Chapter 133: There’s Sure to Be a Good Show Today

Chapter 133: Chapter 133: There’s Sure to Be a Good Show Today

Wang Chenning, of course, sensed the faint killing intent in Bai Qianxun’s laughter, and even more so the power coming from the large hand gripping his own.

But he was completely unconcerned.

Soon, Bai Qianxun’s smile vanished. He slowly began to press down, attempting to put all his strength into it.

But the extra strength he applied was like a stone sinking into the ocean, failing to create even a ripple.

The corner of Bai Qianxun’s mouth twitched. He hadn’t imagined Wang Chenning would be this strong, but he continued to struggle.

Wang Chenning momentarily increased his strength to about sixty percent, then quickly released his grip.

Bai Qianxun’s handsome face twisted in pain, and it felt as if his entire hand had been crushed.

However, once Wang Chenning released his grip and the pain subsided, Bai Qianxun’s expression immediately returned to normal.

"Eldest Young Master Bai, a contest is hardly necessary!" Wang Chenning replied, his expression unchanged. "When you have some free time, drop by Li Garden Hall or Qingyun Hall. Night Bar has plenty of good wine as well. I’m new to Yandu and there’s a lot I don’t know. If Eldest Young Master Bai is interested, how about we grab a drink and chat?"

"Now you’ve caught my interest!" A strange light flashed in Bai Qianxun’s eyes. He reached out again to pat Wang Chenning’s arm and laughed heartily. "Xiaofei, your fiancé is really something! He’s much stronger than those other fellows chasing you. Mingchao, you’re no match for Young Master Wang. Just admit defeat!"

A flash of anger crossed Li Mingchao’s eyes before vanishing. He quickly forced a laugh. "Everyone, it’s cold out here. Let’s not stand around freezing. Why don’t we go inside and sit down?"

Yang Xiaofei had, of course, noticed the silent contest between Wang Chenning and Bai Qianxun. She’d long known about Bai Qianxun’s peculiar hobby—he loved to squeeze people’s hands until they couldn’t stand it, then burst out laughing when they made a fool of themselves.

She knew Wang Chenning was incredibly strong, so she hadn’t said a word to warn him.

Judging by Bai Qianxun’s expression, Wang Chenning had clearly gained the upper hand in their contest.

She could also tell that Wang Chenning had let Bai Qianxun save face and hadn’t completely humiliated him.

She flashed Wang Chenning a smile.

"Alright, let’s talk inside!" Bai Qianxun started walking first. As he reached the foyer, he turned to Wang Chenning, who was a few steps behind. "Young Master Wang, let’s have a drink later!"

"I’d be happy to oblige!" Wang Chenning nodded with a smile. "One drink is too few. Let’s have several!"

"Excellent! Several it is!" Bai Qianxun laughed heartily again. "These days, it’s rare to find a friend worth having a few drinks with!"

Bai Qianxun spoke and acted with a devil-may-care attitude, seeming reckless, like a man without a mind of his own.

But Wang Chenning keenly sensed there was something different about this man.

Every word Bai Qianxun spoke was loaded with insinuation, hitting right where it hurt and effortlessly provoking conflict between others.

Furthermore, he spoke and acted so casually, and his laugh was always so hearty, that you couldn’t bring yourself to truly dislike him.

Wang Chenning completely agreed with Luo Yuqing’s assessment of him. ’This is no simple man.’

The main hall of the Li family’s ancestral home was bustling with people.

In the seat of honor sat an old man. Though his hair and beard were streaked with white and he looked thin, his eyes were piercing. Even from a distance, one could feel an effortless authority radiating from him—an intimidating presence that required no anger.

Seeing the red celebratory robes the man was wearing, Wang Chenning knew at once that this old fellow was the guest of honor: Li Baoguo, the true patriarch of the Li family.

Upon entering the main hall, Bai Qianxun hurried forward. Before any of the Li family could make an introduction, he gave Li Baoguo a deep bow. "Grandpa Li, Qianxun has come to celebrate your birthday! May your fortune be as vast as the Eastern Sea and your life as long as the Southern Mountains!"

