Zhou Cheng went directly upstairs and knocked on the door.

Several bodyguards were stationed outside the room.

“I want to see Councilman Zhang, alone. Please relay my message.”

The bodyguards exchanged glances.

Zhou Cheng remained calm, waiting for the bodyguards to make their decision.

Zhang Jiandong would meet him. If not, he could announce everything he knew out loud – something Zhang Jiandong wouldn’t want to happen.

One bodyguard couldn’t help but ask, “May I ask who you are—”

Zhou Cheng gave a sardonic smile, with a hint of mischief:

“You know who I am.”

Why keep up this act now when everything was about to come to light?

Zhou Cheng had lived in San Francisco and had never hidden his relationship with Xia Xiaolan. How could Zhang Jiandong’s men not recognize him? Who were they trying to fool?

In the standoff between the bodyguard and Zhou Cheng, the bodyguard yielded. One went inside to report, and after a few minutes, Zhang Jiandong came out.

Faan followed behind him, while Zhang Jiandong gave instructions:

“Your mother’s emotional state has improved. Since we’re already in Hong Kong, returning to Yunan will happen quickly. We must face what has happened. She’s too sensitive and overthinks things – the doctor says it’s not good… Anyway, as the eldest son, you need to take care of your mother and sister. Tina just ran out earlier but has returned to her room, stay with her.”

This father was playing his role perfectly, not forgetting even the smallest details.

As Zhang Jiandong instructed, Faan nodded.

Zhou Cheng couldn’t be bothered to look at Faan and addressed Zhang Jiandong directly:

“Councilman Zhang, could we talk privately?”

Zhang Jiandong nodded, “Of course. I heard from them that you’re Miss Xia’s boyfriend. I thought Miss Xia had already left Hong Kong, why did she return?”

Zhang Jiandong gestured for Faan to return to the room while moving further away with Zhou Cheng.

Zhou Cheng had no interest in exchanging pleasantries with Zhang Jiandong:

“It’s time to resolve this, Councilman Zhang. You know exactly what I’m talking about! Your grudges have seriously affected others’ lives. If you think being a Los Angeles City Councilman and an American citizen means I can’t touch you, just try me!”

Zhang Jiandong’s smile vanished.

“Your name is Zhou Cheng, right? I know your family is powerful in China, and I know your girlfriend has connections too. But young man, that’s not enough for you to dictate terms to me. I bear no ill will toward any of you.”

Zhou Cheng laughed mockingly, “No ill will? Then what would ill will look like – running someone over on the spot? I won’t argue with you. There are more important matters at hand. We’ll settle our score later, assuming you survive… I wonder if Councilman Zhang dares to meet Xu Zhongyi face to face?”

Zhang Jiandong frowned.

He instinctively wanted to rebuke Zhou Cheng.

However, with all the bodyguards in the hallway being his men, Zhang Jiandong couldn’t help but smile:

“He’s finally stopped running and dares to face me. How wonderful. I thought he’d be a coward his whole life. Of course, I dare to meet him. He’s the one who abandoned his wife and children, not me.”

Yes, yes, yes.

Such thick skin.

Should they award Zhang Jiandong a banner for “acting righteously and bravely”?

“Nine o’clock tonight, at the cruise terminal of Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui. A cruise ship sets sail tonight. You have a few hours to prepare.”

The Ocean Terminal, completed in 1966, includes office buildings and shopping malls beside the terminal. All cruise ships passing through Hong Kong dock here, with tourists flooding ashore to shop and sightsee, making the commercial district around the cruise terminal busy with visitors year-round.

Some cruise ships use Ocean Terminal as their home port. Before coming upstairs, Zhou Cheng had asked the hotel front desk, who helped him confirm that a cruise ship would sail tonight – not for a long journey, but a leisurely circuit around Hong Kong to admire the island’s night views.

On the cruise ship?

Zhang Jiandong gave Zhou Cheng a long, penetrating look.

“Fine, I have no problem with that.”

This man was truly brave.

He wasn’t even worried that Zhou Cheng and Xu Zhongyi might be plotting together, deliberately luring him to an ambush.

Of course, Zhang Jiandong wouldn’t go without preparation. He had his resources in Hong Kong and intended to match his skills with Xu Zhongyi.

Zhou Cheng admired Zhang Jiandong’s courage, but Zhang Jiandong would regret it because he had foolishly dragged Xiaolan into this matter!

Perhaps in Zhang Jiandong’s view, Xiaolan and Xu Zhongyi were already on the same side.

Only heaven knew that Xu Zhongyi hadn’t contacted Xiaolan at all before this.

Zhou Cheng’s hands itched to pound Zhang Jiandong’s two-faced visage into pulp.

After delivering the invitation to Zhang Jiandong, he went downstairs. Zhang Jiandong watched his retreating figure with an inexplicable smile.

If Zhou Cheng had been present, he would have been surprised because Zhang Jiandong called out to Faan.

“I’m meeting someone tonight. I don’t know if you want to see him, but I would understand if you do. If you don’t want to come, then please take care of your mother and sister. In Hong Kong, I can only trust you… Look at these people, so aggressive, harboring ill intentions toward us.”

Faan remained silent.

“You’re going to meet Xu—”

He seemed unable to say Xu Zhongyi’s full name.

“Dad, can I meet him?”

“Alright, then come with me. Your mother always dwells on this matter. I know you’ve forgotten your childhood, but he is your biological father after all. You won’t be able to find peace without seeing him in person.”

Zhang Jiandong spoke very candidly, patting Faan’s shoulder:

“But don’t tell your mother. Tonight, it’ll just be us father and son going to the terminal.”

…

Zhou Cheng returned to the room just as Xia Xiaolan finished a phone call.

“How did it go? Did Xu Zhongyi agree?”

Xia Xiaolan nodded, “He agreed, and not just him. Du Zhaohui said his father will be there too.”

“That’s normal. Zhang Jiandong nearly ran Du Zhaohui over right here in Hong Kong. If Du Chengrong remained indifferent, everyone would dare to challenge the Du family’s authority in the future. This time it’s Du Zhaohui, next time it might be Du Chengrong himself!”

This wasn’t internal strife.

This was an outsider attacking Du Zhaohui.

Family fighting among themselves was like raising wolves – the meat rotting in the pot.

But an outsider attacking was a different matter entirely!

Xia Xiaolan agreed with Zhou Cheng’s analysis: “I just don’t understand what Zhang Jiandong is relying on. Could it be that years of smooth sailing have made Councilman Zhang lose his perspective?”

Making enemies everywhere wasn’t a smart move.

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t figure this out, which made her uneasy.

Of course, she wasn’t worried about others – she only cared about Zhou Cheng and Brother Pan.

Pan Baohua looked at his watch, “It’s only six in the afternoon now. Do we have to wait until nine to board the ship?”

“Brother Pan, let’s board the cruise ship first. You haven’t had a chance to enjoy yourself while protecting Xiaolan in America. Tonight, Xiaolan and I are treating you – we invite you to take a good tour of the cruise ship. Hong Kong’s night view is said to be beautiful.”

Zhou Cheng wanted to board first!

Pan Baohua had no objection to this.

Though as for enjoying the cruise… they probably wouldn’t be in the mood tonight.

“Let’s go then, we’ll head out now.”