Chapter 24: The Mother-in-Law's Strong Return!

The destruction of the Lei family shook the whole of Jiang Bei! "What? The top family of Jiang Bei, the Lei family, was annihilated by a youth? Are you kidding me…" "My God, the Lei family's house really caught fire. Who is so capable?" "Did the Lei family offend some top figure?" "We in Jiang Bei's business community have always been oppressed by the Lei family. It's good that they're gone. I'm going to pay tribute to that youth!" "…" Public opinion was in an uproar. But most of them don't know the inside story, and there are various versions. Whatever you say. … It rained heavily all day long. Ben Xiao stayed in the room, standing in front of the window, looking at the falling rain outside. Pearl Mu didn't go to work, staying at home watching Ben Xiao. Seeing Ben Xiao in this state, she was worried and couldn't help but ask Angus Mu, "Dad, he has locked himself in his room for a day now. Could something be wrong?" Angus Mu sighed, "Anyone who learns of the many details of their family's annihilation would feel the same. It's fine, let him be alone for a day or two." Pearl Mu nodded and said no more. But in her heart, she couldn't help but feel a pang of pain. At that moment, Ben Xiao came downstairs. "Uncle Angus, Pearl, I'm going out for a walk." Leaving these words behind, Ben Xiao left. Pearl Mu was about to follow, but Angus Mu stopped her: "Let him be alone. Right now, he needs solitude. Your going there would have the opposite effect." Pearl Mu, a mature woman, quickly understood. Angus Mu then breathed a sigh of relief: "Your mother is coming back tonight. We need to welcome her." Hearing this, Pearl Mu was shocked: "What? Mom is coming back?!!!" ... Ben Xiao left the house, walking alone along the road. Destroying the Lei family was nothing to him, not enough to disturb his emotions. What truly made Ben Xiao feel guilty and pained were the final words of Roger Lei. His uncle Damon Xiao, his cousin Simon Xiao... his own kin, were dead. And his aunt, held in the hands of Christian Zhang. Alive or dead, unknown. Even if alive, she must be tortured beyond recognition, living a fate worse than death. But Christian Zhang was not a civilian figure like Roger Lei; he was a decorated general... making things much less convenient. However, Ben Xiao had already asked Jacob to investigate everything about Christian Zhang. What he needed now was to wait. And waiting was often the most torturous. Ben Xiao walked unknowingly for how long, and when he looked up, it was already deep into the night. Not far ahead was a large high-end bar – Emgrand Bar. "I kind of miss the taste of alcohol." Ben Xiao mused and walked over. At ten in the evening, the bar was at its most bustling. The huge bar hall was lit with colorful lights, with deafening music stimulating people's excitement. Coupled with the sensual women dancing on stage, the atmosphere was indulgent and hedonistic. Ben Xiao got a private booth and two bottles of cognac, drinking alone. Each glass of drink was filled with unbearable past memories. Like a knife cutting through, they were painful. And like scalding blood and tears. Just then, the entire place suddenly quietened down. A heavenly voice began to sing. All lights converged on the stage's singer. The song pierced straight into Ben Xiao's heart. The voice seemed familiar. Looking up, he saw a breathtakingly beautiful woman singing on stage. She wore a tight silver sequined leather dress that clung to her skin, accentuating a devilish figure. Her long legs, clad in black stockings and paired with high heels, were like a piece of art. As she sang and danced, her voice was steady, and her movements were enchanting and seductive. A rare beauty of this world. Who else could it be but Lily Lu? Ben Xiao couldn't help but feel emotional. True to her title as the music queen, only her voice could pierce the iron and blood-cold heart of Ben Xiao. At that moment, a mature and sexy woman in a suit approached, sitting down beside Ben Xiao with a professional smile, “Handsome, drinking alone? How about I call someone to keep you company?” Ben Xiao didn't even glance at her, continuing his drink. His demeanor indeed looked like a man drowning his