Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Enemy of My Enemy Is My Friend

Jiang Shan only relaxed and let out a long breath after he saw Fang Nian accept the card. Then, turning to the female manager in anger, he barked, “Get out. Pack your things and get lost right now.”

The female manager was already terrified out of her wits. Hearing Jiang Shan’s words, tears streamed down her cheeks as she clung desperately to Fang Nian’s trouser leg, wailing loudly, “President Fang, please have mercy on me! I really can’t lose this job, I—”

She knew that if she were dismissed like this, it would be little different from a death sentence. In today’s world, a good job is the foundation of one’s security and survival. She had fought for years to attain her current position, the effort and hardship she had endured were beyond words. If she lost her job now, with Jiang Shan’s influence, no company in the industry would ever hire her again. That would be no different from being ruined.

Seeing her plight, Jiang Shan gave her another kick, sending her sprawling. He signaled to those around him to drag her away at once. After all, he had just barely appeased the formidable figure at his side; if the woman angered him again, there would be no salvaging the situation.

But just as Jiang Shan was about to strike the manager again, Fang Nian intervened. Fang Nian understood that though this woman had developed some arrogance from her long-standing authority, she was merely following the orders of Xu Fan and Xiao Xuefeng in this matter. There was no need to utterly destroy her.

“Chairman Jiang, let it go. She isn’t entirely to blame for this. There’s no need to be so harsh. Why not just demote her to a lower-level position? I’d like to have her serve me next time I’m here. What do you think?”

Jiang Shan was no fool. Hearing these words, he immediately grasped Fang Nian’s intention and burst out laughing. “Alright, alright, Brother Fang, you are truly a merciful man, repaying evil with kindness. We’ll do as you suggest. Well, aren’t you going to thank Brother Fang?”

Upon hearing this, the female manager seemed to be granted amnesty. She knelt and kowtowed to Fang Nian, her sobs filled with relief and grief. “Thank you, President Fang! Thank you, President Fang!”

Fang Nian bent down to help her up, feeling unworthy of such a grand gesture—for everyone has their dignity. “Enough, go now.”

Wiping away her tears, the manager hurried away.

After the manager had gone, Xiao Xuefeng and Xu Fan finally breathed a sigh of relief. They had truly not expected Duan Lenghan to come to Fang Nian’s aid, and had been genuinely afraid the manager might break under pressure and expose them.

But soon they met Fang Nian’s gaze, and it was clear he already knew the truth. Their eyes darted away, unable to meet his.

All of Fang Nian’s actions were observed by Duan Lenghan, and he was thoroughly satisfied with how the matter was handled—it was both measured and appropriate. Fang Nian had not become arrogant because he had Duan Lenghan’s support. Instead, he gave Jiang Shan a graceful way out, saved face for himself, and did not push matters to a point of no return—leaving everyone with dignity.

What pleased Duan Lenghan even more was Fang Nian’s benevolence and his understanding that every debt has its source. How could Duan not see that the manager was merely a scapegoat?

Moreover, Duan Lenghan admired Fang Nian’s subtlety—by saying he would seek her service next time, he ensured Jiang Shan would not take revenge later. This made Duan even more interested in this young man before him.

In fact, Duan Lenghan had already noticed Fang Nian during the earlier speech and had glanced through the three math problems Fang Nian had set for Duan Rui.

“1+2+3+…”

The intention of such a question was clear—Fang Nian had no desire to embarrass Duan Rui. Even if he solved her problems, he would not humiliate her for any reason. His goal was merely to teach her a lesson and temper her arrogance.

In this way, he was indirectly helping to educate Duan Rui. She had been in a position of power for too long, naturally seeing no one as her equal. Yet Duan Lenghan, having faced countless hardships, knew all too well how dangerous such a mindset was. Living in such a world without recognizing its harsh realities would only lead to ruin under the unyielding laws of survival.

After everything was settled, Jiang Shan looked back at Duan Lenghan. Seeing the latter unfazed, Jiang Shan finally relaxed and quickly arranged for the Summer Hunting Grounds party to be seated at the very front, right next to the first two tables.

Fang Nian thanked Duan Lenghan and was about to lead his people over, but Duan Lenghan smiled and said, “Brother Fang, would you do me the honor of joining my table?”

The commotion had already drawn much attention, and Duan Lenghan’s attitude toward Fang Nian astonished many. Still, it was not wholly unexpected—after all, as a man of status, Duan Lenghan showing courtesy to a major family like the Summers was reasonable.

But for someone of his standing to personally invite a junior like Fang Nian to his table was truly jaw-dropping.

“My God, what sort of monster has the Summer family sent this time? How can he wield such power to receive an invitation from Duan Lenghan? That’s incredible!”

“Exactly! To sit at the same table as Duan Lenghan—what a stroke of fortune. That’s a seat everyone covets. I’ve heard that tonight’s charity gala has attracted many of the elite; to be able to network here is an enormous privilege.”

“I think the Summer family’s son-in-law is anything but ordinary. He’s nothing like the useless fool the rumor mill describes—he’s a bringer of good fortune!”

“Right, right. Ever since he married into the Summers, their family, which was on the brink of selling off assets, suddenly made a comeback. He’s not only a skilled hunter, but he also has the ability to build hunting grounds, and, most impressively, he’s a master at code breaking.”

“And now he’s connected to the powerful Duan family—this is the ultimate underdog reversal! Someone should write a book about him, call it ‘The Legend of Fang Nian.’ It’s simply remarkable.”

…

Fang Nian was slightly taken aback by Duan Lenghan’s invitation. When he had entered the hall, Xia Moyu had already explained to him that the people seated at the first two tables were all luminaries from the top families of District 16—each a tycoon in their own right.

Yet he himself was a nobody, a penniless son-in-law of the Summer family. To sit there would be highly inappropriate, and truth be told, he had little interest in mingling in such ostentatiously wealthy circles. He was about to decline.

But before he could speak, the chubby man next to him tugged his sleeve and whispered, “Go on. Did you see that lady in red at the table? She’s the sworn enemy of the Xiao family and also in the hunting camp business. It would be worthwhile to build a connection.”

Fang Nian paused, understanding the fat man’s meaning: the enemy of an enemy is a friend. Currently, his relationship with the Xiao family was extremely strained, and the chubby man himself had recently suffered much under their suppression. Now that such an opportunity presented itself, it would be foolish to let it slip.

With this in mind, Fang Nian smiled at Duan Lenghan and made a polite gesture. “Elder Duan, then I shall accept your kind invitation.”

With that, Fang Nian followed Duan Lenghan and Duan Rui to the seats at the very front, leaving behind a thoroughly frustrated Xu Fan and Xiao Xuefeng.