Chapter 1794: Chapter 1424: Overprotective Brother Maniac Mr. Li lit a cigarette, calming his nerves. Earlier, when mentioning Dong Tianxiu’s sister, there was deep apprehension in his eyes. It seemed he was genuinely frightened by Dong Tianxiu’s sister. “My sister joined the family business at twenty, was working independently by thirty, and took over all the family business by thirty-five. Five years ago, even our old man was willing to step back, not interfering with the business, and handed all affairs to my sister. You could say, my sister is the face of our family; in today’s business world, I think those who can stand toe to toe with my sister are few and far between. I mean, mister, you must have been something incredible back in the day, right?” Dong Tianxiu couldn’t help but ask. Dong Tianxiu’s words sounded somewhat boastful of his sister. After all, even someone like Lu Yun only became a force in his later years, claiming there were few who could rival him. And Dong Tianxiu’s sister, breaking the norm, is barely forty, is she really that formidable? Bai Xiaosheng couldn’t help but glance at Dong Tianxiu. From the emotions reflected in Dong Tianxiu’s expression, it seemed he disliked his sister’s style but highly admired her abilities. At that moment, Bai Xiaosheng was genuinely a bit curious, somewhat wanting to ask who on earth Dong Tianxiu’s sister was. However, in the end, Bai Xiaosheng only thought about it and then dismissed the idea. Firstly, it wasn’t convenient to inquire here; secondly, when making friends, it’s best not to mix in other matters just out of curiosity about someone’s powerful family—seems like one has ulterior motives, thus spoiling the vibe. “Your sister… is indeed a business prodigy! Especially as a woman, to have such prowess at such a young age!” Mr. Li had to admit this point. Nevertheless, regarding his identity, Mr. Li was a bit embarrassed and said indignantly, “Hey, kid, aren’t you just mocking me! I’m not some big shot, especially compared to your Dong Family; it’s like heaven and earth, completely incomparable!” Dong Tianxiu smiled apologetically, indicating he didn’t mean it that way at all. “Strictly speaking, your sister wasn’t out to specifically trap me alone but messed over ten of our companies! When she got us bankrupt, she was just in her early thirties!” Mr. Li started trembling a little at the thought of the past, took a fierce drag of his cigarette to calm down, glanced at Dong Tianxiu, and then continued, “Actually, a few years ago, I met you!” “Oh?” Dong Tianxiu looked surprised, having no recollection of Mr. Li. “Back then, a bunch of us business owners went to your family’s headquarters to plead with your sister to let us off the hook.” Mr. Li said awkwardly, “But downstairs, one of my companions had a fender bender with your car, and there was a confrontation. We were all in a rush, and we were… a bit rough on you. Do you remember that incident?” Bai Xiaosheng looked at Dong Tianxiu. Dong Tianxiu was startled, struggled to recall, then seemed to remember with his eyes lighting up, pointing in the air, “Oh, yes, there was such a thing! Those people were hot-tempered, and a few even hit me. Were you among those people?” Mr. Li bitterly smiled with a hint of sorrow, “Yes, I was. But damn it, I was at the very back of the crowd. I didn’t even get to say a word to you, let alone lay a finger on you—I was just there to watch! After all these years, no wonder you don’t remember me, and I didn’t recognize you either, not until you introduced yourself. Even if you seemed familiar, I wouldn’t dare make the connection!” Dong Tianxiu could not help but say, “So, what you’re saying is, the beating I got earlier could have been entirely avoided, it was really just asking for it.” Bai Xiaosheng wanted to laugh, quietly thinking to himself: Sheng, as long as you know your mouth gets you into trouble, why say it out loud. Mr. Li ignored Dong Tianxiu and continued, “After the conflict with you, we did get to meet your sister. Actually, from the start, your sister, though sharp-tongued, didn’t intend to ruin us, merely proposed that our group sign a ‘sell-out contract’—that’s what I thought! That contract mainly aimed to enhance your family’s businesses, so what else could it be but a sell-out! At that time, we tried to push back, lower her terms, and she seemed a bit willing to ease up. Then you appeared…” Mr. Li said gloomily, “When you showed up all bruised, your sister erupted instantly. You recognized some of my companions right away, accusing us of ganging up on you… well, not entirely untrue, but I really was just an onlooker!” Listening to Mr. Li, Bai Xiaosheng could imagine what that scene was like. At the time, Dong Tianxiu was still a hot-blooded young man who got beaten up by a group over a fender bender right outside his family’s company—seeing those same people coming to talk business, it must have been a bad taste indeed. