“Absolutely not, I’ve set my heart on this root carving, and you must give me a thirty percent discount, or else… hehe.” Qu Han’s attitude was so distasteful that even Zhao Ting, who accompanied him, couldn't stand it. She shot him a look of disgust before turning and quietly slipping away. Unfortunately, Qu Han was entirely focused on the crowd in the hall, completely missing the fact that the beautiful woman beside him was gone.

The lobby manager replied, “Sir, you are making things very difficult for us. A thirty percent discount requires approval from the mall’s General Manager. An incident like the one just reported might pass review with the GM, but in your situation, it’s much harder for me to manage.”

Just then, a loud commotion heralded the entry of a group of people into the gift shop. Leading them was none other than our ‘old acquaintance,’ Zhang Tianqiao, followed by Chen Ge and a contingent of media reporters.

“Qu Han, what’s the situation? Come on, let the reporters interview you and expose these deep-pocketed shop owners so they dare not bully outsiders!” Zhang Tianqiao roared.

Qu Han snapped back without restraint, “Damn it, not only was that ******* trying to snatch something from me, but this phony gentleman actually gives him a thirty percent discount while only offering me fifteen percent off! Can you believe the nerve? Is there any semblance of justice or fairness left in this world?”

Yi Xiaorou, clearly angered, said to me, “How can your classmate behave like that? I think they need a lesson; this is simply unreasonable troublemaking.”

Yi Xiaorou’s voice instantly drew the attention of Zhang Tianqiao and Chen Ge. Neither of them had ever seen such a beautiful and alluring young female military officer. Especially with the way Yi Xiaorou’s uniform hugged her figure, her chest swelling proudly, it held their gaze captive.

I glanced at the time and said to Yi Xiaorou, “Since we’re classmates, we’ll have plenty of opportunities to cross paths later. We’re short on time today; let them create their own ruckus. You wouldn’t want me to be late for my first appointment, would you?”

Yi Xiaorou grew tense too, “Then let’s hurry! I bought a few extra gifts; we can pick one for my dad and grandpa in the car.”

Ignoring the commotion, the two of us held hands and moved towards the exit, but Zhang Tianqiao abruptly stepped in front of us. “Hold it! Zhao Qian, you won’t be lucky forever! Today, you are not leaving until you clarify your relationship with Zhou Ni! I hear you’re quite capable, even Deng Qiang fears you. But others don’t know; we do. Deng Qiang fell because of his father’s issues, not because you are genuinely tough!”

I shoved Zhang Tianqiao aside, “Get out of my way! Even if you’re the toughest guy around, don't delay me from my important business. I’m in a good mood today, so I won’t bother arguing with you.”

Zhang Tianqiao pushed me back just as stubbornly, “You degenerate, you never give up! Not only did you seduce my Zhou Ni, but now you dare to seduce a female officer? Today, I will expose your filthy true colors and let everyone see you for the freeloader who lives off women! You’re a coward!”

Slap! Yi Xiaorou stepped forward, furious, and delivered a stinging slap to Zhang Tianqiao. “Who do you think you are! By what right do you act so arrogantly in front of Zhao Qian? You had better not meddle in our business with Zhao Qian, or you will regret it.”

“You!” Zhang Tianqiao was momentarily stunned. Given his usual temper, no matter how beautiful or mature Yi Xiaorou was, she shouldn't treat him this way. However, Zhang Tianqiao hesitated, mindful of Yi Xiaorou’s military rank, afraid that provoking her might bring trouble—he certainly didn’t have the backing of a Provincial Commander like Deng Qiang’s father did back then.

It was fortunate Zhang Tianqiao didn't retaliate. Otherwise, Hongwei No. 10 and No. 11, hidden in the shadows, might have immediately neutralized him. Even with his father being a Provincial Governor, such an act would be punishable by death, as Yi Xiaorou was a vital research scientist at the Great Dragon Country's High-End Weaponry Research Institute. Her life was intrinsically tied to the modernization progress of the nation's military arsenal. Especially over the past year, Yi Xiaorou, with the assistance of Xiao Yu Di and others, had introduced numerous improvements and innovations to military hardware, significantly boosting the performance of the Great Dragon Country's existing weaponry.

