Watching Xu Xuejiao, who was still pretending to be injured, Lu Chengwen said, "Stop crying. I'm going to meet that person. Are you coming or not?"
Xu Xuejiao instantly stopped her tears. "Well... that depends on your attitude."
Lu Chengwen snorted impatiently. "If you want to come, keep up."
With that, he strode off.
The people around them continued to criticize: "What kind of person is this? Who does he think he is? Absolutely despicable!"
"Exactly! That condescending attitude—what a piece of work!"
But Xu Xuejiao quickly handed her white coat to them. "Take care of the Leng family's young miss."
Then she ran after Lu Chengwen.
As Lu Chengwen reached the entrance, a petite figure suddenly jumped out, clinging to his arm, laughing uncontrollably.
Lu Chengwen glanced at her. Xu Xuejiao had already changed into her own clothes—a stylish short skirt and white thigh-high stockings.
Lu Chengwen said, "Does screwing me over like this feel really good?"
"You're the one who dumped me!"
"We were never even in a relationship. How can you call it dumping?"
"So if you want to dump me, you have to date me first!"
Lu Chengwen was left speechless by Xu Xuejiao's twisted logic.
"Hey, why did you suddenly decide to bring me along? Did you finally realize how amazing I am?"
Lu Chengwen smirked. "Because the person I'm meeting is very cunning. Having a sexy little miracle doctor around makes things safer."
"Oh? You think I'm sexy?"
"Sexy." Lu Chengwen replied flatly. "I'd take you down right here on the street if I could."
"Hahaha! Finally, you recognize quality!"
The car arrived at the Junli Grand Hotel. Lu Chengwen tossed the keys to the valet with practiced ease and walked in with Xu Xuejiao.
In the lobby, the manager was already waiting. "Welcome, Young Master Lu, to the Junli Grand Hotel. One of your friends said—"
"I know. Contact my assistant for payment."
"Yes, Young Master Lu."
The manager thought to himself, *The young masters of big families are so impressive!*
*There's already a stunning beauty warming his bed in the hotel, and he's bringing another one? Is this a threesome situation...?*
*Rich people really know how to have fun.*
"Young Master Lu, we have themed rooms here. They might not be as spacious as the presidential suite, but they're fully equipped with all kinds of features. You can really unleash your creativity there—"
Lu Chengwen cut him off. "I'm here for business."
"Ah! My apologies, I overstepped. This way, please."
"I'll go up myself. Stay back."
"Yes."
Once Lu Chengwen was out of earshot, the manager spat, "What an asshole! Just because he's rich! Hmph!"
Entering the elevator, Lu Chengwen and Xu Xuejiao found three people already inside. Xu Xuejiao immediately looped her arm through Lu Chengwen's.
Lu Chengwen didn't bother resisting. At this point, he was resigned—like a dead pig afraid of boiling water.
But the three men in the elevator made him uneasy.
The leader was tall, dressed in cheap suits and poor-quality shoes, pretending to be professional. But to someone with money, it was obvious his entire outfit wasn't worth much.
The other two were even worse—it was clear they weren't used to wearing suits, and the clothes looked wasted on them.
Despite their lackluster appearance, the three exuded an oppressive aura.
One of them whispered to the tall man, "Bronze King, are we really going to kill Iron King and his men when we see them?"
Bronze King's expression was cold. "Obviously. Traitors to the organization don't get to live. If they don't die, we will."
"Sigh. I really don't want to turn on our own brothers."
Bronze King shot him a sharp look. "Remember—this is the world we live in."
Lu Chengwen tensed up immediately.
*[Holy shit! Already?!]*
*[I just dealt with Iron King, and now Bronze King is here?! This guy's skills are even slightly better than Iron King's. If they find out I'm Lu Chengwen, I won't even make it out of this elevator!]*
*[Gotta think of something.]*
Xu Xuejiao, hearing Lu Chengwen's thoughts, also stiffened.
From the elevator's reflective surface, she observed the three men while subtly squeezing Lu Chengwen's arm.
Lu Chengwen glanced at her, understanding that she grasped the severity of the situation. He patted her hand reassuringly, signaling her not to panic.
One of the men continued, "They say the young master is extraordinarily talented, a chosen one favored by fate. What was Iron King thinking, actually—"
*Ahem!* Bronze King coughed loudly. "Enough nonsense." He gestured subtly, reminding them that there were outsiders in the elevator.
*Ding!*
The elevator doors opened. Xu Xuejiao tugged Lu Chengwen's arm. "Brother Aotian, this way!"
Lu Chengwen was momentarily stunned but quickly caught on. "Mm."
He mentally praised her: *[Good girl! Quick thinking! And sharp-minded!]*
*[These guys do seem like they've just arrived in Snow City and haven't met Long Aotian yet. Pretending to be him should at least keep me safe in this building.]*
*[Xu Xuejiao is absolutely brilliant! I could kiss you for six hours straight!]*
Hearing Lu Chengwen's inner praise, Xu Xuejiao was overjoyed.
