Chapter 416: The Bet (3.5k)
Tianyun Grand Hotel, bustling with people, its crystal lamps crafted from Magic Crystals adorned the massive hotel like fluttering butterflies.
All these decorations were for a Big Shot – Ziwei Li, the eldest legitimate son of the Li family from the Law Enforcement Main Hall. For Linzhou as a whole, his bringing his sister to perform and promote this place would surely boost the GDP significantly.
Moreover, it was rumored that young master Ziwei Li was specifically preparing this for a certain junior office employee. This plot, much like Cinderella and the Prince, attracted not only Li Na’s fans but also many young people of status to witness this romantic banquet.
“Did everyone hear? Apparently, this banquet is for a small section-level cadre. But that cadre doesn’t seem to appreciate it much, even boasting that her partner can reach this level.”
“Reaching this level, unless her partner is a Battle King, it’s absolutely impossible.”
“Many Big Shots are here today. An ordinary Battle King wouldn’t have this much influence. Young Master Ziwei Li himself is a very powerful Stronger.”
Amidst this romantic atmosphere, everyone couldn’t help but discuss the protagonist of the banquet. Their gazes eventually landed on Ziwei Li, seated at the first rustic wooden table, with several Big Shots of the banquet by his side, constantly praising him.
Dressed in an elegant tailcoat, his handsome face made many infatuated young girls’ hearts flutter. Holding his phone, his expression turned quite incredulous: “Little Sis, you’re saying a Night Watcher Elder is going to perform?”
He then seemed to recall something, his expression instantly changed, and he asked with great seriousness: “Could it be that something difficult has happened here, and she needs to conceal her identity to handle it?”
“Night Watcher?”
Following his words, the city officials present exchanged glances and sat up straighter, their eyes fixed on Ziwei Li.
On the side of the table, a middle-aged Da Han, dressed as the local Law Enforcement Hall Master, tensed up. Others might not understand the value of a Night Watcher Elder—he did.
It could be said that all those present combined couldn’t match a single Night Watcher Elder in combat. Moreover, in special circumstances, they would temporarily report to this Elder.
But soon, Ziwei Li’s stern expression faded, replaced by one of curiosity. He quietly said into the phone, “You mean, she’s here to find someone and to show support?”
On the other end, the train continued to chug along. Li Na sneakily glanced at Su Jiu. Seeing his smiling nod, she breathed a sigh of relief, revealing a set of pearly white teeth, and excitedly replied, “That’s right! She’s very easy to talk to. Perhaps with her as the finale, your standing among those Elders will increase significantly, Brother.”
“Good! If we can win over this Night Watcher, then I’ll have more confidence in the General Hall Elder selection happening soon.”
After receiving his sister’s confirmation, Ziwei Li’s composure and confidence returned. With a faint smile, he hung up the phone.
Seeing that there was still no activity around, the local head of the hall, being quite astute, quickly chuckled and cupped his fists towards Ziwei Li, saying, “Heh heh, Young Master Ziwei, even an Elder has come to congratulate your performance. I’m afraid this news, once it spreads, will likely make those Elders think more highly of you.”
Ziwei Li merely glanced at him, smiling faintly. His smiles were noncommittal, but they already implied agreement with what was said. A moment later, he asked casually, “Where is Little White? I don’t see her anywhere in the venue. Didn’t I tell her yesterday? To arrive here in advance. Where is she now?”
“She seemed to say she’d only come after the banquet started, claiming she dislikes the crowded atmosphere here—Shall I go look for her?”
Hearing this, the head of the hall replied with a helpless expression and, under Ziwei Li’s slightly displeased gaze, he slowly got up to excuse himself, appearing quite subservient.
He didn’t want to be a lackey like this, but to work in the General Hall of the Law Enforcement Hall, he could only go through the son of the Third Elder of the General Hall. After all, if an Ordinary Person wanted to advance, this was the only way.
“A small-time employee from a small place dares to compare me to her partner. I’ve really given her too much face.”
Watching the retreating back of the local head of the hall, Ziwei Li took out his phone and looked at the text on it. His face twitched, and a hint of ruthlessness flashed in the dimming sunlight before quickly disappearing. With a stiff smile, he said in a low voice,
“I really don’t understand what gives you such courage. You like comparing partners, don’t you? After today, I’ll make sure she doesn’t even have a job—I don’t believe any company would dare to take her in under my orders!”
Phone:
[Bai Zhi @ All Members: Stop F***ing belittling my partner. This is something you trash can never compare to in your lifetime. Ziwei Li, what Big Shot are you?]
At this moment, the other “Big Shots” also reacted. One of them, dressed in gorgeous attire, looking like the owner of this establishment, quickly put on a smile and said respectfully, “Young Master Ziwei, according to the records, Bai Zhi was recommended by the owner of Lin Yun Textile Workshop to be a junior employee. I guess she thinks knowing some War General Level people makes her very powerful.”
Mr. Ziwei Li nodded, then frowned slightly, looking puzzled, “The owner of Lin Yun Textile Workshop? I don’t recall hearing of such a person.”
“She’s the owner of a folk workshop, famous for occasionally producing extremely high-quality silk. Rumor has it that not only is she skilled in weaving, but she’s also incredibly beautiful, like a fairy. If one were to marry her, hehe…”
The owner smiled and explained slowly to him, a hint of longing appearing in his eyes.
“After today, I might have to meet the owner of Lin Yun Textile Workshop.”
Ignoring the owner, Ziwei Li suddenly chuckled, a thought about Lin Yun Textile Workshop forming in his mind.
…
As the clear light of the sky gradually slanted towards the earth, the liveliness within the hotel finally reached its peak. Countless cheers converged, as if to pierce through the windows and break through the clouds.
