Chapter 104: The Conflict Resurfaces!

“What’s the matter? Can’t handle losing?” Lin Xiao said nonchalantly.

“You got lucky this time and barely scraped a win. Don’t expect to be so fortunate next time.” Le Fangyun’s eyes glittered with malicious intent. “Also, be careful on your way home. Keep your eyes on the road, and watch out for accidents.”

“No need for your concern,” Lin Xiao said, his smile vanishing and his eyes turning cold. “I’ll give you some advice too. Don’t do anything foolish, or I can’t guarantee what will happen.”

“Hahaha, did you hear that? This nobody dare to threaten me?” Le Fangyun was momentarily taken aback by Lin Xiao’s words, then burst into laughter. “Such a lowly character, daring to threaten me?”

After laughing, Le Fangyun’s eyes narrowed, and he fixed Lin Xiao with a venomous stare, like a snake eyeing a frog.

“You made me lose face in front of all these people. Don’t even think about getting by in Jinghai City. Pack your things and leave while you can. If you’re lucky, I might even let you off the hook.”

Le Fangyun’s followers also rolled up their sleeves, glaring menacingly at Lin Xiao as if ready to fight at any moment.

Noticing Lin Xiao’s altercation with Le Fangyun, Chen Xue, standing nearby, subtly shifted his expression and discreetly stepped back, distancing himself from Lin Xiao. He knew Lin Xiao was a capable individual, but he seemed vastly inferior compared to top-tier rich kids like Le Fangyun, especially in terms of connections and financial power.

Lin Xiao was someone Chen Xue couldn’t afford to offend, but Le Fangyun was even more so. Thus, he chose to distance himself, making it clear that he was not aligned with Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao noticed Chen Xue’s slight movement but remained unperturbed. He understood that Chen Xue had merely made a choice that most people would make–a small man’s way of survival.

Meanwhile, Li Yunxi was far from pleased. She put her hands on her hips and stepped forward, exclaiming, “Le Fangyun, you certainly act mighty and domineering. Do you think that I, this lady, don’t exist?”

Le Fangyun’s gaze chilled. “Li Yunxi, this matter has nothing to do with you. Stay out of it.”

“Who says it has nothing to do with me?” Li Yunxi snorted coldly, a taunting smile crossing her face. “Have you forgotten something?”

Seeing Li Yunxi’s smirk, Le Fangyun’s heart filled with foreboding, and he snapped at her in frustration. “Li Yunxi, are you truly intent on going to extremes with this?”

“You’ve got it right. I am indeed set on burning all bridges. I’ve been annoyed with you for a long time.” Li Yunxi suddenly raised her voice, addressing everyone present, “Le Fangyun, do you plan to renege on our bet?”

In a flash, all eyes were on them.

“A bet? What bet?”

“You didn’t hear? Before the car race, young master Le and Miss Li wagered that the loser would have to shout ‘I am an idiot’ three times in front of everyone.”

“What? They made that bet? Who lost, then?”

“Isn’t it clear? Young master Le lost. That’s why he looks so distressed.”

“So that means young master Le must…”

“Shh, be quiet, don’t speak it out loud. Just watch.”

Cold sweat trickled down Le Fangyun’s back, his face turning red with rage. He hadn’t expected Li Yunxi to challenge him so openly. He glared at her, panting heavily, anger and humiliation consuming him.

“Young master Le, speak up. Why are you silent all of a sudden?” Li Yunxi was unafraid of Le Fangyun. “We’re all here, so speak quickly. Don’t keep me waiting.”

A collective gasp rippled through the onlookers. No one had expected Li Yunxi to be so bold.

Lin Xiao’s eyes flashed, and for the first time, he truly acknowledged Li Yunxi. Dealing with a villain required one to be even more villainous. If not, one risked being utterly consumed. Li Yunxi’s way of handling things seemed to resonate with Lin Xiao’s approach.

“Li Yunxi,” Le Fangyun hissed through clenched teeth, each word saturated with bone-deep hatred. “Don’t push it too far.”

“Too far?” Li Yunxi’s expression darkened. “I didn’t force you to bet with me. Now that you’ve lost, you accuse me of going too far? What about the people who lost to you before? The ones whose lives were ruined by you? The ones you’ve bullied and humiliated? Were you not too far with them?”

Li Yunxi’s string of rhetorical questions was cutting and commanding, stirring the onlookers to the point of near applause.

Le Fangyun’s face shifted between paleness and anger. Faced with Li Yunxi’s interrogation, he was rendered speechless. But to expect him to shout ‘I’m an idiot’? That was out of the question.

If he were to do that, he’d become a laughingstock in Jinghai City’s circle of wealthy elites. His reputation would be ruined. His thoughts raced, and he realized there was no peaceful way out of this. Anger bubbled up inside him, giving way to rash courage.

“You damn whore, I won’t pay up. What are you going to do about it?” Le Fangyun snapped, raising his hand to slap Li Yunxi’s face. “Don’t think your dirty money makes you special. You’re nothing to me.”

Li Yunxi was taken aback by Le Fangyun’s audacity and stood frozen, unable to dodge. Just as Le Fangyun’s palm was about to strike her smooth, jade-like cheek, an arm suddenly reached from the side, grabbing Le Fangyun’s wrist.

Who else could it be but Lin Xiao?

It wasn’t until this moment that Li Yunxi fully realized what had happened, and her pretty face flushed with anger.

“How dare you hit me?” Li Yunxi suddenly lifted her leg, delivering a powerful kick to Le Fangyun’s stomach. “You want a fight? I’m right here.”

Lin Xiao held Le Fangyun’s wrist tightly, leaving him unable to dodge. The kick landed solidly, forcing a grunt from him as his eyes bulged in pain.

“What are you standing around for? Attack him!” Le Fangyun yelled through the pain, clutching his stomach.

His followers and bodyguards, finally snapping to their senses, roared as they charged at Lin Xiao.

They were not as reckless as Le Fangyun and knew better than to touch Li Yunxi. They focused their attack on Lin Xiao, but Li Yunxi, standing protectively in front of him, inevitably became part of the fray.

Lin Xiao shook his head, helpless that this farce had devolved into violence.

With a firm grip on Le Fangyun’s wrist, Lin Xiao yanked him forward, then let go. Le Fangyun’s body flew through the air like a rag doll and hit the ground in an unceremonious heap.

By then, his followers and bodyguards were already charging in. Li Yunxi stood directly in their path. Despite trying to stay composed, a flicker of unease crossed her face.

Lin Xiao reacted instantly. He wrapped an arm around Li Yunxi’s slender waist and pulled her close. With a swift twist of his torso, he swept his left leg through the air.

A series of dull, heavy thuds followed. The first few assailants struck by his leg were sent flying before they even realized what hit them.