sorrows in drink after a heartbreak. The sexy woman, sensing an opportunity, continued to pitch, "I'm Beatrix Liu, the manager here. My girls are young and beautiful. No tips are needed for a dance, but they can join tables. If not joining, they can stay with you for a fee of 1500, 2000, 3000… Which do you prefer?" Ben Xiao took a swig of his drink, indifferently, "No need." "Don't be so standoffish! Try first, and if you're not satisfied, they can leave." The sexy woman spoke into her walkie-talkie, and soon a line of beautiful women arrived. Standing in a line in front of Ben Xiao. They were indeed stunning! Good looks and great figures, dressed provocatively, and all sending inviting smiles to Ben Xiao – a sight any man would find hard to resist. But Ben Xiao showed no interest. The sexy woman casually called over a girl in a schoolgirl outfit, "Daohne Zhang, our top girl here. Many young masters queue up for her. Today, you're lucky." Daohne Zhang was also very savvy, immediately sitting down and pulling Ben Xiao's hand to her chest, cooing, "Handsome, drinking alone is so boring. Tonight, let me keep you company." Ben Xiao instinctively withdrew his hand and moved aside, without giving Daohne Zhang a single glance, instead focusing on Lily Lu on stage: "No need. You can leave." Being rejected and ignored for the first time, Daohne Zhang immediately felt humiliated, her face turning cold: "What, you think I'm not good enough for you?" Ben Xiao remained silent, drinking and watching Lily Lu. Continuing to ignore her. Daohne Zhang felt deeply insulted, her tone turning icy, "You don't have to take me. But you touched me just now, 50,000." Ben Xiao frowned for the first time, turning to look at Daohne Zhang. Falsely accusing him of touching her was one thing. But demanding 50,000 outright. It was blatant extortion. Daohne Zhang arrogantly crossed her legs and lit a cigarette, speaking haughtily, "I'll be honest, my boyfriend Luis Wei is a big shot around here. This entertainment street is under his protection. I wouldn't be here if not for needing money. I thought, seeing you handsome and fit, I'd accompany you for a few drinks – a fortune you've amassed over eight lifetimes. But you're so unappreciative." "Consider it paying to avoid trouble. 50,000, not a penny less. Otherwise, one phone call, and you'll be carried out horizontally." Threatening me? Ben Xiao's gaze turned cold: "Make the call then." Daohne Zhang promptly made a call: “Luis, I’m being bullied at Emgrand Bar and he’s refusing to pay…” Soon after. Swoosh! A group of burly men armed with steel baseball bats rushed over. About thirty men surrounded the booth. The leader, a youth in a tank top showing off his muscles, with green-dyed hair, barked, "Daohne, who's bullying you? Tell me, I'll chop him down." Daohne Zhang, feigning innocence, nestled in the arms of the green-haired youth, pointing at Ben Xiao, "Luis, you're finally here. It's him, he touched me. I asked for 50,000 to settle it. He refused. Even said you're a pushover and can't do anything to him." Bang! Luis smashed a bottle on the table, shouting fiercely, "Kid, either pays 50,000 or I'll break your legs. Your choice." Daohne Zhang chimed in, "Luis, 50,000 isn't enough. You're involved now, it should be at least 100,000!" Luis, laughing heartily, wrapped an arm around Daohne Zhang's waist, "Haha, that's my girl, Daohne. Kid, you heard it, 100,000." Ben Xiao, unruffled, slowly raised his head to look at Daohne Zhang, "You think you're worthy to drink with me?" Daohne Zhang, fueled by his reaction, sneered, "Oh, still putting on airs in front of me? Tell me, what kind of woman is good enough to drink with you?" Ben Xiao pointed towards the stage, "In this entire bar, only she is worthy to have a drink with me." Laughter erupted around them. Beatrix Liu and the line of beauties in front couldn’t help but laugh. "Ha ha ha!" Daohne Zhang laughed heartily, "She's a renowned singer, just released a new album, and was invited by the bar owner to promote her new song. Would a star like her appear in a bar under normal circumstances?" "To think only a star is worthy to drink with you? That's hilarious. If you can get the star to drink with you, I, Daohne Zhang, will perform