Chapter 32: A Negotiation Shrouded in Strange Tension

The next day, during the morning office hours.

Su Daoan unexpectedly returned to find Lu Feng, pulling him into the study as if there was something of great importance to discuss.

“What’s wrong? You look so tense,” Lu Feng asked, puzzled.

Su Daoan hesitated before speaking, “Have you had any dealings with people from United Harmony Society?”

Lu Feng’s expression turned serious. He nodded and replied, “Yes, I have. I fought with some of their men.”

“So that’s how it is.”

“What happened?” Lu Feng pressed.

“It’s like this. The head of United Harmony Society called me, said he wants to invite you for afternoon tea,” Su Daoan explained, then continued, “You fought with their men—was it serious?”

“I suppose it was rather serious. Broke arms, crippled legs, a few of them,” Lu Feng replied.

“Well, in that case, it’s not a big deal. Since they’re inviting you through me, it’s likely they want to talk, not fight. Probably just want some compensation for medical bills. Small matter. If you don’t want to go, just have Assistant Chen take some money over,” Su Daoan said.

Lu Feng didn’t agree, frowning. “It’s not that simple. I fought in their territory, and they were the ones who attacked me. I won’t pay their medical bills. You mustn’t pay either! This concerns the dignity of our sect. There’s no reason to pay compensation when they were in the wrong.”

Su Daoan furrowed his brow again. He’d always believed that business should be conducted amicably, and matters that could be settled with money shouldn’t be complicated.

But hearing Lu Feng say he fought in someone else’s territory made things more complicated.

According to the rules of the underworld, if a gang can't defend their territory, the area falls to the victorious group. Of course, the original gang can fight to reclaim it. Usually, fighting in a gang’s territory means a major grudge is formed.

“What really happened? How did you end up fighting in United Harmony Society’s territory?” Su Daoan asked urgently.

“It’s a long story. Their people tried to trap me in a honey-pot scheme, got beaten up by me, then someone named Shan Wei called me to their turf to talk. Negotiations broke down, and we fought,” Lu Feng summarized.

“In that case, I’ll go with you to tomorrow’s afternoon tea and see what United Harmony Society has to say. We’ll decide then. These underworld matters are complicated—don’t act impulsively,” Su Daoan instructed.

“Alright,” Lu Feng agreed.

…

The next afternoon, at Zhou’s Tea Restaurant.

The tea restaurant was small, but brightly decorated and comfortable.

Today, there were no other patrons—only Su Daoan and Lu Feng.

Two square tables had been pushed together, and on the opposite side sat a balding old man in his sixties.

Shan Wei and another sturdy man in his thirties stood behind the balding elder, while Da Wei, his arm in a cast, sat in a wheelchair against the wall behind Shan Wei.

Shan Wei leaned over to the elder’s ear and whispered, “Grandpa, this is the one.”

Su Daoan leaned near Lu Feng and whispered, “That man is Master Seven, the head of United Harmony Society.”

Lu Feng nodded, indicating he understood.

Actually, as the head of United Harmony Society, Master Seven would never personally handle a minor incident with Lu Feng—it would be beneath his status.

However, once his subordinates learned of Lu Feng’s connection to Su Daoan, he decided to meet Lu Feng, though in truth, the one he wanted to see was Su Daoan.

Now, with the situation stabilizing, gangs and societies found survival increasingly difficult. Without ambitions of expansion, the best path was to secure a powerful patron, ensuring their livelihood.

Yun’an Group was the leader in both catering and wellness in Huadu. In underworld terms, Su Daoan was the “big water pipe”—the financial source.

Yun’an Group was vast; supporting a single gang was barely a drop in the bucket.

Master Seven, now old, lacked any expansionist ambitions and wished to befriend wealthy men like Su Daoan. Serving the “big water pipe” meant a life of lasting prosperity.

Yet the younger members of United Harmony Society’s other branches saw things differently—they thought the meeting was to support them.

Master Seven spoke in a calm, measured tone, “Shan Wei, pour a cup of tea for Mr. Su.”

Everyone present was stunned.

Shan Wei was especially taken aback. As a branch leader, inviting someone for a talk but pouring tea before negotiations even began was tantamount to admitting defeat.

“Grandpa…” Shan Wei protested.

“Do as you’re told!” Master Seven said, displeased.

Gang hierarchy was strict; at least outwardly, respect was mandatory.

“Yes!” Shan Wei had no choice but to pick up the teapot and pour a cup of tea for Su Daoan.

“Pour one for Brother Lu as well,” Master Seven continued.

Shan Wei glared at Master Seven, anger simmering inside, but now was not the time to show it. He suppressed his feelings and poured a cup for Lu Feng, then slammed the teapot back on the table.

Lu Feng, unfamiliar with the nuances, found it strange that Master Seven seemed to be making a spectacle of Shan Wei on his behalf.

“Among so many brothers, it’s inevitable that a few don’t understand the rules. Please don’t mind, Mr. Su,” Master Seven said with a smile.

“Not at all, Master Seven is known for strict discipline. It’s all just a misunderstanding…” Su Daoan waved his hand.

“I admire your approach to life, Mr. Su—peace brings prosperity. Recently, one of our branches had a bit of unpleasantness with Brother Lu, I heard there was even some fighting. Was Brother Lu injured?” Master Seven asked amiably.

“You couldn’t hurt me,” Lu Feng replied without a smile.

“That’s good, that’s good…”

Su Daoan quickly interjected, “I heard your men were injured. I’ve prepared some medical compensation, Master Seven, please accept it.” As he spoke, he handed over a card.

Master Seven pushed the card back, saying, “No need. They were unruly, and I apologize for the embarrassment.” He signaled the sturdy man beside him with a glance.

The sturdy man produced a piece of paper and handed it to Master Seven.

Master Seven placed the paper between Su Daoan and Lu Feng and said, “This is Chen Lan’s IOU. United Harmony Society will no longer pursue this debt. Mr. Su and Brother Lu can rest assured.”

Su Daoan glanced at the IOU, then at Lu Feng.

Lu Feng took the IOU, glanced at it, and tore it up.

Su Daoan had intended to stop him, but seeing it was already done, he said nothing and took out another card, “Here’s five hundred thousand. Consider the debt repaid.”

“That’s unnecessary. Brother Lu has already paid, just forgot to take the IOU,” Master Seven waved his hand.

Lu Feng found the negotiation odd: everyone was so polite, with money being pressed upon them and yet nothing being accepted.

With the IOU destroyed, Lu Feng lost interest in the discussion and leaned back, yawning.

Su Daoan and Master Seven exchanged polite words for a long while before Master Seven finally broached the main topic.

“Recently, my brothers have been struggling. They’d like to find honest work. I heard Mr. Su has many connections—perhaps you could recommend something?”

Su Daoan recognized the main issue immediately and waved his hands, “I have no special connections, just relying on a bit of the sect’s legacy to get by.”

He subtly indicated his affiliation with a sect, making clear he wouldn’t collude with United Harmony Society.

Furthermore, all Master Seven had offered was a meaningless IOU, hardly a favor. Su Daoan wouldn’t let United Harmony Society latch onto him over such a trivial matter, so he continued to insist on paying.