I bought a secret manual of the Hehuan Sect for ten yuan.

"What three gods of wealth? They may look impressive on the surface, but in essence they are just successful businessmen. They can't even form an alliance, let alone control a region."

"Don't be fooled by the good relationship between the Shen family and the Xia family; we each have our own business empires and some minor collaborations."

"However, these can only be small, insignificant collaborations. Don't we want to unite and become bigger and stronger?"

"We want to, but we don't dare!"

"Once this is done, it will lead to a monopoly, and the government will step in to strangle it."

"No force can stand against the state apparatus. Do you think the government is just sitting around doing nothing?"

"The administrative staff are in charge of management, but the military is the real stabilizing force!"

"If they don't know when to stop and cross the red line, once the military mobilizes, all they need is a coordinate!"

Shen Tingzhi's words were forceful and resounding, as if he was intentionally giving Qin Ge a warning.

"Brother-in-law, don't be so nervous. I was just asking casually; I didn't say what I wanted to do!"

Qin Ge smiled and continued, "Brother-in-law, don't you have people in the government too?"

"Yes, it does," Shen Tingzhi said without hesitation, "but so what?"

"What I've described so far is only a general overview; the reality is far more complex than I've put it."

"You silly child, don't say or ask these things in front of others so easily in the future. You may not mean it, but others may take it to heart, understand?"

"Understood!" Qin Ge nodded solemnly. "Aren't we family?"

"Brother-in-law, if I'm not mistaken, you intentionally wanted my Han family to make connections, right?"

"Doesn't this contradict what you just said?"

Shen Tingzhi's expression turned serious and solemn. "Because your sister and I have very high expectations for you!"

"You'll understand in time. Remember, don't trust others too easily."

Qin Ge's body trembled slightly. "Brother-in-law, I have a question that might be a bit of a downer: why are you all so good to me?"

Shen Tingzhi paused for a moment, then subconsciously glanced towards the door. Seeing that his wife wasn't there, he said in a low voice, "I'll tell you the truth, don't be angry."

"Your sister is very important to me. I have been under a lot of pressure over the years. If you hadn't come along, our problems would most likely still be unresolved, and probably never will be."

"Our gratitude to you is heartfelt; your medical skills alone are enough to make us want to befriend you."

"But when I discovered that you not only have exceptional medical skills but also martial arts, my expectations for you became even higher."

"I know you're hiding some big secret. If you're willing to tell us, we'd love to hear it, but if you don't want to, we won't force you."

"Besides repaying your kindness, consider this my investment in you!"

"Perhaps I misjudged you or made the wrong judgment, but the things we gave you really don't mean much to us."

"Investing involves risks, that's normal!"

Qin Ge was both amused and exasperated. "Brother-in-law, the way you talk is really asking for a beating!"

"Your words completely overwhelmed the emotion I felt in my heart."

"If my sister knew you told me these things, would she beat you?"

Shen Tingzhi laughed loudly, "Isn't this how men should be?"

"I only say this because I consider you one of my own. No matter how nice the words are, they don't mean anything to you or me."

"It's almost time, let's go out. Don't keep your sister waiting!"

Shen Tingzhi really only invited a few close friends; apart from the Shen family, there weren't enough people to fill a table.

Apart from Shen Tingzhi and his wife, Qin Ge didn't recognize any of the other people.

During the meal, he occasionally struck up a conversation with Su Wan.

Qin Ge noticed Han Chongli, whom Shen Tingzhi had mentioned. Han Chongli was about the same age as Shen Tingzhi and had a handsome appearance.

Does every wealthy family have an elderly man in poor health? If so, wouldn't Shen Tingzhi make a fortune by introducing a few more to him?

Watching Shen Tingzhi and his friends laughing and toasting, Qin Ge, who was full and bored, started to daydream.

"Congratulations, Brother Shen! Here, let me toast you!"

Han Chongli and Shen Tingzhi were not close friends, and he, who hadn't said much, suddenly raised his glass and spoke.

After downing a glass of wine, he hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Brother Shen, I have a question that might be a bit presumptuous."

"The Shen family is having a joyous occasion; will they have a benefactor to help them?"

"If that's the case, Brother Shen, please be sure to introduce me to that important person!"

It's no secret in Donghai that Shen Tingzhi and Su Wan have been married for many years without having children. Ordinary people don't care and can't find out about it, but people in these upper circles all know about it.

Unfortunately, Shen Tingzhi was his only son, and this matter became a thorn in the side of the Shen family!

If Shen Tingzhi hadn't lied and said it was his own fault, he probably would have been forced by his parents to divorce Su Wan and marry someone else long ago.

Shen Tingzhi's parents inevitably heard some rumors about the Shen family. Fortunately, Shen Tingzhi is now capable of handling things on his own, so the two elders simply went abroad to travel and only came back a few times a year.

Shen Tingzhi called his parents to tell them the news of Su Wan's pregnancy. The two elders were taking a stroll on the beach in the Maldives.

After confirming that Su Wan was indeed pregnant, the two were as excited as children. They rushed back to China without even packing their things, but they missed the meal.

When Shen Tingzhi's friends heard Han Chongli say this, they all agreed.

They were on good terms with Shen Tingzhi, and they knew more about Shen Tingzhi's situation than Han Chongli did.

There's been no movement for so many years, and now it's suddenly happening; there must be some reason behind it.

"Mr. Han is right, we did indeed have a benefactor to help us!" Su Wan said with a smile, poised and graceful.

She turned slightly to look at Qin Ge sitting next to her, "Let me introduce you all, this is my younger brother whom I recently met, Qin Ge."

"It's him..."

"It was his miraculous healing touch that cured my hidden ailment!" Shen Tingzhi interrupted his wife before she could finish speaking.

Su Wan's long eyelashes trembled, and a deep sense of emotion welled up in her heart. She knew her husband's intention.

Shen Tingzhi lied back then, claiming that Su Wan's problem was his own, and he suffered a lot of strange looks because of it.

Whether he should have borne it or not, he had already borne it. Now that the matter was resolved, Shen Tingzhi felt that the truth was no longer important.

While telling the truth would certainly earn him praise, Su Wan might also have to endure some harsh words.

Shen Tingzhi hadn't even told his parents, so there was no need for him to go through the trouble of letting his friends know.

Qin Ge also understood Shen Tingzhi's subtle thoughts hidden in the details, and sighed inwardly, "He's really a wife-doting maniac!"

"Brother Shen, you're not joking with us, are you?"

Han Chongli glanced at Qin Ge, a fleeting hint of displeasure in his eyes.

That's how it is in the medical field, especially in traditional Chinese medicine; there's bound to be bias against age.

If Shen Tingzhi said that Sun Shizheng or some well-known foreign expert cured him, it would be understandable; even if he said that some reclusive master had cured him, it would be fine.

But what's going on with this young man who looks only about twenty years old?