In Tianlu City, at the Golden Bay Villa Area.
This is the most luxurious and high-end villa area in the entire Tianlu City. Each villa here costs billions and all of them face the sea, making them true seaside villas.
At this moment, under the largest villa located in the center, Li Bin was lying on a beach chair, sunbathing. His upper body was bare, showing smooth skin without any muscles. Two strong men, who looked like bodyguards, stood behind him. The eighth-level martial artist who had been with him before was not present; in fact, after being branded by Wu Zhiming a few days ago, Li Bin had dismissed him.
A bandage was wrapped around Li Bin's forehead. After Wu Zhiming burned him, he immediately went to the hospital to treat the wound.
"Young Master, the doctor said you can remove the bandage now," one of Li Bin's bodyguards said.
Li Bin sat up and looked at the blue sea in front of him. He nodded and said, "Help me take it off."
The bodyguard reached out and carefully removed the bandage from Li Bin's head. As the bandage came off, Li Bin felt a cool breeze on his forehead. He picked up his phone and opened the front camera. The next second, he angrily threw the phone to the ground. The limited edition phone worth tens of thousands was smashed to pieces.
"Bastard!" Li Bin cursed through gritted teeth. "Wu Zhiming, that uncouth bastard, I will never forgive him, never!!"
"Young Master, the Master wants to see you," a servant came over and whispered.
"What does he want?" Li Bin stood up from the beach chair with a dark expression.
"I'm not sure. It seems like we have guests," the servant said.
"I see." Li Bin picked up the bandage from the ground and re-wrapped it around his head. According to the doctor, he could indeed remove the bandage now. But at this moment, there was a scab in the center of his forehead, making him look like Nezha. He was in his thirties and couldn't afford such embarrassment.
Li Bin pondered how to deal with Wu Zhiming as he walked into the first-floor lobby of the villa. Inside the spacious living room, the head of the Li family, Li Jingguo, was sitting on a golden nanmu wood sofa. Li Jingguo, a businessman in his fifties who looked like he was in his forties, was dressed impeccably. Sitting opposite him was a middle-aged man in his forties, with somewhat delicate features and wearing gold-framed glasses, looking like a scholar.
"Father, you called for me?" Li Bin walked up to Li Jingguo and asked.
"Xiaobin, let me introduce you. This is Dong Jian, the secretary of the Wu Group's boss," Li Jingguo pointed to the man sitting across from him.
"Dong Jian? You're Dong Jian, Wu Zhiming's subordinate?!" Li Bin's pupils contracted as he stared at the man.
Indeed, it was Dong Jian sitting opposite Li Jingguo. Dong Jian smiled faintly and said, "It seems Young Master Li has heard of me!"
"A traitor," Li Bin sneered. "You used to follow Wu Zhixing, then betrayed him to follow Wu Zhiming. Now you come to us, do you want to switch sides again? Did you know about my grudge with Wu Zhiming?"
"I have always been the servant of the master. I only became Wu Zhixing's secretary to gather more intelligence for the master," Dong Jian explained with a smile.
"Father, this guy is Wu Zhiming's trusted aide. Wu Zhiming just burned my forehead a few days ago. How can you entertain him? Such a person shouldn't even be allowed into our house!" Li Bin said, pointing at Dong Jian.
"Mr. Dong, as you can see, Wu Zhiming injured my son," Li Jingguo pointed at Li Bin and said.
"I am here precisely because of that," Dong Jian said with a smile.
"I don't accept any compensation, nor do I accept any apologies. Unless, Wu Zhiming divorces Yao Jing!" Li Bin demanded.
"Young Master Li, I think you misunderstand my intention. I am not here to offer compensation or an apology," Dong Jian said.
"Then why are you here?" Li Bin asked.
"The master has entrusted me to handle the conflict with you. I am a kind-hearted person. I investigated and found that your Li family has been developing in Tianlu City for over a century, accumulating considerable wealth. It hasn't been easy for a family to prosper for so long. So, I hope this matter can end here. The master has already vented his anger, and there is no need to completely destroy your family," Dong Jian said with a smile.
Dong Jian's words stunned both Li Bin and Li Jingguo. They had thought Dong Jian was here to make peace, considering the vast wealth and power of the Li family compared to the Wu family. They didn't expect Dong Jian to come and indirectly threaten them!
Indeed, it was a threat! The implied message was that Wu Zhiming bullied you, and if you don't want to be ruined, you have to suck it up and not retaliate.
After a moment of silence, Li Bin burst into laughter.
