Everyone in the Group is a Main Character, Except Me Who's the Villain

221: Chapter 221 That woman, with a deep and cunning mind.Shangguan Hong? From the Magic City’s Shangguan Group, Nangong Ling’s brother-in-law? The mastermind who sent people to ambush his own sister-in-law on the highway?

What was he doing here?

Fang Ming’s face remained expressionless as he reached out to shake the other man’s hand. His grip was neither too light nor too heavy, just right.

”Mr. Shangguan, please have a seat.”

The two men sat back down. Aunt Zhang served the tea and then withdrew.

Only Fang Ming, Shangguan Hong, and the two statue-like bodyguards behind him remained in the living room.

Shangguan Hong picked up his teacup and took a sip. His gaze swept around the living room before finally landing on Fang Ming’s face.

”Mr. Fang, this house is quite nice. A quiet spot in the middle of the bustle, and the decor is very tasteful.”

”Mr. Shangguan flatters me.” Fang Ming leaned back on the sofa in a relaxed posture. ”May I ask what brings Mr. Shangguan to my door today?”

Shangguan Hong smiled and set down his teacup.

”Mr. Fang is a straightforward man, so I won’t beat around the bush.” He leaned forward slightly, his tone as sincere as if he were discussing a legitimate business deal. ”I heard that Mr. Fang recently met my sister-in-law, Nangong Ling?”

Fang Ming didn’t speak, he just looked at him.

Shangguan Hong quickly waved his hand. ”Mr. Fang, don’t misunderstand. I’m not here to cause trouble. Quite the opposite, I’m here to make a friend.”

He pulled a palm-sized brocade box from his coat, placed it on the coffee table, and pushed it toward Fang Ming.

”This is a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it, Mr. Fang.”

Fang Ming glanced at the brocade box. He didn’t open it, nor did he reach for it.

”What is the meaning of this, Mr. Shangguan?”

Shangguan Hong leaned back and crossed his legs.

”Mr. Fang, I know you’re a capable man. You must have heard of the Shangguan family from the Magic City. By cooperating with me, you can gain a hundred times more than what you’d get by messing around on your own in Chengdu.”

Fang Ming narrowed his eyes. ”Cooperate?”

”Yes, cooperate.” Shangguan Hong nodded. ”I need capable people to handle things for me. And you happen to fit my requirements. Follow me, and you won’t lack for resources, connections, or status.”

As he spoke, he pointed at the brocade box.

”Inside are three peiyuan pills. They can enhance one’s True Qi cultivation and have miraculous effects for Cultivators below the Huajin stage. These are things money can’t buy on the market—consider them a greeting gift.”

During this time, they had naturally investigated Fang Ming.

They not only knew that Fang Ming had once been Qin Xiao’s assistant, but they also knew that the reason he could use an assault rifle without being investigated by the police was entirely due to the Grandmaster he knew.

In other words, according to their data, Fang Ming himself had no real ability or background; he relied entirely on the people around him for his standing.

However, since Fang Ming did know a Grandmaster, they decided to try winning him over first. These cultivation resources were incredibly precious and should have been more than enough to sway him.

Unfortunately, Fang Ming only cast a glance at the brocade box, his expression showing not a hint of emotion.

peiyuan pills? They sounded impressive, but to him, they held no real attraction.

Setting aside the fact that his cultivation didn’t rely on traditional methods, even if it did, wouldn’t it be better to just ask Lin Chen? The various spiritual elixirs and miraculous medicines Lin Chen had were far superior to what these wealthy families possessed.

”I appreciate Mr. Shangguan’s kindness, but I’m doing quite well right now. I have no plans to work for anyone for the time being.”

Fang Ming looked up at Shangguan Hong, his tone calm.

The smile on Shangguan Hong’s face faltered for a moment before returning to normal. ”Won’t you reconsider, Mr. Fang?”

”No need. To each their own...”

The living room fell silent for a couple of seconds.

The bodyguard behind Shangguan Hong couldn’t help but speak up, his tone laced with obvious disdain.

”Kid, don’t be ungrateful. Mr. Shangguan coming here in person is a sign of respect. Who do you think you are?”

Fang Ming narrowed his eyes, but before he could do anything...

Shangguan Hong raised a hand to stop the bodyguard. His smile remained warm, but there was something different in his eyes now.

”Since Mr. Fang doesn’t agree, then so be it. Even if a deal isn’t made, the goodwill remains. We can cooperate if there’s an opportunity in the future. However, Mr. Fang... in this world, just because you don’t provoke others doesn’t mean others won’t provoke you.”

”Nangong Ling is a woman with deep schemes. If she has said anything to you, please don’t take it to heart.”

Shangguan Hong stood up and adjusted his shirt cuffs, appearing ready to leave.

”Your peiyuan pills.” Fang Ming pointed to the brocade box on the coffee table.

”I said they were a greeting gift, so naturally, there’s no reason to take them back. I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now.”

Shangguan Hong cupped his hands slightly and left quickly with his bodyguards. The two Maybachs soon drove away, disappearing around the corner of the villa district entrance.

Fang Ming stood at the door, watching the direction the Maybach motorcade had vanished, narrowing his eyes.

”What is this Shangguan Hong’s game?”

...

Nangong Ling said Shangguan Hong would deal with him, and Shangguan Hong said Nangong Ling had deep schemes.

On the surface, Fang Ming couldn’t tell who was good and who was bad.

But then again, since Shangguan Hong had no immediate intention of moving against him, why should he wade into these muddy waters?

Wealthy families were full of drama and conflict. Wouldn’t it be better to just watch from the sidelines? Staying out of it was currently the best choice.

Magic City, the Shangguan Group headquarters building, top-floor CEO’s office.

Nangong Ling stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, holding a cup of coffee that had already gone cold. Her thoughts were unknown. A knock came from behind, and her female assistant pushed the door open, holding a tablet.

”Madam, we just received news. The Second Master went to Chengdu this afternoon and met with that Fang Ming.”

Upon hearing this, Nangong Ling’s hand tightened slightly around the coffee cup.

Shangguan Hong went to Chengdu and met Fang Ming.

What did he want? To win Fang Ming over? Or... to threaten him?

Based on her understanding of Shangguan Hong, that man never did anything useless, and if he wanted to move against someone, he never showed his face.

In other words, the fact that he personally made a trip to Chengdu meant he wouldn’t move against Fang Ming for the time being.

Even if he wasn’t winning him over, he at least wanted Fang Ming to remain neutral and not side with her.

”Blocking all possible help from appearing by my side? This Shangguan Hong really has good methods.”

The female assistant asked cautiously, ”Madam, should we do something?”

”A man like Shangguan Hong won’t spend time on something that can be solved with money. Since he went in person, it means Fang Ming isn’t that easy to win over.”

Nangong Ling’s thoughts raced.

She didn’t know what Shangguan Hong had given Fang Ming. If what he offered was enough to sway him, then not only would she fail to get Fang Ming’s help, but she would also gain an extra enemy in him.

At this thought, Nangong Ling walked quickly to her desk, picked up her phone, found Fang Ming’s number, and dialed it.

Ring... ring... It rang three times before the other side picked up.

”Madam Nangong? Is there something you need from me?”