Chapter 173 Xiong Mei’s dilemma! Mo Chen humbled again!

Chapter 173 Xiong Mei's dilemma! Mo Chen humbled again!

A/N: On Sunday, I would release only one chapter of 1500+ words.

Also, everyone reading, leave a review already!

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Bai Wenling let out a sigh; the situation was getting stranger by the minute.

Xie Meirong's faint smile remained in place, her composed demeanor revealing nothing about her thoughts.

While the wine had no effect on her, her internal musings remained a mystery to those around her.

The unusual behavior displayed by Xiong Mei was something that didn't faze her at all.

In the midst of their discussions, the atmosphere suddenly shifted outside the Blue Orchid Pavilion.

Two figures approached, causing the guards to snap to attention.

"Chairman!" echoed through their minds as they beheld Wang Liang's commanding presence.

He swept his gaze around the surroundings with a scrutinizing air, his recent recovery driving him to inspect his empire's operations.

The deep-seated corruption he encountered had prompted his intervention.

Wang Haoran accompanied his father, guiding him through the premises. Suddenly, Wang Haoran's strides came to a halt, his gaze narrowing as it landed on a Ferrari parked inconspicuously in a corner.

"Is there an issue with that car?" Wang Liang's question carried a sharp edge, aimed directly at Wang Haoran.

Caught off guard, Wang Haoran's expression turned bitter, his voice slightly trembling as he spoke, "T-That's the car I gave to Lin Ruoxi as a gift."

The mention of "Lin Ruoxi" triggered a thoughtful expression on Wang Liang's face.

He had already delved into Lin Ruoxi's background and was aware of her unmarried status.

However, he had begun to suspect that she might have a connection with Zhang Wei.

Wang Haoran had received a stern warning from his father, instructing him to sever any involvement with Lin Ruoxi.

Failure to comply would result in his expulsion from the family.

Wang Liang's eyes brightened with a calculated glint. He wondered if Zhang Wei was present. Lately, he had been considering ways to forge an alliance with him.

The scarcity of cultivation techniques in this world was well-known, and those who possessed them guarded them with their lives.

Being a warrior, Wang Liang was keenly aware of the potential to extend his lifespan through cultivation.

However, his age made it almost impossible for him to begin cultivating from scratch.

He believed that if he could align himself with Zhang Wei, it would secure a promising future for his family.

The opportunity to access advanced cultivation techniques was a tempting prospect.

_______

The private room atmosphere became increasingly ambiguous. Song Shoushan was feeling slightly drowsy, having tried wine for the first time. Bai Wenling's cheeks displayed a subtle blush, indicating that the wine was affecting her too. Only Xie Meirong seemed to maintain her composure.

Amidst this, Zhang Wei's thoughts wandered mischievously. He couldn't help but ask the system, 'Hey, what if I were to pounce on all three of them and overpower them?'

The system's response was clear, [Unfortunately, that wouldn't work. While their physical strength might be weak, Xie Meirong possesses significant mental powers. She could easily defend herself against someone as powerful as a cultivator in the initial stage of the soul-warming realm.]

The system's warning served as a reminder that Zhang Wei should avoid provoking Xie Meirong. Although he might have a physical advantage, the potential risks outweighed the potential rewards.

In the end, he settled himself with Xiong Mei only for now, who was now sitting rather plainly, with his hands placed on her lap, occasionally causing her trouble by playfully pinching her soft skin.

He seemed to be enjoying himself while playing with her skin, though for Xiong Mei, the only thing she wanted was to disappear out of embarrassment.

She wasn't even that comfortable with her own body, let alone someone else's playful touches.

When it came time to settle the bill, the slightly drunk Mo Chen stood up arrogantly, pulling out his card and giving Zhang Wei a provoking glare. As he continued to drink, his actions became increasingly conspicuous.

'Why is this mosquito buzzing around me?' wondered Zhang Wei to himself, referring to Mo Chen's presence.

However, instead of a waiter arriving with the bill, the doors were flung open abruptly with a *bam*, surprising everyone in the room.

Amidst the tension and surprise, a burst of laughter erupted from the entrance as an older man walked in, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Hoho, Zhang Wei! I never expected you to be here!" he exclaimed with genuine enthusiasm, casting his gaze around the room before locking onto Zhang Wei.

