The drunks did not accept Chen Zemian’s suggestion.
Not only did they refuse to leave, but they also relied on their numbers to surround him, shouting and cursing.
Since they refused to leave of their own accord, they could only be dispersed by force.
Chen Zemian acted swiftly.
He kicked one away, threw two over his shoulder, and knocked down another. In what seemed like the blink of an eye, the drunks who had been arrogant and shouting were all lying on the ground.
One man in a jacket, who had been farthest from Chen Zemian — about two or three meters away — stood frozen.
He looked around at his companions sprawled on the ground, then raised his head and stared blankly at Chen Zemian for two seconds.
Chen Zemian’s eyebrows twitched slightly. The man in the jacket shuddered, then turned and ran.
“It’s a bit late.”
Chen Zemian’s voice remained where he had been, but his body had already moved. Like a shadow, he leapt forward and landed firmly in front of the fleeing man.
The man in the jacket turned pale, his eyes filled with terror as if he had seen a ghost.
Chen Zemian bent his knees and raised his leg, kicking the man squarely in the chest, sending him flying back toward the other four drunks. Then he casually picked up a wine bottle from the ground and hurled it, hitting a drunk who was trying to crawl away on the shoulder.
“Why are you running? Good brothers should share both joy and hardship.”
The drunk stumbled and fell forward.
The wine bottle shattered on the ground with a loud crash.
The movements were smooth and seamless, more impressive than anything seen in martial arts films.
From the moment the wine bottle hit Xiao Kesong to the moment another bottle thrown by Chen Zemian shattered, the whole ordeal lasted less than three minutes.
It all happened so fast that the bodyguards brought by Lu Zhuonian didn’t even have time to react.
Chen Zemian stood tall and lean under the bright autumn moon, his expression cold and detached, unmoved by the chaos and cries around him.
People are destined to pay the price for underestimating their opponents.
This principle applies to everyone.
Lu Zhuonian looked at Chen Zemian in the distance. He took out a white pill and placed it in his mouth.
Standing at the corner of the street, he raised his arm and gestured to his bodyguards to withdraw.
Lu Zhuonian’s face remained expressionless, and his gestures were as neat as always. He appeared calm and unshaken.
But Ye Chen, standing beside him, noticed that Lu Zhuonian’s fingers were trembling.
The trembling was subtle — more like an involuntary spasm from anxiety or stress.
Startled, Ye Chen whispered, “Zhuonian, are you okay?”
Lu Zhuonian swallowed, trying to control his breathing. He shook his head slightly and replied in a hoarse voice, “I’m fine.”
The medicine began to circulate through his bloodstream, quickly suppressing the uncontrollable emotional and physical reactions.
Blood and violence alone are enough to stir the mind — and Chen Zemian’s presence was particularly bewitching.
He awakened the long-suppressed, primal desires buried within Lu Zhuonian.
Everything was spiraling out of control.
It happened on the night of Xiao Kesong’s twentieth birthday.
What was meant to happen, happened.
Despite Chen Zemian’s intervention, fate circled back to its original course.
Things that were never meant to happen… happened anyway.
Shen Qingwan’s trouble was resolved.
But Lu Zhuonian’s trouble was just beginning — swept into his life by fate, in a manner that allowed no resistance.
It came fiercely and irreversibly.
An unexpected incident interrupted Xiao Kesong’s birthday party.
When Shen Qingwan left, it was nearly dawn.
A ray of light had just begun to break through the horizon.
Before parting, Xiao Kesong looked at Chen Zemian, hesitant to speak.
Chen Zemian knew his behavior had been abnormal. Even someone as thick-skinned as Xiao Kesong could tell something was off, though he wouldn’t know where to begin asking, nor how to explain it.
Chen Zemian didn’t want to lie, but the truth was too unbelievable. So, he chose silence.
He believed that if he acted naturally enough, Xiao Kesong — with his imagination — would find a logical explanation on his own.
After all, even the tea girl had managed to trick Xiao Kesong out of 88,000 yuan.
After parting ways, Xiao Kesong remained in a daze.
The trance lasted a full week.
Chen Zemian comforted him, saying it was just a minor incident.
But Xiao Kesong didn’t think so. It didn’t feel minor — and certainly not like a passing episode.
“This is a turning point.”
Half a month later, during a public lecture, Xiao Kesong suddenly came up with a fitting phrase. He nudged Ye Chen beside him and asked, “Don’t you think Chen Zhe has changed?”
