Chapter 126: Lucky, Keep Barking

Chapter 126: Keep Barking, Wangcai

Fu Tingxiu had expected Lin Wanyu to compromise publicly due to the gala invitation, but the response he received was an incredibly strange look. How to describe it? It was as if she were looking at a complete fool—a mix of mockery, disdain, and even a tiny flicker of pity.

Fu Tingxiu even wondered if he was hallucinating; otherwise, how could a pathetic wretch like Lin Wanyu, who didn't even have an invitation, possibly be qualified to pity him?

"What is that look supposed to mean?" Fu Tingxiu asked, struggling to suppress the fury in his chest.

However, before Lin Wanyu could respond, a cheerful and mocking voice rang out from behind: "She means you can get lost right now!"

Fu Tingxiu spun around sharply to see Qin Chuan approaching with a bright, sunny smile. Beside him walked a stunning beauty whose figure and appearance were no less than Lin Wanyu's, her arm linked affectionately with his. This made Fu Tingxiu incredibly envious, and of course, even more furious.

Recalling how Qin Chuan had made him lose all face in front of Lin Wanyu earlier, Fu Tingxiu, fueled by both old and new grudges, decided to wash away his shame by making sure Qin Chuan couldn't enter the gala.

"Qin, is the Royal Dragon Manor a place where you can run wild? Get lost? Hmph, I am an honored guest invited by Ms. Long. What makes you think a nobody like you has the right to boss me around?"

Fu Tingxiu spoke with his chin held high, looking as though he wanted to puff his chest out, his sense of superiority practically oozing from his face.

"Did Ms. Long invite you here to act as a doorman?" Qin Chuan suddenly asked, frowning.

Fu Tingxiu didn't immediately grasp the deeper meaning of the question, but knowing Qin Chuan's sharp tongue, he knew it couldn't be anything good.

Sure enough, Qin Chuan immediately provided an explanation: "Looking at the proficiency and ferocity with which you bark, you are perfectly suited to be a guard dog. I must say, Ms. Long has a great eye for talent!"

"Hahaha!"

Those around them erupted into laughter, pointing and jeering at Fu Tingxiu.

Fu Tingxiu burned with rage. Casting aside all gentlemanly pretenses, he pointed at Qin Chuan’s nose and cursed, "Qin, I’ve been way too lenient with you. Do you believe I can have you thrown out right now?"

"Keep barking, Wangcai!" Qin Chuan continued to taunt him.

Veins bulged on Fu Tingxiu's forehead as he barked at the Royal Dragon Manor security staff, "What are you people standing around for? This is just a clown trying to sneak into the gala to climb the social ladder. Why haven't you thrown him out yet?"

Although Fu Tingxiu was rude, his words alerted the security guards. The head of security, responsible for maintaining order, stepped quickly toward Qin Chuan and asked in a routine manner, "Sir, please show us your invitation."

"I don't need an invitation to enter the gala," Qin Chuan said with a smile.

Fu Tingxiu perked up instantly, saying in an 'I-told-you-so' tone, "What did I say? This guy is just trying to fish in troubled waters to climb the social ladder. Throw them out quickly! If Ms. Long finds out that trash like this managed to sneak into her gala, you’ll all be in serious trouble."

The head of security’s expression darkened. Although Fu Tingxiu was clearly using Ms. Long’s name to throw his weight around, his point was valid. If someone with ulterior motives snuck into the gala and caused any trouble, they, as security, would not be able to shoulder the responsibility.

"Sir, if you don't have an invitation, please leave immediately. Don't make things difficult for us," the head of security said coldly.

Qin Chuan chuckled. "If I were you, I’d call Ms. Long to confirm first. Otherwise, you won't be able to bear the consequences of offending a guest she personally invited, would you?"

The security chief’s lips twitched. If he had Long Wuhen’s phone number, he wouldn't be standing out here in the wind and sun. But seeing Qin Chuan’s confident demeanor, he didn't seem like a man just causing trouble for no reason.

However, he couldn't risk bothering his superiors over something trivial, or he might lose his job. Just as he hesitated, an arrogant voice boomed from inside the venue.

"A mere little doctor spouting nonsense here is an offense to Ms. Long and a show of contempt for the Long family. Why haven't you dealt with him yet? Are you waiting for the New Year?"

Everyone turned to look at the source of the voice, seeing a handsome and dashing young man.

"Guo Zikun?"

Qin Chuan was slightly surprised. He didn't expect this guy to be acting cocky in front of him again. Had his ear finally healed?

"Young Master Guo, do you know this man?" the head of security asked respectfully.

"I do!" Guo Zikun sneered. "We are very familiar! This guy is just a little doctor who likes to swindle and bluff. If you dare let trash like this in, Ms. Long will definitely be angry."

The security chief had no reason to doubt him; after all, Guo Zikun had entered the gala with an invitation and seemed much more reliable than the empty-handed Qin Chuan.

"Men, escort him out."

Although the security chief said "escort," several guards surrounded Qin Chuan and his group with fierce expressions, ready to strike if they didn't leave voluntarily.

"Qin Chuan, even if you want to cause trouble, you should pick your venue. Royal Dragon Manor is Long family territory. Running your scams here is just asking for death. What, quiet now? If you have the guts, try hitting me!"

*Smack!*

Before Guo Zikun could finish his sentence, he felt a stinging pain on his right cheek. He realized, shocked, that Qin Chuan had appeared before him in a flash; clearly, he had been the one to deliver the slap.

"It’s the first time I’ve heard such a unique and interesting request, I simply had to fulfill it!" Qin Chuan shrugged, looking completely innocent.

The security guards were equally stunned, unable to comprehend how Qin Chuan had broken through their encirclement.

"You dare hit me?" Guo Zikun’s face was etched with disbelief.

In his mind, this was a gala hosted by Long Wuhen; surely no one would dare cause a scene. His provocations earlier were merely to incite a conflict between Qin Chuan and the Long family, using them as a blade to satisfy his own revenge.

"Are you all dead? Are you just going to watch a mad dog bite people at Ms. Long’s gala?"

Qin Chuan chimed in with a smile, "Which mad dog is biting whom?"

"The mad dog is biting you!" Guo Zikun replied instinctively. However, a burst of laughter from the crowd made him realize he had been played by Qin Chuan.

"Qin, this young master will not..."

Before he could finish, Guo Zikun felt his ear being grabbed, and a wave of panic washed over him.

"You... let go!"

Cold sweat dripped down Guo Zikun’s forehead. This was a surgery that had cost him a fortune; the doctor had repeatedly warned him not to pull on it, or it risked falling off again.

"Your ear looks quite realistic. Must have cost a pretty penny, right?" As he spoke, Qin Chuan slowly twisted the ear, as if turning the channel knob on an old black-and-white television.

"Ah!"

A heart-wrenching scream tore through the air, and Guo Zikun nearly fainted from the pain.

"Are you all just going to keep watching? Hurry up and finish this bastard who is running wild!"

Fu Tingxiu seized the opportunity. He thought Guo Zikun was a great guy for acting as a human punching bag to ignite the conflict. If he didn't add more fuel to the fire now, he would be doing a disservice to this selfless comrade.

"Qin, let's see how you end this!"

But before the thought could fully vanish from Fu Tingxiu's mind, he felt a shadow loom over him, and a palm the size of a fan began to grow larger and larger in his field of vision.