Just as he reached the highway exit, Gu Fang and Li Wei were waving their hands frantically beside a large SUV.

Zhang Yang's Mercedes pulled over to the roadside, and he stepped out of the car.

“Gu Fang, what’s all this? I could have just found the property management once I arrived!”

Zhang Yang stared at them, slightly surprised. The day before, he had called Gu Fang to ask for help finding a decent resort or something similar. Five-star hotels were fine, but Zhuifeng couldn't go inside.

Gu Fang had told him that he owned a vacation villa in Hangcheng that was usually empty, and Zhang Yang was welcome to use it.

Having his own place was preferable. Zhang Yang had planned for Gu Fang to just arrange for the property management to open the door for him upon arrival in Hangcheng, but he hadn't expected Gu Fang to come in person.

“Find property management for what? I’m going with you!”

Gu Fang grinned, making Zhang Yang's eyes widen even more. He had assumed Gu Fang was only coming to drop off the key, but now it seemed he was accompanying him as well.

“You didn't just come all this way to keep me company, did you?”

Zhang Yang asked quietly. Zhang Yang knew very well that Gu Fang’s presence could help solidify their relationship.

Regardless of Gu Fang’s motive, he had been trying his best to help, and Zhang Yang was grateful. However, for something as simple as going out, it wasn't necessary for Gu Fang to accompany him.

When anything is taken too far, it ceases to be a good thing. Zhang Yang didn't want to owe anyone too many favors.

“You’re not a beauty, why would I accompany you!”

Gu Fang laughed heartily, then pulled Li Wei along. “This is my cousin. His unit is having a training session in Hangcheng, and I need to drop him off. We can all go together!”

“That’s right. We actually agreed a few days ago that Xiaofang would drive me to Hangcheng today. We're just taking the same route!”

Li Wei added with a smile, which finally put Zhang Yang at ease. Going the same way was fine. This kid Gu Fang, he hadn't even mentioned it yesterday, and today he springs a surprise on him.

Gu Fang knew Hangcheng very well; Hu Hai was too close. His father had even worked in Hangcheng before.

There weren't many cars on the highway, and Gu Fang drove extremely fast, severely exceeding the speed limit. Zhang Yang had no choice but to push his own speed to keep up. Fortunately, his driving skills were excellent, and his car was good enough to stay behind.

Long Feng, in the back, naturally had to follow suit. When the speed reached one hundred sixty or seventy, Zhuifeng finally lifted its head and let out a soft snort.

The current speed was barely enough for him. It had been too slow before. In such a wide, flat area, if it truly wanted to run, it could leave all these other cars in the dust.

Driving fast meant they arrived in Hangcheng early.

It was just past ten o’clock when they reached Hangcheng. After asking Zhang Yang, Gu Fang drove directly to his vacation villa.

This villa was located by West Lake, and the environment was superb. The place was slightly smaller than Zhang Yang's small villa in Changjing, but a property in this location was far more expensive than his Changjing one.

“Zhang Yang, let’s have lunch together. I have to leave in the afternoon. If you plan to stay in Hangcheng for a while, give me a call, and I’ll come over once I’m done with my work!”

After quickly tidying up his belongings, Li Wei came to find Zhang Yang. This time, Gu Fang hadn't lied; Li Wei did indeed have a task in Hangcheng.

Hearing Li Wei speak, Gu Fang immediately crowded over, excitedly suggesting, “Let’s go to Lou Wai Lou for lunch! It’s close, and their West Lake Vinegar Fish really is delicious!”

Zhang Yang gently shook his head and took out his phone. “I need to make a call first. I have someone meeting me for lunch!”

He had already arranged to meet Zhu Daoqi at noon. Even if they were going to eat, he needed to let Zhu Daoqi know so he wouldn't be kept waiting too long.

The call was quickly connected. Zhu Daoqi hadn’t reached Hangcheng yet; he was stuck in traffic and delayed. He wouldn't be able to arrive until the afternoon.

He wouldn't make it for lunch. The two of them agreed to meet directly at the official hotel arranged for the event in the afternoon.

“Fine, then let’s go to Lou Wai Lou!”

Hanging up, Zhang Yang smiled and told Gu Fang and the others. Gu Fang and Li Wei also laughed.

Lou Wai Lou was very close to their villa. Zhang Yang was very pleased with the villa; Mi Xue was absolutely delighted with it.

The villa was situated by West Lake, and the balcony on the second floor offered a panoramic view of the lake, along with much of the scenery. Furthermore, the air quality here was excellent, making cultivation much better than in the city.

This even gave Zhang Yang the idea of buying a villa here.

Buying a villa would not only provide a place to stay during leisure time but also serve as an investment for value preservation. Houses with prime locations would appreciate more in the future, and villas like this would surely become priceless assets later on.

In less than ten minutes by car, they arrived at Lou Wai Lou.

Lou Wai Lou was right by the edge of West Lake. At first glance, it looked like just an ordinary restaurant; outwardly, it wasn't even as grand as Mi Xue’s Yangxue Grand Hotel.

However, the finest wine needs no bush. Lou Wai Lou’s décor was average, but business was booming. Even though the weather in Hangcheng was still cold, by the time Zhang Yang and the others arrived, it wasn’t yet noon, and the small road by West Lake was already packed with cars.

