Chapter 42 - 042, The Fifth Master: It is about protecting the young wolf cub.

The girl’s indifferent smile fell into Li Mochan’s eyes completely, and his ink-like eyebrows slightly furrowed as his chest felt unbearably clogged up.

With her emotions yet unlocked, she didn’t know this was called "heartache."

Just as the matter seemed to be hastily concluded and everyone sighed in relief, the next second, the man, resembling an emperor, made his move.

Jiang Yisheng and Feng Yi exchanged glances and shared a knowing smile.

Ye Jiuliang noticed more and more gazes turning towards her and lifted her eyes to look at the man approaching.

Meeting his unfathomable dark eyes, she raised her eyebrows without offering much explanation.

"Are you hurt?" Li Mochan asked as he looked down at her, his magnetic voice tinged with a unique huskiness.

Her eyelashes fluttered lightly, "Hmm?"

"Did they hurt you?" he patiently repeated.

The volume of his unlowered voice allowed everyone to hear clearly.

"???"

Everyone’s gaze fixed on Li Mochan in horror, as if thunder were rolling overhead.

This...this...this...

Even the cold and merciless Master Li Number Five showed concern for someone?

Had they drunk too much the night before, causing hallucinations?

The man’s low voice could not conceal his concern, striking the softest part of Ye Jiuliang’s heart.

Apart from her master and Anuo, he was the first person to worry about whether she was injured, a stark contrast to the old master’s demand for an indiscriminate apology from her—it really was night and day.

She pursed her lips into a smile, her clear, cold voice softening a little, "No."

Once he was sure she was unharmed, Li Mochan finally felt relieved. He turned his tall figure around, his sharp gaze directing towards Li Hao, who was hiding behind old Master Li.

"Come over here," he commanded, his cold voice laced with anger.

Li Hao stiffened, meeting Li Mochan’s indifferent eyes, his legs went weak. He looked pleadingly at old Master Li for help, "Old Master, I..."

Seeing Ye Jiuliang’s calm and relaxed demeanor, Li Jingxuan blurted out bluntly, "Uncle Number Five, this whole matter is all because of Ye Jiuliang..."

"Shut up." Li Mochan’s cold gaze swept towards her, and his oppressive look sent a shock through everyone’s hearts, "When was it your turn to interrupt my affairs, hmm?"

Li Jingxuan’s face turned pale, and Li Jingjie pulled her behind him, hastily placating Li Mochan, "Uncle Number Five, Jingxuan doesn’t know any better, please don’t take offense at her words."

Unclear on Li Mochan’s intentions and with everyone watching, old Master Li naturally chose to protect the Li family members.

"Mohan, you..."

"Father, I will decide this matter myself," Li Mochan replied lightly, his words blocking any response from old Master Li.

Old Master Li’s eyebrows furrowed, his gaze towards him turning complex.

Li Mochan, "Are you not coming over, or should I invite you personally?"

The whole scene fell silent.

This time, no one dared to speak for Li Hao any longer.

Li Hao looked at the members of the Li family, who all wore expressions of cold indifference. With no choice, he dragged his heavy steps, shakily walking up to Li Mochan.

"Master Jiu."

Li Mochan ignored him, turning his gaze to the girl beside him, "Have you had enough revenge?"

The questioning tone hid the man’s rare tenderness.

Hearing the implied meaning in his words, Ye Jiuliang curved her lips, "If I say no, can I continue to beat him up?"

Following her words, everyone’s perception of Ye Jiuliang was refreshed once again.

Truly damn... audacious!

The situation was getting tenser, and it might damage the amicability between the two families. Old Master Ye called out in a deep voice, "Jiuliang."

Just as he was about to warn her not to make any more trouble, Li Mochan’s next words made him choke.

"You can."

The brief reply was filled with indulgence.

All the guests wore various expressions, with those from the Li family looking the most uncomfortable since it was their family member Ye Jiuliang had struck.

Thinking of this, the looks Li Jingxuan and the others gave Ye Jiuliang were even more displeased.

