Returning after 10000 Years Cultivation - Chapter 67

“Yes, Young Master Xue!”

Without hesitation, several bodyguards grabbed Fan Tao, dragged him to the ship’s railing, and threw him straight into the sea.

“Won’t this cause trouble?” Lu Biyao gasped, stunned, her admiration for Xue Feiyang growing even stronger.

Fan Tao was somewhat of a figure in Linzhou, but in front of Xue Feiyang, he was nothing more than a small fry.

“Just scaring him a little. Once he’s had enough seawater, we’ll fish him out!”

Xue Feiyang smirked, exuding the domineering aura of a CEO, and led Lu Biyao into the banquet hall.

As soon as she stepped inside, Lu Biyao’s eyes widened in shock.

The hall was dazzling—filled with glittering lights and high society. The decor was extravagantly luxurious, and every guest was a heavyweight, each with assets worth at least a billion.

Xue Feiyang respectfully bowed to a young man surrounded by admirers. “Young Master Rong, I’ve arrived!”

“Oh, Feiyang, you’re here.”

The man, Liu Jinrong, was the son of Liu Zikun. Before even turning thirty, he had taken control of a real estate investment company worth billions, making him a formidable name in Donghai.

At the moment, he had one arm around Yang Mi, a red-hot A-list celebrity in China, while the other held a glass of red wine as he chatted and laughed with tycoons and socialites from Donghai and Jiangzhou.

When Xue Feiyang entered, Liu Jinrong barely acknowledged him—just a slight, almost imperceptible nod, dripping with arrogance.

“Huh? She looks a bit like Zhao Xueqing…” Lu Biyao thought, studying the female celebrity with curiosity.

“Young Master Rong, this is my new friend, Lu Biyao, daughter of Lu Haitao from the Lu family in Linzhou. She’d like to get to know you.”

Xue Feiyang bowed and scraped, his face full of flattery, pushing Lu Biyao forward.

At this point, Lu Biyao was starting to regret it.

Xue Feiyang was nothing like the equal “brother” of Liu Jinrong he had claimed to be—he was clearly just a lackey, a pimp for Young Master Rong.

But in front of Liu Jinrong, she didn’t dare show the slightest disrespect. She quickly bowed slightly and said, “I’m Lu Biyao, the head of a foreign trade company in Linzhou. It’s an honor to meet you, Young Master Rong.”

In front of a second-generation heir like this, her wealth and background were insignificant. Mentioning her own company was the only way to avoid seeming worthless.

“Oh, you run your own company?”

Liu Jinrong finally showed a flicker of interest, scanning her up and down.

In terms of looks, Lu Biyao wasn’t the most stunning among the women present—even some of the models he’d slept with outshone her, let alone the A-lister in his arms.

But the Lu family was known for its strict upbringing, and Liu Jinrong’s sharp eyes could tell from her posture, demeanor, and attire that she had been raised with refinement. Moreover, judging from her demeanor and figure, she might still be untouched.

A beautiful, independent woman from a good family with business acumen? Even Liu Jinrong felt a stir of desire.

“How the hell did Xue Feiyang find such a gem…?”

Thinking this, Liu Jinrong smiled warmly and introduced Lu Biyao to the surrounding tycoons, asking them to take care of her.

Lu Biyao was flattered beyond words.

These wealthy businessmen were all influential figures, frequently appearing in financial media, and their fortunes far surpassed the Lu family’s.

“Biyao, if you want to collaborate with Donghai and Jiangzhou, that’s certainly possible. But I’m busy now—how about you come to my room tonight, and we can discuss it in detail?”

Liu Jinrong’s tone was gentle, but the implication was unmistakable.

Lu Biyao froze, shooting a glance at Xue Feiyang.

To her dismay, Xue Feiyang beamed and urged, “Biyao, this is a rare opportunity! You must seize it!”

Now, Lu Biyao was certain—the so-called “legendary Young Master Xue” was nothing more than a glorified errand boy for Liu Jinrong, a pimp with no real standing. He definitely didn’t have the clout to speak directly to Ye Gufeng.

“I have a few friends waiting for me, so I’m afraid it might be inconvenient…” she said apologetically.

She had her own tactics.

Attaching herself to Liu Jinrong would be far better than sticking with Xue Feiyang.

But even when climbing the social ladder, a woman couldn’t give herself away too easily. Men had to be strung along.

She knew all too well that a woman’s first time could be exchanged for immense rewards—if played right.

But then she noticed Liu Jinrong staring at her, smiling faintly but saying nothing.

The tycoons who had been so enthusiastic moments ago now seemed cold, as if they’d turn hostile if she refused.

The celebrity Yang Mi sneered, “You think you’re too good for this? If you say no, think about the consequences.”

“What friends? Call them over! Are they more important than Young Master Rong?” Chairman Hu pressed aggressively.

Sweat broke out on Lu Biyao’s back. She had tried to play the game but was now in danger of losing everything. If Ye Gufeng took control of Jiangbei, Liu Jinrong would become even more untouchable—someone the Lu family could never afford to offend.

Her mind raced, and her gaze flickered to Jiang Tian and the others chatting on the deck. A sudden idea struck her, and she smiled.

“I’m truly sorry, but I came with Jiang Tian and Zhao Xueqing. I still need to accompany them later.”

