He wanted to see what kind of impact a completely new world like the Ye Family—one that far surpassed anything Xu Ke could imagine—would have on a spirited pauper like him. I want to see how his worldview shatters and crumbles. He greatly enjoyed watching such dramas unfold. The values of the poor are always reshaped when they face an unimaginable shock.

The smug look on Siao Jia's face stiffened and her face went deathly pale. What does he mean? Has Young Master Ye actually taken a liking to Xu Ke?

"No, Young Master Ye, don't..."

Siao Jia struggled. If Xu Ke agrees, won't I become his plaything? She knew Ye Chen was toying with her, and she was willing to be his plaything. But to be made into Xu Ke's toy? That would be crueler than death itself. How could a pauper possibly compare to Ye Chen?

That was just how Siao Jia was. She would rather be debased by the wealthy than cherished by someone like Xu Ke. Otherwise, she wouldn't have betrayed him in the first place.

While Siao Jia struggled, Xu Ke stared at Ye Chen. "Young Master Ye, aren't you getting a little ahead of yourself?"

"Oh?" Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. "You can state your conditions. I will grant you anything you desire."

"Is that so?" Xu Ke's gaze remained fixed on the middle-aged man.

He saw the man locked onto him like a cheetah, legs tense and body tilted forward, clearly ready to pounce at any moment. His heart sank. There's truly no escape.

"Yes," Ye Chen said, flashing a graceful smile. "Whatever you desire, things you've imagined and things you haven't, I can satisfy them all. As long as you become my dog and bark nicely for me."

Before toying with a person's dignity, Ye Chen didn't mind putting on his most elegant facade.

"In that case..." Xu Ke seemed somewhat moved. "I have one demand. If you can agree to it, I'll be your running dog."

"Speak." Ye Chen smiled, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes.

What a pity. For a man with such spirit to bow his head so easily.

Siao Jia's expression grew ugly. If Xu Ke agrees, I'm dead for sure, aren't I?

From the shadows, Wang Wu frowned. Xu Ke doesn't seem like the type to bow his head...

Xu Ke remained silent, and Ye Chen waited patiently. He was enjoying this, savoring the process of his opponent's internal struggle and hesitation.

Ye Chen knew. The man's values must be violently colliding, collapsing, and reshaping, until he's finally reduced to a walking corpse.

After a long silence, Xu Ke finally spoke. "Young Master Ye, I've made up my mind..."

"What is it?" Ye Chen smiled.

Xu Ke grinned, the smile revealing stark white teeth. "My demand is the same as it was in the beginning... I just want to hear you call me daddy."

As his words fell, the air went still. Ye Chen's expression froze.

In an instant, the graceful smile he had worn twisted into a dark scowl. "You're courting death."

"Heh." Xu Ke didn't even bother with more trash talk.

"Break all four of his limbs and make him kneel at the gate of my villa," Ye Chen commanded, his voice as cold as a wind blowing from the Ninth Abyss. The temperature itself seemed to plummet.

"Yes, Young Master Ye." Uncle Zhong nodded slightly and stepped out from behind Ye Chen.

Seeing this, Xu Ke braced himself as if facing a formidable enemy.

"My defeated foes deserve to know my name. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Song Zhong," the man said, his voice low and his steps deliberate.

Hearing this, Xu Ke chuckled. "That's a damn fine name. For your own funeral?"

"No need to waste your energy on witty comebacks. Save your strength to endure the pain," Song Zhong said indifferently.

"Then make sure you pick a good place for your own funeral," Xu Ke retorted coldly.

Ignoring him, Song Zhong approached Xu Ke. "Don't struggle. It'll be over quickly."

"Not so fast. I want to watch for a bit longer," Ye Chen said nonchalantly.

"As you wish, Young Master Ye," Song Zhong replied.

Xu Ke took a deep breath, stomped his foot, and took the initiative to charge forward.

If I can't escape... then I might as well go down fighting!

"Good lad," Wang Wu murmured from the shadows, though the hesitation on his face deepened. Should I intervene or not...?

"Courting death." Ye Chen sneered. "He dares to attack Uncle Zhong? Who does he think he is?"

Siao Jia sneered contemptuously as well, but inwardly she breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness he didn't agree.

"Admirable courage." A mocking smile touched Uncle Zhong's lips as he watched Xu Ke charge straight at him.

Xu Ke put all his strength into a single punch, swinging it toward Uncle Zhong's face. The force of the blow flattened the Tang suit against Uncle Zhong's body.

THUMP.

The fist struck its target, right on Uncle Zhong's face. It landed!

But Xu Ke's heart plummeted. Hard. So hard.

Song Zhong revealed a ferocious smirk. "Too light, boy."

"You know," he continued, his smirk widening, "I wasn't always called Song Zhong. I trained in an external martial art until my body became as tough as a Golden Bell Shield. That's why they started calling me Song Zhong."

As he finished speaking, Xu Ke instinctively tried to retreat.

But Song Zhong's fist had already shot out...

THUMP!!

Xu Ke was struck by the punch and sent crashing to the ground. Mud splattered across his T-shirt as he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. Agony coursed through his entire body.

"Again." Song Zhong smiled as he approached.

Just then, his expression shifted dramatically.

A figure had appeared just a short distance in front of Xu Ke. It was Wang Wu, and he was staring silently at Song Zhong, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Siao Jia didn't recognize Wang Wu, but the expressions on both Ye Chen and Song Zhong's faces darkened. Why was he here?

"Uncle Wu, what brings you here?" Ye Chen stepped forward, forcing a faint smile. Wang Wu's existence wasn't public knowledge, but it was impossible for the Six Great Families to be unaware of him.

"I'm taking him with me," Wang Wu said indifferently.

I can't hold back any longer. If Song Zhong cripples him before his identity is revealed, this whole charade will have been for nothing.

Siao Jia was stunned, her expression growing even uglier. She didn't know who Wang Wu was, but she could clearly see the apprehension on the faces of Ye Chen and Song Zhong. Could this be Xu Ke's backer? she couldn't help but wonder.

"Take him away?" The smile never left Ye Chen's face. "Who do you want to take?" He could hardly believe it. Why would Wang Wu protect Xu Ke? What possible connection could they have? His mind raced as he tried to confirm what he was seeing.

But Wang Wu showed him no deference. "Have the brats from the Ye Family all gone deaf these days?"

Ye Chen's expression turned foul. For him, a direct descendant of the Ye Family, to be insulted so brazenly by Wang Wu... This is no different from the Wang Family slapping the Ye Family right in the face!

"Senior Wang," Song Zhong interjected, "could you give us a reason for taking this person?"

"You want a reason?" A mocking sneer replaced Wang Wu's earlier mild expression. His gaze swept over Xu Ke, lying in agony on the ground.

He turned his head back and sneered, "Is your Ye Family worthy of asking me for one?"

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