C11 Why Am I Always the One Who Gets Hurt?

Hmm?

Xia Ming was taken aback for a moment. Clearly, he had still underestimated Director Wang's audacity!

Was five million not enough for him? Now he was brazenly demanding ten million?

Ha!

Did he think he was dealing with a toothless tiger?

Next to him, Leng Ningchu's chest heaved with fury as she fixed Wang Ke with an angry stare. "Wang Ke, don't push your luck! There are some people you just can't afford to cross. You'll have no place for regret when the time comes!"

Despite her youth, Leng Ningchu, as the intelligence queen for the Xia family's southwest region, possessed a formidable presence. The sudden release of her aura made Wang Ke's heart skip a beat.

Xia Ming might look unremarkable, but the stunning woman by his side seemed like she had descended from the heavens.

Wang Ke, unfamiliar with Leng Ningchu, couldn't help but feel wary.

"Miss, I meant no disrespect. It's just that Xia Ming damaged our company's oil painting, and I must provide an explanation to my boss... Surely, there's no need for a lady of your stature to defend a man whose only skill is writing a couple of brush strokes?" Wang Ke cautiously tested Leng Ningchu's reaction.

Leng Ningchu looked back at Xia Ming with a hint of curiosity. This young master was truly a character.

The Xia family was an immense entity, wealthy enough to rival nations and wielding tremendous influence... Yet Xia Ming was pretending to be nothing more than a calligraphy artist?

Was he playing the fool to catch the wise?

This young master was indeed cunning!

Those fools from the Xia family probably wouldn't even know how they met their end.

Seeing Leng Ningchu's hesitation, Wang Ke pressed on, "My dear, I'll take the liberty of offering you an Emperor Card loaded with 100,000 yuan. From now on, whenever you and your friends patronize the Di Hao Hotel, you'll enjoy a 50% discount. How does that sound?"

For Wang Ke, this was a significant gesture.

An Emperor Card with 100,000 yuan in cash and a 50% discount was not something the Di Hao Hotel handed out lightly.

If Leng Ningchu was indeed affiliated with a major power, then it would be a wise investment. But if she turned out to be an unknown, then that 100,000 yuan would be as good as given away.

Leng Ningchu was at a loss for words. Wang Ke truly had no clue what he was getting into. Did he even realize whom he was challenging?

A direct descendant of the Xia family, valued at only 100,000 yuan? Merely an Emperor Card?

Just as Leng Ningchu was on the verge of losing her temper, Xia Ming quickly shot her a warning glance. He turned to Wang Ke and said, "Fine, 10 million, is it? Are you going to raise the bid? If not, give me the account number, and I'll have someone transfer the funds immediately."

Could 10 million yuan really be transferred just like that?

Wang Ke exchanged a glance with Qi Jun, who stood beside him. Wasn't Xia Ming supposed to be nothing more than a worthless son-in-law to the Lin family? He was working at a KTV; how could he possibly come up with 10 million yuan all at once?

Even Lin's Group was struggling, reportedly facing a shortfall of tens of millions. Surely they wouldn't foot the bill for Xia Ming's blunder, would they?

"Moron! Keep on boasting, Xia Ming... If you can cough up ten million yuan, I'll eat my socks right here in front of all these people!" Qi Jun declared with absolute certainty.

Qin Yao chuckled coldly on the sidelines, "Xia Ming, I never pegged you for this type of person. If you're broke, just own up to it. What's the point of this charade? Do you really want us to call your bluff? In my opinion, just kneel down, apologize, and admit your mistake..."

Qin Yao continued to babble, but Xia Ming couldn't bear it any longer, "Be quiet!"

When Xia Ming turned back to face Wang Ke, Wang Ke felt a sudden chill. Xia Ming's gaze might have seemed unremarkable, but it sent a wave of panic through him.

"Ha! Xia Ming, spare me the act. Don't think I'm not aware of your situation. The Lin family's pathetic son-in-law, still working at a KTV, aren't you? Believe me, one phone call and you won't have a job by tomorrow. I've changed my mind. I don't want your ten million yuan anymore. Today, I just want to see you on your knees, begging for mercy..."

Wang Ke's command echoed sharply, and he barked at the bodyguards encircling them, "Attack, now!"

With a rush, the security guards, long since ready, swarmed toward Xia Ming and Leng Ningchu.

Several times, Ningchu seemed poised to unleash her fury, but Xia Ming firmly held her back. The time to reveal their true capabilities hadn't come. Xia Ming had much to prepare; taking over the global reach of the Xia family was no simple task.

Bang! Bang!

Xia Ming sprang into action, swiftly taking down four or five guards. However, he was eventually overpowered by two others, one on each side, and dragged before Wang Ke.

Wang Ke, smirking triumphantly, advanced and delivered a harsh kick to Xia Ming's abdomen. "Damn it, not so arrogant now, are you? Come on, show me that arrogance! Kneel!"

Qi Jun, standing nearby, felt a wave of relief as Xia Ming was subdued. "Idiot! You're out of your league trying to take on Brother Wang!"

Qi Jun, having received a kick from Wang Ke himself due to Xia Ming's earlier actions, took his chance for payback and landed a kick in Xia Ming's midsection.

Turning to Qin Yao, Qi Jun asked, "Yao Yao, you're not going to feel bad for him, are you?"

Qin Yao let out a cold laugh. "Feel bad? Brother Jun, you're kidding, right? I can't be bothered to even glance at this fool, let alone feel sorry for him. All that matters is that you're pleased."

Held by the two guards, Xia Ming gave Qin Yao a chilling stare. His heart turned to ice. Was this truly the woman he had once admired? So cruel and short-sighted?

At Wang Ke's signal, the guards tightened their grip, ready to force Xia Ming to the ground.

But in that moment, Xia Ming's body surged with qi strength, and he stood firm, immovable.

During the scuffle with the guards, Xia Ming had used his qi strength to shield his body's vital points from harm. Even as Wang Ke and Qi Jun delivered their kicks, he had protected his abdomen to avoid injury.

Getting Xia Ming to kneel was not going to be an easy feat!

"Do you really have to take it this far, Wang Ke?" Xia Ming shot Wang Ke a venomous look, his rage boiling over.

Xia Ming had run out of patience and was waiting for the owner behind Di Hao to step in!

To be humiliated on his own turf—did they truly believe the heir of the Xia family could be pushed around so easily?

Wang Ke couldn't bring himself to meet Xia Ming's gaze. "Beat him. Break his legs first, and if he's crippled, throw him out," he ordered. Instinctively, Wang Ke sensed that Xia Ming posed a great threat. He felt he had to take Xia Ming down in one fell swoop or else he'd never have peace of mind.

"Yes, Mr. Wang!"

A group of seven or eight security guards, wielding batons, charged toward Xia Ming, aiming for his legs.

Xia Ming and Leng Ningchu exchanged a glance, ready to act, when suddenly a middle-aged man burst into the hall from the hotel entrance. He wasn't even fully inside when he bellowed, "Stop! All of you, stop! Do you want to be the death of me?"

At the sound of the familiar voice, the security guards halted and turned to bow respectfully to the man. "Good to see you, Chairman!"

"Good my foot!" The man brushed past the guards and strode directly toward Wang Ke.

Wang Ke attempted a sycophantic smile, "Chairman... I..."

Smack!

His greeting was cut short by a sharp slap that sent Wang Ke reeling, stars dancing before his eyes as he spun around twice. "Chairman, this..."

Smack!

Another resounding slap!

Wang Ke was so frustrated he felt like he could spit blood.

Damn it!

Why am I always the one who ends up hurt? Can someone please explain what the heck is happening?