On the other end of the phone call.
Liu Xinxin was dumbfounded. After a long time, she finally opened her mouth and asked: “Are you out of your mind? Are you sick?”
“Shut up, you cheap woman.”
Sun Yanan scolded angrily: “If it wasn't for that trash-talking mouth of yours always speaking ill of Qin Xuan, would I have gone so astray? Let me tell you, Qin Xuan is awesome beyond your imagination. I was fooled by you, get lost!”
Beep beep beep...
The call ended abruptly.
Liu Xinxin's mind went blank. First she felt baffled, then a sense of sorrow welled up in her heart, and she cried her eyes out.
"What's wrong Xinxin?" Chen Yan asked.
"It must be that country bumpkin Qin Xuan used some kind of scheme to sow discord. Sun Yanan scolded me and broke up with me!" Liu Xinxin cried bitterly.
"What exactly happened?"
"I don't know! Sun Yanan was like he took the wrong medicine. Not only did he scold me, he also said that Qin Xuan is awesome beyond my imagination. "
"..."
Chen Yan bit her lip and guessed: "Sun Yanan must have been beaten badly by Qin Xuan and scared out of his wits, that's why he would speak nonsense. I didn't expect Qin Xuan to be so vicious."
She was very disappointed with Qin Xuan.
Thinking back to when she had thought for a moment in the taekwondo club about giving Qin Xuan a chance, she shook her head with a sigh, "After all, you could never be the kind of person I like."
...
The next evening after classes ended.
Qin Xuan was about to leave school to meet Chu Haojie’s appointment.
Qin Xuan had just walked out of the classroom.
Xia Wanying suddenly chased after him. She fumbled frantically in her bag and took out a talisman. “This...is for you.”
A talisman?
Qin Xuan was baffled. “Do you feel that I attract too much trouble, so you want to give me something for protection?”
Xia Wanying’s pretty face turned red. She nodded shyly.
She was a very inarticulate person and never liked having any contact with the opposite sex.
Qin Xuan was the only exception.
That day when she was threatened by Li ZeYang, Xia Wanying had almost resigned herself to death.
She didn’t know how much good karma she had accumulated in her previous life to encounter Qin Xuan's light during the darkest moment of her life.
Being from an impoverished family, she had nothing worthwhile to repay him with. Xia Wanying could only do what was within her means.
Qin Xuan also knew some mystic arts, drawing talismans to dispel evil was easy for him. He knew this talisman was useless, but when he took it, it still felt heavy.
“Thank you.”
Qin Xuan actually felt his ears getting hot, and his heart inexplicably felt a little sweet.
Xia Wanying smiled gently like water.
"Since you've given me a talisman, let me give you one too."
Qin Xuan took out a similarly shaped triangular talisman from his bag. The glyphs on it were carved by him using cinnabar.
This was a real talisman. If Xia Wanying encountered danger, it could come in great use at a critical moment!
Xia Wanying's face turned even redder.
After receiving Qin Xuan's talisman, she hurried away in embarrassment.
In the evening sun, the girl's heart pattered like a deer, while the boy left behind occasionally let out a silly laugh. Amidst the simplicity and beauty, the most precious innocence of their youth scattered away.
Outside the school.
Qin Xuan got into a Porsche 911 and found that it was Chu Qingya who had come to pick him up. His expression immediately darkened. “What are you doing here?”
Chu Qingya forcibly suppressed her anger. “My dad went to my grandfather's early to help prepare. He insisted that I come in person, otherwise do you think I wanted to come?”
Qin Xuan didn't say anything more.
Chu Qingya secretly snorted. She almost couldn't restrain herself several times from teaching Qin Xuan a lesson, but her father had reiterated that if she dared to disrespect Qin Xuan again, she wouldn't get any more allowance in the future.
Halfway through the journey.
Chu Qingya said, "Although it's just a family banquet tonight without any grandeur, I still hope you can behave yourself. Don't speak later. After all, my grandfather won't be interested in you. You mustn't take the initiative to try to impress him."
"Are you annoying or what?" Qin Xuan said coldly.
"You!"
Chu Qingya turned pale with anger. "I'll endure you for today. After tonight when my dad finds out you brought false glory, he won't be able to protect you anymore. When that time comes, be careful of me at school."
Hmph.
Qin Xuan really wanted to laugh.
This was the so-called leader of the pack that countless students looked up to.
Strip away her family background, and she was nothing.
Apart from Tian Ge whom everyone talked about frequently, Qin Xuan really looked down on these so-called leaders.
And even for Tian Ge, Qin Xuan only had one thought - that such a mysterious person, could she be Third Sister...
I should go see this Tian Ge sometime!
Soon, the car pulled into a luxury manor.
The banquet had not started yet.
In the reception room.
The old master Chu Zhenxiong sat in the main seat. At 78 years old, he was still hale and hearty, still retaining some of his former heroic spirit.
Eldest son Chu Haoyun and second son Chu Haojie stood on either side of Chu Zhenxiong.
