi for money.

It’s probably out of some loyalty or old friendship with the Luo family.

In ancient times, he’d be considered a wandering knight-errant.

"’Brother, let me be upfront! Director Gai’s men are formidable!

"’I know you can fight, but when the time comes... if I bring them here, you... you can’t blame me! And you can’t go back on your word and use me as a hostage!’"

Chen Nuo laughed. "As soon as they arrive, I’ll let you go immediately, alright?"

Continuing, Chen Nuo slowly added, "However, after you leave..."

"Xiao Guohua quickly interjected, ’Understood! Team building! I get it, I get it! I know the score, brother!

"’As long as you let me go! First thing tomorrow, I’ll buy plane tickets and take my people overseas for team building!

"’I won’t come back before the New Year!

"’If I come back any earlier, I’ll be your damn dog!’"

Boss Xiao swore through gritted teeth.