Chapter 61: Chapter 61 Xia Rou's Awakening Again
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"..." Li Desheng tightly clung to Yan Xiaobao, seeing him as the last straw to save his life. Despite his anxiety and impatience, he had no choice but to remain silent and wait.
"Quick, save him first!" Xia Rou pushed Yan Xiaobao toward the operating table.
"This kid's illness is quite serious, it'll take some effort. Honestly, if it weren't for Rourou's sake, I wouldn't bother saving him." Yan Xiaobao stretched out his hand with noticeable impatience, pressing three points in succession: the space between Li Junkai's eyebrows, the center of his chest, and the lower abdomen/Dantian.
"Divine Doctor Yan, you..." Seeing Yan Xiaobao hold Xia Rou's hand, appearing to leave, Li Desheng panicked. "Didn't you say you would save my son? What's going on here?"
"Beep—beep—beep—" Suddenly, the sound from the vital sign monitor beside the surgery table returned to normal.
Professor Huang murmured in a daze, "Heart rate 62, temperature 37, blood pressure 81—115... Resuscitation successful..."
"Saved... saved?" Witnessing this miraculous scene, Hong Fuquan was completely stunned.
Many experts stared at Yan Xiaobao as if they were looking at an immortal.
Didn't he say "The illness is quite severe; it'll take a lot of effort"?
A mere three finger presses, and he saved the person...
What's going on?
How are we supposed to hold our heads up as "specially invited experts" now...
"A divine doctor... truly a divine doctor!" Li Desheng realized the seriousness and was endlessly ecstatic. He rushed to Yan Xiaobao and tightly grasped his hand. "Unbelievable! Thank you so much!"
Mrs. Li also hurried over, holding onto Yan Xiaobao's other hand with gratitude overflowing. "Thank you, Divine Doctor Yan! You are truly the savior of our Li family!"
"Yes, yes, you are the lifesaving benefactor of our Li family!" As he spoke, Li Desheng pulled out an embossed golden business card and a pure black card from his bag, thrusting them into Yan Xiaobao's hand. "Words cannot express my gratitude. In the future, should Divine Doctor Yan need any assistance from the Li family, just make a call, and I, Li Desheng, will give my all!"
Hong Fuquan and several experts looked on enviously. Everyone knew how influential Li Desheng was; if he devoted his full support, there wouldn't be any challenge in Binhai City that couldn't be resolved.
Yan Xiaobao, however, waved dismissively. "I only saved your son for the sake of Rourou. There's no need to thank me. Besides, why are you handing me two pieces of paper?" frёewebηovel.cѳm
By this point, Li Desheng had somewhat grasped Yan Xiaobao's quirky personality and laughed as he explained. "This business card is very exclusive—I rarely give it out. Holding this allows you to enjoy the highest level of hospitality at our Desheng Group. As for this, it's a Golden Diamond VIP Card. With this card, any expense at properties under Desheng Group is completely waived."
"Does your group have lots of places to spend money?" Yan Xiaobao asked.
Li Desheng smiled and responded, "Allow me to boast for a moment. Our Desheng Group's industries cover all corners of Binhai City: dining, entertainment, shopping, services—everything. With this card, you can visit anywhere in the city without carrying money."
"Well, that does sound convenient, so I'll accept it." Yan Xiaobao didn't bother with formalities, mainly finding it practical.
"It's just a small token; it's my honor that Divine Doctor Yan has accepted it." Li Desheng had made up his mind to build a strong relationship with Yan Xiaobao. In his view, no number of expert panels could compare to the effectiveness of one Yan Xiaobao.
What do wealthy people treasure most?
Undoubtedly, a healthy and long-lasting body to enjoy life to the fullest!
Maintaining a good relationship with someone like Yan Xiaobao, a divine doctor, was more reliable than purchasing any health insurance. As a magnate in the business world, Li Desheng understood this principle, which explained his willingness to go all out.
It should be noted that the Golden Diamond VIP Card from Desheng Group was highly coveted and notoriously scarce. Li Desheng had issued fewer than two handfuls, and every recipient was among the top elites of Binhai City and Jiangnan Province.
Finally, Li Desheng asked, "So, how is my son's condition now?"
Yan Xiaobao replied, "Your son's illness is quite serious. I've already put considerable effort into treatment but haven't completely cured him yet. Give me a few days to rest, and I'll continue the treatment. I estimate two or three more sessions—or maybe three or four—should do the trick."
"That truly puts Divine Doctor Yan through such trouble." Li Desheng, being sharp, understood that Yan Xiaobao's seemingly casual three finger presses definitely concealed extraordinary effort.
"Troublesome, indeed." Yan Xiaobao nodded, then broke into a cheerful grin. "But for Rourou, it's worth it. Come on, Rourou, let's go home and sleep."
"Divine Doctor Yan, take care."
While Mrs. Li stayed with her son, Li Desheng and Zhang Hongde personally escorted Yan Xiaobao downstairs and out of the building.
Joy was evident on Zhang Hongde's face, his thoughts practically celebrating internally.
Recruiting Xia Rou into the expert panel was truly a stroke of genius! Xia Rou had only joined on her first day, yet she successfully brought Yan Xiaobao into the fold, curing the nearly-deceased Mr. Li in the process. Moreover, this event served to decisively outmaneuver bitter rival Hong Fuquan! What a victory!
With Yan Xiaobao as his ace, what else could Hong Fuquan bring to the table to challenge him? Under Zhang Hongde's leadership, Fu'er Hospital and the special expert panel would undoubtedly shine brighter, gaining world-class fame!
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"I'm going to take a shower." Once home, Xia Rou headed straight to the bathroom without waiting for Yan Xiaobao to urge her.
"Twenty-four years of keeping myself pure, and today I'm about to be claimed by a man..."
As hot water cascaded over her fair skin, Xia Rou felt conflicted and restless within her heart.
Since Yan Xiaobao had rescued her from Luo Jianbi, she had undergone a moment of "awakening."
The world is full of wolves in sheep's clothing, predators lurking around every corner. If she'd ducked under Luo Jianbi's trap last time, what guarantee held that she wouldn't fall victim to a "Zhang Jianbi," "Li Jianbi," or "Wang Jianbi" next time?
Compared to the kind of scum she despised most, Yan Xiaobao was noticeably better. While his flirtatious tendencies made him unreliable, he wasn't actually unpleasant or malicious.
If it weren't for his ridiculous number of "wives," Xia Rou might have long since surrendered her heart to him.
"Perhaps this is fate, so I'll accept it... Besides... besides, every woman goes through this at some point..." With another round of resolve, Xia Rou decisively walked into the bedroom and lay down on the bed.
Though, she resembled someone facing martyrdom...
"Rourou, I'm gonna shower too." Yan Xiaobao bolted into the bathroom like a gust of wind, cleaned himself up in minutes flat, and dashed to the bed with equal speed.
Feeling Yan Xiaobao's arms encircle her, Xia Rou couldn't help but tense up. Her body trembled slightly, her teeth clenched tight, and two silent tears rolled down the corners of her eyes...
Chapter 62: Chapter 62: Not My Wife, I Won't Do It
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"Rourou, why are you crying?" Yan Xiaobao asked with concern, "Are you unhappy being my wife?"
"I've already agreed to you, so you can do whatever you want with me. Why ask so many questions?" Xia Rou said with a mix of frustration and resolve.
Yan Xiaobao quickly clarified, "Rourou, I didn't make you my wife because I want to treat you any certain way. I genuinely like you."
"Genuine feelings?" Xia Rou asked, "What about your Heavenly Sister? Your Xiao Wan, Bingbing? Do you genuinely like all of them too?"
"Of course!" Yan Xiaobao nodded, "I truly like all of them, sincerely."
"Heh." Xia Rou scoffed bitterly, "Your idea of genuine feelings seems to mean being very two-timing, doesn't it?"
"I don't understand what two-timing means," Yan Xiaobao shook his head, "Heavenly Sister says beautiful women are like precious treasures, and they often meet tragic fates. Because they're so stunning, any man would want them. That's why they live in danger. If I don't protect them properly, they'll be bullied by bad men."
"Aren't you a man yourself?" Xia Rou countered.
"Of course I'm a man, but I'm different from other men." Yan Xiaobao gazed into the distance, "Heavenly Sister says I'm the only man like me in the world. No other man can compare to me."
Xia Rou thought for a moment. To be honest, Yan Xiaobao was indeed very unique. She had never encountered someone as "peculiar" as him, not even on TV.
