Ye Chen glanced at the elegant woman before him and smiled faintly. "Of course I'm still selling it. Are you truly interested in this bracelet?"
The beautiful woman studied the item in his hand and nodded. "Yes, I am. How much does it cost?"
"The price is one hundred thousand dollars," Ye Chen said calmly, then began to explain the effects of the Zillao Bracelet in detail.
The woman narrowed her eyes, skepticism flickering across her refined face. "Does it really do what you just claimed?"
Ye Chen met her gaze with unwavering confidence. "Absolutely. If I'm lying, then may I be struck by lightning a thousand times," he declared, raising his hand solemnly.
Though still uncertain, the woman found herself swayed by something deeper her intuition. And a woman's intuition rarely lied to her. Despite her logical mind hesitating, her heart urged her to believe in this mysterious young man.
"…Alright, I'll buy the bracelet," she said at last.
What truly motivated her decision, however, was more than just belief. Her beloved grandmother had been gravely ill for years. The doctors had diagnosed her with severe liver damage and given up hope. Her condition worsened day by day.
The liver, a crucial organ for detoxifying the body, if damaged, caused deadly toxins to accumulate. And yet, Ye Chen's Zillao Bracelet promised to restore inner balance and vitality not instantly, but over time.
She opened her designer handbag and pulled out a neat stack of hundred-dollar bills, ready to pay.
Ye Chen accepted her payment and was about to hand over the bracelet when, suddenly, a hand stretched out to block the transaction.
A tall young man in a sharp blue suit stepped between them. He was striking, with clear blue eyes and an aristocratic air.
"Yue'er, how can you trust a guy like this?" he asked coldly, glaring at Ye Chen with disdain.
The woman's face instantly turned cold. "Don't call me that disgusting name. You and I have nothing to do with each other."
The man's eyes flickered with hurt and frustration. "Yue'er… I'm only looking out for you.
How could I let you be deceived by a street vendor like him?"
"I said don't call me that. And stop interfering in my business," she said icily. "The only reason I've tolerated your presence is out of respect for your father. But don't push your luck."
The young man, as it turned out, was Bai San, the son of the Liu Group's vice chairman.
He was one of Liu Yue's persistent suitors and had spent the last few months trying to win her over, to no avail.
Despite his family background and wealth, Liu Yue had never given him a second glance.
He clenched his fists, hiding the humiliation in his heart. Just you wait, Liu Yue.
Once my father's plan succeeds, I'll make you crawl beneath my feet.
Outwardly, he forced a smile. "My apologies, Liu Yue. I misspoke."
Ye Chen, meanwhile, quietly observed the exchange. Now he finally realized who the woman was Liu Yue, the legendary "Business Queen" and CEO of the Liu Group.
The Liu Group was a massive conglomerate with investments across various industries. Ye Chen had even used their products many times in the past.
If he had known her identity earlier, he might have charged ten times more. After all, to someone like Liu Yue, a hundred thousand dollars was like spare change.
Still, it was too late to regret.
Liu Yue ignored Bai San completely and turned back to Ye Chen.
Her indifference made Bai San seethe with anger, though he dared not show it outwardly. Liu Yue might be younger than him, but in the business world, she held far more power even over his father.
He couldn't lash out at Liu Yue, so he turned his frustration on Ye Chen.
Grabbing Ye Chen by the collar, Bai San leaned in and hissed, "You con artist! Do you know who you're trying to fool? That woman is mine! Because of you, she's angry with me!"
His voice was low and threatening, meant only for Ye Chen's ears. "Admit you're a fraud, and I'll let you walk away.
Refuse, and I'll make sure you never step foot in this city again."
Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. "Con artist? The item I'm selling is completely authentic."
Bai San sneered. "Hah! Don't make me laugh.
I heard what you were saying earlier. Do you think items like this actually exist? You've watched too many fantasy dramas."
Ye Chen remained calm. "Believe whatever you want. It changes nothing."
"So, you're refusing to back down?" Bai San's eyes darkened.
Without warning, he raised his fist to strike Ye Chen.
Liu Yue gasped and reached out to stop him but it was too late.
Bai San's punch landed squarely except it wasn't Ye Chen who cried out.
"Ahh! Damn it…!" Bai San reeled back, clutching his hand in pain. "What the hell…? Is your body made of iron?!"
Ye Chen hadn't even moved. He remained seated, completely unfazed, his calm eyes watching Bai San as if the man were nothing more than an annoying insect.
Of course, with Ye Chen's current cultivation level and fortified physical body, an ordinary punch like Bai San's felt like a soft tap if that.
Embarrassed and furious, Bai San refused to back down. He aimed a powerful kick at Ye Chen's side, this time using the hard sole of his expensive leather shoe.
But before his foot could connect, Ye Chen stood up. In a flash, he grabbed Bai San by the collar and effortlessly lifted him off the ground like a ragdoll.
The sudden movement shocked everyone nearby.
Bai San's eyes widened. He's taller than me…? Now that Ye Chen was standing, his full height of 182 cm dwarfed Bai San's 168 cm frame. The difference was even more humiliating than the failed punch.
Ye Chen looked at him expressionlessly. "Seems like your mouth isn't the only thing that needs discipline."
Pah! A crisp slap echoed through the street.
Pah! Another followed, even louder.
"You dare hit me?!" Bai San screamed. "I'll kill you! I swear I'll—!"
Pah! Pah!
Ye Chen didn't stop. His palm moved swiftly, delivering slap after slap, turning Bai San's once-pristine face red and swollen.
"I'm the brother of Brother Wolf! He leads the biggest gang in this city! If I call him, you're dead!" Bai San roared, trying to intimidate Ye Chen.
Pah.
Pah.
Slap after slap fell relentlessly, until Bai San's defiance finally broke. His expression twisted in pain and humiliation, and tears welled in his eyes.
"