"Why are you all staring at me? It was him who said it was okay," Ye Jiuliang shrugged, smiling innocently.

If you’ve got the guts, go stare down Li Mochan.

Li Jingxuan and the others hadn’t expected Ye Jiuliang to speak so irreverently. When they caught a glance of Li Mochan looking their way, they instantly tensed up.

"Are we still fighting?"

The man’s deep voice rose again, and Ye Jiuliang snapped back to reality, "No, we’re not. His skin is too thick; my hands hurt from hitting him."

So arrogant, so domineering.

Everyone thought in unison.

Li Hao looked aggrieved, but due to Li Mochan, he didn’t even dare to heave a sigh.

In an instant, a cold glare swept towards him, "Apologize."

The overpowering aura made it hard for Li Hao to lift his head, and he stammered, "I’m, I’m sorry."

"What did you say? I can’t seem to hear you very clearly," Ye Jiuliang said with a playful smile, looking for all the world like an unruly little tyrant.

Of course, Li Mochan was spoiling her, "Louder."

Li Hao’s lips trembled as he raised his voice and bellowed, "I’m sorry."

Offending Master Jiu was no small matter, and it wouldn’t be so easily overlooked, especially not with a glittering, golden support like this one at her back—why not rely on it if you can?

Ye Jiuliang turned to Li Mochan, demanding her rights, "He yelled at me."

Li Mochan commanded, "Apologize."

Now, if anyone still couldn’t see that Li Mochan was taking Ye Jiuliang’s side, they must be blind.

Li Hao, on the verge of tears, pleaded, "Miss Ye, it was all my fault. I shouldn’t have troubled you, I’m sorry."

Everyone else, "..."

Ye Jiuliang’s amused smile faded, "Remember to bring your brain next time you go out. Not everyone is for you to bully."

"Get out," Li Mochan said with a glance, his voice icy.

Like someone who had received a royal pardon, Li Hao stumbled out as if lingering for one more second would cost him his life.

The dramatic scene left everyone dumbstruck.

"Just a minor interruption, folks. Don’t take it too seriously, and please continue to enjoy the banquet," Feng Yi stepped forward to smooth things over at just the right moment.

Catching Feng Yi’s eye signal, Jiang Yisheng chimed in, "It’s about time. Cousin, shall we go cut the cake?"

With the drama over, everyone dispersed with a good sense for timing.

The banquet hall once again returned to its bustling state from just moments ago. After such an incident, though people continued to chat and laugh on the surface, they kept shooting covert glances at Ye Jiuliang from time to time.

Li Mochan siding with someone so openly in public, and a woman no less, was unprecedented.

After all, Li Mochan was known to dislike women the most, so much so that there were even whispers questioning his sexual orientation.

"Jiuliang, come over here," Elder Ye called out.

Ye Jiuliang didn’t resist and slowly made her way to his side.

Elder Ye couldn’t help but grumble, "Why didn’t you wear any of the dresses I had prepared for you? Look at what you’re wearing, and take that hat off quickly."

He lectured away while Ye Jiuliang didn’t argue, reaching up to take off her hat and revealing her stunning face under the light.

Her features were exquisite, with narrow, slightly upturned eyes that were cool and indifferent, and her blood-red lips held a defiant curve.

As the girl’s hidden features were revealed from beneath the brim of her hat, a chorus of admiration swept through the banquet hall.

"Hiss—"

Many scions of noble families stared at her enchanting face, nearly transfixed.

"Lingchen, that girl doesn’t look too bad," Xiao Mengxue withdrew her gaze, looking at her aloof younger brother with a teasing smile.

"What do you think?"

With such looks, one would be hard-pressed to find someone her equal in the entire capital, though her character was a bit overbearing. After causing such a scene tonight, she was likely to have more trouble in the future.

Xiao Lingchen pursed his lips and remained silent, his gaze locked on the delicate figure, his eyes deep and inscrutable.

Ye Jiuliang?

Li Mochan, will she be your Achilles’ heel?

Hmph.