After a long while, it was the village head who hesitated and finally spoke.
"Madam, it's true that we take orders from Boss Li. But she never told us about any connection between herself and the Ping'an Bank. You're coming so abruptly to make this acquisition. We really don't know what to do."
"Here's what. Boss Li will be on the island later today. If you're not in a hurry, why don't you stay and wait for her? As long as she gives the nod, we'll surely follow your orders obediently."
The village head's words were well - reasoned. But Lian Ji had come with ill intentions while Li Ying was away. How could she wait so calmly for Li Ying to return?
She let out a cold snort and thought to herself. Since she couldn't take over Yan Island today, she might as well settle for the next best thing. Proposing to visit the swiftlet houses and stealing the know - how in the process was also a good idea.
"Fine. I won't make things difficult for you. Just show me around the island."
As she said this, she walked casually straight towards the swiftlet houses.
The village head's face changed. He stepped in front of her and said awkwardly, "Madam, Boss Li made it clear in advance that the arrangements on our island are trade secrets. Without her approval, no one else can..."
That little bitch was so cautious!
Lian Ji's delicate eyebrows shot up in anger. "You old fool! Your head is as stubborn as a block of elm. You can't even tell who the real master is!"
Relying on the few young and strong servants behind her, Lian Ji made up her mind and tried to force her way into the swiftlet houses regardless.
She came on so aggressively and arrogantly. The villagers of Yan Island didn't dare to act rashly. Just then, they heard an eagle's screech in the air!
Lian Ji felt a sudden darkness before her eyes. A pair of wings slapped her head - on and solidly. It made her legs go weak and she lost her balance, falling to the ground embarrassedly.
A pair of eagle claws grabbed her mercilessly. Lian Ji's fair skin was immediately bleeding.
"Aaaaaaah!"
Lian Ji let out a heart - rending scream. She felt as if her face, hands and body were on fire. The pain was unbearable.
The village head was also startled. This eagle was sent by Li Ying to guard the swiftlet houses. It was said to be able to prevent other raptors from disturbing. Although it looked terrifying, it had lived in peace with the villagers for days.
Who would have thought that a hunting eagle was still a hunting eagle. Once it attacked, it was so powerful!
The villagers didn't dare to hurt Lian Ji, but they had no way to deal with this eagle. They could only hear Lian Ji's screams getting more and more shrill.
Just when everyone was at a loss, an eagle whistle came from afar.
It was Li Ying.
Hearing the order, the eagle reluctantly released its claws. It slowly jumped onto the eagle perch and began to preen its feathers with its sharp beak.
Lian Ji was covered in blood. Her eyes were full of fear. She scrambled up from the ground with her hair in a mess.
"Li Ying, you... you... you dared to let this evil eagle harm people! I won't forgive you!"
Her whole face was burning with pain. Without even having to think, she knew that this shaggy brute must have damaged her proud appearance.
Lian Ji didn't have the time to deal with Li Ying anymore. She had no interest in stealing the bird's nests either. She hurriedly got on the boat and urged the servants to take her to the best clinic in the town as soon as possible.
The village head watched her back. Then he walked up to Li Ying with a lingering fear.
"Boss Li... We offended that noble lady today... Will there be any trouble?"
Lian Ji's favorite tactic was to use others to do her dirty work. From Qin Jin to Feng Yuan, anyone who had a conflict with her was instigated by Lian Ji to harm her.
But now, Lian Ji had come in person for such a troublesome thing as stealing the bird's nests. It showed that after Feng Yuan was discarded like an old tool, the lackeys under her were afraid and no longer willing to go all out for her.
Now that she was a lone general and had her looks ruined, Lian Ji's days were probably not going to be easy.
Li Ying waved her hand, indicating that the people of Yan Island didn't need to worry. She gently patted the eagle's head and fed it a few pieces of dried meat as a reward. Then she walked back to the fishing village without a care in the world.
However, as soon as she entered the door, a servant of the big boss was waiting politely at Granny Sun's door with a visiting card.
"Boss Li, there have been many misunderstandings between you and our madam. Our master really doesn't want to see you two fight each other. He has specially prepared a banquet. Please, for his sake, let go of the past and grace us with your presence."
Li Ying took the visiting card. She saw clearly that besides herself, the big boss had also invited Magistrate Lin and his wife. She slightly raised her eyebrows.
Lian Ji had just injured her face. Li Ying thought this woman would be quiet for a while.
The big boss seemed approachable, but in fact, he was unfathomable. Even though they had had a lot of business dealings and interactions, Li Ying still couldn't figure him out.
He seemed old and indulged in wine and women. He had handed over all his properties, including the Ping'an Bank, to Lian Ji to manage. But in critical moments, this old man could always turn the tide. Lian Ji always seemed to be quite afraid of him.
As for Magistrate Lin and his wife, one looked solemn and the other was a vegetarian. When Li Ying first met them in the hot - pot restaurant, she vaguely felt something strange.
The villagers in the town all spoke highly of Magistrate Lin. But in the case of the "blood - red swiftlet nests" of Feng Yuan, Magistrate Lin's decision was not really impartial.
The big boss holding a banquet at this time, Li Ying really couldn't figure out his intention. But as the saying goes, when the soldiers come, we block them; when the water comes, we hold it back. She took the visiting card, changed her clothes, and calmly went to the banquet.
Lian Ji's face was wrapped in gauze. There were still some faint bloodstains seeping out. If not properly treated, she might leave an incurable scar.
As soon as Li Ying sat down, Lian Ji's venomous gaze stabbed at her face. She wished she could drink Li Ying's blood and eat her flesh.
The big boss gave her a cold look. She immediately restrained her expression. Unwillingly but still very obediently, she lowered her head.
Soon, the carriage of Magistrate Lin and his wife arrived. As soon as they entered the private room, Magistrate Lin said with a loud laugh, "Today is just a private banquet. There are no officials or commoners here. Everyone, don't be so formal. Just enjoy yourselves!"
He sat next to the big boss. The two of them toasted each other and really didn't mention anything that had happened recently.
Li Ying sat quietly on one side, coldly watching the happy scene at the banquet. She vaguely guessed that maybe Magistrate Lin and his wife were old acquaintances of the big boss and Lian Ji.
Just as she was feeling suspicious, Magistrate Lin's gaze suddenly fell on her.
"Boss Li is a woman, yet at such a young age, she has the courage that rivals men. I really admire you."
This compliment came so suddenly. Li Ying didn't understand the reason. She got extremely alert, raised her wine cup and said, "Your Excellency is over - praising me. I'm just doing some small business to make a living. It was just my luck to discover that rare crop. It's really my honor to be able to relieve Your Excellency's worries."
Magistrate Lin laughed again. "Boss Li, why are you so modest? Now in all the neighboring villages, who doesn't know that Boss Li is very capable? Everyone is competing to imitate you."
He turned his face and looked at Lian Ji with an instructive look. "It's good that you have a heart for learning. But if you don't put away those little tricks, this method of substitution might work once or twice, but there's no guarantee it will work the third time."
There was a hint of advice in Magistrate Lin's words. Lian Ji obediently lowered her head and replied, "Thank you, Your Excellency, for your teaching."
Li Ying couldn't help but raise her eyebrows secretly.
She had guessed right. These people at the banquet really had a long - standing relationship!
Could today's banquet be a Hongmen Banquet aimed at her?