Underworld: Starting with conquering countless lustful beauties

"Illegal fundraising?" Chen Feng was taken aback. Although the term had appeared in the late 90s, it was not as widespread as it would later become.

"Actually... I got scammed." Shen Zhou put his glasses back on, his eyes revealing a sharpness and world-weariness that was completely at odds with his appearance. "I studied finance, graduated from university, and then worked as a trader on Wall Street for two years. After returning to China, I was pulled into an investment company by a so-called 'good older brother'."

He clenched his fists as he spoke: "The project itself was fine; it was an excellent futures hedging model. My algorithm could achieve a 50% return within three months. But... that bastard took the money I raised and went to Macau to gamble behind my back, losing it all! In the end, he burned the ledgers and ran away. All the signatures were mine, so I became the mastermind behind that 'illegal fundraising'."

Chen Feng was completely confused. He didn't really understand what "futures hedging," "models," or "algorithms" meant. But he did understand two things:

First, this kid is a top student, a master at playing the money game, and has been to that place called...something Street.

Secondly, this guy was unlucky; he was used as a scapegoat.

"You say you can earn 50% in three months? 100 million, and you can earn 50 in three months?" Chen Feng narrowed his eyes, staring at Shen Zhou. "Stop bragging."

Shen Zhou seemed to be questioning his professional abilities and became somewhat anxious, raising his voice a few decibels: "I never brag! That was the inevitable result based on a mathematical model! If the funding chain hadn't broken down, I could have scaled that operation to 20 million right now!"

When it comes to his professional field, Shen Zhou's timidity vanishes completely, replaced by an almost obsessive confidence and fervor.

Chen Feng looked at him, and a thought suddenly struck him.

All he knows now is fighting and killing, and at most, he does some sand and gravel business. He knows nothing about how to launder money or how to make money from money.

And the person in front of me...

This isn't just an unlucky guy; he's clearly a fallen "god of wealth"!

A slow smile crept onto Chen Feng's lips, the smile of a hunter eyeing his prized prey. He reached out and patted Shen Zhou's thin shoulder.

"Shen Zhou, right?" Chen Feng's voice softened, even becoming somewhat seductive. "Do you want to go out?"

"I want to! I dream about it!" Shen Zhou's eyes dimmed. "But with my crime... unless I cover up that multi-million dollar hole, I'll get at least ten years in prison."

"Several million..." Chen Feng calculated in his mind. This was an astronomical figure in this era, but not out of reach.

"If I help you get out, can you help me make money?" Chen Feng stared into his eyes. "Not small-time stuff, but big money."

Shen Zhou was stunned. Looking at the man in front of him, who was imprisoned and covered in wounds, but whose eyes burned with a fierce ambition, he felt a strange sense of admiration.

"Brother Chen... as long as you can get me out of here, my life, Shen Zhou's life, is yours! Forget about making money, I'd even rather die..."

"Get out of here! What would I do with your life? I want your brain," Chen Feng interrupted him.

Just then, the iron gate to the cell was opened again.

"Chen Feng! Come out! Someone's visiting!"

The prison guard's voice came through.

Chen Feng stood up, straightened his collar, and smiled at Shen Zhou: "Hehe, my reinforcements have arrived. Wait for my news."

After saying that, he strode towards the door.

Chen Feng followed the prison guard through the dark and damp corridor. With each step, the dull pain in his chest reminded him of how enthusiastic the "hospitality" he had received the night before.

At the end of the corridor was the meeting room, with several doors open. Inside were long tables separated by iron bars. Unlike the glass partitions commonly seen in movies in detention centers, this was a lawyer's meeting room where people could sit facing each other, separated only by a low iron fence.

"Go in, twenty minutes." The prison guard pushed open one of the doors, his attitude much better than before, he must have received a bribe.

As Chen Feng walked in, the first thing he saw was Jiang Hong sitting opposite him.

