"Ge'er Yan, are you honestly unaware of our arrival today?"

Pu Losi spoke calmly, staring directly into Ge'er Yan's eyes.

Ge'er Yan paused slightly, surprised, and said, "Really? Is there anything, Mr. Pu Losi?"

"You didn't know who Ge'er Tai was picking up, and you slapped him?" Displeasure flickered in Pu Losi's eyes.

Ge'er Yan raised an eyebrow, glanced at Ge'er Tai, whose lips curved into a cold smile, the hint of provocation glinting in his gaze toward Ge'er Yan.

In a flash of thought, Ge'er Yan realized he'd been set up by Ge'er Tai.

But explaining? He didn't want to. Who would willingly admit such shameful truths, recounting that one is a bastard, even if repeating someone else's words? No one would want that!

Thinking it over, Ge'er Yan replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Mr. Pu Losi, if my slap made you feel disrespected, I apologize. However, even if I'd known it was you he was picking up, I still would have slapped him—he deserved it!"

"Mr. Pu Losi, you heard him; he's outright provoking you!"

Overjoyed by Ge'er Yan's response, Ge'er Tai immediately chimed in, adding fuel to the fire.

Pu Losi's face had already darkened.

In truth, Pu Losi believed that Ge'er Yan didn't know Ge'er Tai was picking him up—the news of his arrival had only been shared with Ge'er Pusi, and there was no way Ge'er Pusi would let Ge'er Yan know.

He'd asked Ge'er Yan merely to observe his attitude.

Even a single apology from Ge'er Yan would have sufficed for him to let it go.

But Ge'er Yan's statement—"Even if I'd known, I'd still slap him"—had made him feel that his authority was being challenged!

"Ge'er Yan, are you provoking me?" Pu Losi's voice turned cold.

Ge'er Yan was taken aback; he hadn't expected Pu Losi to be so arrogant, especially when he'd clearly stated that his slap wasn't aimed at him, yet Pu Losi was still relentless!

Were they that close? Was this an act of sticking up for Ge'er Tai?

A sense of unease began to stir within Ge'er Yan.

"Mr. Pu Losi, Ge'er Yan didn't mean to target you. However... don't you think you're being somewhat unreasonable?"

Jiang Chen stepped over to stand beside Ge'er Yan and addressed Pu Losi calmly, "Of course, if you feel his attitude constitutes provocation, then take it as provocation. But wouldn't that damage your image?"

"Bastard! Who do you think you are to speak like that to Mr. Pu Losi?" Ge'er Tai roared, hoping to use Pu Losi to suppress Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen's presence here clearly showed he was supporting Ge'er Yan at the heir's gathering. Considering Ge'er Yan came to personally welcome him, Jiang Chen must be a crucial figure. If Ge'er Tai could put pressure on Jiang Chen here, it would dampen Ge'er Yan's morale.

"Who do you think you are? Since when was it your place to interrupt my conversation with Mr. Pu Losi?" Jiang Chen fired back bluntly using the same approach as Ge'er Tai.

Ge'er Tai's face changed; he glared at Jiang Chen coldly.

Jiang Chen's words subtly elevated Pu Losi, implying that Ge'er Tai wasn't qualified to interject in Pu Losi's discussion. This made it difficult for Ge'er Tai to refute.

Pu Losi gave Jiang Chen a meaningful look. The implication behind Jiang Chen's words was clear to him, which sparked a sense of curiosity toward Jiang Chen.

Earlier, Jiang Chen had spoken with a tone of reprimand, yet followed it with subtle praise—delivering a stick along with a carrot, leaving Pu Losi momentarily uncertain how to react.

"Who are you?" Pu Losi asked Jiang Chen with interest.

Jiang Chen replied calmly, "Jiang Chen, Family Head of the Jiang Family of Jincheng, Jiang Chen."

First introducing his name, then his identity, concluding again with his name. In doing so, he avoided conveying a sense of arrogance through his position while also showing no trace of self-deprecation.

It seemed like an ordinary introduction but managed to exude pride in his family background.

Typically, Jiang Chen wouldn't pay much attention to such details, but from the recent exchange, he had discerned Pu Losi's personality—compelling Jiang Chen to adapt his response accordingly.

After all, he was already embroiled in conflict with Duke Si Mo'er; offending Pu Losi would only hinder his company's development in Y Country.

Of course, this didn't mean Jiang Chen feared Pu Losi—rather, he sought to avoid unnecessary trouble!

"Family Head of the Jiang Family? You're also the Chairman of Yi Chen Group, Longteng Group, and Jiuzhou Group?"

Pu Losi was momentarily surprised. Yi Chen and Longteng dominated Flame Dragon Kingdom's pharmaceutical and import-export industries—a fact already known globally.

Major forces worldwide were actively pursuing partnerships with Yi Chen or Longteng in hopes of securing trade agreements with Flame Dragon.

"Yes, that's me." Jiang Chen nodded lightly.

Ge'er Tai's expression shifted slightly. During discussions with Ge'er Pusi regarding the heir competition, Ge'er Pusi had identified Jiang Chen as the greatest threat. Though Ge'er Tai hadn't understood why, he trusted Ge'er Pusi's judgment. Thus, hearing that Jiang Chen was indeed here made him immediately tense.

His eyes darted, and Ge'er Tai sneered sarcastically, "Oh, it's you. So you're the infamous kept man. No wonder you've aligned with Ge'er Yan. What's that saying from Flame Dragon? Birds of a feather, right?"

Pu Losi and the others froze momentarily, their confusion evident as they looked at Ge'er Tai.

While Ge'er Tai and his circle had investigated Jiang Chen, Pu Losi himself hadn't—thus, he was unaware of Jiang Chen's personal history.

"Ge'er Tai, show some respect!" Ge'er Yan growled angrily.

Ge'er Tai smirked mockingly, "What? Am I wrong? Isn't this esteemed Chairman Jiang a former live-in son-in-law? And from what I've dug up, not just once either!"

Pu Losi and his entourage cast curious, perplexed looks at Jiang Chen.

Ge'er Yan's face flushed with anger; he opened his mouth to rebuke further.

Jiang Chen gently patted Ge'er Yan's shoulder, a signal to hold back. Instead, he nodded lightly, "Indeed, I was once a live-in son-in-law, more than once, in fact. But does that pose any issues?"

"Wow, how shameless! Thick-skinned, aren't you?" Ge'er Tai exclaimed theatrically.

Smack!

Thud!

The sound of a sharp slap followed by a heavy crash rang out almost simultaneously. Ge'er Tai was once again sprawled on the ground, now sporting a crimson palm imprint on his right cheek.

"Jiang Chen, how dare you!" Butler Lu Li exclaimed in shock, his voice tense and stern.

Swish, swish, swish!

A dozen men in black suits leaped forward, encircling Jiang Chen and his group. Their eyes shimmered with icy hostility.

"Scar was right; you really deserved it. I won't argue against your statements, but your insults—I find them displeasing."

Jiang Chen paid no attention to the surrounding men. Instead, he cast a casual glance at the fallen Ge'er Tai and spoke coldly:

"Which is why you were slapped."

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