61: You Bastard, You Stole My First Kiss!

“What identity?” Qian Bowen (a wealthy suitor) eagerly pressed.

Liu Xiaoxiao (a young executive), too, stared at Shen Yifei (a seemingly ordinary secretary) with a surprised expression. Shen Yifei’s performance just now had been too flawless, leading her to suspect he was far more than just a secretary.

“Mr. Qian, to be frank with you, I am also an executive of an underground power, the Black Dragon Society (a powerful, infamous criminal syndicate),” Shen Yifei blatantly lied.

The moment these words left his mouth, everyone in the room froze.

Liu Xiaoxiao’s eyes widened, wondering if her ears were playing tricks on her.

“Mr. Shen, what did you just say? I don’t think I heard you clearly?” Qian Bowen asked, still stunned.

“I said I am an executive of the Black Dragon Society. Did you hear me clearly now?” Shen Yifei stated.

A collective gasp rippled through the room.

The name, Black Dragon Society, was like a nightmare. It was one of the four major underground powers in this nation, its reputation so vast that even ordinary citizens knew it by heart.

Shen Yifei was no fool. Qian Bowen’s family background was anything but simple. After this charade, Shen Yifei, knowing how these influential figures operated, suspected Qian Bowen might send people to deal with him.

Shen Yifei wanted no lingering trouble, so he simply spun a lie, hoping to make Qian Bowen retreat in the face of perceived difficulty.

“You…” Liu Jianguo’s (Liu Xiaoxiao’s father) face drained of color, then flushed with rage, rendering him speechless.

His own daughter involved with someone from the underworld?

Qian Bowen’s expression was a mix of surprise and uncertainty. Zhongheng Realty, his family’s company, wielded immense power, with immeasurable assets, and operated smoothly in both legitimate and shadowy circles. He had never once heard of a figure like Shen Yifei.

“So, Mr. Shen is from the Black Dragon Society. I know quite a few friends in those circles. May I ask what your role is within the Black Dragon Society, Mr. Shen?” Qian Bowen asked, still half-believing.

The Black Dragon Society had branches in Huahai City, and their sole financial backer was the Haizheng Group, information Qian Bowen was privy to.

But Shen Yifei, this individual, he had genuinely never heard of him.

“Mr. Qian, aren’t you asking a bit too much?” Shen Yifei chuckled dryly.

A jolt went through Qian Bowen. He glanced at Shen Yifei, convinced this kid was lying. The Black Dragon Society was teeming with masters; it wasn't a place just anyone could waltz into.

This kid was suspiciously young, which only deepened Qian Bowen’s doubts.

“Haha, Mr. Shen, since you’re from the Black Dragon Society, your combat prowess must surely be extraordinary, right?” Qian Bowen probed.

Shen Yifei couldn’t be bothered to explain further. He picked up a glass ashtray from the coffee table, channeled a faint wisp of True Qi (a form of mystical internal energy cultivated by martial artists), and with a forceful squeeze of his five fingers, the thick glass ashtray let out a screeching sound. A cascade of glass shards fell from Shen Yifei’s hand.

Although Shen Yifei couldn’t extensively use his True Qi, a mere wisp was perfectly manageable.

Everyone present shuddered, their gazes at Shen Yifei tinged with profound fear.

Qian Bowen was utterly startled, swallowing hard. A warning, this was undeniably a warning!

He had never imagined that this seemingly ordinary young man was actually a master! Perhaps he truly was a member of the Black Dragon Society!

The Black Dragon Society was no petty criminal outfit. It was one of the four major underground powers of this nation, with deep foundations, involved in all manner of industries. It could even effortlessly decimate the relatively modest Zhongheng Realty.

A surge of fear coursed through Qian Bowen. It was fortunate he hadn't completely burnt bridges with Shen Yifei earlier, or he might have found himself in serious danger.

No, he still needed to investigate this person’s background thoroughly.

“Mr. Zhao… Mr. Shen, I apologize for my rudeness just now. Please don’t take it to heart,” Qian Bowen said, plastering on a forced smile.

Shen Yifei smiled magnanimously. “Alright, as long as you don’t pester Xiaoxiao, I won’t consider you an enemy.”

“This…” Qian Bowen’s face changed. Wasn’t this a blatant threat?

Even if this kid was from the Black Dragon Society, given his youth, he surely wasn’t a high-ranking member.

As the eldest son of Zhongheng Realty, he couldn't believe this fellow was showing him absolutely no respect. It was utterly outrageous.

