Chapter 136: The Li Family’s Most Honored Friend

“Exactly. That woman has no idea of her own limitations. How dare a tiny cosmetics company oppose us!”

The secretary hurriedly echoed him deferentially, but after speaking, she remained standing and showed no sign of leaving.

“What else is there?”

Sun Hong cast her a sidelong glance, puzzled.

“It’s like this, General Manager Sun. Someone from the Li family called just now and gave me a phone number, instructing me to tell you that you must call it within five minutes…”

Bowing slightly, the secretary quickly reported the matter.

“The Li family? The Li family of Qingyang?”

Sun Hong’s expression changed drastically. He hastily set down his wineglass, his face turning grave.

“They want me to make a call? To whom?”

“I don’t know either. The caller only gave me the number and told you to dial it. Please hurry—three minutes have already passed. You have only two minutes left!”

There was obvious unease in the secretary’s voice as she handed him a small slip of paper bearing the number. Her wrist was trembling faintly; clearly, she was deeply wary of the Li family of Qingyang as well.

“What are you panicking about?”

Sun Hong’s face darkened, as though an invisible hand had seized his heart.

“They told me to call, so I’m supposed to jump just because they said so? Who the hell do they think they are? Once we’re outside Qingyang, I’m not afraid of them!”

Though his words were forceful, his hand quickly swept up his phone and began dialing the number on the slip. At the same time, he said resentfully, “In any case, they’re still part of Qingyang’s business community. This time, I’ll give the Li family some face.”

In truth, he knew perfectly well that all his businesses were based in Qingyang. If he angered the Li family, then the work of most of his life would be ruined.

Besides, someone of his modest standing was hardly worthy of the Li family’s attention.

“Beep…”

The call connected almost immediately. A cold voice came from the other end.

“Who is this?”

“Who is this? I’d like to ask you the same question!”

Sun Hong’s tone was arrogant. In front of his secretary, he did his utmost to put on an imposing air.

“Weren’t you the one who told me to call? Speak up. What do you want?”

“You’re Sun Hong, aren’t you? Come in person immediately to apologize to General Manager Chen of Allure Technology, and ship the goods in accordance with the contract. If you fail to do so, you can wait to go bankrupt and beg in the streets!”

After Su Zheng finished speaking, he hung up with a sharp click.

“Damn it, who do you think you are, talking to me like that? I—Hello? Hello!”

The icy tone in Su Zheng’s voice left Sun Hong momentarily stunned. He had just been about to curse him out when he realized the call had already been disconnected.

“What kind of work are you doing? Remember this—next time, find out everything clearly before reporting to me!”

Furious, he set the phone aside and barked at the secretary.

“But… it was the Li family’s instruction. I couldn’t very well ask too many questions.”

The secretary explained in a small, aggrieved voice.

“Are you certain the call really came from the Li family? That doesn’t make sense.”

Sun Hong was bewildered. He had no idea how he could have offended the Li family. After all, he always made sincere offerings to them during every major holiday. By all rights, the Li family had no reason to move against him.

Besides, the Li family would not normally concern itself with a minor figure like him.

“I’m certain. The caller identified himself as a member of the Li family. I don’t think anyone would be bold enough to impersonate them, would you, Boss?”

The secretary offered her analysis cautiously.

“Enough. I’ll call back myself and ask what’s going on. Watch and learn.”

Sun Hong scolded her again. Then, after carefully composing himself, he forced a smile onto his face and made the call.

Naturally, he had no standing to call Li Yanze or Li Yanjun directly. Instead, he called one of the Li family’s servants.

That was the highest-ranking member of the Li household he had any access to. Under ordinary circumstances, he would never have dared to call and disturb him. But the situation was unusual, and he made the call anxiously, hoping to find out what was really happening.

“Hello, Brother Wen. I hope you’ve been well. Heh heh… This is Sun Hong.”

Sun Hong greeted him over the phone with an ingratiating smile.

The secretary beside him could not help frowning. She had never seen her employer wear such an expression before. Secretly, however, she resolved that she must learn more from him in the future.

“Sun Hong? Hmph! Do you know what a huge disaster you’ve caused? How dare you offend the Li family’s most important friend? You’re courting death! Damn it, don’t call me again. I don’t want you dragging me into this. Do you understand?”

Brother Wen launched straight into a furious tirade, his voice filled with fear and resentment.

“Wait there. Old Butler Fu is here too. He wants to speak with you personally.”

“Uh…”

Sun Hong nearly dropped his phone. He had never imagined that Fu, the Li family’s chief steward, would actually want to speak with him. It was something he would never have dared dream of before.

Hearing Brother Wen’s reprimand, Sun Hong felt no anger. Instead, a chill rose within him. He had a vague feeling that he truly had offended someone connected to the Li family.

“You’re Sun Hong, correct? I order you to carry out the instructions of our Li family’s most honored friend immediately. Do exactly as he tells you. If you fail in even the slightest respect, hmph! I’ll make certain you have nowhere to stand in Qingyang!”

Click.

After delivering the warning coldly, Old Butler Fu hung up without even bothering to hear Sun Hong’s explanation.

“Uh…”

Sun Hong was completely stunned. Panic spread across his face, his expression freezing as his body began to tremble faintly.

The secretary beside him was equally terrified. Her face had gone pale, and she did not dare say another word.

Both of them knew all too well what the consequences of offending the Li family would be. If they failed to follow the Li family’s instructions, the company would truly be finished.

But who, exactly, was the Li family’s friend?

Cold sweat broke out across Sun Hong’s forehead. In his panic, he was utterly at a loss.

“B-Boss… that man just now… he must be the Li family’s friend, right?”

The secretary could barely get the words out. Fighting down her fear, she reminded him of the obvious.

“Yes! Quickly! Call him! Damn it, where’s my phone?”

Sun Hong suddenly came to his senses and began frantically searching for his phone.

In his nervousness and terror, he had dropped it on the floor without even noticing.

The secretary picked it up and handed it to him. Sun Hong immediately dialed Su Zheng’s number again.

The instant the call connected, he begged in a nearly pleading voice, “Sir! Sir, please calm down! I know I was wrong. I’ll do whatever you say. Please, I’m begging you, don’t be angry!”

His voice trembled. Though he knew perfectly well that Su Zheng could not see him, he still hunched forward slightly, his expression filled with unmistakable respect. He had completely forgotten about putting on airs in front of his secretary, which showed just how frantic he truly was.

“I don’t know what you did to General Manager Chen of Allure Technology. I only want to tell you this: if you fail to obtain her forgiveness before noon, I’ll hand you over to the Li family to deal with. As for what you do next, that’s up to you.”

Su Zheng’s voice was so cold it seemed capable of seeping into Sun Hong’s bones. With every sentence, Sun Hong’s complexion grew worse.