Breakfast consisted of milk, bread, and fried eggs.
The fried eggs were made by Ouyang Ying herself. You wouldn't guess that a carefree and somewhat lazy rich girl could actually cook.
This made Xu Zhengyang feel that this place really felt like home for his sister.
For Xu Zhengyang, who was used to having two bowls of corn porridge or millet porridge at home, along with two steamed buns and some pickled vegetables, this kind of breakfast, so common in urban life, was really hard to get used to, and... it wasn't enough. A glass of milk, two slices of bread, two fried eggs? Even doubling the amount wouldn't be enough for Xu Zhengyang.
However, Xu Zhengyang was naturally too embarrassed to say that there wasn't enough food. He sat at the table, silently drinking milk and chewing on bread and eggs. Noticing that the two girls at the table were occasionally glancing at him with questioning and probing eyes, Xu Zhengyang smiled, looked at Xu Rouyue, and then at Ouyang Ying, and said, "Is there something you need?"
"No..." the two girls said in unison, quickly lowering their heads to drink their milk.
"Oh." Xu Zhengyang nodded, puzzled.
Every advantage has its disadvantage! Xu Zhengyang sighed inwardly. Although he had used his supernatural abilities to teach Huang Chen a swift and decisive lesson, and had basically eliminated all future worries, Xu Zhengyang now discovered that this matter had also led to a drawback.
After leaving the Honglong Hotel last night, my younger sister remained mostly silent and didn't ask what had happened. Ouyang Ying, while still polite and courteous, occasionally cracking a sweet joke, didn't actually inquire how he had accomplished such an unbelievable feat. Only before going to sleep last night did Ouyang Ying giggle and say, "Brother Zhengyang, you're so mysterious and cool."
Xu Zhengyang could figure out the reason. It wasn't that the two weren't curious or didn't want to ask, but rather that they were somewhat frightened and apprehensive by this strange and unpredictable matter.
Of course, not everyone would do that. For example, Diao Yishi, who was determined to be a hero, would be impatient and ask.
After finishing his bread and eggs and drinking his milk, Xu Zhengyang picked up a tissue from the table, wiped his mouth, and said with a smile, "I know you're feeling down, but... it's nothing." He didn't want this to cause any distance between them.
Upon hearing Xu Zhengyang bring it up, Ouyang Ying immediately put down her cup and stared at Xu Zhengyang excitedly, saying, "Brother Zhengyang, is it the Earth God helping you?"
Xu Zhengyang was taken aback, then looked at his sister.
"Brother, last night, Yingying asked me about it, and I told her..." Xu Rouyue said, blushing.
"Hehe, it's nothing." Xu Zhengyang smiled. "That's true."
"Wow..." Ouyang Ying opened her mouth wide in exaggerated surprise, then squinted her eyes and said with a look of longing, "This is too legendary, how could there really be immortals?"
Xu Zhengyang smiled but remained silent; he didn't know how to answer this question.
Seeing this, Ouyang Ying stuck out her tongue and didn't dare to ask any more questions. After all, this kind of thing was still unbelievable to her, and she was still feeling uneasy. How could Rouyue have such a mysterious brother? How could she have met such a person? Wow... this is so exciting.
When the doorbell rang, Xu Rouyue and Ouyang Ying were clearing the table, while Xu Zhengyang was sitting on the sofa idly flipping through a storybook.
Ouyang Ying ran over and opened the door. Diao Yishi, wearing an oversized T-shirt and jeans, chuckled and squeezed in.
"Big brother, have you eaten yet?"
"Hehe, I've already eaten." Xu Zhengyang smiled, putting down the newspaper he was holding.
As Diao Yishi walked into the house, he took out a cigarette with a smile on his face, handed one to Xu Zhengyang, and sat down opposite Xu Zhengyang, saying, "Brother, let me take you out for some fun. What's the point of staying at home?"
"I'm not going. Yu Xuan is treating me to lunch, so I have to go."
"Yu Xuan invited you?" Diao Yishi was taken aback for a moment, then said nonchalantly, "Isn't it still noon? Let's go out and play in the morning, and come back at noon."
