Hearing Sun Li's words, Xu Tao was stunned.

Then Su Shenyun looked at Xu Tao and said to Lin Daqi, "Old Master Lin, are the servants of the Lin Family so ill-mannered?"

Lin Daqi forced a smile, replying with shame, "Director Su is right. I will discipline him strictly when we return."

Sun Gaozhi stepped forward and patted Luo Xiu on the shoulder. "Mister Luo, we have you to thank for saving our Xiao Li. Please, consider this cooperation project our token of gratitude."

He didn't publicly reveal that Luo Xiu possessed exceptional medical skills or that he was the Sun Family's savior, as he knew Luo Xiu preferred to keep a low profile. Besides, it was best not to let too many people know about the Sun Family's hereditary illness.

Luo Xiu waved his hand, indicating it was nothing.

After a few more pleasantries, Sun Gaozhi and his group left to greet the other guests.

The Lin Family members, who had remained in place, looked back and forth between Luo Xiu and Xu Tao, their expressions a complex mixture of emotions.

Breaking the silence, Lin Xiyue asked Luo Xiu, "So, the reason Sun Qian personally delivered the invitation was also because of you?"

Luo Xiu smiled. "How could I possibly have such influence? This is all thanks to our brother-in-law here, who is so familiar with the core members of the Sun Family."

Hearing this, Xu Tao's face burned with shame. He lowered his head, not daring to look up. Remembering all his previous boasts, he wished a hole would open up and swallow him whole.

Luo Xiu… you bastard, just you wait! Xu Tao cursed inwardly, glaring fiercely at Luo Xiu.

At this moment, the Lin family members were also filled with shame.

"Xu Tao, you should learn from Luo Xiu and be more humble! If you don't have the ability, don't go around bragging!"

"Exactly! We wouldn't have misunderstood Luo Xiu if it weren't for you."

"If not for Luo Xiu, would we have been able to attend an event like this? Would the Lin Family have had the chance to partner with the Sun Family?"

"..."

Seeing the sycophantic family members now siding with Luo Xiu, Xu Tao's chest heaved with anger, but he was helpless.

Just then, Lin Fei scoffed, "It was just a lucky break. Even a blind cat can find a dead mouse sometimes. Don't think you can turn your life around just because you saved Miss Sun once."

"Do you really think the Sun Family will take care of you forever? Giving you a small project is already more than you deserve!"

"Luo Xiu, you'd better start thinking about how you're going to face Young Master Guan!"

"Young Master Guan might not dare to pick a fight with the Sun Family, but for him to deal with a powerless nobody like you? That would take him mere minutes!"

Hearing this, the Lin family members had a sudden realization. Their expressions grew troubled, and many who had been about to move closer to Luo Xiu instinctively took a few steps back, putting distance between them.

If the Guan Family decided to seek revenge, the Lin Family would be utterly crushed. When that time came, the Sun Family certainly wouldn't make a mortal enemy of the Guan Family for someone like Luo Xiu.

Luo Xiu couldn't be bothered with these people and simply turned and walked away.

「In the restroom.」

Luo Xiu stood before the sink. After a violent coughing fit into his hand, he stared at the pool of black blood in his palm.

He noticed, however, that the blood was much lighter in color this time, and the intervals between these episodes had grown much longer. In the past, they would happen every two or three days.

As he was lost in thought, an elderly voice came from the doorway. "Mister Luo, may I have a word with you?"

Luo Xiu turned on the faucet, rinsed away the black blood, and turned to face A Gui.

A Gui approached him. "If you had been the one to act earlier, Guan Hao would be dead or crippled. I had no choice but to strike first. I hope you can forgive me, Mister Luo."

Luo Xiu shook his head slightly. "Forget it. I'm not interested in dealing with that kind of trash."

"His elders and I go way back," A Gui explained. "Besides, crippling him here would have brought you unnecessary trouble."

Luo Xiu nodded slightly, indicating his understanding.

"Also," A Gui said, looking a bit sheepish, "I have another, rather presumptuous request."

Luo Xiu said, "Let's hear it."

A Gui's expression turned serious. "I would like to spar with you, Mister Luo. I ask that you please use your full strength."

