Afternoon.
Ye Longlin held Mu Hanqi's hand as they walked down the street, their steps crunching on the snow.
Each step left a footprint in the snow.
Mu Hanqi was having a great time in the snow, leaving a messy trail of footprints behind her, as snow like this was unprecedented in the southern winters.
With every step, she could clearly see her footprints, and in some places, the snow reached past her ankles.
Ye Longlin had his hands in his pockets, wearing a black trench coat and black slacks, with leather shoes. To avoid being recognized and causing unnecessary trouble, he also wore a pair of non-prescription glasses.
He looked like a returned doctoral student or a business elite.
At least, no one would suspect him of being the retired fifth Dragon War King.
"Be careful, don't fall."
Ye Longlin said helplessly. Mu Hanqi was like an untamed horse, almost going wild on this path.
"Don't worry."
Around a hundred meters ahead, at a turn in the road.
"Notify the group that there will be a shareholders' meeting this afternoon. All shareholders of the Zheng family in the company must attend. Also, inform Grandpa that to cope with this crisis, funds from other groups will be transferred to headquarters. Whether the Zheng Group can survive depends on this."
Early this morning, the group's president, Zheng Chunxue, received a call that the company's stock was experiencing volatility. A fund of unknown origin was aggressively buying Zheng Group shares, causing the stock price to hit the daily limit within a single morning.
According to stock market statistics, tens of billions of funds had entered the market, clearly targeting them.
She had just met with the securities representative to try and lower the stock price, but they stated that there was nothing they could do unless they sold a large quantity of shares. However, the ability to impact a group's stock with tens of billions clearly indicated that the perpetrator was someone with immense financial power.
But if they sold, and the other party still had money, they would lose their last bit of security.
What they needed to do now was buy back the shares at a high price or find out who was orchestrating these events.
"Yes, Ms. Zheng. I'll arrange it immediately. Your car is here. You..."
Suddenly, a figure with their back to them appeared, then moved rapidly towards them as if thrown.
"Ah—"
"Ah—"
Two screams suddenly rang out.
Ye Longlin, who was buying cigarettes at a small shop, turned just in time to see two people fall into the snow.
Without taking his cigarettes, he quickly ran out.
"Girl, are you alright?"
Ye Longlin quickly helped Mu Hanqi up. Mu Hanqi shook her head, turned, and helped up the person she had bumped into.
As soon as she helped them up, the person next to them slapped Mu Hanqi across the face.
Ye Longlin's brows furrowed, and he grabbed her wrist.
"Madam, I apologize profusely for my girlfriend bumping into you. Would you like to go to the hospital to get checked? If there are any issues, we will take full responsibility."
Ye Longlin said apologetically, as the fault was indeed on their side.
Zheng Chunxue looked at the two of them coldly, then glanced at her wristwatch. "I'm very busy and don't have time to waste with you. Two slaps, and this matter will be over."
Ye Longlin was stunned. The other party was clearly pushing her luck. Although they were in the wrong, as a man, how could he stand by and watch his fiancée be slapped?
Even though Ye Longlin had retired, he was still a martial arts master.
"Madam, your demand is excessive."
Ye Longlin, adhering to the principle of avoiding trouble, attempted to reason with the woman.
However, Zheng Chunxue didn't want to say more, her eyes filled with disgust.
She stepped past them and left, leaving only her female assistant behind.
The female assistant slapped Mu Hanqi again, a cold smile appearing on her lips.
Ye Longlin also grabbed her wrist, and with a frown, said, "My patience is limited. Don't try to test my bottom line."
The female assistant was helpless. Upon hearing this, Zheng Chunxue returned.
"Have you heard of the Zheng family of the capital?"
Zheng Chunxue paused for a moment before speaking coldly.
Her meaning was very clear; she was from the Zheng family.
Because she was busy, she didn't want to waste time with them, but the price was to be slapped twice, and the matter would be settled.
An ordinary person would have indeed compromised.
After all, the Zheng family was very powerful in the capital.
"The Zheng family of the capital, ranked ninth domestically, one of the Ten Elder Families. Elder Zheng serves as one of the highest leaders in the administration, renowned as one of the ten evergreen trees. Originating two hundred years ago, it has taken generations to achieve its current status."
Ye Longlin spoke. While these things were not entirely secret, they were not common knowledge for ordinary people. From this statement alone, it was evident that the other party was no ordinary individual.
"If that's the case, you still dare to block my path?"
Zheng Chunxue said with a half-smile, "At most, you've only heard of this legend through rumors. My grandfather has long since been promoted to the Hall of Honor.
Since you know our Zheng family, you should also know that after a small fry like you bumped into me, not only did you not apologize, but you even showed a tendency to retaliate. Let me think, how old is the last person who bumped into me now?"
Her implication was that they had already reincarnated.
"Don't mistake ignorance for capital. Can you afford to provoke my Zheng family?"
"If it weren't for the important matter I have today, you and your little girlfriend would have to pay the price today."
Ye Longlin heard this and shook his head slightly. "I initially approached with apology, but people like you never seem to understand humility."
"Does my Zheng family need to be humble towards you? Are you worthy?"
Zheng Chunxue sneered and slapped towards Mu Hanqi's face. A cold glint flashed in Ye Longlin's eyes, and he slapped Zheng Chunxue directly across the face.
"You have face, but you don't want it."
Zheng Chunxue was stunned.
Her eyes burned with fury. Losing all composure, she waved her sharp fingernails and clawed at Ye Longlin's face!
*Slap!*
Another slap.
It landed squarely on her face again.
"You even hit a woman, you're not a man!"
Mu Hanqi: "..."
Ye Longlin: "..."
Ye Longlin was speechless, pursing his lips. "You know exactly why I hit you."
"The fault is ours. We apologize to you. Even if it means compensation or something else, I can accept it. But you, you started by slapping my fiancée twice. May I ask, are you worthy?"