Chapter 187: Backing Down

Amid the murmurs of the crowd, Fu Feifeng’s face gradually flushed with anger. It wasn’t the red of embarrassment but the furious red of unchecked rage.

For someone of his standing, to be slapped by a young man in full view at such a prestigious event was an unspeakable disgrace. If he couldn’t restore his reputation, he would forever be the butt of jokes, unable to raise his head again.

Bloodshot filled Fu Feifeng’s eyes as he glared venomously at Lin Xiao, covering his face with one hand while stepping back to put distance between them, guarding against another strike from Lin Xiao.

At this moment, words had lost all meaning, only blood could erase the stain of humiliation burning in Fu Feifeng’s heart.

With a fierce gesture and through gritted teeth, Fu Feifeng ordered, “Beat him up!”

His two bodyguards lunged at Lin Xiao.

Being a billionaire meant Fu Feifeng’s bodyguards were no ordinary individuals. Each was the cream of the crop, chosen from many through rigorous selection processes, with outstanding combat skills.

One bodyguard sprang up, aiming a kick at Lin Xiao’s head. The other crouched slightly, pushing off the ground forcefully, shooting forward like an arrow. His hands targeted Lin Xiao’s chest and abdomen in a coordinated high-low attack.

These bodyguards displayed formidable strength from the start. Their movements were swift as lightning, and their techniques direct and efficient, devoid of any flair–purely practical combat style.

Facing the dual onslaught from the bodyguards, Lin Xiao stood firm, his stance stable and unyielding as a mountain.

Even his gaze remained utterly unfazed.

Wan Caixuan, shielded behind Lin Xiao, also showed no emotion. As Fu Feifeng’s bodyguards made their move, she stepped back to maintain distance from Lin Xiao, ensuring she didn’t hinder his ability to respond.

Lin Xiao raised his bandage-wrapped left hand, executing a swift grab through the air.

The speed of Lin Xiao’s response wasn’t just twice as fast as the bodyguards’. It was incomparably faster.

The bodyguard had only just raised his leg for a kick at Lin Xiao’s head when his vision blurred—he caught only a shadow before Lin Xiao seized his ankle mid-air.

The sharp pain that shot through his ankle was the bodyguard’s first indication of Lin Xiao’s action. Startled, he twisted in the air, attempting another kick.

Lin Xiao let out a cold snort, his fingers tightening with tremendous force, bursting from his grasp.

With a crack, the bodyguard’s ankle bone was crushed by Lin Xiao, who then casually tossed him aside. The bodyguard’s heavy body flew across the room, landing on a table and flipping it over.

This entire sequence unfolded in a blink of an eye. Only after Lin Xiao had flung the first bodyguard did the second reach him.

With an effortless push of his other hand, Lin Xiao pinned the second bodyguard’s arms and delivered a kick to his abdomen. This bodyguard, too, was sent flying and skidded across the floor for several meters before stopping.

In an instant, Lin Xiao had nonchalantly neutralized two highly skilled bodyguards.

Lin Xiao’s demonstration of overwhelming strength captivated everyone’s attention, especially the bodyguards and security staff, who now viewed him with a deep sense of dread.

A real expert was among them.

This was the thought that arose in everyone’s minds after witnessing Lin Xiao in action.

“Mr. Fu, that slap was merely a warning,” Lin Xiao retracted his hands, his gaze shifting to Fu Feifeng. Despite the recent exertion, his breathing was still even. “My companion bears the surname Wan. I suggest you remember that.”

Fu Feifeng hadn’t snapped out of his shock, his anger simmering, as he sneered, “I don’t care if her surname is Wan or Qian. We’ve made an enemy today. Kid, you’d better watch your back from now on.”

Li Liancheng, observing Fu Feifeng’s inability to grasp the situation and fearing he might cause further disruption to the event, could no longer hold back. He swiftly approached Fu Feifeng and whispered a warning, “Fu Feifeng, Ms. Wan is from the Wan family.”

The Wan family!

These words seemed to wield a peculiar power, instantly clarifying the fog of rage clouding Fu Feifeng’s mind.

“Which Wan family?” Fu Feifeng’s body shook as he asked subconsciously.

“Which one do you think?” Li Liancheng looked at Fu Feifeng with a significant gaze.

“Could it be… the Wan family from the capital?” Fu Feifeng’s voice wavered.

“Yes, exactly the Wan family from the capital,” Li Liancheng sighed. “Ms. Wan is not just any member of the Wan family but a direct heir. That’s all I can tell you. What you do with this information is your choice.”

