didn't expect you to have so many people looking out for you," Chang Guangrui nodded his head. He then signaled for his group of sports school students to disperse. With a look of having been snubbed...Volume 2: Setting Sail for a New Journey Chapter 116: Battle

Zena covered her mouth, clearly surprised by the news. Although Zeng Qianming's face turned ugly, he didn't show it. Aunt Ying Shuying immediately opened the window and looked down in alarm. The soundproof effect of the private room was excellent; once the windows and sliding doors were closed, even the noise from a busy street was muted. Just now, they heard an automobile alarm but ignored it as a false alarm.

It wasn't until Tao Chuhong said this that everyone was shocked. Su Can, his father Su Licheng, Zeng Qianming were the first to understand what had happened.

Su Can looked at Tao Chuhong in front of him, while Tao Chuhong mainly focused on Zeng Qianming and Su Licheng, automatically ignoring Su Can.

Secretary Liu glanced sideways at Tao Chuhong. Although he was under Tao Changping's command and theoretically opposed to Zeng Qianming's faction, at this moment, he could sense the shock in Zeng Qianming's heart. He thought that this blow dealt a heavy punch to Zeng Qianming. Everyone had heard about Mayor Tao's nephew, Tao Chuhong from Nanning Group being a troublemaker; it seemed true now. When Tao Chuhong threw a sharp stone at Zeng Qianming's car window, Liu Ping felt his heart race to its peak. His eyes bulged out as if dark blood surged into his head, making him feel infected by Tao Chuhong's malevolence.

Zena wasn't stupid and realized something from Tao Chuhong's pretense with her father. She rose gracefully but the slight pause in her speech highlighted her inner turmoil, saying "I'll go downstairs to take a look." Her elder sister left somewhat dazedly while Ying Shuying and Zeng Zhao Ding followed.

Zeng Qianming quickly recovered and said to Tao Chuhong, "It's too hot today. China has joined the WTO, but car quality is deteriorating. Fortunately, insurance will cover it."

This impromptu remark from Zeng Qianming caused those who came to toast him to find a pretext for laughter.

Tao Chuhong then said, "I heard that Director Zeng always has a bad face and a strange temper. It seems he's not like that."

Everyone laughed again, but the people accompanying Tao Chuhong to toast him wiped cold sweat from their brows inwardly, cursing themselves for misjudging the situation. Everyone could see how tense the atmosphere was between Tao Chuhong and Liu Ping; they knew about the recent conflict between the Planning Commission and Land Reserve Center involving high-level politics but hadn't expected such a direct confrontation as this today. They regretted getting involved.

Su Can's family were all looking grim, while Tao Chuhong felt he had achieved his goal and left.

The family then returned and continued eating. Midway through the meal, Zao Ding Zeng threw his bowl forcefully on the table, having been holding in his anger until now that he felt like his lungs were about to burst. His younger brother Yuan Zeng looked at their father but did not know how to console him. Zeng Na's friend was looking over and her heart was a mess; she never thought they would encounter such an incident. Although both sides had been smiling the whole time or just going through the motions, there was an invisible pressure suffocating everyone.

This is probably the sense of powerlessness that life gives people

Zuoming Zeng's car window glass had been smashed from outside; it started cracking near the driver’s side and spread outwards. The whole window looked like it was covered in chains, ready to shatter at any moment.

As they watched the pieces of shattered window glass fall onto the ground one by one, Zeng Na clenched her silver teeth tightly while Yin Shuying was shaking with anger as well and wanted to argue with the hotel management. Zuoming Zeng, however, waved his hand to stop them; Tao Chuhong had been the one who smashed the car, and if this incident were to spread here now, it would only add more fuel to the fire.

Su Licheng helped Zuoming Zeng into his own car. The welcome banquet for Su Cang's return to Rongcheng ended in awkwardness as everyone was preoccupied with what had just happened. After Tao Chuhong finished his round of drinks, no one else came, which clearly showed the current trend.

Although Su Cang’s uncle chose to endure it for the greater good at first, news about Zuoming Zeng's car being smashed still spread like wildfire.

Those who were present during the incident at the Ginkgo Restaurant would take this up in conversations with others.

"Zuoming Zeng sued the Land Reserve Centre. The land reserves have been going on for so long that it's already a set-in stone rule, and Zuoming Zeng wants to move against Tao Changping Wei Zhichao from the Land Reserve Centre said he wasn't worried about this at all when drinking recently; he stated that Zuoming Zeng was only hurting himself by doing this. This person will eventually be moved."

"It's said that it was the mayor’s nephew and the son of the chairman of Nanning Group who smashed his car. I always told you, working in the Development Planning Commission is a thankless job that often offends people. Zuoming Zeng just doesn't have enough power to tear apart Tao Changping’s group; how many people will be affected when he tries this How many people will feel threatened by this The Development Planning Commission car being smashed is probably only the start of it, a signal or warning."

Someone sighed and said, "That car I've seen before, a new Buick from the Development Planning Commission. Only leaders at the level of director can get such treatment; Zuoming Zeng had an old car when he first arrived here. Now that they’ve managed to squeeze out some budget for his new car, it's like he hasn't even sat down yet. It’s too bad; I'm afraid this has also offended the Finance Bureau now. Zuoming Zeng is a capable person and isn’t afraid of any challenges, but he still didn’t understand the water here well enough."

At this time, Rongcheng had already entered winter, yet because of this incident, it sparked heated discussions in the city.