Ye Chen stopped writing and turned to look at him.
“Chen Zhe used to be so easygoing, he could get along with anyone, anywhere. But now…”
Ye Chen said calmly, “Now he can get along with people everywhere.”
Xiao Kesong was briefly surprised. “Who’d he hit this time?”
Ye Chen reminded him, “He hit Xu Shaoyang before. He also spilled coffee on Liu Yuebo.”
Realization dawned on Xiao Kesong. “No wonder Liu Yuebo’s been sticking to Chen Zhe lately — and acting so obedient. Chen Zhe must’ve beaten him into submission.”
Ye Chen questioned his memory. “Wasn’t it because Liu Yuebo’s brother gave Chen Zhe money?”
Xiao Kesong ignored the remark and said anxiously, “No, I have to ask Chen Zhe out again.”
Ye Chen didn’t know what the purpose was, so he made a gesture that said, Suit yourself.
Xiao Kesong grabbed his arm. “You have to come with me. And Zhuonian too. We never finished our card game last time — I’ll use that as an excuse.”
Ye Chen frowned, thinking it over.
After that night, Lu Zhuonian had experienced intense emotional turbulence. From a mental health standpoint, it would be better if he didn’t meet Chen Zemian again.
Although Xiao Kesong knew Lu Zhuonian had a condition, he didn’t know it had been triggered by Chen Zhe.
Ye Chen couldn’t explain the truth, so he simply asked, “Would Zhuonian be okay with that?”
Xiao Kesong was puzzled. “Why wouldn’t he be?”
Ye Chen chose his words carefully. “Didn’t he seem reluctant to be around Chen Zhe before?”
“You said before,” Xiao Kesong tilted his head, raising his eyebrows. “Now he’s willing.”
Ye Chen hesitated. “Why do you say that?”
“Do I need to spell it out?” Xiao Kesong rolled his eyes. “Haven’t you seen him going to the shooting range every day lately? Every time I ask Chen Zhe what he’s doing, he says, ‘serving the boss.’”
Ye Chen said, “…”
Xiao Kesong, always quick to act, took out his phone and began contacting everyone to set up the game again.
It was still the same four people, but instead of going to Fanlou, they met at home to chat and play cards.
Chen Zemian didn’t bring Liu Yuebo.
Liu Yuebo, usually impatient about needing supervision, especially from Chen Zhe, felt slighted when he learned he wasn’t invited to the game that night. He thought his brother’s money had gone to waste.
Chen Zemian said, “It’s not a waste. I’ll take the subway to drop you off first, then go to Xiao Shao’s place. Thoughtful of me, right?”
Liu Yuebo immediately protested, “Why don’t you take me with you?”
Chen Zemian pushed his head aside. “Can’t I go one day without taking you? Don’t be clingy.”
Liu Yuebo exclaimed, “One day? I came to the shooting range looking for you at ten this morning. Lu Shao was already there, and you weren’t! Is this how you work? What’s Lu Shao even paying you for?”
Chen Zemian yawned. “He pays me to clean his guns.”
Beijing was set to host an international shooting competition next month. Only two ranges were qualified: Lu Zhuonian’s AK International Shooting Range and Yan’s HG International Shooting and Archery Hall.
Hosting such events would greatly boost brand recognition. Lu Zhuonian had been visiting the range daily to manage operations. Meanwhile, Chen Zemian used the opportunity to handle — and examine — many advanced firearms not shown to the public.
While cleaning the guns, he made sure to get his hands on every one of them.
But today, he was late for work.
He’d stayed up all night testing a game.
The first story module of Re-conferring the Gods was nearly finished and about to enter closed beta. Chen Zemian had been swamped with work. He stayed up until 4 a.m. and barely made it in.
If not for the rare, collectible guns, he would’ve taken the day off.
As they left the shooting gallery, Chen Zemian asked, “How’d you get here today?”
“You’re asking even though you already know the answer,” Liu Yuebo said unhappily, glancing at Chen Zemian. “My brother suspended my card. I don’t have money for a taxi, and you didn’t come to pick me up. Of course I had to take the subway. Line 2 was so crowded during rush hour I thought I was going to die.”
“I got up late today,” Chen Zemian admitted, looking a little guilty — like a scumbag making a promise he wasn’t sure he could keep. “I’ll definitely pick you up tomorrow.”
