chapter 13 I have something to ask for

The banquet was held at the most prestigious Tiandi Hotel in Zhonghai City. Fredric Huang felt that if he didn't do it this way, it would seem disrespectful. Last time, he almost lost his life due to underestimating Baldwin Qi. For this mysterious young man with great skills, Fredric Huang dared not be careless again. "Mayor Huang, are you also dining here?" Upon seeing Fredric Huang and his party standing at the entrance, Egbert Zhang and April Qiao's family, who had just arrived, were taken aback. Egbert Zhang directly went up to greet Fredric Huang, but Fredric Huang frowned, not recognizing him. Egbert Zhang said, "Mayor Huang, I'm the young master of Zhang Property. We had a drink together before!" Fredric Huang responded indifferently and looked somewhat impatient. Not daring to utter another word, Egbert Zhang quickly ushered April Qiao and her family into the hotel. "Mr. Zhang, I didn't know you had such a relationship with Mayor Huang!" Marisol Pang, having seen Egbert Zhang talking to Fredric Huang, couldn't help but express admiration. Egbert Zhang waved it off and said nonchalantly, "Haha, it's all thanks to my father. It's not a big deal." Marisol Pang grew more fond of Egbert Zhang's attitude and felt even more that Clyde Qiao had chosen the wrong person. Polly Li whispered, "Mayor Huang is probably waiting for some important guest, perhaps a high-ranking official from the province." Egbert Zhang felt the same. Otherwise, Mayor Huang's attitude wouldn't be so impatient. April Qiao couldn't help but daydream, "If I could become someone so influential that even Mayor Huang would greet me at the hotel entrance, how glorious would that be?" She thought, "Given time, one day, I'll be as dazzling as Cheyenn Yu." The group entered the Tiandi Hotel and went to their reserved private room. Around this time, Baldwin Qi finally arrived, looking leisurely and said, "Sorry for being a bit late." Fredric Huang was very courteous to the man who had saved his life and said respectfully, "Master Qi, you're too kind. I'm already satisfied that you could make it." Many onlookers were surprised. Who was this young man that could keep Mayor Huang waiting for so long? Furthermore, knowing that Mayor Huang was waiting, he still dared to be fashionably late! Baldwin Qi always did things on his own terms and was known for his laid-back nature. Arriving around this time was already a big favour to Fredric Huang. “Master Qi, how have you considered the matter we discussed last time?” Kyle Sun, the old man, was ingratiating to Baldwin Qi, hoping to learn something from him. Despite his fame throughout Hua Country, Kyle Sun was known to be obsessed. He would kneel and bow to Baldwin Qi without hesitation if it meant advancing his medical skills. Baldwin Qi simply responded with a nonchalant "We'll see," brushing Kyle Sun aside. At the dinner table, Bevis Wang played the role of mediator. Fredric Huang and Kyle Sun continually toasted him, showing great respect. When they were three rounds into their drinks, the door to the private room opened wide, and a slightly chubby middle-aged man entered. "Why is President Sun here?" Seeing Harold Sun, the president of Zhonghai Bank, Fredric Huang asked with a frown. Harold Sun had worked his way up from a small bank clerk, so his ability to read the room was top-notch. Seeing that the main seat was occupied not by Fredric Huang or Bevis Wang but by a stranger, he felt uneasy. "I just happened to be here discussing financial matters with Jason Zhang, the head of Zhang Property. Knowing that Mayor Huang was here, I came over to offer a toast," Harold Sun said with a grin, discreetly sizing up Baldwin Qi, wondering what this young man was all about that made Mayor Huang value him so much. Fredric Huang frowned, "Jason Zhang's property company has big problems. The financial deficit is too large. Even if you lend money, I estimate that they won’t be able to repay the debt." Harold Sun quickly flattered, "Mayor Huang truly has sharp eyes. You identified the problem at a glance! Of course, I wouldn’t lend money to Qiao Group. Their deficit in real estate is too huge. Even with 2 billion, they can't cover the loss." Baldwin Qi listened quietly with a calm expression. It seemed that Egbert Zhang, this young master Zhang, wouldn't last much longer. Harold Sun toasted everyone and then came to Baldwin Qi, lifting his glass with a smile, "Cheers to you, young man." Baldwin Qi just touched the liquor to his lips, while Harold Sun drank it all without feeling slighted by Qi's casual gesture. To have Mayor Huang personally greet at the door and sit at the head of this table, one could imagine how exceptional that was. After the toast, Harold Sun carefully left the private room. Showing his face in front of a leader and toasting a guest of the leader was enough for him. Baldwin Qi could tell that Fredric Huang had a request, so he said, "Mayor Huang, if you need my help, don’t hesitate to shoot. There’s no need to beat around the bush." Fredric Huang, having been seen through, wasn’t embarrassed. As a seasoned politician, he continued, "My daughter has been ill for many years. Even Mr. Sun couldn't cure her. So, I was hoping you could try." "An illness that even Mr. Sun couldn’t cure?" Baldwin Qi glanced at Kyle Sun. "Master Qi, it's a psychological disorder. My daughter, Elaine Huang, locks herself in her room all day, pulling the curtains shut. If this continues, she’ll develop serious issues," Kyle Sun sighed. "There must be a reason for her psychological disorder," Baldwin Qi responded. Fredric Huang hesitated for a moment, then sighed, "She had a fight with her mother and left home... Unexpectedly, her mother fell seriously ill, and she didn't get to see her before she had passed away. Hence, she has been consumed by guilt and remorse." Baldwin Qi nodded thoughtfully, saying calmly, "I'll have a chance to see her." With Baldwin Qi's words, Fredric Huang felt completely relieved. Baldwin Qi wasn't one for socializing. After the meal, he left directly. Fredric Huang didn’t try to keep him and immediately stood up with Kyle Sun to see him off. Watching Fredric Huang, Bevis Wang, and Kyle Sun – three top figures – send off a young man was jaw-dropping for everyone. Polly Li was outside taking a call. Seeing this, she almost dropped her phone. "How... How is this possible?" "Was the man that Mayor Huang had personally greeted outside, him?" "He's just a prison guard. What qualifications did he have to get such treatment from Mayor Huang?" The shock in Polly Li's heart was self-evident. She returned to the private room, wanting to share this shocking news with April Qiao. As she entered, she heard Egbert Zhang laughing, "Our Zhang Property has just decided to increase capital and shares. April, do you want to consider it?"