Chapter 15: Do as You See Fit!

At this moment, inside the bar.

Wang Xinyan held a slim lady’s cigarette between two elegant fingers, exhaling smoke rings toward the two men before her, both surrounded by an aura of importance like stars orbiting the moon.

“You want me to pay two hundred million?” she asked, narrowing her phoenix-like eyes, a plume of smoke drifting toward the angry-faced middle-aged man on her left.

Her insolence made the man tremble with rage. He shot to his feet from the sofa. “Wang Xinyan, don’t think you’re untouchable just because you’re from the Wang family of Shangdu! My son’s legs are ruined, and he’s still unconscious. Asking you for two hundred million is already generous. If it were anyone else, I’d have made sure he disappeared without a trace!”

This man was none other than Zhang Kangcheng, father of Zhang Feilong and CEO of Jiangcheng Kang’an Real Estate. The other middle-aged man was, in fact, Zuo Hongshan.

After his son’s accident, Zhang Kangcheng hadn’t acted immediately. A seasoned businessman, he first made inquiries about Feiyang Bar. Given the audacity of those who had crippled his son, he guessed this was no simple matter. What he learned shocked him: his adversary was from the illustrious Wang family of Shangdu, a powerful clan known throughout the capital as titans among the elite. Reluctant to let the matter drop, he secured Zuo Hongshan’s support at the cost of a valuable plot of land, hoping Zuo would intervene on his behalf.

Zuo Hongshan, however, was there more for appearances, his interest piqued only by the land he’d gained. He had no intention of clashing directly with the Wang family; his aim was to smooth things over quietly.

But when Zhang Kangcheng demanded two hundred million in compensation, Zuo’s brows furrowed. If the request had been for a few million as medical expenses, Zuo would have gladly mediated, perhaps even resolving the matter amicably. Now, however, it seemed Zhang Kangcheng was using him as a shield, and Zuo, keeping his composure, spoke up: “Brother Zhang, let’s all sit down and talk this through. I believe Miss Wang is a reasonable person.”

“Master Zuo, I invited you here to speak for me, not for the other side!” Zhang Kangcheng replied, his tone tinged with dissatisfaction. He refused to meet Zuo’s gaze, unwilling to believe that his considerable sacrifice—an asset worth billions—would buy him nothing more than a spectator.

“Are you certain you want two hundred million from me?” Wang Xinyan exhaled another smoke ring. “I’m genuinely curious—what are your useless son’s legs made of, that each is worth a hundred million?”

Zuo Hongshan leaned back, crossing his legs and puffing on his cigarette, making it clear he would not intervene further.

Zhang Kangcheng’s face darkened. He’d hoped to leverage Zuo’s influence, but now it seemed Zuo was reluctant to challenge the Wang family. If this continued, Zuo might even switch sides, making his grand gesture not only futile but costly. His bold approach had been driven by two motives: to avenge his son and to recoup his lost land.

As he hesitated, a man sidled up to him—Huang Jie—who whispered urgently into his ear, still nursing an injured hand.

Wang Xinyan’s brows arched as she watched Huang Jie. The nerve of him to show his face here! She felt a sudden sense of foreboding.

True to her instinct, Zhang Kangcheng’s expression shifted several times before he gritted his teeth and made a difficult decision, turning to Zuo Hongshan.

“Master Zuo, forget the two hundred million. I won’t trouble Miss Wang again. But today she must hand over one person—the real culprit!”

Zuo Hongshan’s eyes flickered as he smoked. While he was wary of crossing the Wang family, others were fair game. If things could be settled this way, it was a satisfactory outcome.

He said, “Miss Wang, since this matter doesn’t concern you directly, it’s easily resolved. Brother Zhang has made his position clear. Don’t you think it’s time to put this to rest? Please hand over the person responsible.”

Wang Xinyan shot Huang Jie a cold glare. She’d intended to shoulder the blame alone, and no amount of whispering would change that.

But before she could speak, a ponytailed girl behind her stepped forward. “You think you can just demand my cousin hand someone over? Who do you think you are?” she challenged.

She strode forward, her sharp gaze sweeping across the room. Her fitted outfit accentuated her full figure, and her crisp, capable air made her all the more striking.

Huang Jie, unable to tear his eyes away from her, swallowed hard but dared not linger. With a look of schadenfreude, he slipped away.

Her entrance drew the attention of both Zuo Hongshan and Zhang Kangcheng.

“And who might you be, miss?” Zuo asked, a hint of sly curiosity in his eyes.

“She is my cousin, Lin Jie’er,” Wang Xinyan replied coolly.

