Not long after leaving the Xue Family, Lin Xiao received a call from Su Qingning. He smiled when he saw her name pop up on his phone. It seemed their trip to Jinhai City two days prior had significantly deepened her feelings for him. After all, since they had last parted ways, she had never been the one to call first.

Lin Xiao quickly answered.

"Have you arrived?" Su Qingning's gentle voice came through the phone.

"Yeah, I just got here. I was about to call you when your call came in. We must be on the same wavelength," Lin Xiao said with a laugh.

Su Qingning retorted coyly, "Humph, smooth talker."

Lin Xiao chuckled. "Honey, did you miss me?"

"Not at all!" she hurriedly denied.

But despite her words, the playfully coy tone in her voice told Lin Xiao everything he needed to know—yes, she missed him.

Lin Xiao sighed, feigning grievance. "Honey, you're so heartless! To think I missed you so much..."

"Humph, I don't believe you!"

"It's true! I'll prove it to you when I get back this afternoon."

"How are you going to prove it?" Su Qingning asked casually.

"You'll know when the time comes," Lin Xiao said mysteriously.

"Alright then, I'll be waiting!" Su Qingning's tone became much lighter, and she sounded to be in a good mood.

"Good girl. Remember to eat, and no matter where you go, take Shen Jingzhe with you. Don't act rashly, understand?"

"I know, I know! I'm not a three-year-old!" she said proudly.

"I know you're not three. After all, a three-year-old isn't nearly as… developed as you are."

"You're terrible! Goodbye!"

With that, Su Qingning hung up.

Lin Xiao put his phone away.

Bei Kuang smiled obsequiously. "Dragon Lord, you are truly good to Miss Su."

"This is nothing," Lin Xiao said with a laugh as Bei Kuang nodded repeatedly.

"Dragon Lord, does Miss Su still not know about your background?"

"She doesn't know. Or, to be more precise, she doesn't believe me. I told her my background was noteworthy, but she didn't buy it, so I didn't bother explaining further. We'll take it slow. One day, she'll believe me without a doubt."

Bei Kuang nodded emphatically. "Dragon Lord, where are we heading next?"

"Let's go to Jun Ting. I hear it's the best hotel in Jinhai City. It's about time to eat, so let's go grab a drink."

Bei Kuang grinned. "Now you're talking!"

「Half an hour later.」

The car pulled up smoothly to the entrance of Jun Ting. It certainly lived up to its reputation as a top-notch hotel. The towering architecture exuded an air of magnificent grandeur.

The two of them got out, and Lin Xiao led Bei Kuang inside.

Perhaps because their clothes were too shabby, they drew sideways glances from many people the moment they entered. Some even covered their mouths, looking at Lin Xiao and Bei Kuang with contempt.

Fortunately, the hotel staff was well-trained and didn't judge by appearances.

"Dining with us, gentlemen?"

Lin Xiao nodded. "Get us your best private room."

The waiter's eyes flashed with surprise, but he said nothing more and simply gestured for them to follow.

The three of them entered the room, which was large and lavishly decorated. After they were seated, the waiter turned to fetch a menu.

Lin Xiao stopped him. "No need for a menu. Just bring us your most expensive dishes. And to start, a case of Maotai."

Lin Xiao had always been generous, especially when he was with someone like Bei Kuang.

"Yes, sir," the waiter said respectfully before retreating.

"Dragon Lord, isn't this a bit too extravagant?" Bei Kuang laughed.

"This is nothing. Besides, since when is having a nice meal considered extravagant?"

"Dragon Lord, that's not what I meant. I meant that I'm not worthy of such a high-class expense."

"Nonsense. Food is for eating, and wine is for drinking. Besides, don't forget who I am."

Bei Kuang instantly shut his mouth. Right, sitting next to me is the Dragon Lord. The Dragon Lord, a man wealthy enough to rival nations. To him, a mere meal is like a drop in the ocean. No, it's more like a single hair from nine thousand oxen.

The dishes arrived quickly. The food, needless to say, consisted of delicacies so expensive it was staggering. The alcohol was, of course, the Maotai that Lin Xiao had ordered. To be honest, Lin Xiao wasn't particularly fond of this type of liquor, but it was mainly for Bei Kuang.

"Dragon Lord, I toast to you!" Bei Kuang eagerly poured wine for both of them and raised his glass.

Lin Xiao, however, waved his hand. "Bei Kuang, there's no need for such formalities between us. I don't care for this kind of relationship. I'd rather we be friends, understand?"

Bei Kuang was stunned. A wave of warmth unexpectedly flooded his heart. The old man stared at Lin Xiao, his gaze fixed. After a long moment, he finally cracked a smile, but his turbid eyes had grown moist without him even realizing it.

He nodded vigorously and said with a smile, "Understood."

Lin Xiao nodded and clinked glasses with him. Then, they both drained their glasses in one go.

After three rounds of drinks, a commotion suddenly erupted outside their private room.

"Damn it! This hotel belongs to my Han Family! I finally bring a few friends over for a meal, and you're telling me the best private room is taken? Screw you, are you trying to get fired?" an incredibly arrogant voice roared.

As his voice faded, Lin Xiao heard the waiter reply with a strained smile, "Young Master Han, I'm truly sorry. If you had called ahead, we would have certainly held the room for you. But it's already occupied now. How about I set you up in the room next door?"

"Get lost! I want to treat my friends in the best room! Hurry up and get in there and tell those people to scram, or else don't blame me for getting rough!"

"Young Master Han, this… this is really against the rules. If the Old Master finds out, he'll definitely be angry."

Following that statement…

SMACK!

A crisp sound reached Lin Xiao and Bei Kuang's ears. Someone had just been slapped.

"Damn it, are you trying to use the Old Master to pressure me? You think I'm scared? I'm giving you ten minutes. Get in there and tell them to scram, or you'll regret it!"

After a brief silence, the door to the private room was pushed open. The waiter who had been serving them walked in, the clear red imprint of a hand on his face.

He approached Lin Xiao and said apologetically, "Gentlemen, I am so sorry, but would it be possible for you to move to the room next door? To show our sincerity, we are willing to offer you a ten percent discount."

"There's no need," Lin Xiao said calmly. "We like it here."

The waiter began to panic. Just as he was about to speak, Lin Xiao waved a hand. "Don't worry. Just go out there and tell them: if you don't court death, you won't die."

The moment the words left his mouth, the door was violently kicked open.

"Damn it, what the hell did you just say?"

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