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⁂𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖⁂𝕟𝕖𝕥 “Naturally, your sister turned hostile, immediately shredded the draft contract to pieces, threw them at my companions, and pointed at us sternly saying… I still remember her words, every single one of them.” “‘Bullying my brother is bullying me! This business is over, from this moment on, it’s you or me!'” Mr. Li looked stern as he murmured, “She would rather give up the business just to stand up for you! She ignored any explanations, no apologies could sway her, no business compensation either, and she directly threw us all out!” “In the following year, she relentlessly pursued our dozen or so companies, intercepting us at every turn, until we all went bankrupt!” Mr. Li spoke with deep fear evident in his eyes, “That’s your sister! Offend a thug, you might still negotiate—but offend her, there’s no room for discussion!” “And yet, you say, I had nothing to do with it! I was merely a bystander, watching the scene unfold; from beginning to end, I didn’t utter a word, nor did I lift a finger on you!” Mr. Li looked woeful, almost lamenting. Dong Tianxiu scratched his head, seeming to feel his sister’s indiscriminate vengeance was a bit much. In fact, at the time, he was very angry, ran to his sister to complain, also wanting her to get revenge, but he’d forgotten all about it over time. He hadn’t expected his sister to see it through so ruthlessly. Bai Xiaosheng couldn’t help but look at Dong Tianxiu. From Mr. Li’s description, Bai Xiaosheng could almost visualize a “brother-protecting fanatic,” combined with what Chen Feiyu mentioned during their card games, it further reinforced his judgment. “Ever since I was a child, I’ve been quite timid, easily bullied, so my sister has always protected me. She cannot stand hearing that I’ve been bullied.” Dong Tianxiu saw Bai Xiaosheng looking at him and blushed slightly, murmuring. Mr. Li, having finished reminiscing about the past “tragic experiences,” suddenly snapped back to reality, firmly squashing the half-burnt cigarette in the ashtray. “Cough, what am I telling you all this for!” Mr. Li glared, “Losing in business, I accept! Consorting with that group, suffering the fallout, served me right! Young Dong, since you say you didn’t come here deliberately to cause me trouble, I won’t wrongfully accuse you. Regarding beating you earlier, that was my fault. As for you seizing the opportunity, I misjudged—these are heavens’ arrangements; I’ve got nothing more to say! Now, I kindly ask you both to leave!” Mr. Li seemed to be showing them out. However, Bai Xiaosheng could tell that Mr. Li, reflecting on the past and comparing it to now, his pent-up resentment and anger over the years, had led him to briefly lose his composure, almost severely injuring Dong Tianxiu. Now coming to his senses, remembering who Dong Tianxiu’s sister was, he might genuinely be a bit scared! That Dong family sister was indeed a brother-protecting fanatic; if her brother suffered, she would go to the ends to rectify it, even at the cost of business. What would she do if she learned Dong Tianxiu nearly met his end here? She’d probably have Mr. Li dismantled. Mr. Li seemed to realize this too, with a flicker of fear deep in his eyes. Feeling sympathy and apologetic for Mr. Li’s wretched plight, Dong Tianxiu extended his apology several times before finally leaving with Bai Xiaosheng. However, before leaving, Dong Tianxiu placed the gloomy wood on the table for Mr. Li, pointing to Bai Xiaosheng and saying, “My friend here has a keen eye for value; if he says it’s worth something, it must be! Mr. Li, you keep it, consider it as some compensation for wrongly suffering, also a token of my regard.” With that, Dong Tianxiu didn’t look back and called Bai Xiaosheng to leave. Mr. Li looked at the piece of gloomy wood in shock, and lifted his gaze to find the two already out of sight. He murmured, “This Dong family kid… is quite honorable!”