Chen Ge, Qu Han, and the pack of reporters also dared not act rashly. Seeing the commanding aura Yi Xiaorou exuded, they felt a degree of fear. Offending someone connected to the military in such a manner would certainly result in severe consequences.

“What is going on here!” The mall’s General Manager, having received a report, swiftly arrived at the scene. This was no small matter; with so many media reporters present, it could easily trigger a massive negative social reaction.

Before the lobby manager could finish explaining the situation, the General Manager recognized me. “Isn’t this Director Xu’s good friend? Oh my, a rare visitor, a rare visitor! Come, come, please have a seat in my office. Tell me whatever instructions you have.”

Confused, I asked, “And you are?”

The General Manager replied, “I was just transferred here from the People’s Supermarket near Longteng University. This gift shop is also an asset of the Baixing Group. I saw you shopping at the People’s Supermarket once before, which is how I recognized you.”

“Heh, I see. No need to sit, I’m in a hurry.” I never expected this gift shop to be my own family’s property. In that case, the root carving should definitely go to Qu Han; making money off him is better than making money off myself.

Zhang Tianqiao clutched his face. “Fine! So you’re colluding to bully outsiders! This absolutely must be exposed. I won’t be named Zhang if I don’t bring you down!”

The General Manager said, “Since Mr. Zhao is in a hurry, I will handle this matter. You all carry on; we’ve dealt with customers far more difficult than these.”

Chen Ge blocked my path with Yi Xiaorou. “The main characters can’t just leave.”

The General Manager shouted to security, “Escort these troublemakers and reporters out of the building!”

Chen Ge retorted, “Who dares! My father is the Mayor of SH City, and this lady’s father is the Governor of GD Province. You know exactly what level of authority that represents. Offending us will not bring good fortune to your mall!”

The General Manager was momentarily flustered. While he sensed these richly dressed young men were not from ordinary families, considering his obligation to Director Xu, he had initially decided to appease me even if it meant offending them to smooth things over for Director Xu’s boyfriend. Now realizing the depth of my background, he understood that his word might not be final and that he needed to report this immediately.

I pushed Chen Ge to the ground with one palm and walked toward the door with Yi Xiaorou. Behind us, camera flashes popped incessantly. Zhang Tianqiao and Qu Han, enraged, attacked me from left and right, but I met each with a single punch, sending them sprawling. The reporters behind us gasped in awe; such raw combat was rarely captured on film.

“Call 110! I don’t believe they can’t be controlled!” Chen Ge yelled.

The General Manager realized this had escalated beyond a typical dispute when fighting broke out at the slightest disagreement. Fortunately, he had already reported the situation to Director Xu earlier. After much shoving and jostling, the group finally reached the parking lot where two cars sped up, and the distant sound of police sirens began to wail.

“What’s going on?” Xu Jing asked as she stepped out of one car.

I felt a mixture of amusement and frustration. Zhang Tianqiao and Chen Ge were determined to press the issue. I couldn't very well beat them to death; causing a fatality over a spat fueled by jealousy over women would make me look utterly incompetent.

“It’s nothing,” I said. “It’s just that my classmates are being overly affectionate, and I need a way to stop these reporters from blowing this out of proportion. They thrive on chaos and always look for trouble. We must prevent any negative impact on the group’s companies.”

“I’ll handle this; media matters are my specialty,” Xiao Chuchu emerged from the other car. “The police have arrived as backup, too. Lend me your work ID for a moment; otherwise, I won't be able to direct them.”

