Chapter 67: Lord Hai Steps Forward

He Tian was equally astonished! He hadn't expected Wang Xinyou to slap the man so decisively! In fact, if Wang Xinyou hadn't acted, He Tian would have. That so-called Young Master He’s words were simply outrageous! He Tian did not fear rumors about him living off Wang Xinyou; as he had demonstrated before Huang Zhiwen, he didn't care in the slightest. Even if everyone present learned of it, it wouldn't bother him at all.

But when that despicable Young Master He dragged Wang Xinmeng into it and uttered such shameless slander, he crossed He Tian’s bottom line. Still, He Tian knew better than to offend this so-called young master too openly; he intended to deal with him quietly, from the shadows.

If Lan Ji had been present, she would have immediately understood He Tian’s intentions. In a fit of rage, there was nothing He Tian wouldn’t do. But while He Tian acted with strategy, Wang Xinyou was not so calculating. That was why she lashed out with a slap.

Especially after learning of her father's death, Wang Xinyou had come to truly understand how important her sister was as family. Now, not only was she being slandered, but her sister was being dragged through the mud as well. In that instant, Wang Xinyou snapped. If Li Yingying hadn’t held her back, she might have hit Young Master He again, this time with both hands.

“How dare you hit me!” Young Master He roared in fury, his eyes wild like a wounded beast. He lunged forward, clearly unconcerned that Wang Xinyou was a woman—he was determined to regain his dignity.

But as he rushed forward, He Tian shot out a kick, sending Young Master He flying backward. He crashed into several tables and toppled more than a few chairs. Several female guests shrieked in alarm.

Huang Zhiwen’s face flickered between gloom and delight. He hadn’t expected He Tian to be so bold and skilled! He rejoiced, thinking that now Young Master He would truly become He Tian’s enemy—Wang Xinyou’s as well. Even though Young Master He was no longer as powerful as before, an emaciated camel is still bigger than a horse; how could he endure today’s humiliation? He would surely seek revenge, perhaps even go mad with it. That was exactly what Huang Zhiwen wished for. With his own abilities, he could do little against Wang Xinyou, but Young Master He was a different story. In Huang Zhiwen’s mind, if Young Master He wanted to deal with Wang Xinyou—or even the entire Wang family—it would be a simple matter.

He Tian strode toward Young Master He, his face dark. He knew he could not do anything too drastic to Young Master He in front of so many people, but he could at least humiliate him and then finish him off quietly later.

Suddenly, two figures darted forward at great speed. He Tian heard the wind-whistling sound of their movement and immediately sensed their strength and speed—no ordinary men could cut through the air like that.

Yet He Tian was unfazed. Spinning around, he lashed out with both fists. Two dull thuds sounded, followed by two groans. The two attackers were sent flying even faster than they had come, tumbling through the wreckage and landing hard on the floor.

They scrambled to their feet, clutching their arms, wanting to charge again but not daring to. He Tian looked at them with disdain, then turned back toward Young Master He.

At that moment, Master Hai and several others, alerted by the commotion, came out from the villa. Seeing the scene, Master Hai called out to He Tian.

“Brother He, you’re just in time! I have no idea what sort of character this is—he came up to me, accusing me of being a kept man, living off a woman, boasting about his wealth and saying he’d get his starlets to keep me! He even asked if the Wang sisters were both supporting me! Xinyou slapped him, but he tried to hit her back! How could I not beat someone like that?” He Tian’s voice was stern. “Brother Hai, don’t stop me.”

He Tian’s words left the guests stunned. They had really believed He Tian was just a pretty boy for sale. But now they realized that was far from the truth. Seeing the way he and Master Hai addressed each other as brothers, even a fool could tell how slanderous Young Master He’s earlier accusations had been. No one knew He Tian’s background, but it was clearly extraordinary. How could someone so remarkable tolerate such insults? Not even from Young Master He.

The mood among the guests shifted dramatically. Many muttered to themselves: Young Master He was not the man he used to be, but his arrogance and lack of reason hadn’t changed a bit!

“Do me a favor, don’t fight,” Master Hai said, stepping forward and patting He Tian on the shoulder with a jovial smile. “Let me mediate. We’re all brothers here—can’t we talk this out?”

He Tian was Master Hai’s key participant in his year-end racing event. Naturally, Master Hai wanted to maintain good relations with him. He Tian’s mercenary background and impressive skills—much of which Master Hai had yet to discover—made him even more eager to deepen their connection, perhaps even recruit He Tian for himself.

