Chapter 1665 - 856: Reward and Reckoning

It's just a little frost and wind, the hem of the clothes slightly dirty.

After the second glass of wine, the applause in the banquet hall was continuous.

The carefully prepared opening act was completely useless; the disturbance was calmed the moment it began.

After the body was dragged away, it was as if nothing had happened, everyone continued with their music and dance, even more bustling and lively than before.

Just when the atmosphere was at its peak, everyone eagerly watching, Ling Shuo stepped onto the stage once more, his smile more sincere than ever.

"Thank you all for your affection and support. Now that the Seven Islands Trade Association is in its infancy, I'm unable to manage it all by myself. I'll continue to rely on everyone in the future."

He paused for a moment, opened the list in his hand, and slowly said, "Next, I will announce some personnel matters. Those whose names are called, please come forward."

In an instant, the entire banquet hall was silent enough to hear a pin drop, everyone turned to look at the stage, eyes wide open, breathless and eagerly anticipating.

Finally, it's here!

The time to distribute rewards has come!

"Ji Wen—"

The first name called was undoubtedly the chief confidant. Instantly, a figure that had been waiting for a long time stepped out from the crowd, walking proudly to the stage, then bowing deeply in loyalty.

"Don't be so serious, it's my birthday today; everyone should be happier." Ling Shuo patted his shoulder: "Everyone has seen the hard work and hardship you've endured in these times; I hope you can continue working hard. The fuel element supply of Seven Islands logistics will need your contribution."

"Yes, yes!"

Ji Wen nodded repeatedly, opening his mouth in laughter, swallowing this piece of fat reward.

"Mafizding!"

Ling Shuo called the second name, eagerly wrapping his arm around the young man's shoulder: "Young people's work is reckless, easily offending people. Everyone here is like family, and should be forgiving."

"The association always has hard and dirty work; it's right not to appease others. You did well." With his own authority backing everything done by his subordinates, he told him: "You need to work harder on the dock's security, understand?"

"Yes!"

The young man with dark skin and curly hair nodded repeatedly, turning his head to look towards the audience below, he lifted his head, grinning widely.

"Pishka, you've contributed greatly, in the future, you must work harder on the association's sponsorship management."

"Xi Xian, hard work is good; to fall repeatedly and yet keep fighting, is to be a good man. Don't worry about the losses, the association won't forget your contributions.

Ma Island is a good place to test one's skills; show everyone your results!"

"Lanse, to have abandoned the dark for the light and redeem oneself with meritorious service is not easy. Henceforth, the construction waste removal under Lu Ciwang is your responsibility."

...

During the speech, the key members of the Seven Islands Trade Association came up on stage one by one, receiving this reward for their positions, their faces beaming with delight.

"You are all my support, my confidants, my brothers. I don't keep all the food to myself; meat and soup, we all share and enjoy together!"

Ling Shuo's smile suddenly vanished, stern and solemn: "But one thing, don't disgrace me, don't make me lose face in front of Mr. Ji.

Don't forget who provides you with your food, drink, and entertainment, understand?"

"Understood!!!"

The unified shout resonated through the whole venue, countless people raising glasses in celebration, joyful and congratulatory. As for whether underneath the smiles lay jealousy, bitterness, or fear, it was impossible to discern.

Amidst the hustle and bustle, on the seats of the Desert Market, Himawan let out a cold laugh: "This is already the start of dividing the Seven Cities? Happy way too early..."

Abadesa's expression was indifferent, swirling the red wine in his glass, silent.

Ao Gao still lay on the table, completely oblivious, dead drunk, snoring like thunder; next to him, Meng Sang, head down, was devouring food, already on his ninth bowl, eating with absolute focus, as if intent on eating Ling Shuo into bankruptcy.

As a result, the duo of drunkard and glutton uncle and nephew looked completely out of place at the table.

Ling Liu glanced at them, smiled slightly: "Don't just eat, young man, have a sip of water."

"Huh? I... I'm not thirsty..."

Meng Sang stammered, as he made a sound, he felt the weight on his instep suddenly increase, immediately lowering his head, burying himself in the rice bowl again, mumbling.

Briefly pausing on stage, Ling Shuo surprisingly opened a new page, making everyone slightly startle.

It's not over?

"Next is..." He glanced at it, saying: "Lante."

The lively atmosphere suddenly stalled, no one responded, everyone looked at each other, only to realize that the person never showed up, the nameplate at the place was still there!

Clearly, there seemed to be face-to-face at the beginning...

Where did he go?

"Not here?"

After calling this name several times, Ling Shuo shrugged with regret: "Maybe he drank too much of Iron Hook Trading's wine, it's fine."

Boom!

A sudden loud noise came from downstairs, mixed with a crash.

There seemed to be faint screams, indistinct.

"Ostan—"

With Ling Shuo's words, the hall fell into complete silence, still no response. Ling Shuo sighed with such regret: "Obviously, he's cautious in his work, but his child at home is incompetent, causing trouble.

If a child is not taught, it is the fault of the father."

Boom!