Below them, red wood chairs were placed in two rows of three seats each, still empty for now.
Just then, Chu Haoyun's daughter Chu Qingqiu walked in slowly with four middle-aged men.
"Grandfather, these are four honored guests my father specially invited to celebrate your birthday. They are all grandmasters of internal strength." Chu Qingqiu said neither arrogantly nor humbly.
Four grandmasters of internal strength!
Chu Zhenxiong's eyes immediately lit up as he warmly welcomed the four honored guests to sit down.
Chu Haojie was disheartened on the spot.
According to his investigation yesterday, his elder brother had only found one grandmaster of internal strength. How did it suddenly turn into four now!
Grandmasters of internal strength were a rare and precious existence. Only masters of this level could gain the old master's approval!
"Brother, where did you find so many masters?" Chu Haojie forced himself to stay calm.
"Just got lucky."
Chu Haoyun said casually, then asked, "How many honored guests did you invite?"
"..."
The corners of Chu Haojie's mouth twitched violently as he swallowed his words.
He had only found one, and that was purely by chance and good fortune!
Qin Xuan did have great potential, but before he grew into his strength, everything was uncertain. Relying solely on Qin Xuan, he was far from a match for his brother's side with four masters!
The covert contest with his elder brother tonight...looked like he was going to lose!
However, what made Chu Haojie even more desperate was still to come.
Chu Qingqiu said, "Grandfather, these four honored guests were invited by my father. I was also fortunate to be able to invite one myself. As long as we give him proper treatment, he is willing to serve our family!"
Five!
Together this father and daughter had found five top masters willing to serve the Chu family!
Chu Zhenxiong didn't even glance at Chu Haojie now, just continued to praise Chu Haoyun and Chu Qingqiu.
"Haoyun, Qingqiu, you make me very gratified. Compared to ginseng, calligraphy and paintings, this is the gift I like the most. You have put thought into this." Chu Zhenxiong laughed.
"We should, Dad. Your happiness is most important." Chu Haoyun laughed.
"..."
Chu Haojie beside them had an ashen face.
Now he could only pin his hopes on Qin Xuan.
If the old master placed special importance on Qin Xuan's potential and believed his future prospects were limitless, there was still a chance of turning the tables.
Otherwise, after tonight's events, he would be completely out of the game!
Just as Chu Haojie was extremely anxious,
Chu Qingya brought Qin Xuan over leisurely.
"Dad!"
Chu Haojie's emotions instantly lifted somewhat. He quickly said, "This young friend Qin is only eighteen, yet already so..."
"Alright."
Chu Zhenxiong impatiently waved his hand to stop Chu Haojie from speaking. He directly ignored Qin Xuan and continued chatting and laughing with the honored guests.
Chu Haojie was dumbfounded instantly!
He didn't know that Chu Qingya had secretly tipped off the old master last night, saying he had lost his mind and insisted on calling some nobody a master.
So at this moment, Chu Zhenxiong didn't even bother to listen. He didn't publicly reprimand Chu Haojie, which was already showing face for him!
Qin Xuan was ignored, but he wasn't angry. Seeing there was still an empty seat, he sat down by himself.
Anyway, he didn't come here to show off. He just wanted to make a brief appearance and earn 10 million.
What was the Chu family's internal business to him?
At the scene, only Tie Shanhe's heart was pounding wildly, especially when Qin Xuan's gaze turned to him, he almost lost his balance on the seat!
Damn.
A distinguished young Grandmaster was actually ignored and sat on a cold bench...
But Tie Shanhe didn't say anything.
He had been injured by Qin Xuan and probably wouldn't fully recover for half a month. Also, after handing over 10 million earlier, he had sworn that he would take revenge for this humiliation one day.
Now of course he wouldn't stand up for Qin Xuan.
Of course, he also genuinely believed that everyone in the Chu family had pig brains!
Making a young Grandmaster sit on a cold bench, probably only this bunch could do something so foolish under heaven.
Not long after.
Chu Haoyun smilingly said, "Esteemed guests, show my father your skills. After all, this is his first time meeting you."
The masters all nodded.
But before they could start showing off, Chu Haojie couldn't hold back anymore. Risking being scolded, he said, "Dad, Qin Xuan is really skilled. Let him go first, I can talk all I want, but it's better for you to see with your own eyes. You'll definitely be surprised!"
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely, I guarantee Qin Xuan is not inferior to these five!"
"..."
A single stone caused thousands of ripples.
Chu Haojie's words, except for Tie Shanhe who had no reaction, made the other four masters change expression.
"Master Chu, while we aren't Grandmasters, we will definitely have the chance to reach half-step Grandmaster in our lifetimes. We have our own pride too. How can you insult us by comparing us to a mere boy?"
"Looks like I'm not eating this meal after all."
"I'm leaving!"
The few acted like they were about to leave.
Chu Zhenxiong immediately slapped Chu Haojie and shouted at Qin Xuan, "Get out of here right now!"