Luo Xiu stared into his eyes for a quiet moment before replying, "You're welcome to try, old man. I'll act according to the situation."

Hearing this, A Gui felt a little stung. I'm one of Sea City's top masters, and he's going to 'act according to the situation'...

With that thought, he immediately adopted a fighting stance. A faint current of air swirled around him as he radiated a powerful aura.

"Mister Luo, my apologies for the offense!"

A few seconds later, A Gui was on the ground, rolling and groaning in pain.

Luo Xiu helped him up, shaking his head helplessly. "Sorry, I didn't control my strength well."

A Gui waved a hand, his voice strained. "Mister Luo, today... my eyes have truly been opened. It's true what they say... there is always someone better, and a heaven beyond the heavens."

"May I ask, Mister Luo, what realm have you reached?"

Luo Xiu scratched his head. "Sorry, I don't know anything about realms. I've just been training since I was a kid... and after a while, I could fight my master to a standstill."

A Gui was speechless. This man was truly an anomaly.

"Old Master, I have other things to do, so I'll be going now."

"Take care, Mister Luo."

After watching Luo Xiu leave, A Gui leaned against the wall. He suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood, and his aged body convulsed in pain so intense it nearly suffocated him.

He had used his full strength, but Luo Xiu had countered with a single, casual punch. A Gui hadn't even seen it coming before he inexplicably found himself on the ground, overwhelmed by pain and weakness.

He had proposed the spar not just out of curiosity about Luo Xiu's power, but to test him. He wanted to confirm if Luo Xiu was truly someone the Sun Family should protect.

As it turned out, the Sun Family had truly hit the jackpot.

This Mister Luo... he's truly a godlike figure!

The banquet was not yet over, but having eaten and drunk his fill, Luo Xiu left the hotel with Lin Xiyue. The two of them were silent on the way to the underground parking lot.

Upon arriving, Luo Xiu finally spoke. "Your cousin is probably right. The Guan Family will definitely come looking for trouble. To avoid implicating the Lin Family, why don't you give me back the Jade Pendant now? I can just leave the Lin Family."

Lin Xiyue was taken aback. "We agreed to half a year. If anyone gives you trouble, I will protect you."

Luo Xiu shook his head with a small laugh. "I remember you saying that before, but how will you protect me? A single Guan Hao was enough to make you freeze."

"I..." Lin Xiyue trailed off, at a loss for words. She could never have imagined that Luo Xiu would attract this kind of major trouble. There weren't many people in Sea City that the Lin Family couldn't afford to offend, but Guan Hao was one of them.

"You're right, I'm not that capable. When faced with a second-generation heir like Guan Hao, I don't have the power to protect you. But I also said... I'll die before you do."

Luo Xiu raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying you'd die to protect me?"

Lin Xiyue remained silent.

Luo Xiu laughed. "Why? I'm nothing to you. I'm just a shield you blackmailed into service. Is that really worth risking your life over?"

"Just shut up!" Lin Xiyue retorted. "It's only for six months! After that, you won't have to say a thing. I'll divorce you myself!"

Luo Xiu shrugged.

The next moment, Lin Xiyue suddenly froze, her gaze trembling as she stared at the Ferrari 812 ahead.

Luo Xiu looked up as well, his brow gradually furrowing.

The once-pristine sports car was now a wreck, surrounded by a sea of shattered glass.

Her body trembling, Lin Xiyue gritted her teeth. "It must have been Guan Hao."

"It was me. What are you going to do about it?"

Guan Hao's mocking voice echoed from behind a nearby pillar as he and several others stepped out.

Leading them was Guan Hao himself, flanked by three burly, middle-aged men. One of them held a pair of nunchaku.

Luo Xiu glanced at Lin Xiyue's profile and smiled faintly. "This Young Master Guan has some guts, I'll give him that. Smashed your car and didn't even run. Makes things simple—we'll just have him buy you a better one."

But Lin Xiyue tugged on his sleeve, her eyes fixed on the man with the nunchaku, a flicker of panic in their depths.

"Luo Xiu, let's... let's just drop it. It's only a car."

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