The dining table was already laden with over a dozen dishes, filling it entirely. There was more meat than vegetables, yet the pairing was executed perfectly; it was evident these dishes had been meticulously prepared. Tucked away on a corner of the table sat a bottle of Wuliangye liquor.

“Come in, Zhang Yang, sit inside. Xiao Xue has mentioned you to me often, but I missed your engagement celebration due to prior commitments. This is the first time we’re meeting!” After exchanging a few warm words with Mi Xue, her aunt enthusiastically welcomed Zhang Yang in. Mi Xue had called ahead, which was why they had prepared so much.

“You are too kind, I can manage myself!” Zhang Yang waved his hands frantically, but in the end, Mi Xue’s aunt gently steered him toward the dining table and seated him in the most honored guest spot. Zhang Jing and Liu Fei had also settled down by this time. Liu Fei picked up the liquor bottle, opened it, and poured several glasses first.

During the meal, Mi Xue’s aunt seemed particularly delighted, talking nonstop. Mi Xue’s uncle interjected occasionally to chime in. After a brief chat, Zhang Yang had a good grasp of their situation. Mi Xue’s uncle was named Zhang Chenggong; he was the Director of the Credit Department at a local bank—a position holding considerable real power, as many seeking loans had to deal with him. His name was apt: Chenggong (Success), and he certainly seemed successful now. Mi Xue’s aunt was Mi Lan. She and Zhang Chenggong had been university classmates. After graduation, they both came to Pengcheng and joined the same institution. She was now the bank’s Front Desk Manager, a minor leadership role in her own right. A family like this was considered quite respectable in the country. While not immensely wealthy, ensuring a warm, comfortable life was certainly no problem.

After a few glasses of wine, Liu Fei became much more talkative. Liu Fei was naturally an engaging person, but having only just met Zhang Yang, he had been reserved. Once the drinks flowed more freely, conversation naturally opened up. Mi Xue and Zhang Jing were maternal cousins. He was Zhang Jing’s boyfriend, making them practically related through marriage—a sort of in-law connection. Before long, Liu Fei began recounting his college days and how he pursued Zhang Jing. They attended the same university but were in different departments and different years. They met during a welcoming party for freshmen, though Zhang Jing wasn't a freshman then—she was a sophomore. Liu Fei mistook her for a new student, which led to a small conflict and an argument. They certainly became acquainted through that initial friction. Soon after, they discovered they were from the same hometown, and more importantly, their families knew each other. Liu Fei’s father was a construction developer who frequently sought loans from the same bank where Zhang Chenggong worked. Gradually, the two grew close and eventually entered a relationship. Liu Fei graduated last year, and Zhang Jing was currently interning. They planned to get engaged once her internship concluded; they were already at the stage of discussing marriage.

When Liu Fei recounted some embarrassing stories about himself and Zhang Jing, the straightforward girl lowered her head shyly, making even Mi Xue widen her eyes. This sight made Mi Xue sigh, marveling at how love could truly change a person. She also recalled the story of how she met Zhang Yang. They hadn't known each other for long, meeting only in their junior year, even later than Zhang Jing and Liu Fei. Yet, their relationship had progressed quite well; they were already engaged and planned to marry once Zhang Yang graduated. All of this brought Mi Xue profound satisfaction.

Before long, the bottle of Wuliangye was completely emptied. Zhang Chenggong, enjoying the conversation and the drinking, produced another bottle and continued. They had only taken a few sips from this new bottle when a heavy knocking suddenly sounded at the door. “Thump! Thump! Thump!” The sound suggested someone was using their fist to pound on the door. Zhang Chenggong’s brow twitched, and Mi Lan looked toward the door with confusion. Zhang Yang also frowned slightly. When he entered, he had noticed the aunt’s house had a doorbell. Knocking this forcefully without ringing seemed distinctly off. It wasn't merely knocking; it was a battering. “Thump! Thump! Thump!” The pounding resumed, even more violent than before.

“I’ll go see!” Mi Lan stood up. Zhang Chenggong didn’t move, only nodding at her. Zhang Jing, sitting beside them, also rose to accompany her mother to the door. When the door opened, a young man stood outside, his arm already raised as if preparing to strike again. “Gao Qiang, what are you doing here?” Zhang Jing exclaimed in surprise. Her mother also looked somewhat astonished; she recognized the young man pounding on the door—he lived in the same residential compound. The young man was Gao Qiang, the son of Deputy Bank Manager Gao. He now worked at the bank, and he and Zhang Jing had been classmates previously. Gao Qiang, standing outside, lowered his raised arm and glared intently at Zhang Jing before stating flatly, “Zhang Jing, I only ask one thing: are you willing to be with me? If you agree to marry me, I can give you anything!” “Gao Qiang, what is wrong with you? Why do you smell so strongly of alcohol?” Before Zhang Jing could speak, Mi Lan interjected. Although there was drinking inside, Mi Lan had consumed little, whereas the scent of alcohol radiating from Gao Qiang was overwhelming; it was clear he had drunk a great deal. Zhang Jing’s eyebrows knitted tightly; she looked displeased. She hadn't been drinking, but she noticed Gao Qiang’s strong smell earlier, and the words he spoke repulsed her even more. Zhang Yang and Mi Xue turned their heads, but neither moved. It appeared to be a young man deeply infatuated with Zhang Jing, who, drunk, had summoned the courage to show up at her door. They were visiting relatives today and hadn't expected such a scene. However, it wasn't their place to interfere, so they remained seated for the moment.

