Outside the restaurant, two beautiful hostesses stood ramrod straight. Zhang Yang was also at the entrance, parked beside him was the Bugatti that had been shipped over from Shanghai, along with a Mercedes sports car driven by Mi Xue.

Ever since Zhang Yang left for Shanghai, the Mercedes had been entrusted to Mi Xue. She had only recently learned to drive and practiced relentlessly in Zhang Yang's absence to pass the time.

"Whoop! Whoop!"

A muffled roar of engines suddenly echoed from the distance. A Ferrari took the lead, followed by a Land Rover and a Hummer, bringing up the rear was a luxurious convoy of BMWs barreling towards them.

"Bugatti, Bugatti!"

Before the Ferrari had even fully stopped, a shout erupted from the open-top car, accompanied by a hand sticking out, wildly gesticulating towards Zhang Yang's Bugatti.

The moment the Ferrari settled, a person practically leapt from the passenger seat. This individual then retrieved a cane from the back seat and began hobbling towards the Bugatti.

"Li Ya, why did you bring this guy along?"

Watching Wang Chen approach and casually run his hand over the Bugatti, Zhang Yang couldn't help but ask.

Li Ya was the one driving the Ferrari; his car was at the front as Zhang Yang posed the question while he was stepping out.

"It wasn't me who brought him; he insisted on tagging along the moment he heard you drove Gu Fang’s Bugatti back. I couldn't stop him!"

Li Ya shrugged helplessly. Meanwhile, the Land Rover and the Hummer had also pulled to a stop.

Huang Hai and Chang Feng disembarked together from the Hummer. Long Cheng and Wu Zhiguo emerged from the Land Rover. Seeing Wu Zhiguo, a smile immediately touched Zhang Yang's lips.

This 'Fatty Wu' looked significantly better than before; at least his physique had visibly slimmed down.

After returning from his last hunt, he had started following the formula Zhang Yang had prescribed for him, and it was genuinely effective. Before long, his craving for meat had considerably lessened.

Over the next month, he was no longer the man who couldn't function without meat in every meal.

With his diet normalized—even avoiding greasy foods—combined with exercise and other aids, Wu Zhiguo had shed weight rapidly during this period. Although still somewhat portly, he was incomparably better than he had been.

Anyone familiar with him would immediately notice that he was considerably leaner than before.

Upon seeing Zhang Yang, Wu Zhiguo quickly offered sincere words of thanks; it was Zhang Yang who had helped bring about this transformation.

Finally, stepping out of the BMW were the inseparable couple, Su Zhantao and Yang Ling. Having gained approval from both families, their relationship had progressed by leaps and bounds, and they were close to setting a wedding date.

"Zhang Yang, incredible! Brother Cheng told us that Gu Fang actually gifted you the Bugatti, and none of us believed it. I can't believe it’s true!"

Huang Hai walked over, casting an envious glance at the Bugatti next to him.

By this time, Li Ya and Wang Chen were already circling Zhang Yang’s car. If Wang Chen hadn't needed his cane to walk, he probably would have been demanding the keys from Zhang Yang just for a quick spin.

"I’ve met Gu Fang; he’s insufferably arrogant. It’s no small feat to get him to give away a car like that!"

Chang Feng chimed in with a chuckle. He had also visited Shanghai and met Gu Fang and his circle.

However, due to Long Cheng's connections, they hadn't developed any real rapport with Gu Fang’s group. Long Cheng and Gu Fang never quite saw eye-to-eye; otherwise, sparks wouldn't have flown between them the moment they met last time, leading straight into a street race.

"It was just a fluke on my part. Since everyone is here, let’s head inside!"

Zhang Yang chuckled and led the group towards the hotel entrance. Li Ya and Wang Chen were reluctant to leave the cars, requiring Long Cheng to finally tap each of them on the head before he could usher them in.

These two louts simply couldn't be dragged away from a fancy car; they cherished them more than their own wives.

Earlier that afternoon, Long Cheng had called Zhang Yang to inquire about matters in Shanghai.

Cai Zheliling had already briefed him on Zhang Yang’s situation in Shanghai, so he had some insight.

Seeing Long Cheng call, Zhang Yang decided to gather everyone else as well, using the opportunity for a proper reunion since his circle hadn't met in a while.

This idea was immediately supported by Long Cheng, who took responsibility for notifying the others while Zhang Yang waited at the hotel.

The gathering naturally took place at Mi Xue's family hotel—it was better to keep the profit within the family.

The party was lively, though they didn't consume much alcohol; the main point was catching up after such a long separation.

After eating their fill, everyone felt the night was still young. Following Li Ya's suggestion, the group decided to head to a nightclub.

On their home turf, they naturally chose the best nightclub. Zhang Yang, driving the Bugatti with Mi Xue beside him, added the most valuable car to the already luxurious convoy.

The 'Splendor Nightclub' was arguably Changjing's finest and most opulent leisure spot. Its décor and standards far surpassed the club owned by Zhou Yichen’s uncle.

The owner here was also highly influential—a friend of Long Cheng’s.

Long Cheng had already called ahead, ensuring everything would be perfectly arranged for their arrival.

