Chapter 48: Meeting with the Li Family

Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Meeting with the Li Family

PFFT!

Chen Shu was sent flying by this tremendous force, landing directly in a large trash can in the corner. He clutched his chest, taking a long moment to climb out clumsily.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Jiang Tianyi’s eyes widened in disbelief. "My Uncle Chen is a Martial Arts Grandmaster, the renowned Sword King of Jinling! You..."

"Shut up." Chen Xiao slapped him across the face again, lacerating his cheek and making his head buzz.

Then, he grabbed him and slammed him onto the table like a pig ready for slaughter.

The surrounding lackeys were petrified, not daring to make a sound.

Qin Lan held her breath, watching the scene unfold in utter disbelief. Having been born into a prominent family, she knew exactly how prestigious the title of Martial Arts Grandmaster was.

Yet Chen Xiao defeated him in a single move. Just how powerful is he?

Only after Jiang Tianyi stopped struggling did Chen Xiao finally speak, his voice light. "I don’t care why you came to Yuncheng City, but remember this: don’t mess with me, and don’t mess with the people around me. Otherwise, next time it won’t be as simple as a slap."

With that, Jiang Tianyi’s body was tossed aside like a rag doll.

He then looked indifferently at Chen Shu. "Scram, or stick around and play with me some more?"

Trembling with fear, Chen Shu stammered, "Sir, I was insolent before! I’ll take Young Master Jiang and leave right now!"

After kowtowing several times, he scrambled out of the office. The other lackeys scattered in every direction, not daring to even squeak.

"Sigh, every time I’m with you, we have to fight this person or that one. It’s exhausting," Chen Xiao said, looking at Qin Lan with a helpless sigh.

Qin Lan scoffed, "Getting tired already?"

"I’ve told you before, never say a man can’t perform." Chen Xiao pulled her close, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "I think this office is pretty nice, too."

His intense gaze made Qin Lan’s heart flutter. "Wh-what are you trying to do?"

"What do you think?" his tone was teasing, his stare unrelenting.

Qin Lan’s cheeks flushed crimson, her breathing growing ragged and frantic. After a long moment, she turned her face away and gritted her teeth. "Can we... change the location... please?"

This time, it was Chen Xiao’s turn to be stunned.

This woman... actually agreed? Didn’t she say she would never betray her best friend? Is she now willingly letting her best friend’s husband stab her in the back?

"I was just teasing you," Chen Xiao chuckled. "You actually took it seriously?"

Utterly mortified, Qin Lan turned to leave.

But Chen Xiao caught her hand.

Then, he scooped her into his arms and kicked the door shut.

Soon, the curses tumbling from Qin Lan’s lips turned into muffled moans. Her nails dug into Chen Xiao’s shoulders while her high heels dangled precariously at the edge of the desk, swaying back and forth...

「An hour or two later.」

Chen Xiao grimaced at the bite marks on his shoulder. "Are you a dog?"

There were also a few scratches from her nails.

Qin Lan tossed a tissue into the trash can and shot him a sultry glance. "Well, who was it that insisted on doing it here?"

"I’m thirsty... I’ve lost too much fluid." She panted, her red lips parched.

Chen Xiao thoughtfully poured her a glass of water.

After finishing the water, Qin Lan spoke, enunciating every word. "Our relationship is purely physical. I can’t have feelings for you, so don’t get any ideas, understand?"

Chen Xiao just smiled casually. "I never said we had any feelings."

"That’s for the best." Qin Lan’s heart trembled slightly, but she feigned calmness. "You’re such a scumbag, philandering when you already have a wife."

"It’s just a marriage of convenience. It’s not like I wanted it," Chen Xiao said leisurely. "She agreed to it, too. You, on the other hand, are sneaking around with your best friend’s husband. Don’t you feel the least bit guilty?"

Qin Lan bit her lip. "I’ve just come to terms with things, that’s all."

"I’m about to leave Yuncheng City anyway. I might as well enjoy life a little. To me, you’re nothing more than a toy for my amusement."

"Hmm?" Chen Xiao froze. "You’re leaving?"

"Those people have tracked me here," Qin Lan said. "Yuncheng City is no longer safe, so I plan to go home. Once I’m back, they won’t dare to attack me so brazenly, and my family will send people to protect me. It’s much safer than here."

"Besides, I have unfinished business... I can’t keep running away forever."

A hint of melancholy crept into Qin Lan’s voice as if she were lost in a memory.

After a long silence, Chen Xiao finally asked, "When do you plan on leaving?"

"I don’t know yet." Qin Lan sighed. "I’ve lived here for several years and built a life for myself. It’s not easy to let it all go at once."

"I’m leaving. You can clean up after yourself." With that, Qin Lan swayed her hips and walked out of the office. "I’ll call you when I have physical needs."

Chen Xiao was speechless.

Is this woman treating me like a free gigolo?

As Qin Lan left the construction site, the placid expression on her face slowly gave way to sorrow.

Her heart was far from as calm as it appeared. She didn’t know when she had started to develop these hazy feelings for Chen Xiao. Perhaps it was after the accident at the Zongheng Chamber of Commerce, or maybe it was because of the many times he had stepped up to save her from peril. But because of his relationship with Luo Qingli, she could only suppress the complex emotions in her heart, forcing herself to appear calm and indifferent, as if none of it mattered. In truth, Chen Xiao already occupied a place in her heart, and no amount of self-deception could change that. She had accepted it now. They were ultimately just passersby in each other’s lives. All she could do now was try to leave with fewer regrets...

She stomped on the accelerator and sped away from the construction site.

Meanwhile, Chen Xiao gathered his thoughts and leisurely took a taxi back to the Luo Family estate.

「Midnight.」

Chen Xiao was sitting cross-legged on the bed, deep in his cultivation.

Suddenly, his phone rang. It was Lu Wushuang, calling to tell him she had successfully arranged the meeting with the Li Family.

After relaying the news, Lu Wushuang added, "By the way, I have some new information. The auction is a private event, with invitations extended only to the elite of Yuncheng City. I did some digging into the organizers... it’s the Jiang Family."

Chen Xiao was unconcerned. "It doesn’t matter who’s running it, as long as I can buy what I want."

Lu Wushuang gave a wry smile. "I’m just afraid the Jiang Family will deliberately cause trouble for us."

"After all, they’ve made a high-profile entry into Yuncheng City. They’re aiming to win over the major families through a mix of intimidation and incentives. Anyone who gets in their way is bound to be targeted."

"Senior Sister, don’t you worry. I’ve slapped Jiang Tianyi twice already. You think he still has the guts to act up in front of me?" Chen Xiao scoffed.

"Alright. I’ll pick you up tomorrow afternoon and take you to the Li Family," Lu Wushuang said before hanging up.

Chen Xiao took a deep breath.

The two main ingredients I need to cultivate the Mysterious Yang Body, the Seven Orifices Exquisite Fruit and the Dragon Heart Herb, have both surfaced. I hope I can gather the rest of the herbs soon...