Xu Zhengyang was somewhat tempted. After all, he had never been to Beijing before. Last time he came, he planned to visit the famous tourist attractions with his sister, but the incident involving Cao Gangchuan and Zhang Hao made him rush back to his hometown that very night after arriving in Beijing.
Xu Rouyue poked her head out of the kitchen and said, "Brother, why don't you go outside for a walk?"
"Are you going too?" Xu Zhengyang asked.
"I'm not going. School starts tomorrow, and I need to study for a while," Xu Rouyue said with a smile.
"Hehe, Rouyue has been to all over the capital, so you don't need to worry about her, her brother," Ouyang Ying said with a smile.
Xu Zhengyang stood up with a smile and said, "Alright, let's go out for a walk. Oh, by the way, Rouyue, Yingying, Yu Xuan is treating us to lunch, you should come too."
"I'm not going," Xu Rouyue replied from the kitchen.
"I'm not going either, hehe, I'll stay home with my darling little Rouyue," Ouyang Ying said with a charming laugh.
Since his younger sister didn't want to go, Xu Zhengyang naturally wouldn't force her. Anyway, this meeting with Yu Xuan for dinner probably wouldn't be anything serious, so there was no need to make his sister go. Xu Zhengyang knew his sister; she was shy, honest, and kind, and disliked these kinds of situations. Moreover, she had already had a conflict with Yu Xuan's friend Huang Chen, making her even more reluctant to see these people.
After going downstairs with Diao Yishi and getting into the silver-gray Lamborghini sports car, Xu Zhengyang asked with some curiosity, "What brand of sports car is this?"
He genuinely didn't know what the logo of this sports car, which he had only seen on television, was called. To his knowledge, apart from Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW, he knew nothing about other luxury cars.
"Lamborghini Gallardo," Diao Yishi replied with a smile as he started the car.
"Hmm, never heard of it. How much does it cost?" Xu Zhengyang leaned back in his seat, feeling quite comfortable. Although the car looked small from the outside and the interior space was cramped, once inside, he found that the space didn't feel small or oppressive at all; on the contrary, it felt spacious and bright.
The car had already started, and Diao Yishi, who was used to driving fast, didn't bother to drive slowly. The speed quickly increased to over 90 miles per hour, and Diao Yishi said casually while driving, "Over four million."
Xu Zhengyang paused for a moment, then said nothing more.
I was shocked again. Damn, just how rich are the rich people in Beijing? This rich young master, who obviously does nothing, smokes cigarettes that cost more than 200 yuan a pack and drives a sports car worth more than 4 million yuan... Holy crap, even if I put all my wealth together, I still couldn't afford one of his cars.
A few days ago, I even thought I was a tycoon, with plenty of money!
But after arriving in the capital, he was constantly reminded that he was still part of the poor peasant class.
That morning, Diao Yishi led Xu Zhengyang on a whirlwind tour of the "Royal Gardens." Xu Zhengyang was truly astonished. Good heavens, just a quick visit to the "Royal Gardens," and the morning was almost over, yet they hadn't even seen half of it. This showed just how vast the capital city was. At this rate, to visit all the famous attractions in the capital, one would need to stay in Beijing for at least a week.
It's a pity I don't have the time. I have to hurry back. After all, I have a religious post, how can I not be there to look after the stall?
At 11:30, Yu Xuan called, saying that he was still at the Honglong Hotel, in the same private room.
Xu Zhengyang agreed and asked Diao Yishi to go with him.
Diao Yishi was extremely excited and nodded repeatedly in agreement, then drove at high speed toward the Honglong Hotel.
Last night, after returning home, Diao Yishi was excited for two or three hours, constantly thinking about how to get closer to Xu Zhengyang, this living master, and learn the most profound and unfathomable divine skills to become invincible... At first, he considered that getting to know such a master would be an absolutely prestigious and awe-inspiring thing in his circle. However, after careful consideration, he felt that he couldn't tell others, because most living masters prefer to live low-key lives and don't want everyone to know about them; they crave that sense of mystery.
The mystery, on the other hand, seems to excite and thrill people, giving it a hint of an affair.
