Seeing this scene, more and more people were dumbfounded.

They weren't shocked that someone dared to make a move on Ma Tiansheng, but by the identity of the person doing it: Chen Hao, Young Master Chen!

Anyone who mingled in Hong Kong's high society knew of the relationship between the Chen and Ma Families. Yet even so, was there a need to beat the man half to death?

Could it be... that the Chen Family is ready to burn its bridges with the Ma Family?

"Enough, stop. Any more and he'll die," a faint voice said, just as everyone's hearts were trembling.

"Yes, Brother Fei." Upon hearing this, Chen Hao immediately stopped his assault and obediently returned to stand behind Chen Fei.

Seeing this, everyone present couldn't help but draw a sharp breath, their eyes narrowing. It was almost a joke. Who was Chen Hao? He was the esteemed Young Master of the Hong Kong Chen Family. In terms of status, he stood half a head taller than Ma Tiansheng, Second Young Master Ma. Who in Hong Kong's younger generation wouldn't greet him as 'Brother Hao'?

Yet now, not only had he stopped beating Ma Tiansheng because of a single sentence from this young man, but he had also respectfully addressed him as 'Brother Fei' before retreating obediently to stand behind him.

Silence. A deathly silence.

It was followed by the sound of heavy, ragged breathing, especially from people like Wuu Guangbin, Qian Jin, and Du Jincheng. Their higher status gave them a better appreciation for the terror inspired by Hong Kong's Five Great Tycoon Families. Yet now, the great Brother Hao himself was addressing a peer as 'Brother,' and what's more, he had just brutally beaten Second Young Master Ma of the Ma Family in front of everyone, almost to death, seemingly over a few 'offensive' remarks.

This was enough to scare them deathly pale.

Besides them, the one most affected was undoubtedly Hu Yinglan, the 'Number One Sister' of Huashu Media.

Now she finally understood. She understood why the company had suddenly decided to pour all its resources into cultivating a little girl, a complete newcomer. The terms of her contract were rumored to be so lenient that even a veteran like herself, who had contributed so much to the company, could only sigh in envy, not even daring to dream of them. So this is why!

As for the brutally beaten Ma Tiansheng, he was now terrified into silence, his whole body trembling.

He might be a hedonist, but he wasn't an idiot. How could he not understand that someone even Chen Hao had to respectfully address as 'Brother Fei' was not to be trifled with?

His heart quaked as he thought about it. Even though the Chen and Ma families aren't on good terms, they wouldn't have done something so over-the-line before a complete fallout. But now… could it be that this unfamiliar young man has some terrifying background? One that makes Chen Hao feel he doesn't need to care about my identity as Second Young Master Ma, allowing him to be so reckless and attack me so viciously?

Subconsciously, a cold sweat broke out on Ma Tiansheng's forehead, and he began to stammer guiltily, "A misunderstanding… it's all a misunderstanding…"

A misunderstanding? When Ma Tiansheng said this, especially with his head battered and bleeding, it struck the crowd as utterly absurd while also sending a profound shock through them. A chill shot up their spines.

This was no joke. This was the Second Young Master of the illustrious Hong Kong Ma Family. He had been beaten to this state, his scalp bleeding freely, and he was calling it a misunderstanding?

Everyone present was nearly stupefied, their hearts pounding with fear.

"Misunderstanding? I don't think so. A mere Ma Family. Do you really think you can just force people to do whatever you want?" a cold, indifferent young voice suddenly remarked, making everyone's heart skip another beat.

The onlookers were stunned. My god, what did I just hear? 'A mere Ma Family'? That's all? Does he have to sound so terrifying? Does he mean he holds the powerful Hong Kong Ma Family in no regard?

"You… A misunderstanding, it is a misunderstanding! I'm sorry, Brother Fei, today's incident was truly a misunderstanding. I formally apologize to you and Miss Gu!" Hearing Chen Fei's 'arrogant' tone, Ma Tiansheng felt a reflexive surge of anger, but he forcefully suppressed it and bowed his head.

He had no choice; the circumstances were against him. How could he dare act defiantly in front of people like Chen Fei and Chen Hao, who had proven they would beat him mercilessly? That was simply courting death. He was in enough pain as it was and didn't want another beating.

As for his arrogant words, 'a mere Ma Family'… hehe, just wait until I get a chance to leave this damn place. Then I'll settle this account with you two, and with your Chen Family! A mere Chen Family, do you really think you can act so recklessly in front of our Ma Family? You should know, in the rankings of Hong Kong's Five Great Tycoon Families, the Chen Family is at the bottom, while our Ma Family is third! How dare you lay a hand on me, Ma Tiansheng? You're asking for death!

"Sorry? A misunderstanding? Not bad," Chen Fei said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I didn't expect you to be so pragmatic. It seems I underestimated you." He hadn't expected his opponent to be so adept at reading the situation, which made him too lazy to bother making another move. He simply waved his hand dismissively, as if shooing a fly. "Scram. Get out of here."