Yan Xiaobao continued, "When I left, Heavenly Sister told me: if I meet girls worth loving, I should truly care for them, protect them well, and not let bad men harm them."
"Who exactly is your Heavenly Sister anyway?" Xia Rou couldn't help but feel curious. That woman was truly strange.
Yan Xiaobao replied, "Heavenly Sister is my wife." freёNovelFire-com
"Where is she? How did you meet? How did she become your wife, yet ask you to like other girls?"
Yan Xiaobao answered, "I lived with Heavenly Sister on an island since I was little. When I came of age, Heavenly Sister became my wife. She said the girls I fall for must only be worthy of me, and only with me can they live peaceful and happy lives without being harmed by bad people."
"That explains it..." Xia Rou couldn't help but roll her eyes, "Your Heavenly Sister taught you like this since you were young. No wonder you meet pretty girls and immediately want them to be your wife."
"I don't just care about looks," Yan Xiaobao argued, "The girls I like must not only be pretty, but also kind at heart. Otherwise, I wouldn't want them as my wife."
"Yeah, right!" Xia Rou gave Yan Xiaobao a sideways glance, "On the plane that time, how long had you known me and that flight attendant? How could you know whether we were kind or not?"
"I knew." Yan Xiaobao answered seriously, "I've learned the Qi Observation Skill. Whether someone is kind-hearted affects their aura. It's easy to see."
Xia Rou: "..."
When Xia Rou didn't respond, Yan Xiaobao thought he'd finally convinced her. Feeling pleased with himself, he flipped over and pressed down on her, saying enthusiastically, "Rourou, starting now, be my wife officially!"
"You can have me, but I'll never be your wife," Xia Rou said coldly.
"Why not?" Yan Xiaobao was baffled, "What kind of reasoning is that?"
"Yesterday in the emergency room, I agreed to your terms. I'll keep my word and let you get what you want today, but..." Xia Rou spoke firmly, "My husband must be devoted to me alone and love only me for his entire life."
"What kind of logic is that!" Yan Xiaobao scratched his head, "If you become my wife, I'll treat you exceptionally well for your whole life. Even if I have other wives, I won't mistreat you. Why do Heavenly Sister and Xiao Wan agree, but you think it's unacceptable?"
"Sorry, they are them, and I am me." Xia Rou's stance was unwavering, "No matter what you say, I simply can't accept it. To be honest, any normal woman in modern society wouldn't accept this."
"Why not?" Yan Xiaobao looked disbelieving, "Xiao Wan is also from Binhai; she's completely normal. So why can she accept it?"
"I don't believe your nonsense."
"I'm not lying. If you don't believe me, wait until Xiao Wan starts her school term. I'll take you to ask her."
"Fine." Xia Rou remembered Yan Xiaobao mentioning that he had a wife who was a student at Binhai University. To be honest, she truly didn't believe it. Unless there was an unusual twist, how could a female university student accept sharing a husband with other women?
"Then..." Yan Xiaobao looked at Xia Rou's voluptuous figure with bad intentions, "What should we do tonight?"
Blushing at his gaze, Xia Rou turned her head away, "I've already said, tonight you have the right to do whatever you want, but... I won't be your wife..."
"That won't do. If you're not my wife, I won't do it!" Yan Xiaobao flipped over again, adamantly declaring, "I must have you as my wife!"
Xia Rou froze slightly.
She had already made herself clear...
Any other man would have undoubtedly seized the opportunity, thinking "we'll deal with it later"... After all, if you don't act now, there's nothing to lose, and you can decide about responsibility later. But Yan Xiaobao... he really was different from other men...
That night, Xia Rou didn't leave Yan Xiaobao's bedroom. Perhaps, deep down, she felt an urge to make it up to him somehow.
Yan Xiaobao didn't hold back either, and happily hugged her tightly as he slept soundly and sweetly through the night.
...
The next morning, when Xia Rou woke up, she clearly felt herself lying in Yan Xiaobao's arms in an extremely intimate way. Yet, she didn't seem alarmed, nor did she immediately pull away.
Having gone through two "revelations" and two "reprieves" with Yan Xiaobao, at this moment Xia Rou felt no trace of wariness towards him. In fact, she even harbored a subtle sense of "indebtedness," as if she didn't mind letting him take minor liberties as a small gesture of repayment.
"Xiao Bao, let's go into town today and buy you some clothes," Xia Rou suggested proactively.
Last time, she had only picked up two casual outfits at the supermarket for Yan Xiaobao. Although he didn't concern himself with appearances, Xia Rou thought: with his extraordinary medical skills, he was bound to deal with influential figures in the future. He should have some high-quality clothes to maintain a dignified impression.
Yesterday, Li Desheng had gifted him a Golden Diamond VIP Card from the Desheng Group. Perfect for shopping. After all, Yan Xiaobao had saved Mr. Li's life; spending a bit on the card was well deserved.
Chapter 63: Chapter 63: So Bright and Dazzling
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Xia Rou offered to go shopping with him, and Yan Xiaobao was naturally overjoyed. He quickly got out of bed, washed up, and headed out the door holding Xia Rou's hand.
"Rourou, let's take the bus," Yan Xiaobao suggested. Even though Zhao Erhu was now his subordinate's subordinate, Xiaobao wasn't used to bossing his men around. Besides, he thought taking the bus with Xia Rou sounded more fun than taking a private car.
Xia Rou immediately guessed Yan Xiaobao's little scheme and playfully scolded him, "You hugged me all night last night—haven't had enough yet?"
"Of course not!" Yan Xiaobao replied with utmost seriousness, "How could I ever have enough? Rourou, you're so beautiful and soft—it feels so comforting to hold you. A lifetime wouldn't be long enough."
Sigh...
Xia Rou quietly let out a sigh. If only Yan Xiaobao could act like a normal man and devote himself wholeheartedly to loving just one person, she'd actually be willing to let him hold her for a lifetime...
They squeezed onto the bus, and unlike last time, Xia Rou wasn't as shy or reluctant this time. She obediently leaned against Yan Xiaobao, letting him "protect" her so no other man would take advantage.
Yan Xiaobao couldn't be happier. He wished the bus could just keep driving to the ends of the earth and never stop.
Of course, the bus couldn't drive to the ends of the earth. After twenty-odd minutes, Xia Rou asked Yan Xiaobao to get off at Century Square.
Century Square was the most bustling commercial center in Binhai City. Around the plaza were shopping malls like Spring Department Store, Peace Hall, Walmart, and Desheng Square, while the pedestrian mall stretched from north to south through the middle.
"Let's go shop at Desheng Square," Xia Rou suggested.
With a Golden Diamond VIP Card from Desheng Group in hand, Xia Rou naturally wouldn't take Yan Xiaobao to another mall and spend unnecessarily.
Desheng Square boasted a whopping 80,000 square meters of floor space. It was an international-grade trade center integrating retail, dining, leisure, cultural entertainment, and office buildings. From the first to the sixth floor, it was all shopping areas filled with hundreds of well-known domestic and international brands. Buying a few outfits for Yan Xiaobao would be effortless.
But Yan Xiaobao was completely uninterested in men's clothing. His gaze kept scanning the women's clothing stores for one like the "Victoria's Secret" they visited last time. He desperately wanted to go into another lingerie shop and buy some "pretty outfits" for Xia Rou.
Since Yan Xiaobao wasn't picky and his physique was proportioned perfectly—neither too tall nor short, neither too fat nor thin—it was super easy to clothe him. Any outfit Xia Rou thought looked decent, he could try it on, and it fit perfectly without issue. In just over half an hour, Xia Rou had picked out a suit, a smart-casual outfit, and tracksuits for him—completing the shopping tasks with ease.
Meanwhile, Yan Xiaobao persistently insisted that Xia Rou get herself a long dress, two nightgowns, and a pile of authentic "Victoria's Secret" items...
Despite coming in with the mindset of "free shopping," Xia Rou felt a little uneasy after spending tens of thousands in under an hour.
Yan Xiaobao remained unconcerned, saying, "My rules are simple: treating illnesses costs one hundred, saving a life is split fifty-fifty. If Rourou hadn't stepped in yesterday, saving that Li kid would've meant taking half of Li Sheng's fortune. Spending a few thousand of his money—this doesn't even count as pocket change."
"..." Xia Rou was speechless.
Li Sheng, being one of the wealthiest tycoons in Binhai, reportedly had assets worth tens or hundreds of billions. If Yan Xiaobao really went for a "fifty-fifty split" with him... That'd be outright ruthless...