a striptease for you." "This is your own doing," Ben Xiao said to Beatrix Liu. "Go up to the stage and pass a message to the star — Ben Xiao is here, and he would like to have a drink with her." Beatrix Liu hesitated, afraid to offend Luis, and didn’t move. Daohne Zhang scornfully said, "Beatrix Liu, just go and pass the message. I'm waiting to see the joke." Beatrix Liu then stood up to convey the message. The laughter continued around the booth. Daohne Zhang's laughter was particularly piercing, "Getting the star to drink with you? Do you think you're a billionaire? The star probably doesn't even know who you are..." At that moment, Beatrix Liu approached the stage and whispered something to Lily Lu. Suddenly — Whoosh! Lily Lu stopped singing, abruptly turned, and looked toward Ben Xiao. Then, the star threw down her microphone and quickly ran over to Ben Xiao's side. "Ben Xiao!" Lily Lu was overjoyed, sitting down beside Ben Xiao enthusiastically, "Why are you here?" Ben Xiao poured her a drink, "Just passing by, thought I’d have a drink with you, is that okay?" "Don't mention just one drink, I'll accompany you for as many as you want." The star, without a second thought, picked up the glass and downed it in one go. "I've been following you since we last met. You're a busy man, probably don't remember me. I’m so happy to see you, let me drink three more." Lily Lu then gulped down three more drinks in quick succession. Only then did she notice the unusual atmosphere around. "What's going on?" Ben Xiao briefly explained the situation. Lily Lu, completely disregarding her status, leaned in close to Ben Xiao to listen, almost pressing her body against his. Silence! The whole place went dead silent! Daohne Zhang, Beatrix Liu, and Luis were all stunned. Lily Lu was their idol, a high and mighty star! Usually only seen on TV. And yet, she left the stage performance to accompany this young man for a drink? Just who was this young man? Probably a super-rich second-generation, otherwise how could he charm the normally reserved star of the music world? Daohne Zhang, without a word, pulled Luis to leave. This guy, was too dangerous to mess with... Ben Xiao sipped his drink, "What about the striptease you promised?" Daohne Zhang, embarrassed, forced a smile, "I was just kidding in the heat of the moment." Luis also spoke up, "Brother, my name is Luis Wei, I have hundreds of underlings. My brother-in-law is one of the four young masters of Zhonghai City, the young owner of Jiang Bei's No.1 Security Group, Jiang Yang." "Please give me face, let's forget this matter. How about it?" Ben Xiao picked up a bottle filled with cognac and smashed it over Luis' head. Bang! The heavy bottle instantly shattered. Blood flowed from his head, laced with glass shards. "You think you're worthy of talking about face with me?" "Either make your girl do as she said, or I'll break your leg!" Hiss! Everyone gasped in shock. The entire bar quieted down, with numerous people looking over. Beatrix Liu and Daohne Zhang were terrified. This guy was ruthless! “Damn it!!” Luis exploded in anger, “I've been here for so long, you're the first to dare hit me. Just you wait, I'm calling Jiang now." Luis immediately made a phone call, then pointed at Ben Xiao with a fierce attitude, "Kid, you're finished." Although he had more than thirty men, seeing Lily Lu and Ben Xiao so close, he didn’t dare to make a move. Not long after. Swoosh! A group of security guards in uniform surged into the bar. More than four hundred people. These were no ordinary underlings, each one either a martial artist or a retired soldier. Their presence overwhelmed the entire place. Leading them was a young man in a white suit. Commanding and aloof. Despite his youth, he had an air of superiority. One of the four young masters of Zhonghai City, the top young master of Jiang Bei. Jiang Yang! "Brother-in-law! You finally came. This guy hit me on the head and disrespected you..." Luis exaggerated the story. Jiang Yang glanced coldly at Ben Xiao, "Daring to hit my brother-in-law in Jiang Bei? You’re the first. Even if Lily Lu is protecting you, it's useless. Bring him down, break his legs, and take one of his kidneys." Luis feared Lily Lu, but Jiang Yang did