Lu Tao’s expression grew increasingly lecherous.
“Miss Huang, you know I’ve admired you for a long time,” he said, stepping closer. “I’ve been patient and asked your parents to persuade you, but clearly, you don’t respect me.”
He swallowed again, savoring the sweet, natural fragrance that drifted from Huang Luoyan. His face flushed with desire.
Huang Luoyan looked at him with nothing but disgust. She wanted to slap him, but she didn’t dare. The Lu family held too much power in Zhonghai, and her own Huang family couldn’t compete. Worse still, her family was eager to hand her over to him.
Just then, the small child beside her couldn’t take it anymore.
“You bad guys! Don’t bully my mom! Or I’ll tell my dad!” she shouted with fiery defiance. “My dad is a great hero! He’ll never let you hurt her!”
Despite her frail body and bald head from treatment, her little eyes shone with bravery.
Lu Tao burst into laughter. “Your dad’s a hero? Even if he were Gaia, he couldn’t help you!”
His expression twisted with fury. “It’s all because of you, you little pest, that she keeps refusing me!”
He raised his hand, ready to slap the child.“Don’t!” Huang Luoyan screamed, quickly shielding the girl in her arms.
Because of the child’s small size, Lu Tao had to swing low. His hand first struck the birthday cake on the table. The small, cream-covered cake flew off and hit the ground with a splatter.
Unfortunately, a chunk of cream also hit Shen Wuxiao’s pant leg.
Sitting nearby, Shen Wuxiao narrowed his eyes, clearly annoyed.
Before he even spoke, Lu Tao casually flicked the cream off his hand. The flick sent it flying—right onto the table where Shen Wuxiao and Hong Ye were eating.
“Really?” Shen Wuxiao muttered, picking up the white porcelain teapot without even checking if it had tea. Calmly, he stood up and walked behind Lu Tao.
Just as Lu Tao turned to speak again, he felt something approach from behind.
Bang!
The porcelain teapot shattered against his head. Blood instantly poured from the wound, running down his face.
“Ahhh!” Lu Tao clutched his forehead and howled.
His bodyguards lunged into action, but Shen Wuxiao moved even faster. He grabbed one with each hand and slammed their faces down onto the copper hotpot table nearby.
Sizzle!
The sound of skin cooking filled the room as steam rose from their scalded cheeks.
Their agonized screams sent the restaurant into chaos. Guests screamed and fled. The Huang family stood frozen in disbelief.
Someone had actually dared to assault Young Master Lu?
Lu Tao screamed and staggered. “How dare you—?!”
But then he turned, got a clear look at Shen Wuxiao, and froze. His face went white.
His knees trembled. Then, under the astonished eyes of everyone in the restaurant, he dropped to his knees with a thud.
“You… Young Master Shen…” Lu Tao stuttered, his voice barely audible.
He had met Shen Wuxiao not long ago. He’d tried flattering him back then. But now, of all people to offend—it had to be this man.
The Lu family might have influence in Zhonghai, but compared to Shen Wuxiao? They were less than nothing.
Lu Tao wanted to cry. Why did I even come here today? Why didn’t I check first?
And of all places, why would someone like Shen Wuxiao be eating at a modest little restaurant?
Shen Wuxiao didn’t say a word. He simply pointed to his pants.
Lu Tao understood immediately. He crawled forward and began wiping the cream from Shen Wuxiao’s trousers using his own sleeve.
Thankfully, it wasn’t much.
Just as Lu Tao finished, Shen Wuxiao pointed at the ruined cake on the floor. “I hate wasting food. I always clean my plate.”
“You wasted food.”
“It’s my fault! My fault!” Lu Tao cried.
He quickly turned around, knelt lower, and picked up the broken cake with his bare hands—stuffing it into his mouth.
The onlookers were stunned. Who was this man that could make the proud and arrogant Lu Tao kneel and eat off the floor?
Now that was power.
Lu Tao, known for his arrogance and cruelty, had finally run into someone crueler.
Huang Luoyan stood dumbfounded. Her expression was filled with awe and confusion as she looked at Shen Wuxiao.
Shen Wuxiao didn’t spare her a glance. He calmly returned to his seat and looked at Hong Ye with a smirk.
“Had enough?”
Hong Ye nodded, clearly amused. “I’ve seen enough. Let’s go meet this mysterious wife of yours.”
She stood and walked to him.
Shen Wuxiao waved at the restaurant owner. “How much?”
The owner hesitated, unsure whether to say anything.
Before he could speak, Lu Tao rushed over. “Young Master Shen, I—I’ll pay! I ruined your mood. This meal’s on me!”
Shen Wuxiao gave him a cold glance. “Do I look like someone who needs your money?”
“N-no… I just… I…” Lu Tao stammered and bowed.
After paying, Shen Wuxiao and Hong Ye walked out.
As for Huang Luoyan’s situation, he didn’t care.
He had no interest in playing the hero unless there was something in it for him.
Just as he reached the door, Lu Tao—still bleeding from the head—trailed after him like a lost dog.
He didn’t dare leave without knowing where he stood. Shen Wuxiao hadn’t said whether he’d let it go.
It felt like a blade hung over his neck, ready to drop at any moment.
“Y-Young Master Shen… please…”
Shen Wuxiao stopped and turned.
Lu Tao bowed, blood dripping from his forehead. “I sincerely apologize for ruining your meal. I had no idea…”
“You know you deserve to die, then go ahead and die.” Shen Wuxiao’s tone was flat.
Lu Tao froze, his face drained of all color.
But Shen Wuxiao wasn’t interested in wasting time with worms. He turned to leave with Hong Ye.
Just before he left, his gaze drifted to the restaurant.
Huang Luoyan was still standing there, holding the little girl. She was looking at him.
Their eyes met.
Huang Luoyan quickly lowered her head and clutched the child protectively.
Shen Wuxiao smiled faintly and turned away.
He and Hong Ye walked to the car without another word.