C21 A Gift

The next day, Ling Chen groggily awoke in his bed.

His head throbbed as if it had been hammered, the pain intense. Clutching his head, Ling Chen gave a wry smile. He couldn't recall how much he had drunk the night before, only that Ling Shan had egged him on with a "no going home until we're drunk" mantra.

Ling Chen had been in high spirits, so he indulged in a few extra drinks. Little did he know that both father and son would end up overindulging...

"Alas, alcohol can drown sorrows but also cause trouble. I really should cut back on drinking," Ling Chen murmured to himself with a bitter laugh.

He got out of bed and yanked the curtains open, the blinding sunlight flooding the room.

The sun was high in the sky—it was clearly midday.

"Oh no!"

"Today's the class president's birthday! How could I have forgotten?"

Ling Chen gasped, suddenly recalling his arrangement with Su Wanqing from the day before, and felt a wave of anxiety. Su Wanqing and her friends were probably already at the Breezy Tavern by now.

With that thought, Ling Chen wasted no time. He quickly dressed and hurried toward the Breezy Tavern.

...

The Breezy Tavern, a venerable establishment in the Nacuan Empire, boasted over two hundred years of history.

Rumor had it that even the Holy Emperor of Nacuan had a particular fondness for the tavern's cuisine, often bringing officials along for a visit. It was during those times that the Breezy Tavern's fame really took off.

Its reputation continued to grow, and business flourished.

Now, the Breezy Tavern had become a go-to venue for many distinguished individuals to conduct business or socialize.

At that moment, a group of five or six young men and women stood at the entrance of the Breezy Tavern.

Su Wanqing, dressed in a white gown, stood out amidst the crowd, her beauty fresh and ethereal.

She seemed to eclipse everyone else, making them mere backdrops to her presence.

"Susu, why hasn't Ling Chen arrived yet?" a voice of discontent rang out. A girl of similar age to Su Wanqing grumbled beside her.

Though quite attractive, she paled in comparison to Su Wanqing.

"Let's wait a bit longer," Su Wanqing said with a twist of her lips, feeling a sense of helplessness.

Ling Chen, how dare you be late on my birthday? You're in for it later!

The young girl fumed.

"Susu, who is this guy?" a boy next to Su Wanqing inquired at that moment.

He was strikingly handsome, with fair skin and finely chiseled features, the epitome of a knight in shining armor in the eyes of many girls. His graceful demeanor exuded an air of nobility.

"Exactly, Susu, who is this boy?" the other girls chimed in teasingly. "We haven't heard about any new friends. Don't tell us he's a new boyfriend?"

"Is he as handsome as Xia Minglang?" another asked. "As if anyone could match Xia Minglang's looks. And even if they could, they certainly wouldn't be as wealthy as his family!"

"Indeed, it's rare to find a man as attractive and wealthy as Young Master Xia these days," they gushed, stealing glances at the handsome boy beside them, their words dripping with admiration.

The boy was Xia Minglang, the scion of the Xia family in the Nacuan Empire. The Xia family had built their empire on medicinal herbs, with a business that spanned the entire empire. Mention medicinal herbs, and the Xia name would come to mind. In the realm of herbal trade, the Xia family's influence was paramount.

With such a background, it was no wonder he had admirers in droves. And Xia Minglang's good looks? He was the quintessential prince charming for countless girls.

Yet, it was common knowledge that Xia Minglang had his eyes set on Su Wanqing.

"Alright, let's not jump to conclusions. I'm sure this gentleman is just a friend of Susu's, right?" Xia Minglang said with a warm smile, the picture of elegance. "Susu, am I correct?"

"Yes," Su Wanqing nodded, managing a wry smile. "He's actually my deskmate. He's not very popular in class. As the class president, I have a duty to help students who are struggling."

At her words, several girls burst into exaggerated laughter.

"I know you're the most responsible one around, Class President Su!"

"It's just a class president role, yet she's on it like she's guarding her boyfriend!"

The girls giggled among themselves.

Su Wanqing forced a smile.

Xia Minglang remained silent, his face wearing a gentle smile. But unnoticed by all, a fleeting shadow of sadness crossed his expression when Su Wanqing mentioned 'classmate'.

'Classmate, huh?'

'I guess I need to put this kid in his place today, so he'll keep his distance from Su Wanqing in the future.'

Xia Minglang mused silently.

Just then...

"Sorry to keep you waiting!" A voice called out as Ling Chen approached from a distance.

"Why are you so late?" Su Wanqing asked with a hint of irritation, "We've all been waiting for ages!"

"My apologies," Ling Chen replied with a wry smile, "Something came up at home, and it held me up. Sorry for the wait."

Su Wanqing pursed her lips but refrained from further comment.

As the two spoke, the rest of the group seized the chance to size up Ling Chen.

His appearance and attire were unremarkable, utterly average in every way.

The girls' initial excitement about him quickly waned.

"Are you Ling Chen?" A girl with a cute outfit and a butterfly knot in her hair stepped forward and said, "I'm Wang Keke. My father is a general in the Nacuan Empire. Guess we're acquainted now."

"Hello," Ling Chen greeted her with a polite nod.

Wang Keke chuckled and asked, "So, Ling Chen, I hear you're Susu's desk mate? What does your family do?"

"We're in the medicinal herb business," Ling Chen replied with a smile.

