Chapter Eleven: You Are Nothing

“Is that so?” Wu Guangde’s voice now carried a tinge of anger as he replied, “That man named Yang—I know him. He’s notorious for chasing women, hardly a decent fellow.”

“Exactly. And now, this guy has actually set his sights on my wife,” Chen Yang said, his tone icy.

Ever since Chen Yang had stood up for Wu Guangde last time, Wu’s loyalty had only deepened. So when Chen Yang asked him to handle this matter, Wu agreed without hesitation, promising, “Alright, Mr. Chen. Before seven tonight, I’ll have him brought in to see you.”

“Good. Be careful,” Chen Yang said with concern.

Wu Guangde answered softly, “Don’t worry, I’ve got this.”

With that, Chen Yang ended the call, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.

He then entered Huading Company, following behind Shen Donghua to get a proper understanding of the company’s situation.

In Linhai, Huading Company’s main business was real estate. With the backing of Huading Group from the provincial capital, it was a strong player in the city.

Before she passed away, Chen Yang’s mother had urged him to manage Huading Group well. He sensed there must have been a reason behind her request.

Determined, Chen Yang resolved that whatever it took, he would turn Huading Group into the most formidable company in the country, perhaps even the world.

Before he knew it, the workday had ended and evening had come.

As soon as work was over, Chen Yang remembered he had business to settle with that Yang fellow later, so he called his mother-in-law to say he wouldn’t be home for dinner.

Naturally, his mother-in-law was curious and asked what he was up to.

He told her he had to work overtime. She didn’t think much of it and hung up.

Not long after Chen Yang ended the call, Wu Guangde rang with news: the man named Yang had been captured and was now in Room 203 at the Rose Hotel.

Chen Yang was familiar with Room 203 at the Rose Hotel—it was the same room he had used when dealing with Huang Youlong.

Arriving at the hotel a little after six, he entered Room 203 and saw a man standing by the window, gazing out: hair parted neatly, dressed in a black leather jacket and black dress pants, around six feet tall, neither fat nor thin, exuding the air of a boss.

As soon as Chen Yang entered, the man in the leather jacket turned, fixing him with a narrowed stare.

This man was none other than Yang Linshen, the eldest son of the Yang family.

Yang Linshen, too, had graduated from a prestigious university in the capital. After graduation, he became chairman of the Lijing Hotel—a young man of some accomplishment.

He stared at Chen Yang, irritation written on his face. “How long do you plan to keep me here?”

Chen Yang looked at him and sneered. “I’ve only just arrived, and you’re already in such a hurry to leave?”

Yang Linshen, clearly impatient, replied, “I’ll have you know, I have an important client to meet soon. If you make me miss it, you’ll regret it.”

Chen Yang gave a cold chuckle at that. Glancing at Wu Guangde nearby, he wondered why Wu hadn’t given this Yang fellow a taste of his own medicine—how could he still be so arrogant?

Chen Yang gave Wu Guangde a look but left him alone, turning back to Yang Linshen. “Do you know who I am?”

Yang Linshen crossed his arms. “Aren’t you that guy from Qin Muxue’s family? The one delivering food for Fast Delivery Company?”

“Since you do recognize me, you should also be able to guess why I had you brought here,” Chen Yang continued.

Impatience flashed across Yang Linshen’s face again. “I don’t have time for this. I have friends to meet. Move aside.”

He made for the door but was blocked by Wu Guangde.

To Yang Linshen, as the Yang family’s eldest son, both Chen Yang and Wu Guangde were beneath him—just members of the lowest rung of society. In his mind, even speaking to them was a concession.

So, when Wu Guangde blocked his path, Yang Linshen glared at Chen Yang. “I told you, I have things to do. Isn’t this about Qin Muxue? Well, let me tell you: I’ve set my sights on her. You know the story of Pan Jinlian and Wu Dalang, right? Qin Muxue isn’t Pan Jinlian, but you—you’re Wu Dalang.”

“As a delivery guy, you should know your place. Don’t you find it laughable, you and Qin Muxue together? It just doesn’t fit.”

“I’ve had plenty of girlfriends before, but after meeting Qin Muxue, I found my other half. So, be self-aware. If I were you, I’d have stepped aside long ago.”

“So, you’re saying you’ll keep pestering Muxue, no matter what?” A chill crept into Chen Yang’s eyes.

Yang Linshen ignored Chen Yang’s growing anger, his face dripping with scorn. “Have some self-awareness. No offense, but don’t you think you’re like a beggar next to her? You’re the dwarf, she’s Snow White.”

