Era of Magic and Martial Arts-Chapter 344 - 328: If You Want to Stay at the Table, You Must...

Chapter 344: Chapter 328: If You Want to Stay at the Table, You Must...

The answer that stems from one’s own insight is always the most convincing.

Because, when you are in darkness yourself, you want to paint others in black too. After all, when everyone is uniformly dark, who would need to cleanse themselves?

Qian Huan thought Wang Cong’s thinking was very constructive, unbeknownst to him, the "blackening" Wang Cong referred to, and the "blackening" he understood, actually had.....a tiny difference.

Inside the VVIP care ward.

Ma Bin pulled a chair over and sat beside Hou Wendong. The two were casually chatting, with the atmosphere getting increasingly harmonious.

One was plotting and meticulously designing, with utmost loyalty; the other was full of gratitude, opening his heart after surviving a disaster, as the invisible ’intimacy index’ above their heads soared rapidly.

This was the scene Qian Huan walked into with Wang Cong.

This was the first time the four of them met collectively. On the surface, they were completely independent individuals with their own thoughts and positions, but in reality, the dark thread of Destiny had quietly tied three of them into one line.

In a room of four people, only one was an outsider, and he remained unaware.

Qian Huan quickly walked to the bedside, inquiring about Hou Wendong’s well-being.

Wang Cong and Ma Bin exchanged a fake smile. Strangely, at that moment, a similar feeling arose in both their hearts:

"I seem to smell a familiar scent on him, this person’s heart is as black as mine!"

After some small talk with Qian Huan, Hou Wendong finally said unhurriedly:

"As agreed, I was supposed to inspect the Second Prison next week, but before I could leave the hospital, you’re here to visit me again."

Upon hearing this, Qian Huan let out a long sigh, not feeling embarrassed, and continued smoothly, stating his purpose:

"I’m sorry to make Secretary Hou laugh. I really didn’t expect there to be so many bad people in the Second Prison. I underestimated these people’s madness!"

Hou Wendong squinted slightly, having a rough idea of Qian Huan’s intentions, only unsure of how much flesh Qian Huan was willing to cut this time around.

He said, "Prison Director Qian, your current situation is very precarious. I just got off the phone with Mr. Wang before you came."

Qian Huan quickly asked, "What did Mr. Wang say?"

Hou Wendong glanced at Ma Bin, who handed him a cup of water. Hou Wendong took a sip, posing as he said softly:

"Mr. Wang didn’t say anything."

Qian Huan felt a chill run through him, then relaxed a bit, secretly cursing "old fox," but outwardly putting on a humble look, earnestly saying:

"Qian Huan is dull, and hopes Secretary Hou can offer guidance without reservation."

Hou Wendong looked deeply at Qian Huan, and after two seconds, began to speak thoughtfully:

"Prison Director Qian, you have a remarkable mother. Because of that, this matter hasn’t yet become a dead end.

The next steps depend on your choice. If you are willing to give up your position as prison director, Mr. Wang is willing to step in and vouch for you, allowing you to return home and continue enjoying the life of a wealthy young man.

But if you persist..."

Before Hou Wendong could finish, Qian Huan interrupted, saying, "I want to continue with the [Octagonal Cage Beast Fighting] plan!"

Only then did a smile appear on Hou Wendong’s face: "Good, your courage is commendable. Since you have the determination to sink or swim, you must do everything I say from now on, so...."

Hou Wendong paused, replacing Mr. Wang with a promise:

"Only then can you create an opportunity for Mr. Wang to end up fittingly, removing the stubborn obstacles ahead."

Qian Huan felt his heart pound, seemingly realizing something.

Having grown up in this world, he deeply understood a principle: there are no free lunches. The more charming the promises of big figures, the more they take from you.

It could be your flesh or bones, or your internal organs. Their promises come with the sound of sharpening knives.

However, big figures pay attention to dining etiquette and the art of speech, disguising the act of picking up knives and forks elegantly.

Qian Huan wished to refuse, but he understood well that when big figures speak up, it means that the current situation doesn’t allow refusal.

If you want to remain at the table, you have to smile, cater, even actively help carve your own flesh to serve them, or else another ambitious person will take your spot.

This is the "dog-eat-dog" rule; even the big figures came through this way.

So, with an open mind, at least staying at the table means you still have the chance to eat others.

Qian Huan was furious inside, but outwardly showed a grateful expression, saying:

"Please instruct, Secretary Hou."

Hou Wendong actually lied; Mr. Wang did speak on the phone, laughing so heartily he couldn’t close his mouth.

The prison riot was a disaster for Qian Huan, but for others, not necessarily.

The "others" included both Qian Huan’s enemies and his "allies," and even his subordinates....

One hour later.

Qian Huan left the hospital, his whole presence unsteady, his legs trembling as he walked, with Wang Cong silently following behind.

Back in the car, Wang Cong gripped the steering wheel tightly, while Shi Wuming sat quietly in the front passenger seat. Both caught sight of Qian Huan’s distorted, agonized expression in the rearview mirror.

Qian Huan’s hand clutched his chest tightly, as if there was an invisible knife twisting into his heart.

After a long silence, he slowly extended a trembling hand, took out his phone from his pocket, and dialed his mother’s number.

"Mom, Secretary Hou agreed to help me, but he..."

"Tell me, what does he want?"

"To re-establish a new company, with Celestial Light Capital transferring all Second Prison’s shares to this company. Then, Celestial Light Capital’s share in the new company remains at 49%."

Originally, Celestial Light Capital held 49% of Second Prison shares, seemingly unchanged on the surface through this adjustment, but in reality, its equity was effectively halved.

It’s a simple math problem.

On the other end of the line, there was no prolonged silence, and the voice was much calmer than Qian Huan imagined.

"Did you agree?"

"Mom, I’m sorry, I agreed."

Listening to her son’s trembling and repressed voice, Li Hanyu stood in the bathroom, her slightly red-rimmed eyes reflected in the mirror, her voice calm yet full of strength:

"No need to apologize, you did very well!"

Qian Huan’s voice was startled beyond measure: "Ah?"

....