[Disclaimer: The title of this chapter is purely for entertainment and should not be taken personally!] Tao Haitong’s expression immediately soured because Wang Zhuo’s words were too pointed; although he maintained a faint smile, there was clearly a hidden fire beneath it!

“Wang Zhuo, how dare you speak like that?!”

Wang Daming was the typical specimen of brawn over brain. Seeing Wang Zhuo dare to address his second cousin with such audacity, he instantly erupted.

Wang Zhuo smiled faintly and drawled, “Am I wrong? There are three of us in this private room, yet this uncle insists on paying the bill, repeatedly claiming it’s his honor to treat the beautiful lady. So, I must ask: is he paying for three people’s tab? Does he think I’m a beauty, or just air?”

When Tao Haitong, Tao Qian, and Wang Daming first entered the room, Wang Zhuo hadn't paid much attention—everyone had their own social circles. Ning Yao was a known figure, and Ruan Mingqing was influential in the capital; running into a few acquaintances was perfectly normal!

But when Tao Haitong and his group finished their toasting rituals and lingered, seemingly seeking further contact, Wang Zhuo became displeased. If it were ordinary networking, that would be one thing, but trying to pick up women right under his nose was crossing a line!

Thus, when Tao Haitong started acting like the master of the house, Wang Zhuo appeared at the precise moment. Since this group was treating him like air while simultaneously trying to court his woman, he was hardly a saint, and certainly wouldn't offer Tao Haitong any pleasantries.

After hearing Wang Zhuo’s words, Tao Haitong didn't get angry; instead, he laughed, glancing at Wang Zhuo dismissively before retorting sharply, “What right do you have to make me not see you as air?”

If Wang Zhuo’s tone hadn't been so aggressive, considering Ning Yao and Ruan Mingqing’s presence, Tao Haitong would have at least inquired about Wang Zhuo’s background before deciding on a course of action—perhaps offering a polite brush-off or genuinely treating him as invisible. He wouldn't have escalated to such direct confrontation.

However, the temper of a second-generation rich kid is a significant trait; having been questioned so directly, if he didn't assert his dominance, wouldn't he look weak?

Of course, some are more calculating, seeking revenge behind a smiling facade, or possess genuine magnanimity to dismiss such trivialities. Tao Haitong clearly belonged to neither category. In his eyes, Wang Zhuo was just a child, an insignificant fly whose only relevance stemmed from standing near Ning Yao and Ruan Mingqing.

“Right?” Wang Zhuo let out a sudden, dismissive laugh, contempt radiating from him. “Why don’t you tell me what right you have to rush to pay the bill? Are we that close?”

“Wang Zhuo…” Ruan Mingqing attempted a word of caution. One shouldn't strike a smiling face; although Tao Haitong’s behavior was presumptuous, he was at least showing deference to her. She preferred not to let things get too tense.

But as soon as she opened her mouth, Wang Zhuo shot her a glare that choked the rest of her sentence. Tao Haitong had shown her face, yet he disrespected Wang Zhuo, and was clearly trying to cozy up to his woman—that touched Wang Zhuo’s absolute limit!

Some might argue that Tao Haitong was merely ignorant; why blame him when Wang Zhuo himself was dressed like a mere lackey? But put yourself in Wang Zhuo’s shoes: he was enjoying his evening, these guys suddenly barge in, ruin his mood, then ignore him, overstay their welcome, and start hitting on his girl. Would Wang Zhuo really offer them warm smiles?

Ning Yao nudged Wang Zhuo, signaling for an introduction. “Wang Zhuo, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Tao Haitong, a director at Fuyeda Group, and the second young master of the Tao family.”

“Oh, oh!” Wang Zhuo immediately feigned sudden realization. “Fuyeda? I’ve heard of it. A Fortune Global 500 company, Top Fifty!”

“The kid actually has some knowledge,” Tao Qian boasted proudly. “Now do you know who you’re speaking to? If it weren't for Miss Ning Yao and Miss Ruan, you’d be crawling out of Century Tianyin today.”

Ning Yao was speechless. She hadn't even had a chance to introduce Wang Zhuo when he interrupted, and now Tao Qian was making empty threats. If she introduced Wang Zhuo now, wouldn't Tao Qian look like a fool who talked too much?

Wang Zhuo laughed so hard he almost stumbled, pointing at Tao Qian. “There aren’t many people in this world who could make me crawl out of here, and I’m certain you aren't one of them. Even your old man, Tao Zheng, couldn't manage it.”

Although bringing up someone’s parents is considered low blow, Wang Zhuo pointing at Tao Qian’s nose and invoking his father, Tao Zheng, was enough to infuriate both Tao Haitong and Tao Qian. Wang Daming moved to step forward, rolling up his sleeves, but Tao Haitong blocked him with an outstretched arm.

“Miss Ning Yao, your friend is quite sharp-tongued,” he asked calmly. “Would you mind telling us his name so we can know who we are addressing? What illustrious figure is this?”

Before Ning Yao could reply, Wang Zhuo sneered, “You are not qualified to ask for my name. Send Tao Zheng over, or perhaps your older brother, Tao Kewen.”

“Good, good, good.” Tao Haitong laughed through his fury. He forcefully restrained Wang Daming who was trying to rush forward, gave Wang Zhuo a deep look, then turned to Ning Yao and said evenly, “My apologies for disturbing Miss Ning Yao’s enjoyment. We shall take our leave now.”