Liu Hao was determined to discipline his brother this time. Before going abroad, he suspended all the bank cards Liu Yuebo regularly used and transferred the living expenses directly to Chen Zemian. He also instructed Chen Zemian not to give Liu Yuebo any money, effectively forcing Yuebo to listen through economic sanctions.
Without money, Liu Yuebo could hardly function. He either had to stay home every day or follow Chen Zemian and rely on him for spending.
At first, Liu Yuebo was stubborn. He refused to give in, didn’t go out for a week, and refused to ask for money. Seeing this, Liu Hao sent the maid on an extended vacation and told her to change the home Wi-Fi password.
Without food or internet, Liu Yuebo could no longer stay home. Eventually, he called Chen Zemian to take him out for dinner.
In the face of starvation, young Liu Yuebo couldn’t hold on to his pride.
“I’m starving.”
On the day he surrendered, he lay weakly on the sofa, using the last of his strength to call Chen Zemian. Even though he was dizzy from hunger, his tone was still bossy.
“Chen Zhe, I want roast duck.”
“I’m busy right now,” Chen Zemian replied. “Let me order you takeout.”
“Takeout roast duck? Are you even human?” Liu Yuebo immediately raised his voice. “The skin won’t even be crispy when it arrives!”
“You’re claiming to be starving, but still care if the skin’s crispy? You’re clearly not that hungry,” Chen Zemian responded.
“I am hungry. Take me to eat roast duck. I want Four Seasons Minfu, please.”
Chen Zemian said, “…”
He really was busy that day.
He’d just rented a space in a suburban office building to use as a game studio. When Liu Yuebo called, he was sitting in a small delivery van, transporting computers to the office.
Since Liu Yuebo was in a hurry, Chen Zemian told the driver to make a detour and pick him up first.
When Liu Yuebo heard Chen Zemian had agreed to pick him up, he was grateful.
He secretly vowed. To eat roast duck at Siji Minfu, I must treat Chen Zemian well when I see him. I’ll ask nicely, be polite, and not contradict him. It’s not shameful to give up dignity for food — I’m just too hungry.
But despite all the psychological preparation, the moment he saw the beat-up, eight-hand-me-down delivery van, he broke down.
He had overestimated his backbone.
His mind went blank. He thought, Even if I starve to death or jump off a building, I’ll never get into this filthy Wuling Hongguang.
Absolutely not.
Chen Zemian opened the door. “Get in. Your community’s security is too strict — the guard’s been tailing us. Does he think we’re here to steal something?”
You’re not far off, Liu Yuebo thought bitterly. Driving this rusted Wuling into a luxury villa complex — no one would think you’re here to pick someone up.
He looked inside. Junk was piled on the seats. Underneath the junk were ugly, greasy seat covers, stained with large, unidentifiable marks.
If he gave up his bottom line and sat on that seat, it would feel like contamination — from body to soul.
How to describe it?
An inappropriate analogy, perhaps —
Just one look at the van’s interior made him feel violated. Not physically, but spiritually.
It wasn’t Chen Zemian’s intention to insult him. He just happened to be using the van to move equipment.
Seeing Liu Yuebo frozen in place, Chen Zemian assumed he thought the van was broken. But all moving vans looked like this. Trying to ease the situation, he got out of the car and spoke gently.
Liu Yuebo would rather die than take the van. But when coaxed, he felt maybe dying wasn’t necessary. Ugly as the van was, Chen Zemian at least smelled nice.
Maybe if he sat down quickly and didn’t move, he could survive the pollution.
Just as he wavered, the driver — fed up with the drama — rolled down the window and barked, “My van’s clean, okay? After this, I’ve got to haul piglets. You getting in or not? If not, I’m leaving.”
Piglets?! Liu Yuebo’s brain short-circuited. What would that make me?!
“No!” he yelled.
Chen Zemian let the van go.
Liu Yuebo watched it drive off, then glared at Chen Zemian. “Look at that piece of junk! Even dogs wouldn’t ride in it!”
Chen Zemian wasn’t offended — he even chuckled. “You’ve definitely improved since your card got frozen. At least you waited until the driver left to say that.”
Liu Yuebo, furious and wronged, shoved him. “You’re so annoying!”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m annoying,” Chen Zemian said, laughing. “So, are we still getting that roast duck, Master Liu?”
“Of course!”
“Then I’ll call a Didi and get you a premium ride, alright?”
“Why call a Didi? I have a car.”
He tossed Chen Zemian a key. “The color suits you. You drive.”
The garage door slowly rose to reveal a yellow Maserati Ghibli with a trident logo.
