As the lead hostess of Northern Mountain City Television and the sole female presenter of its most popular program, Jie Meiling naturally enjoyed a much higher status than Guan Shiyin. After all, Guan Shiyin had just arrived and wasn't yet firmly established, so the two were not on the same level.

Even so, why did she target Guan Shiyin so inexplicably? The reason was simple: jealousy. She envied Guan Shiyin's perfect figure and appearance, fearing Guan Shiyin might threaten her own status. This was why she had become so narrow-minded and was always looking for faults.

"Heh. Let me introduce myself. I'm Zhang Xuanfeng. My father is Zhang Kainian, the director of the city's health bureau. And how should I address you two?" Just then, after handing his car keys to the valet, Young Master Zhang walked over to introduce himself proudly. His face was flushed with pride and triumph.

They had clearly set off before Chen Fei and his companion, yet they had arrived after them. This obviously meant they'd been up to some shady business along the way. Otherwise, why would Young Master Zhang and Jie Meiling look so disheveled?

"Oh, so you're Director Zhang's son. Young Master Zhang."

Although Guan Shiyin wasn't a local of Northern Mountain City, she had clearly done her homework on its social circles. When she heard Zhang Xuanfeng introduce himself and his family, she was taken aback. For a minor host like me, the son of the city's health bureau director is an incredibly powerful figure. No wonder Jie Meiling became so arrogant after latching onto him. They say it's because she got with the health bureau director's son that she smoothly became the sole host of the station's hottest program.

"Heh." Zhang Xuanfeng was clearly proud of his status. When he saw Guan Shiyin's shocked expression, a look of arrogant supremacy returned to his face. He nodded lightly, then cast a mocking glance at Chen Fei. "And who is this? You look unfamiliar. Not one of us, from our circle."

When he spoke to Chen Fei in such a lofty tone, especially when he mentioned the word "circle," his posture and expression seemed to emanate a natural sense of superiority. To people like him, that "circle" represented identity and status. It meant you were a member of the upper echelon not just in the city but in the entire Jiangnan Province—a cut above the rest.

Even though Chen Fei was driving a luxury car worth over a million—an 'entry-level' model for their set—Zhang Xuanfeng didn't recognize him. Since he'd never seen the man in high-society circles, he naturally dismissed Chen Fei as a nobody, not worth his attention.

"Circle? Heh." Chen Fei let out a sudden, cold laugh, blurting out a statement that stunned everyone. "In my circle, your face is certainly unfamiliar. I reckon no one there would want to know you, either." He was usually good-tempered, but that didn't mean he had no temper at all. You keep babbling in my face like an idiot. Aren't you tired? Damn it.

"You... you... you..." Hearing Chen Fei's mocking tone, Young Master Zhang was utterly baffled. He had never imagined Chen Fei would dare to speak to him that way.

Initially stunned that Chen Fei would dare speak to her companion like that, Jie Meiling started screaming without a trace of grace. "What did you say? How dare you speak to Young Master Zhang like that! Who do you think you are? Is driving a lousy Mercedes supposed to be impressive? Young Master Zhang drives a Ferrari!" It's like I'm hearing the most ridiculous joke in the world! What a joke, who do you think you are? Do you have any right to mention 'circles' in front of my Young Master Zhang? You really think driving a broken-down Mercedes makes you special? My Young Master Zhang drives a Ferrari! A Ferrari!

A luxury car worth a million might be impressive for an ordinary or even a well-off family; most people would be envious. But compared to a Ferrari, it was on a completely different level. It simply didn't measure up.

Guan Shiyin wasn't the type to tolerate insults meekly. She had already been mocked by Jie Meiling once. Now that Jie Meiling was pointing a finger at Chen Fei and deriding him again, Guan Shiyin couldn't hold back any longer. With an icy expression, she snapped, "That's enough, Jie Meiling! Just because you have a mouth doesn't mean you can spew nonsense. What's wrong with a Mercedes? Can you even afford one?" She no longer cared about Young Master Zhang's distinguished status as the son of the city's health bureau director.

Jie Meiling shrieked like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "What did you say? How dare you talk to me like that! Have you forgotten your place? I..." I can't believe it. Guan Shiyin is just a newcomer at the station, and she dares to point her finger at me, the top host, and curse me out. Is this a mutiny?

