Soon, Liu Yangdong approached Chen Zheng.

Wei Zhao thought Chen Zheng would be easily subdued by Liu Yangdong and then thrown out. But an action by Liu Yangdong and his companions, like a bolt of lightning striking from a clear sky, froze Wei Zhao to the core.

He saw Liu Yangdong and the other members of the Liu Family drop to one knee like knights of old. With voices filled with reverence, they called out a title that made his heart stop: "Young Master Chen!" In such a crowded public space, they dared not reveal Grandmaster Chen's true identity, so they could only use the codename "Young Master Chen" to show their respect.

Yan Lili's heart began to pound like a war drum. She had met Liu Yangdong once before and knew his status was extraordinary. However, her nervousness was swiftly replaced by pure astonishment. It wasn't just her; everyone stared wide-eyed, unable to believe what Liu Yangdong and his men were doing.

"Brother Yang, could you have made a mistake...?" Wei Zhao's voice trembled pitifully.

At that moment, however, Liu Yangdong had no time to respond. He simply kept his head bowed in an extremely respectful posture.

"From the Liu Family?" Chen Zheng's voice was as cold as ice, making everyone shudder.

"Yes!" Liu Yangdong answered quickly.

Chen Zheng gave a slight nod. "Yan Lili is my sister."

"Greetings, Miss Yan!" Liu Yangdong and his men said respectfully.

"Ah?" Yan Lili stared blankly at the scene, as if waking from a dream. Is this a dream? Did they get the name wrong?

"As for those three," Chen Zheng said, a hint of satisfaction in his voice, his tone no longer as harsh, "you know what to do."

"Understood!" Liu Yangdong said deeply, rising to his feet.

"Throw them out!"

At the cold command, the members of the Liu Family sprang into action.

「Ding! Congratulations, Host, for successfully triggering a choice quest.」

「Option One: Throw Wei Zhao out and break his 'man root.' Reward: one Danger Warning Card.」

「Friendly Reminder: The card can be given to any user, allowing them to predict future danger.」

「Option Two: Forgive Wei Zhao. Reward: increased favorability with Wei Zhao.」

Hearing this, Chen Zheng made his choice without hesitation.

"Wait," he said indifferently, lifting his eyelids slightly.

Liu Yangdong and his men immediately stood at attention, awaiting Chen Zheng's command. Wei Zhao, Zhong Jiang, and Huang Yingying, however, were completely bewildered. What the hell is going on? Isn't he just some freeloader? How could he possibly have enough power to make someone like Liu Yangdong of the Liu Family bow to him?

Huang Yingying was in shock. She knew about Yan Lili's background—a girl from a small mountain village. How could she now command such respect from members of a top group in the Magic Capital, who addressed her as 'Miss'? It felt like the world had gone mad.

Amid their confused thoughts, Chen Zheng's voice finally cut through.

"Is he one of your Liu Family?"

"Yes," Liu Yangdong replied promptly.

"Not anymore."

Liu Yangdong immediately turned to Wei Zhao. "You're fired."

Like a thunderbolt from an angry god, the words struck Wei Zhao and his world collapsed. He had painstakingly clawed his way to the top, but now, a single sentence had destroyed everything. His foundation, his beliefs—all of it was torn to shreds. His mind went blank. He wanted to scream, to fight back, but fear paralyzed his soul. He now understood: the man he had humiliated was like the tip of an iceberg, with an unfathomable depth of power beneath the surface.

"Throw him out!" Liu Yangdong's voice was as merciless and resolute as a winter wind.

"How dare you!" Huang Yingying and Wei Zhao struggled in protest.

But their resistance was a flash in the pan. The men from the Liu Family, as fierce as tigers, quickly tossed them out the hotel doors. After shooting the trio a cold glare, they turned and went back inside. With faces as dark as storm clouds, Huang Yingying and Zhong Jiang glared at the hotel before trudging toward the parking lot.

Looking like an abandoned soul, Wei Zhao trudged disconsolately toward the parking lot. His heart felt like a barren wasteland, devoid of all hope and passion. When he reached his car, he found Zhong Jiang blocking his way like a phantom.

"What is it?" Wei Zhao asked, looking out from his car window. His eyes were indifferent, filled with weariness at the ways of the world. Having been through so much, he knew all too well how complex and fickle people could be. He fully expected a petty man like Zhong Jiang to kick him while he was down.

"Wei Zhao, are you really just going to accept being kicked out like this?"

Zhong Jiang's words, however, were not what he expected. They cut through him like a cold wind, catching him completely off guard.

He didn't think much before replying, "Heh, what can I do now?"

"Hmph... You think that guy will just let us off? Dashing will definitely be implicated. We'd be better off..."

Before Zhong Jiang could finish, Wei Zhao cut him off, his voice as cold as ice. "I'd advise you to drop any foolish ideas. That man is not someone you can play with."

VROOOM.

With a roar of the engine, Wei Zhao's car shot off like an arrow from a bow, leaving Zhong Jiang with nothing but the fading red streaks of its taillights.

Inside the car, Wei Zhao cursed angrily. What an absolute idiot! Even Liu Yangdong has to treat that man with the utmost respect, yet he's scheming against him? A complete and utter fool.

"Damn it! You coward!" Zhong Jiang roared at the departing car, his rage burning. "Yan Lili! It's all that bitch's fault we're in this mess!"

"Honey..." Huang Yingying cautiously approached to comfort him.

Struggling to contain his anger, Zhong Jiang asked, "Yingying, can you try to get Yan Lili to meet you again?"

Huang Yingying hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. "I'm afraid that'll be very difficult now."

"You have to find a way to get her to come out!" Zhong Jiang's voice grew louder. "Do you really think her brother will let us off the hook? If you can't get to her, Dashing will be destroyed, and you'll lose the comfortable life you have now!"

Huang Yingying's expression faltered. Panic rose in her at the thought of losing her wonderful life. She clenched her fists. "I'll have to try again. But it will have to wait until tomorrow."

Zhong Jiang just nodded silently. The two of them drove out of the parking lot.

「Ding! Congratulations, Host, on making your choice. Reward: one Danger Warning Card.」

「Kind Reminder: The card can be given to any user, allowing them to foresee future danger.」

Back in the banquet hall, Chen Zheng heard the system prompt but paid it no mind.

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