Qian Bowen was indeed infatuated with Liu Xiaoxiao and desperately wanted her as his wife – it was almost an obsession. Yet, Liu Xiaoxiao felt not an ounce of affection for Qian Bowen.

Liu Xiaoxiao stared at Shen Yifei with wide eyes. The icy expression on her pretty face had long vanished without a trace, replaced by profound shock.

Her heart churned within her. Could this guy really be some underworld figure?

Liu Jianguo and Zheng Jie’s (Liu Xiaoxiao’s mother) faces were ashen. Their daughter in love with an underworld figure? This was simply too preposterous!

They would never allow this to happen!

“Xiaoxiao, get over here!” Liu Jianguo roared, his face livid.

“Xiaoxiao, how could you choose such an immoral boyfriend?” Zheng Jie also fumed with indignation.

Liu Xiaoxiao stubbornly declared, “I don’t care who Shen Yifei is! This is my choice, please don’t interfere!”

With that, Liu Xiaoxiao gripped Shen Yifei’s arm, pinching him and shooting him an annoyed glare. Of all the things to say, why did he have to claim he was a Black Dragon Society executive? Wasn't that just making things impossible for her?

Shen Yifei, thinking Liu Xiaoxiao wanted him to continue the act, cleared his throat and said, “Aunt and Uncle, I think you shouldn’t judge me with such prejudice. Although I am… that thing… my devotion to Xiaoxiao is absolute. I can absolutely give her the life she wants.”

“Shut up! You despicable man!” Liu Jianguo roared.

Shen Yifei was a bit stumped, but then he had a thought. It was just an act anyway; if Liu Xiaoxiao’s parents genuinely approved of him, that would be even harder to manage.

“Enough! Dad, don’t you understand? I’d rather marry Shen Yifei than be with this Qian Bowen!” Liu Xiaoxiao glared fiercely at Qian Bowen with her beautiful eyes.

“Xiaoxiao, you!” Qian Bowen’s face turned livid, his anger rising.

This woman was too arrogant. While Qian Bowen did like Liu Xiaoxiao, his patience had its limits.

Qian Bowen laughed, a sound laced with furious exasperation. “Fine! Fine! Liu Xiaoxiao, since you can say such things, I guarantee you’ll regret it very soon!”

With that declaration, Qian Bowen strode out of the private room.

Inside the room, Liu Jianguo and Zheng Jie’s faces were grim to the extreme. The arranged marriage had failed again, and this time, Qian Bowen had been thoroughly provoked.

Liu Xiaoxiao secretly rejoiced. It seemed her objective had been achieved. Surely Qian Bowen wouldn’t pester her again next time, right?

“Xiaoxiao, come here!” Liu Jianguo stepped forward and grabbed Liu Xiaoxiao’s arm.

“Dad!” Liu Xiaoxiao bit her pearly teeth, tugged her hand away from Liu Jianguo, and declared, “Dad, my happiness is my own to decide!”

With that, Liu Xiaoxiao pulled Shen Yifei by the arm and walked towards the private room door.

“Xiaoxiao!” Zheng Jie rose to chase, but Liu Jianguo held her back.

“What good is such a disobedient daughter!” Liu Jianguo fumed.

“But we can’t just watch Xiaoxiao get entangled with that underworld boy, can we?” Zheng Jie said anxiously.

“Hmph, she’s truly grown too defiant. Does she really think I can’t see through this? That kid is completely faking it! I’ll send people to investigate his background!” Liu Jianguo was absolutely livid.

Zheng Jie propped her hand on her forehead, her expression unusually grim.

Walking out of the hotel building, Liu Xiaoxiao was still pulling Shen Yifei.

“I say, Director Liu, are we good now? You don’t have to keep holding onto me,” Shen Yifei said with a frown.

“You bastard, I don’t want to hold onto you!” Liu Xiaoxiao felt a pang in her chest, her eyes welling up, and a soft sob escaped her.

Seeing Liu Xiaoxiao’s pitiful expression, Shen Yifei looked a bit awkward. He smiled and said, “Director Liu, don’t be sad. How about I treat you to dinner tonight?”

“Who’s sad?!” Liu Xiaoxiao quickly wiped away her tears, feeling utterly mortified. She turned her head away and huffed, “Fine then, I want the most expensive meal!”

“Damn it, you don’t have to fleece me dry like this. Considering how hard I performed back there,” Shen Yifei muttered, a bit exasperated.

“You… you scoundrel! You even stole my first kiss! Is it really that hard to treat me to a meal now?!” Liu Xiaoxiao exclaimed, blushing with anger.