Chapter 195: Scumbag

After sending off Xiang Youyou, Li Nianlong had barely returned to the Liu residence when he received a call from Zhao Tianming: "Brother Long, I discussed it with my dad. We held an emergency meeting last night and decided to pledge allegiance to the Liu family. Brother Long, you must take care of your little brother in the future!"

This news brought a smile to Li Nianlong's face, and he laughed heartily: "Don't worry, we're brothers, and I won't mistreat my own."

"With Brother Long's assurance, I feel at ease. Now about the remaining matters..."

"I don't handle those things; let my cousin Shao Meiyun coordinate with you." After a pause, he added: "When are you free? Let's have a drink together."

"Whenever Brother Long invites, your little brother is always available." Zhao Tianming chuckled: "Where shall we eat?"

"You choose! You're the expert when it comes to food." Li Nianlong said.

"Alright! Recently, a new barbecue place opened on Xichuan Road. The taste is unique, affordable, and there's a buy ten, get one free deal. How about we go there?" Zhao Tianming suggested.

"The way you talk sounds like an advertisement. Could it be your place?" Li Nianlong asked.

"Hehe, no, but the girl selling the skewers is pretty cute."

Li Nianlong was speechless.

They agreed to meet at the barbecue place at 6 PM. After ending the call, Li Nianlong relayed the news to the old man and Shao Meiyun.

"The Black Rat Gang?" The old man nodded: "Although their strength isn't impressive, their intelligence sources are reliable. It's just that their prices are steep, and they lack patriotism, selling information to anyone."

"Once they align with our Liu family, that won't be an issue." Shao Meiyun squinted and smiled: "Moreover, the young master of the Black Rat Gang is Menglong's dormmate. Although such relationships aren't reliable, it means we know them well. The Liu family lacks intelligence sources, and the Black Rat Gang can fill that gap."

With Shao Meiyun's assurance, the old man nodded: "Alright, you handle this. Since the young master of the Black Rat Gang is Menglong's brother, don't be too harsh on them. Give them some benefits, but make sure the intelligence is under our control. Don't give them a chance to falsify information."

Shao Meiyun smiled faintly: "Grandfather, don't worry. I'll handle this small matter properly."

The old man stroked his beard and smiled: "I trust you with this."

Seeing the old man and Shao Meiyun's rapport, Li Nianlong rubbed his chin and sighed: "It's a pity you're not a man, cousin. If you were, you'd be the perfect heir to the Liu family."

Shao Meiyun looked at him and smiled: "Menglong, don't try to slack off. If you weren't so reluctant to handle affairs, your cousin wouldn't have to work so hard every day. I would've found a man and enjoyed my retirement by now."

"Come on!" Li Nianlong said: "Who doesn't know you vowed not to date until you're forty? By then, no one will want an old maid. You might as well stay at the Liu residence forever."

"Stop cursing me." Shao Meiyun poked Li Nianlong on the forehead: "I've taken beauty pills. Even after thirty years, I won't age. As long as I use a little charm, men will flock to me like dogs."

"Ahem—" The old man, at his age, felt a bit of a generation gap hearing such things and coughed lightly: "Meiyun's marriage isn't urgent. Ordinary families can't match her, and even among the top ten families, few are suitable. Menglong, if you meet any extraordinary individuals, you can introduce them to your cousin. At least someone who can protect her."

Li Nianlong didn't know any extraordinary individuals. Do the Yue sisters count? How about the old lady? But they were all women!

Li Nianlong smiled wryly: "Grandfather, I really don't know any extraordinary individuals. But if I come across someone suitable, I'll keep an eye out for my cousin."

Although a bit disappointed, the old man nodded: "Alright then. Also, regarding you and the Xiang family girl, once you win the martial arts conference and secure the leader's position, the Xiang family shouldn't oppose. Our Liu family needs to prepare in advance."

The old man had been mysterious about this before, and Li Nianlong didn't understand then. Now, he guessed the Xiang family girl was likely Xiang Youyou. But so far, he hadn't seen her true face.

"Grandfather, what does the Xiang family girl look like? Do you have a photo? I'm completely in the dark. What if I don't like her? I won't compromise on my marriage." Li Nianlong suddenly said.

"Uh... this..." Caught off guard by Li Nianlong's threat, the old man was momentarily speechless.

Shao Meiyun squinted and smiled: "Rest assured, the Xiang family girl is definitely beautiful. But we can't get a photo right now. Don't rush. You'll see her at the martial arts conference. If you don't like her then, we won't bring it up again."

"Alright." Li Nianlong nodded: "Grandfather, cousin, you both stay busy. I'm going to check on Yuexi and the others."

