"Sir, are you satisfied with this handling?" Li Biao asked respectfully.
Ye Ning patted him on the shoulder and said, "Not bad, thanks."
Li Biao smiled and said, "You're too polite, sir. Being able to do something for you is my honor."
Lin Xue cast a strange look at Li Biao, her expression somewhat incredulous.
Could this really be Brother Biao, who ruled the underground world of Jianghai with an iron fist? She never expected him to be so deferential in front of Ye Ning.
Glancing at Jiang Hai, Ye Ning said, "That's about enough. Don't actually beat him to death. This is a school; killing someone would probably cause quite a bit of trouble, wouldn't it?"
Jiang Hai nodded, signaling his two subordinates to stop.
By this time, Jiang Hai was bruised and battered, twitching on the ground.
Li Biao's men were all ruthless thugs who hit hard—far more than a young master like him could endure.
The fact that he hadn't passed out from the beating showed considerable willpower.
Ye Ning called out to Lin Xue, signaling that it was time to leave.
Li Biao hurriedly said, "Sir, could you leave me your phone number? When you have time, I'd like to treat you to a meal to thank you for saving my mother."
"He's the old lady's son?" Lin Xue asked in surprise.
She found it quite strange; that old lady dressed very plainly and looked nothing like the mother of an underground king of Jianghai.
Ye Ning nodded and said, "The old lady is a very kind person. She donated all the money her son gave her, considering it as a form of atonement for him, while she herself makes a living by collecting scrap."
So that was how it was. Lin Xue wore an expression of deep admiration.
Li Biao offered a wry smile, completely helpless when it came to his mother's stubborn principles.
Ye Ning left his phone number and name before departing with Lin Xue.
"Boss, isn't that Ye Ning just an Ancient Martial Artist? Is he really worth sucking up to like this? No matter how strong he is, can he be more powerful than a gun?" one of the underlings couldn't help asking.
Glancing at the underling, Li Biao sneered and said, "You don't understand what an Ancient Martial Artist represents at all. To truly powerful Ancient Martial Artists, guns are nothing more than a pile of scrap metal in their eyes."
"How is that possible?" the underling said in shock.
"A genuine Ancient Martial Artist is like a god in the eyes of mortals." Li Biao's expression was filled with awe.
Jiang Hai, lying on the ground, finally understood why Li Biao was currying favor with Ye Ning to this extent.
It was true that Ye Ning had saved Li Biao's mother, but even more so, it was because Ye Ning was an Ancient Martial Artist.
He shuddered. As a member of Jianghai's top family, he naturally knew just how terrifying Ancient Martial Artists could be.
This beating hadn't been suffered in vain.
Jiang Hai made up his mind that upon returning, he would definitely tell Jiang Tao about Ye Ning's identity and make him give up any thoughts of going after Ye Ning.
Otherwise, the only ones who would suffer would be the Jiang family.
On the way, Lin Xue was driving when her phone rang.
She answered it, and a pleasant female voice came through.
"Is this Ms. Lin? I am Han Ziyan. May I ask if Ye Ning is with you?" Han Ziyan's voice inquired.
Lin Xue wore a peculiar expression. She glanced at Ye Ning and said, "He's here. Do you want to speak with him?"
"Mhm."
Handing the phone over to Ye Ning, Lin Xue pricked up her ears, eager to know what the two of them would talk about.
"Come to your senses? Ready to marry me?" Ye Ning took the phone and said.
"Can we meet?" Han Ziyan asked.
"Sure." Naturally, Ye Ning wouldn't refuse.
"Zijing Bar. Come alone."
"Okay."
Ye Ning hung up the phone. Before he could say anything, Lin Xue spoke up: "I'll drop you off, and then I'll head home."
She had also overheard the conversation and knew that Han Ziyan didn't want others to know.
"You're so good. From now on, you'll be my first wife."
"Why?"
"Because you're exceptionally good," Ye Ning laughed.
Lin Xue was torn between laughter and tears; she knew what Ye Ning meant.
Yet Lin Xue was well aware that it wasn't because she was so good that she wouldn't get jealous.
It was mainly because, although she and Ye Ning had an engagement, the time they had known each other was simply too short.
Even if Ye Ning were truly with another woman now, it would be hard for her to feel jealous.
What Lin Xue felt for Ye Ning was mostly a sense of gratitude; as for affection, it wasn't all that strong.
"Come back early."
Upon reaching the destination, Lin Xue reminded him.
Immediately afterward, she worried her words might make Ye Ning misunderstand, so she quickly added, "I don't mean anything by it. You can stay out for the night if you want."
"I'm not that kind of casual person," Ye Ning said with a straight face.
Lin Xue was left speechless. Without another word, she stepped on the accelerator and drove away.
Zijing Bar was a place that stayed open almost around the clock, except for cleaning between six and eight in the morning.