"Yes, yes, yes…" Hearing this, a flash of venomous resentment appeared in Ma Tiansheng's eyes, but then, as if granted a full pardon, he turned and scrambled away without hesitation. In the blink of an eye, he had vanished from the hall's entrance.

Seeing this, Chen Hao hesitated for a moment before leaning in to whisper in Chen Fei's ear, "Brother Fei, knowing that imbecile's character, I doubt he'll let this go."

Clearly, Chen Hao didn't know as much about Chen Fei's true capabilities as his father or the Great Elder of the Chen Family did. So, although he had acted impulsively tonight, the reality of the situation was now sinking in. When he thought about the behemoth that was the Ma Family, he couldn't help but feel a throbbing in his temples and a heavy weight of pressure.

After all, the common saying was true: among Hong Kong's Five Great Tycoon Families, the Chen Family was ranked last, while the Ma Family was third.

"Brother Fei, I'm sorry. It seems I've caused you trouble again," Gu Feishuang said, leaning against Chen Fei with a cautious, apologetic tone. She couldn't help but feel responsible; if not for her, Chen Fei wouldn't have made an enemy of that man.

And even though she still didn't know Chen Fei's true identity or background, the reactions of the crowd, their hushed whispers of 'Second Young Master Ma' and 'Ma Family' filled with flattery, awe, and shock… it painted a clear picture of just how astonishing her opponent's background was.

After all, to have the nerve to declare that at least one-tenth of Hong Kong belonged to his Ma Family… how could such a background not be terrifying?

"Trouble? Don't worry about it," Chen Fei said with a faint smile, gently stroking her soft hair to comfort her. "The Ma Family is nothing. I really don't pay them any mind."

The Ma Family? As I recall, the strongest person they have is that so-called old monster of the Ma Family I effortlessly thrashed like a stray dog outside the Black Market Ancient Castle. That old codger was no match for me, so he's certainly not worth my notice. The Ma Family? Heh, if you have the guts, feel free to come and try me again.

Though his words were simple, they made the hair on Chen Hao's neck stand on end, and a chill shot down his spine.

He wasn't a fool. He could tell Chen Fei wasn't joking. He genuinely felt the Ma Family was beneath his notice, speaking of them so casually. If that's the case, doesn't that mean our Chen Family is also… Chen Hao shuddered slightly, his heart clenching.

No wonder. No wonder his father, Chen Yaoyang, the acting head of the Chen Family, treated him with such deep respect and awe! It turns out this man doesn't even regard any of Hong Kong's Five Great Tycoon Families as significant. Ah, this is really… A wry, reverent smile touched his lips.

***

Meanwhile, having left the exclusive private club in a state of utter humiliation, Ma Tiansheng slid into an absurdly luxurious supercar in the parking garage. Wiping the blood from his face with a venomous glare, he took out his phone.

Damn it! I'll remember this! Chen Hao, and that son of a bitch… how dare you lay such heavy hands on me, Ma Tiansheng! I'll make you pay for this. No, I have to call my brother first.

His older brother, Ma Tianfang, was a leading figure among the third generation of the Hong Kong Ma Family. At only thirty, he already held a key position in an important family department. His words carried weight, and he was on the same level as nearly all of Hong Kong's top scions.

In Causeway Bay, Ma Tianfang received the call from his younger brother, Ma Tiansheng, and couldn't help but frown.

Tiansheng? Why is this brat calling me? Did he get into trouble again? Although they were family, he, the older brother, actually despised his profligate younger brother, who was an expert in the vices of wining, dining, whoring, and gambling.

But regardless, he was his half-brother by the same father. No matter how much he despised him, he had no choice but to hold his nose and deal with it.

Excusing himself from the people around him, he walked to a quiet corner to answer the call. "Hello, Tiansheng, what is it? Just say it, I'm a bit busy over here."

"Brother, you have to stand up for me! Chen Hao went too far!" The moment Ma Tiansheng heard his brother's voice, he clung to it like a lifeline. He put on a pitiful act—which was also genuinely how he felt—and became a sniveling, tearful mess, his voice thick with injustice and sobs.

It was no wonder. When had he, Ma Tiansheng, Second Young Master Ma, ever suffered such humiliation? To be beaten so savagely in public, he had lost all face. If word of this got out, how could he ever show his face in Hong Kong's elite circles again?

"Chen Hao?" Ma Tianfang was taken aback. "What happened? Didn't he just get back to Hong Kong? How did you run into him again?"

"Brother, Chen Hao truly went too far this time! He almost beat me to death! You have to help me!" Ma Tiansheng wailed into the phone.

"He beat you? You're saying Chen Hao beat you?" Ma Tianfang's expression instantly darkened. "What exactly happened? Tell me everything, slowly."

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