"Mr. Chen, what on earth has happened? Whatever it is, I, Gao Zhinan, am at your service." It was hard to imagine such words coming from the city's wealthiest man, the eminent Director Gao of the Vast Sea Group.

This was no longer simple courtesy or humility; he was speaking in the tone of a subordinate. Everyone present looked as if they had seen a ghost. Their faces were utterly stunned, with eyes wide and mouths agape. The silence stretched on until, with a sudden CLATTER, someone, lost in thought, knocked over a wine glass. The sound jolted everyone from their profound shock.

"This... this... this..."

Seeing and hearing this terrifying scene, everyone's hearts began to pound, except for Gao Yuan, who seemed to be taking it slightly better. This was especially true for the father and son, Zhang Xuanfeng and Zhang Kainian. The former's face was a mask of utter panic, while the latter, despite forcing himself to remain calm, was betrayed by the cold sweat beading on his forehead.

To put it in perspective, it was doubtful that even the city's new top official could elicit such humbling words from Gao Zhinan. Yet here he was, saying them to a young man. How could Zhang Kainian not be shocked, his limbs trembling and his scalp tingling?

At this point, he probably didn't even care why his son had been beaten. He just wanted to curse him out. You damn bastard, you must think my life is too damn peaceful! You just had to go and stir up some heart-stopping trouble, didn't you? Is that the only way you can feel satisfied?

Among the guests, the most conflicted expression undoubtedly belonged to Guan Shiyin. Her face had shifted through several emotions, leaving her utterly floored. She had taken Chen Fei at his word when he said he didn't know many people in Northern Mountain City's upper circles. She never imagined he meant that the few acquaintances he *did* have were all major figures like Gao Zhinan, the head of the Vast Sea Group. How many people in this city's elite circles could even be considered his peer?

"What happened?" Chen Fei said with a slight curl of his lips. "Conveniently, your son is right here. Let him explain." He clearly couldn't be bothered to repeat the story and simply tossed the hot potato to Gao Yuan.

"Ah, me? Oh, alright, I'll explain. Here's what happened..." Gao Yuan hadn't expected this thankless task to fall on him, but he didn't dare refuse Chen Fei and immediately recounted everything truthfully.

As Gao Yuan explained, it became clear that he had only made the mistake because he was misled by Zhang Xuanfeng and Jie Meiling. Fortunately for him, this fact allowed his father, Gao Zhinan, to breathe a small, private sigh of relief, even though his face was still ashen with rage. If his son had targeted Chen Fei's companion on his own initiative, the consequences would have been far more severe—too severe to even contemplate.

After listening to the whole story with a stone-cold expression, Zhang Kainian couldn't hold back and slapped his son squarely across the face.

"Dad, why... why did you hit me?" Zhang Xuanfeng stammered, covering his cheek and looking at his ashen-faced father in disbelief.

"I'm hitting you? I ought to break your legs right now! How did I, Zhang Kainian, raise such a shameless son! All you do is swagger around and cause trouble! Get over here right now and apologize to Mr. Chen and this Miss Guan!" Zhang Kainian roared, his face grim. As he spoke, however, he was secretly signaling his son with his eyes.

He understood now that Chen Fei's background, though mysterious, had to be extraordinary and terrifying. Otherwise, a man like Director Gao of the Vast Sea Group would never have spoken so deferentially. Furthermore, it was obvious his son had been the one scheming and was entirely in the wrong. Continuing this confrontation would only lead to serious, perhaps dire, consequences. He was therefore trying to make a show of contrition, hoping they could admit their mistake and put the matter to rest.

"Apologize? Why the hell should I apologize to them? They're just some gigolo and a cheap slut..." Zhang Xuanfeng, clearly having lost all reason, yelled while clutching his face. He could accept that he'd picked a fight with the wrong person, but to be beaten this badly and then be forced to apologize? Impossible!

The moment "gigolo" and "cheap sl-" left his lips, the expressions on Gao Zhinan and Gao Yuan's faces changed instantly. A cold glint flashed through Chen Fei's eyes. Zhang Kainian slapped his son again, roaring, "Are you insane?! Shut your damn mouth!"

"Shiyin, let's go. It's getting a little chaotic here," Chen Fei said to Guan Shiyin, casting an indifferent glance at Zhang Kainian, who was still putting on a show.

"Mr. Chen, you're leaving?" Gao Zhinan asked, surprised. He hurriedly tried to stop him, a panicked look on his face. "Why don't we move to a private room? Mayor Huang will be here soon, what do you think?" He knew that letting Chen Fei leave like this would greatly damage his own standing in the young man's eyes. Gao Zhinan couldn't allow that to happen, so he did his best to make them stay.