"We've bought everything we need. Let's head back," Xia Rou said, hesitating to explore further. If they didn't go home soon, the nightgowns and lingerie Yan Xiaobao had bought for her might last her an entire lifetime... ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
"Sounds good!" Yan Xiaobao agreed enthusiastically, then added, "Rourou, let's go home and try on the new clothes together."
Xia Rou: "..."
No matter how many clothes Yan Xiaobao bought her, all the fabric combined probably wouldn't equal the material in one set of his suits. "Trying on clothes together"? His intentions were as obvious as daylight...
Just as they were swiping the card to pay and ready to leave, three young women, dressed to the nines, walked into the store.
The girl in the middle, sporting wine-red dyed hair, raised her left hand to show off her diamond ring to her two friends.
"Wow! A carat diamond—it's so shiny, bright, and enviable!"
"Congratulations, Xiao Qian—finally reached the finish line!"
"Absolutely! With this diamond ring, Xiao Qian has successfully leveled up and officially become Mr. Sun's legitimate wife!"
The two friends stared at the dazzling ten-thousand-dollar diamond ring on Xiao Qian's hand, their eyes sparkling with envy, jealousy, and admiration. Suddenly, a hand reached over and grabbed Xiao Qian's hand adorned with the diamond ring.
Yan Xiaobao ignored the pretty girl named Xiao Qian entirely, fixing his gaze straight on the diamond ring on her finger. "So wearing this ring means she's officially the wife, huh?"
"Of course! The diamond ring is the most important token of engagement. Don't tell me you didn't know that—where did you crawl out from, country bumpkin?" Xiao Qian's friend on her left gave Yan Xiaobao an irritated glare. "Hey! Let go of her hand, or I'll scream harassment!"
Yan Xiaobao paid no mind to her complaints. He asked again, "Where can I buy one?"
"There are plenty of jewelry shops selling diamond rings along the pedestrian mall. Pick any one of them—as long as you've got money, you can buy as many as you want." Xiao Qian's friend on her right glanced at Xia Rou standing behind Yan Xiaobao and felt there was no need to accuse him of harassment. "You'd better get a diamond ring for your gorgeous girlfriend to lock her down—before someone else snatches her away."
"Thank you," Yan Xiaobao let go of Xiao Qian's hand and grabbed Xia Rou, pulling her along.
Rarely did Yan Xiaobao thank anyone. It was always others thanking him. This time was different—he was genuinely thankful to these three fairly unremarkable-looking girls for pointing him in the right direction.
"Don't tell me you're planning to buy a diamond ring..." Xia Rou sensed a hint of what was coming from Yan Xiaobao's intentions.
"Of course!" Yan Xiaobao declared resolutely, "You already said before that if I cured your family's illness, you'd become my wife. Yesterday, you promised me again that if I saved that Li kid, you'd officially be my wife. Since you're my wife, I absolutely have to get a diamond ring for you to wear."
"I..." Xia Rou was completely at a loss for how to refuse Yan Xiaobao. Hesitatingly, she let herself be pulled into Chow Tai Fook Jewelers.
The lovely Chow Tai Fook sales associate saw the young couple walk in, immediately sensing a promising sale. She warmly greeted them, "Good day, sir. Are you looking to buy your girlfriend a ring?"
Yan Xiaobao's eyes widened, "She's my wife!"
"Ah... Congratulations, congratulations!" The sales associate quickly switched her tone, buttering them up, "Miss, your husband treats you so well—what incredible luck you have."
Yan Xiaobao perked up instantly. He waved his hand grandly, "Show me your best diamond rings."
Chapter 64: Chapter 64: No Meeting Without Fate
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Wow! This handsome guy seems to be a rich second generation. Looks like he's going to seal the deal on a big purchase today!
The salesgirl became even more enthusiastic and quickly took out the store's most expensive diamond ring from the counter, introducing it with great pride: "Sir, take a look! This is the most exclusive diamond ring we offer. It boasts a flawless natural diamond, weighs 1.88 carats, and is of incredible collectible value..."
After reciting her spiel like a script, the salesgirl urged Xia Rou with an envious tone, "Beautiful lady, why don't you try it on? As gorgeous as you are, only such a perfect diamond ring can complement you."
Xia Rou was hesitating when an abrupt voice interrupted, "This ring isn't bad. Let me try it on."
Yan Xiaobao glared angrily at the woman who suddenly appeared from nowhere, "I claimed this ring first. If you want to try something, go somewhere else!"
Xia Rou turned her head and realized she recognized the newcomer; it was her former classmate, Cao Yan.
"Xia Rou, is that you?" Cao Yan also recognized Xia Rou and gave her a once-over, noting that her clothes and bag weren't from any high-end brands. A faint sense of smug satisfaction bubbled up within her.
Although they were classmates, they were never particularly close. On the contrary, Xia Rou was gentle and beautiful, excessively popular during their school days, which had always irked Cao Yan.
"Yeah, what a coincidence," Xia Rou responded coolly, with no intention of engaging with Cao Yan further.
Back in school, many girls jealous of Xia Rou often gossiped about her maliciously behind her back. Cao Yan was one of them. Xia Rou had known all along but couldn't care less about stooping to their level.
"Old classmate, it's been ages! How's life these days?" Cao Yan glanced at Yan Xiaobao, "Is this your boyfriend? He looks decent enough..."
"I'm her husband!" Yan Xiaobao promptly corrected.
"Oh, you're already married?" Cao Yan exclaimed in exaggerated surprise before grinning maliciously and teasing, "No wonder back in class so many boys were chasing you, and you turned them all down. Turns out you like older women who go for younger men. Haha!"
Xia Rou chuckled lightly, neither confirming nor denying it.
She was only twenty-four this year, arguably the prime of a woman's youthful elegance — how does that make her "old"?
"Young man, you're quite strong, carrying all those bags without even looking tired. Why not put them in the car first?" Cao Yan remarked, suddenly acting as though she made a fresh discovery and dramatically exclaimed, "Don't tell me you haven't bought a car yet?"
"Why bother buying a car? I just love riding the bus with Rourou," Yan Xiaobao responded with confidence. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
Of course, Cao Yan had no idea why Yan Xiaobao preferred public buses. She simply assumed this young couple was living on a tight budget, unable to afford a car, and felt even more satisfied internally.
Hmph! Xia Rou, Xia Rou. You were the queen of the school back then, but now your life is worse than mine. Of all people, you married a broke young man who can't even afford a car. So what if he's handsome? Can that face work like a credit card?
Seeing Cao Yan's glimmering expression, Xia Rou understood all too well what she intended but couldn't be bothered to explain, nor did she feel like engaging further.
But Cao Yan wasn't about to pass up on this chance to humiliate Xia Rou. She feigned concern and began lecturing her with faux sincerity, "Don't worry, life is ultimately about stability. As long as there's love, even a diet of water and bread can bring joy. But..."
Cao Yan abruptly shifted the tone, "Today, as an old classmate, I really need to talk to you. These days, saving up money is hard enough. Why imitate those vain women chasing after superficial things?"
As she spoke, Cao Yan snatched the diamond ring from the salesgirl's hand, "No car, no house, no diamond ring — you still managed to tie the knot, didn't you? Why care about others' opinions? If you ask me, you should pick something more practical and affordable instead."
After hearing Cao Yan's words, even the salesgirl privately sighed in pity for Xia Rou: Such a beautiful woman, yet she completely sold herself short in marriage. No house, no car, no diamond ring, but still went ahead. What was going through her mind?
"Honey!" Cao Yan hollered toward the door, "I really like this ring. Buy it for me!"
A bald, overweight man reluctantly walked in, silently cursing to himself: These little she-devils are all the same — saying they're casually window-shopping but ultimately dragging him into jewelry and luxury stores. Though he was a deputy captain of Baofeng District's Inspection Team with some dirty income, he couldn't keep up with such extravagance...
As fate would have it, this bald man also turned out to be an acquaintance: Liu Jian, the Baofeng District's Inspection Team deputy captain who had been knocked unconscious by Yan Xiaobao last time at Golden Sands Entertainment City. Liu Jian was known for his penchant for drinking and chasing women; Cao Yan was just his latest mistress.
Back when Liu Jian was knocked unconscious, he had already been heavily drunk and failed to recognize Yan Xiaobao and Xia Rou. While the couple recognized him immediately, neither had any intention of greeting him.
