Li Liping sensed a strange atmosphere in the bar. It seemed that, apart from Lin Feng and Cao Ying, everyone else wore a very somber expression. Seeing Lin Feng again, Li Liping already felt a twinge of guilt. Now, unsure of what had transpired in the bar, her voice couldn't help but grow softer...

"Sis, this is your bag..." Li Liping handed a beige clutch to Cao Ying, whispering softly.

Yang Ling, already seething with frustration, brightened up instantly at the sight of Li Liping... Another stunning beauty, and even more demure, younger, and more delicate than Cao Ying!

Old habits die hard. Yang Ling had been a spoiled brat since childhood with little grasp of the bigger picture. Even though he knew he had just offended Mayor Cao's daughter and had been fiercely scolded by his father, his attention was still instantly captivated by Li Ping.

However, aware that he had caused trouble, Yang Ling didn't dare act recklessly again. He merely stole a couple of glances at Li Liping, silently committing her appearance to memory. He wondered who this girl calling Cao Ying 'sister' was... and if he might get a chance for some intimacy...

Yang Ling thought his glances were covert, but he forgot that more than one person present was observing him...

Liu Haidong silently shook his head. He had already judged Yang Ling as the type to bring disaster upon his own father. Given how little self-control the man had, Yang Tian would sooner or later be doomed by his son! It seemed he really couldn't afford to get too close to the Yang Family in the future.

Lin Feng just sneered. It seems Yang Ling hasn't learned his lesson yet, he thought. If I get the chance, I'll have to teach him another one...

Cao Ying also noticed Yang Ling's almost nakedly greedy gaze fixed on Li Liping. A wave of revulsion washed over her. She grabbed Li Liping's hand and whispered, "It's too stuffy in here. Let's go..."

Li Liping, bewildered, obediently followed Cao Ying out of the bar.

Lin Feng shot Yang Ling a half-smile that wasn't quite a smile, then followed them out...

After Lin Feng, Cao Ying, and Li Liping left, the atmosphere in the small bar didn't lighten; instead, it grew even more oppressive...

Yang Ling made no effort to hide the resentment on his face. He glared at Liu Haidong and said with a cold sneer, "Director Liu, I'll remember this. Mark my words, if you ever need help from our Yang Family, I'll make sure you regret it!"

Liu Haidong, of course, knew Yang Ling hated him, but he wasn't worried in the slightest. He knew even better that Yang Ling had truly stepped in it this time!

After all, Yang Tian was getting on in years and wouldn't remain the executive deputy mayor for long. If he couldn't advance further in the next election, he'd have to retire to a nominal leadership position in some second-tier institution. And whether Yang Tian could take that next step hinged significantly on Cao Tiannan's opinion…

In other words, Yang Ling's failed attempt to harass Cao Ying had likely infuriated Cao Tiannan. His father Yang Tian's future would probably be affected by him too. This was a classic case of a son dragging his father down with him...

But Yang Ling didn't realize he was dragging his father down. He still thought the incident at Longyue Building was a trivial matter that he could smooth over by coaxing his old man. He clearly wasn't smart enough.

Liu Haidong couldn't even be bothered to respond to Yang Ling, who was clearly not intelligent enough yet still making threats...

"Young Master Yang, you'd best worry about yourself..." Liu Haidong said with a chuckle, turning around and casually adding, "Don't say I didn't warn you. The consequences of this aren't as simple as you imagine. Mayor Yang isn't young anymore, you know. You wouldn't want to push him too far..."

Seeing Liu Haidong's nonchalant demeanor, Yang Ling was furious. But after hearing Liu Haidong's words, he froze...

As the son of a deputy mayor, Yang Ling wasn't congenitally stupid, nor was he truly a fool. Liu Haidong's reminder finally made him recall: his old man was already fifty-six this year. If he couldn't take another step up, he'd likely end up in the Political Consultative Conference or the United Front Department, just waiting for retirement...

And what had he just done? He had harassed the precious daughter of his father's direct superior...

WHOOSH! Genuine fear finally gripped Yang Ling, and cold sweat streamed down his body. Only then did he realize that his father's roars over the phone hadn't been mere angry words; his old man probably truly meant to ban him from Longyue Building permanently!

「」

Seeing Lin Feng not only remain by her side but also continuously help her resolve issues, Cao Ying's mood lifted considerably. Her steps felt light as she walked...

"Sis, where are we going now?" Li Liping quickened her pace to walk behind Cao Ying, asking casually. She was actually a bit puzzled. She couldn't understand why Cao Ying seemed to be in such a good mood. Could it be that her aunt had been so agreeable and allowed her to be with Lin Feng? Recalling the strange phone call Wang Yueqin had made to her earlier, Li Liping felt suspicious. However, with Lin Feng present, she didn't dare to ask Cao Ying directly.

"Lin Feng, where do you think we should go?" Upon hearing Li Liping's question, Cao Ying paused gracefully, her slender waist swaying slightly as she turned to look at Lin Feng, asking with a smile.

Cao Ying had already figured it out. The reason Li Liping had appeared with her bag was likely because her mother, Wang Yueqin, had "yielded"—just like her father—and allowed her to be with Lin Feng...

"Let's find a place to eat!" Lin Feng patted his stomach and said with a smile. Seeing Cao Ying in a good mood, Lin Feng also felt much more relaxed. The persistent urge to find trouble with Yang Ling also eased considerably.

"Let's have a buffet here in Longyue Building!" Cao Ying smiled sweetly. Her gaze mischievously drifted towards Li Liping, and she said in a stern voice, "As punishment, we'll have chatterbox Li Ping treat us today!"

"What? I am not a chatterbox..." Li Liping knew Cao Ying was referring to her accidentally leaking information about Lin Feng to Aunt Wang Yueqin. Although she knew it was her fault, Li Liping stubbornly denied it. It wasn't that she was afraid of treating them; Li Liping was afraid Lin Feng would hold her accountable... After all, her cousin was good-tempered, but this "cousin-in-law" Lin Feng was not... Knowing her Aunt Wang Yueqin's personality, Li Liping guessed Lin Feng's encounter today must not have been pleasant...

"Hmph, still denying it?" Cao Ying sneered. "Today's incident was all your fault... If you don't want to treat us, then compensate me with that new Porsche 918 you ordered for my emotional distress!"

"Are you kidding me..." Li Liping nearly leaped up. After losing her Carrera GT to Cao Ying, she had painstakingly scraped together enough money for the new Porsche 918 supercar. She'd only placed the order a few days ago and hadn't even laid a finger on the car yet, and now Cao Ying was eyeing it... For Miss Li, who loved cars as much as her own life, this was devastating!

"Fine, fine... I'll treat. This young lady has plenty of money; I'm not afraid you'll eat me into bankruptcy!" Li Liping finally conceded with a nod. After shooting a glance at Lin Feng, she reluctantly agreed to pay.

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