Even Li Chifen was momentarily taken aback by Luo Yao’s gaze. Compared to their last meeting years ago, she now carried an even more chilling aura.
But he was the Li Family Head, a man who had seized his position by overthrowing his own father. He wasn’t one to be easily intimidated.
“Are you seriously denying that you attacked this security guard?”
Luo Yao hooked her arm around Lin Ran’s, not even sparing a glance at the guard on the ground. Instead, she looked at Lin Ran beside her and asked, “A-Ran, did I hit anyone?”
Lin Ran smiled and shook his head, nudging the guard with his foot.
“Did we lay a finger on you?”
The guard immediately trembled like a leaf in the wind.
“No, no! I—I ran into your car by accident! I cut off my own fingers to apologize, and the wound on my shoulder was my own fault too! Your assistant definitely didn’t stab me. I did all this to myself!”
Luo Yao swept her gaze across the crowd.
Every elite was here—scions of wealthy families, business tycoons, socialites, even representatives from her own partner corporations.“Li Family Head, did you hear that? You just falsely accused me, and that’s put me in a very bad mood. Now, you’d better apologize, or I might just have someone blow up your estate.”
“Arrogant brat. You’ve got quite the mouth on you.”
Lin Ran immediately stepped in front of Luo Yao.
“My wife’s breath is fresh as a daisy. Meanwhile, you’re out here wearing a Rolls-Royce on your head like some wannabe tycoon.”
Li Chifen’s headpiece (reference: the White-browed Eagle King from Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber) resembled a Rolls-Royce emblem.
“Pfft—hah—”
While many had managed to keep straight faces at Li Chifen’s appearance, Lin Ran’s remark nearly broke them. They stifled their laughter, finding him utterly hilarious.
And truth be told, Li Chifen did look ridiculous.
His preference for traditional robes clashed absurdly with the ultra-modern “accessory” on his head. The whole ensemble was undeniably comical.
Li Chifen felt personally insulted, but he couldn’t just kick Luo Yao out.
After all, Luo Corporation was a key player in tonight’s banquet.
If the main attraction left, who would be left to witness the humiliation he had planned?
“Hmph! Since President Luo has graced us with her presence, the Li Family naturally welcomes her. Please, come in.”
His sudden shift in attitude left everyone stunned.
Then, he turned to Lin Ran and sneered, “But this man? What status does he have to be here?”
Lin Ran’s earlier remark had made him a laughingstock, and Li Chifen wasn’t about to let that slide.
“What brand of trash bag are you, daring to act tough in front of my wife?” Lin Ran shot back without hesitation.
Li Chifen: “...???”
The insult felt vicious, but he couldn’t quite pinpoint why.
Luo Yao shrugged. “If my husband isn’t welcome here, we’ll just leave. I only came to see who’s present and who’s not—so I know who to deal with later.”
The crowd collectively lowered their heads. Luo Yao’s infamous ruthlessness wasn’t just hearsay anymore. The mangled security guard on the floor was proof enough.
As Luo Yao turned to leave, Li Chifen hastily blocked her path. “Wait! So this Mr. Lin is your husband? In that case—”
Before he could finish, Luo Yao cut him off with a mocking laugh.
“The whole country knows Lin Ran is my husband. Are you not Chinese?”
“So let me ask—what’s your purpose in China? Because if you’re a spy, the authorities will be more than happy to… re-educate you.”
Li Chifen froze. He hadn’t expected Luo Yao’s words to cut so deep. Rumor had it she rarely wasted breath on pointless talk.
Had she uncovered something?
Meanwhile, Lin Ran stifled a laugh. Luo Yao was starting to sound like him—using words as weapons.
In the past, she was the warrior, and he was the mage.
Now, she’d learned magic too. Too bad he still couldn’t fight.
The gap between them just kept widening.
Not that he felt an ounce of sympathy for Li Chifen. The man was scum anyway.
Li Chifen dared not entertain Luo Yao’s “accusation.”
“Don’t spout nonsense! I’m a true Chinese citizen. Now, President Luo, please take your seat. The banquet is about to begin.”
He swiftly changed the subject, then gestured to the car.
“But could we move this vehicle outside first?”
Luo Yao ignored him and strode toward the Lu Family’s seating area.
Meanwhile, the Li Family staff swiftly cleaned up the mess and replaced the damaged door with a brand-new one.
The Li Family’s banquet wasn’t a typical cocktail party. It was a formal, seated dinner with a clear hierarchy—complete with food and drinks.
Luo Corporation’s table had been placed in a corner, but Luo Yao didn’t even glance at it. She headed straight for the Lu Family’s spot.
Lu Lutong was sweating bullets. He’d already regretted his earlier actions.
If Luo Yao had no qualms about slapping the Li Family Head in the face, what hope did he have?
His grudge against her stemmed not just from business rivalry but also personal history. Years ago, in a similar setting, his younger brother had merely brushed against her—and ended up with broken bones.
Back then, Luo Yao had been unhinged.
But not this unhinged. That time, she’d at least done it discreetly. Everyone knew, but no one could prove it.
Now? She didn’t even bother hiding it.
This woman was spiraling further into madness.
So he’d quietly slipped away earlier, not wanting to provoke her and bring shame to the Lu Family.
He wasn’t the Lu Family’s sole heir. Every step had to be calculated. His attempt to cozy up to the Li Family Head was just to secure future support when the Lu Family chose its successor.
Now, Luo Yao stood before him.
“I told you to get lost earlier. Were your ears painted on?”
Li Chifen noticed the confrontation but made no move to intervene.
He was curious to see how the Lu Family’s second son would handle this.
Park Bo-gi of Samsung deliberately avoided looking their way, feigning disinterest—though internally, he was tense.
He had his own reasons to fear Luo Yao.
Wang Dacong, representing the Wang Family, couldn’t care less. He hadn’t even wanted to come tonight—his father had forced him.
With the two major families and Samsung staying out of it, the rest of the guests settled in for the show.
Lu Lutong, a man in his fifties, burned with humiliation at being scolded like this in public.
His children were even more furious.
His eldest son, Lu Xiangdai, younger son Lu Xiangji, and daughter Lu Xiangting all rose to their feet.
Though not the most influential within the Lu Family, they were still untouchable socialites in Shanghai, backed by their family’s prestige.
“Luo Yao, this is Shanghai,” Lu Xiangdai snapped. “No one disrespects the Lu Family here. I don’t care what power you hold in the capital—when you’re here, you keep your head down.”