In Gao Yuan's view, things had already escalated to this point. Even if Zhang Xuanfeng and Zhang Kainian were complete fools, they should have realized that Mr. Chen was not someone they could afford to offend. After all, even his own father, Gao Zhinan, showed such profound respect and awe toward Mr. Chen. Did Zhang Kainian really think he was more powerful than Gao Yuan's father? More powerful than Deputy Mayor Huang Tao?

However, at this moment, he felt as though he had overestimated their intelligence. Even now, they still hadn't grasped the situation. They actually believed Chen Fei, Mr. Chen, was some pushover and that they themselves were incredibly important. This is simply… ugh, forget it. You're on your own now.

"Sorry, I must be leaving," Gao Yuan said, no longer wanting to interact with them. He gave a polite nod and turned to leave.

"Gao Yuan… no, Yuan, what is all this about…" Seeing Gao Yuan not only ignore his question but also offer a blessing that made his heart tremble before turning to walk away, Zhang Kainian finally began to panic. He subconsciously grabbed Gao Yuan's arm.

"Uncle Zhang—no, sir, if you don't want me to call security to have you thrown out, please let go immediately!" Gao Yuan froze for a moment when his arm was seized, then spoke in an extremely cold and unfriendly tone, a fierce glint in his eyes.

What a joke. He was, after all, the son of the city's richest man, not some useless playboy. He naturally possessed all the dignity and bearing he was supposed to have.

"Gao… no, Yuan, considering our families are relatives, however distant, can you please tell me who that young man is? With my position as the director of the city's health bureau, don't I have enough sway to get him to back down and smooth things over?" Hearing that tone, Zhang Kainian finally realized the gravity of the situation, and he spoke nervously while still gripping Gao Yuan's arm.

"Your sway, Uncle Zhang? Fine, let me ask you one thing. If my cousin had been plotting against Uncle Huang—Deputy Mayor Huang—and was after his woman, do you think this matter could have been smoothed over?" Gao Yuan couldn't help but turn his head and ask mockingly.

"How can you compare that kid with Deputy Mayor Huang…" Zhang Kainian initially found Gao Yuan's comment absurd. But as he spoke, his pupils suddenly shrank and a cold chill shot down his spine, a terrible premonition rising in his heart.

That was Deputy Mayor Huang, for crying out loud! He was the political heavyweight most likely to become the next mayor of Northern Mountain City, and he had the fearsome Governor Zhao as his backer. How could a mere young man like Chen Fei possibly compare?

But seeing Zhang Kainian's incredulous expression, Gao Yuan mercilessly delivered the final blow. "Let me tell you the truth, Uncle Zhang. If Uncle Huang had been here today, he would have been the one saying those words, not my father! Now do you understand what I mean?"

HISS!

Zhang Kainian gasped, feeling as if his skull was about to crack open as his limbs went cold. Upon hearing this, Zhang Xuanfeng's vision went black, and he nearly fainted on the spot.

***

Meanwhile, Chen Fei, Gao Zhinan, and Guan Shiyin were chatting in a private room when Gao Zhinan's secretary knocked and entered. She addressed Gao Zhinan, "Director Gao, Deputy Mayor Huang and his son have arrived. Do you need to go out and greet them personally?" At her words, Guan Shiyin couldn't help but clench her fists tightly, her nervousness palpable.

This was a standing deputy mayor, one of the top figures in Northern Mountain City's official circles. The shock of seeing such a person in the flesh was overwhelming for an ordinary citizen like her. It was like a dream!

But to everyone's astonishment, Gao Zhinan did not immediately get up to greet Deputy Mayor Huang and his son, who had graced them with their presence. Instead, his gaze lingered on Chen Fei for a moment before he said nonchalantly, "No need. Just bring them here."

This statement stunned both the secretary and Guan Shiyin. After all, even though Gao Zhinan was the city's wealthiest man, their guest was Deputy Mayor Huang! Wasn't it a bit disrespectful not to greet him personally? But since the words came from Gao Zhinan, they didn't dare question him, despite their unease. The secretary turned and left the room, returning shortly with Deputy Mayor Huang and his son, Huang Feng.

"You've got quite an ego, don't you! To think you wouldn't even…" Deputy Mayor Huang began to jest with dissatisfaction as he walked through the door.

However, he trailed off mid-sentence. His eyes landed on Chen Fei, who was sitting across the room and smiling at him. The sight of that face—one Huang Tao knew all too well—sent a jolt through his heart. Without a second thought, he cut his teasing short and strode quickly toward Chen Fei.

Seeing this, everyone else, especially the secretary and Guan Shiyin, was left stunned, unable to comprehend what had just happened. As they stood there in shocked confusion, Huang Tao had already reached Chen Fei.

