C19 Elder Xu

As Zhou Wen's words hung in the air, Lee Yiran and Zhou Yu's complexions turned deathly pale.

"Zhou Wen, if you're looking to get yourself killed, leave us out of it!" Lee Yiran exclaimed in anger.

Zhou Wen was being recklessly arrogant, blatantly disregarding Zhang Zifan.

To Lee Yiran, Zhou Wen seemed utterly brainless.

The disturbance had caused even more congestion at the entrance of Mirrora Manor.

Curious onlookers stepped out of their vehicles to get a better view of the excitement. Since entry was impossible, they figured they might as well enjoy the spectacle.

"Do any of you recognize the guy facing off with Zhang Zifan?"

"No clue. Some upstart kid thinking he can take on Zhang Zifan."

"Judging by his clothes, he's probably broke!"

The bystanders gossiped among themselves.

In this crowd, Zhou Wen's attire did indeed look quite shabby.

Yet, unnoticed by all, an Audi A8L had smoothly pulled up to the curb. This car had been escorted all the way here, enjoying an unobstructed path.

The vehicle stopped at the gates of Mirrora Manor but didn't proceed inside.

A burly man in a black leather jacket emerged from the passenger side.

He leaned over, peering into the back seat as if he were listening to someone.

Since the car was parked on the far right, the left window was shut, obscuring the view of whoever was seated inside.

The man's face showed a hint of confusion, followed by a nod. He then stood by the car, his gaze fixed on Zhou Wen.

The tension around Zhou Wen was palpable.

Zhang Zifan's face twisted into a snarl as he spat out venomously, "Zhou Wen, dare to repeat that?"

"I'm talking to you," Zhou Wen shot back.

The crowd murmured their amazement at the exchange.

"Is this guy brainless? Thinking he can outdo Zhang Zifan?"

"Those men in black with Zhang Zifan are the trained security guards from Soaring Heights Hotel. If it comes to blows, Zhou Wen doesn't stand a chance!"

"He doesn't seem like an idiot, so why act like one?"

Provoked by the crowd's comments, Zhang Zifan bellowed furiously, "To hell with it! If I don't give you a lesson today, I'll renounce my own name! Get him!"

"Zhou Wen!" Hui Yuming's face was etched with urgency as he quickly climbed out from behind the wheel, intent on stopping the men in black.

"We're doomed, Zhou Wen's going to get beaten to a pulp!" Zhou Yu whispered shakily.

"He had it coming!" Lee Yiran silently judged. In her eyes, Zhou Wen was synonymous with idiocy.

All she wanted now was for Zhou Wen not to drag them down with him.

The men in black suits advanced methodically, closing in on Zhou Wen.

"Beat him to a pulp!" Zhang Zifan bellowed in rage.

"Who dares lay a finger on him?" Suddenly, a figure clad in a black leather jacket materialized in front of Zhou Wen.

His face was stern, his piercing gaze sweeping over the onlookers. The men in black recoiled, daunted by his commanding presence.

Zhang Zifan's face paled as he looked up. "Brother Tang Qing, what brings you here?"

"Call off your men!" Tang Qing commanded, his voice brooking no argument.

Zhang Zifan, reluctant to back down, protested, "Big Brother, this man has crossed me. I must deal with him. Don't interfere!"

"Oh?" Tang Qing cracked a smile before his tone turned icy, "You dare to mess with Elder Xu's friend?"

"What? This kid is friends with Elder Xu? That explains his audacity!"

"Tang Qing has been Elder Xu's right-hand man. If he's here, Elder Xu can't be far off!"

"Look there, that Audi A8L, Elder Xu must be in it!"

The crowd's attention shifted, and as they watched, the car parked on the right side of the road revved to life and glided into the manor.

"Elder Xu! How could you possibly be a friend of Elder Xu?" Zhang Zifan was filled with dread.

"Elder Xu?" Lee Yiran was equally stunned.

"I should've realized sooner. If it were just to welcome Zhang Zifan's father, Mirrora Manor wouldn't have shut its doors to the outside. Only someone of Elder Xu's stature could command such privacy," Lee Yiran reflected.

Elder Xu was a title of honor, one she had only occasionally heard her parents mention at the dinner table.

This individual was a legend revered by all the bosses in Anewood City.

The younger generation, including them, didn't even know what Elder Xu looked like.

"Will you not retreat?!" Tang Qing barked.

"Everyone, back off." Zhang Zifan gestured dismissively, and the black-clad enforcers receded behind him, though his eyes still simmered with animosity.

"Zhou Wen, hop in the car. I'll let them know inside that you're clear to come in and have fun," Tang Qing said, turning to address him with a serious tone.

Zhou Wen was utterly bewildered. What in the world was happening?

I was braced for a showdown, and then out of nowhere, someone steps in to stop the fight.

Who is Elder Xu?

And how did I suddenly become his friend?

Tang Qing, unfazed by Zhou Wen's puzzled expression, delivered his message with an icy edge, "Elder Xu wanted me to thank you for retrieving his money last time."

With that, Tang Qing shot a meaningful look at Zhang Zifan and strode toward the curb.

