Xiao Hailong struck quickly, but Ye Chen easily dodged.


Then, with a swift counter, he locked Xiao Hailong’s wrist, gave it a slight twist, and smirked coldly—


“What’s this? Your hand’s all healed? Already forgot how it hurt last time?”


A powerful force surged through Xiao Hailong’s arm, forcing him back two steps.


His expression twisted with anger and shock.


This brat actually has some real strength!


Realizing he was no match for Ye Chen, Xiao Hailong growled—


“Damn it! You just wait! I’ll have the manager throw you out right now!”


With that, he stormed off toward a manager standing nearby.


Soon, a middle-aged man in a tailored suit arrived, flanked by two security guards.


The manager, exuding an air of authority, greeted Xiao Hailong with a smile—


“Mr. Xiao, what can I do for you?”


“Check their invitations.” Xiao Hailong pointed at Ye Chen and sneered. “I suspect they’re using fakes.”


Since Zhenbao Pavilion valued privacy, each invitation only had a unique passcode—no names.


The passcode could be entered into a verification app to confirm the guest’s identity.


The manager, recognizing Xiao Hailong as a well-dressed nobleman, glanced disdainfully at Ye Chen, whose ordinary attire made him seem out of place.


With a hint of arrogance, he said to Ye Chen—


“Please show your invitation for verification.”


Though his words were polite, his eyes held clear contempt.


Ye Chen could feel it instantly and frowned coldly—


“And what if I refuse?”


The manager’s smile faded, his expression turning icy.


“Then, may I ask which noble family in Jinling you belong to?”


Before Ye Chen could respond, Xiao Hailong cut in mockingly—


“He? Oh, he’s part of the Xiao family. Actually, no, not really—he’s just a live-in son-in-law. He’s not even worthy of being called a Xiao. At best, he’s just our family’s dog!”


The word ‘live-in son-in-law’ made the manager’s face sink further.


In Jinling, no one of real status would ever become a live-in husband.


With a sneer, the manager asked—


“So, how exactly did you get in?”


Ye Chen was growing tired of this nonsense.


He scoffed, irritated by how Zhenbao Pavilion’s people judged guests by their appearance.


“Obviously, I walked in.”


The manager was done being subtle.


“If you refuse to follow the rules and present your invitation, I’ll have to ask you to leave.”


At his signal, the two security guards stepped forward, ready to escort Ye Chen out.


Xiao Changkun panicked.


He feared the invitation might actually be fake, so he hurriedly told Ye Chen—


“Ye Chen, let’s just leave. No need to cause trouble.”


Ye Chen frowned, surprised.


“Dad, don’t you want to see the auction?”


Xiao Changkun shook his head—


“No, this place wasn’t meant for us anyway. If we get kicked out, it’d be too embarrassing.”


Ye Chen sighed.


Since his father-in-law was already retreating, there was no need to stay.


With a nod, he turned and walked away with Xiao Changkun.


It was just an auction.


If his father-in-law didn’t want to watch, he had no reason to waste time dealing with these snobs.


As he left, he decided—if Song Wanting ever asked, he’d just say:


“I’m afraid your Song family’s event is too prestigious for me to attend.”


A Sudden Change in Atmosphere


Behind them, Xiao Hailong burst into laughter—


“Hahaha! Running away, are we? Feeling guilty? You two lowlifes really thought you could sneak into the Song family’s auction? What a joke!”


Ye Chen ignored him and continued walking.


Just then, a sudden commotion erupted in the crowd.


The guests quickly stepped aside, forming a path.


A man and a woman entered gracefully.


The woman wore a sleek black evening gown, her delicate features glowing under the chandeliers.


Her elegant posture and exquisite beauty instantly made her the center of attention.


Even Xiao Hailong, who had been taunting Ye Chen, froze in awe.


It was Song Wanting.


She scanned the VIP section, noticing two empty seats.


With a frown, she asked—


“Where are my two VIP guests?”


The venue host, Bao Fugui, checked his records and replied—


“Miss Song, the system shows their invitations have already been verified. But I don’t see them here…”


Suspicious, he signaled for the manager.


The manager arrived quickly—


“Master Bao, how can I help?”


Bao Fugui gestured to the empty VIP seats—


“These two guests have already checked in. Where are they?”


The manager instantly realized—


Could it be those two?


No way…


If they were VIP guests personally invited by Song Wanting, then he had just made a huge mistake!


Bao Fugui noticed the manager’s guilty expression and turned to a security guard—


“You. Tell me what happened.”


The security guard hesitated but told the full story.


After listening, Song Wanting’s expression darkened.


She turned to Bao Fugui and said—


“I’ll go find Mr. Ye. This matter… I trust you will handle it properly.”


“Of course, Miss Song!” Bao Fugui nodded hurriedly.


The moment Song Wanting left, his smile disappeared.


He glared at the manager, growling—


“You’re sick of living, aren’t you? You actually threw out Miss Song’s personal guests?!”


The manager’s legs gave out, and he collapsed to his knees.


Pointing at Xiao Hailong, he cried—


“Master Bao, it wasn’t my fault! It was this bastard who tricked me!”


BAM!


Bao Fugui kicked him viciously, sending him sprawling.


“You let your eyes fool you, and now you’ll pay the price! Get lost! You’re fired! And you’ll personally compensate for all damages today!”


The manager was horrified.


The damages would be astronomical—even selling everything he owned wouldn’t be enough!


“Please, Master Bao! Spare me!”


Bao Fugui ignored him and gestured to two guards—


“Drag him out. Break his legs!”


“Master Bao, please! I beg you!”


The guards grabbed him, and his desperate screams echoed as they dragged him away.


Bao Fugui then turned to Xiao Hailong, his cold eyes narrowing.


“Bring that bastard over here!”


Hearing that Zhenbao Pavilion’s master wanted to see him, Xiao Hailong’s heart swelled with excitement.


Everyone knew Bao Fugui had strong connections.


If he could win his favor, he’d have endless opportunities in the future!


So, with a flattering smile, Xiao Hailong eagerly walked over—


“Master Bao! It’s an honor to meet you! I’ve admired you for so long—truly, you’re a man of great wisdom and power!”


BAM!


Bao Fugui savagely kicked him, sending him flying.


“You little bastard! You dare offend Miss Song’s guests? You must be tired of living!”