With that, he turned, gestured to Tao Qian and Wang Daming, and actually walked out!

A short distance away, Tao Haitong spun around and fixed Wang Daming with a stare. “Was that kid your middle school classmate?”

“Yes, middle school!” Wang Daming replied angrily. “That guy is so arrogant now that he knows a celebrity; he’s forgotten his own name! He used to get beaten up by me plenty back in school!”

“What’s his family background?” Tao Qian inquired.

“Background?” Wang Daming scoffed. “What background could he have? I beat him so many times, and the teachers never disciplined me, nor did I ever see him bring anyone back to beat me up.”

Hearing this, Tao Haitong and Tao Qian exchanged a look, thinking they had the measure of him. A ‘poor kid’ with ‘no background,’ accompanied only by two female companions, and not even strong enough to beat Daming—how dare he be so arrogant?

“By the way, what did you say his name was? Wang Shuo?” Tao Qian confirmed again.

“Right, it’s Wang Zhuo!” Wang Daming nodded vigorously. “A small piece of trash! If Second Brother hadn’t held me back just now, one solid punch from me would have sent him straight to the emergency room!”

“Fine,” Tao Haitong stated ruthlessly. “I’ll give you that chance shortly!”

Tao Qian asked in surprise, “Second Brother, we’re moving now? In front of Ning Yao and Ruan Mingqing?”

“We move! First, subdue him, then we ask about his relationship with them. If they’re close, he’ll get a good lesson. If they’re distant…” Tao Haitong’s voice turned icy, “Dare to act so arrogantly toward me? I’ll make him use a cane for the rest of his life!”

...

Meanwhile, on the other side, just after the uninvited guests departed.

Seeing Wang Zhuo casually pick up a dish of hazelnuts as if nothing happened, Ning Yao scolded him, “Why did you have to argue with him? Was it necessary?”

“Was it necessary?” Wang Zhuo chuckled wickedly. “He was trying to hit on my girl. It’s a compliment that I didn’t slap him twice and throw him out.”

Ning Yao glared. “Stop talking nonsense. Who is your girl!”

“You dare say you aren’t? Want me to strip naked right now?” Wang Zhuo gave her a mischievous glance, which immediately silenced her compliance.

Ruan Mingqing on the side was genuinely taken aback by how thoroughly Wang Zhuo managed to subdue Ning Yao. However, she was too preoccupied to dwell on it now. She worriedly said, “Wang Zhuo, you’ve invited trouble. Tao Haitong is notorious in our circles for never letting an offense slide. You humiliated him so badly; he won’t just let this go.”

“So what if he won’t let it go?” Wang Zhuo sneered contemptuously. “He’s just some second-generation rich kid, barely qualifies to be my son’s contemporary. What’s so great about him?”

Ning Yao tried to laugh through her exasperation. “He’s old enough to be your father. How can he be your son’s contemporary?”

“He’s a rich kid, correct? If I had a son, he’d also be a rich kid. So aren’t they contemporaries?” Wang Zhuo declared smugly. “Even if I can’t be a rich second generation, I can be the father of one!”

Ning Yao finally laughed, while Ruan Mingqing remarked dryly from the side, “Stop joking for a moment. I’m going to make a few calls and see if I can find a contact to intervene and smooth this over. Tao Haitong doesn't have a good reputation; I heard he’s pulled a gun during past disputes.”

“No need for that,” Wang Zhuo asserted arrogantly. “If he dares bother me, watch me beat the yolk out of him. He is unqualified to contend with me!”

Ruan Mingqing was left sputtering. She looked at Wang Zhuo’s flushed cheeks, reddened by alcohol, and knew that even if he wasn't drunk, he was certainly on the verge.

Ning Yao hadn't taken Tao Haitong too seriously before, but hearing Ruan Mingqing’s warning made her slightly concerned too. Their eyes met, and both felt the impulse to leave.

“Now that they’ve ruined the mood, I don’t feel like singing anymore,” Ning Yao shrugged. “How about we call it a night?”

“Mhm, let’s go,” Ruan Mingqing agreed, then asked Wang Zhuo for his preference. “Should we go get a foot massage, or head back to base?”

Wang Zhuo cracked open a hazelnut and popped it into his mouth. His X-ray vision had already scouted downstairs; he saw Tao Haitong and his group rushing down and waiting at the elevator exit. Besides Wang Daming and the two bodyguards from before, there was another powerfully built man who looked more like a heavy or a hanger-on than a professional bodyguard.

Going to action in the V-Club? Wang Zhuo was slightly surprised. It seemed this Tao Haitong truly lacked patience, and perhaps had considerable influence if he dared to initiate violence in a public venue.

Seeing them poised like a net catching a turtle, Wang Zhuo scoffed internally. This mere rabble was hardly worth the notice of an action director. Only that heavy-set man had decent combat potential, but he was still inferior to Leopard from the Chongmeng Bar or Old Five, the henchman of the young master Ma Qiang.

As for the other intimidating fighter, Wang Daming—Wang Zhuo smiled when he thought of him. When he’d first heard this thug had moved to Beijing, Wang Zhuo had regretted it briefly, lamenting the missed opportunity to deliver a satisfying beating. He hadn't expected fate to bring them together today. He had planned to bury the hatchet, but since Wang Daming had delivered himself, Wang Zhuo was eager to finally enjoy the pleasure of using this guy as a punching bag!

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