Over four hundred kilometers, the entire route was covered by expressways. If they left now, they could still make it to Shanghai for lunch. The reason they set out so early was simply driven by a playful mood.

It couldn't possibly be just for a car show that they cared this much, taking the trouble to gather and depart ahead of schedule.

Seven people meant seven cars. The largest was the yellow Hummer driven by Long Cheng. Everyone else also had fine vehicles. Yang Ling was driving a BMW identical in model to Su Zhantao's, just a different color.

However, that particular car was currently in Zhang Yang's hands.

The luxurious motorcade immediately drew a great deal of attention the moment it set off. This wasn't the new century yet, not like later times when every industry experienced explosive growth, with the real estate sector alone churning out countless wealthy individuals, allowing for dozens of luxury cars to appear for a wedding.

A convoy like this was still quite conspicuous at this time.

Zhang Yang’s car was positioned right in the middle. He also had a walkie-talkie in his car, which Yang Ling had handed him upon departure to keep in contact on the road.

With this walkie-talkie, driving alone was no longer lonely. From time to time, voices and laughter drifted through the speaker.

A little past noon, the motorcade exited the expressway. Long Cheng clearly wasn't new to this route; he led the convoy directly toward the hotel. They had booked accommodations beforehand, checking into the five-star Sheraton.

The car show they were attending was nearby; after all, that was the reason for their trip.

After several hours of driving, everyone’s spirits were high except for Yang Ling. They were all seasoned drivers, and this duration was nothing to them.

“Young Master Long, you’re arriving quite late this time!”

As soon as they entered the hotel, even before checking in, someone greeted Long Cheng. Seeing a group of over a dozen people approaching from the opposite direction, Zhang Yang and Su Zhantao exchanged glances. Long Cheng had quite a network; he already had acquaintances upon arriving in Shanghai.

However, Long Cheng did not seem particularly pleased to see the group, and a hint of arrogance crossed his face.

“Young Master Shi, why is it that every time I’m in a foul mood, I run into you?”

Long Cheng’s remark was anything but polite. Zhang Yang and Su Zhantao’s eyes widened immediately. They had assumed Long Cheng met a friend, only to find they were antagonists.

If they were true friends, Long Cheng would never speak like that.

The dozen or so people approaching wore expressions of anger.

The leader was a tall man in his thirties, glaring fiercely at Long Cheng.

Long Cheng paid his gaze no mind and instead turned back, fixing the man with an intense stare. Before long, the man averted his eyes.

As he turned away, he spotted Huang Hai and his face suddenly broke into a smile. He said softly, “Dean Huang, enjoying your summer vacation by skipping proper rest and running all the way here? Surely the children in Changjing aren't neglected to the point you need to come to Shanghai to play nanny?”

Huang Hai stuttered momentarily, then retorted angrily, “You—what did you say?”

“Said nothing. I won’t disturb your work pleasures. Goodbye!”

The man finished, let out a loud laugh, and walked past him. The others also shot mocking glances at Huang Hai before the entire group moved on.

Huang Hai’s eyes were bloodshot. He was about to chase after them when a hand restrained him.

Long Cheng shook his head at him, “Forget it. This isn't the right place. I’ll get revenge for you later; I’ll certainly teach him a lesson!”

Huang Hai grit his teeth, watching the group recede into the distance before nodding slightly.

Huang Hai’s family background was ordinary; he wasn't a fuerdai (second-generation rich). Everything he possessed was achieved through his own hard work. He had become the director of the Chunhui Kindergarten immediately after graduation.

It was from that point that his career slowly developed, eventually leading him to become a shareholder and General Manager of the Chunhui Education Group.

However, the fact that he had once been a kindergarten director was true. The man just now had deliberately said that, calling him a nanny, clearly mocking his past and intending to embarrass him.

“Let’s go. We’ll take our things to the rooms first, then come out to eat!”

Long Cheng said with a stern face, waving his hand. That confrontation had spoiled everyone’s mood.

Checking into rooms was straightforward. Yang Ling handled the paperwork; everyone received a suite. Zhang Yang was still a bit confused, but Su Zhantao seemed to have grasped something. It was his first time here too, yet he clearly knew more than Zhang Yang.

“Spill it. What’s really going on?”

After getting his room key, Zhang Yang pulled Su Zhantao aside. He was naturally curious about the earlier incident. He already sensed that this car show was not as simple as it seemed.

Su Zhantao started to speak but then suddenly shook his head, whispering, “I’m not entirely clear either. We should ask Sister Ling!”

After dropping their luggage in their rooms, the two immediately sought out Yang Ling.

Yang Ling didn't hide anything from them, which made Zhang Yang understand the situation—why they had clashed with others immediately upon arrival.

They were indeed here for the car show. It was normal for car enthusiasts to frequent various exhibitions to buy vehicles.

However, they weren't purely attending the show. Many car lovers shared another passion: racing.

