C7 Xiao Qiufeng Has Met with Trouble.

As Xiao Qiufeng approached the villa's entrance, he caught sight of Lau Qingmei meandering through the courtyard, clad in a white dress paired with silver high heels. The morning light kissed her flawless face, rendering the scene as picturesque as a painting. She seemed like a celestial fairy gracing the earth with her presence.

Xiao Qiufeng was utterly spellbound at the sight of her.

"Do I look nice?" Lau Qingmei stepped closer, giving Xiao Qiufeng's shoulder a gentle tap. Her voice rang with the clarity of a songbird.

"You look beautiful," Xiao Qiufeng blurted out, almost instinctively.

His cheeks flushed with color as he finished speaking, and he bashfully cast his eyes downward.

"If you think I'm beautiful, then feel free to keep looking. I'm giving you permission," Lau Qingmei teased with a playful smile.

Xiao Qiufeng's heart raced, and he found himself struggling to meet Lau Qingmei's gaze. He opened his mouth to speak but was at a loss for words.

Just then, Lau Qingmei's eyes fell upon the medicinal herbs he was carrying and she inquired, "Are these the herbs you've bought? Are they for treating your mother's illness?"

"Yes," he confirmed.

Lau Qingmei was well-acquainted with every facet of his life, and Xiao Qiufeng had grown accustomed to her knowing ways. Gathering his courage, he asked, "Qingmei, did you need me for something?"

"Do I need a reason to seek you out?" Lau Qingmei playfully rolled her eyes.

"Of course not," he replied.

With a smile, Lau Qingmei said, "Don't bother explaining, silly. I just wanted to check in on you. Shall we go? You're about to prepare the medicine, right?"

Xiao Qiufeng attempted to clarify, but Lau Qingmei cut him off.

He simply nodded in response.

"There's no need for secrecy, is there? I'd like to see how you prepare the medicine," Lau Qingmei stated.

"Sure!" Xiao Qiufeng quickly agreed.

They both made their way into the villa, where Xiao Qiufeng began the medicine preparation in the kitchen using the purple clay pot. Lau Qingmei was true to her word, watching him intently from the sidelines.

Xiao Qiufeng was intent on refining the Essence Cultivating Pill, a pill whose primary purpose was to strengthen the foundations of cultivators. A high-grade Essence Cultivating Pill could even aid those in the Qi Refining Stage to advance to the Foundation Stage.

The pills crafted by Xiao Qiufeng may not have miraculous effects, but they certainly make a significant difference to one's health. With these pills and a silver needle, Xiao Qiufeng was close to healing his foster mother's ailment.

Refining pills required Xiao Qiufeng to channel his Spiritual Energy into the ingredients, a process that quickly drained him, leaving his face ashen and his brow beaded with sweat. Lau Qingmei, noticing his fatigue, tenderly wiped his forehead with a handkerchief she always carried. Her scent and beauty quickened his pulse, but he knew he had to focus. With immense willpower, he cast aside distractions and successfully produced an Essence Cultivating Pill.

Lau Qingmei was taken aback by the pill's appearance. "Why is it black?"

"This Essence Cultivating Pill can enhance one's physical condition," Xiao Qiufeng explained. "Its dark color is due to the ordinary quality of the ingredients and the impurities present. Plus, I'm not yet strong enough." He set the pill aside, scratching his head. "One day, when I get my hands on superior ingredients, I'll make one for you too!"

"You better keep that promise!" Lau Qingmei's eyes twinkled with delight.

Xiao Qiufeng nodded in agreement. "Come on, I'll take you to the hospital."

They left the villa, and Lau Qingmei moved to start the car. Suddenly, the roar of engines interrupted them as two Buick MPVs blocked their path. The doors flew open, and a gang of burly men wielding machetes and steel pipes emerged, encircling them with a menacing air.

Their leader, a bald man in his forties, stood imposingly. By his side was Zhou Xiaoqiang, a familiar face to Xiao Qiufeng. Zhou Xiaoqiang pointed accusingly at Xiao Qiufeng and barked at the leader, "Fifth Master, this is the jerk who beat up my brother-in-law. Take him down!"

Xiao Qiufeng was taken aback. The Fifth Master was a titan in the underworld of J City, a name known to all!

He hadn't anticipated that Lu Xiaochuan could enlist the help of someone like the Fifth Master.

Society had changed, but Xiao Qiufeng's heart still sank when he faced the Fifth Master. He doubted his own strength—was he capable of defeating the Fifth Master?

Without hesitation, he stepped forward, positioning himself protectively in front of Lau Qingmei.

A glimmer of light flickered in Lau Qingmei's eyes.

"Kid, you've got guts, hitting someone under my protection," Chen Wu, the Fifth Master, sneered at Xiao Qiufeng.

"He struck first. I was merely defending myself!" Xiao Qiufeng retorted firmly.

"Enough talk. If he hits you, you take it. Fight back, and you're signing your own death warrant," Chen Wu said with a menacing laugh, gesturing brusquely. "Boys, break his legs!"

Immediately, a dozen men armed with machetes and steel pipes charged at Xiao Qiufeng.

Xiao Qiufeng's expression darkened. He wasn't afraid for himself, but Lau Qingmei was still there, and he feared for her safety.

"Touch him today, and I'll make sure you pay with your life!" Lau Qingmei's icy voice cut through the tension from behind Xiao Qiufeng.

She stepped out and faced Zhou Xiaoqiang and Chen Wu head-on.

Zhou Xiaoqiang pointed at Lau Qingmei and leered at Chen Wu, "Fifth Master, this lady is Xiao Qiufeng's mistress. Quite the looker with a fine figure, too!"

He then turned his threat to Lau Qingmei, "You dare threaten us? Better come over and keep Fifth Master company tonight. Make him happy, and maybe he'll let you both off the hook."

Lau Qingmei looked at Chen Wu with a smile. "Is that so? Looks like I'll have to ensure you're well taken care of tonight."

Chen Wu's back was slick with cold sweat. He frantically gestured and stuttered, "Miss Lau, please, you must be joking."

After that, he turned with clenched teeth and delivered a kick that sent Zhou Xiaoqiang sprawling to the ground.

"Dammit, if you've got a death wish, leave me out of it!"

They had actually crossed Miss Lau. Even the Municipal Director would kneel before her!

Zhou Xiaoqiang was stunned, his face etched with injustice. "Big brother, why are you hitting me?"

Hearing this, Chen Wu's rage intensified. He unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks on Zhou Xiaoqiang, who ended up spitting blood and moaning on the ground, unable to utter a single coherent sentence.

"Fifth Master, quite the tough guy, aren't you? Bold enough to strike my friend?" Lau Qingmei teased with a smirk.

At the sound of Lau Qingmei addressing him as Fifth Master, Chen Wu dropped to his knees instantly!

He had witnessed firsthand how the heavy hitters from J City and even the entire province bent over backward to please Lau Qingmei!

"Miss Lau, I truly apologize. I had no idea this gentleman was your friend! Had I known, I never would have laid a hand on him!" Chen Wu pleaded through tears.