Hearing Gao Zhinan's words, the crowd felt their hearts collectively skip a beat. They stared, utterly bewildered. Could it be? Does this young man know Deputy Mayor Huang as well?

"Alright then, let's go," Chen Fei nodded. He then smiled at Guan Shiyin. "Come on, Shiyin. It's perfect timing, since Uncle Huang is coming. I'll introduce you to him and Director Gao. If you ever need anything at the TV station in the future, you can go directly to them."

"Oh... ah, really? You're going to introduce me to Director Gao and Deputy Mayor Huang? For real?" Guan Shiyin was so surprised she could barely form a sentence.

"Of course it's real. Did you think I was joking?" Chen Fei said, a bit exasperated, as he pulled Guan Shiyin towards a private room. He casually smiled at Gao Zhinan beside them. "Didn't you say you just arrived in Northern Mountain and wanted to meet more people? I really don't have many acquaintances in the city's upper circles—Director Gao and Uncle Huang are about it. Director Gao, this is my friend, Guan Shiyin. She used to work at the provincial TV station and has just transferred here. I hope you'll look out for her in the future."

"Mr. Chen, you're being too polite. Any friend of yours is a friend of mine," Gao Zhinan responded at once, nodding. He then smiled at Guan Shiyin. "Miss Guan, please feel free to call on me if you ever need anything. Here is my personal number." As he spoke, he pulled out a discreet black business card and handed it to her.

"Thank you, Director Gao! Thank you so much!" Guan Shiyin was stunned by the gesture and thanked him profusely. She had actually been given the personal phone number of the head of the Vast Sea Group, who had also told her to call him if she ever needed anything. The surprise and excitement were so overwhelming it felt like a dream.

"Hey, what about me? I'm the one who made the introduction," Chen Fei said, feigning indignation.

"Well, you're also the one who lied to me before and made me lose all hope," Guan Shiyin retorted with a cute, dissatisfied pout. "But... okay, thank you. How about I give you a shoulder rub to show my gratitude?" As she spoke, she moved behind him and reached out her slender hands to his shoulders.

Chen Fei jumped. His relationship with Guan Shiyin wasn't like that. Playful banter between friends was one thing, but this sudden, bold offer of a shoulder massage was another. Chen Fei, Young Master Chen, immediately panicked. "No, that's okay! I couldn't possibly accept that kind of special treatment."

"What's the matter? Do you think I'm no good at it?" Guan Shiyin pouted. "Let me tell you, I used to give my grandparents shoulder rubs all the time. I even took lessons to get better at it..."

"Hey, it's not that! I'm just not used to it, understand? I think you should just treat me to a meal in a few days instead," Chen Fei said, still waving her off.

"Treat you to a meal? Alright, but why in a few days?" Guan Shiyin asked, her eyes curving into happy crescents.

"Because I'm planning to go back to my hometown tomorrow to see my mom, and I'm not sure how long I'll be there. So it'll have to wait a few days," Chen Fei explained, smiling back at her alluring expression—the cute scrunch of her nose and her crescent-moon eyes.

"Oh, I see. Okay, then," Guan Shiyin said, simply nodding in understanding when she heard he was going to visit his mother.

「Meanwhile, in the banquet hall」

The father-son duo of Zhang Kainian and Zhang Xuanfeng watched Chen Fei's group depart, still seemingly unable to process what had just happened. Zhang Xuanfeng ground his teeth. "Dad, that punk has absolutely no respect for you. Did you really have to suck up to him like that?"

"Shut your mouth! You useless idiot! You're only good for making things worse!" Zhang Kainian furiously berated his son before turning his gloomy face to Gao Yuan, who hadn't left yet. "Young Yuan, who exactly is that young man? How can he be so arrogant?"

He already suspected Chen Fei was a big shot from an impressive background. But still, he, Zhang Kainian, was an elder! He was the director of an Earth-Level city's health bureau! A position like that was nothing to sneeze at, even in the whole of Jiangnan Province. And yet this 'mere' twenty-something-year-old had completely disregarded him! How could he not be furious? He couldn't remember the last time he had suffered such a humiliating snub since becoming the director of the Northern Mountain City Health Bureau. It was simply preposterous!

"Arrogant?" Gao Yuan let out a small, dry laugh. "If, even now, you still think that way, Uncle Zhang—if you still believe Mr. Chen is an easy target—then all this nephew can do is wish you and my dear cousin the best of luck. My apologies." This was the first time Young Master Gao had willingly called Zhang Xuanfeng 'cousin', and it was dripping with schadenfreude.

You damn Zhang Xuanfeng, you actually dared to set me up! You almost made me offend Mr. Chen and his companion without even realizing it. Lucky for me, I'm quick on my feet. And now... heh heh... it's time for you to face the consequences. What's it got to do with me? Good luck fending for yourself!

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