Underworld: Starting with conquering countless lustful beauties

Chen Feng felt a chill run down his spine; he knew the crucial moment was approaching.

"Is he backed by someone else?"

"Yes." Zhao Gang dipped his finger in tea and wrote the character "Liu" on the table, then quickly wiped it away. "He's from the branch office, and his relationship with Mad Dog Qiang is unusual. That's all I can tell you."

Chen Feng's pupils contracted slightly.

This is a branch office; he's a powerful figure. No wonder Mad Dog Qiang acts so recklessly; he has this protective umbrella.

"Moreover," Zhao Gang continued, "the higher-ups are cracking down hard lately, and things are very tense. The leaders are worried about not having any achievements to show for themselves. If you cause a big commotion at this time, you'll be walking right into their trap. At that point, not even Jiang Hong, let alone the Emperor himself, can protect you."

Chen Feng took a deep breath. This was indeed extremely important intelligence. If Zhao Gang hadn't reminded him, and he had acted rashly, he might have been taken down by the people from that branch office.

"Thank you for your guidance, Director Zhao," Chen Feng said sincerely. "I will remember this favor."

Zhao Gang waved his hand and stood up: "I'm not helping you, I just don't want trouble in my jurisdiction. You'd better watch yourself. Remember, making money is fine, but don't cause a major disaster."

After saying that, Zhao Gang left without looking back.

Chen Feng sat in the teahouse, staring at the tea that had gone cold, lost in thought.

The branch office's...protective umbrella...

Chen Feng suddenly realized a problem: his network of connections in the legitimate world was far too weak. To make a living in this industry, he needed to find a powerful patron.

After saying goodbye to Zhao Gang, Chen Feng didn't go straight back to the attic, nor did he go to the Golden Splendor. He sat in his car, staring blankly at the flashing streetlights for a long time, then took out his phone and dialed the number he knew by heart.

"Hello, Xiaofeng?" Jiang Hong's lazy yet magnetic voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Sister Hong, I'm on my way to your house. I have something I'd like to discuss in person." Chen Feng's voice was somewhat low.

There was a pause on the other end of the phone, followed by a soft chuckle: "Okay, I'll wait for you. The door's unlocked."

Half an hour later, Chen Feng drove into the wealthy area and parked in front of Jiang Hong's villa, seemingly familiar with the place.

Pushing open the door, a faint scent of incense mixed with a warm, hormonal aroma wafted out, instantly washing away the tobacco smell and hostility emanating from Chen Feng. Only a floor lamp was on in the living room, casting a dim, ambiguous light.

Jiang Hong was standing next to the yoga mat, wiping her sweat with a towel. The scene before her made Chen Feng gasp for breath.

She was wearing a light purple, high-elasticity, tight-fitting yoga outfit. The thin fabric hugged her voluptuous, mature body like a second skin, outlining her breathtaking S-curve without reservation.

Her sports vest was stretched taut by her impressive bust, revealing a deep and alluring cleavage at the neckline. As she adjusted her breathing, her chest heaved violently, creating waves that made one dizzy.

Having just finished exercising, her usually aloof and beautiful face was flushed with an alluring blush. Her bangs were damp with sweat, and a few strands clung messily to her slender neck.

Glistening beads of sweat slid down her delicate collarbone and flowed into her deep cleavage, making her look like a ripe peach just pulled from the water, covered in fragrant sweat and exuding a warm, moist scent that was simply irresistible.

Seeing Chen Feng enter, Jiang Hong casually picked up a towel from the sofa and wiped her neck, a playful smile playing on her lips: "Coming to see me so late, did you miss me?"

Chen Feng's Adam's apple bobbed as he forcibly suppressed the anger rising within him. He walked over and slumped heavily into the single sofa beside him, rubbing his temples wearily. "Sister Hong, it's important." Chen Feng didn't respond to her words, his expression somewhat grave.

Seeing this, Jiang Hong stopped teasing and sat down at the coffee table, pouring each of them a glass of water: "So, what's making you so nervous?"

Chen Feng sat down opposite her and first gave a brief report on the progress of the past few days—the establishment of Fenghua Building Materials with Wang Defa, the efforts to win over the three construction site bosses, and the acquisition of Lao Li's sand and gravel plant.

Jiang Hong listened and nodded, her eyes full of approval: "It's even faster than I expected. The fact that you were able to win over those construction site bosses shows that your methods are already quite effective."

"But..." Chen Feng changed the subject and recounted in detail the incident of Zhao Gang inviting him for tea earlier that day, including the person from the branch office surnamed Liu, and the intelligence about the recent crackdown.

"Liu Dapao..." Jiang Hong murmured softly, seemingly savoring the weight of the name. "Deputy director of the Nancheng District Branch, in charge of public security. No wonder Mad Dog Qiang has been able to run rampant in Nancheng for over a year. It turns out he climbed up this high branch. This guy is greedy, audacious, and ruthless. He's definitely a troublesome character."

After finishing his sentence, Chen Feng said in a deep voice, "Sister Hong, this is what I'm most worried about right now. Mad Dog Qiang has Master Jiu backing him up, and also the deputy director of the branch office. If we go head-to-head with him in the underworld, at most it'll be a lose-lose situation. But if that guy in the bureau uses the guise of a crackdown to target me, I won't even have a chance to fight back."

Jiang Hong squinted, her slender fingers gently tapping the rim of the teacup as she fell into deep thought.

"The fact that you realize this shows you've matured," Jiang Hong said slowly. "These days, fists alone aren't enough. Without connections in legitimate circles, you won't go far."

"That's why I came to discuss this with Sister Hong." Chen Feng looked at her. "You've been in Donghai for so many years; you have extensive connections and deep influence. You must have a solution."

Jiang Hong did not answer immediately, but stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the dazzling night view outside.

"Xiao Feng, do you know why so many people have been eyeing the 'Golden Splendor' brand these past few years? And do you think I can make it stand firm in Donghai?"

"Is Sister Hong a skilled businesswoman?"

"That's only one aspect." Jiang Hong turned around, her eyes deep. "More importantly, I've been doing one thing—weaving a web."

"Weaving a net?"

"The web of officialdom." Jiang Hong walked back to the sofa and sat down, lowering her voice. "Nightclubs are places where all sorts of people come. Some come to have fun, some to do business, and some... to make some shady deals."

A meaningful smile played at the corners of her lips: "Over the years, I've met quite a few people in officialdom. Some were genuine friends, while others... each had something on the other's hands."

Chen Feng understood the implication: "Sister Hong, do you mean you have some information?"

"Not much, but enough." Jiang Hong nodded. "I haven't had direct contact with that Director Liu. But I know some people in the city who are at the same level as Director Liu, or even higher. If it really comes down to it, they can put in a good word for us."

Chen Feng felt a sense of relief, but then frowned again: "But Sister Hong, can this kind of relationship be trusted?"

"In officialdom, there's no such thing as someone reliable or unreliable," Jiang Hong smiled faintly. "It's all about exchanging benefits. We have money, resources, and we can help them with things they can't do themselves. As long as the benefits are enough, they'll naturally be willing to help us."