The exhilarating moment passed, and the birthday banquet officially began. Wan Feng, who initially was the center of everyone's attention, found himself selectively ignored by the guests.

Wan Feng knew he had made a fool of himself earlier. After sweeping a glance across the banquet hall and feeling the hot blush of shame on his face, he could no longer bear to stay. Throwing a fierce glare at Jiang Chen, he begrudgingly scuttled out of the banquet hall.

"Mr. Jiang!" During the banquet, Lin Bingrui approached Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen looked up with a puzzled expression at Lin Bingrui.

"The Ling Jianghai we captured that day was a substitute. The real Ling Jianghai wasn't caught; I failed to recognize him. That man is known for seeking revenge for the slightest grievance — he will surely investigate Mr. Jiang. You must be careful," Lin Bingrui warned Jiang Chen, his face full of apology.

Jiang Chen nodded indifferently, "A substitute? That's quite a clever trick. However, President Lin, do you think if he comes after me, is it I who should be worried or him?"

Lin Bingrui was momentarily taken aback before he realized the implication, and with a light laugh, he replied, "Haha, my mistake!"

…

Meanwhile, in an underground gambling den's office in Dingjing, Ling Jianghai, the man Jiang Chen and Lin Bingrui were talking about, was looking at a stack of documents with a few men standing before him, their faces expressionless.

"Impossible! There can't be so little information on this Jiang Chen. Continue the investigation, I want everything on him," Ling Jianghai commanded with a grim face as he set aside the documents.

"Yes, sir!"

The men took their orders and left the office.

Unaware of Ling Jianghai's investigation, Jiang Chen ended the birthday banquet laughing and chatting with Gong Lin as they left the hotel.

But no sooner had they stepped out of the hotel than they heard someone call out from behind, "Mr. Jiang."

Turning around, they saw a burly middle-aged man rushing towards them, someone Jiang Chen and Gong Lin did not recognize.

"Hello Mr. Jiang, I'm Li Wujiang from Yangqu County. I witnessed your remarkable act at the banquet and I am filled with admiration. I really hope to make your acquaintance," the man introduced himself upon reaching them, then reached out his hand respectfully.

However, Jiang Chen did not offer his hand in return and merely glanced at him before smiling, "I'm afraid you're not looking to make my acquaintance, but rather for me to treat your illness, aren't you?"

"This…" Li Wujiang's eyes widened in disbelief at Jiang Chen's words.

Because, Jiang Chen was right!

He indeed wanted Jiang Chen to treat his illness, yet before he could make the request, Jiang Chen had already figured it out.

My goodness, what incredible perception!

Overwhelmed, Li Wujiang nodded fervently, "Yes, yes, that's exactly it."

"Heh, I don't treat," Jiang Chen simply shook his head, "There are too many sick people in the world; I simply can't treat them all."

"But, I can pay you…" Li Wujiang became anxious.

"I don't need money," Jiang Chen replied coolly, shaking his head. "Your sincerity is lacking. Maybe next time, if fate allows."

After saying this, he took Gong Lin's hand and turned to leave, leaving a stunned Li Wujiang behind.

"Jiang Chen, you are really something," Gong Lin said, looking up at Jiang Chen with eyes full of adoration.

"Heh, average, just third in the world," Jiang Chen said with a slight smile.

"You're such a bragger," Gong Lin chuckled before suggesting, "How about we go shopping this afternoon?"

"Sure," Jiang Chen readily agreed.

Afterward, the two of them strolled through the streets for the entire afternoon, planning to have dinner together.

"Let's sit here!" Jiang Chen casually picked a hotel and chose a spot by the window.

Gong Lin smiled slightly and obediently took a seat.

At this moment, a sinister gaze fixed on Jiang Chen and Gong Lin. It was Wan Feng!

Having left the birthday banquet with his tail between his legs, Wan Feng had come here to drown his sorrows in alcohol all afternoon. As he drank, he fumed over the events of the banquet, beginning to hate even Gong Lin.

By chance, he spotted Jiang Chen and Gong Lin entering, and seeing them laughing and talking happily, Wan Feng felt a surge of malicious anger.

The two of them, a pair of dogs! You made a fool out of me and yet here you are, chatting and enjoying yourselves? I won't rest until I've taken you down!

"Young Master Wan?"

As he was grinding his teeth in anger, a surprised voice rang out. Wan Feng looked up and his eyes lit up: "Chen Hu? What are you doing here?"

Standing in front of Wan Feng was a bulky man covered in scars, followed by several thugs who obviously were up to no good.

Chen Hu, known as the Downhill Tiger, was the leader of local ruffians.

Wan Feng, having been in Dingjing for the past few days for some business, had sought Chen Hu's help and thus they became acquainted. Knowing that Wan Feng was a member of the Jincheng Wan Family, Chen Hu was extremely obliging.

"I'm here dining with the boss. What's wrong with you? You seem to be in a bad mood?" Chen Hu looked at Wan Feng with a puzzled expression on his face.

"Somewhat," replied Wan Feng, his eyes gleaming as he pointed at Jiang Chen and his companion near the window and whispered, "Chen Hu, do me a favor. That kid over there has crossed me; help me teach him a lesson!"

"No problem, that little guy doesn't even pack enough punch to withstand one of my fists. Don't worry, leave it to me!" Chen Hu glanced at Jiang Chen and assured him, patting his chest.

This was Young Master Wan of the Jincheng Wan Family. Helping him now meant that in the future Wan Feng couldn't refuse if he asked for a favor. Beating up the skinny kid would earn him Wan Feng's gratitude. This was a lucrative deal!

Delighted, Chen Hu turned and signaled to his henchmen, then started walking towards Jiang Chen and Gong Lin.

"Hey, kid." Before he even reached Jiang Chen, Chen Hu bellowed.

Jiang Chen heard the voice, looked up, and saw a stranger staring at him, a trace of puzzlement in his own eyes.

"What's wrong?" Seeing the expression on Jiang Chen's face, Gong Lin asked, puzzled.

"Seems like he's here to cause trouble," Jiang Chen responded coolly.

Gong Lin hadn't taken Chen Hu's shouting seriously at first, but now, turning to look, she was also taken aback. Though she was puzzled, she felt no worry; a few thugs like them were hardly a match for Jiang Chen.

"Kid, I hear you're quite arrogant!" Chen Hu approached Jiang Chen and spoke menacingly.

Jiang Chen's eyes narrowed as he looked at Chen Hu without speaking. Such an opening line was definitely a prelude to trouble.

"What you looking at? Brothers, beat him up!"

Chen Hu no longer wanted to play games. With a loud shout, he gestured and several people rushed towards Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen chuckled coldly, remained seated, and threw out a kick.

"Bang—" Chen Hu was kicked in the chest, grimacing in pain as he stumbled back several steps, blocking the advance of the thugs behind him.

"Swoosh!"

A flash of cold light in his eyes, Jiang Chen quickly stood up and charged towards Chen Hu and his men.

Bang bang bang!

"Ouch!"

"Ah!"

A series of thuds and screams ensued as Chen Hu and his men all ended up lying on the ground.

"If you want trouble, make sure you know your own strength!" Jiang Chen stared at Chen Hu and spoke coolly.

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