Chapter 1194 - 1194: Reputation Undeservedly Ruined

After the doggerel poem, the little girl chatted idly with Xiao Feng for a bit more, told him to come back early, and only then hung up.

But Xiao Feng didn't take the phone away from his ear. He just kept nodding and said, "Okay, okay, got it, Brother Xiao. Don't worry, I'll definitely get it done!"

After saying this, he put the phone back in his pocket.

As expected, Pei Dengke instantly perked up and said, "Brother Ba, the person who just called you, that was Brother Xiao?"

"Yeah." Xiao Feng nodded in admission.

Pei Dengke's expression immediately turned a bit strange. As a fellow man, his instincts told him the person who'd just been on the phone with Xiao Feng should've been a woman.

Still, he didn't overthink it. He took out his phone and said, "Perfect, I'll give Brother Xiao a call too."

"No need!" Xiao Feng cut in immediately.

You kidding me!

If this guy makes a call and my phone rings, won't the whole damn act blow up on the spot?

"Brother Xiao just told me to give it my all and help you win over Wang Tingwei, then get back to Jiangcheng as soon as possible.

He specifically said not to take any benefits from you and not to go places we shouldn't go."

After hearing this, Pei Dengke took a deep breath, unable to contain his excitement as he said, "Brother Xiao is really a righteous man. Being able to know him is seriously the greatest blessing of my life.

Brother Ba, don't worry. Not only will I remember this favor, I'll report everything to Brother Xiao, down to the last detail!"

As he said that, he was about to dial.

Xiao Feng stopped him again: "Brother Xiao just told me he's about to rest. Calling him at this time isn't good. Save it for another day."

"That works too. It's not like we're in such a rush anyway." Pei Dengke nodded.

...

Back at Pei Dengke's place, Xiao Feng took a quick shower, lay down on the bed, closed his eyes, and replayed everything that had happened during the day in his mind like a movie.

Only after confirming that the "Xiao Bajia" he was playing wouldn't be linked back to his real self did he finally feel somewhat at ease.

For now, most of Wang Zhiping's hatred should be focused on him and Qi Guanghe, with a bit less on Pei Dengke.

But that was still far from enough. Without follow-up moves, this incident would very likely be quietly shelved.

If that happened, the plan to redirect hatred toward Qi Guanghe would fizzle out.

Thinking of this, Xiao Feng opened his eyes and muttered, "So I've gotta do something. Can't let this fire burn out…"

He carefully analyzed the current situation. Even though the Wang Family could tell he was stirring things up, it didn't matter. As long as he didn't expose that he was actually Xiao Feng, even if they suspected or were sure of it, it wouldn't be a big deal.

Strictly speaking, Pei Dengke was a loophole.

If this guy let slip even the slightest hint that "Xiao Bajia" was connected to Xiao Feng, anyone with a mind for it could instantly figure things out.

In other words, if he wanted to stir things up in Kyoto with peace of mind and no worries, he had to plug this loophole first.

Think it, do it!

Xiao Feng immediately got up, went next door, and knocked on Pei Dengke's door.

Not long after, the door opened.

Pei Dengke stepped aside a bit, motioning for Xiao Feng to come in.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Xiao Feng said solemnly, "There's something I thought about and decided I have to stress again."

"Brother Ba, if you've got something to say, just say it. Between us brothers, there's nothing we can't talk about."

Xiao Feng nodded and said, "Right now a lot of families or companies in Kyoto are reaching their hands into Jiangcheng. You know about that, right?"

"I've heard a bit. Some time ago my dad mentioned it to my grandpa, said he wanted to expand into Jiangcheng, but my grandpa shot it down."

"Oh?" Xiao Feng asked with interest, "What was his reason?"

"My grandpa's exact words were: 'Greed makes the snake try to swallow an elephant. What the Pei Family needs to do now is solidify itself, not look for opportunities outside.

Whether a pie is poisoned or not, you only know after eating it, but as long as you don't eat it, it definitely won't poison you. Don't let jealousy blind you.'"

Xiao Feng chuckled inwardly. This explanation showed the Pei Family's old man was a clear-headed person.

Of course, those who were fighting tooth and nail to push into Jiangcheng probably understood this logic too; it's just that not everyone can withstand temptation.

"Since you know, what I'm about to say will be easier." Xiao Feng said, "Now that everyone in Kyoto is pushing into Jiangcheng and forming alliances everywhere, Brother Xiao is one of the people they're trying to rope in.

Because of the conflict with Wang Zhiping today, the Wang Family has already noticed me.

And if anyone finds out I'm connected to Brother Xiao, it'll bring trouble to him."

Pei Dengke frowned: "So that means when Lin Bingqiao came to you before…"

"Exactly!" Xiao Feng didn't wait for him to finish and directly answered, "She was probing my background to decide whether to take revenge."

"Brother Ba, this time it's your bro dragging you down. You didn't have to wade into this muddy water in the first place," Pei Dengke said apologetically.

Xiao Feng shook his head. "Talking about that now doesn't really mean anything.

Right now, you're the only one who knows I'm connected to Brother Feng.

So I hope you can keep your lips sealed. To anyone, even to Wang Tingwei, you don't let a single word slip!"

Hearing this, Pei Dengke's expression turned serious. He said firmly, "Brother Ba, rest easy. You and Brother Xiao have done so much for me. If I still end up causing trouble for him, what kind of person would that make me?"

After that, he started swearing oaths left and right.

Xiao Feng kept saying there was no need, but he still let Pei Dengke finish swearing.

Even so, he still couldn't be completely at ease, but given the current situation, this was already the limit of what he could ensure.

If he wanted this secret to never leak, the only option would be to silence Pei Dengke. But obviously, that path was off the table.

Do all you can and leave the rest to fate. He'd done what he could; from here on out, he could only take things one step at a time.

...

"Bang bang bang bang bang"

The next morning, Xiao Feng was woken by a bout of pounding on the door.

Pei Dengke's voice sounded from outside: "Brother Ba, you awake?"

Xiao Feng got out of bed and opened the door.

"What's got you so worked up this early?"

He saw Pei Dengke's face full of guilt. The guy hesitated for a long moment before saying, "Brother Ba, I'm sorry…"

Xiao Feng's heart skipped a beat. Don't tell me this guy swore a deadly oath last night and then turned around and already forgot it?

"What on earth happened?" Xiao Feng said, displeased.

"I, I… forget it, Brother Ba, just listen for yourself."

As he spoke, Pei Dengke unlocked his phone, tapped on the screen, and a burst of dynamic music started playing…

It was an extremely aggressive song—a diss track, as they say in the rap scene.

And the targets were the three of them: Pei Dengke, Xiao Bajia, and Qi Guanghe.

Looking at who released the song…

Sure enough, it was Ma Digua and his crew.

"Sigh…" Pei Dengke said, overwhelmed with guilt, "Last night I was thinking they'd probably drop a track to flame us, but I didn't expect that by the time I opened my eyes this morning, the song would already be out.

Brother Ba, I'm really sorry, I dragged your reputation down with me.

I'll hire some people right now to mass-report the song and get it taken down."