The Wang family genes tended towards a later bloom. So in middle school, he was relatively 'underdeveloped,' often bullied, only truly catching up during high school.

Furthermore, because of poor financial conditions, his physical growth was stunted, and he continued to shoot up even after making his fortune, right up until graduation. Speaking of Wang Daming, he was already six feet tall in middle school.

Bullying Wang Zhuo, who was barely five feet tall then, was child’s play. Wang Zhuo’s later relentless dedication to physical training had, in part, the goal of beating up Wang Daming.

Who knows if Wang Zhuo’s current physique should owe some credit to Wang Daming. Before Wang Zhuo became famous as a "Movement Director," Wang Daming had already moved his entire family to Beijing.

Rumor had it he had a very well-connected maternal uncle who not only secured household registration for the family but also helped him establish a very decent business. So when the two met outside the restroom at V, Wang Daming recalled this was one of the classmates he used to pick on—perhaps named Wang Shuo.

Wang Zhuo, however, remembered an old adversary he had once sworn to beat into a pulp. Yet, time had passed, and that old grievance had long since evaporated, leaving only a sigh for the passing years.

"You are..." Wang Daming sized Wang Zhuo up, unable even to recall how tall Wang Zhuo had been back then, and unimpressed by Wang Zhuo's current height. "Are you visiting Beijing, or are you a 'Bei Piao' [Beijing drifter]?" In his memory, Wang Zhuo was merely skinny, seemingly excellent at academics, and popular with girls, which is why he bullied Wang Zhuo—to show off to those girls.

He couldn't even recall Wang Zhuo's name correctly, considering they were only classmates for the first two years of middle school; seven years had flown by. "Just having a look around, and meeting a couple of friends," Wang Zhuo chuckled.

"Daming, you’re doing well, aren't you? Driving a BMW now?" Wang Daming was indeed driving a BMW; the key fob dangled right there on his hip.

Hearing Wang Zhuo mention it, he smirked proudly and said, "This is nothing. I've had this for years.

Next time there’s a car show, I might swap it out for a Ferrari sports car." This guy always gave himself away the moment he opened his mouth, still so susceptible to showing off, just like before. Wang Zhuo’s lips curved upward slightly.

"A Ferrari is fine, but I prefer the 667 model." Wang Daming opened his mouth but couldn't utter a sound. The Ferrari 667 was a brand-new model unveiled this year, with only ten limited editions in the country.

They wouldn't even be available for viewing or pre-order until mid-year, and the crucial detail was that its price was one million—in Euros! There was no wind, but Wang Daming's tongue felt completely stunned!

Just then, another man emerged from the men's restroom. He was about thirty, of average height, with features somewhat resembling Wang Daming.

He glanced at Wang Zhuo and said with a strained, half-smile, "Are you speaking without knowing the stakes? A Ferrari 667?

You should at least pull out an F430 for us to see first?" Wang Daming burst out laughing, a mischievous glint in his eyes, showing no inclination to help his old classmate out of his awkward situation. Both brothers could clearly see Wang Zhuo’s attire—a set of 'Semir' clothes, amounting to barely a thousand yuan at best.

Forget a Ferrari F430; he probably couldn't even afford a Beijing license plate! "F430?" Wang Zhuo let out a dry laugh, having no intention of getting into a tit-for-tat argument with this self-important fellow.

He simply stated calmly, "Among my acquaintances, no one drives such an outdated sports car." Wang Daming instantly burst into laughter, and the man who seemed to be his elder brother also laughed as if mocking an idiot. Just as Wang Zhuo was about to say something to give these two frogs in a well a taste of the wider world, Ning Yao happened to emerge from the women’s restroom.

He immediately dropped the idea of bickering with those two, thinking why waste time on such trivialities? Even the Movie Queen rode in his car; what was so great about driving a sports car?

Seeing Wang Zhuo seemingly engaged in conversation with the two men, Ning Yao looked slightly surprised and stepped closer, asking softly, "Your friends?" "Just acquaintances," Wang Zhuo smiled faintly and shook his head. "Let's go." He waved dismissively to Wang Daming, who looked somewhat taken aback by seeing Ning Yao, acknowledging the greeting, and then let Ning Yao walk ahead as they proceeded down the hallway.

"That woman, I feel like I've seen her somewhere before," Wang Daming mused, stroking his chin as his small eyes darted around. "Damn it!" The man of average height stomped his foot.

"How did I only just recognize her? Isn't that Ning Yao, the one from Divorce!" "Ning Yao?

Who is that?" Wang Daming frowned. The name sounded familiar, but he just couldn't place where he had heard it!

"You idiot." The man of average height shot him a sharp look, quickly leaned out, but Wang Zhuo and Ning Yao were nowhere in sight. Turning back, he ignored the surprised glances of two girls brushing past them and quickly asked Wang Daming, "Who was that guy just now?

You know him?" "You mean him? His name is Wang Shuo.

He was a middle school classmate," Wang Daming grinned widely. "I used to beat him up all the time; he was terrified of me!" In truth, in Wang Daming's memory, most middle school classmates were afraid of him.