Suddenly, Young Master Zhang waved his hand dismissively, his face a mask of impatience. "Enough noise. Why bother with insignificant nobodies like them? It's beneath us. My family happens to own shares in this club, so I'll just have them thrown out."

As the son of the city's health bureau director, he claimed his family owned shares in the club. He said it so matter-of-factly, it seemed he'd completely forgotten the rule prohibiting public officials and their families from engaging in commerce. A sharp glint flashed through Chen Fei's eyes.

Jie Meiling's arrogant expression returned. "Yes, yes, you're right, Young Master Zhang. Why should people of our status stoop to arguing with minor characters like them? It's beneath us. Just have them kicked out." She turned her nose up at them. "What are you two still doing here? Do you need us to call security to throw you out?" That's right, what's my status? I can't be seen bickering with people like Chen Fei and Guan Shiyin. If word got out, it would only tarnish my reputation.

Although Young Master Gao himself had initiated today's celebration banquet at the Luxury Club, not many people actually qualified for a formal invitation. The event was semi-public; you could get in as long as you had a connection, whether through a verbal invitation or by being a guest of a guest. However, those who received an official invitation directly from the Gao Family were, without exception, major figures with power and influence in Northern Mountain City—people like Young Master Zhang, who stood beside her now.

A waiter hesitantly approached from nearby, pretending he hadn't heard a thing. "Is there a problem, esteemed guests?"

"Are you deaf? These two appeared out of nowhere. They're probably trying to sneak into the club." Zhang Xuanfeng pulled out a wine-red invitation card and sneered at Chen Fei and his companion. "This is my invitation. My father is Zhang Kainian. Now hurry up and get these uninvited guests out of here before they lower the tone of this place."

Damn it. A moment ago you two were acting so tough. Let's see what you do now. You can't possibly pull out an invitation from the Gao... Zhang Xuanfeng's mocking thoughts came to an abrupt halt. His scornful expression froze on his face. Because he saw Guan Shiyin casually reach into her handbag and pull out an invitation identical to his own.

"An invitation, you say? I have one too. Do you want to check it?" Guan Shiyin said indignantly. Thank God I prepared for this and asked my best friend to get an invitation from Young Master Xiao. Otherwise, Chen Fei and I would be utterly humiliated right now, thrown out before even setting foot in the club. These people are just too despicable!

"My apologies, ma'am. May I see your invitation?"

The waiter immediately took the invitation and scrutinized it before turning to Zhang Xuanfeng with a wry smile. "Young Master Zhang, the invitation is real... so I think there might be some misunderstanding!"

"What? Her invitation is actually real?" Jie Meiling shrieked in disbelief. How is this possible? Young Master Gao is such a prestigious figure! Even I, the top personality at Northern Mountain City Television, couldn't get an invitation. But the waiter is saying hers is real? This newcomer bitch actually has an invitation personally issued by the Gao Family? A burning jealousy ignited within her, and her eyes blazed with fury.

"Really?" Zhang Xuanfeng hadn't expected them to produce a genuine invitation, and his expression darkened.

But then he let out a cold laugh, his lips twisting in a sneer. "The invitation might be real, but are they worthy of it? Is their family rich? Or is it like me, where my father is Zhang Kainian, the director of the city's health bureau? In my opinion, that bitch must have sto—"

SLAP!

Before Young Master Zhang could finish, the sharp crack of a slap echoed piercingly through the corridor.

"You... you fucking dare to hit me!?" Zhang Xuanfeng never expected that on his own turf at the Luxury Club, this seemingly harmless nobody would have the audacity to slap him. He was instantly stunned, holding his burning cheek with one hand and pointing at Chen Fei with the other, completely flabbergasted.

Jie Meiling was just as shocked. Her seductive eyes bulged like a goldfish's, as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing. She was completely dumbfounded.

"You... Chen Fei..." Even Guan Shiyin was stunned speechless. I can't believe Chen Fei is so bold! Knowing full well who his opponent was, he had still delivered such a clean, resounding slap to the man's face.

This was the son of Northern Mountain City's health bureau director, and Chen Fei had just slapped him without a shred of hesitation in front of everyone. She could hardly believe her eyes.

The crisp sound of that slap seemed to reverberate in everyone's ears.

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