After entering, Liu Jian's eyes instantly latched onto Xia Rou, feeling an itch in his heart as she seemed familiar. Cao Yan angrily pinched him, snapping, "Focus here!"
Liu Jian reluctantly turned to see the enormous diamond ring in Cao Yan's hand, his heart sinking as he frowned and asked, "How much is this ring?"
"Sir, hello! This is our store's most exclusive diamond ring..." The salesgirl enthusiastically repeated her introduction before finally revealing the price, "A hundred and eighteen thousand, eight hundred yuan."
"A hundred and eighteen thousand, eight hundred!" Liu Jian involuntarily exclaimed. As a deputy captain of the Inspection Team, his legitimate salary was only a bit over a hundred thousand a year, which, even with bonuses, subsidies, and other benefits, wouldn't cover the cost of this ring...
"Honey, didn't you say our love was priceless?" Cao Yan clung to Liu Jian's arm, whining coquettishly, "I'm not asking for cars or mansions, just a mere tens-of-thousands ring."
The salesgirl next to them shivered at the scene, feeling her skin crawl.
Liu Jian swallowed nervously, his eyes sneaking another glance at Xia Rou. A hundred and eighteen thousand, eight hundred — while he could bite the bullet and pay, he felt Cao Yan's worth didn't justify such an expense. A platinum ring was more fitting for her, in his view.
Spending that much on Cao Yan? He honestly couldn't bring himself to do it. On the other hand, for Xia Rou, such a stunning beauty... That might be worth considering...
"Honey, it's not that I don't want to buy you this ring. It's just that money's a bit tight lately..." Liu Jian tried finding an excuse to postpone, "Let's wait till the year-end bonus, shall we?"
"Year-end bonus? It's only summer right now!" Cao Yan immediately protested, "Don't give me that 'money's tight' nonsense. You think I don't know? Last night, Brother Cheng lost over two hundred thousand to you in cards..."
Chapter 65: Chapter 65 A Single Mistake Turns Into Eternal Regret
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"Shh—" Liu Jian shuddered all over, hastily covering Cao Yan's mouth.
Using gambling as a way to accept tributes from small-time gang leaders — this was just a disguised form of bribery, a blatant abuse of power. If this got out, he, the Deputy Captain, would land in jail.
"Captain Liu, I didn't originally plan to demand such an expensive ring from you, but today I clashed with an old classmate. You can't let me lose face here."
Cao Yan stared intently at Liu Jian, whispering in his ear, "You're the Deputy Captain of the Inspection Team — we both know exactly how much you rake in under the table each year. If you treat me better, I won't let you walk away with nothing either. It's a win-win for both of us, you see?"
Hearing this, Liu Jian's face turned pale, a chill running down his spine.
It was only now that he realized Cao Yan was nothing like the mistresses he had picked up at KTV and other entertainment joints in the past. Cao Yan went to college, had seen the world, and was both ambitious and shrewd. She was far from the stereotypical women who relied solely on their beauty and submitted themselves for personal gain.
Though Cao Yan hadn't been with him long, thanks to his complete lack of caution, she had thoroughly grasped the details of his bribery, corruption, abuse of power, and illicit affairs. If they were to fall out, the outcome awaiting him was painfully obvious.
It's over... Old Liu, this time you've truly made an error that'll haunt you for eternity...
Cornered to this extent, Deputy Captain Liu had no choice but to obediently shell out for the ring. But just as he was about to swipe his card, Yan Xiaobao interrupted him and snatched the ring out of Cao Yan's hand. "This ring is for my Rourou wife! If you dare fight me for it, be careful, or I'll beat you up!"
Under normal circumstances, Liu Jian would've slammed the table and glared immediately, but now he wished someone else would take this off his hands. He shrank into a corner, staying silent.
The sales assistant, moved by this seemingly "penniless" young man's determination to buy the expensive ring worth 188,000 yuan for Xia Rou, supported him, saying, "Yes, this ring was picked by this gentleman first. He has the right to purchase it."
Cao Yan panicked at first, then composed herself, laughing coldly, "You can't afford it, so why act all high and mighty? You want to buy it? Fine! Go ahead, buy it! Show me if you've got the guts!"
"This is for Rourou, why would I buy it to show you?" Yan Xiaobao rolled his eyes at Cao Yan before pulling out his Golden Diamond VIP Card and handing it to the sales assistant.
"Uh..." The sales assistant froze momentarily before returning the VIP card to Yan Xiaobao with an embarrassed look, "Sorry, our store doesn't accept this card."
This Chow Tai Fook outlet on the pedestrian street wasn't part of the Desheng Group, so the Golden Diamond VIP Card naturally didn't cover it. Moreover, very few people had seen Desheng Group's Golden Diamond VIP Card, so neither the sales assistant nor Cao Yan recognized it.
"Hahaha!" Cao Yan burst into an exaggerated laugh. "This is hilarious! You're trying to show off but at least use a credit card to pay in installments, would you? Flashing a net café membership card to buy a diamond ring—do you think the sales assistant is as brain-dead as you?"
"Huh? How come it works for clothing but not for rings?" Yan Xiaobao was baffled.
Xia Rou softly explained to Yan Xiaobao that this store wasn't affiliated with Li Desheng's group, so his card wouldn't be valid here.
"Ridiculous!" Yan Xiaobao was angry now. He pulled out his phone and dialed the number on Li Desheng's business card.
The moment the call connected, before Li Desheng could even finish saying "Hello," a torrent of scolding greeted him:
"Li Desheng, what the hell are you doing? I'm at the pedestrian street buying a ring, and your card doesn't even work! Now my Rourou wife is upset, and so am I! Forget about saving your son; let him die! Beep, beep..."
Yan Xiaobao furiously hung up, leaving a completely stunned Li Desheng.
Realizing what Yan Xiaobao meant, Li Desheng immediately jumped to his feet, yelling into the phone while signaling for his car, "Quick! Prepare the car! We're going to the pedestrian street!"
"The number you have dialed is currently busy. Please try again later..."
Hearing the busy tone, Li Desheng panicked, thinking Yan Xiaobao was too angry to answer his calls. His face turned white. He knew that the unpredictable young Divine Doctor Yan didn't act according to conventional logic. If he didn't appease him, his son might really be doomed.
In truth, Yan Xiaobao wasn't ignoring Li Desheng's calls — he had just picked up another one, this time from Zhang Zhixue.
"Mr. Yan, the bonus from the airline has been transferred. Should I deliver it to Dexi Hall, or...?"
"Oh, are you coming to deliver money to me? I'm on the pedestrian street buying a ring. Bring it to me here." Yan Xiaobao was delighted and silently commended Zhang Zhixue.
This Chief Constable was truly efficient — first, allowing Han Ruobing some leave to accompany him properly, and now even ensuring timely funds for him to buy the ring. Not bad at all.
"Oh, haha! Xia Rou, your little young man here doesn't seem to have any real skills, but his acting chops are top-notch." Cao Yan smirked sarcastically, "You make it sound like people are desperately lining up to give you money. Let's see how long you can keep this act up!"
Cao Yan continued mocking, determined to "win" against Xia Rou, but Xia Rou, unwilling to witness her rival's pathetic display, sighed and said, "Xiao Bao, forget it. Let's go. I don't even like this ring. We'll pick another one in a different store."
"Huh?" Cao Yan looked at Xia Rou with exaggerated surprise and sneered, "Xia Rou, I thought only your little young man could fake it, but you're even better at playing pretend. What a perfect couple! If you can't afford it, just admit it. Why bother arguing with me?"
"Fine, fine, I can't afford it. You're rich, you can afford it. Happy now?" Xia Rou was too tired to waste another word on Cao Yan.
"Haha! Xia Rou, you've finally admitted it, haven't you?" Cao Yan laughed triumphantly, "You were so high and mighty back in school, always outshining me. Did you ever imagine this day would come? I'm living better than you now, and my man is better than yours!"
"Hey!" Yan Xiaobao glanced at Cao Yan as if looking at an idiot. "You think that bald, fat guy is better than me? Are you dumb or blind?"
"Hmph! My darling is the Deputy Captain of the Inspection Team. Compared to him, what are you even worth?" Cao Yan placed one hand on her hip and pointed at Yan Xiaobao with the other, proudly declaring, "Darling, go grab the ring back for me!"
Liu Jian knew there was no way around shelling out the 188,000 yuan today. He could only walk toward Yan Xiaobao with a resigned expression, reaching out his hand, "Hand over the ring."
