Yang Yi glanced at Dongfang Mei'er, a cold sneer forming in his heart. Sometimes, without a warning, people—especially young women—just wouldn't learn their lesson.

Though Dongfang Shiling was deeply shaken internally, he desperately needed to know how Yang Yi had come to know about the Profound Gate (Xuan Men). While the Dongfang family wasn't directly affiliated with the Profound Gate, their backing relied heavily upon it. That subtle relationship was crucial; if Yang Yi was indeed connected to the Gate, and decided to press the issue over today's events, the consequences would be disastrous. And if his father were to find out... the more Dongfang Shiling thought about it, the more terrified he became. He quickly approached Yang Yi and said, "Classmate, my sister was disrespectful just now, my apologies. But might I ask your name? Which faction of the Profound Gate do you belong to?"

"As expected of someone I value; a rare talent indeed!" Yang Yi thought with an internal gasp. Despite Dongfang Shiling appearing utterly ordinary, his perceptiveness was something Yang Yi genuinely admired. He wasn't one of those typical spoiled second-generation heirs relying solely on their family name. However, what Dongfang Mei'er had done was wrong, period. No matter how highly he thought of Dongfang Shiling, he couldn't violate the rules of the Profound Gate. If he did, could he even claim to be the Gate Master?

"Take Dongfang Mei'er to your father. I cannot pretend today’s incident never happened. As for how your father chooses to deal with her, I trust he knows best!"

"On what grounds?" Dongfang Mei'er exclaimed, hearing Yang Yi speak so arbitrarily and with such self-assurance. Her displeasure was evident.

"That's not for you to worry about, classmate. Could you perhaps tell me which part of the Profound Gate you are associated with?" Dongfang Shiling was clearly suspicious of Yang Yi's sudden declaration and wanted to probe his identity further.

"My name is Yang Yi. As for who I am, go ask your father. If Mu Qingfeng hasn't told him already, I don't mind paying a personal visit to the Dongfang family!" With that, Yang Yi immediately turned and left, not sparing Dongfang Mei'er another look. Her supposed spoiled nature was merely acting on impulse; without the appropriate punishment, such a temperament would inevitably lead to disaster. To ensure his plans proceeded smoothly, Yang Yi utilized the situation fully, as Dongfang Shiling had already fallen squarely into his scheme.

"Thud!" Dongfang Shiling froze completely upon hearing Yang Yi's words. His mind raced, trying to recall the name Mu Qingfeng, a flash of disbelief in his eyes, followed by a visible tremor running through him. He turned to look at Yang Yi’s retreating figure, already halfway out of the Chinese restaurant.

Dongfang Mei'er, watching Yang Yi’s back, shouted, "You stinking pervert! Who do you think you are? Hmph, I like using my Charm Technique, so what if I do?"

"Mei'er!" Dongfang Shiling suddenly roared, his face hardening. He shot Mei'er a stern look, sighing inwardly. He walked over to the bewildered Dongfang Mei'er and said, "Mei'er, you have stirred up serious trouble this time. Skip this afternoon's classes; we are going back to see Father immediately!"

"Brother!" Dongfang Mei'er frowned, completely baffled by his tone.

"Stop arguing. Come on, we're going back now, or if that person shows up at the Dongfang estate himself, Father is going to fly into a rage," Dongfang Shiling thought with bitter resignation. Although he had guessed half of Yang Yi’s identity, he couldn't be certain. He needed to confirm it back home; it was far better than getting caught up in trouble later.

"No! I’m not going back!" Dongfang Mei'er suddenly dug in her heels, displaying a stubborn streak.

Seeing this, Dongfang Shiling could only manage a wry smile. "When will you ever change that spoiled attitude? Our Dongfang family cannot shield you forever, Mei'er. That person just now—he is not simple. Father might even have to kneel before him!"

"Kneel?" Dongfang Mei'er was greatly shocked. Although she was willful and capricious, she knew her father well. Apart from a few high-ranking figures within the Profound Gate, she had rarely seen anyone capable of making her father kneel.

"Enough thinking about it. You were in the wrong this time, alas. I wanted to stop you earlier, but I had my own agenda. If you're punished this time, don't worry, your brother will stay with you," Dongfang Shiling said, his expression resolute, as he took Dongfang Mei'er’s arm and steered her toward the exit.

