The daytime in Deep City seemed busy yet colorless, but when night fell, the neon lights made the city appear much more vibrant and colorful.
In a pink tee-shirt paired with blue jeans and casual sneakers, Hai Mingzhu stood neatly under the neon lights outside a photography studio. Jade jewelry around her neck and left wrist added to her scholarly glow. However, the ponytail fluttering behind her as she looked around gave her a bit of a mischievous air. A girl as eye-catching as her naturally attracted the attention of many men.
From a distance, a loud rumbling sound approached. Although it was muffled when it entered the square, the audacious vibe still provoked people's disdainful glances and disgust.
However, while people may be disgusted, no one said anything. Everyone knew that those who behaved so audaciously usually had some powerful backing. Everyone had their small blessings, and it wasn't worth causing trouble for others.
Hai Mingzhu glanced around and saw a burgundy Lamborghini slowly driving over. Understandably, she didn't pay it much attention. Despite lacking Shen Yue's deduction skills, the sight of the sports car was enough to tell her that it couldn't possibly be Shen Yue or Jin Xin, as it didn't align with their styles, let alone with Jin Xin's budget.
Unexpectedly, the sports car stopped right in front of Hai Mingzhu. The car door rose upward like a guillotine, and a man emerged from beneath it, striding straight toward Hai Mingzhu.
The approaching man wore a colorful leisure shirt, his waxed black hair was shiny and smooth—so much so that a fly would struggle to land on it. He hadn't even reached her yet before the scent of his cologne arrived. Upon standing before Hai Mingzhu, the man began to scan her from head to toe. His smirk indicated his delight in spotting his prey.
At first, Hai Mingzhu thought it would be Jin Xin or Shen Yue. But after a glimpse of the man, she showed a disgusted expression. To her, this man was evidently an ignorant, spoiled heir.
The man made a show of leisurely taking out a cigarette, placing it into his mouth. Then a man in a black suit hastily rushed over, pulling out a diamond-encrusted lighter, and without a word, began to light his cigarette. After taking a puff, the man blew his smoke toward Hai Mingzhu.
Hai Mingzhu sidestepped, allowing the smoke to disperse in the wind. Yet under the neon lights, she seemed to shine even brighter.
The man's eyes gleamed, and he flirtatiously said, "What's your name, miss?"
Hai Mingzhu simply turned her head away.
The man's black-suited companion, who seemed to be both bodyguard and babysitter, stepped forward and snapped, "The Third Young Master was talking to you, are you deaf?"
The Third Young Master immediately waved his hand to stop his subordinate, feigning annoyance, "What're you doing? How many times have I told you to be gentle with ladies?"
Taking a step forward, the Third Young Master lewdly eyed Hai Mingzhu, "Miss, would you be interested in having dinner with me?" In his attempt to flaunt, his shaking cigarette made the gigantic diamond ring and limited-edition Patek Philippe watch on his wrist all the more noticeable.
Hai Mingzhu's disgust deepened, she retorted coldly, "Do I know you that well?"
"Won't we get to know each other by talking?" Before the Third Young Master could place his hand on Hai Mingzhu's shoulder, Hai Mingzhu stepped back again, finally showing her anger, "Get lost!"
"What if I don't?" The Third Young Master, having experienced many similar situations, appeared unperturbed. Usually, women would have thrown themselves at him once they saw his sports car, limited-edition watch, and ring set. But he had grown bored with these women and found Hai Mingzhu's rebellious nature far more challenging.
"If you won't, then we can help you."
A voice came from behind Hai Mingzhu. She turned around and was pleasantly surprised, "President Jin, Advisor Shen."
It was Jin Xin who spoke.
Although Shen Yue was with Jin Xin, he seemed invisible, standing in the shadows. Without Hai Mingzhu's mental preparation, it would be nearly impossible to detect Shen Yue's presence.
But Jin Xin was impossible to ignore. His sturdy physique and towering 186 cm height gave the Third Young Master enough pressure to step back involuntarily.
However, the black-suited bodyguard stepped forward, admonishing: "What are you trying to do?" He thrust his arm toward Jin Xin, clearly indicating that Jin Xin should keep his distance.
Unexpectedly, Jin Xin grabbed the bodyguard's wrist and shook lightly. Suddenly, the bodyguard felt a shot of pain coming from his wrist. Just to avoid getting his wrist broken, he stumbled to the side. Barely avoiding a fall, the bodyguard's face had lost colour and he was boiling up, "Do you know who our young master is?"
You know a professional when they step in.
The Third Young Master's bodyguards were certainly not leeches. They had their skills. But within moments of the encounter, they realized that Jin Xin's speed and strength surpassed their own. The bodyguard, with a cold heart, didn't dare to fight further, and immediately switched tactics—using identity as leverage.
"Who is your young master?" Jin Xin asked back, a glint of light fleeting in his eyes.
"Our master is the third son of the Titan Industries." The bodyguard replied arrogantly.
Hai Mingzhu stared for a moment, seeming somewhat flustered. She knew that Jin Xin and Shen Yue were here tonight to bid for contracts from Titan Industries. Wasn't it asking for trouble to offend the son of Titan Industries?
"President Jin, let's go. This isn't a problem." Hai Mingzhu was quick to offer.
Jin Xin hesitated for a moment and turned to leave. The Third Young Master spat on the ground. Still, seeing Jin Xin's stature and the gesture of his bodyguard, he didn't dare initiate any further confrontation.
At this moment, a Bentley car stopped beside them without uterring a sound. The car window scrolled down, revealing the half-face of a heavily made-up woman past her prime, "Jizu, what's the matter?"
The emergence of the woman gave the Third Young Master a boost of confidence, "Mom, it's nothing. I just ran into a lowly woman who wants to offer herself to me. I couldn't be bothered with her, but this pimp started causing me trouble."
"What did you say?" Jin Xin's face changed dramatically, angered. Hai Mingzhu was also outraged, biting her lip, saying nothing.
"I said she is a whore." Jizu, the Third Young Master, leaned on his mother's support, completely disregarding Jin Xin. "I said you are a pimp. So what? You don't agree? Think I wronged you? Yes, I wronged you, so what? Bite me?"
Jin Xin chuckled, his fist almost springing out when he felt his wrist get held back. Turning to look, it was Hai Mingzhu who had held him back. Her smile seemed forced, "President Jin, let it go. It's not worth it."
"Exactly, it's not worth it." Shen Yue finally stepped forward and advised, "If a dog bites you, you don't need to bite it back."
His single sentence left the initially-arrogant Jizu green-faced. Watching Shen Yue walking away with Jin Xin and Hai Mingzhu, Jizu shouted, "Who did you call a dog? If you dare, don't run and say it again!"
The woman from the Bentley car also stepped out. With obvious displeasure on her face, she huffed, "Who are you, people? You dare publicly insult my child! Believe it or not, I can sue you?"
Shen Yue stopped and turned around. He ignored the woman but calmly looked at Jizu and said, "I said you're an unruly dog biting people. If more of your kind come out to protect you, I won't hesitate to break all your dog legs. Believe it or not?"
After his words, the faces of everyone present changed.