Today, Jiang Hong was a far cry from her usual glamorous self. She wore a sharply tailored black business suit, her hair was styled in a high bun, and her makeup was much lighter, making her look like a female executive at a large company. Sitting next to her was a middle-aged man with gray hair and gold-rimmed glasses, with a thick briefcase beside him.

"It must be tough inside, right?" Jiang Hong felt a pang of sadness when she saw Chen Feng wearing a yellow vest and clutching his chest.

"It's alright." Chen Feng forced a smile.

"This is Zhou Ming, a lawyer from Deheng Law Firm in Donghai City," Jiang Hong said directly. "Lawyer Zhou is an expert in criminal defense, with over twenty years of experience in the field, and he's well-connected with various departments."

"Mr. Chen," Attorney Zhou nodded, adjusting his glasses, "President Jiang has already explained the basic situation to me. From a legal perspective, this case is very favorable to you."

Chen Feng sat down opposite the iron fence, his gaze lingering on Jiang Hong's face for a second.

Jiang Hong nodded slightly to him, her eyes conveying a sense of calm and control.

"Sister Hong, how's it going outside?" Chen Feng didn't ask about his own case first, but instead asked about the battlefield and his brothers.

"The situation on the battlefield is temporarily stable." Jiang Hong took out a document from her bag. "Monkey is over there keeping an eye on things, and all the brothers' injuries have been treated; none of them are in life-threatening danger. Er Gou was stabbed in the shoulder, the most serious injury, but the bone is fine, and he'll recover with rest."

Chen Feng felt a sense of relief.

"What about the client?"

"The monkey has already run around and explained the situation. General Manager Li and General Manager Zhang haven't said anything. But those newly signed clients…" Jiang Hong paused, "are a bit hesitant. After all, such a big thing happened, nobody wants to cause trouble."

Chen Feng nodded; this was expected.

Where is Wang Defa?

"That old fox?" Jiang Hong's lips curled into a sarcastic smile. "He was all talk last night, but when Monkey called him this morning, he changed his mind again, saying something about 'we'll weather the storm together.' He's probably afraid that if he really withdraws his investment, all the money he's put in will be gone."

"He's a businessman, that's normal," Chen Feng said, not too concerned. "As long as he doesn't gossip about it outside, it's fine."

"Don't worry, the monkeys are watching."

At this point, Attorney Zhou interjected, "Mr. Chen, regarding your case, I need to confirm a few key issues with you."

He opened the files in his briefcase, adjusted his glasses, and said, "First, according to the eyewitness accounts, the other side forced their way into your battlefield, smashing down the gate. This chain of evidence is complete. Second, your actions constitute legitimate self-defense. Although you caused injuries to some of the other side's personnel, this was only possible because the other side outnumbered you significantly and possessed weapons."

"What about that Crazy Biao?" Chen Feng asked. "I heard he suffered a skull fracture and is still in the hospital."

"This is the most troublesome point," Attorney Zhou frowned. "If Crazy Biao's injuries are classified as serious, it will be difficult for you to extricate yourself from the situation. However, I've already sent someone to the hospital to check on the situation. Although Crazy Biao is seriously injured, his life is not in danger. Moreover, based on the circumstances at the scene, he was injured in the melee, making it difficult to directly prove that you were the one who hit him."

"They had knives, we only had steel pipes and sticks," Chen Feng added. "If Er Gou hadn't taken that knife for me, I'd be lying in the hospital right now."

Attorney Zhou took notes and nodded: "This is very important. The difference between excessive self-defense and legitimate self-defense is often just a fine line."

Jiang Hong glanced at her watch and lowered her voice, saying, "Chen Feng, time is short, so I'll get straight to the point."

"Do you know who's behind Zhang Qiang?"

"Liu the Cannon," Chen Feng sneered.

"That's right. Liu Dapao is determined to kill you this time." Jiang Hong's eyes sharpened. "He sent Zhang Qiang to arrest you so he could use legal means to completely trap you. If you stay in there for three to five years, your businesses outside will have been devoured by Mad Dog Qiang, leaving nothing behind."