Instantly, everyone in the living room, whether standing or sitting, looked up.
The most interesting look, of course, was Du Ling's face. He hadn't expected this to happen so suddenly. He quickly stood up to greet him, but Frank spoke first, his voice full of disdain: "Dr. Lu, it's so late, go to sleep! What do you know? Do you think you know everything?"
He disliked Lu Chen intensely and never missed an opportunity to humiliate him.
So, he even forgot to hear Lu Chen call him "Old Du."
However, Liu Sha noticed. Old Du? She knew that in China, adding "Old" before a person's surname didn't necessarily mean the person was old; it usually indicated a close relationship.
Sure enough, Du Ling looked up, his eyes lighting up with a joyful expression.
He jumped to his feet. "Chen, what are you doing here?"
Lu Chen smiled slightly, lazily stretched, and said, "Here to treat someone's illness. It's late, so I thought I'd spend the night here and enjoy a bit of luxury!"
As he spoke, he suddenly braced himself on the railing, leaped over it, and jumped down.
Although it was only the second floor, it was still a height of seven or eight meters. Du Chen landed with only a slight bend in his knees. His graceful movement made Liu Sha's heart flutter slightly.
In her mind, in just a short while, this man, whom she had previously thought was worthy of being her man, had become a god-like figure.
A deeper chord was stirred within her in that instant.
Frank snorted: "Is this guy putting on a show? Thinks he's Bruce Lee? There are plenty of people who can jump better than you!"
"Impressive skills, impressive skills!"
Du Ling greeted Lu Chen with a smile, giving him a warm hug. The hug was clearly from a brotherly bond, leaving Liu Sha and Frank stunned.
"I heard Frank's grandfather has a heart condition and came all the way to China for treatment. Heh heh, I didn't expect him to be the one who hired you! They're lucky. With my brother Chen on the case, he'll definitely handle that old guy! Guaranteed he'll live to be a hundred!" Du Ling's words were somewhat rough, but he exuded confidence.
Of course, he was genuinely confident. This Brother Chen was now the Research Director of Flying Eagle Biotechnology! Although Du Ling was a figure in the underworld, he still understood these high-tech gadgets.
The Research Director of a biopharmaceutical company—who wouldn't hold that position be a top international medical talent? And Lu Chen had managed to get there at such a young age, plus Flying Eagle Biotechnology was one of the top biotech companies in the entire Fuhai Province—he was definitely not simple, definitely had something special!
Lu Chen sighed, "You overestimate me. Old Mr. Seji's heart condition isn't easy to cure; it requires a long period of treatment."
"Anyway, I believe you!" Du Ling lightly punched Lu Chen's chest.
Meanwhile, Liu Sha and Frank were somewhat stunned.
Du Ling, the local mob boss who opposed them and gave them a headache, was actually Lu Chen's good brother?
Frank's face was particularly ugly, and he suddenly let out a cold laugh: "Not bad, not bad! You, Du Ling, you, Lu Chen, maybe you've been plotting this all along to get back at me, haven't you?"
The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed. Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence? Just when Lu Chen came for treatment, this Du Ling sent people to cause trouble, then pretended to be a good guy, and then the two of them even acted in concert?
Hearing Frank's words, Lu Chen's expression turned cold, and he smiled disdainfully.
But Ryuse suddenly snapped, "Frank, don't you dare slander Mr. Lu! Why do you never use your brain when you think things through? Didn't you see Mr. Lu was trying to help you out? You don't know how to be grateful, and you even slander Mr. Lu? Are you out of your mind?"
After being scolded by his sister like this, Frank's face turned a deep purplish-red. He wanted to yell back to vent his anger, but looking at Ryuse's icy gaze, he dared not act rashly. After all, Ryuse held considerable sway over him.
Du Ling rolled his eyes at Frank, then said sarcastically, "Mr. Frank, I'd rather call you Mr. Pig! No, even calling you Mr. Pig is an insult to the rest of the pig; Mr. Pighead is more appropriate. Yes, the John Wen family is powerful, but don't forget this isn't Australia, it's China! If I went to Australia, I certainly wouldn't dare be as arrogant as you are in China! Even if you have connections..."
He then gave a cold laugh: "Don't think I don't know what kind of connections you have, and don't think I'm afraid. If I were afraid, I wouldn't be here tonight. I can negotiate with you for A-Chen's sake, but if you insist on a head-on confrontation, let me tell you, maybe even the guy behind you will be brought down by me! Do you think the Hongqing Hall is made of minnows?"
Frank's face paled.
Indeed, the official behind him had once said that he had influence in both the legitimate and underworld circles in Yunzhou City, but there were some people he couldn't afford to offend, such as the three major halls of Yunzhou City. Every gang leader has a high-ranking official backing them, and compared to those officials, he's nothing.
