Perhaps because she had been humiliated by Sheng Kai, Gu Ziling returned to the Gu family in the night, but was sent back next morning.

  According to the Gu family, it was already decided that she would be a fiancée of the Sheng family.

  Or their merchandise, to be precise.

  “Ziling, don’t act spoiled when Old Mister Sheng still dotes on you. Second Young Master might not be as outstanding as the Crown Prince, he is now the head of the family. Who would you marry if not him?”


  That was Mama Gu’s advise to her when Gu Ziling returned home.

  “You don’t get to choose!”


  “I’ll listen to you.” Gu Ziling closed her eyes, wanting nothing more to pretend that was all a dream.

  “You hold so many secrets, Ziling. Be careful not to expose yourself…


  Upon learning that Gu Ziling sneaked home, Old Sheng asked her, “Has my hospitality been lacking?”


  “That’s not it, Grandpa Sheng. Mommy was ill last night and called me. That’s why I hurried home and I didn’t have the time to tell you.” Gu Ziling quickly explained while carefully avoiding Sheng Kai’s gaze, while adding, “Anyway, you should decide on my marriage, Grandpa Sheng.”


  Old Sheng was relieved when he heard that. “Don’t worry. I’ve always considered that you would be a matriarch of the Sheng family in the future, and you would manage our affairs.”


  “Since you two already couldn’t wait for it, I would meet your parents soon to decide on the wedding.”


  Sheng Kai, however, was confused.

  He was not exactly being sugary around Gu Ziling last night. Could it be because of what he said?

  Why would she still be willing?

  Nonetheless, Gu Ziling did not bother to look at how Sheng Kai was reacting, since they were getting married regardless of whether she would give him face. Therefore, it was much better to keep herself in a good mood.

  And having seen the pair’s interaction from a corner, Third Brother couldn’t help exclaiming to Sheng Kai, “I really can’t tell if Eight Brother leaving is a blessing or torment for you.”


  “Are you aware that grandfather had sent people to investigate Eighth Brother?” Sheng Kai asked in return.

  “He’s still not letting it go?”


  “It probably won’t be that simple.” Sheng Kai shook his head. “With how Grandpa is behaving now, he would want to humiliate and get payback from Eighth Brother even more.”


  “He really takes things too hard.” Third Brother couldn’t help sighing, while hoping that the old man did not find out anything or he would definitely die from the surprise.

  Still, how was Sheng Xiao not aware that there were people mounting investigations against him? Nonetheless, the Shen family was shielding him so that he just had to continue being their shut-in penniless son-in-law, while Old Shen would help cover up other matters.

  Moreover, Papa Sheng has started worked at Zhongteng as well, with Mama Sheng clearing a room for him to be used as an office in their house. She was only too pleased to find him regaining his old confidence.

  ***

  There was a cold breeze that brushes on the cheek in the evening for the day.

  Sheng Xiao has a scheduled dinner with Secretary He at a hotel, and he only had Xu Che with him on this trip.

  At a single glance, Xu Che looked like a teenager with no fight in him to speak of.

  Who could tell that he could break a hand with just a little movement?

  He and Sheng Xiao entered a private cubicle when several rich sons of Jianchuan saw Sheng Xiao and broke into a discussion.

  “Was that the Crown Prince of Huang Yao who just went in there?”


  “What do you mean, Crown Prince? Did you think that he still calls the shots? There’s a different Crown Prince now!”


  “I never forgot. He hung me out to dry at the mountain behind my home. I almost died!”


  The three rich kids of Jianchuan shared a glance, immediately coming to an agreement.

  “Since he hurt you so much, it’s really a waste of destiny now that we ran into him out of such coincidence.”


  Hence, the trio went out in tandem, promptly opening the door to the Sheng Xiao’s cubicle.

  “Oh, isn’t this the Crown Prince of Huang Yao? What a coincidence…”


  “Crown Prince, do you even have the money to come to a high-class hotel like this?”


  The trio entered the private cubicle, further losing restraint when they found that there was only Sheng Xiao and another kid. They sat down around the round table, and it was clear from how full of themselves that they did not come here casually.

  Sheng Xiao, who had been reading through some reports passed it to Xu Che behind him when they showed up. “Put it away.”


  “Understood.”


  “Still acting like you’re some serious person? There’s no one around, so stop pretending…”


  “Just say what you need to say.” Noting the time and knowing that Secretary He would arrive soon, Sheng Xiao had no intention of letting the trio affect their mood for discussion.

  The lanky rich kid amongst them narrowed his eyes at Sheng Xiao. “Do you remember how you got some people to hang me up on a tree just three years ago? I would never forget that for the rest of my life.”


  “What? You want to get hung again?” Sheng Xiao asked in return.

  The rich kid’s embarrassment turned into rage and he slammed his hand heavily on the table. “What are you now? How dare you talk to me like that! Believe it or not, I could get people to harass you every day!”


  Sheng Xiao turned to give Xu Che a look before smiling. “Really? I’m a little scared now. Do tell me what would make you happy again.”


  “Simple. Crawl below my trousers… or just kneel in front of me and yell ‘I was wrong’! Then I would consider letting you go. After all, the entire Sheng family is out for your blood, and you probably wouldn’t have the balls to fight back either!”


  Sheng Xiao chuckled at the man’s words.

  “Don’t you remember why I hung you up a tree? You were harassing a stewardess at a hotel. Who do I hang if not you?”


  “That’s in the past. Do you still have the gall to strut around in front of me now? I’m calling in my people right away!”


  “There’s just three of you, and two of us. And you still have to call for others?” Sheng Xiao asked.

  “What? Kneel if you’re afraid!”


  The trio was clearly ready for a fight, with their heads tilted upward with the pride and insolence all rich kids had.

  “Sure, kneel!”


  Sheng Xiao, however, did not mention who was going to do the kneeling. He looked behind at Xu Che once then, and simply instructed, “No need to get too serious.”


  Xu Che nodded, still remaining impassive.

  The trio all broke out in laughter. “Still putting on airs when you’re like this?” One of them said. “Acting no different from before just because you have a lackey…”


  Even before he finished, Xu Che had already gone up and slammed him to the ground with a suplex.

  He moved so quickly that no one saw when he got there.

  In fact, the other two were about to speak but Xu Che had already kicked them to the ground, where their faces contorted in agony.