My father's inheritance is my mortal enemy.

Li Bo was incredibly meticulous, his face revealing no emotion. He asked with a faint smile, "Master Fei, you braved danger to travel all the way to the capital to ask about this? What is your purpose?"

"I happened to be passing by and had some business to take care of. There are a few things I wanted to ask you about," said Master Fei with a smile. "I met a friend in the capital and learned something."

"What?"

"Zhou Huiyuan is playing a game of chess."

Li Bo scoffed: "Chairman Zhou was very fond of playing chess when he was alive."

Fei raised an eyebrow: "And you?"

Li Bo shrugged: "I can't learn that."

Master Fei probed, "Is it that you can't learn it, or are you just a pawn?"

"Hmm?" Li Bo said, "If you keep talking, I'll be able to guess who Fei Ye's friend is. He must be very important, to make Fei Ye so eager to test me?"

Fei Ye had to admit that Li Bo was an exceptionally intelligent person, but an overly intelligent person cannot be used as a pawn. For example, someone like Li Bo would never be restrained by others unless the other party had leverage or conditions that made Li Bo willingly submit.

Fei Ye lit a cigarette, relaxed his shoulders, leaned back in the car seat, and slowly exhaled a puff of smoke. "We've all made deals with Zhou Huiyuan, paying with incredibly valuable things."

"Li Bo, you're from Guizhou, right? What's the most important thing to you? Fleeting family ties?" Fei Ye smiled dismissively.

"Is it ethereal? I cherish it very much."

"So, what did you use to exchange for that fleeting kinship?"

Zhou Huiyuan never makes a losing deal. Every step he takes, every action he takes, is not out of kindness, but rather—an exchange. The power that Fei Ye has gained now was obtained through an exchange with his lover. And what he needs to do is to rise to a high position and make Australia Island Zhou Yanshao's last trump card.

Only those who are valuable can get what they want from Zhou Huiyuan.

What could an illegitimate child from Guizhou possibly offer Zhou Huiyuan? He could even gain access to all of Zhou Huiyuan's connections, making him practically the person with the highest authority.

This means that... what Li Bo needs to do for Zhou Huiyuan is extremely difficult.

Li Bo calmly said, "Take care of Zhou Yanshao."

"Take care of?" Fei Ye pondered the word carefully, then smiled. Fei Ye had people in Northern Europe and Beijing, and knew a lot of things, including but not limited to who the hickeys on Li Bo's body came from.

Taking care of someone in bed is a first for Li Bo, who is willing to sacrifice his own health.

That's not entirely true, though.

Li Bo reminded him, "Master Fei should ask your important friend what conditions he agreed to with Zhou Huiyuan."

Fei Ye frowned slightly.

Li Bo got out of the car and left. In this test, he didn't reveal the slightest clue, but he guessed the identity of Fei Ye's friend.

Li Bo got into a car some distance away and had Uncle Liu drive him to the Li family home. There was a banquet tonight; the other party was a partner at Qian Yuan Capital and also a partner at a law firm—it was a social dinner.

This was the first time Li Yao had taken Li Bo to a banquet. In the past, whenever there was such an opportunity, Li Yao would take Li Cheng along, and each time they returned unhappy. To put it bluntly, Li Cheng was brainless. He didn't know how to be cunning and manipulative in the business world, nor could he learn it, and he disdained to learn it.

Li Yao was concerned about his reputation, and he was understandably unhappy about his son's disgraceful behavior. The father and son inevitably had conflicts.

But Li Bo is different. Li Bo is smart, can judge the situation, and is very shrewd.

At tonight's banquet, Li Yao was truly impressed with Li Bo.

To be honest, he didn't really introduce Li Bo at the dinner tonight, clearly indicating that he didn't approve of this illegitimate son. But despite the contemptuous looks from everyone, Li Bo always managed to give a touching self-introduction, humble and polite. Anyone who had met him once could tell what he liked and how he behaved.

Many people told Li Yao that he was a good and smart child.

If Li Bo had a higher status, Li Cheng wouldn't stand a chance.

However, now that Li Cheng is dead, Li Bo naturally wants to climb the ranks.

The more outstanding Li Bo became, the less pleased Li Yao felt. Li Bo was too cold-hearted, too ruthless, and ambitious; such a person was cold-blooded and incapable of fatherly affection.

Li Bo was using him as a stepping stone.

The faster and more outstanding Li Bo grew, the deeper the seeds of vigilance took root in Li Yao's heart. Li Bo, of course, understood Li Yao's thoughts, and deliberately made a foolish mistake, revealing his ugly side, to lower Li Yao's guard.

Li Bo even shielded Li Yao from drinking. His actions tonight were more meritorious than demeritful, and he truly seemed to have the makings of an heir.

Li Yao was starting to waver.

If he had discovered Li Bo's potential earlier, things wouldn't be so tense now, and he wouldn't have resorted to blackmail, with a life in the mix, making him unable to trust him.

Looking at Li Bo, who was drunk and pale from stomach pain, Li Yao had the driver buy medicine and personally handed it to Li Bo, saying, "Take this."

Li Bo took the medicine and wiped his sweat: "Thank you, Father."

"All these years... is it my fault?"

Li Bo paused for two seconds, his eyes conveying just the right amount of resentment and conflict. "I don't blame you, I just feel a little regretful."

"What's the regret?"

"If only you could have come earlier... then Mom wouldn't have gone crazy."

Li Yao sighed, "You had a tough time in the early years."

The car took Li Bo home, and Li Yao left. The next morning, Li Bo received a property certificate, which was a gift from Li Yao.

This was the only thing Li Yao had given Li Bo since he returned to the capital. Blood ties were sustained through mutual benefit; Li Bo tossed it onto the sofa—just a tactic to win people over.

For a period of time afterward, Li Bo frequently returned to the Li family home. Li Yao also adored this son, and the two got along very well, truly a close family.

Upon learning of this, Sun Shengyang immediately called Zhou Yanshao.

"Damn it, bro! I knew Li Bo would use witchcraft!" As soon as the call connected, Sun Shengyang said mysteriously, "Do you know what happened in Beijing?"

"Um?"

"Ever since Li Bo returned from Northern Europe, Li Yao has treated him like his own son! Was Li Bo the one who killed Li Cheng? It hasn't even been that long! Why has Li Yao's attitude changed so quickly? What kind of person is Li Yao?! His complete 360-degree turn in attitude… You know what, I really can't find any other reason besides using witchcraft!"

Zhou Yanshao was silent for a few seconds on the phone, then his voice was somewhat deep: "What did you say?"

"I said, Li Bo and Li Yao seem to have a good relationship... what's going on?"

"After returning from Northern Europe?"

"Hmm, didn't Zhihuai build a wine cellar in Northern Europe? My father had it built; he went to Northern Europe just last month, I think..."