Chapter 41: A Tangle of Toasts and Banter (Part 2)

Xia Zimo swept his gaze across the crowd. Then, he recounted the incident of the underground trading venue’s hostage situation, describing it vividly, though he had not been present himself—he had only heard about it from the elders in his family. It so happened that one of his uncles had witnessed the event firsthand, so Xia Zimo knew the details quite well, and he had long harbored deep admiration for the esteemed Chen.

After hearing the story, everyone was silent for a long time, as if they had just watched a film; they all found it almost unbelievable.

“To think that with a single small card, one could take the heads of seven people at once—this is simply miraculous!”

After the silence, voices of astonishment rose.

“I’ve heard that some martial artists can harm people with flying leaves, but to use a card to take heads? That’s a first!”

“I find it hard to believe—he didn’t just take one person’s head, but seven at once. Is that even humanly possible?”

“Everyone, don’t think this is some movie story. I can tell you with certainty, it’s all true, absolutely real!” Ke Rui spoke with a serious expression, as his own relative had been there that day.

He continued, “There’s another matter—a mystery in River City. Most believe it’s connected to the esteemed Chen.”

“What is it?” The crowd’s interest was piqued.

“Ke, I know what you’re about to say, but I think it’s best you don’t mention it,” Xia Zimo interjected suddenly, his face solemn.

Ke Rui seemed to reconsider, “Xia, you’re right. This matter hasn’t spread widely; best not to bring it up.”

“But what is it?” The crowd’s curiosity was now thoroughly aroused.

“Enough, let’s keep drinking. You’ve heard about the esteemed Chen from Xia. Come, let’s toast to the Young Master Yan!” Ke Rui raised his glass, trying to steer the conversation away.

Yet the crowd stared at him, unmoving—even Yan Hongyi watched him with keen curiosity.

Bao Hongxuan stood up with a laugh, “Ke, you stopped halfway and left us hanging. Even Young Master Yan wants to hear more; you might as well finish the story.”

Ke Rui’s hand holding the glass froze, uncertain whether to advance or retreat.

Xia Zimo shook his head helplessly; since he’d started this, he didn’t want Ke Rui to be stuck.

“If everyone is so interested, Ke, let me tell it. You sit down.”

Ke Rui chuckled and withdrew his hand, “No matter—since I brought it up and everyone is so eager, I’ll go on. If the esteemed Chen takes offense, you and I can share the blame.”

Yan Hongyi wiped sweat from his brow, “Go ahead, tell us everything. If this person is as formidable as you say, I’d like to meet him.”

Xia Zimo smiled and sat down.

Ke Rui grew solemn, “There’s a real estate company in River City called Kang’an Properties. Have any of you heard of it?”

“I have! The boss, Zhang Kangcheng, invested in property in Lower River a couple of years ago—it caused quite a stir,” one young man interested in real estate nodded.

“Yes, it even made the news on the city’s TV station. Why bring him up, Ke? What connection does he have to the esteemed Chen?” asked a lady with elegant bearing.

Ke Rui shook his head, “He himself has no connection to the esteemed Chen, but did you know that Zhang, along with his family, vanished overnight? Their mansion was reduced to ashes in a single night!”

“What? Why wasn’t this reported?” The young men and women found it hard to believe such a major event had happened in River City.

“Reported? Incidents like that aren’t made public so easily!” Xia Zimo interjected.

The elegant lady glanced at him, “Xia, does this have anything to do with the esteemed Chen?”

She didn’t ask the storyteller, but Xia Zimo, leaving Ke Rui a bit helpless. He gestured, “Xia, you might as well continue.”

Xia Zimo took over, eager to speak about the esteemed Chen, whom he admired with utmost reverence.

“As for whether the esteemed Chen was involved, our elders only speculate. They say perhaps Zhang Kangcheng offended him, and the esteemed Chen annihilated his entire family overnight. Of course, there’s no evidence, but the rumor is widespread, and everyone warns their people not to provoke the esteemed Chen.”

“To wipe out a whole family in one night—how terrifying!” Some ladies patted their chests, shocked and fearful.

