Chapter 138: Gu Liang’s Engagement (end)
Li Chen, having observed Li Yanyan’s intriguing presence and the unfolding drama involving his mother and the Shans, felt a need to understand more about his family’s secrets. He turned to his mother, Sun Lixia, with a thoughtful expression and said, "I think there is so much I need to know about you two."
Sun Lixia responded with a doting smile, "We have our whole lives to know each other well, son. I know you have your own secrets too."
Li Chen decided to excuse himself, saying, "Let me go to the bathroom; I’ll be back."
Sun Lixia cautioned, "Be careful."
"Sure," Li Chen replied as he walked towards the bathroom. Familiar with the layout of the villa, he navigated without difficulty.
After finishing in the bathroom, Li Chen emerged to find Jiang Xiaolin waiting outside. She commented, "You know, I think a handsome man like you shouldn’t do sugar mamas."
Li Chen, a bit puzzled, asked, "Do I know you?"
Jiang Xiaolin introduced herself, saying, "Where are my manners? My name is Jiang Xiaolin, Jiang Xiaofeng’s sister."
Li Chen, polite but not interested, said, "Oh, nice to meet you. Bye," attempting to walk around her. However, Jiang Xiaolin blocked his path and suggested, "Come on, is your sugar mama strict? I’m sure she won’t mind if you stay here longer. That can give her a chance to meet her peers."
Li Chen, getting straight to the point, asked, "What do you want, Miss Jiang?"
Jiang Xiaolin corrected, "You don’t have to call me Miss, just Xiaolin."
Li Chen insisted, "Okay, Xiaolin, let me pass."
However, Jiang Xiaolin persisted, "Can I take you out on a date?"
Li Chen, aware of the complications, responded, "I don’t think that is necessary. You are Gu Liang’s friend, and she is my ex-wife."
Jiang Xiaolin clarified, "Gu Liang is not my friend; she is close to my brother. So, can I take you out? I promise I can give you more than what that old woman is giving you."
Li Chen firmly stated, "Let me pass."
Jiang Xiaolin reluctantly acquiesced, saying, "Fine, but I will get that date eventually."
Li Chen, unfazed, responded, "You are beautiful; you should have self-respect as a woman." With those words, he walked away, leaving Jiang Xiaolin standing there.
Jiang Xiaolin couldn’t help but smile, finding a certain thrill in the challenge of being rejected for the first time in her life, especially by a man like Li Chen. This rejection fueled her desire to conquer him, setting the stage for a potential pursuit that lingered in her thoughts.
As Li Chen returned to the hall, the vibrant scene unfolded before him. The room was alive with the murmur of conversations, laughter echoing in harmony, and the gentle sway of couples dancing to the soft music that filled the air. The atmosphere was warm, infused with the joyous energy of the engagement celebration.
Clusters of guests adorned in elegant attire mingled, exchanging pleasantries and toasting to the newly engaged couple, Shan Zitong and Gu Liang. The soft glow of ambient lights bathed the room in a subtle radiance, casting a magical ambiance over the gathering.
The dance floor became a focal point, where couples twirled gracefully, lost in the rhythm of the music. The melody created a backdrop for the joy and celebration that resonated throughout the hall.
The fragrance of floral arrangements and the rich aroma of delicacies from the banquet filled the air, adding to the sensory delight of the occasion. The clinking of glasses and the occasional burst of laughter created a symphony of happiness that enveloped the room.
Li Chen, resolute in his decision, approached Sun Lixia and said, "It’s time, Mom."
Sun Lixia, who had been wearing a smile, instantly changed her demeanor and asked, "Now?"
Li Chen affirmed, "Yes, now."
Sun Lixia hesitated, expressing her concerns, "But..."
Li Chen interrupted, "It has to be done, Mom. It’s now or never."
Understanding the urgency, Sun Lixia reluctantly agreed, "I know... okay, then. I will inform your aunt, Ding Chengxi, and Shadow. They will follow closely as discussed. Just be careful, okay?"
Li Chen assured her, "Don’t worry, Mom."
As Li Chen prepared to leave, Li Yanyan cast a glance at them, and Sun Lixia nodded in acknowledgment. Li Chen made his way towards the door, encountering Gu Hua and Jiang Xiaofeng outside engaged in conversation.
Gu Hua taunted, "You finally decided to leave? Feel safe leaving your sugar mama behind? You know her peers will snatch her away from you."
Li Chen ignored the provocation, but an inebriated Jiang Xiaofeng grabbed his shoulder roughly. Li Chen swiftly retaliated, swinging him to the floor with a thud.
Li Chen remarked, "I am amazed by how you still have energy to pick on me after our previous encounter."
Gu Hua, outraged, called for security, drawing the attention of the guests. Master Gu, annoyed, rushed to the scene, berating Li Chen, "Li Chen, how dare you cause a scene at my house?"
Li Chen stood his ground, silent. Master Gu continued, "I am talking to you, you bastard."
