Chapter 66: A Resounding Slap

He Tian was quietly chatting with Wang Xinyou. He didn’t know many people here anyway, so he couldn’t be bothered to mingle. It was better to spend time talking with Wang Xinyou, to hear more about her concrete plans for the investment company.

Just as they were deep in conversation, He Tian and Wang Xinyou unexpectedly spotted Li Kai and Li Yingying. Wang Xinyou hurried over to pull them both over to join their table.

“Haha, Yingying, I never thought I’d run into you two here!” Wang Xinyou seemed both surprised and delighted.

“It’s all because of Li Kai! You have no idea—some people even call him Young Master Li,” Li Yingying said, patting the smiling Li Kai and laughing with Wang Xinyou.

“Absolutely… With Li Kai’s background, he’s quite the draw for these businesspeople!” Wang Xinyou readily agreed.

Li Kai’s father held sway in all of Tianhai’s development projects—wasn’t that weighty enough?

“Xinyou, I’m myself! My father is his own person. Don’t lump me in with the rest of the second-generation officials!” Li Kai hurried to explain.

“We know exactly what kind of person you are—no need to explain! Come on, let’s have a drink!” He Tian grinned, handing drinks to Li Kai and Li Yingying. The four of them chatted freely.

It was then that He Tian learned from Li Kai that the so-called Young Master Hai had invited only second-generation officials, children of wealthy families, and some business elites. What’s more, Li Kai and Li Yingying had arrived early but hadn’t seen any sign of Young Master Hai. The attendees were simply chatting and getting to know one another. Li Kai also told Wang Xinyou that those people just now had almost driven her crazy.

They also laughed and said they now understood how popular Li Kai was, which made the usually shy Li Kai blush in front of Li Yingying.

The four of them conversed quietly, in high spirits.

But when Young Master He came over with Huang Zhiwen and a crowd in tow, the cheerful atmosphere vanished in an instant.

“Second Miss Wang, ah, Young Master Li! Hello, hello. I wonder if you’d mind if we joined you?” Young Master He smiled broadly, having recognized Wang Xinyou and Li Kai.

“Young Master He! You’re more than welcome!” Li Kai quickly stood up, all politeness.

With Li Kai setting the example, He Tian, Wang Xinyou, and Li Yingying also stood up to be courteous—otherwise, Li Kai would lose face.

But as He Tian glanced at Huang Zhiwen beside Young Master He, he couldn’t help but think to himself that this so-called Young Master He was clearly up to no good.

Still, not knowing the details yet, He Tian merely observed in silence.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, Young Master Li. How’s Uncle Li doing lately? My apologies, I haven’t had the pleasure of receiving his guidance in some time,” Young Master He said with an amiable smile, radiating sincerity.

“Thank you for your concern, Young Master He. My father is well. But it’s you we haven’t seen in a long time!” Li Kai replied with a smile. Compared to the Li Kai who followed Li Yingying around, he was now different—more confident, more composed, and bearing the unique pride of the second-generation elite.

He Tian noticed Li Yingying looking a little dazed and found it amusing. If nothing else, Li Yingying should now better appreciate how rare Li Kai’s feelings for her were. Perhaps she would treat him better in the future.

Young Master He chatted away with Li Kai, monopolizing the conversation and leaving Li Kai no chance to introduce He Tian and the others.

Meanwhile, Huang Zhiwen and his group sat nearby, drinking, boasting, and creating a raucous scene.

He Tian signaled for Li Kai to relax, then turned back to chat and joke with Wang Xinyou and Li Yingying as if nothing else mattered.

“Young Master He, you must be busy, so I won’t keep you. Let’s have a proper drink another time!” Li Kai didn’t care about He Tian’s signal, but he did care about Li Yingying’s feelings, especially seeing her displeasure.

Li Kai didn’t even bother to save face for Young Master He, effectively issuing a direct dismissal.

In Li Kai’s eyes, no matter how powerful Young Master He was, to ignore his friends entirely and not even allow introductions was a blatant show of disrespect.

Though Li Kai usually deferred to Li Yingying, he was proud to the core.

Young Master He seemed momentarily taken aback. Seeing the displeasure on Li Kai’s face and glancing at Li Yingying at his side, he instantly understood what was going on. He forced a wry smile.

It wasn’t that he feared offending Li Kai. In Young Master He’s estimation, Li Kai was not yet a figure of true importance. However, by deliberately ignoring Wang Xinyou and He Tian, he had inadvertently snubbed Li Kai’s girlfriend as well. If word spread, what would people say about Young Master He? They’d whisper about his arrogance and pettiness.

“Heh, Young Master Li, actually I’m here today to meet this friend,” Young Master He said, turning to He Tian. It was a response to Li Kai’s anger—if you’re angry, so be it; I never regarded you seriously anyway.

