The Lin Family!?

Excellent, Xu Lai's eyes narrowed. I haven't even gone looking for trouble with your Lin Family, yet you dare to harass my wife. You must be tired of living.

Seeing Ruan Tang's worried expression, Xu Lai comforted her, "Don't overthink it. Have some grilled oysters; they're good for you."

Ruan Tang rolled her eyes dramatically. "Stop trying to change the subject."

While flipping grilled squid on the rack, Xu Lai replied without looking up, "Don't worry, honey. In the entire world, only two people can hurt me. One is you, and the other is Yiyi. As for anyone else... Heh."

Ruan Tang was left speechless. Hurt you? My foot! You're the one who hurts me the most! The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and she gave Xu Lai a swift kick. That jerk is absolutely infuriating!

Their playful banter caught the attention of others nearby, drawing sighs of admiration.

"Director Xu and the missus get along so well," Yan Gui remarked with emotion. "A talented man and a beautiful woman—truly a match made in heaven."

"That's right," Li Shouzhong nodded in agreement.

"'The... the missus?'" The B&B owner, Lu Xiaoxue, was completely dumbfounded. She knew Xu Lai was formidable and that her teacher and other senior medical figures held him in high regard, but she hadn't realized it was to this extent.

Before long, Liu Nanwei arrived with her husband and Zhou Feng.

Although Liu Beiming had heard his master was hosting this banquet on Sea Temple Island, he was tied up with work at Hangcheng People's Hospital and couldn't get away. Regretfully, he had to ask his sister to bring several bottles of fine red wine to his teacher on his behalf.

「Night fell.」

Thunder rumbled over East Sea City, but a hundred nautical miles away on Sea Temple Island, not a single drop of rain fell from the dark, overcast sky. The island twinkled with lights of all colors, creating an enchanting scene.

Xu Lai and Li Mi were grilling for the crowd. A group of elderly men and women, overjoyed by their recent research breakthrough, were pulling everyone they could find into celebratory drinks.

While the atmosphere at the 'Sea Temple Guesthouse' was joyful and harmonious, two young men arrived at the island on a speedboat.

It seemed they had been given intel, as they took no detours. They walked straight to the guesthouse entrance and kicked open the half-closed iron gate.

"He's hiding in this dump?"

Neither man looked to be over thirty. The one who spoke had a head of jarringly bright red hair.

The red-haired man asked suspiciously, "Lin Song, are you sure about your information?"

Lin Song chuckled. "Of course. Look, he's right there."

The two young men's gazes fell in unison on Xu Lai at the grill, their postures arrogant, radiating an aura of superiority.

The festive atmosphere in the guesthouse instantly froze. Everyone turned to look at the two men at the door.

"Who are you? We're not open for business today. Please leave," the owner, Lu Xiaoxue, said with a frown. She stepped forward, intending to close the iron gate.

But the young man named Lin Song swung a slap at her. "Get lost!"

WHOOSH!

The palm cut through the air with force. If that slap had landed on Lu Xiaoxue's face, she would certainly have been injured.

Li Mi was the first to react, roaring, "You dare!"

Although he was only a Second Grade Martial Artist, Li Mi showed no fear. He grabbed Lin Song's arm and yelled furiously, "Who the hell are you people!"

"Oh, a Martial Artist. A Second Grade one, at that." Lin Song's expression was cold. "A piece of trash like you thinks he's worthy of knowing our names? Ridiculous."

As he spoke, he released a wisp of Realm pressure.

The intangible energy struck Li Mi, and his expression changed drastically. He stumbled back dozens of steps, only stopping when his back hit a wall. Even so, an unnatural flush crept over his face as the blood within him surged violently.

"A Mid-grade Martial Artist..." Li Mi's expression became extremely grave.

This pressure was definitely not from an ordinary Third or Fourth Grade practitioner. Only a Martial Artist at the Fifth Grade Realm or above could exert such force!

"Scram if you don't want to die," the red-haired man said before adding with a smirk, "Is Xu Lai here? Be a dear and come out. We have some business with you."

Although it was phrased as a question, his gaze was locked onto Xu Lai at the barbecue grill.

"I recognize their voices. They're the ones who called me today," Ruan Tang said in a low, serious voice. "I'm afraid they're... from the Lin Family of Jiangbei!"

The Lin Family of Jiangbei. To Ruan Tang of the former Ruan Family, they were an unattainable entity, the undisputed number one among the Wealthy Families in the Jiangbei region! Their power and influence were renowned throughout Hua Country.

Xu Lai said nothing, simply taking his wife's hand and gently tickling her palm.

"..."

Ruan Tang, who had been slightly worried, couldn't help but shoot him an exasperated look. He was always like this, never serious when it mattered.

"Go on and handle it," Ruan Tang said earnestly. "If it's a misunderstanding, clear it up. If they're here looking for trouble... well, I have friends in high places, so don't you worry!"

Xu Lai nodded with mock seriousness. "Yes, dear. On it."

After flipping the seafood and meat skewers one last time, Xu Lai walked toward the door. "Li Mi, don't let the meat burn, alright?"

Seeing Xu Lai cooperate so readily, Lin Song and the red-haired man exchanged mocking looks. This is the Seventh Grade Martial Ancestor from Jiangnan? Such a spineless coward!

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