As Ye Ning stepped inside, the somewhat chaotic music caused him to frown involuntarily.
His gaze swept across the patrons before finally landing on a woman dressed very much like a delinquent girl.
She wore heavy makeup and sat by herself. Whenever anyone approached, she drove them away, continuing to drink alone.
Ye Ning walked over and sat down beside her, smiling cheerfully as he asked, "Have you thought it over?"
The woman was slightly startled. She looked at Ye Ning in surprise and asked, "How did you recognize me?"
The corners of Ye Ning's mouth curved upward slightly as he replied, "I'd recognize you even if you were burned to ashes."
Han Ziyan: "……"
She rolled her eyes at Ye Ning. Could this guy actually hold a conversation?
"Have you considered it?" Ye Ning continued to ask.
Han Ziyan stared at Ye Ning, her expression serious: "I have a question, and I hope you'll answer me honestly."
Ye Ning nodded.
Han Ziyan licked her lips and asked with some nervousness, "Are you Master Hidden Dragon?"
"I don't know if I'm Master Hidden Dragon, but that painting was something I did when I was eight or nine years old. If the Master Hidden Dragon you speak of is the creator of that painting, then yes, that's me," Ye Ning said calmly.
Han Ziyan suddenly relaxed. A smile bloomed on her face as she asked, "Can you drive?"
"A little."
"Take me for a spin."
She reached out and tossed the car keys to Ye Ning.
Ye Ning caught them, and the two walked outside.
Finding Han Ziyan's car, Ye Ning got in, felt around for a moment to get familiar with the controls, and then started the engine, driving away.
The car shot out like an arrow released from a bow, heading toward the outskirts of the city.
Guided by Han Ziyan, Ye Ning drove the vehicle to a quiet roadside outside the city.
As she gazed at Ye Ning, Han Ziyan's expression was filled with excitement and anticipation.
"What other skills do you have?"
Thinking for a moment, Ye Ning stepped out of the car, walked over to a large tree, held his hand flat like a blade, and slashed straight through it.
The thick tree was severed right at the waist and crashed heavily to the ground.
"Have you ever heard of Ancient Martial Artists? I am an Ancient Martial Artist," Ye Ning said.
"Aside from martial arts?" Han Ziyan's eyes shone with unusual brightness.
"The zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, medical arts, martial arts, and the mystical arts of Qi Men Dun Jia—I know a bit of everything," Ye Ning said.
The corners of Han Ziyan's mouth curved upward. Sitting inside the car, she beckoned to Ye Ning with her finger.
"Get in."
Ye Ning got in.
"Drive."
However, this time it wasn't the car that was being driven—it was Han Ziyan who took the lead.
Two hours passed before the swaying of the car finally ceased.
Han Ziyan lay in Ye Ning's arms, her eyes glistening like water, her cheeks flushed with two red clouds that invited endless tenderness.
Ye Ning was not surprised in the least.
Before others, Han Ziyan was an icy goddess, the top female CEO of Jianghai.
Yet, she possessed another side to her personality.
Passionate, proactive, fiery, and bold in both love and hate.
The moment she confirmed that Ye Ning was Master Hidden Dragon, she had readily surrendered herself to him.
"From now on, I want to be the first wife," Han Ziyan declared domineeringly.
"I've already promised Lin Xue. She is the first wife," Ye Ning said.
He was still a man of considerable principle; having made a promise to Lin Xue, he wouldn't easily go back on his word.
"Leave that matter to me." The corners of Han Ziyan's mouth curved upward.
At that moment, a pleasant phone ringtone chimed.
Han Ziyan answered the call, and her previously flushed, spring-like face instantly turned cold.
"Honey, can you accompany me to a banquet? Someone might bully me there."
After hanging up, Han Ziyan said coaxingly to Ye Ning.
"Alright."
Ye Ning agreed.
"We'll head over right now," Han Ziyan said.
She rose to her feet, but stumbled abruptly and fell right back into Ye Ning's arms.
Frowning slightly, Han Ziyan cast a sideways glance at Ye Ning and scolded playfully, "This is all your fault."
"Haha."
Ye Ning chuckled triumphantly.
Still, by way of compensation, he took the initiative to help Han Ziyan put her clothes back on.
Naturally, the process left Han Ziyan somewhat breathless once more. She shot Ye Ning a soul-stirring glare and scolded, "Darling, behave. If you keep messing around, we really won't make it."
Looking at Han Ziyan's watery eyes, Ye Ning really didn't want to go anymore.
However, he also knew that business came first, and there would be plenty of time for this in the future.
Driving off, they stopped to buy a new outfit, changing out of her delinquent attire, before finally arriving at the banquet venue.
By this time, Han Ziyan had reverted to the image of a cold and glamorous female CEO.
