C4 Xue Gang's Invitation

As dawn was breaking, Xu Lin rose from his bed, invigorated by his morning workout. He was about to whip up a bowl of noodles when the roar of an engine from downstairs caught his attention. A car had pulled up right outside his door—a limited edition red Ferrari, no less, a rare sight in such an old neighborhood, drawing curious glances from many onlookers.

Xu Lin was taken aback, as he couldn't recall anyone in the building who could afford such a luxury. Then the car door swung open, and out stepped a girl in a white tee and blue jeans—it was Xue Moye. A young man with yellow-dyed hair approached her, clearly aiming to chat her up, but before he could utter a word, a middle-aged man exited the car. Dressed sharply in a suit and sporting gold-rimmed glasses, he exuded an air of authority that his attire could not mask.

With just a glare, the middle-aged man sent the yellow-haired suitor scurrying away, his face slick with sweat. "Miss, if the boss knew I brought you to a place like this, he'd have my hide!" he said with a wry smile.

"Don't worry, Uncle Ran, my dad won't be mad at you with me here," Xue Moye replied, her gaze drifting as she scanned the six-story building, seemingly searching for someone.

Her eyes lit up upon spotting a familiar figure on the second floor—Xu Lin. She waved eagerly, confirming her purpose for being there. Xu Lin, understanding her intent, made his way downstairs. Xue Moye bounded toward him, her excitement palpable. Xu Lin's demeanor had noticeably shifted since their last encounter, and Xue Moye took a moment to admire the change.

"I went through quite a bit of trouble to learn your name from other students. Xu Lin, I really can't thank you enough for what you did," she said, her eyes gleaming with gratitude. "This is my father's bodyguard, Zhao Rann. You can call him Uncle Ran. Uncle Ran, this is the classmate I told you about—the one who saved me!" Her smile was infectious, and she seemed utterly enchanted by Xu Lin.

Zhao Rann watched Xu Lin with a hint of surprise. It was the first time he'd ever seen the young lady take the initiative to approach a boy. "Xu Lin, I'd like to go to the amusement park today. Would you like to join me?" Xue Moye asked, a blush coloring her cheeks.

"Absolutely!" Xu Lin responded with enthusiasm. He didn't have any pressing plans for the day, anyway.

Sitting together in the back row, Xu Lin found himself closer to the school's top beauty than he'd ever been, which made him noticeably uneasy.

Noticing Xu Lin's discomfort, Xue Moye teased him with a smile, "Come on, Xu Lin, don't be shy. Where's that bravery you showed the other night when you confronted that guy? You're not scared I'll bite, are you?"

"Why did you come to me for this amusement park trip? Wouldn't you usually ask one of your girlfriends?" Xu Lin inquired.

"The old saying goes, 'A small kindness is to be repaid with a great favor.' You saved me the other night, so it's only natural I repay you. And really, what fun would it be to go with those lunatics?" Xue Moye playfully blinked and whispered, "Besides, this is my first time going to an amusement park with a boy."

As Xu Lin and Xue Moye chatted away in the back seat, Zhao Rann kept a watchful eye on them from the driver's seat. He could tell from Xue Moye's gaze that she had taken a liking to the boy. Zhao Rann, however, didn't think Xu Lin was a good match for his young lady—firstly, their backgrounds were worlds apart, and secondly, Xu Lin hadn't yet passed the test of her elder brother.

After a day full of fun at the amusement park, Xue Moye stole a quick kiss from Xu Lin before they parted ways, an act that didn't escape Zhao Rann's notice. He resolved to report the day's events to his elder brother.

The following day, during the lunch break, Xue Moye made a beeline for Class 3. The boys clustered at the doorway, each lost in daydreams of being the one she was there to see. But Xue Moye paid them no mind, walking straight up to Xu Lin. With flushed cheeks, she asked, "Xu Lin, would you come over to my father's house for dinner tonight?"

Upon hearing Xue Moye's words, a chorus of gasps erupted from the boys in Class 3. It was clear she was hinting at a parental meet-up! Their glares turned icy as they eyed Xu Lin, who coolly brushed off the hostile stares and inquired, "Why has your father suddenly invited me to dinner?"

In a gentle tone, Xue Moye explained, "I found out about what happened that night and yesterday. Uncle Ran spilled the beans to my dad. After hearing about it, he wanted to invite you over for a meal. I couldn't say no. If you refuse, knowing my father, you'll run into big trouble here in Crismond. But don't worry, my dad treats me well, and with me there tonight, he wouldn't dare lay a finger on you!" Her cheeks flushed with the embarrassment of publicly inviting a boy over, which could easily lead to misunderstandings.

