C31 You Are Threatening Me

In the reception hall of the Zi family estate, the patriarch Zi Qingshan sat with poise in the seat of honor. Opposite him, a confident young man in his thirties sat with one leg crossed over the other, cradling a teacup. He leisurely blew on his beverage, exuding a sense of ease that seemed to surpass even that of the family head.

This young man was Chen Shaofeng, the esteemed young master of the Chen family. To most in Linhai, or even throughout Huaxia, the Chen family was shrouded in mystery. They were neither corporate giants nor political powerhouses.

Yet, Zi Qingshan was acutely aware that the Chen family was far from ordinary. They were a hidden force beneath the peaceful veneer of the world, an Ancient Martial Arts Family with significant clout.

To the layperson, Martial Cultivators might as well be legendary figures from a wuxia story, but Zi Qingshan knew the truth. Martial Cultivators were very much real, and his own Zi family had several among their ranks, including Zi Feng, who was charged with the protection of Ziyuan.

The Chen family was a genuine Ancient Martial Arts Family, boasting numerous ancient martial arts experts.

Zi Qingshan's knowledge of these families was not exhaustive, but he was certain of their extraordinary capabilities. Their experts could unleash punches with the force of thousands of pounds, split mountains with their swords, and sever the skies with their blades.

Some might scoff at such claims as hyperbole, or consider ancient martial arts insignificant in an era where firearms reign supreme. But Zi Qingshan saw such views as profoundly misguided.

Firearms are indeed formidable, but they are not constant companions. You cannot sleep with a missile or eat with a nuclear bomb. Even a simple handgun isn't something you can carry at all times.

But an Ancient Warrior? With their skills alone, they could take a life with ease, at any moment—a neck snapped in the blink of an eye.

What's more, these Ancient Martial Arts Families didn't solely focus on their martial training. They were engaged in the world, with extensive economic foundations, opting to keep a low profile.

Zi Qingshan, the head of the Zi family, was a man who could cover the sky with one hand in Linhai City. Yet, in the presence of Chen Shaofeng, he seemed quite wary, even wearing a hint of an ingratiating smile.

"I'm truly sorry to trouble you with such a minor issue, Young Master Chen," Zi Qingshan said with a smile that was a touch too eager.

The young man took a sip of tea and replied with a faint smile, "This is hardly a minor issue. I've heard that Sister Ziyuan's birthday is fast approaching, so I seized the opportunity to come here. My visit serves a dual purpose: to celebrate her birthday and to discuss with you, my future father-in-law, an auspicious day to set for our wedding."

Zi Qingshan's expression turned awkward. "Heh, Ziyuan is still in school. Isn't it a bit early to be talking about marriage?"

He knew his daughter's feelings well. She had always been strongly against such arranged encounters, and it had taken considerable effort to deceive her into coming home this time. His intention had merely been for her to meet Chen Shaofeng; whether it would lead to anything more was yet to be determined. To set a wedding date now would surely turn her against him.

Chen Shaofeng's eyes flashed with a cold light at Zi Qingshan's words, but he quickly concealed it.

"Ha, Sister Ziyuan is twenty-one, right? She may still be in school, but that doesn't interfere with getting married. Unless, Zi family head, you think I'm not a worthy match for your daughter?" Chen Shaofeng exuded a formidable pressure, so intense that even Zi Qingshan, who prided himself on his high status, felt overwhelmed, his forehead breaking out in a cold sweat.

"Ha! Far from it, Young Master Chen," Zi Qingshan laughed, though it sounded forced. "It's a blessing for our Ziyuan to be chosen by you. And for you to personally visit the Zi family to select an auspicious date is an honor for us. Ziyuan will be here soon, and once she arrives, we can settle on the date."

Zi Qingshan fell silent, but a woman sitting next to him spoke up cheerfully.

"Ziyuan, ultimately, it's her decision to make regarding her marriage," Zi Qingshan spoke up, though his voice lacked conviction.

"Oh, brother, what are you talking about? Ziyuan is still young; what does she know? Matters of marriage should naturally be decided by us, the elders. As her aunt, do you think I would lead her astray? Chen Shaofeng coming to our Zi family in person is a blessing she's earned over several lifetimes. I'm sure she'll be delighted," the woman insisted confidently.

At the same time, Ye Luo was being escorted by Ziyuan to the Zi family's grand reception hall. To make Ye Luo's role as her pretend boyfriend more believable, Ziyuan had taken the liberty of linking her arm through his, which took Ye Luo by surprise.

"Don't flatter yourself. It's just to make us look more convincing. You'd better perform well later. If anyone spots a flaw, I won't forgive you," Ziyuan said, raising her fist in a warning gesture.

Ye Luo gave a sly smile and, seizing the opportunity, slipped his arm around Ziyuan's slender waist.

"What are you doing?" Ziyuan exclaimed, her body tensing and her face turning crimson. She had never been held around the waist by a man before.

"We're just trying to be convincing, right? If you're my girlfriend, a waist hug isn't too much to ask," Ye Luo said with a chuckle.

"You..." Ziyuan fumed, tempted to chop off the presumptuous hand that dared to touch her. But they were already at the Zi residence, and making a scene would give them away, so she begrudgingly tolerated it.

"Hmph, I'll let you take advantage for now. Once this is over, you'll be answering to Ann Xin."

Along the way, they passed many members of the Zi family, who were stunned to see an unfamiliar man with his arm around Ziyuan's waist.

Wasn't their Miss Zi an ice queen, aloof and untouchable?

Hadn't it been said that no man could meet her high standards? Yet here she was, bringing a man home and even allowing him to embrace her—and she appeared rather pleased about it.

Naturally, the servants and others, despite their bewilderment, wouldn't dare to inquire.

Just as they were about to enter the conference hall, a figure suddenly blocked their path.

"Who are you, and why are you holding Ziyuan?" demanded the newcomer.

Ye Luo was taken aback, looking up to see a middle-aged woman dressed in luxurious attire, her appearance well-maintained and exuding an air of affluence.

"Auntie, what brings you here? Where are my parents?" Ziyuan was somewhat surprised to see Zi Yun but didn't dwell on it.

Zi Yun, however, ignored Ziyuan's question and glared at Ye Luo's arm around her, her eyes flashing with hostility. "I told you to let go of Ziyuan. Are you deaf? If you don't release her this instant, I'll have someone chop off your hand!"

Ye Luo was startled, wondering who this aggressive woman could be, but Ziyuan was the first to speak up.

"Auntie, this is my boyfriend, Ye Luo. Could you please be a bit more polite to him?"

"Boyfriend?" Zi Yun's face twisted into an even uglier frown. "Ziyuan, do you realize what you're saying? Where did this boyfriend come from?"

"I met him at university. You've always wanted me to go on blind dates, but now that I have a boyfriend, there's no need for that anymore. Shouldn't you be happy about it?" Ziyuan said, deliberately leaning closer to Ye Luo and holding his hand even tighter.

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