Xia Xiaolan wasn’t as angry as Kang Wei.

“Boss Ke, I don’t want to do business with you. It’s not that I look down on you, but I want my business to remain clean and legitimate. You control such a large territory in Yangcheng, and what do your people live on? Even if you don’t kill people, you’ve committed plenty of illegal acts… That’s why I refuse you, whether you want to be friends or business partners.”

Ke Yixiong’s expression darkened.

He had indeed done many bad things.

He knew one couldn’t stay in the underworld forever—even the most powerful crime boss couldn’t withstand government crackdowns. That’s why Ke Yixiong had worked so hard to establish connections with Du Zhaohuei.

The Du family in Hong Kong straddled the line between legal and illegal. Ke Yixiong had limited options—only someone like Du Zhaohuei, who operated in both worlds, would accept him. If it were Tang Yuanyue, he wouldn’t even be able to get close—he’d be beneath notice!

Just like now, Xia Xiaolan despised him and wanted no connection to the underworld.

This woman knew how to provoke people. Ke Yixiong looked at her:

“There are certain things, Director Xia, that you shouldn’t handle personally—they’d dirty your clean hands. Isn’t there use for someone like me? I can’t handle official matters, but if anyone tries to sabotage your project with underhanded methods, wherever I handle construction waste removal, I’ll ensure that the worksite remains undisturbed. That’s my rule, not just for you, and I’ll take responsibility if anything happens!”

No wonder he had established his territory in Pengcheng so quickly.

“Is that all there is to it?”

Xia Xiaolan questioned, and Ke Yixiong laughed heartily: “Whether it’s true or not, Director Xia will know after working with our transport team once. You say the Golden Sand Pool project is small, but I disagree. This may be your first project, but it won’t be your last. If this cooperation goes well, it could lead to long-term business. Not just construction waste transport—I recently started a sand quarry, and I have construction teams too… Director Xia, don’t view people with old prejudices.”

Construction teams were out of the question—entrusting projects to Ke Yixiong would be like putting her head on the chopping block.

She didn’t trust Ke Yixiong at all, but since he kept pushing… Xia Xiaolan slowly nodded: “You can handle the construction waste, and I can buy sand and stone from you. I’ll pretend I don’t know what rumors you’ve heard or what threats you’re talking about. My only requirement is that nothing can go wrong at my construction site—no bloodshed, and absolutely no deaths.”

“Sister-in-law!”

“Xiaolan—”

Both Kang Wei and Liu Yong were confused, not expecting Xia Xiaolan to agree to Ke Yixiong’s proposal.

Ignoring their opposition, Xia Xiaolan stood up decisively: “But this is separate from you disrupting the Bai family wedding. How the Bai siblings deal with you is your problem to handle, Boss Ke.”

As Xia Xiaolan left, Ge Jian followed first, then Kang Wei with his many doubts, and Liu Yong hurried after them.

Ke Yixiong suddenly burst into laughter in the room.

Cao Liu looked at his boss:

“Your kindness is being treated like dirt. We earn small change while handling her troubles. We should let her taste some hardship first, then come begging for your help—”

“She might suffer setbacks, but they won’t shake her foundation. I’m laughing because this woman is interesting—she knows when to take and when to let go. She doesn’t hide her dislike for me yet can still share some profits. Wouldn’t you say she’s cold-hearted?”

Cao Liu deeply agreed with Ke Yixiong’s words—she was indeed cold-hearted.

But in the underworld, this was exactly the kind of woman they admired.

Cao Liu was worried—his boss wasn’t young anymore, and since meeting Xia Xiaolan, he hadn’t been with any women. This wasn’t just unhealthy physically; it could become a psychological issue too.

“About the Bai family…”

Ke Yixiong’s face darkened: “Bai Zhiyong definitely won’t accept this, and that’s exactly what I want. We’ve been in Pengcheng, and our people in Yangcheng can’t maintain control. I see people in the underworld getting restless—it’s time someone delivered themselves to my doorstep for me to make a move, reminding everyone not to forget the name ‘Ke Yixiong.'”

…

“Sister-in-law, why waste effort on a gang leader? If he doesn’t behave, I’ll have someone teach him a lesson!”

Kang Wei ran after Xia Xiaolan.

That gang leader still hadn’t given up on Sister-in-law Xiaolan?

Xia Xiaolan gave him a side-eye, “You think I want to let him make money? I’m hiring this vicious guard dog to bite others, and also to stabilize today’s wedding. If Ke Yixiong had stayed any longer, the Bai family wedding would have been completely ruined.”

The bride’s family and friends had faces full of disgust and fear.

Bai Zhiyong’s mother-in-law looked like she might faint.

That bastard Ke Yixiong wanted to make money from her—Xia Xiaolan would let him earn it, then see how he’d spend it!

Liu Yong wrung his hands, “I think the bride Zhenzhu’s brother found—these two families just aren’t compatible. Who was the matchmaker? They were unreliable.”

Xiaolan was grown now, with her consideration for everything she did. As her uncle, Liu Yong could offer money and help, but couldn’t forcefully tell his niece how to handle things. Liu Yong had decided that once back in Pengcheng, he would visit Mayor Tang to discuss the matter of the gangster Ke Yixiong.

Liu Yong had never asked Tang Hongeen for anything, and seeing the current trend, Tang Hongeen and Afen might work out. Liu Yong was even more reluctant to take advantage of Tang Hongeen.

But for Xiaolan’s safety, Liu Yong was willing to humble himself.

Marry Afen?

Was Afen so easy to marry? Wanting to marry Afen meant having to look after Afen’s daughter!

By the time Xia Xiaolan returned, the wedding reception was over—at least the bride’s relatives had all left. Of the Bai family’s thirty-plus tables of guests, more than half had dispersed. Those who remained were close to the Bai siblings, people from the former Bai Family Martial Arts School.

These people were all angered by Ke Yixiong’s provocation and wanted to hear Bai Zhiyong’s response.

The bride was very displeased, believing these martial brothers were encouraging Bai Zhiyong to fight.

When Xia Xiaolan returned with her group, the bride Chang Ying was unhappy.

Bai Zhiyong, oblivious, broke free from his martial brothers’ circle. “Chang Ying, come here. We haven’t properly toasted Sister-in-law yet. She’s representing Captain Zhou, and she’s also Zhenzhu’s friend.”

Captain Zhou?

Chang Ying and Bai Zhiyong had gone from a blind date to a marriage decision in just half a month.

But Bai Zhiyong had told her plenty about his work.

Captain Zhou was Bai Zhiyong’s superior, young and promising. Earlier, Chang Ying’s mother had warned her to be wary of her sister-in-law, saying Bai Zhenzhu’s friend was seductive and improper, but who would have thought she was Captain Zhou’s partner?

Chang Ying’s face reddened slightly as she called Xia Xiaolan “Sister-in-law.”

Xia Xiaolan had given the red envelope earlier but hadn’t presented the watch yet. She took it from her bag and handed it to Chang Ying:

“Congratulations on your marriage. Don’t worry about today’s events—it was just a small problem, and it’s been resolved.”

The situation wasn’t resolved—Xia Xiaolan was just comforting the bride. No wonder the bride’s family seemed so resistant, with such unpleasant disruptions on the wedding day. While Bai Zhiyong was still being modest, Xia Xiaolan directly pressed the gift into the bride’s hands. “This represents both my goodwill and Zhou Cheng’s. Please accept it.”

Chang Ying, now obligated by the gift, finally showed a smile as she held it.