Zhang Wei's face twitched with a mixture of annoyance and exasperation. He couldn't help but think, 'What does this guy want now?'

Wang Liang, still maintaining a semblance of respect, avoided referring to Zhang Wei as "senior" in front of the group. Zhang Wei decided to play along, his tone slightly guarded. "Chairman Wang, what brings you here?" he inquired, his gaze narrowing as he sized up the situation.

Wang Liang and Wang Haoran exchanged a quick glance, the latter clearing his throat before speaking up. "Ahem, the Blue Orchid Pavilion is actually a property of the Wang Group," he explained, a hint of nervousness in his voice.

The occupants of the room exchanged puzzled glances, trying to piece together the unexpected turn of events.

Meanwhile, the waiter who had left to fetch the bill returned, only to be halted by Wang Liang's sharp rebuke. "What do you think you're doing!? They're our special guests! Are you planning to take money from them!?" he scolded, his words catching the waiter off guard.

The waiter, confused by the sudden change, quickly apologized, his actions now completely at odds with the initial situation.

As the events unfolded in rapid succession, the group inside the room struggled to keep up.

Suddenly, realization dawned on them all, and their eyes narrowed in on Zhang Wei, their curiosity piqued.

The atmosphere shifted as a silent question hung in the air, each person eager to know the connection between Zhang Wei and the Wang Group.

Caught in the spotlight, Zhang Wei shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, as if to dismiss the situation.

He managed to send the intrusive older man away, hoping to put an end to the awkwardness that had settled over the private room.

"Do you actually know the Chairman of Wang Group?" Bai Wenling blurted out, her astonishment evident.

She stood alone as the only one equipped with the proper knowledge to navigate this intricate situation.

Among them, Song Shoushan appeared every bit the spoiled child, while Xiong Mei seemed to piece things together like a constellation, her eyes forming delicate crescent moons as she stole a glance at Zhang Wei.

Mo Chen, who had initially sought to flaunt himself, now seemed ready to bang his head against a wall in frustration. His teeth were gritted in anger, but the urgency of the moment left no room for anyone to address him.

Zhang Wei's identity made them even more curious.

Just how rich and powerful was he?

Was he some hidden prince?

Amidst the speculations that buzzed like a swarm of bees, the reality remained—the hour to depart had arrived. Twilight draped the scene, signaling the passage of a substantial amount of their time spent in this place.

Just as Xiong Mei was about to make her exit, Zhang Wei firmly grasped her hand, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. "Leave your handbag here and use it as an excuse to return. I'll be waiting in the underground parking lot," he instructed, his words both direct and commanding, regardless of the surprise etched on her face.

Zhang Wei's instructions left no ambiguity.

The range of emotions that played across Xiong Mei's face was evident as she finally joined Song Shoushan and the others in the car.

The limited number of seats meant that Ye Feng had to find his own way home.

With the rest of the group preoccupied, no one paid much attention to him. As an grown ass man, he could surely manage to get back on his own.

_________

After about 20 minutes had passed...

"Hey, what do you all think about Zhang Wei?" Bai Wenling suddenly asked, her hands firmly gripping the steering wheel.

Xie Meirong, seated in the passenger seat, responded with a teasing tone, "What do you mean? Are you falling for him already, Miss Wenling?"

Meanwhile, Xiong Mei's hands were trembling slightly, her fingers clenched tightly together. An anxious expression lingered on her face, though she tried to appear unaffected by the conversation.

A great dilamma clouded her mind, whether to go back or not?

Meanwhile, Song Shoushan's mood darkened as Zhang Wei's name was mentioned. Unconsciously, the scene from last night involving him and her mother played in her mind again.

Bai Wenling playfully slapped Xie Meirong's hand. "No, I mean, what do you all think about his identity? Wasn't he a little bit too much?" she questioned, finally voicing what had been bothering her for a while.

"Do you think he might be a disguised prince from some foreign country?" she mused aloud, trying to make sense of Zhang Wei's mysterious identity.

Xie Meirong shook her head, dismissing the idea. "I think you might be falling for him if you're coming up with such theories. Besides, he doesn't strike me as a foreigner. There is actually a Zhang Family in the capital. Maybe he belongs to that family."

Bai Wenling's eyes lit up with realization. "You might be right! He could indeed be from the capital!"

Suddenly, Xiong Mei interrupted their conversation urgently, "Stop the car!"