Zhou Wen and his companions watched Tang Qing's retreating figure as a Ford SUV pulled up to the curb. Before climbing in, Tang Qing cast another glance their way and settled into the front passenger seat.

As Tang Qing departed, Zhang Zifan let out a sneer, "Zhou Wen, you're lucky to have connections with Elder Xu. But don't think this is the end of it."

Zhou Wen, still reeling from Tang Qing's revelation, recalled the elderly man on the bus—an unassuming figure in a simple white linen robe.

The only time Zhou Wen remembered helping someone recover their money was that one instance.

Could it have been that very old man?

If it was indeed him, why was he on a public bus?

And when Han Xiao arrived to conduct an interview, the old man had vanished.

Was he avoiding recognition by Han Xiao?

With these thoughts, Zhou Wen decided he needed to find the old man to clear up the doubts clouding his mind.

The confrontation was over, but there was still a thorn in his side.

"Zhang Zifan, better figure out how you're going to get inside," Zhou Wen chuckled, signaling for Hui Yuming to join him in the vehicle.

At Zhou Wen's remark, Zhang Zifan paused, only to watch the black Jeep roar off, heading straight for Mirrora Manor.

The gate to Mirrora Manor opened slowly, and the car entered, its rear lights flashing twice. Zhang Zifan's face immediately fell.

It was clear that the lights were a signal meant for him.

He had just claimed that Zhou Wen and the others wouldn't be able to enter, insisting his female companions go ahead.

Now, they had all departed, leaving him stranded.

Without a car, was he expected to walk in? The thought was mortifying.

Zhang Zifan scanned the area, looking for a car to ride.

Just then, a gray Mercedes-Benz pulled up in front of him.

The window rolled down smoothly, revealing Chen Yu's face.

"Zifan, what are you doing standing here? Where's your car?" Chen Yu inquired, his tone conveying a deep respect for Zhang Zifan.

"Open up, let's talk inside the car!" Zhang Zifan said urgently, quickly slipping into the vehicle.

...

As the car made its way along the road within Mirrora Manor, Lee Yiran sat in the back seat, her head bowed as she played with her phone, occasionally casting furtive glances at the young man in the passenger seat.

Zhou Wen's appearance was far from striking; his short black hair was unremarkable.

Yet, this unassuming student had managed to publicly humiliate Zhang Zifan.

Could he truly be a friend of Elder Xu? Lee Yiran pondered, her estimation of the young man before her growing considerably.

Zhou Yu was still reeling from the earlier events, quietly leaning against Lee Yiran, her curiosity piqued by the man seated ahead.

Upon reaching a pavilion, a doorman clad in a black suit approached. Hui Yuming tossed him the keys, and they all entered.

"Zhou Wen, you're incredible! Do you really know Elder Xu?" Hui Yuming asked, unabashedly indulging in the spread before him.

They were now seated in the dining hall of Mirrora Manor, surrounded by an array of dishes, desserts, and fruits.

Attentive servers stood by, ready to assist.

"Do you know Elder Xu?" Zhou Wen inquired, hopeful that Hui Yuming's acquaintance with the man would simplify matters.

"I don't recognize him," Hui Yuming replied, his cheeks bulging as he continued to eat.

"You don't? From the tone of your voice, I thought you did," Zhou Wen said with a hint of resignation, casually picking up a piece of roasted beef and biting into it.

"Well, everyone talks about him like he's something special, so I figured Elder Xu must be impressive," Hui Yuming said with a chuckle.

Suddenly, something seemed to click for him, and he exclaimed in astonishment, "No way! Don't tell me you don't know him either."

Zhou Wen's face flushed as he coughed and quickly deflected, "Let's eat before the food gets cold."

If Hui Yuming didn't recognize him, it would have been obvious when the old man visited the classroom—if it was indeed that old man, Hui Yuming would have surely recognized him then.

Lee Yiran watched the two men with a puzzled look, her delicate brows knitting together as she asked, "Zhou Wen, you don't know Elder Xu?"

"Elder Xu... I suppose I should," Zhou Wen responded, his certainty wavering.

"Do you even know what Elder Xu looks like?" Zhou Yu inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"Cough, cough... Let's just eat," Zhou Wen stammered, sweat beading on his forehead as he quickly steered the conversation away.

At that point, it became clear to Zhou Yu and the others that Zhou Wen didn't actually know Elder Xu.

Lee Yiran mused internally about Zhou Wen's inexplicable stroke of luck. Perhaps Tang Qing had simply mistaken him for someone else.

The tapping of high heels echoed in the air, drawing everyone's attention. Heads turned instinctively towards the sound.

Two tall, young women entered the restaurant. One was clad in a skirt, exuding an air of grace and poise, while the other wore straight-leg pants, her demeanor striking and confident. Both women, with their light makeup, were undeniably beautiful, capturing the gaze of the entire restaurant.

The diners paused mid-bite, their eyes fixated on the newcomers.

"That woman looks so familiar. Sister Yirann, do you know her?" Zhou Yu leaned in and asked Lee Yiran.

Lee Yiran appeared contemplative, "She does seem familiar, like I've seen her somewhere before."

Then it hit Zhou Yu, her face lighting up with recognition, "I've got it! She's Sister Han Xiao, the reporter from Anewood TV Station!"