g, engaging in a fierce battle. In his heart, he silently prayed, "Brother Sheng, please help me!"Zhang Meng was fighting while shouting, "Xiaoyue! Ask when the reinforcements will arrive. Tell them...Wang Lin returned to his room, sat down in a chair and let out a deep sigh.

The task has been completed, and now all that remains is to wait for the funds to arrive. Once his plan enters its next phase, he will be ready to set off in search of Xiaoyue. When everything is back on track, that is.

Remembering Xiaoyue, he took out his phone and chatted with her one-sidedly.

And Xiaoyue's life was already stable at this time. She had just found a job the week before, and she had already rented a house. Everything was back on track.

That day's memories were like being frozen, but every detail was deeply etched in her mind, making her feel helpless and fearful at all times, as if the whole world had collapsed.

Every time nightfall came, she would be awakened by nightmares, her bedsheets soaked with sweat.

She lived in a place with no mirrors. She felt herself becoming filthy and unworthy of the happiness and joy she once had. She didn't dare look into the mirror anymore.

Though she improved over time, her heart had closed completely. Maybe when the light in her heart helps her shatter the darkness, she'll bloom again with a sweet smile.

She was constantly struggling, wanting to contact Wang Lin but afraid of falling back into the whirlpool of love again. She loved Wang Lin, but love doesn't mean possession.

Unbeknownst to her, if she were to just glance at the message, she would see the truth and be completely liberated. Sadly, she still lacked the courage to even try.

Until dusk, Zhou Qi excitedly rushed to knock on the guest room door with an excited expression.

"Haha! Little brother, you did it! I did it! Second in the written test, first overall!"

Wang Lin smiled and got up, "Congratulations, brother!"

"Haha, thanks to you little brother, let's go celebrate! I'll transfer 500,000 to your card later."

"Well, it's time to celebrate!"

At the restaurant, every family member they encountered along the way changed their usual disdain and showered Zhou Qi with envious congratulations. They all hoped to get closer to Zhou Qi, hoping to minimize their losses.

Zhou Qi responded with enthusiasm, but he made no promises to them. This only added to their anxiety, as a major reshuffle was inevitable.

Wang Lin saw all this unfold before him, and he couldn't help but sigh at the coldness of human relationships. Sometimes, status really can decide a lot of things.

However, these things have nothing to do with me. As long as I get the money, my goal is already achieved.

Having entered the restaurant, Zhou Qi led Wang Lin into a private room that he had not been qualified to enter before.

The restaurant staff, seeing it was Zhou Qi, immediately followed him. He had received word that Zhou Qi would be the helm of the family business for the next five years, so naturally, he wanted to make a good impression and get closer to him.

"Young Master Qi, you're here! What do you need I'll arrange it right away!"

Zhou Qi was stunned for a moment, he clearly hadn't yet adapted to his current status, but he quickly recovered. However, he still didn't know what privileges he had.

I'm hosting important guests here, do you have any recommendations

The person in charge bent over and respectfully replied, “Young Master Qi, if you want to entertain distinguished guests, you can choose the Huilong Banquet. Unlike the Huilong Banquet among commoners, ours uses rare ingredients to cook, symbolizing the true dragon’s convergence and soaring through the nine heavens.”

Zhou Qi nodded with satisfaction. "Good! That's it!"

Wang Lin has also heard of the Hui Long Banquet, but only knows that the "Hui Long Banquet" is a banquet related to the traditional festival "Long Tai Tou", usually held on the second day of the second lunar month.

This festival is a traditional holiday for the Han people, related to the ancient division of the 28 lunar mansions.

In ancient times, people used the Twenty-Eight Mansions to represent the positions of celestial bodies in the sky and judge the seasons. Among them, the seven mansions of Ji, Kang, Di, Fang, Xin, Wei, and Ji just form a complete dragon constellation, known as the Eastern Azure Dragon. After the vernal equinox in February each year, at dusk, the star in the dragon's horn will appear from the eastern horizon, while the rest of the Azure Dragon's body is still below the horizon, so people call it "Dragon Raising its Head".