"Hello, Uncle Huang. Hehe," Chen Fei said with a casual grin, showing none of the expected decorum.

"Mr. Chen, I didn't expect you to be here tonight! If I had known, I would have come much earlier, hahaha." Deputy Mayor Huang immediately extended his hand, shaking Chen Fei's warmly with a deference one would show to a superior.

Furthermore, Huang Feng, standing beside his father, bowed slightly and addressed Chen Fei in a deeply respectful tone, all under the wide, disbelieving eyes of Guan Shiyin and the secretary. "Young Master Chen, hello."

At this scene, aside from the unruffled Gao Zhinan, both Guan Shiyin and the secretary gaped, their mouths forming little O's. They looked utterly dumbfounded as a shiver ran through them. This was Deputy Mayor Huang and his son, Young Master Huang! Yet they were treating a young man with such reverence. Judging by Chen Fei's casual laughter, it seemed he found this treatment completely normal and expected. The sight shook the two women to their core, their faces filled with disbelief.

"Old classmate, what were you saying about me? With Mr. Chen here, you still expected me to come out and greet you? I think you're the one with the real ego, hahaha," Gao Zhinan suddenly boomed with laughter.

"I didn't know Mr. Chen was here, alright? Let's drop it, let's drop it," Deputy Mayor Huang explained hastily.

"Come on, you two, stop teasing me. I was just being too lazy to move, haha," Chen Fei laughed heartily. He then patted the bewildered Guan Shiyin on the head and waved a hand in front of her crescent-shaped eyes. "Hey, snap out of it. Come on, I'll introduce you."

"Uncle Huang, Young Master Huang, this is my friend Guan Shiyin. She just transferred here from the provincial TV station. Please look out for her in the future," Chen Fei said with a smile, pulling Guan Shiyin over to meet them.

"Hello, Mayor Huang. Hello, Young Master Huang. I… I'm Guan Shiyin, a friend of Chen Fei's," Guan Shiyin stammered, completely flustered by the situation, her pretty face blushing bright red.

"Miss Guan, it's a pleasure. If you don't mind, just call me Uncle Huang like Yuan and the others do," Huang Tao said kindly as he shook her hand. He then suddenly rapped his son on the head and said sternly, "Did you hear Mr. Chen? I know you run around with a bunch of useless friends. Make sure you spread the word. If Miss Guan suffers any mistreatment in Northern Mountain, I'm holding you responsible!"

"Ouch! I wouldn't dare… Mr. Chen, please don't worry. As long as I, Huang Feng, am in Northern Mountain, I guarantee Miss Guan won't suffer a single grievance!" Huang Feng rubbed his head with a wry expression and quickly gave his assurance to Chen Fei.

Are you kidding me? Chen Fei, who was practically an Enlightened Deity in his eyes, had personally asked him to take care of this 'female friend.' It would be strange if he dared to let her suffer any grievance in Northern Mountain!

"Thank… thank you. Chen Fei, thank you." At last, Guan Shiyin understood. The most powerful person in the room wasn't Gao Zhinan, the Director of the Vast Sea Group, nor was it Huang Tao, the city's Executive Deputy Mayor. It was Chen Fei, the young man in his twenties with a harmless smile.

This meant all her earlier worries had been completely pointless. That Zhang Xuanfeng, and even his father Zhang Kainian, were less than nothing in front of him. It was laughable how arrogant they had been, thinking they were so formidable.

The more she grasped this unimaginable reality, the more nervous and flustered she became. She felt restless, not even knowing where to put her hands. It was hardly surprising. She felt the gap between her and Chen Fei was just too vast. She, who had been considered an athletic goddess among her friends, felt utterly lacking in confidence before him. She felt like a country bumpkin, an ugly duckling.

"Hey, what's wrong? Looking all dazed. Don't tell me you've been captivated by this Young Master's heroic charm? Tsk, really, if you admire me, just say it! This Young Master is magnanimous, with a heart as vast as the ocean. There's plenty of room for a cute, clumsy little fan like you," Chen Fei said, putting on a serious face as he playfully teased her.

"Pfft! You're the clumsy one! What nonsense are you spouting?" Guan Shiyin reflexively retorted. His joking around managed to ease her tension considerably. Pouting, her eyes curved into smiling crescents as she said, "I never realized you were so narcissistic! A little fan? You're so shameless!" As she spoke, her face turned red.

Seeing this harmonious scene, the two "old men," Gao Zhinan and Huang Tao, simultaneously turned away, feigning ignorance. As for Huang Feng, who was of their generation, he couldn't help but give Chen Fei a silent thumbs-up in his mind. As expected of Young Master Chen, his skill in charming girls is first-class! It's just so natural!

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