“Ah,” Zuo mused to himself. He’d investigated Wang Xinyan thoroughly: though she hailed from the Wang family, she was not especially favored by them. That was why he’d dared to get involved. As long as no more Wang family members appeared, he felt secure. Outwardly, however, he remained impassive. “Since Brother Zhang invited me here today, Miss Wang, perhaps you could show a little goodwill and bring this matter to a close.” His words carried a subtle warning—Jiangcheng was, after all, his territory.

“Miss Wang, I hear that person is just a bartender at your bar. Why risk so much for a mere employee?” Zhang Kangcheng said angrily. Huang Jie’s whispered embellishments had revealed to him that someone else was involved in his son’s injury. He could do nothing to Wang Xinyan, but a bartender was another matter. Seeing her shield that person only fueled his resentment.

“I told you—I crippled your useless son’s legs. Do you think I lack the ability?” Wang Xinyan fixed Zhang Kangcheng with a frigid stare.

Rage burned in him, but he could find no recourse. He looked helplessly at Zuo Hongshan.

Zuo’s face darkened as well. If only she would hand over the culprit, all would be well. But it was clear she had no such intention. As a major player in the Jiang region, he had his pride. Seeing Wang Xinyan slight him again and again, his patience wore thin.

“Miss Wang, if you really can’t turn over that person, so be it. With my connections in Jiangcheng, it won’t be hard to find him. Don’t blame me for what happens then.”

“Is that a threat?” Wang Xinyan arched a brow. She knew Zuo Hongshan’s reputation well. She was not afraid, but this was not Shangdu.

“Cousin, why bother wasting words? If they want to settle things with their fists, so be it. My hands are itching for a workout!” Lin Jie’er rolled up her sleeves, hands on hips, and pointed at the burly bodyguards.

Zuo Hongshan signaled to Jiang Kun at his side. He didn’t mind making an example.

The bald-headed “Eagle King” Jiang Kun strode forward, his gaze icy as he faced Lin Jie’er, who looked like a child before him.

Lin Jie’er refused to back down, lifting her chin and preparing to strike.

“Jie’er, you’re no match for him. Stand down,” Wang Xinyan intervened. Though she herself was not trained in martial arts, years in the Wang family had given her a discerning eye.

She turned to Zuo Hongshan and Zhang Kangcheng. “I’ve said it already—I did it. No one else was involved. I’ll pay two million as medical expenses. If that’s not enough, I’m ready to see this through to the end.”

Zhang Kangcheng’s face went white with fury. “Wang Xinyan, sparing you the two hundred million is already showing you respect. All I ask is for you to hand someone over. Is that so hard? Two million? You think I care about that paltry sum? If you don’t give up the person, your bar will never open again!”

Driven to desperation, he was ready to burn everything to the ground for vengeance.

Zuo Hongshan, too, was angered by her defiant words. “Fine! Let’s see if you’ll hand him over or not!” He rose to his feet, eyes cold, his presence radiating menace.

“Jiejie, since they’re so eager to see me, why not let them?” A calm voice sounded.

At that moment, the bar’s main doors opened. The black-clad bodyguards stationed outside were flung inside like a tide breaking on the shore.

Everyone inside held their breath.

Chen Yuyi appeared in the doorway.

The “Eagle King” Jiang Kun’s usually impassive face changed color, his breath quickening—he could sense Chen Yuyi’s strength had grown even more terrifying.

Wang Xinyan suddenly realized she’d forgotten to call Chen Yuyi and warn him not to come. She hurried to take his hand, whispering, “Xiao Yu, stay out of this. Don’t do anything rash. Leave everything to me.”

Chen Yuyi smiled gently, patted her hand, then stepped into the center of the room, his cold gaze settling on Zhang Kangcheng.

“I was the one who crippled your son Zhang Feilong. Didn’t you want to find me? Here I am.”

“So it’s you, you little wretch!” Zhang Kangcheng’s eyes flashed with hatred—he wanted nothing more than to tear Chen Yuyi apart.

But Chen Yuyi ignored him, turning instead to Zuo Hongshan. “Jiejie is my sworn sister. If I hadn’t appeared, were you planning to lay a hand on her?”

Zuo Hongshan’s expression shifted rapidly, his aura of authority vanishing. He hadn’t expected it to be this young man. “You did this?”

Chen Yuyi nodded calmly. “The choice is yours. Do as you see fit.”

“My apologies,” Zuo Hongshan said suddenly.

Everyone in the room was stunned, especially Zhang Kangcheng, whose face turned livid. He nearly roared, “Zuo Hongshan! Who is this boy that you would apologize to him? Are you not the boss of Jiangzhong anymore?”

But Zuo ignored him, turning to Chen Yuyi. “I’ll handle this for you.”

Then his gaze, cold as ice, fixed on Zhang Kangcheng…