Lin Fan remained completely unaware that Shen Wuxiao and Jiang Huaiyue were sitting just across from him, diagonally opposite in the banquet hall. To see them from his position, he would have had to twist his upper body in an uncomfortable angle, something people instinctively avoid. So, naturally, he didn’t look their way.
He simply continued eating and drinking.
He had been invited by Gao Yulang himself, yet the host hadn’t shown up yet. With no partners or acquaintances around, and Liu Ruyan still nowhere to be seen—he had no one to interact with. Even if she did arrive, Lin Fan had no plans to greet her. He would act like he didn’t know her.
So, the best thing to do was eat.
He hadn’t had dinner yet, and he was genuinely hungry.
Just as he picked up another chicken wing and was about to take a bite, several people approached him.
Leading them was a man with streaks of dyed green hair, dressed in a suit but looking more like a street thug than a businessman.
One glance told you he was a typical spoiled second-generation rich kid—not someone you’d want to mess with.
He was surrounded by two other men and three women.
“What a joke,” the green-haired man scoffed loudly. “I’ve seen people crash banquets pretending to be big shots before, but this guy isn’t even trying to hide it. Couldn’t he at least rent a suit? He’s clearly here to scam food and drinks!”
His tone was dripping with sarcasm.
Lin Fan ignored him.
“Hey, I’m talking to you!” Green Hair snapped, clearly annoyed at being brushed off.
Lin Fan looked up at him like he was looking at an idiot but still didn’t reply.
“You bastard—” Green Hair clenched his fists, about to lash out.
But one of the men beside him grabbed his arm. “Mr. Lu, don’t cause trouble here. Secretary Gao will be arriving any minute!”
Mr. Lu—the green-haired man—clicked his tongue in frustration and backed down.
“Hmph, you’re lucky, punk. If this were outside, I’d break both your legs.”
Lin Fan smirked to himself.
If Mr. Lu had really tried that, he’d be the one getting his legs snapped.
Just as things started to calm down, a familiar voice rang out.
“Brother Lu! Brother Lu!”
Lin Fan’s face stiffened slightly.
That annoying voice—it belonged to the arrogant woman from earlier.
Sure enough, the spoiled girl ran over and threw herself into Green Hair’s arms.
“Brother Lu, that beggar bullied me! He tried to take advantage of me! I feel so humiliated! I don’t want to live anymore!”
She whined and pouted, playing the victim like a seasoned actress.
Green Hair’s face twisted with rage. “What?! Who dared to touch my woman?!”
Before she could say more, she spotted Lin Fan calmly chewing on his chicken wing. Her face lit up in hatred.
“It’s him! It’s that disgusting guy!” she shrieked, pointing directly at Lin Fan.
“Brother Lu, you have to stand up for me!”
Green Hair exploded with fury.
He had already been irritated by Lin Fan’s earlier indifference, and now this?
He jabbed a finger at Lin Fan, furious. “You! If you don’t give me a proper explanation today, I’ll make sure you’re dragged out of here like trash!”
Lin Fan finally looked up again, calm as ever, not a trace of fear on his face.
“You don’t even know the full story,” Lin Fan said flatly. “You hear one side, jump to conclusions, and now you want to fight me? Tell me, what exactly do you want?”
Green Hair’s confidence started to waver. He couldn’t openly start a fight with Secretary Gao arriving soon. He was here under orders from his elders, after all.
Still, he had to make a scene.
“Alright, I’ll give you a chance,” he sneered.
He pulled over a chair and sat in front of Lin Fan, then pointed to the ground.
“Kneel. Call me Master. Kowtow and apologize to my woman. Do it, and I’ll let this go.”
“Otherwise, I’ll show you what cruelty means.”
Everyone nearby turned to watch, thrilled by the drama.
Lian Lian, arms crossed arrogantly, looked like she was already enjoying the show.
Lin Fan shook his head slightly and looked at them with contempt.
From across the room, Shen Wuxiao was entertained.
This was how a protagonist should be treated.
If this played out like the usual script, someone would soon step in to stop the bullying and side with Lin Fan.
Most likely Gao Yulang.
He’d come in, throw his weight around, and slap Green Hair in the face by publicly supporting Lin Fan.
The usual routine.
But Shen Wuxiao was here now.
This wasn’t going to go that way.
Even Gao Yulang had to bow his head to him.
Jiang Huaiyue watched silently, feeling a little annoyed.
Lin Fan was supposed to be the mighty Border Wolf King. But here? He looked so spineless.
He had no problem taking lives on the battlefield, but now he sat here, enduring this humiliation?
If you’re going to fight back anyway, then why put up with it in the first place?
But it wasn’t her concern anymore.
Lin Fan finally spoke.
His voice was steady. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
Green Hair laughed, thinking Lin Fan was still bluffing.
“I’m giving you a way out. If not for today’s circumstances, you wouldn’t even be standing here.”
“So, last chance. Kneel down, call me Master, and apologize. Otherwise, you’ll regret it.”
“Alright then,” Lin Fan said. “Let me see exactly what I’m supposed to regret.”
Green Hair snarled and shot to his feet. He grabbed the chair and raised it, ready to smash it down on Lin Fan.
Lin Fan clenched his fists, ready to counter.
But then—
“Mr. Lu, what are you doing?”
A firm voice rang out.
A man in a fitted suit approached quickly, his expression stern and composed.
Green Hair immediately froze and put the chair down with a sheepish grin.
“Uncle Liu Jie! I was just teaching a lesson to some punk who doesn’t know the rules.”
Liu Jie frowned. “This is not the time or place for that. Secretary Gao will be arriving soon. Do you want to embarrass him?”
Green Hair immediately backed off. “Yes, you’re right, Uncle Liu Jie.”
But then he turned and pointed at Lin Fan. “Still, how did someone like this get in? He’s an eyesore. He’s ruining the banquet!”
Liu Jie finally turned to Lin Fan and frowned. “Sir, may I see your invitation?”
Lin Fan remained composed. “I don’t have one. I’m a special guest. I don’t need one.”
Liu Jie’s tone became cold. “Security. Remove him. Quietly. Turn him over to law enforcement if needed.”
Green Hair and the others burst into laughter.
Lin Fan looked completely calm. “Are you sure you won’t regret this?”
He had been personally invited by Gao Yulang.
If they kicked him out now… let’s see how they explain it later.