After Dongfang Shiling and his sister had left, three young men who had been seated quietly in a far corner watched the entire scene unfold. They looked on with detached expressions that were impossible to decipher. After everything that had transpired, the trio remained strikingly calm and unmoved, suggesting they were far from ordinary themselves.

Indeed, these three were the heirs apparent from the Nangong, Ximen, and Tang families, representing the most capable of their generation to eventually take over leadership.

"Tsk, tsk, that young man is no simple figure, to make members of the Dongfang family turn pale at the mention of his name!" said a youth with a baby face, yet whose eyes held a cold, sharp glint. This was Tang Shen, the official inheritor of the Tang family.

"Although we only heard rumors of the Dongfang family's ties to that ancient sect, the Profound Gate, it seems the rumors are true. That young man, and Dongfang Shiling as well—they certainly warrant closer observation!" said another youth named Ximen Ling, who was quite ugly in appearance but possessed remarkable cunning and strategy.

"Heh heh, you two seem awfully interested in these matters!" The speaker was Nangong San, the sole heir to the Nangong lineage. However, he held no love for power struggles, though his methods were notoriously effective. This made him the biggest headache for the current Nangong Patriarch; he had the capability but seemed utterly indifferent to ambition.

These three actually formed an unofficial unit: Tang Shen possessed formidable martial skill, Ximen Ling was uniquely strategic, and while Nangong San was aloof, his underlying ruthlessness was astonishing when unleashed. Together, the synergy they created was formidable, a combination not to be underestimated.

"We aren't as leisurely as you, Brother Nangong. After all, Shanghai Fudan University, in our year, is destined to be eventful. I, for one, am looking forward to it!" Tang Shen smiled faintly, his inner thoughts hidden.

Ximen Ling unexpectedly interjected, "When the young masters of the Eight Great Families of Huaxia are gathered in one school, how can nothing happen? It’s just a matter of what kind of event occurs, and whose ambition proves greater."

"Heh heh, come on, let’s drop these tiresome subjects and eat!" Nangong San replied with his usual air of detached disinterest.

Ximen Ling and Tang Shen shook their heads with wry smiles. Though they smiled, they clearly understood Nangong San well; while his surface remained placid, the ferocity he could unleash was unimaginable.

After Yang Yi and his group left the cafeteria, Yang Yi maintained a heavy expression, yet inside he was exceptionally pleased. While he had wanted to establish his own influence in the complex environment of Shanghai, he hadn't known where to begin. Now, he had undoubtedly found a path. He had been secretly observing the people in the Chinese restaurant, noting that three of them displayed unusual depth.

"Brother Yi, was that truly a Charm Technique that Dongfang Mei'er used?" asked Fatty Lin.

Hearing this, Ye Xiaohou and Xu Ming both perked up their ears, clearly eager to know what a Charm Technique actually entailed.

A slight curve touched Yang Yi's lips as he said, "Have you forgotten Miyamoto Sakurako?"

"Uh—!" The three men paused, then seemed to grasp something, yet remained somewhat confused.

"The Charm Technique is essentially the Art of Bewitchment within the Five Elements techniques, originating from Tibet! The reason Dongfang Mei'er could captivate the minds of those students is purely because she possesses an innate Mei Gu (Charming Bone)." Although Yang Yi felt his handling of the Dongfang Mei'er incident might have been harsh, he had to do it for his greater plan. Furthermore, it was an opportunity to test the reactions of those three individuals. Yang Yi was certain that the events in the Chinese restaurant would spread quickly. Once the news got out—not just to those three, but to others—he would have the opening he needed. "Indeed, if there is no natural opportunity, then one must create it!" Yang Yi mused internally. The three men beside him fell silent after hearing his explanation, showing they had understood the implications well enough.

################################ It was now close to five o'clock in the afternoon!

Inside a luxurious villa, the ancestral home of the Dongfang family, a young man and a young woman rushed inside. The two guards at the door respectfully called out, "Young Master, Young Miss!"

"Is Father home?" the young woman, who was none other than Dongfang Shiling, asked.

"Yes, the Family Head is here."

"Good," Dongfang Shiling responded before pulling Dongfang Mei'er inside.

Dongfang Mei'er pouted sullenly, deeply displeased. From the beginning, she had harbored strong doubts about Yang Yi's identity, and she felt her brother was being overly tense. It was just casting a minor Charm Technique, after all.