C23 Come Eat While It's Hot!

Crash!

Thud! Thud!

In an instant, the lavish array of gifts Zhao Chengyi had presented was reduced to rubble by Xia Ming. The bodyguards standing nearby were too stunned to react.

Fuming with rage, Zhao Chengyi was practically leaping with fury. "Damn it, Xia Ming, have you lost your mind? Do you have any idea how much that was worth? At least 30 to 40 million! And you... you just smashed it all to smithereens... You bastard, and you morons, what are you standing around for? Beat him senseless!"

Noticing his bodyguards still frozen in shock, Zhao Chengyi grabbed a bowl from the table and hurled it at one of them.

Earlier, before the bodyguards had entered, Xia Ming had dislocated Zhao Chengyi's wrist. Chengyi was itching for payback.

"Yes, Young Master Zhao!"

The bodyguards snapped to attention, each pulling out a baton and charging at Xia Ming with menacing swings. The Lin family relatives witnessing the scene exchanged bewildered glances.

Xia Ming had really overstepped this time!

Could he possibly afford to pay for the destruction of treasures worth 30 to 40 million?

Did he truly believe that being acquainted with Liu Tianxiong gave him carte blanche?

Liu Tianxiong might cover for you once, but would he do it a second time?

Zhao Chengyi's bodyguards were on the attack, yet not a single Lin family member seemed inclined to intervene. They were all spectators to the unfolding drama, some even secretly hoping Zhao Chengyi's men would finish Xia Ming off.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

In less than ten seconds, the onlookers were disoriented, unable to grasp the swift turn of events before them. Then they saw Zhao Chengyi's four bodyguards sprawled on the ground, as lifeless as dead dogs.

Xia Ming tossed his baton aside, dusted off his hands nonchalantly, and addressed Zhao Chengyi, "It's just 40 million, right? I'll pay you back... Is that better than a gift? Just wait, my people will be here any moment..."

Was Xia Ming planning to present other gifts?

This time, even Lin Shuyu was taken aback.

How much was Xia Ming keeping from him?

He effortlessly wriggled out of Boss Zhang's clutches, nonchalantly gifted a 30 million yuan chicken blood stone, and shattered so many valuables with a flick of his wrist... These weren't the actions of an average person!

Zhao Chengyi eyed the bodyguards sprawled on the ground, a flicker of astonishment crossing his gaze. "Xia Ming... cut the bull! You have more gifts? Well, bring them out and let's see... If your gifts outshine mine, I'll eat my socks raw..."

"I'm telling you, Xia Ming is just showing off! If he could really afford all those gifts, would he be so worried about the company's 30 million?"

"Exactly, if you're a loser, just own up to it!"

...

While everyone was still criticizing Xia Ming, a Lin family security guard suddenly entered and reported, "Madam, there's a truck at the entrance claiming to be a gift from the Young Master. Should we let it through?"

A truck?

A gift from Xia Ming, brought in a truck?

Holy smokes! Could it be true?

Lin Feng, Zhao Chengyi, and the rest felt as if a stampede of thoughts was thundering through their minds.

But then, considering Xia Ming's identity, Zhao Chengyi quickly concluded it was all just posturing.

"Let it through. I'm eager to see what Xia Ming is up to. Does he really think he can fool me to my face? Hmph!" Zhao Chengyi remained skeptical about Xia Ming's financial prowess.

If Xia Ming were truly that wealthy, he wouldn't have let Lin Shuyu entertain Boss Zhang and others just to cover the company's financial shortfall.

"Xia Ming, what are you up to?" Grandma furrowed her brow, struggling to contain her fury.

Today's perfectly planned scenario had been completely disrupted by Xia Ming. Yet, Grandma couldn't pinpoint a single flaw in him.

Xia Ming offered a slight smile, "I'm not up to any tricks. Didn't Mr. Zhao challenge me to a gift-giving contest? The gift I arranged for has arrived. Please, let them in."

The security guard at the door glanced at Grandma for guidance. With a wave of her hand, she said, "Let them in!"

A few minutes later, a large truck pulled up to the entrance of the hall. Liu Tianxiong's bodyguards swiftly unloaded several enormous boxes from the truck and brought them inside the hall to open them.

Inside were a two-meter-tall blood-red coral, a jade Guanyin statue over a meter high, and an emerald screen...

All were sizable pieces, at least twice as large as the gifts Zhao Chengyi had previously presented, and their quality was undeniably top-notch.

The lead bodyguard nodded to Xia Ming and continued to retrieve various gifts from the boxes. "This jade tobacco pipe, valued at eight hundred thousand, is for Second Uncle. This necklace is for Third Uncle..."

Liu Tianxiong had thoughtfully considered every Lin family relative, ensuring each person received a gift worth at least several hundred thousand.

The Lin relatives eagerly clutched their gifts, hastily tucking them away as if worried Xia Ming might reclaim them. Their gazes upon Xia Ming shifted once more.

Could Xia Ming actually be wealthy?

His aunt spoke up candidly, "Oh, Xia Ming, this is quite awkward. You've given us these gifts out of the blue. We're truly undeserving!"

Xia Ming offered a slight smile, "Well, if my aunt feels undeserving, perhaps I should take it back?"

Aunt Zhang Lan chuckled nervously, "Let's not. Since it's from the kindness of your heart, how could I possibly refuse? But Xia Ming, how did you become so wealthy all of a sudden? You've bought so many gifts at once?"

Zhang Lan's question echoed the curiosity of everyone present. The gifts Xia Ming brought this time were on par with Zhao Chengyi's, each worth a small fortune.

Xia Ming was merely a KTV waiter. How could he possibly afford such extravagance?

Was Xia Ming a concealed tycoon?

All eyes were on Xia Ming as he replied with a wry smile, "You're giving me too much credit. These gifts were provided by the Liu family head. With this, Master Liu has settled his debt of gratitude. Isn't that right, Captain Zhang?"

Xia Ming spoke while giving a subtle wink to the head bodyguard.

Captain Zhang, the leader of Liu Tianxiong's personal bodyguards, was present to deliver the gifts on his behalf, as Liu Tianxiong preferred not to make a personal appearance.

Captain Zhang nodded eagerly and said, "Absolutely! The boss mentioned that today's gifts were all prepared for Young Master Chen as a token of gratitude for Young Master Xia's past assistance. If there's nothing else, we'll be on our way!"

Ah, that explains it!

Liu Tianxiong strikes again!

Now it all makes sense!

Humph!

Xia Ming is still the same old Xia Ming, nothing but a nobody. Liu Tianxiong has delivered another batch of gifts, and according to the bodyguard, he's settled his debt of gratitude. It looks like he won't be backing Xia Ming any longer.

Once Zhang Lan grasped Captain Zhang's implication, her previously beaming smile vanished. "Hmph, I knew it. A weakling is still a weakling, hiding behind others' power!"

Xia Ming glanced at Zhang Lan but remained silent. Instead, he addressed Zhao Chengyi, "Young Master Zhao, do you have anything else to say? It appears my gifts far surpass yours... And you thought you could compete for my wife with those trifles? How embarrassing! By the way, I recall you saying that if my gifts were better, you'd eat your socks..."

While speaking, Xia Ming removed one of his socks and tossed it to Zhao Chengyi, "Here, Young Master Zhao, enjoy it while it's warm. It's quite aromatic!"