Hearing this, Qin Feng’s pupils constricted, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. He had always believed Li Feng was unaware of his role in the scheme, thinking he’d hidden it well, even eliminating Su Xin and Sun Xipeng to cover his tracks. He assumed Li Feng wouldn’t find out anytime soon, but now, with Li Feng exposing it in a single sentence, it was clear Li Feng had known for some time that he was the mastermind. This left Qin Feng somewhat embarrassed.
However, it was only embarrassment. He didn’t expect his actions to stay hidden from Li Feng forever. With Li Feng’s capabilities, uncovering the truth wouldn’t take long. No wonder Li Feng’s earlier words were a trap for him to fall into. Realizing this, Qin Feng let out a cold smirk.
“Young Master Feng, you wield power like a storm, and I, Li Feng, truly admire you,” Li Feng said calmly, looking at Qin Feng. “It’s just that we’ve never had the chance to meet. Today, I finally get my wish. As you said, I’d love to have a good chat with you.” These words were sincere. Without Zhong Shuhui’s intervention, Li Feng would never have suspected Qin Feng was behind Su Xin and Sun Xipeng. Such tactics weren’t something just anyone could pull off, not even Li Feng was sure he could.
“I’m curious, though. What was your goal in manipulating Su Xin and Sun Xipeng?” Li Feng asked, squinting at Qin Feng. He didn’t believe Qin Feng was merely bored. Unlike the Emperor’s Pavilion, Qin Feng wasn’t out to kill him, so what was his aim?
“Young Master Feng, you jest. I just wanted to play a little game with you. How could it be called scheming?” Qin Feng smiled, unfazed by Li Feng’s tone, and looked at him with interest. “But this has made me see you in a new light. Who’d have thought you’re a man of great ambition? The world sees you as a nobody, but how many know you’re a crouching tiger? You’ve fooled everyone.”
“A game?” Li Feng chuckled. “If you want to play, I’m game, but can you afford to, Young Master Feng?”
“There’s nothing in this world I, Qin Feng, can’t afford to play,” Qin Feng replied with a smile. “But your situation today looks tricky. You shouldn’t have crossed Zhu Yuanyang. Women hold grudges, and now that you’ve offended her, leaving the Empire Hotel might not be easy.”
“Didn’t expect you to care so much about me, Young Master Feng. I’m flattered,” Li Feng said, shaking his head nonchalantly. “She’s just a woman. You think she can turn the tables? Unlike you, I’m not afraid of a woman. Zhu Yuanyang’s just a Zhu family heiress. What’s there to fear?”
“I admire your tactics, Young Master Feng. I can’t afford to mess with someone like Zhu Yuanyang,” Qin Feng said, a hint of gravity in his eyes. If the Su Xin and Sun Xipeng incident made him respect Li Feng, his handling of Zhu Yuanyang puzzled him. Was Li Feng just reckless? Recalling Li Feng’s massacre at the Tianya Pavilion’s entrance that morning, Qin Feng dismissed the idea. Li Feng wasn’t reckless, so what was his goal?
“How I deal with her is none of your business. Or are you planning to run to Zhu Yuanyang with my strategy?” Li Feng sneered.
“Do you think I’m that kind of person?” Qin Feng countered.
“Who knows? As they say, heroes fall for beauties. Zhu Yuanyang’s a stunning woman. It wouldn’t be surprising if you fell under her spell,” Li Feng said with a cold laugh, then changed the topic. “You said the Liu family head wants to meet me?”
“Yes,” Qin Feng nodded.
“That’s odd. You’re from the Qin family, not the Liu family. How do you know so much about their affairs?” Li Feng glanced at Liu Shichao nearby. “Young Master Liu, do you have a sister?”
“No,” Liu Shichao replied, confused by the question but answering honestly.
“That’s strange. As the Liu family’s eldest son, it makes sense you’d know your family head wants to meet me. But you, Young Master Feng, how do you know?” Li Feng frowned, then said, “I thought maybe you married into the Liu family, becoming their son-in-law, but Young Master Liu says he has no sister. So how do you know? Care to explain?”
Qin Feng’s expression shifted, but he quickly smiled. “Young Master Feng, meeting you, I finally understand what a sharp tongue is. Want to know how I found out? I met the Liu family head earlier, and he mentioned you.”
“Oh, really? I’m honored a big shot like him wants to see me,” Li Feng said with a smile. “But unfortunately, I can’t meet him today.”
Qin Feng was taken aback. “What do you mean?”
“Isn’t it clear?” Li Feng glanced at the sullen Liu Shijie. “I’m not shameless. If the host wants me gone, why would I stay?”
“Young Master Feng, you’re not that petty, are you? Young Master Liu Two just misunderstood the situation. As the Li family’s young master, do you need to hold a grudge?” Qin Feng said.
“Are you lecturing me?” Li Feng asked coldly.
“I wouldn’t dare,” Qin Feng replied, turning to Liu Shijie. “Young Master Liu Two, come apologize to Young Master Feng.”
Liu Shijie’s face darkened. Apologize to Li Feng? Impossible. Why should he?
“Second brother, apologize,” Liu Shichao said with a soft snort, relishing Liu Shijie’s discomfort. He knew Liu Dongjian planned to name Liu Shijie the heir tonight, making him despise his brother even more.
Liu Shijie clenched his fists, veins bulging, furious at the thought of apologizing to a “nobody” like Li Feng. It would ruin his reputation. Seeing Liu Shichao’s smug smile, he wanted to slap him. Apologizing to Li Feng would mean bowing to Liu Shichao—unthinkable. Though Liu Shijie knew Liu Dongjian would announce him as heir, Liu Shichao, as the eldest son, remained a threat.
“Young Master Feng, I’m sorry. I was mistaken earlier,” Liu Shijie said through gritted teeth, approaching Li Feng.
“What?” Li Feng dug at his ear. “Young Master Liu Two, what did you say? I didn’t hear.”
“You…” Liu Shijie glared, furious.
“If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving,” Li Feng said, smirking coldly. He knew Liu Shijie’s apology was forced, likely due to some unavoidable reason. He wouldn’t let him off easily. Earlier, he’d pretended to leave, suspecting someone wouldn’t allow it. Sure enough, Liu Shichao and Qin Feng stepped in, and now Liu Shijie was apologizing, confirming Li Feng’s suspicion that someone at this event might target him.
“Li Feng, what do you want?” Liu Shijie asked, his face ashen. He’d apologized, yet Li Feng still wanted to leave, humiliating him further.
“Second brother, apologies need sincerity,” Liu Shichao said, reveling in his brother’s plight.
Liu Shijie shot Liu Shichao a glare, then approached the impatient Li Feng, suppressing his anger. “Young Master Feng, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked you to leave.”
“What was that?” Li Feng asked.
“Young Master Feng, I’m sorry,” Liu Shijie repeated, feeling utterly humiliated, sensing disdainful gazes around him. But for Liu Dongjian’s orders, he had no choice.
“For your sincerity, I’ll forgive you,” Li Feng said with a smile, waving dismissively like shooing a fly. “Young Master Liu Two, go tend to the other guests. I need to chat with Young Master Feng.”
“Haha, take your time,” Liu Shijie said with a forced smile, turning to leave. As he did, a venomous glint flashed in his eyes. He’d never been so humiliated, especially by a “nobody” like Li Feng. His pride was shattered. “Li Feng, just wait. I’ll make you pay a hundredfold,” he thought, his eyes burning with cold malice.
