Chapter Five: The Fate of the Devoted Follower

Li Shishi and He Pianpian listened to Ling Feng’s words with utter scorn in their hearts. They had wondered why this good-for-nothing was acting so cocky today—so it turned out he was just someone’s driver. What was so remarkable about being a driver? Even after a thousand years, he’d still be a poor loser. Did they really think Chen Black-and-White would give him shares of the company?

Now that Huo Du, such an influential figure, was backing him, President Chen didn’t say anything. But Huo Du couldn’t protect him forever, could he? Did Ling Feng really think Huo Du was as faithful as a devoted lover, sticking by his side twenty-four hours a day? The moment Huo Du left, just see how President Chen would deal with him.

Moreover, Li Shishi didn’t believe Huo Du would really help Ling Feng crush Chen Mingsheng. After all, both men were part of high society—what was Ling Feng compared to them? Huo Du was only acting this way now because he’d been fooled by Ling Feng’s supposed identity as Chen Black-and-White’s driver. But if she exposed him...

Noticing Chen Mingsheng’s gloomy expression, Li Shishi suddenly felt compelled to say something. After all, the chance to speak in front of a personage like Huo Du was rare—word would get out, enhancing her own status; Chen Mingsheng would be grateful, and perhaps Huo Du himself might even appreciate her. The thought of stepping on someone only made her more eager.

She twirled a lock of hair around her finger, let out a little laugh, and said sweetly, “So, you’re Mr. Huo? I’ve heard so much about you.”

“My name is Li Shishi. I’m President Chen’s friend.”

“Hey, perhaps you don’t know, but this man called Ling Feng is nothing more than a live-in son-in-law cared for by his wife. I don’t think you two distinguished gentlemen should get into a quarrel over someone like him. As for Ling Feng, just leave him to me. If he dares to speak again, I’ll teach him a lesson myself.”

“Ling Feng, kneel in front of me—now! Are you really that stupid? Mr. Huo has graciously lowered himself to give you face; you should at least know your place. President Chen is too kind—yet you, a country bumpkin, are getting carried away. They’re too noble to bother with you, but I, Li Shishi, won’t tolerate your antics. Come here, kneel, and lick my shoes clean—or I’ll slap you silly.”

Li Shishi raised her chin haughtily and glared fiercely at Ling Feng.

“Shishi, that’s enough—stop it!” Chu Biyue was startled. She was truly frightened that, once Ling Feng’s identity was exposed, Huo Du would turn on him then and there. If that happened, Ling Feng would be in real danger. Forcing down her fear, she glared at Li Shishi.

“What did you say? You want to slap Mr. Ling and make him kneel and lick your shoes? Did I hear that right? Where the hell did this idiotic woman come from? Do you think you’re worthy of calling me Mr. Huo?” Huo Du was so angry he laughed. He waved at his men. “Drag this idiot out, give her fifty slaps, smash that dog face of hers, then cut out her tongue.”

Li Shishi thought she was pretty, and as Chen Mingsheng’s “friend,” she imagined she had some status. She believed Huo Du would at least look at her differently—after all, she was flattering him. He should appreciate it, shouldn’t he?

But to her shock, Huo Du didn’t see her as anything at all. She stumbled back in fright, glancing desperately at Chen Mingsheng for help.

Smack! Smack! Without a word, Huo Du’s men forced Li Shishi to her knees and slapped her left and right until blood gushed from her nose and her head spun with stars. They yanked her by the hair, dragging her outside like a dead dog.

Meanwhile, the usually imposing Chen Mingsheng stood by, not daring to utter a word.

“No, please don’t! Spare me! Biyue, save me! Save me!” Li Shishi clawed desperately at Chen Mingsheng, but he turned away, pretending not to see. With no one else to turn to, she looked to Chu Biyue as her last hope.

“You... you’re not serious, are you?” Chu Biyue was stunned. She’d never seen anything like this before. Li Shishi had gone too far tonight, but to the point of cutting out her tongue?

“It’s absolutely serious. Why, do you want to try it too?” Huo Du’s voice was cold and menacing as he flashed a grim smile at Chu Biyue. These ignorant women had dared to offend Mr. Ling—he wouldn’t mind teaching another a lesson.

“She’s my wife,” Ling Feng said, his face darkening.

“Ah!” Huo Du nearly jumped out of his skin, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. What was he doing today, making a fool of himself in front of his master, and now even offending his mistress? Was he courting death?

He hurriedly bowed and smiled at Chu Biyue. “Oh, so you’re Mrs. Ling! I’m so sorry, I should gouge out my own eyes for not recognizing you. Please, forgive my ignorance!”