Thinking about it, Zhang Yang realized he had only been to a nightclub a few times since arriving in Changjing. The last time he visited one was with Su Zhantao back in Jiaoyi.

The Splendor Nightclub was indeed impressive; its magnificent entrance alone was enough to draw crowds.

It was also a veritable money pit; even a standard room cost several thousand yuan to exit, while the luxury VIP areas were places that even money couldn't guarantee entry to.

Their extravagant motorcade immediately drew attention upon arrival, and the security guards rushed to escort them to parking spots.

Such high-end vehicles clearly indicated big spenders, especially the unfamiliar model among them.

The unfamiliar car, of course, was Zhang Yang’s Bugatti. In this era, unless one was a true automotive fanatic, it was difficult to know about high-end foreign cars that hadn't officially entered the domestic market.

"Zhang Yang?"

As Zhang Yang and the others stepped out of their cars, they encountered a few people returning to retrieve their vehicles. One of them stopped, staring at Zhang Yang with surprise.

Turning back to look at the man who called his name, Zhang Yang couldn't help but frown.

The caller was a man around forty, wearing glasses and a suit, looking very formal—an unusual attire for a nightclub setting.

Long Cheng and the others also paused. Seeing this man, both Long Cheng and Chang Feng were momentarily stunned.

They all recognized this man; they had seen him before. They were just surprised to run into him here, and even more surprised that he knew Zhang Yang.

"Secretary Zhao, long time no see!"

Long Cheng immediately stepped forward to greet him. As he did, the people accompanying Secretary Zhao also focused their attention on him.

Long Cheng recognized a few faces among Zhao's entourage, but mostly only by sight; they hadn't interacted much.

"Director Long, hello. May I have a few private words with Zhang Yang?"

The man smiled faintly, then glanced back at Zhang Yang. He was neither subservient nor overbearing when addressing Long Cheng, and an air of composure surrounded him, suggesting a man who had weathered significant challenges.

"If Zhang Yang agrees, certainly no problem!"

Long Cheng nodded with a smile, discreetly glancing at Zhang Yang with a hint of concern.

This man was no ordinary figure. He was Zhao Min, Deputy Director of the Provincial Party Committee Office, and he held another crucial role: the personal secretary to the province’s top leader.

A secretary like him had a very apt modern moniker: the second-in-command.

Long Cheng didn't know how Secretary Zhao had met Zhang Yang, but he felt apprehensive about Zhao’s demeanor. Secretary Zhao was different from the wealthy young masters surrounding him; his official position commanded a certain level of caution from Long Cheng. **

"Zhang Yang, can we speak alone?"

Zhao Min asked quietly, looking at Zhang Yang. This phrasing significantly eased Long Cheng’s worry.

Zhao Min’s attitude seemed respectful, suggesting his intent in seeking out Zhang Yang might not be malicious.

"Five minutes!"

Zhang Yang kept frowning, observing Zhao Min for a moment before saying softly.

A visible relaxation crossed Zhao Min’s face, and he immediately nodded. He had expected Zhang Yang to refuse, not expecting to be granted such an opportunity.

Five minutes was short, but Zhang Yang’s willingness to grant it was already satisfying to him.

The surrounding group, including Long Cheng, widened their eyes in astonishment.

He had initially worried on Zhang Yang's behalf, but it seemed the situation wasn't what he feared. Secretary Zhao appeared to be treading carefully around Zhang Yang.

Few people could make Secretary Zhao act so deferentially; Long Cheng genuinely couldn't fathom why Zhao would treat Zhang Yang this way.

As for the men accompanying Secretary Zhao, they were equally stunned. They had gone to great lengths just to secure Secretary Zhao’s presence today, and he usually maintained a certain distance, even a degree of aloofness, toward them.

Even that limited interaction would have been sufficient for them, yet they never imagined Secretary Zhao would be so polite to a young man.

In Changjing, there seemed to be no young master whom Secretary Zhao would treat with such deference—after all, they were just sons of powerful men, not their peers.

Zhang Yang led Zhao Min directly in front of the Bugatti. Zhao Min took another look at the car.

He had noticed earlier that Zhang Yang had stepped out of it.

He didn't know the car’s exact price, but its sheer appearance indicated immense value, which caused a slight unease in his heart.

Although Zhang Yang was at odds with his father, the blood tie was undeniable. If Zhang Yang were to genuinely get into serious trouble, his father would inevitably be implicated.

Zhao Min was merely a secretary; his primary consideration in all actions was his superior. Any potential threat to his leader, even if it came from the leader's son, needed to be addressed.

"When did you get acquainted with Long Cheng and his group? Do they know your identity?"

After standing silently for half a minute, Zhao Min finally asked quietly. This was the question that concerned him most.

Zhang Yang mingling with this circle of wealthy youths constantly worried Zhao Min. In his view, these people must have ulterior motives for associating with Zhang Yang—at least, that was his current assumption.

Zhang Yang looked at Zhao Min, then suddenly smiled and gently shook his head. "My identity? What identity? What identity do I have?"

Zhang Yang’s three consecutive rhetorical questions tumbled out without conscious thought, sounding impulsive. Simultaneously, a surge of violent emotion rose within him, forcing him to circulate his inner strength to suppress the negative feeling.