She would’ve loved to climb Liu Jinrong’s social ladder—but only as his official girlfriend, with marriage as the end goal.

Being treated like a disposable fling, like some third-rate starlet, would only lead to abandonment.

“Heh. Miss Lu, you probably don’t realize just how precious an opportunity it is to catch Young Master Rong’s eye,” a middle-aged man puffing on a thick cigar remarked with a shake of his head.

He was known as “Chairman Hu,” the owner of a high-end restaurant chain with branches across Donghai, Jiangzhou, and even Linzhou—worth at least a billion.

“That’s right, Biyao. If you befriend Young Master Rong, who in Donghai or Jiangzhou would dare not give you preferential treatment?” Xue Feiyang coaxed.

“Right now, businessmen from your Linzhou are lining up to work with Young Master Rong—some are even handing over hundreds of millions in shares for free!” Yang Mi added with a disdainful snort.

Hearing this, Lu Biyao lowered her head, tempted.

Just one night could buy the Lu family—and herself—a ticket into Ye Gufeng’s inner circle.

And if Liu Jinrong felt even a shred of lingering affection, she might even get more out of it…

“Who did you say? Zhao Xueqing? Where is she?”

Suddenly, Liu Jinrong’s expression changed. He looked dazed, almost frantic.

Lu Biyao was taken aback—he knew Zhao Xueqing?

Before she could respond, Xue Feiyang jumped up, pointing through the floor-to-ceiling windows. “There! Over there!”

“Zhao Xueqing…”

Liu Jinrong stood, staring at Zhao Xueqing on the deck, his eyes burning with greed.

Years ago, at a business conference in Jiangbei, he had met Zhao Xueqing and been instantly smitten. He had even sent someone to propose to the Zhao family.

But to his shock, Zhao Xueqing flatly refused and soon after married a useless man surnamed Jiang.

The only reason Liu Jinrong had taken up with Yang Mi was because she bore a slight resemblance to Zhao Xueqing.

But her aura was nowhere near Zhao Xueqing’s, and he had never been able to forget her, tormented by longing.

“Who’s that man?”

When he saw Jiang Tian holding Zhao Xueqing’s hand, his pupils contracted sharply, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes.

“Oh, him? That’s Zhao Xueqing’s husband, Jiang Tian. A lunatic and a loser. He’s just a PR flunky at Zhao Pharmaceuticals—a live-in son-in-law!”

Lu Biyao wasted no time in fanning the flames, laying out Jiang Tian’s pitiful circumstances.

So Liu Jinrong had his sights set on Zhao Xueqing? Perfect. Jiang Tian was about to be crushed.

“A worthless piece of trash. How dare he compare to me?” Liu Jinrong snorted disdainfully.

A lowly wage-slave, a live-in son-in-law—how could such trash even enter his field of vision?

“That girl’s quite pretty. How could she settle for such a third-rate loser? Is she blind?” Yang Mi added spitefully.

She had always been jealous of Zhao Xueqing, knowing Liu Jinrong was obsessed with her.

But why?

She was a superstar, talented and beautiful. What did Zhao Xueqing have that she didn’t?

“Hmph!” Liu Jinrong couldn’t take it anymore. He stormed out without another word.

Lu Biyao followed behind, a sly smirk playing on her lips.

Diverting trouble to someone else while protecting herself—two birds with one stone.

Jiang Tian, you’ve always looked down on me. Now, you’ll pay in blood.

…

“Jiang Tian, my uncle just called. He’d like you to join the banquet…” Zheng Li said sweetly after hanging up.

“No thanks. That place is too noisy. I’d rather chat here,” Jiang Tian declined politely.

“We can watch the fights later,” Zhao Xueqing suggested with a smile.

Night had fallen, and the deck was now set up with a massive open-air fighting ring.

Martial artists of all kinds—MMA fighters, Muay Thai practitioners, karate experts, even some foreign fighters—had gathered.

The audience, numbering in the hundreds, was all wealthy or influential, seated in chairs around the ring, buzzing with excitement.

Since this was a gambling ship, betting was inevitable. Several bookmakers stood behind counters, taking wagers on the fights.

“Xueqing, if you bet based on my advice, you’ll make a fortune,” Jiang Tian said cheerfully.

“Of course! My husband is always right!” Zhao Xueqing grinned, eager to try her luck.

“I heard last year’s high-seas tournament had over two billion in bets in just three days. Boss Ye from Donghai pocketed two hundred million just from the cuts!” Zheng Li said enviously.

Her uncle, Zheng Guangsha, was Linzhou’s richest man, but even he couldn’t match Ye Gufeng’s money-making prowess.

“Hmph…” Ye Ziwei snorted, her expression complicated as she watched the lively scene.

Just then—

Amidst a crowd of tycoons and celebrities, Liu Jinrong strode over, wine glass in hand, smiling at Zhao Xueqing.

“Xueqing, I didn’t expect to see you here. Why don’t we go to the banquet hall and chat?”

“Young Master Rong!”

“Young Master Rong is here!”

His arrival instantly drew attention, with people calling out respectful greetings.

But Liu Jinrong ignored them, his gaze fixed solely on Zhao Xueqing.

“Xueqing, come with me.”