Diao Yishi also decided to keep a low profile and remain mysterious, never letting anyone know that he knew such a legendary figure. Imagine the incredibly cool scene it would be if such a person appeared behind him at the right time!
Being invited by Yu Xuan along with Xu Zhengyang is something to be proud of in the industry.
It should be noted that Yu Xuan and Huang Chen are considered veterans among the wealthy second-generation in the capital, as they are already twenty-six or twenty-seven years old and have long since matured from the absurd age of eighteen or nineteen. Moreover, it is said that they were even more arrogant than most of Diao Yishi's generation back then.
Therefore, Yu Xuan and Huang Chen still hold considerable weight in the hearts of Diao Yishi's generation.
Xu Zhengyang had guessed that Yu Xuan had probably invited Huang Chen along, and that the reason for choosing the same private room at the Honglong Hotel was simply to reconcile and clear things up. This would prevent Xu Rouyue from having any troubles in the future and calling her brother to complain. If Xu Zhengyang, as her brother, didn't say a word and just blamed Huang Chen based on his own judgment, Huang Chen would be in a really difficult position.
Unexpectedly, Yu Xuan was the only one in the private room; even Xia Dan was not there.
On the large round table, there were more than a dozen dishes and two bottles of Moutai.
Upon seeing Xu Zhengyang enter, Yu Xuan smiled, stood up, and extended his hand to greet him: "Zhengyang, hello! I feel honored to have you here!"
"You're too kind, brother." Xu Zhengyang smiled and shook hands with Yu Xuan.
"Little Diao, you're here too!" Yu Xuan reached out and shook hands with Diao Yishi again, appearing very warm and familiar, completely unlike the disdain and contempt he showed when he saw Diao Yishi yesterday.
"Yes, Brother Zhengyang brought me here." Diao Yishi now felt no pressure in front of Yu Xuan.
What a joke! My newly adopted brother is a reclusive master, a powerful backer and a strong support! Might makes right. In the face of a strong and powerful iron fist, everything else is just fluff and paper tigers!
Yu Xuan filled the cup with wine, exchanged a few polite words, and then raised his cup to indicate that he was drinking.
What followed was just bland, meaningless chatter...
Yu Xuan was very good at conversations in social situations. He was not pretentious at all, spoke with great manners, was not polite or arrogant, and made people feel comfortable, or at least not to the point of being disliked.
After a few rounds of drinks and a bottle of baijiu, Xu Zhengyang's stomach was about half full. He said, "As the saying goes, 'He who takes another's money is bound to him, and he who eats another's food is bound to him.' Brother Yu, just say what you have to say. I'm not good at talking, so let's not beat around the bush. It's boring and a headache."
"Brother Zhengyang is a straightforward man." Yu Xuan did not show any embarrassment because of Xu Zhengyang's words, and said with a smile, "Then I will be frank. People often say that it is better to resolve a feud than to make it fester. Yesterday, I, as the middleman, did not do a good job, and as a result, something very unpleasant happened last night. I apologize to you in advance." After saying that, Yu Xuan picked up a cup of wine and drank it all in one gulp.
Xu Zhengyang smiled, raised his glass and drank it down, then lit a cigarette and smoked it, waiting for Yu Xuan to continue.
"I have something to tell you, but don't laugh at me," Yu Xuan chuckled first, and said, "After what happened yesterday, guess what Huang Chen did first when he got back?"
Xu Zhengyang looked at Yu Xuan with a slightly puzzled smile.
"That kid rushed to his parents' place in Rouhuai County overnight, took a jade pendant that his mother had obtained during her trip to western Tibet last year, which was said to have been blessed by a living Buddha, and hung it around his neck, saying it would ward off evil spirits..."
Xu Zhengyang chuckled and said, "Later, tell him to find a few more enlightened masters to draw some talismans to carry on his person or stick on his eyebrows, that would be safer."
Yu Xuan was taken aback when he saw Xu Zhengyang's indifferent expression.
After yesterday's events, he and Huang Chen sat down to discuss it, and they all felt that such a bizarre thing could only be a legendary sorcery. As for hypnosis, they didn't even bother to think about it, because everyone understood that hypnosis was just a psychological medical technique, not as mysterious and powerful as rumored.