Therefore, that official had solemnly instructed Frank that the waters of Yunzhou City were too deep, and he should yield when necessary.
However, Frank was arrogant and believed that besides that official's backing, he had other connections and his own men. Combined, he felt he could contend with anyone.
Thinking this, his back hardened, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "Du Ling, don't be so arrogant. You're not a rookie, and neither am I. Besides, doesn't Yunzhou City have four major gangs? I heard there's also the God of Wealth Gang, which was also very powerful. Wasn't it destroyed because its leader was too arrogant? I think you're nothing special."
Du Ling chuckled, glanced at Lu Chen, and was about to say that the person who destroyed the God of Wealth Gang was right in front of him when Lu Chen, knowing what he was about to say, quickly waved his hand. He glared coldly at Frank: "Just because the people from the God of Wealth Hall are powerful doesn't mean you are. Frank, you really need to be careful; your arrogance might bring you death!"
"What did you say?" Frank grew increasingly annoyed with Lu Chen, taking two steps closer.
"Frank, are you really going to be so presumptuous?" Ryuse's face was frosty.
Frank could no longer contain himself and roared:
"Ryuse, don't think that just because you're my sister you can control me like this! You've repeatedly opposed me for this scumbag Chinese man! How can you face me? How can you face our shared family?"
Immediately afterward, Ryuse's incredibly beautiful figure swiftly swept over, and with a resounding slap, a delicate five-clawed golden dragon appeared on Frank's face.
Ryusei's ample breasts heaved, her voice a mixture of fire and ice: "Frank, saying that only shows how naive you are. You have no idea I'm doing this for your own good, to help you avoid offending people and do more productive work! Just like Mr. Du said, you're a complete idiot!"
"An idiot?" Frank roared sharply, "Ryusei, I'm not an idiot! Let me tell you, I know everything about you! Don't think I'm completely unaware of what you've been doing behind the scenes! If I find any evidence against you, your doom is nigh!"
At this, Du Ling was still bewildered, but Lu Chen was startled.
However, Ryusei laughed, a cold laugh filled with intense mockery. She crossed her arms, quite relaxed and not nervous at all, staring at Frank and saying:
"Little brother, I said you're a pig-headed idiot, and you are. What have I done behind my back? Have you been influenced by someone? I'm your sister, one of the heirs of our Johnvin family. Even if I did something behind my back, it was for the good of the family. What right do you have to declare my doom?"
Frank's pupils contracted under her gaze, his heart pounded, and a chill ran through him. Oh no, he was too angry just now, and in his anger, he blurted out something he shouldn't have.
Now, Frank wanted to slap himself.
How could I be so stupid? Am I really a pig-headed idiot?
Du Ling, watching this infighting, found it quite amusing. He chuckled and patted Lu Chen on the shoulder: "Chen, let me tell you, this kind of idiot doesn't deserve your help. Although, if you were to help him, I would definitely make some concessions. But, he's not worth it!"
The two "not worth it"s infuriated Frank even more.
Lu Chen sighed: "I don't want to help this kind of scum either! I'm not helping him, but his sister, Liu Sha. I have a good relationship with Liu Sha, and Frank is, after all, her brother! Even when beating a dog, one should consider its owner. So, I'd like to ask you for a favor; let's discuss a solution!"
Frank was fuming. He'd been called scum and Liu Sha's dog?
This was too much! Frank really wanted to pounce on those two and beat them up, but he didn't dare.
Du Ling, looking at Liu Sha's alluring figure and rosy cheeks, suddenly understood. He winked at Lu Chen, even playfully punching him in the chest, and laughed:
"Chen, I get it! Haha! You're really clever! Okay, I'll agree to let this scumbag go for Liu Sha's sake. But let's be clear, brothers are brothers, and while I can offer concessions, don't make me lose too much!"
Lu Chen laughed heartily: "Actually, I have another purpose, which is to help you earn even more."
Then, his tone shifted, becoming serious: "Brother Du, do you really think opening a commercial center will be very profitable?"
Du Ling was slightly taken aback: "What do you mean?"
Lu Chen then launched into a long explanation.
Although Yunzhou City isn't a first-tier city, it's considered a top-tier second-tier city. Currently, the urban area has a permanent population of 800,000, and there are already seven large commercial centers, not to mention countless smaller commercial streets and community shopping malls, which have already divided up almost all of these 800,000 residents.
Building another large commercial center—yes, it could be profitable—is like snatching food from the mouths of seven tigers and countless hungry wolves. How much could they possibly grab? Perhaps they could become millionaires, but becoming billionaires would still be a long way off.
Lu Chen gave a detailed analysis, then looked at Du Ling and said sincerely, "Brother Du, we need to look further ahead!"