“Mr. Ling, I...” Huo Du looked to Ling Feng for help.

Seeing Huo Du so terrified, Chu Biyue was dumbfounded. Perhaps the rumors about Huo Du weren’t all true—otherwise why would he be so afraid of Chen Black-and-White’s driver? What would he be like if he ever met Chen Black-and-White himself?

She didn’t know that, if Huo Du did meet Chen Black-and-White, he wouldn’t be so humble. Chu Biyue began to worry about Chen Black-and-White, afraid that one day Ling Feng might crash his car into a ditch. Why would Chen Black-and-White pick such a driver? Was he blind?

Then it struck her that Huo Du was only acting this way to curry favor with Chen Black-and-White. But if he really had Li Shishi’s tongue cut out, and trouble arose, Huo Du would surely shift all the blame onto Ling Feng. Though she had little affection for Ling Feng, she didn’t want to see him get into trouble—especially since everything he’d done tonight was for her sake.

“Ling Feng, what are you doing? Before things get out of hand, hurry up and let Shishi go!”

Ling Feng knew full well that, in front of his wife, he couldn’t actually let Huo Du cut out Li Shishi’s tongue. But Li Shishi was simply too arrogant and vicious. If she wasn’t taught a lesson, who knew how she might bully Chu Biyue in the future, or what other despicable deeds she might commit?

Moreover, Ling Feng didn’t want Chu Biyue to know too much about him for now. After all, the Ling family and the Ouyang family in the capital were the most powerful clans in all of Yanxia. Even as the mighty War Emperor, to uproot them would not be easy. He didn’t want Chu Biyue caught up in such matters.

“Mr. Huo, you’ve already given me plenty of face today. This is getting out of hand—after all, she’s my wife’s close friend. Why not do me another favor and spare her tongue? But as for my deal with President Chen, that must go ahead.” In other words, other punishments would still be necessary.

Hearing this, Huo Du understood at once. It seemed his master’s identity was so secret even his own wife was kept in the dark, and he used the lowly role of live-in son-in-law as a cover. His master was truly unfathomable and wise. Anyone who dared oppose him would meet a grim fate. Huo Du’s respect for Ling Feng only deepened.

“Of course, Mr. Ling, your wish is my command. You lot, give her fifty more slaps, and then make her lick the shoes of every man here—except mine and Mr. Ling’s. She’s not worthy of ours. Then throw this idiot out. I never want to see her again.”

Smack! Smack! Just then, one of Huo Du’s men came in with a contract, which Huo Du tossed in front of Chen Mingsheng with a sinister smile. “Sign it.”

It was a loan contract for two hundred million. Chen Mingsheng only glanced at it before nearly bursting into tears. He wanted to refuse, but thinking of the terrifying power of the Huo family in Jiangdong, he dared not defy them. So, after a brief hesitation, he signed and pressed his fingerprint on the contract.

Still, Chen Mingsheng wasn’t too worried. He noticed that the lender’s name was Ling Feng. That meant, come tomorrow, it would be Ling Feng—not Huo Du—coming to collect the debt. Hmph, that cowardly son-in-law wouldn’t dare set foot in the Maosheng Chamber of Commerce. But if he did, all the better—he could take revenge for tonight’s humiliation. He’d tear Ling Feng to pieces to vent his rage. As for Chen Black-and-White and Huo Du, seeing as the man was dead and of no consequence, a meal and a couple bottles of wine would settle the matter.

Thinking this, Chen Mingsheng felt much better, as if a weight had been lifted from his heart.

“I’ll be waiting for your news tomorrow,” said Ling Feng calmly, glancing at the contract before tucking it into his pocket.

Though Ling Feng’s tone was nonchalant, Huo Du knew all too well the ruthlessness with which his master had acted three years prior. Compared to him, Sun Fu was as gentle as a woman. In truth, Huo Du almost felt sorry for Chen Mingsheng and Li Shishi; three years ago, his master would have ordered their entire families wiped out.

Huo Du didn’t know why his master had vanished for three years, nor did he dare ask. But he believed that Ling Feng must have been masterminding some earth-shattering scheme all this time—things a small fry like him could never hope to comprehend. After all, the clan patriarch had once said that a single decision from the master could topple a nation’s economy or even alter the balance of the world.

Someone like that—even the patriarch of his own family found it nearly impossible to see him. Huo Du had never dared hope he’d ever meet his master in person. Now, having met him, he felt he could die without regret.

He couldn’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction, thinking that because of what had happened today, his own status in the family would rise, and those relatives who used to look down on him would finally view him with envy.