He had indeed beaten Wang Zhuo a few times, true, but that only meant he had the upper hand occasionally. Many classmates feared him, but Wang Zhuo definitely wasn't among them.

"Why would Ning Yao be here singing?" The man of average height muttered to himself, deep in thought. "How should I know?" Wang Daming thought he was being asked, shrugging his shoulders slightly.

The two returned to the private room. The man of average height instructed Wang Daming to turn down the music while he sat down beside a middle-aged man.

"Second Brother, Daming and I just ran into Ning Yao!" He recounted the entire incident exactly as it happened. The middle-aged man, addressed as Second Brother, immediately became interested.

After listening, he asked, "Did you see which room they went into?" "That’s easy; we can just ask the server in the hallway," Wang Daming chimed in. Each private room had only one restroom, but it might host several guests, and with drinking involved, and women needing touch-ups, restroom usage was frequent.

Thus, it wasn't unusual for someone to queue up and use the public facilities instead. These two were Wang Daming’s cousins.

The one who had provoked Wang Zhuo was the third brother, Tao Qian, in his early forties. The other, Tao Haitong, was in his early forties as well.

These two were genuine second-generation rich heirs, and Wang Daming's family had risen to prominence by latching onto the new wealth of the Tao family. As for how rich the Tao family was, legend had it that the eldest of the second generation, Tao Kewen, had his own custom-ordered Boeing 777.

The second, Tao Haitong, loved collecting limited-edition sports cars. The third, Tao Qian, was fond of horses and owned a private stud farm with four racehorses in Macau.

The family's assets exceeded fifty billion. Their electronics technology group had become the largest electronics contract manufacturer in the mainland, employing over a million people, with annual export volume reaching a hundred billion US dollars.

Considering that a sycophantic relative like Wang Daming could afford a BMW and dream of trading up to a Ferrari, one could gauge just how prosperous and powerful this family was. Compared to Wang Zhuo’s room, the private room used by the Tao brothers was infinitely more luxurious.

They weren't actually there to sing; a popular female singer was scheduled to perform at "Century Celestial Sound" that night, and Tao Haitong was there to support her. "Second Brother, you know Ning Yao too, right?

This is a perfect chance to rekindle some connections?" Tao Qian suggested enthusiastically. The eldest, Tao Kewen, was highly regarded by their father and destined to inherit the family business.

He was also very calculating, deliberately indulging his second and third brothers, allowing them to live as pampered playboys, indulging in food, drink, women, gambling, and debauchery. With vast sums of money supporting them, their lives were truly the envy of many.

Given the wealth and status of the Tao brothers, they certainly qualified as social elites. Ning Yao's title as Movie Queen might seem extraordinary to ordinary people, but to the Tao brothers, it was merely a bonus attribute, making the prospect of pursuing her more glorious and gratifying.

Frankly, only now did Ning Yao have the qualifications to stand on equal footing with them. Before the release of Struggle, with so many stars and so many Movie Queens around, they wouldn't have paid much attention to Ning Yao, a grassroots celebrity from the small screen.

Tao Haitong had met Ning Yao twice and even shaken her hand at a reception, so they were technically acquainted. Tao Qian’s suggestion greatly appealed to him.

Ning Yao’s popularity was skyrocketing; even if nothing romantic came of it, admiring a beautiful woman was a pleasant sight. Seeing his Second Brother’s interest piqued, Tao Qian ordered Wang Daming, "Daming, go ask the server which room they are in.

Second Brother will go say hello to Ning Yao in a bit, and you can come along too." ... The uninvited guests had not yet arrived, and Wang Zhuo was completely unaware.

Ning Yao was already slightly tipsy. She was the type who became pleasantly lightheaded after just a little drink, yet could maintain her composure even after drinking heavily, possessing strong self-control that rarely allowed her to lose face.

Ruan Mingqing remained completely calm and composed. A little beer was like water to her; she could drive home safely even if she drank until dawn—provided she wasn't caught by a traffic cop targeting drunk drivers.

Wang Zhuo felt exceptionally good. His Wang Chao Wuliang [a proprietary term/substance] was certainly effective.

Normally, he would be tipsy and hazy after drinking so much, but now he was spirited, acting as if nothing had happened. However, the alcohol had stimulated his nerves, making him highly excited.

While Ning Yao was singing a song called "Ningxia," he subtly beckoned Ruan Mingqing with a mischievous grin. "I’ll tell you a secret." "What secret?" Ruan Mingqing leaned in.

Seeing him sneak a glance in Ning Yao's direction, she couldn't help but ask with a smile, "Is it about Ning Yao?" "It involves you too," Wang Zhuo chuckled slyly, hooking his finger at her. "Come close, but don't be shocked after you hear it." Ruan Mingqing immediately grew curious.

Seeing his mysterious demeanor, which seemed laced with a hint of triumph, she wondered if he was drunk. Was he trying to brag about some kind of complicated relationship with Ning Yao?

"Do you remember that time we had at the Wetland Villa? On the second floor, in the pool," Wang Zhuo whispered into her ear.

Not about Ning Yao? Ruan Mingqing paused, then whispered back, "I remember.

What about it?"