Song Yun stomped her foot and pouted her rosy lips, saying in frustration, "What an attitude this guy has, thinking he's some wealthy young master. Our Xiao Man is so beautiful, how can he feel like he's at a loss?"
"Just stop, Xiao Yun," Qin Man sighed softly. Offending Wu Han might bring trouble for Lin Mo. Once this matter is resolved, she intended to have Lin Mo leave Han City.
The next day.
Luxury cars parked in front of the Red Mansion. Some bodyguards in black suits stood in the cold wind, exuding an air of solemnity.
The mansion was built during the Republic era, originally as a place where a Beiyang Warlord kept his lover. Later, it was purchased and transformed into a clubhouse, becoming the finest private club in Ta County.
The building retained most of its Republican features, with mahogany construction and furniture. Dozens of bodyguards in black uniforms stood solemnly, ready for anything.
A middle-aged man in a vest sat upright on a wooden chair, none other than Qin Man's uncle, Qin Ye.
Beside him was another middle-aged man with thick eyebrows like swords and an impressive demeanor, wearing traditional Chinese attire, as stable as Mount Taishan.
"Mr. Wu, this tea was specially obtained from Imperial City by a friend. I only have a little at home, not something I'd offer just anyone," Qin Ye said with a smile to the man beside him.
"Brother Qin, I appreciate the effort. In my whole life, I've had no other passion but tea," Wu Chengyun replied with a smile, his gaze landing on the hands making the tea. Those hands moved fluidly and gracefully, clearly those of an expert in tea ceremony.
"However, I admire Xiao Man's tea-making skills even more," Wu Chengyun laughed heartily as he watched Qin Man preparing the tea.
"Uncle Wu, you flatter me," Qin Man said modestly with a smile, handing a cup of tea to Wu Chengyun.
Wu Chengyun sipped the clear tea, which refreshed his palate, and said, "Excellent tea."
Setting the tea cup down, he turned to Qin Ye, "Brother Qin, I've watched Xiao Man grow up, and now Wu Han is of age. I will speak plainly today, I want to propose a match for my son."
Hearing Wu Chengyun's words, Qin Man's hand trembled, a few drops of tea spilling onto the back of her pale hand. She felt her whole body stiffen, her mind going blank.
Qin Ye frowned slightly. He knew about the sentiment between the two young people; Qin Man did not like Wu Han, but the two families were old friends and the Wu family was a Martial Arts Family with significant backing.
"This is a good thing. I will finalize it on behalf of Xiao Man's parents," Qin Ye hesitated slightly before saying.
"Uncle..." Qin Man widened her eyes at Qin Ye.
Qin Ye gave her a meaningful look. Qin Man clenched her pale palms so tightly that her nails dug into her flesh, seemingly unaware.
Wasn't all her effort meant to escape the control of family interests, to hold her destiny in her own hands?
"Xiao Man, don't say anything," Qin Ye's eyes momentarily flashed with helplessness.
The Qin family's third generation hadn't produced any genius, or else Qin Ye wouldn't have groomed Qin Man, a woman, to take on such responsibilities. But she was a woman, how long could she hold on? If a marriage alliance with the Wu family could benefit the Qin family, they could wait for the fourth generation to grow up and take over.
Tears welled up in Qin Man's eyes, feeling as if all strength had been drained from her, she slumped despondently on the sofa.
"Xiao Man, don't be sad... we'll find another way later," Song Yun, seeing her friend like this, also felt the pain and tried to comfort her.
"Mr. Wu is here," just then, a voice announced.
Qin Ye and Wu Chengyun stood up at the same time and turned their heads, only to see an elderly man with white hair dressed in a white Tang suit walk in, accompanied by a young man, Wu Han.
"Mr. Wu, what brings you here?" Qin Ye exclaimed with widened eyes.
"Dad, how did you come here?" Wu Chengyun was also shocked.
This man was none other than Wu Longshen, the pillar of the Wu family, whose Martial Arts Cultivation was unfathomably deep. Since the old man had handed over the family affairs to Wu Chengyun, he still practiced Martial Arts diligently every day and generally refrained from interfering in other matters.
Lin Mo, who was sitting next to Song Yun and drinking tea, only then raised his eyelids to glance over and shook his head to himself, saying, "At such a young age, I guess he hasn't even broken through to Martial Arts Grandmaster. Alas, some people really can't be compared."
Wu Han immediately noticed the dispirited Qin Man and Lin Mo and sneered to himself, "Today, I will let you see the strength of our Wu family. Competing for a woman with me, you're still lacking a bit."
Wu Longshen took the chief seat and slowly said, "You can't resolve today's matter, so I had to come here personally. Yesterday, an old friend sent me a letter."
"What's going on?" Wu Chengyun asked with a frown.
After Wu Longshen spoke, everyone understood. Wang Bao had looked for a Martial Arts Master to come over, who had some past grievances with Wu Longshen, and the challenger had already sent a letter of invitation for a duel.
"Grandfather, you defeated him thirty years ago and can do the same now," Wu Han said.
Wu Longshen shook his head, "That man is a descendant of the Guo Family, his Xingyi Fist had already reached Small Success back then. Thirty years have passed, and it's hard to know what Realm he has reached."
Lin Mo stayed silent, at his Realm, he was genuinely uninterested in such so-called experts.
Outside Red Dream Mansion, suddenly a stream of Mercedes and Audi cars approached.
The leader, a Mercedes S600, had a man wearing a mink coat get out respectfully, stand back, and open the door, calling out, "Master, please."
A black-clad elderly man with a sword-like dignified posture alighted from the vehicle, giving off a sharp aura, his black and white hair standing on end like steel needles.
"I've not been out in many years, the world has changed too much," the elder sighed, his hands clasped behind his back, and he walked with big steps toward the inside.
"Mr. Wang has arrived!" someone shouted loudly.
The people in the living room finally saw Wang Bao and the old man before him, roughly in his early sixties, dressed in a black Tang suit, moving silently, yet giving off an extremely sharp impression that was hard to look directly at.
"Old friend, long time no see," Wu Longshen stood up.
"Mr. Wu, thirty years, how many thirties can a man have in his life!" Guo Yi said seemingly with emotion.
"Today, we all know why we are here, winner takes all, the loser must give up," Wu Longshen spoke plainly.
Guo Yi laughed heartily, "After ten years of seclusion, coming back to find no one worth fighting, I am delighted to spar with Mr. Wu once again, to my great satisfaction!"
Everyone dared not speak; the two were top Martial Arts experts.
However, the living room was too small with furniture everywhere, making it difficult to fight freely, so they moved to the courtyard behind the mansion, spacious enough for an unrestricted bout.
Wu Longshen and Guo Yi stood facing each other, a distance of five or six meters between them, one dressed in black Tang suit and the other in white, neither speaking, yet around them, the surroundings churned with flying sand and stones, the sky and earth changing colors.