He then produced a gift and presented it respectfully to Li Baoguo. "I came in a hurry and didn’t have time to prepare a proper gift. These are some cordyceps I personally harvested in Northern Tibet this year. They’re quite large. I hope Grandpa Li will accept them."

"Ah, Qianxun, you’ve come!" Li Baoguo said with a smile, making a slight gesture with his hand to bid Bai Qianxun rise. "Since you picked this cordyceps yourself, I shall accept it!"

"I took a trip during the first half of the year and found quite a few nice things," Bai Qianxun said, rising and then crouching beside Li Baoguo with a cheerful laugh. "I was just afraid you might find them wanting, Grandpa Li, so I didn’t dare bring them over!"

"It’s the thought that counts; why bother with such worldly formalities!" Li Baoguo patted Bai Qianxun’s hand. "You, on the other hand, are always running about. My own grandsons can’t compare to you in that regard. They’re cooped up in Yandu all day, and I have no idea what sort of useless nonsense they’re busy with. As the saying goes, ’traveling ten thousand miles is better than reading ten thousand books.’ One must get out and see the world!"

He then ordered his grandsons to learn from Bai Qianxun’s example.

Although Li Mingchao and the other grandsons were quite displeased with Bai Qianxun’s arrogance, they could only agree meekly in their grandfather’s presence.

After Bai Qianxun found a seat, Yang Xiaofei led Wang Chenning forward to pay their respects to Li Baoguo.

"I wish you good health and a life full of laughter, Grandpa Li!" Yang Xiaofei said with a slow bow. She then introduced Wang Chenning. "This is my fiancé, Wang Chenning. We came together today to celebrate with you."

"Elder Li, I am Wang Chenning," he said with a slight bow, presenting the gift Yang Xiaofei had asked him to hold. "This is a birthday gift from Xiaofei. Please accept it."

"Oh! Wang Chenning!" Li Baoguo squinted at him. "I’ve heard your name. You’ve only just arrived in Yandu, yet you’ve already caused a stir and made many people uneasy. I’ve been quite curious—what kind of person are you? Are you the illegitimate son of some old fossil? How else could you be so audacious and lawless? Now that I see you in person, you are indeed remarkably handsome. You’re no simple man!"

Then, with a smile, he asked, "Young man, you came to wish me a happy birthday. Surely you didn’t come empty-handed?"

Wang Chenning straightened up, a smile on his face as he looked at Li Baoguo. "Elder Li, your words just now were rather disrespectful. The ancients asked, ’Are kings and nobles born to their station?’ As long as one is in the right, anyone can afford to be bold. Or is it that in your eyes, only the descendants—legitimate or otherwise—of old families like yours are allowed to do as they please? Have you been on your throne for so long that you’ve lost touch with the people?"

"Insolence! How dare you speak to my grandfather like that?" Seeing Wang Chenning act so arrogantly in front of his grandfather, Li Mingyuan became furious. He took a step forward, pointed at Wang Chenning, and roared, "Get on your knees and apologize to my grandfather this instant!"

Wang Chenning ignored Li Mingyuan. Cupping his fists toward Li Baoguo again, he spoke in a tone that was neither servile nor overbearing. "Elder Li, I feel that this sort of hospitality is beneath a great family like yours.

"As for a gift, that’s hardly a major issue. If not for your discourtesy just now, Elder Li, I might have offered you a generous gift—one that could extend your life by ten years. Xiaofei’s family has treated me very well, especially Grandpa Yang, who sees me as his own grandson. That’s why I not only pulled Grandpa Yang back from death’s door, but will also help him live for many more years. And you shouldn’t doubt my medical skills, Elder Li. Every expert at Yandu Hospital had already pronounced his death sentence. I used a single needle and a few pills to bring him back to life. You won’t find a second person in all of Huaxia who can do that."

Wang Chenning’s words were outrageously arrogant. To directly rebuke Li Baoguo—the guest of honor, on his birthday—for being discourteous in front of the entire hall left everyone utterly stunned.

Many of the guests grew inwardly excited. ’There’s definitely going to be a good show today...’