After speaking, Li Liancheng cast a glance toward Wan Caixuan and then stepped aside.

During the exchange between Li Liancheng and Fu Feifeng, all eyes were on them.

After Li Liancheng’s words, Fu Feifeng’s expression drastically changed; the rage that had been evident on his face disappeared, replaced by deep remorse and anxiety.

None in attendance were fools. From Fu Feifeng’s reaction, it was apparent that this young couple had a significant background. Otherwise, Fu Feifeng wouldn’t have been so visibly shaken.

Fu Feifeng swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry.

He hadn’t anticipated the magnitude of the backgrounds of the individuals he had unwittingly provoked.

The Wan family from the capital.

The combination of these words signifies wealth, power, and influence.

In comparison to the Wan family, he was merely a trivial shrimp.

What Fu Feifeng couldn’t grasp, however, was why such a prestigious young lady from the Wan family would attend such an event. Indeed, had he been more perceptive, he should have deduced Wan Caixuan’s background the moment Li Liancheng mentioned her name.

After all, Brilliant Aya Limited was part of the Wan family’s holdings, closely linked to them.

Yet, Fu Feifeng was so blinded by Wan Caixuan’s beauty that he failed to think it through, merely seeing her as an ordinary wealthy heiress, which led to the ensuing series of events.

At this point, Fu Feifeng was internally berating himself. How foolish it was to threaten the Wan family. It was akin to a rabbit challenging a tiger, seeking its own demise.

“Ms. Wan… I truly… am sincerely sorry!” Fu Feifeng, not daring to meet Wan Caixuan’s gaze, mumbled, “I was blind and couldn’t see Mount Tai, please…”

Fu Feifeng’s voice trailed off until he couldn’t continue.

If there had been a hole in the ground, Fu Feifeng would have dived in without a second thought.

But he had to apologize because the Wan family from the capital was an untouchable behemoth he couldn’t afford to provoke. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it would take Wan Caixuan no effort at all to deal with him.

Fu Feifeng actually apologized and backed down.

To all those witnessing this scene, it was an unbelievable moment.

Their perception of Lin Xiao and Wan Caixuan subtly shifted, almost as if an illustrious aura now enveloped the pair.

Wan Caixuan emerged from behind Lin Xiao, without so much as a glance at Fu Feifeng, and walked past him arm-in-arm with Lin Xiao.

From beginning to end, Fu Feifeng was never worth a second look to Wan Caixuan.

Chapter 188 Important news!

“Mr. Fu, let’s put an end to this matter. You wouldn’t hold a grudge against me for slapping you, right?” Lin Xiao took a few steps forward, stopping beside Fu Feifeng, and spoke indifferently.

Fu Feifeng breathed a sigh of relief, wiped the cold sweat from his face, and responded with a forced smile, “No, no, no, it was my fault for going too far. Getting slapped was deserved. How could I possibly blame you?”

While speaking to Lin Xiao, Fu Feifeng also used honorifics.

Although Fu Feifeng didn’t know Lin Xiao’s identity or background, anyone who could be in the company of Miss Wan from the Wan family and speak to her so casually couldn’t be an ordinary person, not to mention the terrifying skills Lin Xiao had shown earlier.

“You should get your two bodyguards some medical treatment quickly. I didn’t hold back, and if it’s treated too late, there might be lasting damage,” Lin Xiao remarked after glancing at the two bodyguards lying on the ground.

These two bodyguards were tough guys. One had his bones crushed by Lin Xiao, and the other suffered internal injuries from his kick. Yet, they both clenched their teeth, not uttering a sound.

“Understood, understood,” Fu Feifeng nodded repeatedly.

He felt no anger now, only relief. What was a slap in the face compared to one’s life and fortune?

Soon, some waitstaff came in, carried the two bodyguards out, and quickly cleaned up the broken tables, chairs, and dishes. The area was tidied up in just a few minutes.

“Why waste your breath on such riffraff?” Wan Caixuan’s arm rested on Lin Xiao’s, her shoulder leaning against his, whispering in a volume only the two of them could hear, “Such blind fools deserve to be taught a lesson.”

“I’ve already taught him a lesson. And ultimately, he didn’t do anything too outrageous.”

“His gaze made me uncomfortable. If someone dared to look at me like that in the Imperial Capital, I’d have someone gouge his eyeballs out,” Wan Caixuan said, her tone unmasking her disgust.

Hearing Wan Caixuan’s words, Lin Xiao stayed silent, unsure how to respond.