However, Young Master He was also someone Master Hai had always wanted to win over. Thus, he could only try to avoid offending either side.

Young Master He struggled to his feet. He no longer felt the pain in his face, but the ache in his abdomen kept him from standing straight. He Tian’s kick had been brutal.

“I’ll trust you, Brother Hai,” He Tian said, instantly relaxing and stepping aside.

Master Hai was pleased with He Tian’s quick compliance. After all, having vouched so publicly for He Tian, if He Tian didn’t back down, Master Hai would lose face. But now, He Tian had preserved his dignity perfectly.

“Old He, when will you change your temper? We’re all brothers—how did things get so out of hand? Ah Kun, help Young Master He to the villa and check his injuries. Set a table with good food and the finest wine,” Master Hai instructed.

“Yes, sir!” Ah Kun stepped forward, supporting Young Master He. “Please come in, Young Master He. I’ll check your injuries.”

“Brother, bring Miss Wang and your friends inside. It’s my fault—I forgot to tell you to come straight to the villa when you arrived,” Master Hai said apologetically at He Tian’s side.

“How could it be your fault?” He Tian replied with a smile. “I’m just sorry for disrupting your gathering.”

“Haha, don’t mention it! Leave it to me,” Master Hai said, giving He Tian’s shoulder another friendly pat.

He Tian smiled and, not standing on ceremony, brought Wang Xinyou, Li Kai, and Li Yingying into the villa.

Soon after, when Master Hai entered the villa, everything outside had returned to normal. Young Master He’s two bodyguards were taken away by Master Hai’s men to have their injuries tended to. The broken tables and chairs were immediately replaced. The spilled food and wine were swiftly cleared away, and new dishes, pastries, and bottles of fine wine were brought out. The banquet resumed as if nothing had happened. But the clusters of guests whispering among themselves proved that the incident would not easily be forgotten.

Especially Huang Zhiwen—he now felt a bit dizzy. He had been so pleased, sure that Young Master He would deal with He Tian and Wang Xinyou, only to discover that He Tian was so familiar with Master Hai. Now Huang Zhiwen realized just how grave a mistake he had made, and how laughable it was to assume He Tian was living off Wang Xinyou.

Inside Master Hai’s villa, the guests he had been entertaining personally had already left. Among them, He Tian spotted Lin Guang, but the two only exchanged a nod—no words were spoken. Now was not the time for conversation. Especially for a businessman like Lin Guang—showing any enthusiasm for He Tian now might inadvertently offend Young Master He, and that was something Lin Guang would never risk.

He Tian sat with Wang Xinyou, Li Kai, and Li Yingying. He hadn’t wanted Li Kai and Li Yingying to be involved, knowing that by following him in, they would be fully implicated. But Li Kai was determined, and Li Yingying followed him closely. He Tian had no choice but to let them join him.

Ah Kun was examining Young Master He’s injuries. Young Master He lay on the sofa, still glaring at He Tian, his eyes full of hatred. Even though he now realized how outrageous his earlier words had been, and hadn’t expected He Tian and Master Hai to be so close, none of that mattered to him anymore. What mattered was that he had suffered utter humiliation today. If he couldn’t reclaim his honor, he would never survive in Tianhai’s circles again.

When Master Hai entered, Ah Kun had already helped Young Master He to the sofa, and the pain on his face had faded.

“Haha, what a case of the flood waters rushing into the Dragon King’s temple—members of the same family not recognizing each other! Brother He, Young Master He, come, come!” Master Hai sat down at a newly placed round table, already laden with a sumptuous feast.

“Brother Hai, this is quite a spread!” He Tian said, leading Wang Xinyou, Li Kai, and Li Yingying to their seats with a cheerful smile.

Under Master Hai’s watchful eye, Young Master He also took his seat. Ah Kun, like a servant, poured wine for everyone.

“This must be Young Master Li,” Master Hai said to Li Kai with a friendly smile.

“You recognize me, Master Hai?” Li Kai asked in surprise.

“Haha, look again—I almost didn’t recognize you! When your father was transferred to Tianhai, you were only about twelve or thirteen. I visited your father back then and met you. To be honest, you’ve changed a lot since you were a child!” Master Hai said jovially.

He Tian was a little surprised. Master Hai’s demeanor now was quite different from when he had first met him—there was no arrogance or condescension. Looking at Li Kai, He Tian realized that Li Kai’s background was much more than simply being the son of the director of the Construction Bureau.