"Alright," the old man said: "Treat our guests well. If anything's needed, tell your cousin."

"Nothing's lacking." Li Nianlong smiled: "But Grandfather, you had a good chat with the old lady last night, didn't you? Haha..."

Not giving the old man a chance to get angry, Li Nianlong laughed and ran off.

"That brat! Daring to tease me!" The old man was indeed angered, and Shao Meiyun squinted and smiled: "Grandfather, do you really fancy that old lady? Her health doesn't seem too good."

"Why are you teasing like Menglong?" The old man said grumpily: "We just had a good chat. There aren't many women who can be neither servile nor overbearing in front of me."

"It's a pity she'll return to Longcheng after the New Year. Who knows if she'll come back?" Shao Meiyun smiled faintly: "Grandfather, if you're interested, seize the chance. Menglong respects her, so she mustn't be an ordinary old lady."

"Rascal! Who says I'm interested? Get out!"

Shao Meiyun covered her mouth, laughing as she left.

During the day, Li Nianlong took Nalan Ruyue and the Yue sisters for a tour around Tianfu. Near evening, he dropped them back at the Liu residence and went alone to Xichuan Road for his appointment.

Although it was close to the New Year, many food stalls were still open on Tianfu Road. Among them, a barbecue stall named Fengwei Barbecue was particularly crowded. Li Nianlong parked his car and saw that five of the six tables were full. Only one table had a single occupant, and who else could it be but Zhao Tianming?

At this moment, a young girl brought a plate of skewered meat to Zhao Tianming's table, chatting and laughing with him. From Zhao Tianming's demeanor, he was clearly interested in her.

Li Nianlong glanced at the girl. She was indeed pretty. While not an outstanding beauty, she was definitely a first-rate one, with a delicate, charming appearance that made one feel very comfortable.

"Zhao Tianming, you're hitting on another young girl. Be careful, or I'll tell your wife!" Li Nianlong walked over, immediately revealing Zhao Tianming's secret.

The girl's expression changed, looking heartbroken at Zhao Tianming: "You have a wife?"

"Xiao Cui, let me explain..."

"Don't explain. I won't believe you anymore." The girl covered her face and left.

Zhao Tianming sighed helplessly: "Brother Long, what do you have against me?"

"I thought the girl already knew." Li Nianlong laughed, sitting opposite Zhao Tianming: "Your wife just left, and you're already sneaking around. Going after such an innocent girl, that's low."

"Innocent ones are the best. They have the feeling of a first love." Zhao Tianming licked his lips, his eyes shining as he looked at the girl struggling to serve customers despite her 'grief': "Look at that face, that chest, that butt. She's perfect!"

"You're hopeless." Li Nianlong waved to the girl: "I'll have twenty meat skewers and ten vegetable skewers."

"Okay." Though the girl found it odd that he wore sunglasses at night, she still greeted him warmly. Soon, she brought a plate of skewers over: "Enjoy." She glanced at Zhao Tianming, snorted softly, and walked away.

Zhao Tianming sighed bitterly: "Brother Long, you've ruined my chances. It's not easy to find such a gem."

"If you can't give her happiness, don't mess with her." Li Nianlong said coldly.

"I can't give her happiness?" Zhao Tianming snorted: "I'll throw a million and a house at her. I bet she'll be happy."

"What about after you've had your fun? What about her future? Are you going to support her until she dies?"

"Uh... no, I'll probably move on by the time she's thirty. Women aren't fresh after thirty. I'll find someone else then." Zhao Tianming said matter-of-factly.

Li Nianlong shook his head:

 "That's why you're a scumbag. A girl like her can definitely find a wealthy man or at least a well-off family and live a happy life. Don't ruin it for her."

"Brother Long, you had plenty of girlfriends in college. Now you're acting all high and mighty. Isn't that a bit hypocritical?" Zhao Tianming retorted.

Li Nianlong chuckled: "I did have many girlfriends, but I never went beyond holding hands and a few kisses. I never slept with any of them. I always genuinely considered their well-being, ensuring they wouldn't suffer. I'm accountable to myself, to them, and to their future partners. You, however, just play around with money. Your standards are far below mine."

"Alright, you're a saint. Happy now?" Zhao Tianming sighed: "I'm just a scumbag, and scumbags have their way of living. Let me live my scumbag life. At least I'm free from moral constraints and live more freely."

"No matter how scummy you are, don't hurt others. Otherwise, even as your brother, I'll make you pay."

"What price?"

"I'll tell Zhao Xin."

"You really are my big brother..."