“Auntie, I’m not drunk. I just love Zhang Jing and I want to marry her. I hope you can agree!” Gao Qiang swayed slightly and shouted again. Liu Fei’s expression soured; Zhang Jing was his girlfriend, and he certainly wouldn't be happy to see a romantic rival suddenly appear. “Gao Qiang, you’re drunk, go home now. Look, we have guests.” Mi Lan spoke again, stepping forward as if to take Gao Qiang by the arm and lead him out. Mi Lan’s face had grown even more strained. This was the first time her niece and future nephew-in-law were visiting, and now a drunken lunatic was causing a scene, making her feel deeply embarrassed. If not for the fact that they worked at the same place and Gao Qiang’s father was her superior, she would have thrown him out moments ago.

“I’m not drunk. Zhang Jing, come with me!” Gao Qiang lurched, evading Mi Lan’s grasp, and reached out directly to pull Zhang Jing. “Gao Qiang, you bastard, what are you doing? I’m not going with you, and I certainly won't marry you! How many times have I told you, I have a boyfriend!” Zhang Jing shouted, struggling as Gao Qiang gripped her arm. “Stop! Don't grab Xiao Jing!” Liu Fei, who had been at the table, also stood up. At this point, he had to intervene. If someone was laying hands on his girlfriend, how could he just watch? Zhang Yang’s brow twitched incessantly. Even for someone who had been drinking, Gao Qiang’s alcohol fumes were potent, indicating he had consumed far too much. While internally sighing, mentally labeling this as yet another melodramatic tale of unrequited love, Zhang Yang’s expression suddenly shifted. In an instant, his body materialized at the doorway. “Bang!” Zhang Yang sent Gao Qiang flying backward with a shove, directly colliding with the opposite door. Zhang Yang’s other hand remained suspended near Zhang Jing’s stomach.

“If you won’t come with me, I’ll take you down with me!” Gao Qiang, thrown aside by Zhang Yang, gasped for breath and then screamed maniacally. The sound abruptly cut off as he stared forward in utter disbelief. Just as Zhang Jing refused him, the hand he had hidden behind his back suddenly shot out, clutching a dagger aimed directly at Zhang Jing’s heart. Gao Qiang had indeed drunk too much today; he had resolved that if Zhang Jing wouldn't go with him, he would kill her—preferring mutual destruction to letting anyone else have her. Gao Qiang was an extremely radical thinker. He thought it, and he acted upon it. What he didn't realize was that Zhang Jing’s home hosted a master today—perhaps the most formidable master imaginable. The instant his hand emerged, Zhang Yang sensed something was wrong and used an explosive burst of speed faster than a bullet to arrive at the door first, pushing Gao Qiang away and saving Zhang Jing. Regardless, Zhang Jing was Mi Xue’s cousin, and Zhang Yang could not stand by and watch her be harmed. Gao Qiang, having been flung aside, initially thought he had succeeded in stabbing her, which explained his frenzied scream. When he saw the dagger now held in the stranger’s hand, he froze. He realized the dagger he had thrust had ended up in the grip of this unknown young man.

“What’s going on? What happened?” Zhang Chenggong could remain seated no longer and hurried over. Mi Lan, beside him, noticed the dagger in Zhang Yang’s hand. It gleamed coldly under the light, clearly razor-sharp. Zhang Jing, meanwhile, was completely stunned, standing frozen without any reaction. “Auntie~” Mi Xue suddenly cried out. Zhang Yang turned back momentarily just as Mi Lan’s body went limp, beginning to fall toward the floor. Mi Xue, already near her, caught her, preventing her from collapsing. Zhang Jing had nearly been stabbed through the heart, and Mi Lan had fainted—all of this unfolded in under a minute or two, happening too quickly for anyone but Zhang Yang to process. “Zhang Yang, quick, check on my aunt!” Mi Xue shouted anxiously. Fortunately, in her panic, she hadn't lost her composure, remembering that Zhang Yang was a doctor, and a highly capable one at that. “Don't panic, I’m here. She’ll be fine!” Zhang Yang immediately moved over, took Mi Lan’s arm, and checked her pulse at the pressure point. Zhang Jing, finally snapping out of her shock, let out a piercing shriek that startled even Zhang Yang. A woman’s scream when severely frightened is truly terrifying. However, Zhang Yang had no time to dwell on that now. Mi Lan was in critical condition; she already had a heart condition, and the shock had triggered a severe attack. Discovering this, Zhang Yang completely set aside Zhang Jing and rapidly tapped several acupoints on Mi Lan’s body. Mi Lan’s current cardiac episode was extremely violent, involving evidence of myocardial hemorrhage. If not treated immediately, there was a fatal risk. Poor handling could also result in severe lingering effects. After stimulating a few key points, Zhang Yang flipped both hands, and Mi Lan’s entire body was suspended horizontally in the air. It was a bizarre suspension, as if an invisible stretcher was holding her steady, supporting her perfectly.