After the incident with Fu Feifeng, everyone in the banquet hall was secretly inquiring about Wan Caixuan’s identity. However, only a few knew who she really was, while most remained clueless.

People continued to come up to greet Wan Caixuan. They were polite but did not dare to stare, quickly excusing themselves after a few words of small talk.

Li Liancheng stayed by Wan Caixuan and Lin Xiao’s side, introducing them to other guests.

Li Liancheng didn’t become the wealthiest man in Jianghai City by luck. His success was due to his sharp mind, meticulous thinking, and knowing when to advance or retreat. After realizing Wan Caixuan’s identity, Li Liancheng keenly sensed an opportunity to ascend into the higher echelons of society, not just Jianghai City’s elite but the entire nation’s.

Li Liancheng had heard about the succession battles within the Wan family and knew how brutal these aristocratic family conflicts could be.

At this moment, if he could lend Wan Caixuan a helping hand, ensuring her future position as the primary heir of the Wan family, he would undoubtedly receive a generous reward.

Although Li Liancheng was the richest man in Jianghai City and a significant figure locally, his influence and power were limited outside of Jianghai City, not to mention across the whole nation or even just within Jiangnan Province.

Now, however, he saw an excellent opportunity to expand his influence and power.

“Miss Wan, may I ask you to step aside to a private room? I have a few words I’d like to discuss with you,” Li Liancheng, seizing an opportunity, said softly.

“Okay,” Wan Caixuan slightly nodded in agreement.

“Please follow me.”

Li Liancheng led the way, with Wan Caixuan and Lin Xiao following him to a side room adjacent to the banquet hall.

At the entrance of the side room stood two bodyguards, dressed in black suits, tall and imposing, with a cold demeanor and an aura of ferocity and iron-blooded toughness that only those who have fought and bled in battle possess.

As Lin Xiao approached, the two bodyguards’ bodies subtly tensed, their muscles tightened, recognizing a similar aura emanating from him.

The difference was that the iron-blooded aura surrounding Lin Xiao was much more intense than theirs.

Li Liancheng instructed, “Xiong Fei, Xu Zhan, guard the door. Without my permission, no one is allowed to enter this side room!”

“Yes,” the two bodyguards responded, opening the door for them.

After Wan Caixuan, Lin Xiao, and Li Liancheng entered the room, the door was closed again.

Li Liancheng gestured, “Miss Wan, Mr. Lin, please take a seat.”

Wan Caixuan sat down on the sofa and signaled Lin Xiao to sit next to her, then turned to Li Liancheng, “Mr. Li, you’re being quite cautious, it must be more than just a few words you wish to discuss?”

“Miss Wan, both our time is precious, so I’ll get straight to the point.” Li Liancheng took a deep breath and said bluntly, “May I ask, what are your chances in the Wan family’s succession battle?”

“Mr. Li, it seems you’re quite informed,” Wan Caixuan replied, maintaining her composure despite the unexpected question, her eyes reflecting contemplation. “Since you know so much, Mr. Li, why don’t you tell me what you think my chances are?”

Caught off guard by Wan Caixuan’s subtle counter-question, Li Liancheng laughed and spread his hands, leaning back on the sofa, “Miss Wan, please rest assured, I have no intention of probing. If you are willing, I’d like to propose a deal with you.”

“What kind of deal? Let’s hear it.”

“Although I don’t wield much power throughout the entire country, I do have some influence in Jinghai City. Miss Wan, you came to Jinghai City to take control of Brilliant Aya Limited, right? I can offer you my support.”

Behind his glasses, Li Liancheng’s eyes flashed with a sharp glint, “I know since you’ve arrived in Jinghai City, you’ve faced several assassination attempts. If it weren’t for Mr. Lin by your side, perhaps, Miss Wan, you would no longer be with us, right?”

Wan Caixuan’s expression darkened, her tone turning cold, “Your concern is unnecessary, but I’m curious, how did you come by this information?”

Lin Xiao also looked at Li Liancheng for the first time.

This city’s tycoon seemed to have more influence than he had imagined.

“Miss Wan, don’t forget I’m the local powerhouse of Jinghai City. To boast a little, nothing happens in Jinghai City without escaping my notice,” Li Liancheng said confidently, his hands crossed over his abdomen, “This is also why I dare to propose a deal with you.”

“And how do you plan to help me?”

“I will share with you a piece of information, extremely important information.”

Li Liancheng emphasized the words “extremely important” twice.

He confidently stated, “I know with Mr. Lin’s martial prowess, your personal safety is not a concern, but this information will be of great use to you, potentially turning defeat into victory and granting you the upper hand.”