“Splash…”
Fang Xinhu could not swim. He thrashed desperately in the water, sending sprays of lake water everywhere, while his body began to sink slowly. Only then did Fang Xinyuan snap out of his daze and shout to several people who were good swimmers, “Hurry and save Fang Xinhu!”
Several splashes sounded as they jumped into the lake. Watching them haul Fang Xinhu upwards, Fang Xinyuan finally relaxed. His gaze shifted to Ye Chu, turning abruptly cold as he glared fixedly at him. “Today you will not leave here with all your limbs intact!”
“People have said similar things before. Later…” Ye Chu paused here, then continued, “later I found a beauty for him, and he let me off!”
Hearing this, Liang Shan’s face flushed with embarrassment as he turned his head away. The others booed loudly.
“Thought the kid had reformed! Turns out he’s still greedy for life and afraid of death!”
“Scum is scum. Did you really expect him to stand firm?”
Su Rong and Zhang Su’er both furrowed their delicate brows. Just moments ago Ye Chu had been overwhelmingly dominant, yet now he was trying to appease Fang Xinyuan. Su Rong sighed, feeling that this was the real Ye Chu, matching the impression they had always held of him.
Fang Xinyuan looked at Fang Xinhu, who had just been rescued aboard the boat, his lips trembling from near-drowning, and sneered coldly at Ye Chu. “Do you think that will make me spare you? Even if you sent me one beauty, let alone ten, you still would not leave here unscathed today.”
Ye Chu suddenly laughed. “Sending you a beauty, do you think it’s for your enjoyment? I just thought it would be more elegant to let her wear out your waist. After all, I am not someone who likes violence!”
“Shameless!”
Su Rong and Zhang Su’er both spat lightly, their faces flushing red. They thought Ye Chu truly could not change his nature, still such a rogue. Yet at the same time they could not help looking at him. They had assumed he was begging for mercy, but he was still confronting head-on. Su Rong’s beautiful eyes flickered, finding Ye Chu increasingly inscrutable. She felt this man had changed far too much.
The others were equally stunned, astonished at Ye Chu’s boldness. Their gazes turned involuntarily to Fang Xinyuan, and sure enough they saw his face livid, fists clenched. “Today I will start by breaking your waist!”
“Wait!” Seeing Fang Xinyuan about to lunge, Ye Chu frowned and shouted.
“Scared now? Too late!” Fang Xinyuan glared coldly, his fist thrusting straight at Ye Chu’s chest, ruthless to the extreme.
Su Rong and Zhang Su’er felt their hearts leap. Fang Xinyuan was far stronger than Fang Xinhu by several degrees. He had already begun refining his primal spirit, meaning one foot had stepped into the realm of true martial cultivation. Entering this realm allowed one to cultivate inner vitality, creating an essential difference from ordinary people. Someone at this level could easily dispatch ten ferocious wolves bare-handed, possessing the strength to fight tigers.
Though Fang Xinyuan had not fully entered this realm, tearing apart seven or eight ferocious wolves would pose no difficulty. He far outstripped his seventh-stage younger brother. How could Ye Chu withstand his attack?
Liang Shan paled in secret alarm, wanting to drag Ye Chu away, but it was already too late. He could only watch helplessly as Fang Xinyuan’s fist enveloped Ye Chu.
“Today I will break your waist!”
Fang Xinyuan’s voice was chilling. In the blink of an eye his fist reached Ye Chu. Many closed their eyes, unable to bear watching.
“Slap…”
No sound of breaking bones came. Instead, another familiar crisp slap rang out. Everyone fixed their eyes on the scene, their gazes falling on Fang Xinyuan’s face now bearing a red, swollen handprint. They stood dumbfounded, hearts surging with massive waves, staring wide-eyed at Ye Chu.
Su Rong and Zhang Su’er opened their rosy little mouths in shock, delicate white hands covering cherry lips, staring blankly at Ye Chu who still wore a smile. Su Rong blinked her bright eyes forcefully, finally accepting that what she saw was real.
“Fang Xinyuan was slapped by Ye Chu too? Could even he not be Ye Chu’s match?”