Chapter 66: Chapter 66: Rushing to Give Money
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Yan Xiaobao burst into laughter out of extreme anger, "You bald, fat little fish, didn't I beat you hard enough last time? How dare you try to snatch a ring from me! Feeling itchy again and want to lie in a hospital bed for a few days, huh?"
Liu Jian immediately realized that the guy who sent him to the hospital a few days ago was the young man in front of him. He was instantly furious and swung a punch at Yan Xiaobao, "You little punk, so it was you!"
"Smack!" A loud, resounding noise.
Liu Jian's obese body flipped backward like an inflated balloon and rolled all the way out of Chow Tai Fook's door.
"You little punk, how dare you assault a law enforcement officer in public! Are you trying to rebel?" Liu Jian scrambled to his feet, humiliated and enraged, pulling out his phone to make a call while shouting venomously, "I swear I'll make sure you rot in jail!"
"Captain Liu, quite the display of authority, huh?"
A cold and commanding voice rang out from behind. Liu Jian turned his head and immediately bent over in submission, "Ch... Chief Zhang, what brings you here... unexpectedly...?"
"Naturally, it's because of your ostentatious display, Captain Liu."
The newcomer was Chief Zhang Zhixue, the Chief Constable of Baofeng District's Patrol Office, who had come specifically to deliver a reward to Yan Xiaobao. As the head of all constables in Baofeng District, his jurisdiction included the Inspection Team directly under him. Liu Jian, as his mere subordinate vice-captain, shrank like a scared kitten upon seeing his superior.
"Why are you here so early?" Yan Xiaobao asked Zhang Zhixue with mild annoyance. "You should've waited a bit longer—I might've been able to really teach him a lesson."
"What's upset Mr. Yan so much?" Zhang Zhixue smiled pleasantly and said, "There's no need for Mr. Yan to dirty his hands—I'll help you vent your frustration."
Hearing the conversation between Yan Xiaobao and Zhang Zhixue, Liu Jian suddenly felt a chill run through his whole body... as if he'd gone from sweating profusely on a midsummer day to being hit with an ice bucket challenge, utterly frozen to his core...
This guy—what kind of background does he have?! Even Chief Zhang treats him with such respect, talking to him as though he's addressing a superior...
It's over... completely over... This time, he's well and truly hit a dead end...
"We'll talk about everything else in a moment—hand over the reward first." Yan Xiaobao took the check from Zhang Zhixue and handed it to the shop assistant.
"Two million!" The shop assistant exclaimed in surprise before quickly composing herself and saying, "Sir, we can't directly accept checks here. But the bank is just next door—please wait a moment, I'll handle everything for you right away."
Since Liu Jian had been slapped out of the store, Cao Yan had been frozen in place like a statue.
Is Xia Rou's young man really this strong? Liu Jian's massive frame, which could practically crush people under its weight, was sent flying with a slap?
Is this guy crazy? He even dared to hit the vice-captain of the Inspection Team?
Wait... why is Chief Zhang from the Patrol Office here?
Huh? Chief Zhang knows Xia Rou's young man?
What?! Chief Zhang personally came to deliver a reward to him—and it's two million?!
This... this is absurd! This can't be real...
Upon hearing "two million," Liu Jian immediately recalled a name: Yan Xiaobao!
That's right—it must be him! He's the rumored "People's Hero" who single-handedly subdued the airplane hijackers. He's the madman who dared to call Cold Ice Divine Constable Han Ruobing "wife." He's the one who brazenly snatched arrest officer Shi Jianzhong's gun and got away with it, later wiping out Luo Jianbi's crew and recruiting Zhao Erhu's gang as subordinates...
I must've been completely blind to provoke a living legend like him... This time, I'm truly doomed...
Liu Jian's vision darkened, and he collapsed to the ground unconscious.
Just then, three middle-aged men dressed like successful businessmen came running over, gasping for breath.
Leading them was none other than the frantic Li Desheng, who brought his assistant and driver to the pedestrian street to search for Yan Xiaobao. Seeing a crowd gathered near Chow Tai Fook, he rushed over immediately.
Relieved to spot Yan Xiaobao, Li Desheng finally calmed down slightly. The fact that Yan Xiaobao was upset over a shopping incident wasn't a major problem—for Li Desheng, anything solvable with money was never truly a problem.
"Divine Doctor Yan, I've finally found you," Li Desheng said, wiping the sweat from his forehead. In all of Binhai, there really weren't many people who could make him run around panting and covered in sweat.
But Yan Xiaobao wasn't the least bit grateful. "The card you gave me doesn't work. Luckily, Chief Zhang already brought me the money to buy the ring. So why are you here now?"
"Well..." Li Desheng thought for a moment, plastered on a smile, and said, "Today's matter made Divine Doctor Yan and Doctor Xia unhappy. It's mainly my oversight. Here's what I'll do: I'll buy this store and gift it to Divine Doctor Yan as an apology."
Though Zhang Zhixue didn't know what had happened, he immediately recognized Binhai's mega-tycoon Li Desheng. Witnessing Li Desheng's deferential attitude, Zhang Zhixue couldn't help but secretly marvel.
Forget his own rank as Chief Constable—even if Li Desheng were dealing with the Lord Prefect, the man overseeing Binhai's legal and criminal affairs, he wouldn't lower himself this much.
Cao Yan didn't recognize Li Desheng or know his wealth, but upon hearing his words, "I'll buy this store and gift it as an apology," she almost fainted from shock.
Buying an entire store just to apologize?! The sheer scale of this person's assets was unimaginable. Even more terrifying—his apology was directed at Xia Rou's "young man"...
This... this is utterly surreal. Who... who on earth is this guy...?
Summer Xia knew why Li Desheng treated Yan Xiaobao with so much respect, but even she was stunned. A Chow Tai Fook store in the pedestrian street, including the merchandise and the premises, was worth no less than tens of millions... Yet Li Desheng was offering to buy it outright and gift it to Yan Xiaobao as an apology?
Even more absurd to Xia Rou was... Li Desheng hadn't even done anything wrong!
He'd already gifted Yan Xiaobao a Golden Diamond VIP Card that was worth a fortune. That was already extremely generous. It had been Yan Xiaobao who stormed into Chow Tai Fook to buy a ring without having money on him, then turned around and blamed Li Desheng...
To Xia Rou, this was entirely Yan Xiaobao throwing a tantrum. Yet Li Desheng was inexplicably willing to shoulder the nonexistent fault...
This only proved that, with Xia Rou's current perspective, she simply couldn't grasp the value a billionaire placed on his legacy—or the lives of his only child and himself.
To everyone present, with Li Desheng showing such sincerity and offering such immense reparations, even the most towering rage should have been completely quelled.
But to everyone's shock, Yan Xiaobao stared at Li Desheng and inexplicably said, "I've already bought the ring for Rourou. What would I do with your lousy store?"
Chapter 67: Chapter 66: Eagerly Coming to Give Money
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[Yesterday's Chapter got blocked, reposting after edits, feeling quite anxious...]
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Yan Xiaobao was so enraged that he laughed, "You bald, fat fish, didn't I beat you enough last time? How dare you try to snatch the ring from me again? Are you itching for another stay in the hospital?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Jian immediately realized the brat who beat him to the hospital a few days ago was standing right in front of him. He burst into anger and swung a punch at Yan Xiaobao, "You little punk, it was you!"
"Bang!" A loud sound echoed.
Liu Jian's hefty body toppled over like an inflated balloon and rolled out of the entrance of Chow Tai Fook.
"You little punk, how dare you assault law enforcement on the street? Are you looking to die?" Liu Jian scrambled back up, fuming with embarrassment, pulling out his phone to dial a number, and shouting, "I can make sure you rot in jail in no time!"
"Captain Liu, you sure have some nerve!"
An icy, authoritative voice spoke up from behind. Liu Jian turned and immediately shrunk halfway down in height, "Chief... Chief Zhang, what wind blew you here...here..."
"Of course, it was the aura of Captain Liu that brought me here."
The newcomer was none other than Zhang Zhixue, the Chief Constable from the Patrol Office in Baofeng District, here specifically to deliver a bonus to Yan Xiaobao. He was in charge of all patrols in Baofeng District, and the security team fell under his direct supervision. As Liu's immediate superior, seeing him was akin to a sick cat meeting a tiger.
"Why did you come so early?" Yan Xiaobao looked displeased at Zhang Zhixue, "It would have been better if you came a bit later so I could have beaten him up good."