Wu Guangde stood quietly by, listening, comparing the two men in his mind. He knew Chen Yang could command Lin Qianyao, chairman of Huading Group, but what about Chen Yang’s own strength? Of Yang Linshen’s strength, Wu did know: at the very least, Yang owned a successful hotel in Linhai, worth at least a hundred million.

So, pitting Chen Yang against Yang Linshen was a tough call.

Yang Linshen misread Chen Yang’s silence, thinking he’d left him speechless. Folding his hands behind his back, he said coldly, “Honestly, if I were you, I’d just leave. Don’t hold Qin Muxue back any longer. Haven’t you wasted enough of her life already?”

“Wasted? I don’t think so,” Chen Yang replied.

Yang Linshen snorted. “Open your eyes to the world. You deliver food; my allowance alone is two hundred thousand a month, enough to pay for seven or eight years of your deliveries. That’s the gap between us.”

“A gap? I don’t see any gap between us. By the way, I hear you’re the chairman of Lijing Hotel, right?”

Yang Linshen, hands behind his back, didn’t answer. He couldn’t be bothered with Chen Yang—he truly considered him a nobody.

Chen Yang pressed on. “I hear business at your hotel is good. You take pride in owning it, don’t you?”

Still, Yang Linshen said nothing. After a while, he spoke: “I have things to do. Let me go, or you’ll regret it.”

“What business? Going out to negotiate for your hotel? But what if the hotel suddenly changes ownership?” Chen Yang sneered.

Yang Linshen, exasperated, replied, “Sure, let it change hands. Let’s see you do it.”

A cold smile spread across Chen Yang’s face.

He had a brilliant idea: with a hundred billion in savings sitting idle, why not invest it? Buying Yang Linshen’s hotel would be a perfect investment—and a perfect way to show Yang Linshen his real strength.

Chen Yang didn’t want Yang Linshen to know about his connection to Lin Qianyao just yet, so he ordered Wu Guangde, “Watch him. I need to make a call.”

“Yes, sir,” Wu Guangde replied quickly.

Chen Yang left the hotel room and called Lin Qianyao. “I’m transferring a hundred million to you. I want you to buy Lijing Hotel for me—can you handle it?”

On the other end, the efficient Lin Qianyao considered for a moment. “Lijing Hotel? Isn’t that owned by someone named Yang?”

“That’s right. He’s here in front of me, and I’ve had enough of him, so I want the hotel. Take care of it,” Chen Yang said.

Lin Qianyao thought it over. “Alright. If that’s what you want, it shouldn’t be difficult.”

“Good. I’ll wait for your news. Make it quick,” Chen Yang said softly.

“Understood,” Lin Qianyao replied, all business.

Ten minutes later, Lin Qianyao had pulled strings and found Yang Linshen’s father. Using his influence, he negotiated and purchased Lijing Hotel for a hundred and ten million, transferring it immediately to Chen Yang’s name.

Once everything was settled, Lin Qianyao called Chen Yang to confirm.

Chen Yang smiled with satisfaction and nodded.

Returning to the hotel room, he found Yang Linshen had completely lost his patience, roaring, “How much longer are you going to keep me here? I’ve already missed my meeting—you’ll pay for this!”

“Meeting? A business partner for your hotel?” Chen Yang asked with a mocking smile.

Yang Linshen snapped, “And what’s that to you? You’re just a delivery guy, not even fit to carry my shoes.”

“Is that so? What if I told you I’m now the owner of Lijing Hotel? Would you even qualify to carry my shoes?” Chen Yang retorted.

Yang Linshen dismissed the possibility that Chen Yang had bought the hotel, heading straight for the door. “I don’t have time for your nonsense.”

“You’re nothing now. No longer the chairman of Lijing Hotel. All you are is a spoiled rich kid living off your father’s money,” Chen Yang mocked.

Yang Linshen spun around. “Who do you think you are? My allowance is earned by me. I’m done talking to you.”

“Is that so? But you’re really nothing now,” Chen Yang said with a sneer.

“I don’t want to hear another word from you. Get lost!” Yang Linshen shouted.

Chen Yang found Yang Linshen’s attitude almost comical. No matter how furious Yang Linshen became, he maintained an easy, unruffled smile. “I told you, you’re nothing now. You don’t believe me? You’re just a nobody. Lijing Hotel belongs to me now. If you don’t believe it, call home and check. Go on, rich kid…”