Everyone held their breath, expressions exceedingly complex. Among Yao City’s young heirs were many with formidable strength, and several could defeat Fang Xinyuan. Yet no one could have imagined Ye Chu casually slapping him as if it were nothing.
Who was Ye Chu? Merely Yao City’s worthless scum! Three years ago, a good-for-nothing who could be floored by a woman while bullying others! Yet now he could dispatch Fang Xinyuan with a casual slap. Was this luck, or had his strength far surpassed Fang Xinyuan’s?
They had been surprised when Fang Xinhu was slapped flying, but could still explain it as Ye Chu’s good fortune. But with Fang Xinyuan slapped flying too, could it still be mere luck?
“What kind of thing are you to dare lecture me!” Ye Chu slapped Fang Xinyuan, eyes filled with contempt, then turned his gaze to Pang Shao.
Seeing Ye Chu’s eyes on him, Pang Shao could not help shivering. He knew he could no longer just watch the show, or who knew if this fellow would turn his spearhead towards him. Pang Shao had no wish to provoke Ye Chu. Though he had some ability himself, Ye Chu’s methods were endless. Moreover, his status as imperial clan heir meant nothing to Ye Chu. In terms of standing, even his grandfather treated Ye Chu with courtesy. What did his own status count for?
Seeing Fang Xinyuan still wanting to attack Ye Chu, Pang Shao finally spoke. “Enough! A perfectly good banquet turned into this mess! Fang Xinyuan, if you want to do something, wait until this young master has left.”
Rebuked by Pang Shao, Fang Xinyuan ground his teeth in hatred, wishing he could tear Ye Chu to pieces, yet for now he could only endure. He glared venomously at Ye Chu. “If not for the lord’s presence today, I would make you leave here lying down.”
Ye Chu ignored such a clown completely. He thought, when a dog barks, does he bark back? He was a cultured person with lofty beliefs, transcending base interests. He naturally would not stoop to playing with a barking dog, unless… unless there were two, no, three dogs barking at once. Then he might consider joining in.
“Pang Shao! Shall we find a place for a few drinks?” Ye Chu asked Pang Shao.
Pang Shao nodded, though his gaze still drifted involuntarily to Su Rong and Zhang Su’er. “Accompany this young master for drinks, and today I will leave women alone!”
Su Rong frowned, her gaze turning to Ye Chu. Seeing his nonchalant manner, she finally could not resist asking, “What does Young Master Ye Chu think?”
“Ah!” Ye Chu had not expected Su Rong to ask him. “Oh! Excellent! Beauties at one’s side, drinking and making merry, that is true fortune in life!”
Ye Chu naturally would not refuse such a fine opportunity. For a grown man, nothing was more pleasing to the eye than beautiful women.
Such a frivolous remark made Su Rong despise him inwardly. She thought Ye Chu was, after all, still the scum of old. Though he had helped Zhang Su’er this time, revelry and wickedness remained the theme of his creed.
“Grandfather often said human nature is hard to change! Truly so!”
Still, Su Rong knew they had no room to refuse. Accompanying them for a few drinks was far better than letting Zhang Su’er share a bed.
Liang Shan watched the two women follow Pang Shao away, unable to suppress his envy. To have Yao City’s bright pearl Su Rong pour drinks for him, even once would be worth dying for. Just as Liang Shan envied Ye Chu, Ye Chu walked over, patted his shoulder, and said, “Come on! What are you standing there for?”
“Ah!” Liang Shan was overjoyed. “You’re inviting me too?”
“If you’re willing to go, then no need to come!” Ye Chu turned and walked away.
These words sent Liang Shan hurrying after him. He glanced involuntarily at Pang Shao, wondering if Pang Shao would object, but seeing Pang Shao pay no mind, Liang Shan grew excited.
“Just what is Ye Chu’s relationship with Pang Shao? Pang Shao treats him quite differently. He can even take charge in Pang Shao’s presence!”
Liang Shan’s thoughts mirrored those of Fang Xinyuan and the others. They were filled with bewilderment. Moments ago Pang Shao had seemed furious with Ye Chu. Yet now he was willing to drink with him. What did that signify?
“Hmph! Whatever their relationship, he’s just scum. Sooner or later you’ll pay for this slap!” Fang Xinyuan spat viciously.