“Mr. Gu, you’ve arrived!”

As soon as Gu Fang and the others got out of the car, a man in his thirties rushed over from the entrance, bowing with a smile toward Gu Fang.

Gu Fang visited Hangcheng frequently and had been to Lou Wai Lou many times. The staff here already knew him, especially since he had called ahead specifically to reserve a room today.

“I’m treating friends to a meal today. Be sure to have Chef Shao personally prepare the vinegar fish. Just bring a few other specialty dishes as you see fit!”

Gu Fang nodded slightly, then explained to Zhang Yang and the others.

Chef Shao was the head chef here, already over sixty. He was supposed to retire, but the restaurant persuaded him to stay with a high salary.

His West Lake Vinegar Fish was the best, truly exceptional. Even his apprentices and son couldn't match it. Since no one could surpass him, he had to continue cooking, though he only prepared this one dish, making his work somewhat easier.

Many regular customers would only order his vinegar fish when they visited.

“Don’t worry, sir, we guarantee the vinegar fish will be personally made by Chef Shao. Please, this way to the VIP room!”

The man replied with a smile, but his expression immediately tightened. He stared blankly at Zhuifeng following behind Zhang Yang.

When Zhuifeng walked closer, he quickly said, “Sir, would you like someone to watch your horse? Such a beautiful animal is exceedingly rare!”

“No need. We’re going in together!”

Zhang Yang smiled and shook his head. Leaving Zhuifeng outside would be an international joke; without him nearby, Zhuifeng could tear the entire restaurant apart.

“This, this…”

“What is this? This horse is our friend and must come in with us!”

Before the man could finish speaking, Gu Fang glared at him. The man hastily nodded repeatedly in agreement, stepping aside to let Zhuifeng enter.

As Zhuifeng walked past him, it suddenly snorted, and a blast of icy cold air shot directly from its nostrils onto the man’s face.

The man almost froze solid. It was only after Zhuifeng passed that he recovered.

This fellow’s words had clearly irritated Zhuifeng a little.

Looking at Zhuifeng, Zhang Yang couldn't help but shake his head. Zhuifeng was excellent, but his temperament was a bit too wild, unlike Shandian or Wuying, who were much easier to get along with.

Then again, Zhuifeng was a horse, the fastest horse in the world. If a horse didn’t have some wildness, could it even be called a horse?

Zhuifeng strode proudly into the restaurant, surprising many diners. Their astonishment wasn't that a horse was allowed inside, but rather how stunningly beautiful Zhuifeng looked.

Its pure white mane was spotless, and its beautiful eyes, like bright pearls, made everyone who saw Zhuifeng want to reach out and stroke him.

Some only thought about it; others acted on the impulse.

A young man, looking about twenty-four or twenty-five, his eyes gleaming, walked directly toward Zhuifeng.

“Good horse, top-tier horse. A pity it’s a bit small; otherwise, it would be priceless!”

He muttered, his hands already reaching toward Zhuifeng’s head.

“Zhuifeng, no!”

Seeing this, Zhang Yang quickly sidestepped to stand in front of Zhuifeng and reached out to steady the horse’s head. Even so, Zhuifeng’s head had already jerked aside, bucking the fellow who tried to touch him far away.

Zhuifeng’s speed was too fast; even as a fourth-level master, Zhang Yang couldn't fully stop it in time.

“Thump!”

“Ouch!”

There was a heavy impact, followed by the sound of shattering tables and chairs. The young man who had reached out had slammed into the wall and fallen back down, crying out in pain.

“Young Master Guang?”

He had a few companions nearby. Seeing the scene, they rushed over. Someone reached out to help the young man up, while another shouted anxiously.

“Bastard, this person dares to hit Young Master Guang! Brothers, beat him!”

A young man stood up, glaring fiercely at Zhang Yang. Zhang Yang looked somewhat helpless; he hadn't even done anything, and if he hadn't called out to stop it, Young Master Guang would have suffered far worse.

Long Feng subtly shifted his stance, moving directly in front of Zhuifeng.

Zhuifeng stared fiercely at these young men with its beautiful eyes. Apart from those near him, it held no good impression of others. It had been chased around by poachers not long after leaving the mountain.

However, no matter how fierce it looked, it couldn't project menace; staring like that only made people pity it more.

“Who are you trying to beat?”

A loud shout suddenly rang out. Gu Fang, who had been walking ahead, had already stepped over and was staring directly at the young man.

The young man paused sharply upon seeing Gu Fang, then a look of panic washed over his face.

“Brother Gu, why—why are you here?”

The young man recognized Gu Fang, and his body was trembling as he spoke, indicating how afraid he was of Gu Fang.

“This is my friend, and also my honored guest. Are you trying to beat him?”

Gu Fang spoke plainly, his tone light, yet carrying a hint of killing intent.

“No, no, definitely not! We wouldn't dare. It was our mistake; we didn't know he was your friend!”

The young man frantically shook his head to explain. Gu Fang ignored him and glanced at the young man lying on the side, who had been thrown by Zhuifeng and was still groaning.

“He’s fine, but he’ll be lying down for a few days,”

Zhang Yang said quietly. Zhuifeng had already held back upon hearing his voice; otherwise, this fellow wouldn't just be out of action for a few days.

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