The person on the phone was Zhao Yinghu's right-hand man, a ruthless character who had once fought his way through bloody mob brawls. At his age, he should have long been composed, beyond flattery or insult.

Yet, his voice trembled incessantly, as if he were trapped in a freezer, and his words were laced with horror and helplessness.

Zhao Yinghu couldn't believe his ears. "What? What did you say?!"

"A group of people with guns… they've surrounded our headquarters—"

Mid-sentence, the voice on the phone was replaced by another, this one icy cold. "Lord Hu, is it? You've got some nerve, provoking just anyone? Do you have any idea who is standing in front of you?"

BUZZ!

A roar exploded in Zhao Yinghu's mind, and his thoughts descended into chaos.

Just as he was about to say something, the line went dead. "Hello? Hello?!"

A group of people with guns? The man standing in front of me?

The moment those key phrases registered, the dazed Zhao Yinghu felt his heart clench violently, as though a great sledgehammer had slammed into his chest. His breath hitched, and he began to tremble uncontrollably.

This, this…

BANG!

The once-unassailable, savage Zhao Yinghu fell to his knees again. Unlike before, this time it was of his own volition.

"I-I'm sorry! I was blind and failed to recognize Your Excellency! Please, please spare my life!" Zhao Yinghu was utterly beside himself, his limbs stiff with terror. How could he have possibly imagined that this ordinary-looking man possessed such a background?

A group of men with guns. The implications were terrifying to even consider. I've kicked a solid titanium plate!

He was a tough man, but not even the toughest could stand against people like that.

Led by Zhao Yinghu's men, everyone in the restaurant was dumbfounded. Just moments ago, they had been posturing menacingly, threatening murder and destruction, looking as if a massive brawl was about to erupt. But what was happening now?

Kneeling and begging for mercy?!

My God! Is this still Lord Hu?

But an even more stupefying sight was yet to come.

Seeing that Chen Yang remained silent, Zhao Yinghu began slapping his own face, pleading desperately. "I… I truly know my mistake! Please, sir, spare my life."

"Didn't you just say you were going to kill me?" Chen Yang asked with an amused smile.

Zhao Yinghu fell silent.

"And you also said you were going to make Miss Zhou Yufei's life a living hell? That this restaurant would cease to exist?"

Zhao Yinghu was speechless.

"Go on. Apologize to Miss Zhou Yufei."

"Yes, yes!" Scrambling on all fours, Zhao Yinghu crawled over to Zhou Yufei. "Ms. Zhou, I'm so sorry! It was my filthy mouth! I apologize to you!"

Zhou Yufei was incredibly uncomfortable. She couldn't believe her eyes. Lord Hu of Lingjin City is actually kowtowing and apologizing to me…

"Clean up the blood on the floor!" Chen Yang ordered, pointing to the garish stains.

"Yes, yes!" Zhao Yinghu nodded furiously. He wouldn't have dared complain if he were ordered to scrub toilets, let alone wipe the floor.

He began taking off his shirt and roared at his men, "What are you gawking at? Get your asses over here and help me wipe!"

And so, Zhao Yinghu and his lackeys began to vigorously scrub the floor with their own clothes.

Only when the floor was sparkling like a mirror, without a single drop of blood to be found, did Zhao Yinghu wipe the sweat from his brow. He turned to Chen Yang with a fawning expression and asked, "Sir, is this to your satisfaction?"

"It's all right," Chen Yang nodded, then added ominously, "Remember this. If you dare to harass Miss Zhou again, you will bear the consequences!"

"I wouldn't dare! I wouldn't dare!" Zhao Yinghu shook his head frantically.

"Get lost!"

"Thank you, sir!" Zhao Yinghu scrambled out the door as if fleeing for his life.

Instantly, the restaurant fell silent. Everyone stared at Chen Yang, their gazes filled with a mixture of horror and awe.

Zhou Yufei stared intently at Chen Yang, at this roguish man who always wore a nonchalant smile. She was completely baffled, even a little frightened.

Could a man who made Lord Hu kneel and beg for mercy really be a good-for-nothing?

"Is there something on my face?" Chen Yang shrugged at her. "I guess this meal is a bust. Shall we go home?"

"I'm drunk. You have to take me," Zhou Yufei said, her cheeks flushed and her gaze a little hazy.

Having already finished a bottle of red wine with Chen Yang, she had then downed three more glasses in a row. For someone who couldn't hold her liquor well, it was a miracle she was still standing.

Chen Yang was reluctant to take her but felt compelled to agree out of a sense of duty. I can't just leave a drunk woman to wander the streets alone. If someone took advantage of her, that would be a grave sin.

As they stepped out of the restaurant, a cool night breeze washed over them. The full force of the alcohol hit Zhou Yufei, and she swayed unsteadily. Chen Yang had no choice but to support her as they walked toward the parking lot.

"Chen Yang, look at me!" Zhou Yufei suddenly stopped. She grabbed his arm and demanded drunkenly, "You… tell me the truth. Who are you, really?"

He looked at Zhou Yufei's face, so close to his own—her delicate makeup, her eyes like pools of autumn water, the elegant bridge of her nose, her sensual little mouth, and the orchid-like fragrance of her breath.

It was all so vivid and real.

Life in this mortal world is indeed rich and colorful, but only simplicity remains the essence when everything else is stripped away. Although he often found it dull, it was still much better than fighting on the battlefield. It had less glory, perhaps, but it was filled with the warmth of everyday life.

This reflection was but a fleeting thought in Chen Yang's heart. With his personality, even melancholy was only momentary.

Zhou Yufei had never been looked at so closely by a man before, and an unexpected flutter of panic went through her. She turned her head away and smoothed her bangs. "I'm asking you a question!"

"I'm just a Martial Guard. Aside from being decent in a fight and getting lucky sometimes, I'm good for nothing!" Chen Yang said with a grin.

Zhou Yufei didn't believe him. She glared at him and said, "You're lying!"

"Have I tricked you out of your money, or have I swindled you for your affections?"

Zhou Yufei was at a loss for words.

"Since I've done neither, then shut it! I need to get home to my wife!"

Zhou Yufei pouted, her face a mask of grievance and reproach.

...

After dropping off Zhou Yufei, Chen Yang was on his way home when his phone rang.

"Who is this?"

The call connected, and a woman's urgent voice came through. "Is this Chen Yang? I'm Qin Qiu's secretary, Zhang Xiaowen! The chairman has been detained by the owner of Puhui Pharmacy! Can you do anything?"

"Where are they?" Chen Yang slammed on the brakes, his expression turning grim.

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