C11 The Beginning of a New Life!

"There's always someone out there who's better, Asi. Never underestimate the people of this world. Chen Zhixuan, in particular, is far from ordinary," Meng Ruyan remarked as she gazed at the stone now reduced to dust.

"Miss, the Wang family has indeed stirred up trouble with a formidable adversary this time," Asi responded gravely.

"Indeed. With a master like that keeping an eye on them, the Wangs are in for a busy time. Pay a visit to Old Master Wang and fill him in on the situation here. He'll understand what decisions need to be made."

"Understood."

"And take this to Mr. Chen," Meng Ruyan said, handing a CD to Asi.

"Chen Zhixuan, you won't slip through my fingers," she murmured to herself, watching Asi depart.

Unaware of Meng Ruyan's attention, Chen Zhixuan was at that moment with Fatty Zhang.

Fatty Zhang nearly leaped off the bed when he removed his eyepatch, adamantly refusing further treatment and insisting on leaving with Chen Zhixuan. He looked as forlorn and defenseless as a small, mistreated animal.

"Come on, Fatty. Can't you appreciate all the effort that's gone into fixing up your face? Look, the swelling is already going down," Chen Zhixuan joked.

"Mr. Chen, the Miss asked me to deliver this to you," Asi said, presenting the CD to Chen Zhixuan.

"What's this?" Fatty Zhang asked, taking the disc and sliding it into the nearby computer.

Chen Zhixuan was curious, but since Fatty Zhang had already put the CD in the computer, he joined in to see what it was about.

The video flickered rapidly, and a sharp intensity grew in Chen Zhixuan's eyes. Next to him, Fatty Zhang's face was taut with anger, his teeth clenched as if he were deep in thought.

The footage showed the entrance to their private room, apparently captured by a surveillance camera. It revealed Tang Wanli exiting the room, deliberately bumping into Wang Yu and even giving him a kick. That was the moment Wang Yu entered the room, setting off the chain of events that followed.

"That despicable person, did she do it on purpose?" Fatty Zhang seethed.

Chen Zhixuan remained silent, quietly retrieving the CD, snapping it in half, and tossing it into the trash can.

"Xuanzi, that was no joke today. I nearly got myself crippled," grumbled Fatty Zhang.

"Let it go, it's done. Today's events are behind us," Chen Zhixuan said with an uncharacteristic calm.

"But..." Fatty Zhang started to protest, only to be ushered out by Chen Zhixuan.

"Give my thanks to your lady," Chen Zhixuan said over his shoulder to Asi, then, without waiting for a reply, he and Fatty Zhang made their way downstairs.

"He's truly remarkable, not even a hint of anger," Meng Ruyan observed with a smile from behind the surveillance camera.

Chen Zhixuan didn't linger in the room; the trio soon exited the Heavenly Night Club.

The night's events had dampened their spirits, and after dropping Han Qiuran off at her home, Chen Zhixuan headed to a small food stall.

"Boss, four beers and thirty skewers," Fatty Zhang called out.

"Just a minute, coming right up!" the owner replied, bustling about to fill the order.

"Today's worth a little celebration. Here's to us, Xuanzi," Fatty Zhang declared, tilting back his bottle.

Chen Zhixuan humored him with a sip, but his mind wandered back to Meng Ruyan. He was certain she had noticed something extraordinary about him—perhaps the car, his wealth, or his mastery of the Eight Extreme Fist—all of which left him feeling uneasy.

The system, whatever its nature, was his deepest secret, one he couldn't afford to share. His guard was up around Meng Ruyan.

"What's on your mind?" Fatty Zhang inquired, looking at Chen Zhixuan.

"Just reflecting on the day's events—they were quite a handful," Chen Zhixuan mused.

"Well, it wasn't all bad. Xuanzi, you were the day's biggest surprise. Thanks to you, I got a taste of the high life," Fatty Zhang said lightheartedly.

Chen Zhixuan stayed quiet, contemplating. A new thought was taking root: perhaps it was time to build his own power base. With this idea in mind, his thoughts began to race with possibilities.

After polishing off two bottles of wine, Fatty Zhang began to ramble, spilling tales of his college embarrassments and work woes. Gradually, his mood darkened.

Chen Zhixuan found himself recalling the bold proclamations of his university days. Sadly, reality was harsh, offering no shortcuts. Without Fatty Zhang's reminder, his own dreams might have remained forgotten.

With these thoughts, Chen Zhixuan drained his bottle in one gulp, stood up, and challenged, "Fatty, are you brave enough to join me in a charge toward a better life?"

"Why not? I'm not scared. We'll face the storm together," declared a thoroughly inebriated Fatty Zhang, who soon claimed he'd go save the moon.

Chen Zhixuan shook his head at his friend's state, then dragged the heavily slumbering Fatty Zhang to a nearby hotel for the night.

The next morning, as dawn broke, Fatty Zhang's phone blared to life. Glancing at the time, he scrambled to get ready, fretting, "I'm done for. I'll be late, and who knows what that baldy will say."

Chen Zhixuan remained silent, watching Fatty Zhang's hurried movements, lost in his own thoughts.

Around eight, as Chen Zhixuan was still lost in dreams, his phone erupted with noise. "Where the hell are you? It's after eight! Aren't you coming to work? If you're quitting, just say so and save me the trouble of chasing you down..." The voice on the other end scolded him before he could speak.

Rubbing his eyes, Chen Zhixuan tossed the phone aside and went back to sleep.

By ten, he was finally awake and drove to the office. Staring at the building, he sipped a milk tea and strolled in. Today, he was there to resign.

"Ding! You are late," announced the time clock.

Unperturbed, Chen Zhixuan walked past it, his mind made up.

"Mr. Xuan, why are you so late? The supervisor was on a rampage first thing this morning. She's in a foul mood, so maybe you should call in sick to dodge her wrath," whispered a plump-faced girl to Chen Zhixuan.

"No worries. But what about you? Skipped breakfast again, didn't you? Here, I brought you something to eat." Chen Zhixuan passed her the extra breakfast he was carrying.

"Thanks, Mr. Xuan!" The girl beamed, accepting the meal and began nibbling away in secret.

"Take it easy, don't choke on it," Chen Zhixuan said, half-amused.

"Wishing you luck today, Mr. Xuan," the girl gestured with her hand.

Chen Zhixuan just shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips. Here, his new life was unfolding.