On the spacious second floor of the hotel, luxurious Magic Crystal lamps were already lit. Law Enforcement Hall employees, dressed in formal attire, clinked glasses, awaiting the arrival of the legendary Big Shot.
On the stage at the very front, a piano stood horizontally, and a dozen selected city band members with their Musical Instruments looked ready to perform. Further back, the city’s “Big Shots” smiled and greeted Ziwei Li.
Under the stage, Ziwei Li, in his black tailcoat, also smiled and greeted the influential people from the city who were constantly coming forward.
“That girl Bai Zhi is here.”
The local head of the hall from before hurried over, panting slightly, and shouted to Ziwei Li. Instantly, the voices in the front rows lowered considerably.
Eyes followed the direction of the voice, and they saw two figures, one tall and one short, walking in unhurriedly from the entrance. Both were dressed in Chinese-style dresses, which seemed out of place.
The tall woman, wearing a cool veil, glanced inside, her expression somewhat helpless as she murmured to Bai Zhi in an unconvincing tone, “Big Bai, these are all Dragon Country officials. If they don’t forcefully attack you, I can’t make a move.”
“I knew you spider-woman were unreliable. I wasn’t expecting you to do anything anyway. Just protect me properly.”
Pausing, Bai Zhi rolled her eyes, let out a snort, and pushed aside the ordinary employees trying to curry favor. She led the tall woman to an empty seat in a corner and sat down as if nothing had happened.
“You’re as annoying as ever.”
Hearing Bai Zhi’s address, the tall woman’s veins visibly bulged. Her fists clenched. MD, her fists were itching. Finally, she exhaled and looked at Bai Zhi’s abdomen, frowning and saying, “With your belly sticking out like this, the first extreme challenge I designed for you can’t be carried out, which is why your cultivation is gone. And you’re being outshone by a bunch of low-level Battle Kings—where’s the father of the child?”
“Don’t tell me she got you pregnant and then ran off?”
The tall woman was naturally Lin Mei, the owner of Lin Yun Textile Workshop, and an old acquaintance of Bai Zhi. In her prime, her strength was similar to Bai Zhi’s. However, she was currently experiencing a mortal tribulation just like Bai Zhi, possessing only High-Rank Battle King level.
Hearing Lin Mei’s interrogation, Bai Zhi shrugged indifferently and pointed at the stage, chuckling, “In a while, it won’t take long. She will appear on stage.”
“Why don’t you say she’ll arrive riding on a rainbow… Someone’s coming. It’s an Initial Stage Battle King.”
With a soft chuckle, Lin Mei stopped, intending to say more, then lightheartedly teased, picked up her phone, and pretended to be dead.
Ziwei Li, holding a glass of red wine, swirled it a couple of times and approached Bai Zhi, looking at Lin Mei with surprise. As if captivated by her beauty, he smiled and said to Bai Zhi, “Little White, you’ve finally arrived.”
“Ziwei Li, please be respectful—Little White is not a name you can call her.”
Bai Zhi didn’t even lift her eyes to look at him. She simply rolled up the slightly loose sleeves of her dress and poured herself a cup from the jade teapot on the table, her movements unhurried.
Stifled by Bai Zhi’s dismissal, Ziwei Li’s face stiffened slightly. He breathed out and managed to maintain his composure, smiling as he asked, “Is this because of your partner? Little White, she will never be in our world. Perhaps the War General Level is already the highest she can aspire to, while we are advancing towards the higher Battle King Level…”
“Bang!”
Before Ziwei Li could finish, Bai Zhi slammed the table heavily. The little white flowers in her eyes seemed to reappear, and with a hint of coldness, she said sternly, “Ziwei Li, I f***ing warn you, don’t push your luck. It’s one thing for you to harass me in the past, but if you keep babbling about my partner, you’ll be in for a terrible time when she arrives. Believe me.”
Lin Mei, who was playing on her phone, also stopped her actions, a hint of surprise in her eyes. She rarely saw this playful woman show such an expression. She then slightly stood up and said to Ziwei Li with a light smile, “Young Sir, my friend seems a bit unhappy. We hope you won’t bring up similar topics.”
Ziwei Li glanced at Lin Mei, frowning slightly. He found her attractive, but someone associating with a junior employee probably had no significant strength. Just as he was about to inquire about her background, the lights on the stage suddenly dimmed. The host appeared on stage, beaming with a hearty smile, and said,
“Our Miss Li Na has arrived, and the concert can begin! In addition, we have a top guest in attendance… Up next, the protagonist of this event—Young Master Ziwei Li, will say a few words to everyone as an opening speech!”
Hearing the host’s voice, Ziwei Li was slightly stunned, then stood up with a grim expression. As he stood, he smiled faintly and said, “Little White, do you trust your partner this much?”
Bai Zhi quietly watched the detested back, remaining silent.
Ziwei Li glanced at Bai Zhi, dressed like a young lady from ancient times, and his heart stirred. He then walked onto the stage, picked up the microphone, and with a winning smile, said, “Little White, how about we make a bet?”
The lighting technician was very observant, and the spotlight quickly fell on Bai Zhi and the other woman sitting at the back. Although it was a Western-style banquet, under the lights, their demeanor, combined with their alchemical dresses, made them appear exceptionally noble.
Under everyone’s gaze, Bai Zhi slightly raised her head, as if discovering something, and suddenly smiled, “Bet on what?”
“Bet that your partner doesn’t have the courage to come to this concert—If you lose, it proves she’s a coward who doesn’t deserve you, so you’ll never contact her again.” Ziwei Li said with a teasing tone, hands behind his back.
“What? Do you dare?”
This move would undoubtedly put her in a lose-lose situation. If Bai Zhi’s partner really was there, why wouldn’t she be meeting her in the audience?
