Forced to Marry a Female Billionaire CEO-Chapter 593 What did you say?

To Duan Zhuo'e, with his uncle expanding his power in Tianhai, he considered himself at least half a local host. And since he was a host, he had to act like one.

Fang Caizhe, whose bandaged wound made the area look swollen, watched Duan Zhuo'e's antics with a flash of scorn in his eyes.

He only managed to get a villa in Tianhai. What's there to show off about?

At that moment, Duan Chongfeng roared, "You little rascal, shut your mouth! Do you have any of the Duan Family's decorum left?"

"I was just saying is all," Duan Zhuo'e said with a playful grin. In front of Duan Chongfeng, he always let himself go.

Duan Chongfeng glared at him, but then his expression changed in an instant. He put on a smile and said, "Qian'er, Caizhe, you two settle in for now. Let me know if you have any problems."

"Also, your two companions should be back tonight. They will also be staying in this villa."

On Duan Zhuo'e's instruction, Da Tou and Ma Tong had also come to rely on Duan Chongfeng. In truth, geniuses from the Northern Dragon Guard like them would be highly welcomed by any prominent family in Tianhai. The main reason was the powerful factions backing them, so naturally, no one would dare to slight them. However, the Northern Dragon Guard didn't want to get overly involved, so they simply had Duan Zhuo'e make the arrangements.

"Okay!" Bai Qian'er nodded.

"Then, Uncle, I'll be taking my leave."

"Take care, Uncle Duan!"

"Come with me. I need to talk to you," Duan Chongfeng said, looking coldly at Duan Zhuo'e.

Duan Zhuo'e froze, his expression shifting slightly. He followed, a sense of unease creeping over him. I just ran my mouth a little, didn't I? Is Uncle really going to get that mad over it?

After Duan Zhuo'e and Duan Chongfeng left, Fang Caizhe quickly put on a smile. "Qian'er..." Excitement was written all over his face.

The entire villa was now empty, leaving just him and Bai Qian'er. A man and a woman, all alone. What a perfect opportunity for romance to blossom!

"I'll take the room upstairs. The rooms downstairs are for you and Zhuo'e," Bai Qian'er said without a backward glance, immediately picking up her luggage.

"Qian, Qian'er..."

Fang Caizhe's face fell. Injured as he was, there was no way he could catch the swift Bai Qian'er. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

BANG—

He was still climbing the stairs when Bai Qian'er's door slammed shut, leaving him with an expression of pure agony.

Just then, a phone call came in.

"What is it?" Fang Caizhe snapped, answering the phone angrily.

"Y-Young Master, I have something to report."

"Speak!"

"The information you asked me to find on Xu Ke is ready."

Hearing this, Fang Caizhe's expression flickered before he commanded, "Send it to me!"

"Yes, sir."

After returning to her room, Bai Qian'er gazed out at the bustling scenery of Tianhai, but her mind was filled with the image of Xu Ke fighting Han Wang alone and toying with numerous Great Perfection masters.

Why... are you so strong?

Bai Qian'er's fists clenched slightly, her eyes filled with a profound and complex emotion. A thought suddenly occurred to her.

Could the Northern Dragon Guard truly recruit such a dragon among men? Could it even accommodate him?

RING RING RING—

At that moment, her phone rang.

"Hello, Ma Tong, what's up?" Bai Qian'er collected herself and answered, her tone calm once more.

"Boss, you've arrived?"

"We have!"

"So, should I come find you, or will you come find us?"

"Just wait for us at the villa. It's not convenient for Fang Caizhe to move around."

"What happened to that son of a bitch?" The other end of the line went quiet for a moment, then a voice filled with schadenfreude chimed in.

Bai Qian'er was exasperated. "Could you try not to sound so happy about it?"

"No can do... Hey, Da Tou, did you hear? That son of a bitch Fang Caizhe is crippled!"

Another person roared with laughter. "Hahahaha..." The laughter on the phone grew even louder.

Bai Qian'er took a deep breath. "He's not crippled, he'll recover in a couple of days. Now, get to the point!"

"Ahem, ahem..." Ma Tong cleared his throat. "Let's have a meeting. I have a lead on the Seasoned Envoy Pass. We should be able to complete the mission soon."

"Really?!" Bai Qian'er was instantly overcome with a mix of surprise and joy.

"Would I lie to you? We'll head back in a bit."

"Great!"

「In Villa Number One」

"Okay my ass!" Duan Chongfeng slammed his hand on the table, erupting in fury.