"That damn Iron King actually betrayed Brother Aotian—what a fool. Brother Aotian, how do you plan to deal with them?"
Lu Chengwen strode forward confidently. "Skinning and dismembering, of course. The North will tremble before Long Aotian! The branch's strategist is also useless, sending such unreliable people who can't even recognize their own master."
Xu Xuejiao asked, "Should we send someone to wipe out the entire branch?"
Lu Chengwen shook his head. "No need. An idiot like Iron King is probably one of a kind. The others are likely still useful. Right now, I need their strength. If anyone is willing to follow me and achieve greatness, I'll reward them with glory and riches."
"Brother Aotian, you're too kind. What kind of talent could a mere branch possibly have? So many people above are eager to serve you, yet you insist on keeping a low profile, pulling manpower from a small branch."
Now a martial artist himself, Lu Chengwen could hear clearly—despite the hallway being empty except for them—that the three rats had been startled and were now eavesdropping from the shadows.
Lu Chengwen turned to Xu Xuejiao solemnly. "Xuejiao, remember this: Those who achieve great things must know how to use people and spread their influence. Never underestimate someone just because they're small. Today's nobody could become tomorrow's hero, a right-hand man on my path to dominance. Once, I was just a nobody too. And now? Those who once looked down on me kneel at my feet."
"Yes! Understood!"
Xu Xuejiao added, "But that Lu Chengwen is too cunning. Not only does he often impersonate you to deceive people, but he's also lecherous yet cowardly, bullying the weak and fearing the strong, twisted and perverted. He harasses old ladies, enjoys orgies, and even goes after sows. He also—"
"Enough!"
Lu Chengwen thought: *[Are you using this as an opportunity to vent? How long are you going to keep insulting me?]*
"Lu Chengwen is an expert at deception. If not for that, Iron King wouldn't have been fooled into defying me."
Xu Xuejiao nodded. "Iron King probably meant well, but he was utterly deceived by Lu Chengwen. But since you're in a critical phase right now, it's better to outsmart them rather than take risks yourself."
Lu Chengwen looked at his palm. "A pity. That battle beyond the borders drained my strength. Otherwise, I wouldn't need these minions to do my work. Lu Chengwen does have some skill, though—impersonating me so convincingly."
"Still, Iron King is just too stupid! How could he not recognize his own master? People like that deserve to be beaten to death."
Lu Chengwen glanced at Xu Xuejiao. "Beat them to death? I'd dirty my hands. The strategist will send someone to handle it. If they can't even clean up their own mess without my intervention, then this branch truly has no reason to exist."
With that, Lu Chengwen and Xu Xuejiao walked away.
Bronze King only exhaled once they were out of earshot.
Wiping his forehead, he muttered, "That was close! We were just in the same elevator as the young master!"
The chubby subordinate wiped his sweat. "The young master's presence is overwhelming—just hearing his voice makes me feel the pressure!"
The skinny subordinate clutched his chest. "Did you hear that? The young master believes in recognizing talent and spreading his influence."
Bronze King nodded. "Iron King, that absolute moron, got tricked by Lu Chengwen's act and offended the young master. Our first priority is to follow the young master's orders—clean house! That's the first step to earning his favor!"
The chubby subordinate said, "But Bronze King, I think our opportunity has arrived!"
"Exactly!" Bronze King couldn't contain his excitement, rubbing his hands together. "Now you see it too, right? The young master doesn't just plan to use us—he wants to nurture us. Being a Red Guard in the organization means living like a dog forever. We earn peanuts, get ordered around like slaves, and risk our lives in bloody battles. If we die in battle, no one even collects our bodies. If we try to quit, we forfeit our lives. Have you had enough of this life yet?"
The two replied bitterly, "We've been sick of it for ages!"
Bronze King declared, "This is our chance to change our fates! Glory and riches hinge on the young master's word. Even a scrap from his table could elevate us to new heights, make us heroes! Then we'll be the young master's right-hand men—living in mansions, driving luxury cars, dating celebrities, playing with models... Red Guards?"
Bronze King gritted his teeth. "Only complete idiots would stay Red Guards for life!"
The two knelt in unison. "Thank you, Bronze King, for giving us this chance to change our fates! We will follow you forever, serve the young master, and remain loyal to you both!"
"Good." Bronze King nodded in satisfaction. "Rise, brothers! Hah, if not for your loyalty, I wouldn't have brought you along for such a sweet deal."
The two chorused, "We thank your ancestors eighteen generations!"
Bronze King grabbed them by the necks, pulling their heads together. "Brothers! Enough talk! We're all sick of being Red Guards! The opportunity is here. Remember the young master's face, his voice, and that beauty beside him! If we screw up like that idiot Iron King and mistake someone else for the young master—"
The two gritted their teeth and finished in unison: "Then we're the biggest, dumbest morons in the universe!"
"Smart! Now, let's get to work!"