Chapter 49
"But..."
"What? Is there something else?"
"Second Young Master, this guy is not simple," Ji Feiyang stepped forward and said mysteriously. "He's written several articles recently criticizing the current economic policies. Isn't your family currently running a pilot project related to those?"
"Oh?" The man raised an eyebrow. "That's an interesting angle."
"Not only that," Ji Feiyang continued, "his father works in Yunzhou, Linjiang Province. From what I've heard, he's a radical type—constantly criticizing upper-level decisions and acting as a pawn for certain factions. I suspect the son is writing under his father's influence."
"So?"
"So, the wine incident wasn't just an accident—it was a deliberate act of provocation!"
The man chuckled, his voice calm and edged with amusement. "If they dared to challenge me, should I deal with both father and son together? Is that what you're implying?"
"Second Young Master, you misunderstand," Ji Feiyang said with an awkward laugh. "I only bring this up because I care about your family's interests."
"I appreciate the concern, Young Master Ji," the man replied smoothly. "But unfortunately, I'm not interested."
"Second Young Master, this is serious!" Ji Feiyang grew anxious. "There's growing resistance in Yunzhou to the new policy—and the ringleader is Wei Jinsong's father!"
Nonsense! Gu Xi clenched her fists in silent fury. She wanted to storm over and expose Ji Feiyang's lies but knew she couldn't reveal herself just yet. His talent for twisting the truth hadn't dulled in this life.
She glared at him with such intensity that the man turned to look at her. Their eyes met. Gu Xi immediately looked down, her body stiffening under his gaze.
"Second Young Master, you must act," Ji Feiyang pressed on. "That boy is trouble, and his father is no better. I've also heard that Director Zheng's coastal pilot project could be affected if Linjiang refuses to cooperate. That would damage your family's long-term plans."
The man's amused smile returned. "I didn't realize how socially conscious you were, Young Master Ji."
"It's not that—I'm just looking out for you."
"A student studying abroad is concerned about the Zheng family's national strategies? How touching." His voice turned sharper, laced with sarcasm. As Ji Feiyang opened his mouth to respond, the man raised his hand and continued, feigning innocence: "I thought the Ji family's influence didn't extend to Linjiang. Why so much interest in its leadership changes? The mayor's being replaced, the Yunzhou chief is too... So, tell me, who paid you—Gu Wantong or Nie Zhenzhong?"
"I—I..." Ji Feiyang broke into a cold sweat. He looked down, scrambling to find a response. Zheng Ke's calm yet incisive questioning had sliced through his story like a blade.
Zheng Ke watched him with a sneer, as if observing a clown trying to perform a tragedy.
"Ji Feiyang," he said slowly, "I won't stop you from scheming, but don't try to use me as your pawn. I might come from the Zheng family, but I'm a businessman. A pure one."
Then, almost casually, he reached out and patted Ji Feiyang's face twice—softly, but with chilling precision. His voice dropped to a dangerously calm register.
"Do you understand?"