Xu Lin was inclined to decline the invitation, but the hopeful look on Xue Moye's face gave him pause. She was clearly eager for him to accept. Recalling their kiss at the amusement park the day before, Xu Lin slowly nodded in agreement.

Xue Moye's excitement was palpable as she confirmed, "It's settled then. I'll pick you up after school tonight!"

After Xue Moye departed, Hsiao Dali sidled up, his face awash with admiration. "Lin, you've got some moves! You quietly won over the most sought-after girl in school!" Hsiao Dali often found himself on the receiving end of bullying at school, which made him and Xu Lin close companions.

"Still, I should warn you," Hsiao Dali continued, "there are plenty of guys after Xue Moye. You better watch your back, Lin."

"Don't worry about it," Xu Lin replied with a reassuring smile.

Xu Lin spent the rest of the afternoon under the weight of envious and murderous glares. After school, he climbed into Xue Moye's car, once again under the scrutiny of many hostile onlookers. "Kid, just a heads-up," Zhao Rann said with a chilling tone as soon as Xu Lin was in the car, "if my brother isn't happy with you after tonight, you'd best steer clear of our Miss from here on out. The consequences will be on you."

Before Xu Lin could get a word in, Xue Moye snapped, "Uncle Ran, you have no right to intimidate Xu Lin. Remember, I haven't even begun to deal with you for tipping off my dad about this!"

Zhao Rann fell silent, concentrating solely on driving. In no time at all, they pulled up to Crismond's most opulent five-star hotel.

Xu Lin had never set foot in a five-star hotel before, and he couldn't resist gawking at his surroundings. Zhao Rann smirked to himself, thinking the kid was a total country bumpkin; his boss would surely never approve of any relationship between him and the young lady.

Xue Moye was visibly thrilled, chattering away to Xu Lin about various things as they rode the elevator to a lavishly decorated private room on the second floor. Upon entering, Zhao Rann briefly greeted the plainly dressed middle-aged man inside before excusing himself, leaving Xue Moye, Xu Lin, and the man alone.

"Dad, this is the classmate I told you about, the one who saved my life—Xu Lin," Xue Moye began, but Xue Gang cut her off.

The silent confrontation between Xu Lin and Xue Gang had already commenced.

The two locked eyes, and the formidable aura emanating from Xue Gang instantly shrouded Xu Lin. But Xu Lin stood his ground, channeling his inner Genuine Qi and returning the stare with equal intensity. Xue Gang was taken aback; anyone else would have crumbled under such pressure, begging for mercy. Yet, this defiant young man before him stood unaffected, boldly meeting his gaze.

Sensing her father's attempt to intimidate Xu Lin, Xue Moye's expression turned stern. "Xu Lin, we're leaving!" she declared, reaching to pull him toward the door.

"My dear daughter, wait. I won't hassle him," Xue Gang interjected, though he felt uneasy. Xu Lin was unfazed by his aura, and if this standoff continued, he might be the one to lose face.

Xue Gang gestured for Xu Lin to sit. "So, you're Xu Lin? You're the one who saved my daughter that night?" he inquired.

"Exactly!" Xu Lin nodded in agreement.

"Look, I appreciate that you saved my daughter, but that doesn't mean I think you're worthy of dating her. If you're smart, kid, you'll keep your distance from her!" Xue Gang stated without mincing words.

"Uncle, with all due respect, we're not living in feudal times anymore. Everyone has the right to love freely. If I wish to pursue a relationship with Moye, you don't have the authority to stop me," Xu Lin responded confidently.

"Well then, young man! If you want my blessing to date my daughter, you'll have to prove your mettle!" At Xue Gang's command, his men brought in two boxes of Maotai. "Let's wager, kid. If you can outdrink me, I'll give you my blessing to date my daughter!"

"Dad, how can you suggest such a thing? Xu Lin is still a student; he shouldn't be drinking!" Xue Moye protested, her displeasure clear.

"If Uncle is keen on the challenge, then I'll respectfully accept," Xu Lin said with a smile. "But I'm curious about how you intend to conduct this drinking contest."

Hearing her father's proposal and Xu Lin's readiness to accept, Xue Moye quickly interjected, "Xu Lin, please think this through. Dad is notorious for his drinking ability; you won't beat him!"

"Don't worry about me," Xu Lin reassured her with a chuckle. Armed with knowledge of an ancient divine power, he knew a secret method to discreetly expel alcohol from his system, so he had no concerns about the drinking contest.

"Listen, kid, as your elder, I'll drink two cups to your one. We're not leaving this room until these two boxes of Maotai are empty," Xue Gang declared, filling his cup to the brim.

"Uncle, I have to say, that approach doesn't seem quite fair," Xu Lin remarked after listening to Xue Gang's terms.