So, Huang Chen, feeling anxious, hurriedly ran home to retrieve the jade pendant.
Although Yu Xuan was also very frightened, he ultimately felt that Xu Zhengyang would not harm him, so he was not too worried or afraid.
Judging from Xu Zhengyang's expression, he clearly didn't take the blessed jade pendant seriously. Yu Xuan knew that Huang Chen's efforts had been in vain.
Xu Zhengyang genuinely found it funny, but didn't care at all.
What the hell are these so-called blessed Taoist talismans and incantations from living Buddhas? Even if they are real or fake, it all depends on who they're used against. I am a proper, serving official, a god! To pull out those so-called man-made things in front of me is like showing off your axe skills in front of Guan Yu!
"Brother Zhengyang," Yu Xuan said with a smile, raising his glass to Xu Zhengyang to drink, then continued, "No matter what, Huang Chen is scared now. He asked me to apologize on his behalf and admit his mistake. He's shown some magnanimity, so please don't hold a grudge against him anymore..."
“I didn’t do anything to him, I just taught him a lesson.” Xu Zhengyang shook his head and said, “Brother Yu, what you’re saying is a bit biased, as if I was the one who was wrong and I was the one who was unfair.”
"Hehe, sorry, sorry." Yu Xuan quickly waved his hand. "It was Huang Chen's fault to begin with, but as the saying goes, killing someone is just a matter of beheading them. He has already admitted his guilt, so brother, don't hold a grudge. Otherwise, it would make us seem a bit narrow-minded."
Xu Zhengyang smiled and asked, "What do you mean?"
"Actually, there's nothing else to it. Huang Chen's point is, well, of course, it's also my point. After all, people encounter all sorts of things every day in this world, some troublesome and some happy, right? In case some clueless person upsets Rouyue in the future, don't take it out on Huang Chen without even knowing the facts!" Yu Xuan said this with a relaxed expression, as if he were joking.
"Oh, is that all?" Xu Zhengyang pretended to suddenly realize, then shook his head and said, "Then try your best not to let my sister suffer."
“This…” Yu Xuan looked troubled.
Xu Zhengyang changed the subject and tone, and said with a smile, "I rarely come to Beijing, and I don't have many friends here. If my sister needs help in any way... I can't just fly over right away, can I?"
"Haha! Brother Zhengyang, you're a true man, a real righteous guy!" Yu Xuan laughed as he stood up, raised his glass to toast Xu Zhengyang, then downed it in one gulp, saying, "No doubt about it, a smile can erase all grudges. Tonight, I'll have Huang Chen treat us to a good drink. We've become friends through this fight. Xu Rouyue is your sister, and she's our sister too. In the capital, if anything happens, regardless of whether Huang Chen intervenes or not, I, Yu Xuan, will definitely not stand idly by."
"Then thank you in advance." Xu Zhengyang smiled and drank the wine in his glass.
"Come on, let's not talk about this anymore. Let's talk about something else. Where is Brother Zhengyang making his fortune these days?"
"Sigh, I make a living by farming. I'm just a poor farmer. I just started an antique shop with a partner. I don't even know if I can make any money. Hehe."
"Hmm, interested in developing your career in Beijing? Let's make a fortune together, brothers."
"Alright, Brother Rong, I'll go back and think it over carefully. If you have any ideas on how to make money, you'd better let me know in advance..."
Xu Zhengyang is not the kind of person who will not let things go once he is in the right or in power.
As the saying goes, when you're traveling, having more friends makes the road easier. In the capital, it's one thing for my sister not to be bullied, but it's another to have someone to help her. And if she has both, then... that would be perfect.
This is something that can completely put Xu Zhengyang's mind at ease.
Volume Two, Gong Cao, Chapter 60: Reflections from the Mountain Peak
Unable to resist everyone's repeated urging, Xu Zhengyang had no choice but to agree to stay in the capital for another day.
On the day his younger sister started school, he visited the Badaling Great Wall in Pingchang District, accompanied by Yu Xuan, Huang Chen, Jiguantou, and Diao Yishi, and climbed the world-famous Juyongguan Pass.