"What has displeased Mr. Yan?" Zhang Zhixue smiled and said, "There's no need for Mr. Yan to act personally; I will naturally support you."
Overhearing the conversation between Yan Xiaobao and Zhang Zhixue, Liu Jian felt cold all over...like experiencing an ice bucket challenge on a sweltering day, chilled to the core...
Who in the world is this guy, even Chief Zhang speaks to him so courteously, almost as if talking to a leader...
I'm done for...completely done for...I've truly hit a brick wall this time...
"We'll talk about other things later. Give me the bonus first." Yan Xiaobao took the check from Zhang Zhixue and handed it to the sales lady.
"Two million!" the sales lady exclaimed, then quickly regained her composure and hurriedly said, "Sir, we can't accept checks directly here, but there's a bank next door. Please wait, I'll arrange it right away."
From the moment Yan Xiaobao slapped Liu Jian away, Cao Yan had been petrified.
Is Xia Rou's young man really this capable? Liu Jian's massive body, knocked away with just a slap?
Is this guy crazy? He even dared to hit the deputy captain of the Inspection Team?
Hmm? Why is Chief Zhang of the Patrol Office here?
Eh? Does he know Xia Rou's young man?
What? Chief Zhang personally came to give him a bonus, and it's two million!
This...this is too exaggerated! This can't be...
Upon hearing about the two million bonus, a name flashed in Liu Jian's mind: Yan Xiaobao!
That's right, it must be him! He's the legendary "People's Hero" who single-handedly thwarted hijackers, the one audacious enough to call Cold Ice Divine Constable Han Ruobing "wife," the guy who stole arrest officer Shi Jianzhong's gun and got away with it, and later defeated Luo Jianbi's gang, accepting Zhao Erhu's group as underlings...
Darned if I wasn't blind, how did I get on the wrong side of such a formidable figure...this time I'm truly doomed...
Liu Jian's vision went dark, and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Just then, three middle-aged men, dressed like successful figures, rushed over out of breath.
They were led by Li Desheng, frantic as an ant on a hot pan, with his assistant and driver along, searching for Yan Xiaobao on the pedestrian street. Seeing a crowd at Chow Tai Fook, they hurried over.
Seeing Yan Xiaobao, Li Desheng felt a bit relieved. Yan Xiaobao was in a foul mood due to a shopping issue today, but such problems could be resolved with money, which wasn't a big deal for Li Desheng.
"Divine Doctor Yan, finally found you." Li Desheng wiped the sweat off his forehead. There weren't many in all of Binhai who could make him run till he was drenched in sweat.
But Yan Xiaobao had no appreciation, "Your card was useless. Luckily, Chief Zhang already sent over the money, and I bought the ring. Why are you still running over here now?"
"Well..." Li Desheng thought for a moment and forced a smile, "Today's incident upset Divine Doctor Yan and Doctor Xia. It was mostly my lack of foresight. How about this, I'll buy this store and gift it to Divine Doctor Yan as an apology."
Zhang Zhixue didn't know what had happened, but he recognized Binhai tycoon Li Desheng, and seeing such respectful behavior, he was silently amazed.
Forget even someone like himself as Chief Constable; even when facing the Lord Prefect overseeing the law and criminal matters in Binhai City, Li Desheng didn't need to lower himself so humbly.
Cao Yan didn't recognize Li Desheng, nor did she know how wealthy he was, but hearing him say, "I'll buy this store as an apology," nearly shocked her to fainting.
Bargaining over entire store acquisitions for an apology, one could deduce this person's wealth. What was scarier was that the apology was aimed at Xia Rou's "young man..."
This...this is simply unfathomable, he...who on earth is he...
Though Xia Rou understood why Li Desheng showed such respect to Yan Xiaobao, she was still taken aback. A Chow Tai Fook store on the pedestrian street, with inventory and property, probably worth no less than tens of millions... and Li Desheng planned to buy it just to apologize to Yan Xiaobao?
Even more absurd to Xia Rou was... Li Desheng hadn't done anything wrong from start to finish!
Giving Yan Xiaobao a Golden Diamond VIP Card worth its weight in gold was already generous. It was Yan Xiaobao who rashly barged into Chow Tai Fook for a ring purchase without enough cash, then blamed Li Desheng... freēwēbηovel.c૦m
To Xia Rou, this was utterly unreasonable from Yan Xiaobao, yet Li Desheng owned up to this unwarranted debt...
This only indicated that with Xia Rou's current perspective, she simply couldn't fathom how much the life of an only child and her own life was worth in the heart of a multi-billionaire...
In everyone's view, with Li Desheng's sincere apology and the store's value, even immense anger should be thoroughly quelled.
However, unexpectedly, Yan Xiaobao looked at Li Desheng inexplicably, "I've already bought the ring I want for Rourou, why would I need this worthless store of yours?"
Chapter 68: Chapter 67: Talented Scholar and Beautiful Maid
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Holy shit!
Everyone present suddenly felt their brains short of oxygen, almost about to crash!
The rent for this shop alone costs hundreds of thousands annually! For ordinary people, owning such a shop means you'll never have to worry about food or drink for the rest of this life or the next!
And yet Yan Xiaobao actually said... What's the point of having this shabby store?
"..." Li Desheng was genuinely stunned.
Even though he had mentally prepared himself for the unconventional and unpredictable ways of Yan Xiaobao and had believed his sincere efforts would surely satisfy him, Yan Xiaobao still managed to leave him shocked.
Could it be that he felt the shop wasn't valuable enough?
No! Li Desheng quickly snapped out of it.
As someone who had been navigating the business world for decades, meeting countless people, he could discern from Yan Xiaobao's eyes that there wasn't a trace of greed. This proved that Yan Xiaobao was absolutely not a money-hungry person.
It could only mean that the reason for Yan Xiaobao's dissatisfaction today wasn't because of money. It was because the Golden Diamond VIP Card Li Desheng gave him could only be used at Desheng Group's establishments—not convenient enough for Yan Xiaobao.
Yes! That must be it!
Realizing this, Li Desheng immediately opened his briefcase and pulled out another card, offering it to Yan Xiaobao with both hands. "Divine Doctor Yan, my apologies, it seems I've truly overlooked something—old age creeping up, I suppose, haha. Please take this card to make sure situations like today's won't occur again in the future."
"Oh?" Yan Xiaobao glanced at the unassuming black card in his hand. "This card actually works well?"
Li Desheng gave a faint smile and said confidently, "This is a no-limit black credit card, accepted worldwide. It'll absolutely work anywhere you go."
Everyone present, except for Yan Xiaobao, widened their eyes and stared unblinkingly at the black credit card in his hand.
A no-limit credit card—the legendary "King of Cards"!
They say owning such a black card is a true testament to the cardholder's elite status. The card is not something you can apply for; clients are invited by the bank.
For black card holders, there's no such thing as a "credit limit." Someone once asked a bank executive whether a black card holder could swipe it to purchase an airplane.
The answer was: Absolutely.
Having a black card not only signifies top-tier personal wealth but is also a prestigious status symbol, representing the cardholder's impeccable financial credibility—a wealthy, influential, and trusted elite individual!
And Li Desheng just handed his black card to Yan Xiaobao—even if it were a secondary card, it's still mind-blowingly impressive, absolutely extraordinary...
As everyone looked on, stunned and envious, Yan Xiaobao nonchalantly slipped the card into his pocket and casually said, "Since you say it works so well, I'll take it. But if anything goes wrong again, I'll truly be mad."
Li Desheng wasn't fazed in the slightest and chuckled, "Divine Doctor Yan, rest assured, as long as the Li Family stands strong, this card will never encounter any issues."
Still uncertain, Yan Xiaobao asked, "Is your Li Family really that capable? Can you guarantee you'll never fall?"
"Ahem ahem..." Li Desheng gave a slightly embarrassed laugh. "Well... our Li Family is not exactly almighty, just doing steady and fair business. Friends usually give us some respect, so for now, I don't foresee us collapsing any time soon."
"Alright, let's leave it at that for today. After I get some rest in the next few days, I'll come treat your son again."
After finishing, Yan Xiaobao took the paperwork from the shop assistant, handed the ring over to Xia Rou, and smiled to ingratiate himself. "Rourou, this is the ring I bought for you. Hurry and try it on."
Standing nearby, Li Desheng smiled and said, "Divine Doctor Yan, a ring like this should be put on by you personally."
