Chapter 237 - The Sixth King
"It's very clean, I just used it when I came from the bathroom."
"..!"
When Linfeng said those words, William was stunned speechless. He looked at the offered handkerchief in Linfeng's hand.
...This feeling was a bit familiar. Right. He had felt it when he spoke before with Xiong Zhi, this kind of feeling where one was unable to rebut.
This Master and Butler duo really... were quite similar in some aspects. Both were feisty and brave.
William laughed in amus.e.m.e.nt.
"You are very much like your master. But... what gave you the courage to insult me?" William's eyes glinted with mischievousness first, before it turned cold. He indolently stood up and stared at the bold young man eye to eye.
Linfeng was tall for his age. However, due to his western genes, William was half a head taller than Linfeng. The blonde haired man looked imposing and threatening as he stood straight. His blue eyes glinted coldly.
However, Linfeng was undaunted, staring right back at him. He showed no sign of fear nor intimidation in front of a man who held more power than him. Even though he was young, he was not someone who would back out easily. More so when it came to his inverse scale, his Young Miss.
William stared for a few more seconds and smirked, seeing that Linfeng was not a bit unsettled. He continued taunting Linfeng.
"I can understand Xiong Zhi acting bravely in front of me. After all, she has the status, power, and wealth to back it up. But, how about you? You are just a butler. There's no surname nor status that can back you up. Acting like this towards a person who was clearly above you in everything, it is not bravery or fearlessness, it is foolishness."
The words uttered by William were harsh.
The four 'kings' behind William did not step in to interfere and simply leaned back on their seats. The peanut gallery watched the show with amus.e.m.e.nt.
The young man facing all the prying eyes inside the room did not react upon those words. He simply stood there calmly, his composure distant as if the blonde haired man's provocative words were mere gusts of air.
"Are you done speaking, Mr. William? This humble butler still has something to discuss with Mr. Erich. I came here with an appointment for a business deal, not to be taken as a subject of other's taunt. I would appreciate it if matters outside the business stay outside." Linfeng's voice held no emotion, but politely distant as he replied calmly.
In the eyes of the people present, he seemed like an older man calmly speaking to a young child throwing a tantrum.
"..." William raised his lips to a mocking smile.
But actually, inside his mind, he was complaining why the younger generation nowadays was way much bolder compared to his generation.
First was the daring Xiong Zhi who was clearly smart and a few steps ahead of her enemy. Next, there was that lass Song Xuantin who made him speechless with her remarks. And now, this young man Linfeng who was still in his teens...
How come all young people nowadays act so bold?! QAQ
This young man's mind was calm and organized. Even when he deliberately taunted him, he did not erupt immaturely nor did he step back. He just made his stance clear while he effectively shut people's mouth, unable to refute back.
However, William did not care if the four monkeys behind him saw him as childish. He continued his jeering.
"Well, humble butler, before you speak to Erich, I have a question for you first," William then fired his cannon. "If you have feelings of desire towards your master, is that not considered breaking the butlers' moral code?"
In William's country, there was no such irrefutable hierarchical system of master-servant relationship that spanned for generations. Even when he grew up surrounded by attendants, everything was give and take, highly dependent on the benefits offered to both parties.
However, he had an idea of what a master and butler relationship should be in these kinds of aristocratic high society.
Linfeng answered courteously.
"I do not really have to answer you, Mr. William. However, since you seem very interested in knowing me so much, I do not mind telling you. My master and I have a relationship that a master and an aide should have. I would appreciate it if you refrain from making baseless accusations that could easily spread rumors. You might end up destroying a lady's reputation if you continue speaking without much thought."
His tone was polite but the contents were not.
"Heh. Young man, do you know who you are talking to?"
"You just have introduced yourself, Mr. William Grand, is it not? You are quite famous among women," Linfeng replied, still unperturbed.
"..."
William laughed dryly. This young man would not budge no matter what taunting he did.
Hmm... Wait. This guy did budge a bit earlier.
It was when he talked about kissing his master's hand. He was initially just trying to irritate the man.
A lightbulb suddenly lit up in his mind.
William stared at Linfeng once more. He had met Xiong Zhi before, and he could positively say that girl's charisma was not something to be ignored. If that was the case... then his earlier random guess that this young man had feelings for his master might possibly be true.
Heh.
William grinned arrogantly. The four monkeys in the peanut gallery saw his mysterious grin. They became even more interested at the show right before them.