She informed Ye Ning that the host of this banquet was the most powerful underground lord in Jianghai, a man who had been relentlessly pursuing her.
It was simply that Han Ziyan disliked him and held no favorable impression of the man, which was why she had consistently refused.
Precisely because of this, the man had been suppressing her businesses lately.
"An underground lord? How does he compare to Li Biao?" Ye Ning asked.
"Li Biao is just at the underling level compared to him; he doesn't even rate," Han Ziyan explained.
Ye Ning understood. With a faint smile, he said, "Simple. I'll take care of it for you."
"Darling, you know him?" Han Ziyan's eyes lit up.
Ye Ning shook his head and said, "No."
"Then how will you solve it?" Han Ziyan asked, somewhat puzzled.
"My grandmaster once said, if you can't solve the trouble, solve the person who creates the trouble. As it happens, I possess that kind of strength." The corners of Ye Ning's mouth turned up.
Han Ziyan could feel that in this instant, a powerful, chilling aura radiated from Ye Ning, making her whole body feel a sudden chill and altering the way she looked at him.
This man was far more formidable than she had imagined.
Far from feeling any sense of danger, she found herself deeply thrilled.
Perhaps, deep down in Han Ziyan's bones, she possessed a natural inclination to chase thrills—that was her true personality.
Arriving at the banquet venue, the place was a scene of dazzling lights and extravagant elegance, filled with well-dressed people.
Socialites wearing polite smiles conversed with successful elites.
The so-called upper class was pretty much like this.
Han Ziyan's car arrived and was instantly recognized.
Countless gazes turned toward it. Han Ziyan was absolute headline material in Jianghai—a renowned icy goddess and a financial prodigy.
Many regarded her as the goddess in their hearts, and Han Ziyan's admirers easily numbered over a reinforced company.
Yet, very few dared to pursue her.
Because Han Ziyan was simply too outstanding, most people only dared to harbor secret crushes.
To actually pursue her would only bring a sense of inferiority, believing oneself unworthy of her.
Today's banquet was hosted precisely by one of Han Ziyan's suitors.
"Fourth Master, putting on such a grand display today shows you're determined to win Han Ziyan over, doesn't it?" Li Biao had arrived, standing before a man in his forties, his expression carrying a hint of ingratiation.
The man was Chen Hong, the number one figure in Jianghai's underground world. Because he was the fourth child in his family, he was known as Fourth Master Chen.
Li Biao was considered a big shot in the small city, but in front of Chen Hong, he still fell short, amounting to nothing more than a lackey.
Chen Hong smiled complacently and said, "There is no woman I want that I cannot get. What 'Jianghai's top beauty CEO,' 'icy beauty'—I want her, and no one can stop me."
"Fourth Master is mighty. Let me be the first to congratulate Fourth Master on winning the beauty," said a sturdy-looking man.
This was Huang Tanlang, the number two figure in Jianghai's underground world, whose strength was second only to Chen Hong.
The two had always been at odds, locked in an open and secret struggle.
Coming here today was merely to watch the show.
As for whether he was genuinely congratulating Chen Hong, anyone with half a brain knew the answer.
Chen Hong was in high spirits and couldn't be bothered to bicker with Huang Tanlang.
His gaze shifted toward the entrance, awaiting Han Ziyan's arrival.
Li Biao and Huang Tanlang also fell silent, both looking toward the door.
They were equally curious about Jianghai's number one beauty CEO.
They only wondered if Chen Hong would get his wish tonight.
Not long after, Han Ziyan arrived.
Upon seeing her, Chen Hong immediately broke into a broad smile. He looked nothing like a ferocious underground lord, resembling instead an infatuated young man seeing his beloved.
However, his smile lasted only a few seconds before he quickly reined it in.
Han Ziyan had arrived, but she was accompanied by a man.
She was linked arm-in-arm with the man, wearing a look of sheer happiness—the picture of an utterly devoted woman.
And right now, Han Ziyan radiated the distinct allure of a woman who had truly known love.
Chen Hong's smile vanished abruptly, and a surge of blazing fury flared up in his chest.
This woman dared to pull such a stunt?
For a seasoned veteran like Chen Hong, a single glance was enough to tell that Han Ziyan had already lost her virginity.
And that man wasn't him.
Huang Tanlang broke into a wide grin, knowing a good show was about to begin.
The moment Li Biao caught sight of Ye Ning, he too experienced a momentary blankness.
Why was he here? And moreover, arriving together with Han Ziyan.
Li Biao knew major trouble was brewing.
Given Chen Hong's personality, today's affair would not end peacefully.
Huang Tanlang chuckled, "Fourth Master, things seem a bit off. The woman you're supposed to be winning is already another man's."
With a dark face, Chen Hong cast a cold glare at Huang Tanlang and let out a cold huff.