"Dong Jian, are you out of your mind? What gives you the courage to say you'd destroy us? Do you even know that our Li family is twice, even three times the size of the Wu family? Our business extends beyond Tianlu City to Southeast Asia. Your Wu family is just a small real estate company, while our Li family is a comprehensive conglomerate involved in various industries. My father was even named one of Tianlu City's top ten outstanding entrepreneurs last year. In terms of reputation and strength, you are nothing compared to us. What gives you the right to say you'd destroy us? On what basis?" Li Bin pointed at Dong Jian, questioning him angrily.
"This decision is actually my own," Dong Jian said calmly, not at all angered by Li Bin's outburst. "I mean exactly what I said. If you think I'm crazy, then just consider me crazy. As the saying goes, 'courtesy before force.' I've offered courtesy; if you can't accept it, then we can only go to war."
"Go to war? Do you think our Li family is afraid of the Wu family? Who does Wu Zhiming think he is? The humiliation he inflicted on me, I will make the entire Wu family pay for it!!" Li Bin shouted excitedly.
"In that case, see you on the battlefield," Dong Jian said with a smile as he stood up.
"Mr. Dong, calm down," Li Jingguo suddenly said.
"Mr. Li, is there something else?" Dong Jian asked.
"Mr. Dong, I can feel your sincerity, so this war is unnecessary. Our Xiaobin indeed acted inappropriately. Since Yao Jing is already a married woman, Xiaobin shouldn't have any thoughts about her. Wu Zhiming's punishment was justified. Since Mr. Dong came personally, I will give you face and let this matter rest here," Li Jingguo said.
"Father, how can you!" Li Bin looked at Li Jingguo excitedly.
"Who makes the decisions, me or you?" Li Jingguo asked with a stern face.
"You do," Li Bin lowered his head.
"Mr. Li, you are indeed sensible," Dong Jian said with a smile. "The Li family's century-long legacy is no small feat. With you at the helm, this legacy seems likely to continue. I hope the Li family prospers in the future."
"I hope so too. If there's an opportunity, I also hope our Li family can collaborate with your Wu family!" Li Jingguo said.
"If there's an opportunity, we will definitely consider it. Well, Mr. Li, my purpose is achieved, so I won't stay any longer. I'll take my leave!" Dong Jian said.
"Xiaobin, see Mr. Dong out," Li Jingguo said.
With a sour face, Li Bin looked at Dong Jian and said, "Mr. Dong, please."
Then, Li Bin walked ahead. A few minutes later, Li Bin returned to the living room alone.
"Father, what are you thinking? Are you really afraid of the Wu family? Look at my forehead, it's scabbed over, making me look like a fool!" Li Bin pointed at his forehead, agitated.
"Calm down, Xiaobin," Li Jingguo said, pouring a cup of tea and placing it in front of Li Bin. "Take a sip. Your uncle just brought this Da Hong Pao tea back from Yiwu City."
"I can't drink it, I'm not in the mood," Li Bin shook his head, looking very angry.
"Do you know what the most important quality is in the business world?" Li Jingguo asked.
"What?"
"Patience!" Li Jingguo said.
"Patience? We're much stronger than the Wu family, and we still need patience?" Li Bin frowned.
"Of course!" Li Jingguo nodded. "Only by being patient can we make the enemy lower their guard. Wu Zhiming used to be very good at this, but ever since he took over the Wu Group, he has forgotten this principle. He has become arrogant and overbearing, which is why he sent Dong Jian to our door."
"And then?" Li Bin asked.
"Xiaobin, you're my only son. Do you think I wouldn't help you get your revenge? But if we fight openly, even if we can take down Wu Zhiming, our losses won't be small. Instead, it's better to make a truce on the surface and plot in secret. The enemy is in the open, we are in the dark. If we strike at the right time, catching him off guard, we can achieve the greatest result with the smallest cost," Li Jingguo said.
"Father, I understand!" Li Bin's eyes lit up.
"Wu Zhiming sent Dong Jian today, which shows he is actually nervous. Otherwise, he wouldn't make such a grand gesture. We should go with the flow, making him think we don't want to fight. This way, he will lower his guard. We can then prepare in secret, find the right moment, and deliver a fatal blow. Wouldn't that be perfect?" Li Jingguo said with a smile.
"A helper?" Li Bin pondered for a moment and said, "There is someone in the high society of Haixia City who would love to see Wu Zhiming fall. I know someone who might become our helper!"
"Who?"
"Chen Weichao!"