Chapter 179: A Series of Surprises

Zheng Haoyu’s face was instantly pale when he heard that.

The news struck him like a bolt of lightning. His mind went utterly blank.

‘How could this be?

‘It’s true that the company is facing some financial difficulties, but it’s far from the end. How would it suddenly close down?’

“What’s going on, Mom?” Zheng Haoyu roared frantically.

Everyone around looked at them doubtfully.

The Zheng family had an extensive network of connections. They should have been able to tide through any difficulties. How would the company close down in an instant?

“The promised funding is gone. The orders are all canceled. And… And… our factory has been shut down. It’s all over. We’re finished,” Chen Yan said dejectedly.

A s.h.i.+ver coursed down Zheng Haoyu’s spine. His body wobbled and he felt dizzy.

“Impossible… This is impossible! I don’t believe it!” The muscles on his face twitched and contorted into something extremely grotesque.

‘How could there be problems with the funding and the orders at the same time? And how was the factory being shut down? This is utterly ridiculous!

‘Unless… someone is targeting the Zheng family?’

He shuddered again when he arrived at that thought. Then, he lifted his head and looked at the boy in front of him.

“Don’t tell me… it’s him?”

The timing was too coincidental.

‘How is it possible?’

One needed to wield a lot of authority in Provincial City to bring the Zheng family down. However, that kid was born and raised in a mountain village, so how could he have that much authority?

Everyone fell silent. When their brains processed the news, they exclaimed in surprise.

Everyone felt that it was incredulous as well.

“What a cruel stroke of fate! The Zheng family is finished now!”

“Hah! I wonder who did the Zheng family cross? The first strike is a killing blow!”

Everyone discussed the incident while feeling shocked.

Some people looked at Tang Hao doubtfully. They shook their heads and chuckled, then turned to look somewhere else.

‘Would that kid be able to pull off such a big stunt? The Zheng family probably has crossed someone a long time ago, and they’ve plotted their revenge for a very long time.’

However, they still found it incredible that the Zheng family faced a devastating blow right after their reputation was ruined at the banquet. It was too much of a coincidence.

“The Zheng family is finished!” Everyone came to the same conclusion. Some lamented their fate, while some laughed at them.

The Zheng family had been wealthy and was one of the most renowned families in Stonegate Town. Everyone wanted to build connections with them. Now that they had gone bankrupt, their value was all lost.

Such was the harsh reality of life!

The Qin family lamented the Zheng family’s fate. They were friends across generations after all.

Meanwhile, at the table next to the wall, Qin Gang stared at Tang Hao, slack-jawed.

The other people might not comprehend, but he understood too well that the fall of the Zheng family was entirely his younger brother-in-law’s handiwork.

“F*ck me, that’s too scary!” Qin Gang mumbled as he gazed at Tang Hao with admiration.

In his eyes, his younger brother-in-law was almost like a G.o.d.

While everyone was still hotly discussing the issue, someone’s phone rang loudly.

Everyone’s eyes were focused on the boy.

Tang Hao calmly picked up the phone and answered the call.

“Are you satisfied, Master Tang?” Old Master Luo was heard over the phone.

“Not bad at all. I thought you’d need more time,” Tang Hao said.

Old Master Luo smiled nonchalantly. “It’s just a small company. That was too easy! Right, I’ve already bought all their property. Do you want it?”

“Nah, just sell everything! I’m not interested in whatever they have!”

As he spoke, Tang Hao glared coldly at Chen Yan and Zheng Haoyu.

Everyone was shocked as they heard him talk. They went wide-eyed and slack-jawed.

‘Oh my G.o.d!

‘So he’s really the one behind all this?’

Everyone’s mind went blank while trying to process what they heard.

How could a boy born and raised in a poor mountain village wield so much authority that he could easily bankrupt a company in Provincial City? That was too ridiculous!

To add to that, the deed was done within a few hours.

Who was that boy?

They suddenly realized that the boy was not a pushover. Instead, he had a hidden, horrifying side!

Everyone regarded Tang Hao differently. Their gazes were full of admiration and fear.

The Zheng family mother and son were dumbstruck.

“How could it be him…” Chen Yan muttered in a daze.

In her eyes, Tang Hao was still a poor kid from a mountain village, so how did he suddenly wield so much authority?

“So, it’s you!” Zheng Haoyu came to his senses. His face was contorted with anger as he pointed a finger at Tang Hao.

“You’re the one who ruined the Zheng family! You’ll pay for this!”

He roared as he rushed toward Tang Hao with a raised fist.

Tang Hao chuckled. He lifted a leg and kicked him away. “If you hadn’t thought of framing me, I wouldn’t have laid a finger on you! You’re the one who ruined yourself!”

Old Master Qin stood up and chided them. “Chen Yan, and Zheng Haoyu, it’s true that the two of you were the ones who came here with sinister intentions. Also, both of you are shameless to go after my granddaughter’s money!

“The two of you can leave now! I don’t welcome you at my birthday celebration! I wonder what would Brother Zheng think of you if he’s still alive.”

Then, he turned to speak to Tang Hao. “Little Brother Tang, they might be at fault, but I was wondering if you could forgive them on my behalf. There’s no need to force them on a dead end.”

“Since you’ve said so, I’ll stop right here then!” Tang Hao said.

Chen Yan and Zheng Haoyu stumbled out of the courtyard pathetically.

Tang Hao dusted his hands and returned to his seat.

The atmosphere in the courtyard was somewhat unsettling. Everyone stole glances at Tang Hao, though instead of looking at him with condescension or hostility, their gazes were full of admiration and respect.

“That’s a good one, Younger Brother-in-law!” Qin Gang laughed. “Tell me, how did you do it?”

“It’s nothing. Someone in Provincial City happens to owe me a debt of grat.i.tude,” Tang Hao said.

Qin Gang immediately understood that Tang Hao must have powerful people backing him.

Soon, everyone started to eat and drink again and resumed their merriment.

Suddenly, several cars arrived at the entrance.

A group of people got out of the cars and entered the courtyard.

Everyone was surprised when they saw who they were.

Some of the people in the group held important roles in the town council. Even the town mayor was there. They were escorting someone as they came in.

Old Master Qin immediately stood up when he saw who came in. “Mayor Xu, he’s…?”

“He? He’s Secretary Qian, the district secretary!”

“Wow!” Everyone exclaimed in surprise.

Old Master Qin was confused. He was not acquainted with the district secretary at all! The Qin family might be wealthy, but they were not particularly remarkable in the entire Westridge District. They did not have any connections with the secretary.

Why was Secretary Qian present then?

Everyone was confused for a while.

“Ah, Old Master Qin! I was here on short notice and I didn’t prepare any presents. I hope you don’t mind it!” Secretary Qian greeted Old Master Qin eagerly.

“It’s nothing!” Old Master Qin was flattered.

They chatted for a while. Then, Secretary Qian turned around and looked around the courtyard. When he found Tang Hao, he walked over in big strides and greeted him eagerly, “Lil Bro Tang!”

As Secretary Qian neared, he extended a hand and shook hands with Tang Hao.

Everyone’s jaw dropped when they saw the scene.