Chapter 8: Chapter 8: High School Classmates
Qin Tuo had just left Private Room 888 and stepped outside when he heard someone calling out from behind him.
"Master Qin, wait! Wait!"
He turned to see the old man, Song Moyan, hobbling after him.
"Oof!"
Song Moyan’s legs had gone numb from kneeling for so long, and he nearly collapsed on the ground again.
But he ignored the discomfort, his voice filled with stubborn persistence.
"Master Qin, I beg you, you must accept this old man as your disciple!"
Qin Tuo felt a bit helpless. He had no desire to take on a disciple, but the old man was just too persistent.
Thinking that the man wasn’t a bad person, Qin Tuo considered for a moment before replying.
"Taking me as your master is out of the question. However, if I have time in the future, I can give you a few pointers."
"Yes! Yes!"
Song Moyan nodded excitedly. He was already completely in awe of Qin Tuo’s medical skills.
To be guided by such an expert was more than he could have ever hoped for!
Seeing Song Moyan hobbling, Qin Tuo paused in thought.
He suddenly extended two fingers and tapped lightly on Song Moyan’s knee joint.
"Oof... It’s better?!"
Song Moyan cried out in surprise and even did a little jump on the spot.
As he watched Qin Tuo’s retreating figure, Song Moyan’s eyes filled with profound shock.
’This young man... he’s truly incredible!’
’Just what are his origins?’
...
Qin Tuo took the elevator down. Just as he entered the corridor, he ran right into Zhao Peng and Xu Min.
"Well, well, if it isn’t our Honored Guest Qin?"
Zhao Peng’s eyes lit up, and he stepped forward with a vicious smirk, blocking Qin Tuo’s path.
Qin Tuo’s brow furrowed coldly, and he tried to walk around him.
Zhao Peng spread his arms and laughed.
"Qin Tuo, don’t tell me you were kicked out by Mr. Chen? Hahaha!"
Xu Min joined in, laughing mockingly in concert.
Qin Tuo scoffed.
"Zhao Peng, didn’t you see me dining with Mr. Chen in Private Room 888 just now? Are you sure you won’t be scared to death when you find out who I really am?"
Zhao Peng acted dramatically startled, clutching his chest and sticking out his tongue.
"Ooh, I’m so scared!"
Then, his expression turned vicious.
"Kid, I’ve already looked into it. Someone saw Mr. Chen’s car hit you. He was just buying you a casual meal to apologize, and you’re already getting too big for your britches, thinking you’re somebody important."
"You don’t actually think that one meal with a big shot like Mr. Chen can turn a sparrow into a phoenix, do you?"
Xu Min chimed in to agree.
"Darling, maybe this loser staged the accident with Mr. Chen’s car on purpose, hoping to ride the coattails of the richest man in the city. What a pity the car didn’t just kill him on the spot!"
Watching this despicable pair play off each other, a nameless fury ignited in Qin Tuo’s heart.
He snorted coldly, ignoring them, and prepared to leave the hotel.
But Zhao Peng wasn’t having it.
He clapped his hands, and several burly, bear-like bodyguards instantly appeared behind him.
"Zhao Peng, what is the meaning of this?"
Qin Tuo’s gaze grew icy.
Zhao Peng sneered.
"Today is Xiaomin’s and my engagement party. Since you’re already here, why don’t you stay for a drink before you go?"
Beside him, Xu Min clung demurely to Zhao Peng’s arm, looking at Qin Tuo with a provocative stare.
Qin Tuo shook his head, his voice dripping with disdain.
"Sorry, not interested!"
However, the burly bodyguards surrounded him tightly, clearly not intending to let him leave.
Zhao Peng said sinisterly.
"Qin Tuo, what if I insist on you staying today?"
The atmosphere instantly grew tense.
The bodyguards cracked their knuckles, the sound echoing with a sharp POP.
Suddenly, Qin Tuo laughed.
"Zhao Peng, are you sure you want me at your engagement party? If I stay... your party might not happen at all!"
"Hahaha, don’t you dare threaten me!"
Zhao Peng tossed his head back and laughed dismissively.
"I’d like to see how you’re going to ruin my engagement party today!"
"After you, Honored Guest Qin?"
He laughed again and took Xu Min by the hand.
Expressionless, Qin Tuo followed them into the banquet hall.
The banquet hall was bustling. Many prominent figures from Ming City’s high society were in attendance.
’It seems the Zhao Family really holds a lot of sway in Ming City...’
Qin Tuo thought to himself as he sat down in a corner.
At the same time, many people noticed Qin Tuo’s arrival.
Some of them had even seen Qin Tuo walking with Chen Wenxiong at the hotel entrance, and their faces showed confusion.
Suddenly, a woman’s voice cut in from the side!
"Well, look who it is! Isn’t this our school’s pretty boy, Qin Tuo?"
Her words were dripping with a sour, unpleasant tone.
Qin Tuo turned his head and saw a few guests walking toward him.
It was a group of his old high school classmates. The one who had just spoken was named Chen Xiaohui.
Qin Tuo remembered clearly that Chen Xiaohui had once pursued him.
But back then, Qin Tuo was focused on his studies and politely rejected her.
This incident had caused Chen Xiaohui’s affection for Qin Tuo to curdle into resentful hatred.
Chen Xiaohui raised an eyebrow, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Qin Tuo, you must have just gotten out of prison, right? You’d better be a good person from now on and stop all that petty, thieving business. As your old classmate, I’m just giving you a piece of friendly advice. You’d do well to remember it!"
The group of high school classmates burst into mocking laughter.
"Oh, just out of prison?"
From a distance, the other distinguished guests turned to look, their faces filled with disgust and contempt.
This was a gathering for the upper crust. How did such low-life scum get in?
Many of the guests were already quite displeased, not wanting to dine with an ex-convict like Qin Tuo.
Qin Tuo remained seated, merely lifting his head to give Chen Xiaohui a cold glance before ignoring her completely.
Seeing that Qin Tuo didn’t even react, a male classmate next to her frowned.
"We’re talking to you! What’s with the attitude?"
Qin Tuo remembered this guy. His name was Li Jian.
Back in school, this guy had always tried to pick fights with him, but he almost always ended up on the losing end.
He’d heard Li Jian’s family had started a business that had been doing quite well in recent years.
"Li Jian, don’t be so harsh with him. If he loses his temper and gives you a brutal beating, wouldn’t he just end up back in prison?"
"Hahaha..."
As Chen Xiaohui finished speaking, the whole group of classmates erupted in laughter.
Li Jian picked up where she left off, sneering.
"Would he dare? Last time, Young Master Zhao was merciful and let him off with just two years in prison. If it were me, I would have skinned him alive!"
The nearby guests also joined in the mockery.
"Young Master Zhao is so magnanimous, inviting this kid to his engagement party. The difference in character between them is as clear as night and day!"
"Oh my, we’d better be careful later. Don’t sit at the same table as him. Stay far away..."
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