“…”
“Why don’t you drive your car?” Chen Zemian asked.
“No money for gas,” Liu Yuebo said flatly.
Chen Zemian opened the door. “I’ll fill it up. Come on, let’s eat.”
Liu Yuebo leaned back in the passenger seat, eyes closed. “I don’t like driving. I gave you the car, so drive it. And don’t show up again with any of those broken-down vans. I’ll deal with you if you do.”
Chen Zemian didn’t argue. “Where’s your driver?”
Of course, Liu Yuebo wasn’t going to admit his brother had fired the driver. He snapped, “Why do I need a driver? My brother gave you 600,000 yuan, and my car’s worth over a million. Isn’t it fair that you drive it?”
“Alright then,” Chen Zemian relented. “I’ll drive it until your brother comes back. We’ll talk after that.”
Though he agreed to pick up Liu Yuebo, the morning and evening traffic wore Chen Zemian down. After two days, he could only manage it three times a week.
Most of the time, Liu Yuebo still took the subway.
By now, he had worn down Chen Zemian’s patience. Chen was too tired to argue and consoled himself. This will pass. Once my parents return from abroad, Liu Hao won’t have control over me anymore. I’ll be free to do what I want.
Just a little longer. Time passed quickly — it had already been almost a month.
Besides, taking the subway had its perks. Although Liu Yuebo’s cards were frozen, he discovered a loophole.
He could ask Chen Zemian to top up his transit card, then go to the transport bureau and withdraw the money.
Genius.
Scratching his chin, he said, “I’m out of money on my bus card. Can you top it up for me?”
Chen Zemian sensed something was off. “Didn’t I just top it up two days ago? How’s it empty already? Is the subway that expensive now?”
“No matter how expensive it is, it’s still cheaper than driving. I mean what I say — I’ll take the subway,” Liu Yuebo replied with a straight face, then hinted, “Unlike some people who promised to pick me up and left the car to collect dust in a back alley.”
Chen Zemian said calmly, “Driving’s too congested. The subway’s great — it’s the perfect chance to experience life and see how regular people live.”
Liu Yuebo did not forget his original intention — he kept in mind his brother’s plan to have him get close to Lu Zhuonian through Chen Zemian. So he said, “I want to see the world of rich people now. When you play cards with Xiao Shao and the others tonight, take me with you. Please.”
After spending so many days together, Liu Yuebo had figured out Chen Zemian’s temperament.
Chen Zemian had only one rule,
Please him.
More specifically, beg sincerely, beg persistently, beg shamelessly — beg, plead, repeat.
“There’s no one at home. My brother cut the internet, and my phone data is limited. It’s boring going home alone.”
Liu Yuebo started by playing the pity card, then clung to Chen Zemian’s arm and shook it. “I’ll be quiet, I swear. I’ll just watch you play, shuffle the cards, serve tea, pour water, bring fruit. If I don’t go, you’ll end up doing all that. I’d feel bad for you. Please just take me. Chen Zhe, Brother Chen, Young Master Chen!”
Chen Zemian was clearly wavering. “That’s actually…”
Before he could finish saying “okay,” the roar of an engine sounded behind them, followed by two honks.
Thinking they were blocking the road, Chen Zemian stepped aside.
But the car didn’t move forward — it honked again.
They both turned to look.
A deep purple supercar had stopped in the middle of the road.
“Pagani Huayra?” Liu Yuebo gasped. “That’s Mr. Lu’s car!”
Chen Zemian nodded. “Could be.”
Liu Yuebo looked more closely. “It’s a customized Huayra — it must cost at least 30 or 50 million. That’s definitely Mr. Lu’s car. He rarely drives it, and he never gives anyone a ride. I heard not even Mr. Xiao or Mr. Ye have sat in it.”
“Then let’s stand farther away,” said Chen Zemian, stepping aside again. “It’s too expensive. I can’t afford to even scratch it.”
Liu Yuebo scoffed. “You can’t afford it.”
Chen Zemian added calmly, “Even if I could, I wouldn’t want to hit it. But if you hit it, you’re done for.”
Liu Yuebo said, “…”
Why could he never win an argument with Chen Zhe? Did this guy stay up all night studying comebacks?
While they whispered, the driver’s side window of the Pagani rolled down, revealing a cold, handsome profile.
It was Lu Zhuonian.
He looked directly at Chen Zemian and said, “Get in.”
Liu Yuebo exclaimed, “!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Chen Zemian glanced at him. “See? He does give people rides. I knew Mr. Lu wasn’t that stingy.”