If it were anyone else, they would surely be shaking in their boots by now, as Chen Hong's wrath was not something just anyone could withstand.
Yet Huang Tanlang couldn't care less; he and Chen Hong were natural rivals.
With a beaming smile, he said, "Fourth Master, getting angry at me won't help. I'm not the one who snatched your woman. But who on earth is that kid? He's got some serious guts, actually daring to poach Fourth Master's woman. That's a direct slap to your face."
With a gloomy expression, Chen Hong ignored Huang Tanlang and strode toward Han Ziyan and the man.
As soon as Ye Ning stepped inside, he sensed Chen Hong's gaze.
Out of everyone present, only Chen Hong's gaze carried such oppressive weight, brimming with hostility and even murderous intent.
"His name is Chen Hong. He's the number one figure in Jianghai's underground circle, known as Fourth Master Chen," Han Ziyan whispered.
Ye Ning gave a slight nod, his eyes locking onto the approaching Chen Hong as the corners of his mouth turned upward.
"Who is he?"
Fourth Master Chen walked right up, fixed his gaze on Ye Ning, and asked coldly.
With a faint smile, Han Ziyan replied, "His name is Ye Ning, and he is my fiancé."
As soon as these words dropped, the crowd erupted in an uproar.
Everyone knew a great show was about to unfold.
Chen Hong's expression darkened somewhat as he said coldly, "Ms. Han, I've never heard of you having a fiancé. You didn't deliberately hire someone to fool me, did you?"
Han Ziyan replied with a solemn expression, "This engagement was set by my father. I only found out about it recently, and since I happen to like Ye Ning, I've accepted him as my fiancé."
At this, Han Ziyan added coldly, "Fourth Master and I have no relation whatsoever, and I have no need to hire an impostor to trick you."
The crowd buzzed again, feeling that Han Ziyan was simply too daring.
Everyone knew Chen Hong had his eyes on her.
This was a blatant rejection of Chen Hong, and given his personality, he would never let the matter rest.
"Heh."
Chen Hong let out a dark laugh. Staring straight at Han Ziyan, he said indifferently, "I'm afraid you've forgotten who I am."
Han Ziyan arched an eyebrow and remained silent.
"I am Fourth Master Chen, the number one figure in Jianghai's underground circle. I have a hundred ways to make sure this brat never sees tomorrow's sun."
Chen Hong's sinister words made everyone present shiver involuntarily.
They all knew Chen Hong was genuinely furious; otherwise, he wouldn't have resorted to such explicit threats.
Sympathetic glances were cast at Han Ziyan and Ye Ning, as people assumed they were doomed.
"Little Si, do you want to kill me?" Ye Ning finally spoke up.
Li Biao knew a thing or two about Ye Ning; he was aware that Ye Ning was an Ancient Martial Artist and presumably wouldn't fear Chen Hong.
Even so, Li Biao hadn't expected Ye Ning to address Chen Hong as "Little Si" right to his face.
He clicked his tongue inwardly while simultaneously preparing to step forward.
No matter what, he had to stand on Ye Ning's side.
Little Si?
Chen Hong nearly blew a gasket. Ever since he turned sixteen, apart from his parents, no one had dared to address him by that nickname.
Worse still, the moniker tended to make people associate him with that diminutive guy barely four feet tall.
"Right. Daring to snatch a woman from me means you're courting death," Chen Hong said sinisterly.
Ye Ning chuckled. With a sudden movement, he grabbed Chen Hong by the throat.
Chen Hong's eyes bulged instantly as he was hoisted into the air with a single hand.
Seeing this, Chen Hong's subordinates all rushed forward, surrounding Ye Ning.
Ye Ning grinned broadly and said calmly, "My grandmaster once said, if anyone wants to kill me, I should kill them instead. Since you want me dead, you can go die."
The moment his words fell, Ye Ning snapped Chen Hong's neck with a sharp twist.
Chen Hong's eyes remained wide open. Until the moment of his death, he never imagined he would be killed so easily.
The scene fell into a dead silence.
Everyone stared at Ye Ning, their expressions filled with awe.
Both Li Biao and Huang Tanlang were stunned. Fourth Master Chen, who had been sitting above them just moments ago, was simply dead. It felt like they were dreaming.
Chen Hong's underlings completely lost their minds, tightly surrounding Ye Ning.
Their eyes were ice-cold, reeking of murderous intent and boiling with fury.
Faced with the collective rage, not only was Han Ziyan unafraid, but she grew even more exhilarated. Her breathing turned slightly ragged, a pair of red flushes blossomed on her cheeks, and she reveled in the thrilling atmosphere.
No one could have guessed just how wild a heart beat beneath the icy exterior of this goddess.
"Kill him! Avenge the Fourth Master!"
They closed in on Ye Ning, launching a coordinated attack.