“Luoshui.” Yan Wanqing, who was busy fending off the swarm of admirers around her, couldn’t help but feel a surge of joy upon spotting two familiar figures. Pushing through the crowd, she went to greet them.
“Junior Zhang Fan, it’s been a while. Have you missed Senior Sister me at all?” Yan Wanqing walked over, linking arms with Qin Luoshui, and gave Zhang Fan a charming smile, her red lips parting slightly as she spoke.
Qin Luoshui, standing beside Yan Wanqing, watched her flirt with her boyfriend without the slightest bit of concern. Instead, a faint smile played on her lips.
Having spent a lot of time with Yan Wanqing, she knew that despite her outwardly sexy and open demeanor, even towards those who harbored intentions towards her, Yan Wanqing was actually a person with a very cold heart. It would be incredibly difficult to truly capture her attention.
“Why are you involved with this woman? She’s not a good person. You’d best stay away from her.” Zhang Fan ignored Yan Wanqing and spoke earnestly to Qin Luoshui.
“For Junior Brother Zhang Fan to say that, it truly makes one’s heart ache.” A hint of helplessness flickered across Yan Wanqing’s exquisite face upon hearing Zhang Fan’s words. She knew that her true nature had likely been seen through by Zhang Fan long ago.
Qin Luoshui simply smiled at Zhang Fan’s words, offering no reply.
…
Meanwhile, as Zhang Fan and the others were chatting, the group of young masters who had previously surrounded Yan Wanqing turned their attention towards them, filled with curiosity.
Who exactly was it that could make this mysterious, cold and beautiful woman smile so warmly?
“It’s Qin Luoshui?” Even the group of distinguished, arrogant young masters couldn’t help but change their expressions upon seeing this.
Previously, they had felt that this cold and beautiful woman had no significant background. No matter how aloof she appeared, she would have to bow before power. They still had a chance to win her affection.
But they never expected that this cold and beautiful woman was a friend of Qin Luoshui. Seeing this, all their subtle intentions instantly vanished into thin air.
Anyone who could befriend Qin Luoshui could not possibly have a simple background. Even without a background, the mere title of "Qin Luoshui's friend" was enough to make them wary.
After all, given their status, they did not dare to provoke this cherished jewel of the Qin family.
“Who is that guy? He’s with Qin Luoshui, and they seem quite intimate?” The group of young masters was also filled with curiosity, seeing Zhang Fan walking alongside Qin Luoshui.
However, what struck them as peculiar was that the man walking shoulder-to-shoulder with Qin Luoshui, whether in appearance, attire, or demeanor, was exceptionally ordinary. Even his bearing seemed casual, clearly not that of a disciple cultivated by a great family. They wondered what virtue or ability allowed him to be so close to the Qin family's cherished jewel.
What’s more, when they overheard Zhang Fan’s conversation, they were even more astonished. The cold and beautiful woman who had previously ignored them was now flirting with this seemingly ordinary young man.
…
As Zhang Fan and his companions chatted, in a corner of the banquet hall, four men were gathered, discussing how to plot against Zhang Fan.
Two of these men were known to Zhang Fan: Zhao Ji and Wei Tong. The other two were helpers Zhao Ji had sought out.
One of the men had a slightly thin face and a lean build. His hair was slicked back, and he wore gold-rimmed glasses. He appeared frail, yet no one dared to underestimate him.
This man was Chen Ningtian, the elder brother of Chen Yilong, and the heir to the Chen family’s next patriarch.
Though Chen Ningtian appeared delicate, he was adept at calculation and possessed a keen business mind. At a young age, he already controlled three listed companies with market values exceeding ten billion yuan. This allowed him, despite his background being slightly inferior to Zhao Ji and Wei Tong’s, to engage in conversation with them on equal footing.
The other man was the opposite of Chen Ningtian. He had a rugged appearance and a sturdy build, with arms as thick as Chen Ningtian’s thighs. Even without intentional effort, he exuded a subtle aura of ferocity, his furrowed brows and stern gaze commanding an inherent presence.
This man was Qi Xiangyu, the elder brother of Qi Jun.
“He served as an instructor in the Dark Unit and was even awarded the rank of Major General in the Army. He’s only in his twenties, yet he’s achieved such accomplishments. It’s no wonder he’s so arrogant,” Qi Xiangyu said in a deep, resonant voice, with a hint of admiration.
“To serve as an instructor in the Dark Unit means his strength is at least on par with mine, possibly even greater.” Although Qi Xiangyu was confident, he held a sense of awe for the legendary Dark Unit.
For even his master, the Sect Master of the Extreme Fire Sect, Xia Jihuo, who had already entered the Saint Domain, remained extremely wary of the Dark Unit.
“He is indeed very strong.” Wei Tong nodded with a grave expression. Although he hadn’t directly confronted Zhang Fan, the fact that Qi Jun, whose strength was comparable to his, had been crippled by a single finger from Zhang Fan was sufficient proof of his immense power.
“If he only relies on force, no matter how strong he is, he’s merely a brute. However, what makes him somewhat troublesome is his identity as a Major General of the Army.” Chen Ningtian said with slight disdain. No matter how strong one's martial arts, how could they contend with the state machinery?
Therefore, his concern was not Zhang Fan’s strength, but his identity and background. With the military backing him, even the Chen family would find it extremely difficult to deal with Zhang Fan.
“He’s just a Major General, and one who obtained his rank through a shortcut. He has no troops under his command and no real power. He’s less influential than some Colonels who manage military regions in their local areas.” Zhao Ji said with great disdain regarding Zhang Fan’s rank as a Major General.
“Although he lacks real power, as long as he holds this military rank, the Dark Unit will not ignore him. Have you forgotten about the Black Panther team incident last time?” Wei Tong reminded him.
“Heh heh, the Dark Unit is indeed someone we cannot afford to offend, nor can we control them. But there are those who do not fear the Dark Unit,” Zhao Ji said sinisterly, a cunning glint in his eyes.
“Are you referring to… my sister?” Wei Tong’s expression changed slightly, then he repeatedly shook his head. “I don’t intend to get involved in this matter anymore, and I don’t want to drag my sister into it.”
“Whether you get involved or not is beyond our control, but whether your sister gets involved, you might not be able to control,” Zhao Ji said, shaking his head.
Seeing Zhao Ji’s calm demeanor, Wei Tong understood that Zhao Ji had likely already sent someone to inform his sister. Given her personality, even if he wanted to stop her, he wouldn’t be able to.
“Indeed, if Wei Xiaowen intervenes, even the Dark Unit cannot stop her. If that’s the case, then let’s just wait for the game to begin,” Qi Xiangyu said.
…