Among the old-style intermediate plots with low grass buffer zones, where city arterial roads connect different areas and government building compounds, amidst the bustling murmurs of private gatherings, there is a focus on this matter, filled with discussions and speculations. This was considered an outstanding event in Chengdu's official circles at the beginning of 2002.

The involved parties' interests, the prominence and opposition of conflicts, and the interactions and collisions among various forces presented signs of potential explosive outbreaks as the Spring Festival approached.

"That Tao Chuhong is quite something! How old is he Not much older than Su Zhan! Look at him; he made Uncle Su's face turn pale. When he wanted to smash my brother’s car in front of me, I didn't care who his father was. I would have caught him and asked his parents to explain how they raised their child!"

The half-closed curtain revealed an agitated look on Mom Zeng Ke's face at home, the first time she had ever been this riled up. This fighting spirit seemed to gather all her energy, unlike a court battle over rights or physical confrontations in business dealings. Instead, it was a political and life struggle.

When Zeng Ke was young, she often followed Zeng Quanming and Zeng Zhao Ding around for mischief and fights. Back then, the three siblings were all that there was in the family; if they were bullied, they had to stand up together. Once when Zeng Quanming was beaten by a group of other people's kids at their workplace, Zeng Ke and Zeng Zhao Ding went to help him, but they ended up with broken noses and bloodied faces after fighting against more than ten opponents. Although they lost the fight, they managed to establish the family’s reputation and showed that the three siblings were not soft targets.

Back in those days at old company units, if you didn't beat someone to death, sooner or later, you'd get even by hitting back with bricks.

But things are different now. The current conflicts don’t involve bloodshed or brick fights, but they are far more vicious and deceitful. Being enemies with others is the last thing Su Zhan's parents want, especially when these individuals are influential in official circles or business-politics arenas. Politics is always a deadly weapon that leaves no trace of its wounds; struggles over interests are inevitably bloody and cruel.

Nowadays, what Zeng Quanming has touched upon is the interest of some people in Chengdu, an invisible force that feels like dark clouds pressing down, ready to crush them if they can't withstand it, thus destroying their current lives.

"Tao Chuhong is the son of Nanjing Group's chairman. Why are you comparing Su Zhan with him Su Zhan, I'm telling you, under no circumstances can you be like him!" Su Licheng sternly looked at Su Zhan and tried to assert his parental authority.

Su Zhan said awkwardly, "Dad, you've known me since day one." Even though he had lived a second life, facing such a lecture from his father made Su Zhan smile despite feeling embarrassed.

Thinking about Su Zhan's behavior, Su Licheng nodded approvingly. "I have heard of this Tao Chuhong. He is the eldest son of Nanjing Group’s chairman and has quite a reputation for being troublesome. How old can he be No wonder people are talking these days about how spoiled rich kids ruin things."

Su Can nodded in agreement. He had heard that Tao Chuhong was not the most outstanding figure within his family, which made sense since someone like him, a wastrel with a bad reputation, could hardly be considered dangerous even if he did have some skills.

"Uncle Tao Chuhong is actually Tao Changping. Their Nanning Group is entering this market, and it's causing pressure for our group company too. Tao Changping doesn't want us to participate in the negotiations with Sichuan Airlines, although he hasn’t explicitly said so; his intentions can be inferred from certain actions. Moreover, he openly supports their Nanning Group. Does he think he can push Wang Bo aside He’s not qualified to limit our Greater Bay Construction Company! Grandpa Xu entrusted me with this project and emphasized the importance of dealing firmly with Sichuan Airlines. This deal must proceed no matter who tries to stop it."

Su Can nodded, "Dad, I support you. Grandpa Xu chose you because he values your backbone. Given how large the Construction Group's operations are, you can handle them well, and I believe my success with that magazine is also thanks to your excellent genes."

Guo Licheng smiled and scolded him, "You naughty boy!" Although he seemed disdainful of Su Can’s flattery on the surface, his vanity was evident.

Despite the turbulent political situation in Chengdu, the neighborhood where Su Can's family lived, across from Tang Wu's home, still exuded a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Once they set aside their conflicts and pressures, these were moments of precious happiness for ordinary people.

Tao Chuhong smashing Zeng Quanming’s car seemed like a minor incident but had far-reaching implications. Although Zeng Quanming suffered this blow, it would be difficult to suppress the impact, which naturally harmed him severely.

Tao Chuhong clearly didn’t think much of Zeng Quanming, and similarly, his background support from the land reserve center, Bureau of Land and Resources, Construction Committee, and the deputy mayor Tao Changping’s faction all viewed it with disdain. Officially unavoidable sides were taken, tilting Chengdu's political balance towards Tao Changping. The newspapers controlled by the Tao faction in Chengdu started cooling down their coverage of this event. Zeng Quanming was now at a disadvantage, and even his political career, personal safety, and family life were threatened. There were reports that Zhang Zhaowei, the director of the land reserve center, had provided certain "reports" about alleged retaliation by Zeng Quanming to higher supervisory departments. But for the moment, there was no movement from the disciplinary inspection or procuratorial authorities.

Some people laughed during this Spring Festival season while others were worried.

Su Can received a call at this time; Wang Weiwei and Lin Zhouwu had returned to Chengdu. Accompanying them was Lin Luoran, who had previously claimed she wouldn’t return to Chengdu but now showed no sign of keeping her promise.

(To be continued)the checkered shirt is named Zheng Rong; he's the captain of NDU’s baseball team. The guy who fought us that day, Qian Zhongyuan, his two friends are from the baseball team too. If you count further d...