"Uncle, isn't this what you asked me to do? Isn't being honest a good thing?" Duan Zhuo'e asked, looking timid and deferential. It was only after returning with Duan Chongfeng that he realized he was being called to account for selling his uncle out.

Duan Zhuo'e's response left Duan Chongfeng speechless with rage. "Good? What's good about it? Dammit, why have your big brother and I never seen you be this honest with us before?"

"Uncle, I was just intimidated by Xu Ke's power. You have no idea... when I ran into him, he was facing off against Shi Hongda..." Duan Zhuo'e continued to act meek.

But Duan Chongfeng sneered, "Stop playing the coward in front of me. That trick won't work anymore." Duan Zhuo'e would raise hell outside, then come home and put on an act, making it seem as if they were the ones bullying him.

Seeing that Duan Chongfeng wasn't falling for it, Duan Zhuo'e coughed twice, sat up straight, and chuckled. "Uncle, I actually understand your thinking."

"But the path I'm taking is different from yours."

BANG—

Duan Chongfeng slammed the table again, his anger flaring. "Different how? How can they be the same? What kind of crooked idea do you have now?"

"My plan was to let you in on Xu Ke's identity so you could quietly and subtly play the big shot. Then, in front of your companions and Xu Ke, you could 'accidentally' discover his identity. Wouldn't that have settled everything? You would lead everyone to the Seasoned Envoy, and wouldn't all the credit go to you? So tell me, what on earth is going through your mind?!"

He had wanted to give Duan Zhuo'e a chance to shine. When the report was submitted, Duan Zhuo'e would be recognized as the first person to have keenly identified Xu Ke. Wouldn't Ki Qinyin have to award him merits for that?

But Duan Zhuo'e raised a finger, wagging it in front of Duan Chongfeng with a pompous, sagely air. "Uncle, you're mistaken."

"Your approach of smoke and mirrors might have earned me some credit."

"But my thinking is different. I want to build a good relationship with Lord Xu."

"Fighting for a momentary advantage isn't a long-term plan. A long-term approach is what brings lasting success."

Duan Chongfeng spat. "Where the hell do you learn to talk such convoluted nonsense? I should really send you to get a master's degree." But despite his scolding, a thoughtful look appeared on his face. It was clear that Duan Zhuo'e's words had struck a chord.

"A bachelor's is plenty," Duan Zhuo'e said with a smug grin. He moved closer to Duan Chongfeng. "The way I see it, the fact that Madame Yu handed over the Seasoned Envoy's identity to Lord Xu so willingly proves that the Northern Dragon Guard values him immensely. By getting on good terms with Lord Xu, I'm essentially getting a head start in building a relationship with Madame Yu."

"You wanted me to fight for credit, but wasn't the ultimate goal for Madame Yu to remember my name?"

"So isn't my way faster?"

Before he could finish, Duan Chongfeng's expression softened. "Well now, you little rascal, you're showing some growth..." He patted Duan Zhuo'e's head, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.

This kid's finally using his brain!

Duan Zhuo'e arched an eyebrow, looking immensely pleased with himself. "What can I say? I must have inherited it from you."

"What did you say?!" Duan Chongfeng's smile vanished, replaced by anger.

"Calm down, calm down," Duan Zhuo'e said, patting his uncle's back soothingly.

Duan Chongfeng was left without a retort. Finally, he asked, "Right, so how are you and Xu Ke getting along?"

"Pretty well," Duan Zhuo'e answered, then lowered his voice. "But Fang Caizhe really can't stand Lord Xu. Uncle, you should find a chance to take care of him."

"Fang Caizhe?" Duan Chongfeng's expression flickered, then he sneered. "No need to get involved. Let my little brother handle it himself."

"By the way, from now on, don't call my little brother 'Lord' this or that. Just call him 'Uncle Xu'."

Duan Zhuo'e balked. "But he's about the same age as me..."

"Just do it."

"Alright..."

Then, Duan Chongfeng asked again, "What about on the way here? Did anything happen?" He was just asking casually.

But Duan Zhuo'e froze for a moment before saying, "Something big happened."

"What big thing?" Duan Chongfeng's face changed, and he grew tense.

Duan Zhuo'e stroked his chin. "Uncle Xu, he's reached the Innate Initial Stage."

Before the words had even settled...

THUD—

The anxious look on Duan Chongfeng's face froze. His body went limp, and he collapsed right onto the floor.

"Uncle, what's wrong with you?" Duan Zhuo'e paled in horror.

He's not sick, is he?

But the only response he received was Duan Chongfeng's nearly shrill voice.

"You... what the hell did you just say?!!"