Chapter 70: No One Can Change

Chen Yuyi cast a cold glance at Fang Kai once more. “If you don’t want to kneel, that’s fine—just leave a leg behind.” With that, he clasped his hands behind his back.

For reasons he couldn’t explain, Fang Kai felt a trace of fear and involuntarily stepped back. But soon anger twisted his features. This pauper actually dared to threaten him? He was so furious he could hardly breathe.

The young masters accompanying Fang Kai regarded Chen Yuyi as though he were a fool. In their eyes, he was simply out of his mind—did he have any idea where he was? Demanding someone leave a leg behind at an event like this, he must be insane.

Huo Jiadong was also growing irate. This was his family’s gathering, and he would not tolerate anyone causing trouble. Even though he knew it was his peers who had provoked the incident, his patience with Chen Yuyi was gone.

“You’d better realize where you are now. Splendid Manor isn’t a place where you can do as you please. Don’t go looking for trouble. Everyone here is someone you could never afford to offend in your lifetime!”

Chen Yuyi looked at him impassively. “Is that so? If you don’t want to end up like him, leave now. I’ll spare you for your ignorance.”

Huo Jiadong laughed in fury. “Ha! Who do you think you are, telling me to get lost? It seems you’re tired of living!”

“What’s going on here, Jiadong?” At this moment, Huo Jiachao approached. Sister Yun was not with him; she was likely still inside discussing matters with Huo Songxian. Another young man trailed after him.

This newcomer was handsome and spirited, with a restrained glint in his eyes—a man clearly versed in martial arts.

“Brother, you’re just in time. There’s a thief here, and I was just about to throw him out.” With his elder brother present, Huo Jiadong spoke with renewed confidence.

Fang Kai, sensing a powerful ally had arrived, bowed slightly to Huo Jiachao. “Young Master Huo, you’re just in time. This fellow is outrageously arrogant—he even said I should leave a leg behind. Isn’t he mad?”

He paused before continuing, “I can guarantee this man is a thief. I think we should break both his legs, so he’ll never steal again. Otherwise, it would truly tarnish the Manor’s reputation.”

With the Huo family’s eldest son now involved, Fang Kai hoped to use their authority to teach this insolent pauper a lesson.

The rest of the young masters chimed in, eager to see the spectacle escalate.

Huo Jiachao’s expression darkened as he listened to his brother and Fang Kai. He had already noticed Qiyun’s unusual attitude toward Chen Yuyi and was predisposed against the man. Now, with a frosty face, he said, “For Miss Qi’s sake, I’ll let you go this time. Leave at once.”

“Brother, how can you just let him go?” Huo Jiadong protested, unwilling to let the matter drop after being told to get lost.

Fang Kai was even more reluctant. The threat against his leg could not go unanswered; his pride demanded satisfaction.

He spoke up again, “We can’t just let him walk away. What if he spreads word that he caused trouble at Splendid Manor? People will think any stray can come here and make a scene.”

His words had a certain logic, and Huo Jiachao was somewhat swayed.

Meanwhile, Little Bunny and her mother grew increasingly anxious as the crowd thickened.

Little Bunny had been about to tug at Chen Yuyi’s sleeve, but seeing him so composed, she remembered the idiom she’d learned that day: “calm and collected.” Suddenly, her fear vanished, and her large eyes brimmed with confidence as if to say, “Just wait, you’ll see what my big brother can do!”

Her mother, Yuan Xiang, squeezed her daughter’s hand tightly, her palm damp with sweat. She longed to grab Chen Yuyi and flee—not only did she feel inferior, she sensed these people truly looked down on her, as though she were nothing more than a fly. She couldn’t shake the guilt that she’d dragged Chen Yuyi into this; if not for her, he would never have crossed these powerful people.

Yet, for reasons she couldn’t name, she also wanted to see how Chen Yuyi would handle them.

With his hands behind his back, Chen Yuyi ignored everyone else and strode step by step toward Fang Kai.

A strange anxiety seized Fang Kai, forcing him to retreat several paces. The other young masters, too, were cowed by Chen Yuyi’s imposing presence and dared not make a sound.

Huo Jiachao had hesitated, unsure whether to take real action against this man. But seeing Chen Yuyi ignore him outright, he felt a surge of anger. Was this a deliberate slight?

“Jiadong, call security,” he ordered with a wave.

Huo Jiadong shot Chen Yuyi a venomous glare before hurrying off to summon the guards.

Fang Kai, seeing this, began to smirk with self-satisfaction. With Huo Jiadong fetching security, he no longer felt threatened, certain he’d soon witness Chen Yuyi’s downfall.

At that moment, the young man behind Huo Jiachao stepped forward.

“Jiachao, what’s happening?”

“Just a fly causing trouble. It’ll be handled soon—no need for your involvement, Young Master Lin.”

Huo Jiachao’s words satisfied the newcomer, who merely observed Chen Yuyi with growing curiosity.

Chen Yuyi had already advanced several steps; his icy gaze fixed on Fang Kai, making the latter increasingly uneasy. Fang Kai edged closer to Huo Jiachao for support. “You clothing thief, don’t come any closer! The Huo family’s security will be here any second—you’re doomed!”

Chen Yuyi halted, a faint smile curling his lips. “If you kneel before me now, perhaps you’ll keep your leg. But as things stand, you’re certainly losing one.”

He was about to reach out his hand.

Most onlookers still hadn’t grasped what was happening. But a flicker of wariness passed through Young Master Lin’s eyes. Suddenly, he spoke up, “Brother, let’s talk this out.”

With a swift movement, he stepped in front of Fang Kai. “They’re just some headstrong kids. Brother, let’s settle this peacefully.”

Chen Yuyi paused. The man’s bearing and appearance reminded him of someone for an instant.

Just then, several security guards rushed over.

Gasping for breath, Huo Jiadong pointed at Chen Yuyi, shouting, “It’s him! Seize him!”

The guards moved to surround Chen Yuyi.

Little Bunny and her mother shrank further into their corner, their anxiety deepening as they watched.

With his family’s security team present and Young Master Lin by his side, Huo Jiachao regained his composure. Strangely, when Chen Yuyi had walked toward him earlier, he’d felt a wave of panic.

Chen Yuyi glanced indifferently at Lin Pojun. Though he suspected a connection between this man and the martial arts prodigy Lin Jier, whom Sister Yan had nearly gifted to him, it meant little now. No one could determine the fate of Fang Kai’s leg.

He swept his gaze over the guards. “Step aside.”

Suddenly, the guards felt an inexplicable chill; none dared approach. They stood rooted to the spot, unable to advance or retreat.

“You all stand down!” Lin Pojun ordered.

The guards cast him grateful looks and retreated at once.

The onlookers were stunned. Huo Jiadong’s face turned sour—the security he’d called were useless cowards.

Huo Jiachao, however, knew his guards were all quite competent. Something was amiss. More worldly than his younger brother, he realized Lin Pojun’s intervention meant this man was no ordinary figure. A sense of unease took hold of him.

“Brother, show some mercy. If this young man loses a leg, his whole life will be destroyed. For my sake, let this matter rest,” Lin Pojun pleaded. As he spoke, his clothes billowed as if stirred by an unseen wind—a subtle display of martial strength, meant to impress upon Chen Yuyi the seriousness of his request.

Most present, apart from Huo Jiachao, failed to notice this. They only felt the tension in the air thickening and dared not speak.

Chen Yuyi replied coolly, “What I’ve decided, no one can change.”

At that moment, Sister Yun’s voice rang out, “Mr. Chen, what’s going on here?”