Liu Yuebo, still in shock, clutched at Chen Zemian’s arm. “You’re not going to leave me again, are you?”
“I’ll ask Mr. Lu,” Chen Zemian replied.
But before he could speak, Lu Zhuonian said, “No.”
“…”
Chen Zemian looked at Liu Yuebo apologetically and, like a professional heartbreaker, gave another empty promise. “Next time, I swear.”
Liu Yuebo leaned close and whispered, “I don’t have any money left on my bus card. If you leave, how do I get home?”
Without hesitation, Chen Zemian slapped his own card into Liu Yuebo’s hands. “Use mine.”
Taking the subway didn’t bother Liu Yuebo, but having to be crammed on a train during rush hour while Chen Zemian rode in a Pagani? Unacceptable.
He clung to Chen Zemian and growled, “Didn’t we say we’d experience the world of ordinary people together?”
Chen Zemian patted his shoulder. “You go first. It’s not that I don’t want to take you — it’s that Lu Zhuonian doesn’t.”
Liu Yuebo had a sudden idea. “Then beg him!”
Chen Zemian said dryly, “You think he’s as easy to deal with as me? He’s ice-cold.”
Lu Zhuonian said, “You do know I can hear both of you.”
Chen Zemian & Liu Yuebo go quiet. “…”
Lu Zhuonian, clearly running out of patience, leaned on the window and said to Chen Zemian, “Can you hurry up?”
“Liu Yuebo wants to come too. I can’t shake him off,” Chen Zemian replied.
“There’s no room,” Lu Zhuonian said, looking at Liu Yuebo. “Next time, Yuebo.”
Liu Yuebo instantly nodded. “Okay, Master Lu.”
What else could he say? Master Lu just called him by name!
He turned to Chen Zemian. “Go on. Don’t worry about me.”
Chen Zemian nodded, exchanged a few more words, and walked toward the Pagani.
The gull-wing passenger door slowly rose.
Chen Zemian bent down and got in, but fumbled for a while, not knowing how to close the door.
“Pull it,” Lu Zhuonian said.
Chen Zemian blinked. “A car this expensive doesn’t have automatic doors?”
“Nope,” Lu Zhuonian replied. “Are the Maserati’s electric doors any better? Install one for me once you get paid.”
Chen Zemian quickly backtracked. “Manual doors are great.”
He pulled the door shut. The satisfying, heavy “thunk” of the carbon fiber panel closing echoed down the street — painfully crisp.
Liu Yuebo’s heart ached at the sound.
Lu Zhuonian didn’t even blink, as if that noise was completely normal.
At that moment, Liu Yuebo felt as though his soul had suffered an indescribable blow.
He’d rather be deaf. Or blind.
The purple Pagani pulled up in front of Xiao Kesong’s house.
The engine’s roar carried the stench of money. It echoed clearly inside the living room.
Xiao Kesong opened the armored door, stood at the entryway, and asked, “Why’d you bring this car out today?”
Lu Zhuonian stepped out of the driver’s seat. “It happened to be at the shooting range.”
Ye Chen said nothing.
Xiao Kesong nodded. “Smart. Sports cars are fast. Otherwise, with the evening rush hour, you’d be stuck for hours.”
He took out his phone to ask where Chen Zhe was — when the Pagani’s passenger door suddenly lifted.
When he saw Chen Zemian get out, his pupils dilated. He turned sharply to Lu Zhuonian. “You brought Chen Zhe?!”
Lu Zhuonian replied calmly, “He was on the way.”
Ye Chen gave Lu Zhuonian a sharp look, as if trying to confirm something.
But Lu Zhuonian ignored it.
Silence was its own kind of answer.
Ye Chen eventually looked away, making no comment.
Xiao Kesong still wasn’t done. “Don’t you usually not let people sit in your car?”
Ye Chen cut in, “Are you asking Chen Zhe or Zhuonian?”
Xiao Kesong suddenly remembered his original plan. He temporarily set aside his doubts and called over, “Chen Zhe, come here! What are you doing?”
“I’m admiring Mr. Lu’s car,” Chen Zemian replied, standing beside the Pagani and giving a thumbs up. “It’s insanely cool.”
Lu Zhuonian tossed him the keys. “Then I’ll let you drive it.”
Chen Zemian: “!!!!”
Ye Chen: “…………”
Xiao Kesong: “??? …”
*****
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Author: LazyHermitGal
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