"How could this happen!!"
The crowd was horrified.
If such a video were to spread, there would definitely be an official investigation!
And once there's public pressure, the investigation would surely yield results.
They could hardly withstand such scrutiny.
"Boss, call the Zhao family. We might have to ask them to intervene!"
"Yes, as long as Young Master Zhao steps in, this issue can definitely be resolved!"
The Zhao family is one of the top families in San Tai City, and they usually rely on Zhao Huashan, the second son of the Zhao family, as their backer.
Zhao Huashan runs his own entertainment company and is a well-known figure in the industry.
If it weren't for the generous offerings they received from Zhao Huashan, they wouldn't have been able to thrive on short video platforms. Many of their public relations efforts were managed through his connections.
"Right!"
The boss took a deep breath to suppress his anger and dialed a number on his phone.
At dinner time, Xu Zhengyang and Zhang Yu had just settled down at a roadside stall, planning to order some barbecue and beer.
He had declined Che Zhihuo's invitation, simply finding banquets troublesome.
As they were about to place their order, a black car pulled up by the roadside.
A woman in sunglasses and a trench coat stepped out of the car. She removed her sunglasses, revealing a beautiful yet cold expression, as if someone owed her five million.
She was followed by two burly men who clearly looked like trained bodyguards.
The woman identified them and walked towards Xu Zhengyang and Zhang Yu.
"Looking for you?"
Xu Zhengyang was taken aback, glancing at Zhang Yu.
"Do you see any wild plants on my ancestral grave? How could I recognize someone like her?"
Zhang Yu rolled his eyes.
The woman approached them directly. Xu Zhengyang finally recognized her.
He had seen her on the news. She was Zhao Xiaoman, a notable member of the third generation of the Zhao family in San Tai City.
Her father, Zhao Huashan, manages entertainment companies and hotels, some of which are under her responsibility.
The woman said directly:
"Let's talk in the car."
She turned to head back to the car, but Xu Zhengyang and Zhang Yu made no move to follow.
Xu Zhengyang was not pleased with her attitude. Regardless of her purpose, her commanding demeanor was a bit much.
"Don't make us work harder."
One of the bodyguards said coldly.
"Are you... from the Black Society?"
Xu Zhengyang asked Zhao Xiaoman with a hint of mockery.
One of the bodyguards frowned and stepped forward, ready to take action.
Zhao Xiaoman, however, stopped him with a hand and sat down expressionlessly.
"I'm here to buy that video. Name your price."
Zhao Xiaoman was straightforward.
"Oh? The Zhao family is personally handling this? Looks like you're involved as well?"
Xu Zhengyang was somewhat surprised.
Zhao Xiaoman narrowed her eyes and said coldly:
"Do you know me?"
"The outstanding young talent of the Zhao family's third generation."
"Good, here's a check. Fill in the amount."
Zhao Xiaoman nodded and threw a checkbook onto the table, her gaze indifferent, showing no intention of saying another word.
"Is it really any amount?"
Xu Zhengyang asked with surprise.
"Yes," Zhao Xiaoman sneered.
Such a trivial matter required her to come personally—what a joke.
She had dealt with many lowlifes who extorted information. If not for the hassle and the presence of many people, she would have had someone beat him up and snatch the video.
"Alright then!"
Xu Zhengyang cheerfully picked up a pen and wrote 9,990,000 on the check.
Nine million nine hundred ninety thousand yuan.
He then handed the checkbook back.
"Sign it."
Seeing the amount on the check, Zhao Xiaoman's eyes twitched.
She looked at Xu Zhengyang with a cold stare.
"I'm not in the mood to joke with you."
Xu Zhengyang leaned on the table, smiling faintly:
"What? Can't cash it out? Are you pretending to be high and mighty without the means to back it up?
If you can't cash it out, why the hell are you telling me to fill in any amount? Are you out of your mind?
I won't fill it in. If I cut two zeros off, can you even manage that?
This checkbook isn't worth more than a few melons. What are you showing off for?"
Xu Zhengyang's words left Zhao Xiaoman stunned.
She never expected Xu Zhengyang to be so uncultured and unorthodox.
Moreover, his loud and vulgar humiliation was something she had never encountered before.
Around them, other diners turned their attention to the scene.
Without knowing the full story, Xu Zhengyang's remarks were clear and to the point.
Many looked at the woman with disdain.
Xu Zhengyang quickly shed his aggressive demeanor, returning to a harmless appearance as he sat back down.
"You're asking for trouble!"
The bodyguard beside Zhao Xiaoman had long been irritated by Xu Zhengyang. He had been waiting to deal with him ever since he refused to get in the car.
Seeing Xu Zhengyang insult Zhao Xiaoman, he immediately went for his throat.
With his strength, he could easily lift Xu Zhengyang and incapacitate him.
Zhao Xiaoman's eyes were cold, tacitly allowing the bodyguard's action.
But she only saw a blur of movement.
Xu Zhengyang's speed was so fast that the bodyguard couldn't follow. His strength was beyond what the bodyguard could handle.
Xu Zhengyang grabbed the bodyguard's hand and slammed it onto the table, then quickly drove two chopsticks into it!
Thud!
The chopsticks pierced through the bodyguard's palm, then through the table, pinning him down!
Though the table was merely a common three-ply board.
Piercing a disposable chopstick through it seemed impossible.
What's more, it penetrated the bodyguard's palm.
The bodyguard, a tough man, merely grunted but did not scream.
His eyes were filled with shock, realizing he and the other bodyguard were no match for Xu Zhengyang.
Zhao Xiaoman's eyes widened, showing her first sign of panic as she stared at Xu Zhengyang in horror.
"Sigh... How disappointing. Can't the Zhao family find someone capable for this? Sending a useless person like you?"
Xu Zhengyang scoffed at Zhao Xiaoman, then waved to Zhang Yu. The two walked away.
Given the situation, there was no point in eating. They decided to find another place.
Zhao Xiaoman was left standing in shock.
She had always been praised as a top talent among the Zhao family's third generation, known for her decisive actions and recognized capabilities.
This had fostered her arrogant attitude.
But she didn't expect such a minor matter to go so wrong today.
Moreover, Xu Zhengyang's insult was something she couldn't accept.
A waste? Incapable?
How could such words be associated with Zhao Xiaoman?
But she had indeed been thoroughly humiliated by Xu Zhengyang. Neither her polite approach nor her threats had worked.
She felt a deep sense of defeat for the first time!
Yet, at the same time, she was consumed by intense hatred.
She silently vowed to crush Xu Zhengyang beneath her feet!