There was a hint of worry and concern in Lin Feng's tone, much like a boyfriend looking out for his girlfriend.

"What do you mean by 'coming to an entertainment venue alone'? I'm meeting classmates, okay!" Cao Ying rolled her eyes at Lin Feng. "Besides, I already informed my family..."

"Really? Why didn't your father inform me then?" Lin Feng feigned seriousness, his eyes widening.

"...Why would my dad need to tell you about my affairs?" Cao Ying knew Lin Feng was teasing her, but she played along, pretending not to understand.

"Not reporting his daughter's whereabouts to his future son-in-law? He's made a mistake..." Lin Feng stated brazenly.

"You really dare to spout such nonsense!" Cao Ying's eyes widened, and she lightly poked Lin Feng's chest with a delicate finger. "In all of Jiangzhou City, the only people my father needs to report his work to are just one or two individuals. Who do you think you are?!"

Oops, I might have overdone the bragging this time...

Lin Feng recalled the identity of Cao Ying's father, Cao Tiannan. As the mayor of Jiangzhou City, he was a true high-ranking official. What right do I have to expect him to report his work to me?

However, speaking of which, no matter how esteemed Cao Tiannan—er, Uncle Cao—was, if he were to become my father-in-law one day, he couldn't act too high and mighty with me, right? As Lin Feng was organizing his thoughts to confidently refute Cao Ying, he saw her looking flustered and trying to apologize.

Cao Ying noticed Lin Feng's expression falter slightly and, thinking she had gone too far with her words, assumed she had hurt his pride.

She had always kept a low profile, diligently hiding her status while in school. It was only because Lin Feng had accidentally learned of her true background when she accompanied him for dinner that one time that she had casually joked with him using her father's status. Seeing Lin Feng's expression change, she quickly apologized, "Lin Feng, please don't misunderstand! I didn't mean anything else by what I just said..."

Misunderstand what? Lin Feng paused for a moment before understanding Cao Ying's perspective, and he couldn't help but chuckle. She actually thinks she hurt my pride? This girl is far too kind-hearted!

Speaking of which, Lin Feng's father, Lin Zhonghua, was the commander of the Jiangzhou Military Division and could be considered quite a prominent figure in his own right. However, Lin Feng had never thought of relying on his father's name to achieve anything, much less use it to pressure others. In this regard, Lin Feng and Cao Ying were similar; they both preferred to rely on their own abilities.

However, since Cao Ying had misunderstood and even apologized, should I act deeply hurt? Should I make a grand declaration like, 'Don't underestimate a young man's potential, for my destiny is my own and not dictated by heaven!' to show my dominant side and gain some sympathy...?

Before Lin Feng could make up his mind, his train of thought was interrupted by the sudden appearance of Xie Nan.

"Brother Feng, who is this?" Xie Nan sidled up with a fawning smile, cautiously inquiring about Cao Ying's identity. He was worried that he might unknowingly say the wrong thing and ruin Brother Feng's important affairs.

"Come, come, A'nan, let me introduce you. This great beauty is Cao Ying. She's my senior now and was my substitute teacher before..." Lin Feng didn't mince words with Xie Nan, speaking as casually as ever. "You can just call her Eldest Sister-in-law..."

"Eldest Sister-in-law?!" Both Xie Nan and Cao Ying exclaimed in surprise.

So she really is Eldest Sister-in-law! Brother Feng, you're incredible! Don't you already have Sister-in-law Tang Rou? How did you bring another one? And this one seems even more captivating and alluring than Tang Rou... Wait, one is 'Sister-in-law,' and this one is 'Eldest Sister-in-law.' It seems there's no conflict. Xie Nan finally convinced himself to accept Lin Feng's line of thinking, reasoning it out based on the different titles.

"Lin Feng, what nonsense are you spouting!" Cao Ying explained, her face flushing red. "You must be Lin Feng's friend, A'nan, right? I'm Cao Ying, a schoolmate of Lin Feng's. You look to be about the same age as him, so you can call me Sister Cao, just like he does."

"'Schoolmate' sounds so distant..." Lin Feng shook his head with a smile, not minding Cao Ying's clarification. He patted Xie Nan's shoulder and said, "A'nan, just listen to your Eldest Sister-in-law. Anyway, she calls the shots at home."

"Hello, Sister Cao!" Xie Nan greeted Cao Ying, secretly sighing in relief. It seems Brother Feng was just joking with me.

Cao Ying followed Lin Feng and A'nan to a booth in the corner. After settling in, she glanced at her watch and then asked, "The person who invited me today is my classmate, Li Huijin. She said she booked Room 3 and told me I could come straight here and wait for her inside. Do you guys know where Room 3 is?"

"Well, you've certainly asked the right person; the owner is right here!" Lin Feng playfully patted Xie Nan's shoulder and said, "A'nan, she's asking you..."

"I wouldn't have guessed! The owner of this bar is so young, and he's your friend!" Cao Ying looked at Xie Nan in surprise but directed her words to Lin Feng, her tone chiding, "Look how capable he is! Not like you, who only knows how to brag..."

Knowing Lin Feng was a friend of the bar owner, Cao Ying believed she now understood why the security guards had helped him earlier.

"I'm a boss too, okay! I'm really not bragging this time..." Lin Feng explained, sounding quite aggrieved.

"Still trying to fool me? As if anyone would believe you!" Cao Ying glanced at Lin Feng, shaking her head with a smile. "Others might not know you, but don't I? You've just started college; where would you get the capital to be a boss?"

Lin Feng shrugged. "Well, a talent for making money isn't related to one's status... A'nan here is even a school dropout..."

"Room 3... I recall someone booked it..." Xie Nan seemed not to have heard the banter between Lin Feng and Cao Ying. He casually beckoned a staff member from near the counter. "Check what time the guests for Room 3 are due to arrive."

The staff member quickly returned and reported, "The room was booked by a gentleman surnamed Xie. He said he would arrive before eight."

A gentleman surnamed Xie? Lin Feng couldn't help but frown upon hearing this. He glanced at Cao Ying and asked, "Didn't you say your classmate's surname is Li? Could you have come to the wrong place?"

"Let me call and ask..." Cao Ying's brow furrowed slightly as she retrieved her phone from her small handbag. Li Huijin had said she'd bring her boyfriend, Cai Xiaobao, tonight. But who was this Mr. Xie who booked the room?

Cao Ying had just dialed the number when she spotted Li Huijin at the bar's entrance. Flanking her were two men in black shirts. One was her boyfriend, Cai Xiaobao; the other, tall and slender with a fair complexion, was unfamiliar to Cao Ying.

Li Huijin was a regular at the bar. She was dressed in a striking, seductive red low-cut, backless slip dress, her face adorned with heavy smoky makeup. She looked less like a student and more like a woman long accustomed to the nightlife scene. Upon receiving Cao Ying's call, she excitedly waved to the two men behind her before heading towards the corner where Cao Ying was.

Before she even got close, Li Huijin's sharp voice pierced Lin Feng's ears, "HEH HEH... Miss Cao, you actually arrived earlier than me! It seems you're truly lovesick! Knowing you're eager, I've arranged for you to meet a genuine tall, rich, and handsome catch tonight! Come, let me introduce you. This is Xie Hong, Young Master Xie... Huh? And who are these two dressed so shabbily?"

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