not. Swoosh! A group of robust security guards charged towards Ben Xiao. "Who dares to cause trouble in my place?!" A loud and cold voice rang out. Boom boom boom! A group of bar security guards flooded into the hall. Well over a hundred people? Leading them was none other than Colin Chen. Dead silence! Even Jiang Yang frowned, immediately ordering his men to stop and turned to Colin Chen, "Mr. Chen, you're just in time. Someone in your place hit my brother-in-law. It’s most appropriate for you to handle this." Colin Chen ignored Jiang Yang, quickly walking to Ben Xiao's side, bowing respectfully, "Mr. Xiao, I apologize for being late!" Silence! Dead silence! Hiss! Everyone gasped in shock! What? Colin Chen, once the richest man in Zhonghai City, was bowing to Ben Xiao? How could this be... Even though Colin Chen's assets had declined by eighty to ninety percent over the past five years, he was still a top figure in Zhonghai City. And now, he was openly bowing to a young man? What shocked them even more was Ben Xiao, sitting at the booth, drinking leisurely, not even glancing at Colin Chen. This... After a while, Ben Xiao raised his hand slightly. Only then did Colin Chen stand up straight, glaring at Jiang Yang, "Mr. Jiang, I’m aware of the incident. Your brother-in-law and Daohne Zhang were at fault. Let your brother-in-law’s girl do as promised. Also, any request from Mr. Xiao must be met without question." Jiang Yang, after a brief stupor, grew angry, "Colin Chen, five years ago, I might not have been able to do anything to you. But now, the Chen family has weakened, and your influence is gone. My father is the richest man in Jiang Bei, my Jiang Security Group is the top security group in Jiang Bei. My uncle is the military star Zhang Ziliang. What right do you have to oppose me?" His words were like a heavy blow, suffocating Colin Chen. "Oh? Your uncle is Zhang Ziliang." Ben Xiao raised an eyebrow. Jiang Yang proudly declared, "Yes. Scared now? Then kneel, and apologize to my brother-in-law. In that case, I might consider letting this go, in consideration of Lily Lu and Colin Chen." Suddenly, Ben Xiao's sinister smile appeared, "Originally, I could have let you go home in one piece. But since your uncle is Zhang Ziliang, then... I'll take half your life!" ... At the No.1 Mansion on Wenchang Road. Angus Mu and Pearl Mu finally welcomed back the long-absent lady of the house, Fern Zhang. Pearl Mu was delighted, "Mom, you've been in Binh Giang Province for almost five years. Any news about Grandpa?" Fern Zhang shook her head in disappointment, "Nothing yet." Pearl Mu looked disheartened but perked up, "When Grandpa disappeared, no one dared to go to Binh Giang to look for him, only you did. It's dangerous outside, glad you returned safely." Fern Zhang smiled, "What could happen to me? On my way back, I even hired the Jiang Security Group for protection. Jiang Yang personally came to Binh Giang to escort me. He’s a good kid, young but already managing half of the Jiang family business, five times bigger than your Rainbow Group. You should learn from him." "I've arranged for you to meet the Jiang family in Jiang Bei. You should learn from Jiang Yang, okay?" Others might not know how strong Fern Zhang was in the business world. But Angus Mu and Pearl Mu knew. Pearl Mu nodded unhappily, "Oh." Fern Zhang then felt satisfied, "That's right. Nothing is embarrassing about seeking knowledge. Tomorrow, I will take you to visit and study at the Jiang family's corporation." At this point, Angus Mu spoke up, "Fern, there's something I need to tell you." Fern Zhang responded, "Speak." Angus Mu said, "Our daughter is married." Fern Zhang was shocked, "What? Our daughter got married? Such a big matter and you didn’t inform me? Angus Mu, you are really bold, aren’t you? Do you not want to be involved in our family affairs anymore?" Angus Mu gave a sheepish smile, "It's not something new. It's just following my father's wishes. We fulfilled the marriage agreement and she married Ben Xiao." Fern Zhang exploded in anger, "Ben Xiao? I've never even met him. No, I do not agree with this marriage! Call Ben Xiao back right now, I need to have a word with him. We're going to get them divorced tomorrow!" ----------