"Oh, right!" Yan Xiaobao slapped his forehead, took Xia Rou's hand, and slipped the ring onto her finger.
"You're a match made in heaven, perfect together. Congratulations!" Li Desheng led the applause, followed by Zhang Zhixue, the store staff, and others, who also clapped and offered their blessings.
Xia Rou stared blankly at Yan Xiaobao as he placed the diamond ring on her ring finger, her emotions a tangled mix, hard to decipher.
"Kiss her!" "Kiss her!" "Kiss her!"
The crowd began cheering, clapping faster to urge them on.
Yan Xiaobao wrapped his hands around Xia Rou's slender waist, grinning mischievously as he leaned closer.
This time, Xia Rou neither could, dared, nor wanted to resist, letting Yan Xiaobao plant a gentle kiss on her soft, delicate lips.
...
At this moment, Cao Yan wished she had never encountered Xia Rou today—she even wished she had never known her. Because she now realized, she would never, in this lifetime, be able to compare to Xia Rou.
The Chief Constable and billionaires came to offer money, show respect, apologize, and gift the unparalleled black credit card... All these proved that Xia Rou's "young man" husband possessed unimaginable influence. She would never in her life find a man who could surpass Yan Xiaobao.
Before leaving, Xia Rou walked up to Cao Yan and said one final sentence: "If you want a good life, don't compare yourself to others. Making each day better than the last is enough."
...
Without bothering about how Zhang Zhixue planned to deal with Liu Jian, Yan Xiaobao took Xia Rou by the hand and left Chow Tai Fook, considering where to have lunch.
"Let's go to Desheng Restaurant." Xia Rou pointed to a large sign not far away.
Desheng Restaurant is one of Binhai's most famous establishments—high class and well-renowned.
Of course, most importantly, as the name of the restaurant suggested, it was an affiliate of the Desheng Group. Dining there would lessen Xia Rou's worry about Yan Xiaobao causing any more trouble that couldn't be contained.
Since Xia Rou had chosen the place, Yan Xiaobao naturally had no objections. Holding her soft hand, he happily headed right into Desheng Restaurant.
"Welcome to Desheng Restaurant. How many guests for lunch?" The hostess, dressed in a cheongsam and elegantly poised, asked politely to arrange seating. freewebnøvel.coɱ
"Just the two of us," Yan Xiaobao pointed to himself and Xia Rou, "I'd like a quiet private room."
It was lunch rush hour, and Desheng Restaurant was bustling with activity. The first-floor hall was packed, with many other guests waiting in the lounge area. Naturally, Yan Xiaobao wasn't willing to queue, nor did he want to eat in a noisy hall with Xia Rou.
"I'm sorry." The hostess hesitated and explained apologetically, "Private rooms require a Golden Member Card for reservation, and they're fully booked at the moment. You see..."
"We have a member card." Xia Rou, worried about Yan Xiaobao losing his temper, quickly urged him to take out the Golden Diamond VIP Card and hand it to the hostess.
Chapter 69: Chapter 68 News about Xiao Wan
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Golden Diamond VIP Card! It's the symbol of the highest-tier VIP under the Desheng Group, far surpassing the ordinary Gold and Platinum Member Cards.
The hostess was immediately startled, quickly bowed, and said, "I'm so sorry for neglecting you two esteemed guests. This way, please. I'll immediately prepare the best private room for you."
Only then did Yan Xiaobao reveal a trace of satisfaction, feeling that this Golden Diamond VIP Card wasn't as useless as he initially thought.
The hostess led Yan Xiaobao and Xia Rou into the VIP elevator.
Desheng Restaurant is split into three floors: The first-floor hall is open to all patrons, the private rooms on the second floor require a Gold Member Card for reservations, and the elegant rooms on the third floor necessitate a Platinum Member Card.
With the Golden Diamond VIP Card in hand, Yan Xiaobao directly enjoyed the highest level of treatment.
When the elevator reached the third floor and the doors opened, the restaurant manager was already waiting at the entrance, bowing and greeting them. He personally escorted Yan Xiaobao to the finest riverside view private room.
The private room was refined yet luxurious. All the furniture was crafted from mahogany, and the porcelain tableware atop the dining table looked as exquisite as auctioned art pieces. A floor-to-ceiling window presented a stunning panoramic view of the river scenery outside.
It was Xia Rou's first time dining in such an upscale establishment. She couldn't help but silently sigh—rich people's lifestyles truly are... so decadent...
"Are the two esteemed guests satisfied?"
After receiving Xia Rou's nod of approval, the manager handed two leather-bound menus to them, saying, "Please take your time browsing."
Too lazy to flip through the menu, Yan Xiaobao directly demanded, "Bring out everything that's the best on your menu."
"Xiao Bao..." Xia Rou stopped him, "It's just the two of us. How could we possibly eat that much?"
"If we don't try it all, how will we know which dishes are the best?" Yan Xiaobao said casually, adding, "Anyway, Li Desheng said I can freely spend at any of his establishments with this card."
"..." Xia Rou was speechless for a moment before continuing to persuade him, "But we shouldn't waste food."
"I have a big appetite; how could it go to waste?"
Even though Yan Xiaobao showed such a faux-pass "country bumpkin entering the Grand View Garden" demeanor, the manager didn't bat an eyelid. Remaining respectful, he said, "It's no problem. Since our distinguished guest wishes to sample Desheng Restaurant's craftsmanship, I'll arrange for one portion of every signature dish for you to try and review." frёeweɓηovel_coɱ
"Mm, mm, mm." Yan Xiaobao nodded in great satisfaction, "You're good at your job. Next time, I'll have a word with Li Desheng and ask him to praise you."
"You over flatter me, esteemed guest. It's my duty," the manager said with perfect composure, bowing politely before stepping back to the door. "I'll make the arrangements immediately. Please wait a moment."
The manager hadn't been gone long before dishes started arriving. The speed exceeded Xia Rou's expectations.
After some exquisitely plated cold appetizers and pastries, the manager began introducing the first highlight dish.
"This Steamed Songjiang Perch and Supreme Fresh Water Shield Soup are the treasures of Desheng Restaurant. Generally, it requires at least a month's advance booking to enjoy them."
"As the ancients said: 'Chun Soup and Perch Slices.' The tale of 'Chun Soup and Perch Slices' is well-recorded in various classical texts. For example, 'To Autumn's Breeze and Scenic Beauty; To Wujiang's Waters and Fat Perch.' And, 'The world over, all desires can be met; save for perch, one shouldn't be held back by merit.' And so on."
"Chun is the finest among vegetables, while perch is considered the king of fish. Chun Soup and Perch Slices are not only culinary delights but also carry deep historical and cultural significance."
"For us Yanhuang people, cuisine is a pursuit of the utmost precision. We believe there are four realms to eating: The first is fullness, the second is flavor, the third is savoring, and the fourth is intent. That is to say, the highest realm of cuisine is not just about savoring its taste but also discovering its essence."
The manager, quoting classics and explaining eloquently, thoroughly impressed Xia Rou: People of class and elegance even turn a simple meal into such a refined and cultured affair...
Unfortunately, Yan Xiaobao clearly wasn't the kind of person to revel in pretension or poetic style. To him, food could only be categorized into two types: tasty and not tasty.
As the manager introduced each dish, Yan Xiaobao tried them one by one without hesitation, keeping only the tasty ones and sending the rest away. His approach was as straightforward and crude as that.
In the end, out of Desheng Restaurant's thirty-three signature dishes, Yan Xiaobao kept half, filling the table to the brim.
The manager exited the private room, leaving Yan Xiaobao and Xia Rou to leisurely enjoy their meal.
This meal fulfilled Xia Rou's sensibilities of elegance, while Yan Xiaobao also ate with delight. Since arriving in Binhai, it was the first time he'd genuinely had such satisfying food.
While the two were immersed in their culinary experience, Yan Xiaobao's ears suddenly perked up—he'd caught a name that made him particularly alert: Su Xiaowan.
The voice came from the adjacent private room. Although Desheng Restaurant's private rooms had excellent soundproofing, nothing could elude Yan Xiaobao's sharp hearing.
Four young men were dining and chatting in the next room.
A slightly sharp voice asked, "Jin Peng, your sister's trip abroad should be over by now, right?"
"Mm, she came back just yesterday," the man addressed as Jin Peng replied.
The sharp voice continued, "When are you going to arrange for her to join us for a meal?"
"What, Young Master Ma, you're still not over my sister?" A third man chimed in.