“Ruthless!” The young men echoed the sentiment.

“So now, among our elders, the esteemed Chen is a taboo, yet they all yearn to meet him. After all, who wouldn’t want to know such a person? Besides, it’s wise to be cautious, lest they offend him inadvertently. So, behind the scenes, they spend heavily to trace his whereabouts!” Xia Zimo’s eyes shone with worship for the esteemed Chen.

“This is truly holding life and death in his hands. But what about controlling fate?” The elegant lady, Xiang Xuerou, remembered Xia Zimo’s earlier phrase and blinked her clear eyes at him.

“Yes, what did you mean by that?” prompted the others, now eager to know.

Xia Zimo smiled at her, but didn’t answer. He glanced at the crowd. “Another interesting thing happened in River City.”

“Tell us!” Yan Hongyi, seeing Xia Zimo pause, raised his flowered handkerchief and called out.

“Come on, Xia, don’t keep us in suspense!” the others chimed in.

Xia Zimo cleared his throat again.

“You’ve heard about annihilation in one night—now let me tell you about overnight prosperity!”

He slowly stepped out from his seat and circled the group.

“Have you ever seen a dingy little noodle shop turn into a bustling, crowded hotspot overnight? And the patrons are all wealthy, willing to queue for a whole day just for a bowl of beef noodles!”

“How could that be? Rich people at a little hole-in-the-wall? I doubt anyone here would set foot in such a grimy place. That sounds like something out of a TV drama,” several young men shook their heads in disbelief.

The ladies wrinkled their brows, “I wouldn’t go there for anything!”

Only Xiang Xuerou rested her chin in her palm, waiting for Xia Zimo to continue.

“But it really happened in our River City!”

“This has something to do with the esteemed Chen, doesn’t it?” Xiang Xuerou interjected.

“Miss Xiang is absolutely right—the esteemed Chen once ate noodles there!” Xia Zimo replied with a gentle smile.

“Just because he ate there, it turned into that kind of scene?” Many were incredulous.

“That’s exactly it. Somehow, word spread that the esteemed Chen used to frequent the place. People started waiting there every day, and soon enough, the noodle shop was crowded. When the esteemed Chen personally praised their beef noodles, it became so popular that getting a seat was nearly impossible!”

“If the esteemed Chen is so powerful, he must be quite old?” Xiang Xuerou guessed, and the others agreed, picturing an elderly sage.

“Wrong!” Xia Zimo replied, smiling. “The esteemed Chen is a young man!”

“What? Impossible! How can someone so formidable be young?” The group was skeptical.

“Ha ha,” Xia Zimo laughed, “I thought so too, thought he’d be as old as my grandfather. But my uncle told me himself—he’s a young man!”

He continued, “If he’s already this powerful at such a young age, imagine how terrifying he’ll become with time!”

“Your uncle met him?” Yan Hongyi asked.

Xia Zimo nodded, “The day of the hostage incident at the underground market, my uncle was there. It’s absolutely true.”

“A young man!” Some ladies’ eyes sparkled with admiration.

The young men were full of awe, wishing they could meet the esteemed Chen immediately.

“Have you ever seen the esteemed Chen?” Yan Hongyi pressed.

Everyone looked expectantly at Xia Zimo, hoping he’d describe the esteemed Chen’s appearance.

But Xia Zimo shook his head, “I only accompanied my uncle to visit a friend of the esteemed Chen, and even then, I barely glimpsed his friend’s silhouette.” He spoke with deep regret.

“Hmm, when I return to River City, I’ll have to ask my uncle about this man!” Yan Hongyi thought, with the Yan family’s influence, he should be able to win such a person over, which would be a great credit to him.

“Well, I’ve told you everything I know about the esteemed Chen. Whether you get to meet him in the future depends on your own luck. Let’s continue drinking!” Xia Zimo raised his glass, closing the topic.

The group all lifted their glasses, toasting each other, and the atmosphere grew lively once more.

At that moment, the hotel manager, bent at the waist, hurried in and addressed Yan Hongyi, “Young Master Yan, there are three people outside looking for you. They’ve brought a large brocade box, saying it’s the item you requested!”