"You know my brother-in-law?" Zhou Yufei asked, a beat behind, looking at Chen Yang in confusion.

"Uh..." Chen Yang's eyes darted around. "The Helmsman of the Martial Association's Qingqiu Dao branch? Who doesn't know him?"

This world is too small, isn't it? Chen Yang sighed internally. I just beat up her brother-in-law...

"Is his reputation really that big?" Zhou Yufei was highly skeptical. After all, this was Lingjin City, not Qingqiu Dao. But she didn't dwell on it and called to Chen Yang again, "Come on, sit down and have a few drinks with me!"

Chen Yang was utterly reluctant, but perhaps feeling guilty about fighting Wang Qingze, he helplessly sat down across from her.

"That's more like it!" Zhou Yufei beamed, pouring Chen Yang a glass of wine.

Chen Yang raised his glass. "Fairy, happy birthday!"

"You... you knew?" Zhou Yufei was taken aback, then offered a flirtatious smile. "So, are you going to set off a Four-foot Jade for me too?"

Chen Yang chuckled. "I'll have a couple of drinks with you!"

There are some things a man should only do for his wife. How could he repeat something he'd already done for her with another woman? Chen Yang was never a man of universal love, nor was he a 'central air-conditioning unit' warm to all. Either he played the field or he devoted his heart to one person.

"I'm just teasing you!" Seeing Chen Yang's serious expression, Zhou Yufei burst out laughing.

"Fairy, I never expected you to be the noble daughter of a prominent family! But how did you end up in Lingjin City, working as a minor supervisor at the Qin Corporation?" Chen Yang asked curiously.

"Being a minor supervisor is liberating!" Zhou Yufei gazed out the window, a wave of sorrow washing over her as she murmured, "New willows brush the banks as petals fly and scatter; ripples spread and chase the flowing water. Once swept into the river, all traces are lost, without root and without reason."

"Did you know? If I could choose, I would rather be born into an ordinary family. At least then, I could make my own decisions about marriage instead of being used by my family as a bargaining chip!"

Zhou Yufei tilted her head up, trying to stop the tears that had already welled in her eyes from falling. She wished they would flow back into her heart and wash away the sorrow.

Chen Yang was deeply moved but could only sigh. He had heard of things like arranged family marriages, though he'd never witnessed one. It was truly a helpless situation. If she ended up with a scumbag, her entire life would be ruined. This wasn't an exaggeration; it was simply the truth.

"What kind of person is he?" Chen Yang asked.

"The most notorious playboy in all of Qingqiu Dao! It's said he's been with over a thousand women!" Zhou Yufei said with a self-deprecating laugh.

"Unheard of, isn't it? Doesn't it sound less like a man and more like a pack of beasts?"

The tears in Zhou Yufei's eyes finally rolled down her cheeks. "And soon, I'll have to marry a man like that!" Her expression was pained and utterly desolate.

Chen Yang remained silent. He had no idea how to comfort her about something like this.

Who could have guessed that this woman, always so open and unrestrained around him, was hiding such a tragic story? It was truly heartbreaking. Then again, everyone has their own story to tell in this life.

"As long as I marry him, not only will my Zhou Family's status become more secure, but my elder brother in the Martial Department will also have a smooth sailing career. He might even get promoted to a Seventh Grade Military General!"

"That's why everyone in the sprawling Zhou Family, except for my mother, is pushing for this marriage! But my mother is just a woman with little say in the family. She can't do anything at all!"

"Of course I've thought about running away. But with the power and influence of my family and his, where in this world would there be a place for me?"

In the span of a few sentences, Zhou Yufei had downed three glasses of wine. Chen Yang didn't stop her; it was good for her to vent like this.

"He can guarantee your brother's promotion to Seventh Grade? I'm curious, what exactly does this man's family do? How can they influence the Martial Department?" Chen Yang hadn't wanted to ask this right now, but his curiosity got the better of him.

"They're a true financial plutocracy! Their assets are said to be in the hundreds of billions, with their reach extending into every industry. Money makes the world go round, doesn't it?"

Chen Yang fell silent. Although he hated to admit it, this was an indisputable fact.

"After they get my brother promoted, they'll naturally get what they want from him in return. And me? I'm just the most insignificant piece of cargo in the whole transaction."

Chen Yang passed her a napkin. "If you really want to escape this family and can let go of everything in it, I can help you," he said calmly.

"Help me with what?" Zhou Yufei took the tissue, covering her face.

"I can guarantee that after you leave the Zhou Family, no one will dare to bother you."

Zhou Yufei was clearly stunned. After seeing Chen Yang's serious expression, she couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Did you not hear me? My Zhou Family is massive and powerful; we could crush the Qin Corporation with a single finger! My elder brother is a Sixth Grade Martial General, and my fiancé's family is a financial giant with enormous influence and boundless means! What exactly are you going to guarantee it with?"

"I don't make promises lightly, but I always keep my word."

Zhou Yufei's smile vanished. She stared at Chen Yang for several seconds. "Thank you. You're the first person who, after hearing everything, has still offered to help me."

"You don't believe me," Chen Yang stated with certainty.

Zhou Yufei shook her head. "I don't want to get you involved."

"Which means you don't believe me," Chen Yang said with a small smile, dropping the subject. He had only offered because they were good friends. By all rights, he had fulfilled his duty as a friend.

"Chen Yang, you're a good person," Zhou Yufei said earnestly. "You might not have any professional achievements, but you are a rare and truly good person."

She had met countless men. Which one of them didn't lust after her body? Which one approached her without some ulterior motive? Only Chen Yang had clear and pure eyes. Though he often acted like a rogue, it was all talk; his heart was untainted and flawless.

Chen Yang rolled his eyes, speechless.

No professional achievements? For crying out loud, I'm the Nine Gates Admiral and the Zhennan Prince!

「Meanwhile.」

A young man who stood over 190 centimeters tall strode into the bar. He was powerfully built, with thick eyebrows, large eyes, a buzz cut, and a pair of high-top combat boots.

His sharp, tiger-like eyes scanned the room. Upon spotting Zhou Yufei, he strode directly towards her.

Zhou Yufei saw him too, and a bitter smile touched her lips.

The young man stopped in front of their booth and demanded, "Why have you had so much to drink?"

"Come with me!" Without waiting for a reply, he reached out to grab her arm.

SLAP!

Chen Yang knocked his hand away. "Get the hell out of my sight, now!" he said coldly.

Only then did the young man deign to glance at Chen Yang. "Do you have any idea who you're talking to?"

"Get lost!"

The young man was left speechless.

The surrounding crowd, eager for a show, all turned to watch.

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