From just these few exchanges, it was clear the man with the sharp voice was pursuing the other two brothers' sister.
"Young Master Su, aren't you asking the obvious?" said a fourth man with a chuckle. "If I weren't already taken, I'd find it hard to resist competing with Young Master Ma. Your Su Xiaowan, recognized as Jiangnan's first beauty—what man wouldn't be moved? And once moved, who could give her up?"
"Since ancient times, Jiangnan has produced beauties; now, it's all about Su Xiaowan," the sharp voice recited an awkward and unpoetic attempt at a verse, then sighed:
"Young Master Su, Second Young Master Su, your sister isn't just stunningly beautiful but also extraordinarily intelligent. At just twenty years old, she's already hailed as Jiangnan's financial prodigy, the pillar of your Su Family. To marry such a peerless woman as a wife—what more could one ask for? If I can't marry her, I'd rather live alone forever!"
"Since Young Master Ma has such unwavering determination, as brothers, we naturally ought to help..."
"Jin Peng!" Young Master Su interrupted his younger brother, hesitated briefly, then advised Young Master Ma, "This matter... will prove very difficult. To be honest with you, my sister Xiaowan is already engaged."
"Engaged already?" Young Master Ma was stunned. "How come I've never heard about it?"
"I haven't heard, either," the fourth man was equally shocked. "Logically speaking, the engagement news of Lady Su, Jiangnan's first beauty Su Xiaowan, should've spread across Jiangnan immediately."
"Exactly!" Young Master Ma agreed. "Your family's engagement for Lady Su—how could you not invite us Ma Family and Young Master Tang from the Tang Family to the ceremony?"
Chapter 70: Chapter 69: Dare You Not to Run
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Mr. Su explained, "This matter is rather complicated and a bit strange. There are plenty of disputes within the Su Family right now, so we haven't made this news public."
"What disputes? Other than Xiao Wan herself, none of us approve, okay?" Second Young Master Su said irritably, "Last summer, Xiao Wan went to the South Sea, and when she came back, she claimed she was engaged to someone. None of us have ever seen her fiancé, don't even know which Immortal he is, so how could we agree to this?"
"Now that Second Young Master Su said this, I'm at ease. As long as Su Xiaowan isn't officially engaged, I won't give up easily." Young Master Ma sneered confidently, "I, Ma Boyao, one of the Top Ten Outstanding Youth of Jiangnan, have no reason to lose to anyone."
The term "Top Ten Outstanding Youth of Jiangnan" that Ma Boyao mentioned refers to a self-proclaimed title by the heirs of the ten powerful Jiangnan families. Outsiders usually call them the "Jiangnan Ten Tigers", referring to the ten most formidable young heirs in Jiangnan Province.
Among the four people present, three belonged to the "Jiangnan Ten Tigers": Ma Boyao, who was determined to marry Su Xiaowan; Tang Wenjun, the reserved young master of the Tang Family; and Su Xiaowan's older brother, Su Jingming.
Second Young Master Su Jinpeng from the Su Family was not part of the "Jiangnan Ten Tigers" because each family could hold only one spot, and he was not the future heir of the family, thus lacking reputation and status.
Mr. Su Jingming, always mature and prudent, said with a heavy tone, "I know my sister Xiao Wan's character and taste quite well. Whoever wins her heart is surely no ordinary man. In my opinion, Young Master Ma, you'd better prepare yourself mentally."
"Hmph!" Ma Boyao adjusted his glasses, a glint flashing in his eyes, "I don't care how exceptional he is. Anyone who stands between me and Xiao Wan is my mortal enemy! The moment they appear in front of me, I'll trample them into the ground and make them regret ever being born!"
Just as Ma Boyao finished speaking, the private room's door suddenly slammed open with a loud "Bang!"
The four young masters inside barely had time to react before someone stormed in, smacking Ma Boyao to the ground with a resounding slap and pressing a foot down on his neck. Pointing at his nose, the intruder roared furiously, "You four-eyed field frog! How dare you plot against Xiao Wan—my wife! I'll make you regret being born right now!"
The other three young masters in the private room were utterly stunned.
What's going on?
Why would a random troublemaker burst in and flatten Young Master Ma while they were having a decent meal?
Isn't this the most upscale private room on the third floor of Desheng Restaurant?
How could such a thing happen?
Su Jingming was the first to recover and sternly questioned, "Who are you? How dare you barge in and assault people without rhyme or reason!"
"This guy dared to compete with me over Xiao Wan—my wife. Shouldn't I beat him up?"
The person who barged into the room and knocked over Ma Boyao was naturally Yan Xiaobao, who had overheard the conversation next door. After hearing Su Xiaowan's name repeatedly, he eavesdropped on their discussion. Upon hearing Ma Boyao spout arrogant words, challenging him, he couldn't hold back and stormed in to take action.
"Xiao Wan—my wife?" Su Jingming frowned and asked suspiciously, "Could it be... are you Yan Xiaobao, the one Xiao Wan mentioned?"
"Of course, I'm Yan Xiaobao!" Xiaobao pointed to himself and declared, "Other than me, who else dares to call Xiao Wan my wife?"
"Ha! Marrying my Xiao Wan won't be that easy. The Su Family hasn't acknowledged you, you little brat!" Su Jinpeng rushed over to pull Yan Xiaobao away. "Let go of Young Master Ma, or I won't go easy on you!"
"Smack!"
Yan Xiaobao casually slapped him back. Su Jinpeng stumbled into a chair like a worn-out sack and crashed into the wall.
"I'll marry Xiao Wan as long as she agrees. Why should I care if the Su Family recognizes me or not?" Xiaobao roared furiously, his aura overflowing with aggression. "Anyone who dares to stand in my way will pay the price!"
Witnessing Xiaobao's overwhelming combat ability, Su Jingming and Tang Wenjun froze, unwilling to act rashly.
Meanwhile, Xia Rou next door, hearing the chaos, realized Xiaobao was causing trouble again. She quickly rushed over, trying to calm him down, "Let's talk this out. Stop resorting to violence. Let him go, don't seriously hurt anyone."
"Hmph! If it weren't for Rourou pleading for you, I'd cripple you right now and make you a eunuch!" Xiaobao sneered and kicked Ma Boyao away, sending him flying to the wall corner.
"You... You trash actually dare to hit me! I... I..." Ma Boyao cursed venomously with a trace of fear, clutching the wall as he stumbled to the door. He glared back and spat out a threat, "If you've got guts, don't leave!"
"I've got guts!" Xiaobao retorted, "If you've got guts, don't run away!"
Tang Wenjun stood up to shield Ma Boyao, helping him retreat from the room.
"How can you be so barbaric, acting violently in such a high-end establishment?" Su Jingming scolded while helping his brother Su Jinpeng back to a chair. "Jinpeng is still Xiao Wan's brother. You injured him at your first meeting. Explain how you intend to face Xiao Wan later!"
"He opposed me marrying Xiao Wan and even tried helping that four-eyed field frog! If Xiao Wan found out, she'd only say that I did the right thing by beating them up," Xiaobao argued confidently, trusting his wife's judgment.
"Brother, call Xiao Wan and let her see clearly with her own eyes what kind of man she chose!" Su Jinpeng complained bitterly, rubbing his swollen face.
Su Jingming considered this and sent Xiao Wan a message via WeChat. Until now, he had leaned toward supporting Xiao Wan's decisions, believing his sister's marriage was her own choice.
But after witnessing Xiaobao's dramatic entrance and violent behavior towards Ma Boyao and Su Jinpeng, his stance began to shift toward neutrality—neither supporting nor opposing Xiao Wan's choices.
Hence, this time, he planned to observe from the sidelines and see how Xiao Wan and this so-called "brother-in-law" would handle the situation.
By this point, Ma Boyao and Tang Wenjun had returned to the private room, and behind them was Manager Wang from Desheng Restaurant.
"Manager Wang, what's going on!" Ma Boyao pointed angrily at his face, shouting, "Isn't Desheng Restaurant supposed to be a high-end venue? Why would a rabid dog suddenly rush into this third-floor private room and bite people? Look at the state I'm in!"
Indeed, Ma Boyao looked utterly disheveled. His left cheek was swollen like a pig's face, and the titanium-alloy half-frame glasses now truly looked like half a frame, with the other half embedded in his swollen skin—a pitiful sight. Fortunately, Xiaobao hadn't gone full strength; otherwise, half of Ma Boyao's teeth might have been lost as well.