The Ling family had established themselves in the Nacuan Empire over three generations through the trade of medicinal herbs.

At his response, the girls around snickered.

A business in medicinal herbs?

Certainly not as prestigious as Xia Minglang's background, considering the Xia family was the Founding Family of Herbal Medicine in the Nacuan Empire!

"So, does your Ling family rank in the top ten within the Nacuan Empire?" Wang Keke pressed on.

Uh...

Taken aback by Wang Keke's question, Ling Chen paused. What was with this girl? Was she conducting an interrogation? She dove right into such probing questions.

Ling Chen didn't dwell on it and simply stated, "I can't. Our Ling family is considered a third-rate power in the Nacuan Empire."

But perhaps it would have been better if Ling Chen had kept that to himself. As soon as he spoke, the expressions of the girls turned intriguing, their eyes brimming with disdain.

"What? You're from a third-rate force?"

"I thought he was some big shot."

"Exactly. No wonder his clothes are so tattered!"

Ling Chen just smiled, choosing not to respond.

"Enough, cut it out!" Su Wanqing quickly intervened, clearly annoyed, as if she was displeased with her friends for asking such questions.

Noticing Su Wanqing's irritation, the girls sheepishly stuck out their tongues and fell silent.

"I'm sorry, Ling Chen. My friends didn't mean any harm. I hope you won't take it personally," Su Wanqing said, her tone apologetic.

"It's okay," Ling Chen replied with a smile.

These girls had started by probing into his background, then moved on to mocking and sneering at him as if he were a pariah. And they claimed they meant no harm?

Ling Chen, however, wasn't bothered. His maturity was far beyond that of a teenager, and he wasn't about to stoop to arguing with youngsters.

"You must be Ling Chen, right? I'm Xia Minglang. I'd like to apologize on behalf of my friends!" At that moment, Xia Minglang approached, offering his hand to Ling Chen.

Xia Minglang wore a warm, friendly smile, exuding humility and courtesy.

Witnessing this gesture, Su Wanqing breathed a sigh of relief. In a pinch, Xia Minglang proved to be dependable.

Gratitude welled up in Su Wanqing's heart.

Without overthinking, Ling Chen shook hands with Xia Minglang, but as their palms met, he suddenly felt a surge of strength.

"Hmm?" Sensing the force behind the handshake, Ling Chen raised his eyebrows in surprise and glanced at Xia Minglang.

Yet Xia Minglang's face remained cheerfully unchanging.

"Is this guy trying to intimidate me?" Ling Chen mused, the corners of his mouth lifting into an amused smile.

Since you've given me a gift, I must reciprocate.

That's the essence of exchanging courtesies.

With this thought, Ling Chen's grip stealthily strengthened.

"Ah!" Xia Minglang let out a yelp, his face turning a sickly shade of green as sweat poured from his brow like peas.

An extraordinary power erupted from Ling Chen's lean frame.

Shock painted Xia Minglang's face; he hadn't anticipated Ling Chen's formidable strength.

But how could he have known...

Ling Chen had ascended to the Seventh Heaven of the Warforged Realm. Within the Empire Academy, few could match him in combat. And with the Wheel of Existence and the Body Tempering Liquid enhancing him, his physical might far surpassed that of an average person.

Xia Minglang thought he could measure up to him in strength?

That would be a grave mistake.

"What's the matter?" Ling Chen feigned concern, leaning in closer. "Are you feeling unwell? Is everything okay?"

Concern etched Ling Chen's face, yet...

He didn't release his grip...

Not only did he maintain his hold, but he also applied more pressure.

Crack! Crack!

The sound of Xia Minglang's bones was reminiscent of popping beans. His face turned beet red, veins throbbing with pain as he managed to grit out, "No... I'm fine..."

"Are you sure you're okay?" Ling Chen pressed on, his grip unyielding.

"I'm really fine..." Xia Minglang, drenched in sweat, desperately signaled with his eyes for Ling Chen to release him.

But...

Ling Chen feigned obliviousness.

"Why the constant blinking? Is there something wrong with your eyes? Should we get a doctor to check?" Ling Chen asked, his smile tinged with mockery.

Xia Minglang felt like weeping, but with Su Wanqing present, he had no choice but to endure the humiliation.

"What are you two up to? How much longer will you be holding hands?" Just then, Su Wanqing approached, her curiosity piqued upon seeing their prolonged handshake.

As soon as Su Wanqing came closer, Ling Chen instantly relaxed his grip, withdrawing all his force.

Xia Minglang breathed a deep sigh of relief, his eyes brimming with malice as if he wished he could murder Ling Chen on the spot.

But Ling Chen just shrugged it off, wrapping an arm around him and bursting into laughter. "What a warm welcome! You grab my hand as soon as I arrive. And not just a quick shake—you hold on for ages. It's almost too much..."

Ling Chen shook his hand dramatically.

"Seriously, you've practically crushed my hand!"

Xia Minglang was on the verge of tears, inwardly cursing Ling Chen a thousand times over. That should be my line, shouldn't it?

Witnessing the exchange, Su Wanqing shook her head with a slight sense of resignation. "Okay, you two, cut it out. We've wasted enough time. Let's hurry up and get inside."

"Okay!" a girl in the group chimed in right away.

With that, they all made their way toward the Breezy Tavern.