Linda Guan glances coldly at Evan Lin, then stands up gracefully. In a flash, she switches to a sweet, friendly smile and looks toward the door.
"Commander Hu, you finally made it. I've been waiting a long time!"
Linda Guan beams at the newcomer.
The man entering is about 5'7", around forty, lean and fit, with a rugged face and an arrogant air, always looking down his nose at people.
Beside him stands a young man, about twenty, sharp-looking, clearly trained in martial arts.
"Linda, don't call me Commander Hu out here. We're just friends grabbing a meal—no need to make it so formal." Commander Hu shakes his head and smiles.
"Right, right! Ms. Ling in Oceanport always thinks about you, but she's busy lately, so she sent me instead. You two were classmates, so it's just a simple dinner, nothing shady." Linda Guan gestures for Commander Hu to sit.
"That's true. It's been ages since I last saw Ms. Ling." Commander Hu nods and finally glances at the others, sizing them up.
"Let me introduce everyone. This is Commander Hugh Hu from the Jinnan Military District, and this is President Quentin Yu from the Jincheng Chamber of Commerce." Linda Guan makes the introductions.
Quentin Yu quickly stands up and shakes hands. "I've heard of Commander Hu's reputation for a long time."
Hugh Hu glances at him, nods, and that counts as a greeting.
"This is Charles Chen, the head of Wansheng Properties (Capitalview)." Linda Guan continues the introductions.
"Wansheng Properties, huh? That company's pretty famous in Haizhou. Just last month, when I had dinner with Old Zhou, he mentioned your company—said you're a rising star in Jincheng real estate, good for taxes and jobs. I hear you're working on the shantytown redevelopment too?"
Hugh Hu gives Charles Chen a few more looks and smiles. His tone is totally relaxed, like he's talking about something completely ordinary.
But to Charles Chen, these words make him tense up inside. "You're too kind. I'm just working for Chairman Wang."
When Hugh Hu mentioned Old Zhou, Charles Chen felt uneasy. In Jincheng, among the top officials, there's only one Zhou who's been involved with the shantytown project since last month.
Sweat already beads on Charles Chen's forehead; he grows more anxious inside.
Judging by Hugh Hu's words, he seems close with Old Zhou. If he really brings up Charles in front of Old Zhou, it could affect the whole shantytown project.
"Come on, Chairman Wang still put you in charge of all this, didn't he?" Hugh Hu laughs, then turns to Linda Guan. "So, did Ms. Ling really want me here just for a friendly meal?"
As soon as Hugh Hu said that, Charles Chen felt a jolt, while Quentin Yu looked on with a gloating grin.
Lucy Lu couldn't help but clench her fists, feeling extra tense inside.
Lucy Lu might not care much about other things, but when it comes to Hugh Hu, he's tied to Charles Chen's whole future.
"Yes, Commander Hu, it's simple. Ms. Ling just hopes this kid won't try to go to Oceanport and mess with people he shouldn't. I'm still discussing with Mr. Chen about transferring him back to Minghai. That's Ms. Ling's wish." Linda Guan smiles.
After Linda Guan spoke, Hugh Hu caught on, grinned at Charles Chen, and said, "What's wrong, Mr. Chen? Haven't you settled this yet? If you ask me, just keep running your business here—no need to cross Ms. Ling over something so minor."
"Well... Commander Hu, I think we should let the kid decide. Besides, he's a senior now, and transferring schools could hurt his studies. The school might not agree either, since he's a good student." Charles Chen forces a smile.
Hugh Hu cuts him off, waving his hand: "Senior year? There's still half a year before the college entrance exam. And the school? Don't worry about that—I can get the transfer paperwork done with one phone call."
"Commander Hu, it still depends on what the kid wants." Lucy Lu interjects.
"Oh? Depends on the kid? Then let me ask him myself." Hugh Hu laughs, finally turning to Evan Lin.
Since he walked in, Hugh Hu hadn't really looked at anyone else—his attention stayed mostly on Linda Guan.
In Hugh Hu's eyes, Charles Chen and Quentin Yu are just businessmen—and not even the high-level kind. He doesn't bother taking them seriously.
At that moment, Hugh Hu finally finished speaking and turned his gaze, sweeping a look at Evan Lin, who'd been silent the whole time.
His eyes flashed, and when he saw Evan, there was a definite air of superiority. "So it's you, huh? What's your name?"
Linda Guan poured Hugh Hu a cup of tea, smiling sweetly.
Quentin Yu and Helen Qi were secretly thrilled—this Hugh Hu was clearly the type who acted fast and hard. With him here, things might actually get a lot simpler.
"Who are you talking to?"
Evan Lin looked at Hugh Hu with calm eyes, his tone flat and indifferent.
"Of course I'm talking to you. Who else would I be talking to?" Hugh Hu raised an eyebrow. "You think there's someone else sitting next to you?"
"If you're talking to me, watch your attitude. You're just a battalion commander—don't get too full of yourself." Evan leaned back in his chair, his voice steady and unyielding.
"You!"
Hugh Hu's face darkened at Evan's words.
"How can you talk to Commander Hu like that!" Quentin Yu's face changed instantly.
"Mr. Chen, Ms. Lu, why aren't you teaching your kid some manners? Does he even know how to behave?" Helen Qi turned to Charles Chen and Lucy Lu, her tone full of blame.
Charles Chen and Lucy Lu looked completely helpless.
They wanted to speak up for Evan, but honestly, it seemed like they didn't have a chance to get a word in.
Hugh Hu didn't even bother to acknowledge them, which made Charles Chen and Lucy Lu feel totally frustrated.
"Commander Hu, Ms. Ling said this kid is stubborn to the bone. That's why she asked you to step in, so don't get mad. Here, have some tea." Linda Guan handed him the cup with a smile.
Hugh Hu drained the cup in one go, took a deep breath, then nodded and looked at Evan. "Alright, kid, you've got some backbone. I might not be all that powerful, but even a little breeze from me is enough to blow you away!"