"Wait outside for me—don't come in!"
Just as Xiao Chen was about to dive enthusiastically into the world of women's lingerie, Su Xiaomeng stopped him with a stern warning.
"Why not?"
Xiao Chen looked displeased. Such a good place, and they were already at the entrance—why couldn't he go in and take a look?
"This is a shop for women. What business do you have in there? You pervert!"
"Hey, Xiaomeng, there are men inside right now. How come they can enter but I can't?"
"They're not as sleazy as you!"
"…?"
"They're not as much of a rascal as you!"
"…"
"They don't have your—"
"—your handsomeness," Xiao Chen cut her off. If he didn't interrupt, who knew what she'd say next.
"Cut the nonsense. You're not going in. Stay here."
With that, Su Xiaomeng spun around and headed inside.
"You expect me to just stand here and wait because you said so?"
Xiao Chen pouted at her retreating figure, then—of course—walked in after her.
"Sir, men are not allowed inside."
As soon as he stepped in, a store attendant politely blocked his path.
"Then who are those guys in there? They're not men?"
Xiao Chen was annoyed. Was this attendant purposely making things difficult for him?
"Sir," she explained with a smile, "all of them came in with women. Single men who come in alone aren't permitted."
Xiao Chen finally understood—single men not allowed!
"Who said I'm single? That's my girlfriend!"
He pointed toward Su Xiaomeng.
But Su Xiaomeng turned around, pointed back at him, and stated loudly, "I don't know this guy! He's been trailing me forever—I think he's a creep!"
Xiao Chen nearly choked. You're the creep! Your whole family's the creep!
The attendant immediately grew wary. "Sir, please leave."
Xiao Chen had no choice but to walk out. If he didn't, they'd probably call security—or the police.
He left the lingerie store, found a spot to sit, lit a cigarette, and took a few frustrated drags.
"Damn… when did my life become like this? I've been back for days, living like a monk… can't even catch a glimpse of anything!"
He muttered depressively—until his eyes were irresistibly drawn to long white legs and black stockings passing by. Maybe sitting outside wasn't so bad.
Almost half an hour later, Su Xiaomeng finally emerged from the Victoria's Secret boutique, a shopping bag in hand.
"Hey, Xiaomeng, did you actually find your size? This store must be impressive—they seem to carry even the smallest models."
Xiao Chen fired back petty revenge.
"What did you just say?!"
Su Xiaomeng immediately exploded. This guy's mouth was too cheap.
"Hahaha, nothing. I'm just saying the store seems great."
He grinned shamelessly and let his eyes slide toward her chest.
"You're asking for a beating!"
Su Xiaomeng lunged at him with clenched fists.
Xiao Chen bolted, calling over his shoulder, "Don't be mad, Xiaomeng! Face reality… Sunny-side-up eggs are better than pancakes, right?"
"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"
The chase continued all the way back to the car. After Xiao Chen begged for mercy several times and offered a fancy lunch, Su Xiaomeng finally let him off.
They went to a well-known restaurant nearby and booked a private room.
Out of revenge, Su Xiaomeng ordered ruthlessly—anything expensive went onto the list. She wanted to see Xiao Chen cry over the bill.
But Xiao Chen just kept smiling, encouraging her to order even more.
Her annoyance grew. Who said I was being polite to you?!
After she finished ordering, Xiao Chen added two of his favorite dishes before sending the waiter off.
He smiled secretly at her sulking expression. He had earned 200 million the previous night. After giving 40 million to Dahan and Ding Li, he still had 160 million left. There was no way a single meal could put a dent in that.
Once the food arrived, Su Xiaomeng quickly forgot her anger and dug in.
Cold beer followed.
"Give me a bottle!" Su Xiaomeng demanded.
"You're drinking too? Can you handle it? Should I get you juice instead?"
"Are you looking down on me?"
"Fine, fine. Don't glare at me."
He handed her a bottle, poured himself a glass. "Come on. Cheers."
Their glasses clinked, and the cold beer slid down their throats—refreshingly satisfying.
"Xiao Chen… are you really confident about tonight?"
After a few drinks, Su Xiaomeng grew uncharacteristically serious.
"Yeah. I trust my driving." Xiao Chen nodded. "By the way, what exactly are you betting on?"
"Don't ask. You just need to win."
"Alright. Since I accepted the job, I'll make sure I follow through."
They were chatting when Su Xiaomeng's phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Xiaomeng, everything okay for tonight's race?" Yin He's voice sounded.
"No problem at all. My boyfriend's racing personally. Beating your cousin will be a piece of cake."
She glanced at Xiao Chen as she spoke.
"Heh, really? Then I'll wait and see."
"Just wait—we'll crush you."
"Fine. And if you lose… then the agreement—"
"I keep my word. Just make sure you don't back out."
"Alright. See you tonight."
Meanwhile, Yin He hung up and turned to the young man beside him. "Cousin, everything's set on her side."
"Good."
"Cousin… can you really beat that guy?" Yin He asked, thinking of Xiao Chen's driving.
The young man smirked coldly. "There may be a few people in Longhai faster than me… but some random nobody? Not a chance."
He continued, "The family doesn't care about your wager. They care about you winning over Su Xiaomeng. Understand?"
"I know."
"That's why I'm helping you remove this obstacle. Even if he somehow beats me tonight… he won't live to see tomorrow."
Yin He stared at him in shock. "Cousin, you've planned something else?"
"Of course. A friend will join us soon."
"Who?"
"You'll know."
Right then, the private room door opened. A man walked in, head wrapped in bandages.
Yin He froze. Who is this wrapped-up guy? Did he get beaten up?
But when he recognized the face beneath, his eyes widened. Brother Snake?!
"Snake, what happened to you?" the young man asked. "You get into another fight?"
"Yeah. Big brawl last night—hundreds of people. I cut down seven or eight guys before I lost my footing," the man boasted.
"A fight that big? Why didn't I hear about it?"
"My family suppressed the news. Too much heat stirring around already."
"Oh, right, your Flying Eagle Gang… So, is Brother Xing from your Falcon Hall likely to take over?"
"Pretty likely."
"Well, congrats in advance. If he rises, you'll become a hall master too."
"Haha, maybe. Anyway, enough nonsense—Zhu Kun, why'd you call me?"
This man was none other than the bald Snake who had been brutally beaten by Li Hanhou last night, though he wasn't about to admit that shame.
Zhu Kun introduced Yin He, who quickly stood and greeted Snake with obvious admiration.
Snake was pleased and downed a drink. "If anything happens at City No. 1 Middle School, just call me."
Yin He was thrilled. "Thank you, Brother Snake!"
Snake laughed and continued boasting, until he finally asked, "Alright, what do you need from me tonight?"
"I need you to help me deal with someone," Zhu Kun said.
"Oh? Who is he?"
"No background, just some clueless guy chasing the girl my cousin likes."
"I see. And what do you want done?"
Zhu Kun made a throat-slitting gesture. "At the very least… cripple his limbs."
Snake frowned. "Killing's unnecessary. Crippling him—fine. But don't go too far."