Those who had previously mocked Li Chonglou were especially affected.
Their limbs felt weak, their scalps numb.
Wang Jingwu was Wang Dehai's nephew, and he was kicked to the ground and scared away like a dog. What were they, then?
If they stayed, they would just be waiting for retaliation.
A few sharp-eyed individuals, heads bowed, prepared to slip away.
They had only taken a couple of steps when Wang Dehai let out a cold snort: "Stop. Did I tell you to leave?"
"Since it's a class reunion, anyone who dares to leave early today is disrespecting me."
"I, Old Wang, am saying this now. Weigh the consequences yourselves."
His words were filled with threats.
But these threats were effective.
Most of Li Chonglou's classmates were ordinary people, without money or power, possessing only tongues skilled at flattery.
Moreover, no one knew Wang Dehai's true capabilities. They only heard that he was once a prominent figure in the Qin Province's underworld.
Even in business, his power remained.
It would be easier for him to destroy them than to crush an ant.
"I... I just wanted to go to the restroom," someone stammered, trembling, nearly in tears.
"Old Wang, we haven't seen each other for years. We can talk later," Li Chonglou said, his expression turning cold, ushering Wang Dehai out.
Wang Dehai was rough but observant. Sensing Li Chonglou's displeasure, he quickly offered a smile, "My treat today. Eat and drink as much as you like."
Then, he whispered, "Brother, I have a few items at my place."
"When you have time, could you help me appraise them?"
"Come find me in Donglin in three days," Li Chonglou's eyes brightened slightly.
So, this was the reason.
It was a simple favor, and he might even acquire a couple of items. A good deal.
Wang Dehai then left, content.
Seeing him leave, Wu Hao let out a long sigh of relief and cautiously approached Li Chonglou, his eyes wide with shock, "When did you get so well-connected? How come I didn't hear a single whisper?"
"I helped him out once by chance. We don't have much of a connection," Li Chonglou stated truthfully.
But to these people, the meaning was entirely different.
Would someone slap his own nephew in public if they had no connection?
Would they be so generous to pay for everything and be so compliant without a connection?
Was he putting on an act?
Tian Lingli, in particular, her expression was unpredictable, and the struggle in her eyes was clear.
"Brother Lou, you truly are a hidden dragon. I was blind earlier. Please don't take offense."
"That's right, that's right. We were all misled by Wang Jingwu. We didn't mean to cause trouble for you. Master Lou, please be magnanimous."
"What are you waiting for? Hurry and get the drinks served. Apologize to Brother Lou!"
...
Those who had helped Wang Jingwu mock Li Chonglou earlier scrambled to curry favor.
Their postures were incredibly humble, and even their titles for him had changed.
In an instant, Li Chonglou became the center of attention, his presence even eclipsing Tian Lingli's.
"You bunch of fair-weather friends, that's enough. Aren't you going to eat?" Wu Hao said with a laugh.
As he spoke, the waiters began to bring in the food and drinks.
Each person received a pack of cigarettes, and cases of Maotai and Lafite were brought into the private room.
This display left everyone in awe.
It further convinced them that Li Chonglou and Wang Dehai had a deep connection.
"Chonglou, I heard your mother was hospitalized, which is why I asked Wu Hao to invite you."
Tian Lingli seemed to have made up her mind. The struggle and hesitation in her eyes disappeared. She主动 sat next to Li Chonglou, poured him a glass of Lafite, and whispered in his ear, "Originally, I thought as classmates, I could help in some way."
"I didn't expect you to be President Wang's benefactor. It seems I'll have to rely on your continued care in the future."
Her fragrant breath filled the air as they whispered together.
The posture was quite intimate.
It filled the others with envy.
"I appreciate your sentiment. As a million-follower influencer, help me promote myself when you have time," Li Chonglou replied with a smile.
How could he miss Tian Lingli's performance?
She invited him to dinner for no reason and even pretended to speak up for him. It would be foolish to believe she had no agenda.
His mother's hospitalization was something even Wu Hao didn't know.
Her classmates hadn't been in contact for over three years, so how did she find out?
As for helping each other, that was nonsense.
If she wanted to help, she would have gone directly to the hospital, why use the class reunion as an excuse?
It was obvious there was something amiss.
This, however, piqued Li Chonglou's curiosity. He wanted to see what she was up to.
"Absolutely, absolutely."
Throughout the rest of the dinner, Tian Lingli kept sending flirtatious glances, almost as if she were openly indicating her desire for something more.
But she always stopped just at the right moment, pulling back.
This kind of teasing, a blend of reluctance and shyness, was undeniably captivating to any man.
For anyone else, they would have been utterly smitten and lost in a daze.
However, Li Chonglou, having lived two lives, had encountered all sorts of women.
Such tricks were child's play in his eyes.
But since Tian Lingli wasn't crossing any lines, he saw no need to expose her.
After dinner, Wu Hao suggested going for karaoke.
Li Chonglou, concerned about his mother, intended to return to the hospital first.
"I've also had too much to drink, so I won't be joining you," Tian Lingli said, her cheeks flushed red, her drunken eyes half-closed. She leaned into Li Chonglou, "Chonglou, could you take me home?"
Roar...
The men all exchanged knowing glances.
Wu Hao, eager to stir up trouble, egged them on, "Brother, send her! You must!"
The unspoken understanding between men was that simple.
"I've also had some drinks, and I'm drunk. I might as well get a room here," Li Chonglou said with a playful smirk, deliberately making his intentions clear.
Then, before Tian Lingli could refuse, he called for a waiter.
Seeing this, a hint of triumph flickered in Tian Lingli's hazy, drunken eyes.
She let Li Chonglou help her up to a room on the eighth floor.
Wu Hao watched, his mouth agape, stunned, "This kid, he's actually this direct? This is actually working!"
Upon reaching the suite on the eighth floor, as the door closed, Tian Lingli began to mumble drowsily, "It's so hot..."
Her body writhed like a snake, her purse fell to the floor, and her jacket slid off.
Revealing a sexy camisole.
Her body pressed even closer to Li Chonglou.
It had to be said that Tian Lingli's reputation as the campus beauty was well-deserved. Her figure was curvaceous, brimming with youthful energy.
Especially that hint of intoxicating charm, tinged with a bit of drunkenness, made her utterly captivating.
To have garnered over three million fans in the era of live streaming was a testament to her allure.
Seeing that Li Chonglou hadn't refused, Tian Lingli's hand naturally hooked around his neck, her slender fingers lightly tracing his jaw.
Then they slid down his chest.
Her lips moved closer to his ear, her voice a seductive whisper, "Chonglou, we haven't seen each other for years. Actually, I've always thought of you..."
Her intoxicating scent filled the air, making the atmosphere sultry and incredibly intimate.
Her媚 eyes were filled with triumphant satisfaction.
She could see the passionate desire flashing in Li Chonglou's eyes.
No man could remain indifferent to her charm.
Tonight, Li Chonglou was destined to surrender beneath her.
The room was remarkably quiet, only the sounds of their increasingly heavy breaths filling the space.
The atmosphere reached its peak. Tian Lingli, feigning drunkenness, slowly closed her eyes and leaned towards Li Chonglou's lips.
However, what met her was not the soft touch of lips.
But a firm, warm finger.
Simultaneously, Li Chonglou's intentionally lowered voice echoed in her ear, "Did Liu Zhiru or Jiang Tao send you?"
Though his voice was soft, it struck her like a thunderclap.
Tian Lingli's body stiffened abruptly. She snapped her eyes open, her panic and shock undeniable.
In an instant, her drunkenness vanished, and her pretty face turned deathly pale.