Chapter 149: Cause and Effect

My request was immediately met with a nod from Zeng Hong. She looked at me with a hint of eagerness, saying, "Zhao Fei, you're in business, right? I know, as long as you're willing, I can ask my father to help you. He has connections and money. If he introduces you to some business owners and clients, you could easily land some big orders and make a fortune."

I pushed Zeng Hong away. This kind of help was not what I needed. I despised Zeng Hong's father even more than I despised her. Even if he had mountains of gold and silver, I would never seek his financial aid. Moreover, I had no need for it.

Zeng Hong looked surprised as I pushed her away. She chased after me, asking, "What's wrong, Zhao Fei? I only want to help you. I didn't mean to insult or hurt you. Please don't misunderstand."

I smiled faintly, sitting down. "I understand, but I don't need your father's help. His business has nothing to do with mine. I run a bar, which is completely unrelated to what he does."

"A bar? So what? My father is in real estate. If you're opening a bar in Ruili, that's too far. Why not open one in Kunming? I can have my father help you find a storefront. What do you think? We could open it together," Zeng Hong said, her voice filled with urgency.

I shook my head. "No, thank you for the offer, but I don't want to open a bar in Kunming. What I need your help with is something else."

"Something else?" Zeng Hong asked, her curiosity piqued.

I nodded, unsure of how to begin. I gathered my thoughts and said, "Actually, I need to learn more about Hua Hua. There was an incident in Ruili, and she's somewhat involved. I need to understand more about the island operation. I hope you can help me."

Zeng Hong looked at me, her expression turning angry. "You don't actually like Hua Hua, do you? You two aren't suited for each other, Zhao Fei..."

She then approached me, grabbing my arm, her body swaying with dissatisfaction, deliberately pressing herself close to me. It was all too much, and I pushed her away. "I really need her for something. I don't like her. If you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do. Sorry, I'm leaving."

As I stood up to leave, Zeng Hong quickly grabbed my arm. "I understand now. I believe you. So, should I call her over?"

I paused, considering. I knew nothing about Hua Hua, and I wasn't sure how to approach her without raising her suspicions. I also didn't know whether she had any direct involvement with the people running the island operation or if she knew who was behind it. But I had to try. Hua Hua's father, Lao Niu, was involved in selling raw stones and was a known addict. I suspected she might have some connections, but whether she was being controlled or not was unclear. After a moment's thought, I decided I needed to approach her for a potential partnership to see if I could extract any information.

"Alright, have her come, but ask her to come alone," I said.

Zeng Hong pouted and nodded, then made the call. I didn't listen to the conversation and instead played with the two dogs for a while. After a while, Zeng Hong said, "She'll be here soon. By the way, Zhao Fei, what happened in Ruili? If you're having trouble, I can ask my father to help, okay?"

I stood up, annoyed. "Don't involve your father in everything. Listen to me: men rely on themselves. I don't need your father's help, got it?"

Zeng Hong looked slightly pale, but she nodded. Sitting down, she grabbed a menu. "Zhao Fei, what would you like to eat?"

"Anything," I replied.

She didn't seem pleased, but still ordered something. I could tell that Zeng Hong was trying hard to please me, worried I might get upset. She said she liked me, but I didn't believe it. In the past, she had never liked me. To her, I was just a toy to be played with. I had even done some cruel things to scare her, and now, I had no reason to believe she truly cared.

It seemed to me that she just wanted me to go back to the way I was, to become her follower again, satisfying her vanity and personal desires. But I wouldn't fall for that. I would never forget how she had humiliated me. That slap—one that woke me up—was a lesson I would carry forever. It was she who had taught me how to be a man.

We waited in the private room for over half an hour. The dishes had just started arriving when Hua Hua finally showed up. She entered, and I took one look—she was alone. She was dressed in a very avant-garde manner: a short skirt, a t-shirt, earrings, and purple hair. Calling her "non-mainstream" would be an understatement. Looking at her high-heeled shoes covered in studs, I thought it was a shame—such a beautiful girl, but she had chosen to dress herself like some kind of monster.

Still, it was clear she was a person with strong emotional defenses, someone who wore thorns not to harm others, but to protect herself.

"Hua Hua, you're here... come sit," Zeng Hong greeted her.

Hua Hua walked over and sat next to me. I found it strange—there were so many other seats, why sit next to me?

Zeng Hong seemed a bit awkward but said nothing. Hua Hua poured herself a drink and said, "Zeng Hong, weren't you inviting me to dinner? Why's he here too?"

Zeng Hong smiled awkwardly. "We're all friends here. I thought it would be nice for you two to get to know each other. Don't you want to do me this favor?"

Hua Hua's face turned cold. "You're the young lady of a wealthy family. How could I not give you face? Come on, let's drink."

She raised her glass, and we clinked it. I smiled, but didn't drink. After she finished, she placed her glass down and stared at me intently, her gaze piercing, as if trying to read my very soul.

"Get to know each other? We don't really need to, do we? So, tell me, what do you want?" Hua Hua asked bluntly.

I sat up straight. This girl was no simple character—young, yet worldly. She wasn't the type to mince words. Since she was being direct, I decided not to beat around the bush either. "Last time, the short guy asked me to help him with some merchandise. I'm considering it, but I want to speak directly with his boss. I want to meet the head of the island operation."

Hua Hua laughed and leaned in closer, looking at me with a mixture of arrogance and disdain. "Then you should just talk to the short guy. Why come to me? What can I do for you?"

I looked at her. She was even more difficult to deal with than I had anticipated—no, she was downright formidable. "I don't want to deal directly with him. It's too dangerous."

Hua Hua smirked. "Then you should've done your homework. I'm not part of their group. I'm only with him because my boss owes his boss money. I had no choice but to become their hostage. I'm not like those evil scum, understand, idiot?"

I frowned. Hua Hua's words hit me like a bucket of cold water.

"How can you say that? Show me some respect, please?" Zeng Hong interjected.

Hua Hua smiled faintly and said, "Zeng Hong, I give you face because I consider you a friend, and I've received a lot of help from you. But let me tell you something: playing with people like him is one thing, but if you get too involved, just give it up. He doesn't like you. He's just using you. He came to me because he's trying to dig up information. You want to help him? Fine, but don't think I'm buying into it. You really think I'm a fool?"

I swallowed, feeling awkward. Hua Hua probably knew about the situation in Ruili, something I had overlooked. The scrawny guy I'd helped had lost a hand because of me. The island people probably knew about it. Last time someone tried to run me over—it was most likely them.

I felt a lump in my throat. I hadn't thought things through, and now I looked foolish. But Zeng Hong didn't get angry. "Zhao Fei just wants to ask for your help. Can you do me this favor?"

Hua Hua looked at Zeng Hong. "I consider you a friend, so I'll help you out. Now, tell me, what exactly do you want?"

I looked at Hua Hua. I couldn't tell her the truth, as I wasn't sure of her loyalties. I didn't trust her. "I want to meet the short guy's boss—the head of the island operation."

"The island operation has many leaders, five factories. Which one do you want to meet?" Hua Hua asked.

I felt uneasy. I didn't know enough about the island operation, and now I was confused about who I should be meeting. I replied, "The short guy's boss."