Li Chen, undeterred, responded, "You’re calling me a bastard. If your son hadn’t stopped me, I would have been long gone by now."
Master Gu, angered, remarked, "I see. You think you’re man enough to talk back to me now."
Gu Hua added, "Just yesterday, you were our servant, going as far as washing my undies. Now that you’ve found a sugar mama, you think you’re something. Listen, you will always be nothing in our eyes. You will always be that orphan that Grandma brought home."
The derogatory words aimed at Li Chen caused laughter to erupt from the crowd, with some guests openly expressing their disdain. Remarks like "What type of man washes another man’s undies?" and "He is an embarrassment to men" echoed through the room.
Amidst the mockery, Li Chen heard the voice of the God of War, who had been silent until now. The God of War commented, "So, you will let him humiliate you like that?"
Li Chen, determined, retorted, "You think too little of me, God of War."
The God of War chuckled, saying, "They are right, though. Washing another man’s underwear is an embarrassment to men."
Annoyed by the teasing, Li Chen snapped, "Shut up, will you?"
The God of War warned, "If you don’t deal with him, you will be forcing my hand."
Li Chen reassured, "I will handle it, okay."
Master Gu, growing impatient, ordered, "Guards, beat him up and teach him a lesson."
The guards closed in on Li Chen, and Sun Lixia, prepared to intervene, received a subtle signal from Li Yanyan. Understanding the unspoken communication, Sun Lixia went closer but refrained from taking any immediate action. Li Yanyan, seemingly unfazed, sat back, sipping her wine. She had heard about Li Chen’s combat skills from Xu Zonghao and was eager to witness them firsthand. The curiosity lingered—could Li Chen face Agent 17, or even last a minute in a fight with someone as trained as Agent 17? The unfolding situation would provide some answers.
As the guards closed in on Li Chen, the atmosphere in the hall became charged with anticipation. Li Chen, seemingly unperturbed, shifted into a defensive stance. The God of War’s essence within him surged, awakening the dormant skills born from the soul of a warrior.
The first guard lunged forward, aiming a powerful strike at Li Chen. In a swift and almost dance-like motion, Li Chen gracefully sidestepped the attack, his movements a blur. With lightning speed, he retaliated, delivering precise strikes to pressure points, rendering the guard momentarily incapacitated.
The onlookers were taken aback as Li Chen effortlessly neutralized the first guard. The God of War’s influence was evident in every fluid movement, turning Li Chen into a formidable force. The second guard, undeterred by his companion’s failure, launched a series of calculated strikes.
Li Chen countered with a combination of defensive blocks and counterattacks, each executed with flawless precision. His strikes were deliberate and efficient, showcasing a mastery that seemed beyond human capability. The crowd watched in awe as Li Chen effortlessly outmaneuvered the trained guards.
Despite their training, the guards struggled to keep up with Li Chen’s exceptional fighting skills. His movements were a testament to the potent blend of human prowess and divine influence. Li Chen’s strikes were a symphony of power and finesse, leaving the guards in a state of disarray.
In a matter of moments, Li Chen had subdued both guards without breaking a sweat. The room fell silent, the laughter and mockery replaced by a collective astonishment. Li Chen stood there, his gaze unwavering, as the realization dawned upon the guests that he was no ordinary man.
The God of War’s spirit, residing within Li Chen, had proven to be an unstoppable force. The short-lived encounter had not only quelled the immediate threat but had also left an indelible mark on the minds of those who had witnessed the extraordinary display of skill and power.
The room fell into a stunned silence as everyone gazed at Li Chen in awe. The swift and masterful display of his fighting skills had left an indelible impression on the guests, and whispers of amazement filled the air. Even those who had previously mocked him were now speechless in the face of his extraordinary abilities.
Jiang Xiaolin, who had been observing from a distance, couldn’t help but smile. The intrigue and challenge that Li Chen presented only fueled her determination to conquer him at any cost. The unexpected turn of events added a new layer of complexity to her pursuit, making the task ahead even more enticing.
Li Chen stood amidst the hushed crowd, his expression composed and resolute. The God of War’s spirit within him had not only protected him but had showcased a power that transcended the ordinary. The atmosphere in the room had shifted, and the guests were left to ponder the true nature of the man who had once been considered an embarrassment.
Li Yanyan cast a glance at Master Shan, who quickly understood the unspoken communication. Master Shan stepped forward, patting Master Gu’s shoulder, and calmly said, "Let it go; we don’t want to ruin the kids’ night."
Master Gu, realizing he had embarrassed himself in front of his in-laws, took a deep breath. He turned to Li Chen, frustration evident in his expression, and said, "Go and never set your foot here."
Li Chen, maintaining his composure, responded with a simple, "With pleasure." He gracefully walked away from the confrontation, heading towards a waiting car. As he drove off, the tension in the room gradually dissipated, and the engagement celebration resumed its course, albeit with an added layer of intrigue surrounding Li Chen’s unexpected prowess.