Saying this, Xiao Chuchu retrieved the ID badge holder from my pocket and marched toward the police officers. The lead officer saw the badge, snapped to attention, and saluted instantly. Everyone in the Jingdu Municipal Public Security Bureau knew this leader’s name well. Any officer foolish enough to cross her would be truly unlucky—just a few days prior, the secretary to the scorching-hot Director Gao was reportedly demoted for disrespecting a superior.

Xiao Chuchu pointed at the group still shoving and attempting to fight. “Arrest all of them first, hold them for 48 hours before releasing them. Confiscate all the reporters’ equipment, delete the recorded content, note down their organizations and names, and then let them go.”

Turning back to the cluster of reporters, Xiao Chuchu stated, “Gentlemen, it doesn’t matter if you don’t recognize me, but I’ll make the terms clear now: if I hear even a whisper of damaging commentary about the mall, I will hold each of you personally responsible.”

Someone muttered quietly, “Who is she? What right does she have to order the police around and speak to us like that? We’ve been reporters for years; are we afraid of some young slip of a girl?”

“Pah!” another scoffed. “You have the nerve to claim years as a reporter when you don’t even recognize the daughter of the Director of the National Television Station! How embarrassing.”

“Holy crap, her dad is the head of the National Television Station! Everyone, delete your photos now! Anyone who drags their unit into trouble over this will face blacklisting by the National Television Station, and the next thing you know, the Press and Publication Administration will be knocking on your door. If anyone doesn’t want to lose their career in journalism, don’t drag the rest of us down with you.”

“The National Television Station’s momentum right now is immense, you know? M-country’s Pan-American Media and Global Communications have already extended invitations to discuss future development plans. If these three giants collaborate, the future of the media world will undoubtedly belong to them!”

Several officers escorted the battered and bruised Zhang Tianqiao, Chen Ge, and Qu Han into the police cars. The three cursed loudly, “Zhao, this feud is set in stone! Don't think you’re so powerful just because you can command a few cops. My backing is much stronger. Just you wait!”

One officer who couldn't tolerate their insolence snapped, “Shut your mouths! If you don’t behave, your consequences will be far worse!”

Zhang Tianqiao shouted, “Damn it, nobody in GD dares mess with me! I never thought I’d be bullied by a dog while lying low in hostile territory…”

Smack! An officer slapped Zhang Tianqiao across the face. Today was definitely his unlucky day; this was his second slap. “You brat! No matter how capable your father is, you’re less than a grandson in front of him. If you want to keep your life, shut up and spend a couple of days cooling off. It’s rare he’s in a good mood today, or you’d already be crippled.”

Chen Ge shrieked, “Damn it! Relying on a few women to back him up, I’ll destroy him sooner or later!”

The police just chuckled and said nothing more. Judging by the incidents that had already occurred within the Jingdu Public Security Bureau, no matter how powerful these men’s family connections were, fighting against him was a pipe dream. If their fathers learned the extent of the trouble their spoiled sons had caused, they’d probably be kicking them to death themselves.

Xiao Chuchu handed the work badge clip back to me. “Hurry up and go. Aren’t you heading to Sister Rou’s house? Jingjing and I are going home too. Are you staying over tonight? Hehe, if your future in-laws insist you stay, then don’t come back.”

Yi Xiaorou asked me once she was in the car, “How did you end up feuding with them? It wasn’t just because of the gift shopping just now, was it?”

I replied, “Zhang Tianqiao was pursuing Zhou Ni, and someone took a photo of me touching her backside that day. Chen Ge was after Fang Yanmeng, and I also touched her backside in front of others once. I suspect he knows about that. Do you think they hate me for that?”

Yi Xiaorou laughed, “Hate you? They must absolutely despise you. Any man would hate you for monopolizing so many beautiful women.”

I reached out and playfully patted Yi Xiaorou’s hip. “And I also got to touch the backside of this big-breasted older sister here. Won't that make them spit blood in anger?”

Yi Xiaorou playfully chastised me, “Did