Gu Jun casually took out his phone and sent a message.
Since I'm already here enjoying time and board... might as well have some fun.
Then he turned to Bai Xue and asked with a smirk,
"Sister-in-law, do you know who that Xiao guy is?"
Bai Xue snapped, irritation flashing in her eyes.
"Who are you calling sister-in-law? I've told you before—don't call me that. And I'm warning you for your good. If the wrong person hears you calling me that so casually, you'll bring trouble on yourself. This isn't a joke. You're not my sister's boyfriend, and people here take these things seriously."
Gu Jun raised his hands in mock surrender.
"Alright, alright, I get it. I'll be careful. Now, tell me—who's that Xiao Hao guy?"
Bai Xue gave him a measured look before replying.
"He's the youngest son of the eldest son of the Xiao family head."
She paused, then added with a bit more weight in her voice:
"You probably don't know this, but the Xiao family is the most powerful family in Tianhai."
There was a flicker of concern—or perhaps warning—in her eyes.
"And that Xiao Hao… he's Xiao Wei's cousin. They have a bad relationship."
She gave Gu Jun a long, thoughtful look, her tone shifting slightly.
"Honestly, I'm a little surprised by your attitude. Zhao Ming is your roommate—your friend, even. Look at Xiao Wei and Zhou Hao—they jumped in without hesitation. But you and your other roommate? You're just watching. I can't tell if you're wise… or just selfish."
Gu Jun didn't react to her judgmental tone.
He simply turned his attention back to the unfolding scene on the dance floor.
Moments later, a divine sense message brushed across his mind from Li Ming.
"Your Highness, Xiao Hao's father is the leader of the faction that wants to split from the Gu Empire."
Gu Jun's expression remained unreadable.
Li Ming wasn't just his bodyguard—he was also his eyes and ears, trained to memorize and monitor everything Gu Jun might need to know.
"Hmm."
He responded softly.
On the stage, the tension continued to rise.
Xiao Wei stepped forward, facing down Xiao Hao and Wang Hai.
"Let them go. This ends now."
Xiao Hao's expression twisted into a sneer.
"Little Cousin, you disappoint me. You'd stand against me? All for some random girl and a nobody roommate? I was just having a bit of fun."
Xiao Wei's voice was calm but firm.
"First of all, I'm not as little as you think. Second… I heard you've been chasing Luo Yuxin for months. And now, just because she rejected you, you want to force her? That's low—even for you. It will hurt your already bad reputation."
He took a step forward.
"Don't forget—you're a member of the Xiao family. Act like it."
Xiao Wei narrowed his eyes and added,
"If you don't correct yourself soon, the Discipline Elder might personally 'educate' you. In fact, if you don't let them go right now, I'll call him myself. And we both know that won't end well for you."
He then turned his gaze to Wang Hai, tone calm but cutting.
"Sure, this might be your turf, and maybe Xiao Hao can shield you for now. But do you think he can protect you for the rest of your life? Be smart. Let them go. Show a little heart, and I'll take that as a concession. Do your part."
A flicker of hesitation passed through Wang Hai's eyes. He knew exactly how much trouble Xiao Hao could bring him… but he also understood Xiao Wei wasn't someone to provoke lightly. He glanced at Xiao Hao, uncertain.
That single glance was enough to bruise Xiao Hao's pride. His face twisted with contempt as he looked at Xiao Wei, then at Zhao Ming and Luo Yuxin, his eyes cold and snake-like.
"Afraid of your threats? Do you forget who my father is? He's the strongest candidate to be the next head of the Xiao family. Sure, the Discipline Elder might punish me, I won't deny that. But in the end, they'll let me go. And while you wait for him to get here…"
"I'll have plenty of time to do things you'll regret."
Xiao Wei's expression darkened, but he didn't respond.
Xiao Hao sneered.
"Here's what's going to happen. You can take your friend. He got slapped for stepping in. I'll let that go. As for the girl, she's coming with me."
"She's not your girlfriend, is she? Just an acquaintance. So I'll generously repay her after having some fun, and that will give you face."
He paused, then added with a chuckle:
"We're both called useless in the Xiao family—me, a waste; you, a disappointment. Us two 'failures' shouldn't fight each other, right?"
The room fell into silence.
All eyes were on Xiao Wei.
No one was dancing anymore. No one was laughing.
The entire club had gone still, caught in the gravity of the confrontation.
Some wanted to leave long ago, but fear of backlash—or worse, being labeled a witness—kept them rooted in place.
Desperation clouded the eyes of both Zhao Ming and Luo Yuxin.
They understood now—this wasn't just a petty confrontation. They were truly cornered, and getting out of this intact seemed nearly impossible.
Their eyes met. Silent. Fragile.
A shimmer of moisture glistened at the corner of Luo Yuxin's eyes, threatening to fall.
Seeing her tears, Zhao Ming pushed himself up again, swaying slightly as pain shot through his body. He reached out, trying to get to her—
Smack!
Another slap cracked across his face, sharper than the first. Blood from the corner of his lips darkened, trailing down his chin.
The girl gasped and tried to break free, rushing toward Zhao Ming—
Smack!
This time, the slap came from Xiao Hao himself. The sound echoed louder than the music ever had.
She stumbled back, clutching her cheek, tears falling freely now.
Xiao Hao clicked his tongue and turned toward Xiao Wei, wearing a cruel grin.
"Well then, cousin… looks like the ball's in your court now."
This is now an issue of his face and influence, not a simple romantic play.
In the middle of this standoff, Gu Jun sat quietly just outside of his cabin, sipping his drink.
His eyes shifted from Xiao Wei to Xiao Hao.
As expected of the Xiao family… Neither of them is easy to deal with.
Then—
Toc. Toc. Toc.
The sound of heels on the hardwood floor broke the tension.
Rong Xi emerged from the restroom, flanked by two friends.
A moment later, Bai Xue stepped out of Gu Jun's cabin.
She looked at Xiao Hao, calm but firm.
"Actually, Xiao Hao… you're mistaken if you think we're weak. Muscle power? We're not as helpless as you think. So let's end this here. Time to go home."
A new silence fell over the nightclub.
The tension was no longer just between Xiao Hao and Xiao Wei—it had spread like a fog, thick and suffocating. Everyone present felt it.
Xiao Hao's gaze shifted, lingering bitterly on Rong Xi and Bai Xue. His pride had taken too many blows tonight, and the sight of those girls—calm, defiant—only added fuel to the fire.
His eyes then flicked toward the VIP cabin, a glint of hope flickering in his expression.
And right on cue, the door opened.
A man stepped out.
He looked around twenty-five, dressed in a semi-formal outfit with effortless confidence. His polished shoes caught the light, and his posture radiated ease—but not warmth.
The room's atmosphere shifted immediately.
Xiao Hao's face lit up with smug relief.
"Ah, I was wondering who that was…"
"Turns out it's our little Rong and little Bai. How are you two?"
His tone was friendly—too friendly.
It had the sharp edge of someone pretending to be polite while holding a knife behind their back.
Rong Xi's expression didn't change. Bai Xue narrowed her eyes slightly.