In ancient times, when agriculture was the foundation of a nation, people observed that after February, rainfall gradually increased and the weather became milder. Therefore, they believed this to be the dragon raising its head and bringing rain, urging people to start spring plowing and seeding as soon as possible. To commemorate and celebrate this festival, people held various activities on February 2nd, one of which was the "Dragon Gathering Feast".

"Hui Long Yan" is a traditional celebration event, usually including various delicacies and banquets. People gather together to celebrate this traditional festival jointly. At the banquet, people savor diverse cuisines, share joy and blessings, thus praying for a bountiful harvest and happiness in the coming year.

I didn't expect this week the family would directly set the Dragon Banquet as the banquet for entertaining guests. I have to say, the person in charge is indeed capable of climbing to their current position.

When the person in charge left, Zhou looked around, and after glancing left and right at the doorway to make sure no one was there, he looked at Wang Lin with a troubled expression, as if there was something difficult to say.

"Hey, what's up"

Hearing Wang Lin ask first, he put away his hesitation and his expression became firm.

"Hey little bro, I want to talk to you about something, but I don't know how to start."

"Just tell me straight, brother. After all, we're partners."

"That, can we have a long-term cooperation But you don't need to be by my side all the time, just when I need your help, can you come and support me."

"Bro, haven't you gotten recognition from the family yet"

"The recognition is received, but it's not convincing yet. Who knows, maybe there will be times in the future when I need your help! And for the next competition, I was thinking of asking you for help again!"

Wang Lin fell silent. He didn't have so much time to focus his energy on Zhou Qi; he could only politely decline.

"Bro, after I go back this time, I might be busier and have other things to take care of. I can't promise I'll be available whenever you call."

"Brother, now that you've said that, I feel at ease. You don't plan on charging me for this, do you"

"So, from now on, I'll transfer 200,000 yuan to your card every month. Consider it a token of my appreciation for your services. In normal times, I won't bother you. If you're busy, I won't force you. Just think of it as building a good relationship."

"No, no, big brother. You don't get paid for nothing. If you take the money, you have to do something."

"Well then, I'll pay in installments. When I'm in danger, I'll contact you again. Does that work"

Wang Lin bowed his head and thought for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"That'll work, otherwise this money feels like hot potatoes."

"Haha, good brother!"

"By the way, I reckon the elders of your family will come to you soon. You'd better be prepared in advance."

"What do you want from me" Wang Lin was a bit puzzled. He had no dealings with the Zhou family.

"It should be about the same as what I just said, but he's definitely more generous than me. If you agree, hehe, you can ask for a little more."

"No way With my abilities, you guys would even consider me"

"Little brother, don't underestimate yourself. Our family has many retainers like you. We usually live our own lives, but when the family is in a life-or-death situation, we need the retainers to help."

"Could your family, with its great business, still face this kind of crisis"

"It's better to prevent problems before they arise. Many families in China have this tradition, and some people can serve as guests at many households simultaneously. Just the money they receive each month is astronomical."

"Could this be possible" This time, Wang Lin was truly moved.

With this money, my own plans can be implemented better, and the remaining money could also buy a house to bring my parents over.

Zhou Qi fell for Wang Lin and, even more so, stepped up his persuasion. "Of course, little brother, if you don't want to work in the future, the family can also give you enough money every month to live a comfortable life."

However, not everyone can become a family retainer. Becoming a retainer often represents that one's abilities have been recognized by the family.

"I understand, someone will contact me later. I'll consider it carefully!"

"Well then, congratulations in advance to my little brother!"

The two chatted for a while longer, and then the restaurant manager, carrying a bottle of wine, led in a dozen or so employees. Each of them held a plate and carefully placed it on the table.

The person in charge bowed slightly. "Young master, esteemed guest, please take your time. Feel free to call me if you need anything."

"Well, go ahead. Don't let anyone disturb us." Zhou Qi watched the person in charge wave his hand dismissively.

Yesn so exhausted these past few days. That Yunlan District was really tough to deliver to, the package lockers weren't enough, and I'm mentally drained from all those phone calls.".........Listening to...