A flash of anger appeared on Li Kai’s face, but it quickly vanished. He smiled quietly, leaning in to speak softly with Li Yingying as if Young Master He’s attitude had not affected him in the least.

He Tian didn’t even look at Young Master He, but continued joking with Wang Xinyou, occasionally making her burst out laughing.

Who didn’t know how to show contempt?

“Huang,” said Young Master He, his face smiling but his eyes cold with anger.

He Tian was an unfamiliar face—Young Master He was sure he wasn’t part of the Tianhai circle. For such a nobody to put on airs before him—didn’t he know what it meant to court disaster?

“Young Master He!” Huang Zhiwen was beside himself with laughter.

He Tian really had no idea what was good for him, showing not the slightest deference to Young Master He. Seeing that Young Master He was already losing his temper, Huang Zhiwen all but anticipated He Tian’s miserable fate.

“I hear you know him? Why not make an introduction?” Young Master He asked with a broad smile.

“Young Master He, funny enough, you’re actually from the same clan! His surname is He—He Tian,” Huang Zhiwen said, turning to He Tian. “He Tian, this is the famous Young Master He! Aren’t you going to greet him?”

At last, He Tian turned his face, looking at Huang Zhiwen in mock surprise. “Was he calling me just now? Haha, I really didn’t expect that!”

“He Tian… well, it seems we are indeed from the same clan,” Young Master He replied with a slight smile. “All my time in Tianhai and in these circles, I’ve never met someone who refused me face quite like this. You’re the first…”

“Young Master He? Ha, there’s a first time for everything! As for me, I’m easygoing enough—if someone shows me respect, I return it. If not, well, it just means they don’t want any themselves,” He Tian replied, his tone light but his words full of force, striking straight at Young Master He.

“Not bad! It seems we’ll have to get to know each other better in the future,” Young Master He said, his face turning sullen as he sneered.

“You’re more than welcome!” He Tian turned to Huang Zhiwen, smiling. “Huang, you’re quite the schemer!”

“You…” Huang Zhiwen hadn’t expected He Tian to turn the blame on him so quickly. He glared at He Tian while furtively checking Young Master He’s reaction.

Seeing Young Master He’s face remain impassive, he relaxed a little. Still, Huang Zhiwen now utterly hated He Tian. With a single sentence, He Tian had made Young Master He suspect that Huang Zhiwen was using him as a pawn—it was likely that Young Master He would come after him later.

It was clear just how much Huang Zhiwen now resented He Tian.

“Hahaha, well done! No wonder you’re following the second Miss Wang. Brother He, how about this—I’m generous by nature. I have a celebrity on my payroll; why don’t I let her keep you instead? Don’t worry, she’ll pay much more than the second Miss Wang. What do you say?” Young Master He suddenly burst out laughing, his voice loud.

What sort of place was this? This was a gathering of people who considered themselves the social elite, and their conversations were always hushed and discreet. Now, with Young Master He practically shouting as if with a megaphone, every eye in the room turned to their table.

Everyone looked at He Tian and Wang Xinyou. Who was keeping whom? In their minds, the conclusion was obvious.

The men secretly thought that He Tian was so handsome he was certainly worth being kept. The women, meanwhile, were quietly jealous—such a striking man, if only he were willing, perhaps he could be approached. With such a handsome companion by one’s side, how eye-catching would that be?

“What nonsense are you spouting?” He Tian still wore his usual smile, as if he hadn’t heard Young Master He’s words or simply didn’t care what anyone else said.

But Wang Xinyou could no longer endure it. She suddenly stood up, glaring angrily at Young Master He.

“What’s the matter, Second Miss Wang? Don’t get upset. I’m offering more money than you—the man’s mine! There are rules, you know. I never realized before that the second Miss Wang had such… tastes!” Young Master He grinned even wider, chuckling. “By the way, Second Miss Wang, may I ask—is this your own arrangement, or do you and your sister share him? Hahaha…”

Smack—a crisp slap rang out as Young Master He laughed, looking around with utter disregard. But when Wang Xinyou heard him drag her sister Wang Xinmeng into it as well, her fury erupted.

Regardless of Young Master He’s status, she swung her hand and struck him squarely across the face.

She hadn’t trained with He Tian these past weeks for nothing.

Young Master He, caught completely off-guard, took the blow full on. A bright red handprint immediately appeared on his cheek.

Everyone at the banquet was stunned. Although Young Master He was no longer what he once was—at least among the very top echelon of heirs—to everyone else, he was still a figure who could not be provoked, someone to be looked up to.

Yet now, someone had dared to slap Young Master He, and hard!

It would have been stranger if everyone wasn’t shocked.

Young Master He was dumbfounded. He stared at Wang Xinyou in disbelief, reaching up to touch his burning, stinging face. His expression immediately darkened, his eyes flashing with a cold light, a heavy and murderous intent radiating from him.