After all, they knew what that smile meant. Either William had found a way to mess around with the other some more, or he had found a weakness of the young man.
"Of course, I am famous~ I have the talent, wealth, name, and more importantly, the looks that women are all craving for," William narcissistically said as he held his most perfect pose which showed his handsomeness.
"That's why Xiong Zhi took a liking to me." He looked at Linfeng with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Linfeng's expression was still calm, but he was starting to get pissed again at this annoying man.
Why did he keep bringing up his Young Miss? His Young Miss's name was not something that could be causally mentioned by any man. Especially not this pervert.
Compared to what the man was saying, Linfeng knew that Xiong Zhi would definitely not like this man. William was obviously just testing him. Still, it pissed him off that this brazen man dared to talk about his Young Miss this way, defiling the Young Miss as he made her an object of his desire.
Even if the blonde haired man simply imagined with his thoughts, just thinking about it was enough to put Linfeng on edge.
He decided to shed off all politeness. It was just not worth it.
"Are you done? I thought we are already done with introductions."
Then, Linfeng looked at Erich taciturnly.
"Mr. Erich, I've received a word that you had wanted to meet me, and that was why I came. I believe we are here to talk about the business deal I had sent to your company before, aren't we? If that is so, I hope we can start now."
Linfeng glanced back at Wiliam. "Do you mind, Mr. William?"
Linfeng's initial goal was to catch Erich's attention. From what he had investigated, Erich had good connections with the four kings of the young generation of the international business world. In due time, Erich would be crowned as a king, too. So he intentionally made SC perform extremely well in the last summit and was finally able to successfully catch Erich's attention.
From there, Erich looked into the SC Company and was pleasantly surprised at the great potential of the company. Erich was even more surprised when he learned that the man behind SC was just a teenager.
That teenager had built everything from scratch. This reminded him of his own self so much. He felt the urge to groom Linfeng more.
Thus, he discussed this with his other friends, the four kings of the young generation, and they agreed to meet Linfeng. All of them decided to make a space in their ranks for the potential king's candidate, Linfeng, if the highly talented young man met their standards.
All these were said and done, yet the person involved, Linfeng, had no any idea of what they were thinking. The only thing he wanted was to not only make Erich cooperate in his big project, but the other four kings as well. Because in order for Linfeng to accomplish all his plans, Erich's and SC's resources were not enough.
His project was an international project that would involve many countries, after all.
However, although he could politely treat the people present with courtesy and make a good impression on them, he probably could not do that with this certain man. If this man continued pissing him off, he do not mind getting only the cooperation of the four other people, minus William.
William had no idea that he was already kicked off Linfeng's good side. Well, even if he did, he would not be surprised. He raised his hand in surrender. His incredibly sharp senses still worked properly, ah. Based from the faintest twitch on the young man's brow, and the corner of his mouth tightening slightly, he knew he had long touched the other's bottom line.
Anyways, he was more than satisfied, because he had further confirmed this young man's weakness. It was a satisfying feeling to get hold of the weakness of the likely future 'king'.
William finally sat back, reverting back to his casual playful smile.
"Don't worry, kiddo. I know where to back off and when to step in. Nice to meet you again, Zhou Linfeng," William said with cheerfulness. That cold, chilly, and boastful attitude earlier was all gone. He was just testing the young man, and maybe get a few things from it. He was a good actor, after all, he should not waste it.
Of course, Linfeng knew he was mainly testing him. But it still pissed him off.
However, he, too, knew when to be polite and to forgive. He indifferently nodded.
"I know."
At this time, a blue couch was carried into the big office. Linfeng glanced at it then spoke to William.
"But if ever that in the future, you put my Young Miss to an uncomfortable situation, or speak nonsense again like earlier, I will not be polite, Mr. William." Linfeng said, then finally sat down.
He might be acting like an arrogant person and these people might think he was unreasonable. He was here to ask for their cooperation, after all, and he was the one who had the lowest status inside the room. Still, he had to make himself clear on that matter.
In any case, such a situation would not be for long.
What he was about to say would change the game.
Everyone was finally seated, ready to talk about business.
"May I have the honor to speak first?" Linfeng started.
The five kings smiled. They, too, were capable, not any less than Linfeng.
Thus, they knew that what this brat would bring was more than enough for him to deserve the crown of a 'king'.
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