The smell of alcohol from the man seemed to have diminished quite a bit from Xu Ke and Ariel’s remarks, at least his previously squinted eyes now looked as open as any sober person’s.
"Who do you think you are, to have the courage to say those words? Don’t you know who I am, what my status is? In Yunzhou, even if I’m not the top person here, I’m at least someone with a face and a name. Everyone present here would show me some respect when they see me, and who the hell are you? How many people here even know you?" The man spread his arms, his gaze sweeping across the crowd.
Those caught by the man’s look either nodded in agreement with what he said or pretended not to notice, just watching calmly to see how things would unfold.
"See? No one knows you. So why are you making such grandiose claims here, saying as long as you’re here, you can be arrogant? Sure, those lines in TV dramas might sound cool, but reality isn’t a drama. Without the strength to back it up, saying such things just makes everyone laugh." The man laughed heartily.
"It’s normal for young people to not know the weight of words, but he shouldn’t be ignorant. For what you just said, apologize to me, and I’ll let it slide as if nothing happened. But if you don’t apologize, you won’t want to experience my methods." The man rubbed his face, trying to appear more sober.
"Feel free to bring it on." Xu Ke said fearlessly.
"A successful person getting dead drunk at an event — I doubt such a person will go far on the path of success. If you ever go bankrupt, feel free to apply at my company. I’m kind-hearted enough to offer you a job." Xu Ke retorted, unyielding, causing the surrounding people to gasp in shock.
Upon hearing Xu Ke’s words, the man’s expression changed abruptly. His company had indeed begun to decline; otherwise, he wouldn’t be drinking himself into such a state today. It was to drown his sorrows with alcohol, but he had to encounter someone as infuriating as Xu Ke, who reopened his barely closed wounds. This was like stabbing knives violently into his sore spot.
"Shut your mouth, you damn curse-spouting crow. Just wait and see. If you don’t apologize now, you’ll be crying but have no tears." The man snarled at Xu Ke.
"It’s been years since I last cried, looking forward to experiencing what it feels like to cry without tears." Xu Ke said with a smirk.
"If you have nothing else to say, we’ll be leaving now."
Xu Ke finished speaking and was about to leave with Ariel when the man stopped them again.
"You can go, but the woman beside you cannot." The man pointed at Ariel and said, "I’ve taken a liking to you. Name your price for a month."
"Heh, I think you should save your money for hospital bills. One day, your eyes and brains will surely get you beaten into a hospital." Ariel turned her head and flipped the man the middle finger.
Xu Ke and Ariel’s attitudes were truly too arrogant, and the man was so furious that his layers of fat trembled like sea waves.
"You actually have the audacity to treat me ? Where are you from, and which company are you with? Who gave you the invitation?! I’ll make sure you pay for this!"
At this point, many people had already noticed the commotion, and now it was a matter of honor. If today he were to lose face to these two unknown newcomers, he would become the laughing stock of the entire circle.
The alcohol in the man began to clear from his mind.
Regardless, he had to teach these two a lesson today.
"I’ll make sure you learn what respect really means!" The man declared each word deliberately and heavily.
"Who dares to speak so boldly, addressing my invited guests so rudely? I’m not sure how they offended you to make you so displeased."
The man had just finished his threatening words, not yet seeing Xu Ke and Ariel’s expressions, when a woman’s voice drifted over, attracting the attention of onlookers and freezing the true inviter in his tracks.
Because of the bruise marks on her neck left by Father Wen’s strangling, Wen Xin had changed into a high-collared dress to cover up the marks, which caused her to arrive a bit late, just in time to catch the man’s tough talk.
"Miss Wen." The man watched as Wen Xin walked elegantly toward them, and a trace of panic flashed in his eyes.
He might have influence in Yunzhou, but compared to the Wen Family, he was still a notch lower.
Xu Ke and Ariel exchanged a glance, unsure why this person was standing up for them.
"Miss Wen, are you friends with them?" The man asked hopefully, looking at Wen Xin, wishing for an answer that would satisfy him.
Wen Xin did not answer him directly but instead said, "I’m not sure how my guests offended you, causing such a scene, blocking their way, and planning to show them a lesson?" Wen Xin spoke in her usual gentle voice, with a warm expression, but the chill in her eyes could freeze the blood in anyone’s veins.
"Misunderstanding, all just a misunderstanding. I drank too much just now and spoke nonsense. Guests invited by Miss Wen would never offend me." The man’s expression immediately shifted to a friendly demeanor, with a laid-back manner resembling a good-natured old man. At the same time, he reached a hand to rub his head, slightly closing his eyes, pretending to be heavily intoxicated.
"How about I make up for those ill-chosen words by treating them to a meal another day as an apology?" The man tentatively asked, observing Wen Xin’s expression to gauge Xu Ke and Ariel’s status in her view.
"This is an issue between you and them. The ones you should be asking are the two of them, not me." Witnessing their devilish temper and methods firsthand, Wen Xin dared not make decisions for these two and instead placed the decision back in their hands.
The man was bewildered by Wen Xin’s response, his brow twitching with a flurry of emotions, momentarily at a loss for words, and looking at Xu Ke and Ariel with complex feelings.
"Why wait another day for an apology? I think this moment is an excellent opportunity." Xu Ke said with a faint smile.
Though unsure why Wen Xin came to their aid, it didn’t stop Xu Ke from seizing the moment to cause trouble for the man and to stand up for Ariel.