Another loud crash, and then another, and then another.

The dull sound of water bags bursting came from outside the window, the night beyond the veils becoming so sinister, the halo of neon lights like hungry eyes, peering in.

"Klemer." Ling Shuo asked: "How is Shiye's barbecue, tasty?"

No response.

Boom!

"Maray, I've helped pay off your gambling debts so many times, why can't you control yourself?"

Bang!

"Lai Tai, you... sigh, forget it, sigh."

Bang!

The loud noises continued, one after another.

Those whose names were called were like kings descended from the heavens, furious and ferocious, starting a fierce elbow fight against the earth, but unfortunately, the odds weren't in their favor.

After the benefactor's rewards ended, it was time for the guilty to be reckoned with.

Those who bite the hand that feeds them deserve no pity!

Amid the dull sounds, the expressions on the faces at the Desert Market seats subtly changed, turning gloomy.

Listening to those familiar or heard names, Meng Sang forgot to eat altogether, his face gradually turning pale, and suddenly, in a moment of intuition, he downed the remaining wine from his uncle and, with a bang, passed out drunk.

If Ao Gao had his eyes open, he would undoubtedly praise that this child had some spirituality, stupid as he was, at least he learned quickly.

Now, no one cared about him anymore.

The fists of Himawan and Abadesa were unknowingly clenched, the dead were almost all related to their families, or ones they had worked hard to secure.

Now they were all performing high-flyers, elbowing the ground...

And performing right in front of him!

This was an act of revenge, complete revenge, not even Ling Shuo avenged, but he actively performed for his backer and patron.

Even before securing his position as Dragon Head, he had already started to open his mouth towards the three families of the Desert Market...

As if insane!

"Truly a loyal dog."

Abadesa glanced at Ling Liu beside him, sighing with emotion, "Completely putting life and death aside, risking his life to work for the Ji family."

How else to say, a pearl covered in dust, trusted the wrong person?

After following Ji Jue, how many new tricks did he voluntarily develop, never acting like this before in front of people?

Was he like this when he was with you?

Why don't you say something?

Ling Liu lowered his eyes, seemingly in a daze, indifferent to everything, with an impassive expression.

The darkness in his pupils surged, hiding malice and fury, without any manifestation, this cultivation of patience and self-control was truly admirable.

Yet, Ling Shuo once again came forward with a glass of wine.

"Elder Ling, this year is my thirtieth birthday, as the old saying goes, thirty stands tall..." Ling Shuo leaned over, holding the chair back, with a faint smile, "How do you think I stand?"

"Standing beautifully, a tree among the forest."

Ling Liu raised his hand, clapped, and praised, "Seeing how accomplished you are, as a father, I'm also happy for you. You've truly learned a lot."

He paused, with a regretful sigh, "I'm just afraid that happiness will turn into sorrow, and if you take the wrong step, as a father, I might not be able to save you."

"What are you saying, what is there to fear, I'm only afraid that I'm not happy enough."

Ling Shuo retorted, "If you're happy, be even happier, if you're proud, be prouder!

As you can see, the association is just starting, things are complicated, though I wish to be close to you, I'm afraid selfishness might delay everyone... From now on, I'm afraid I can't attend your celebrations and birthdays!"

He paused, lifted his head, seemingly apologetic as he asked:

"You won't blame me, will you?"

"How could I?"

Ling Liu smiled more gratifyingly, like an elder seeing his child succeed, patting the back of his hand, continuously praising, "A man should prioritize his career.

I'm just glad you don't blame me as your father for holding you back."

Ling Shuo's eye twitched slightly.

Old dog...

Truly can endure!

Even after being provoked like this, he showed no anger at all, not even reacting after being trampled under one's shoe.

Really admits defeat?

Not likely!

The most important thing Ling Shuo learned from this foster father in his life was to lurk, endure humiliation, and carry heavy burdens.

The last time Ling Liu was overthrown from the Dragon Head position by his subordinates, in order to survive, he even sent his own daughter out, endured humiliation to death without any reaction, and managed to survive a hopeless situation with the help of many uncles...

And the one who stepped on him to rise, only enjoyed ten days, after which Ling Liu retaliated, skinned the whole family, and hung them on the main hall threshold to be trampled upon by all.

Now he doesn't act because in his eyes, I am already a dead man!

Such a smile makes him even more uneasy.

In the shadows, Elder Chu came over, whispering in his ear, "Do you want to..."

Before the words finished, Ling Shuo raised his hand, interrupting him.

"Don't even think about it."

Ling Shuo glanced back coldly at him, "Not today."

If not for the consequences, not daring to bring disaster to Mr. Ji, he would have spared no expense to kill this old dog here today.

It's not that he can't, it's that he mustn't.

Not today, not here.

No matter what Ling Liu does, he can only take it head-on, endure it, counter every move, just hoping Mr. Ji sees enough loyalty and effort, at the critical moment...

For a moment, it seemed like there was laughter, faint and indistinct, causing Ling Shuo's movements to pause momentarily, turning back puzzled, hearing nothing.

Like an illusion.