Underground racing in Shanghai was still very active. After every major car show, some people would use their new cars to compete. Over the years, the post-show racing had become a predictable fixture.

Racing definitely required participants, and the young masters who bought luxury cars at the exhibition naturally became central figures in it.

Over the past few years, these young masters participating in the races had divided themselves into several factions, organized strictly by region. The man who had just mocked Huang Hai was named Shi Feng, a prominent young master from Jinling City, also known as one of the Four Great Young Masters of Jinling.

Jinling was a provincial capital, even closer to Shanghai, and they had more people attending than those from Changjing.

There was an inherent conflict between the people of Jinling and Changjing. The root of the tension was murky, but in many areas, people from the two cities just didn't get along, almost like ancient feuds.

This rivalry extended to the racing scene, where sparks almost always flew.

Long Cheng was the leader for the Changjing contingent. People generally dared not provoke the Long family, and given Long Cheng’s own capabilities, Shi Feng had always shown him deference.

Shi Feng paid no mind to the others. Huang Hai had previously defeated a Jinling native, which was why Shi Feng targeted him with satire immediately upon seeing him.

Furthermore, Yang Ling informed them that Shi Feng wasn't simple either; he had a family member in government, holding a high rank.

While Shi Feng dared not provoke Long Cheng, Long Cheng equally lacked confidence in dealing with him, which was why he had held back Huang Hai, preventing him from acting rashly and messing things up.

In that public setting, if someone had initiated a physical confrontation, even if they could have beaten the dozen opponents, they would have been in the wrong. Bystanders wouldn't care about the justification; they would only see who struck first.

Understanding all this, Zhang Yang couldn't help but sigh in frustration.

His initial feeling was correct: this car show was indeed complicated. These people had a purpose beyond just buying cars; they sought to measure up against each other, and racing had become the preferred game for these young people who craved excitement.

In his previous life, Zhang Yang had also tried racing, but his temperament didn't suit it; after a few attempts, he stopped.

After hearing the explanation, Su Zhantao slammed his fist on the table, declaring that they must teach those Jinling people a lesson later, not letting them look down on the people of Changjing.

Yang Ling nodded in approval at his reaction.

When the three of them went out, the others were already in the dining room, their faces still grim.

Huang Hai, in particular, looked terribly aggrieved, his eyes red.

Zhang Yang understood this feeling well. No one felt good after being publicly humiliated. Though he usually had a good temper, if someone deliberately insulted him, he wouldn't hesitate to deliver a sharp slap. That Huang Hai could restrain himself was already commendable.

The meal was subdued, much less lively than their chatter over the walkie-talkies on the road. Halfway through the meal, Wang Chen put down his bowl and chopsticks.

“I’m done. Wait for me, I have something to take care of outside!”

Wang Chen said as he stood up. Long Cheng’s eyes narrowed sharply, and he barked, “Sit down!”

Wang Chen paused but complied with Long Cheng’s command, sitting back down.

“What are you thinking? Are you planning to throw money around to hire someone to teach them a lesson? I’ve told you time and again to use your brain when you act. Sometimes money isn't everything. This is Shanghai, not Changjing. Don’t think they won't figure out it was us!”

When Wang Chen settled back down, Long Cheng followed up, this time with a calmer tone, tinged with the frustration of a mentor.

Wang Chen lowered his head, neither denying nor confirming Long Cheng’s accusation.

With him acting this way, everyone understood the situation. Zhang Yang wasn't familiar with them, but the others had known each other for a long time. They knew that Wang Chen, though young and fond of bluster, was generally loyal.

Seeing Huang Hai insulted and hurt, he wanted to avenge him.

He had done such things in Changjing before.

“Enough. There will be opportunities to teach them a lesson. I already said I will handle Shi Feng personally and make him pay. Nobody has any other ideas for now. Finish eating, and then rest!”

Long Cheng waved his hand again and picked up his own chopsticks.

Wang Chen stopped talking about taking matters into his own hands and also picked up his chopsticks. None of the others argued against Long Cheng’s words.

This also showed Zhang Yang the level of authority Long Cheng commanded in the eyes of the group.

But Long Cheng truly was capable. He had discerned Wang Chen’s intent to leave and stopped him from doing something foolish, while also offering to settle the score for Huang Hai. His actions made everyone trust him even more.

Their mood affected by the earlier incident, everyone ate lunch unhappily.

After the meal, everyone returned to their rooms to rest, except for Su Zhantao, who forcefully dragged Zhang Yang to Yang Ling’s room. The young man wanted to go himself but was too hesitant, so he needed a buffer.

He finally left, thoroughly satisfied, after spending two hours in Yang Ling’s room.

This further convinced Zhang Yang that Su Zhantao truly had feelings for Yang Ling, perhaps genuinely fallen for her, but being inexperienced in romance, he was like many novices hiding his feelings, afraid to speak up.

What he didn't realize was that everyone else had already seen right through him.

Fourth update, continuing to write. More chapters to come, the next one around six in the morning!