Granted, Wu Yang's outfit was unremarkable—a faded camouflage jacket and clunky high-top sneakers that made him look no different from any construction worker on a building site. Yet his physique was lean and athletic, standing nearly 1.8 meters tall with sun-kissed skin and a sharp, handsome face. Dressed in a sharp suit or sportswear, he’d easily pass for a sunny, all-American guy.

"What a waste of good looks," Li Xiaoling sighed inwardly. "In terms of family background, character, or charm, how could you possibly compare to Xiang Hai? We’re from two completely different worlds."

Xiang Hai was her classmate—the golden boy of Hengdong University, the school’s most eligible bachelor. Tall, handsome, and athletic (exceling in both basketball and soccer), he was also the only son of Guangcheng’s executive vice-mayor.

The moment she’d stepped onto campus, her father, Li Tong, had subtly hinted that she should befriend Xiang Hai if given the chance. Whether out of familial duty or personal distaste, Li Xiaoling had no intention of associating with this childhood "friend" from her naive past.

---

Ordering food, selecting seats—throughout the entire process, Li Xiaoling maintained a polite but distant demeanor. Without consulting Wu Yang once, she unilaterally decided everything, even ordering a bottle of wine on his behalf without asking his preference.

By now, if Wu Yang still couldn’t read the situation, he’d have wasted his years of experience in the underworld.

But this trip to Guangcheng wasn’t about romance—it was about fulfilling a dying brother’s promise. Li Xiaoling’s attitude was secondary.

While waiting for their food, Wu Yang sipped water from his glass, flashing a white-toothed grin. "Xiaoling, I came to Guangcheng mainly to talk to you about back then..."

"Oh, the steak’s here!" she interrupted cheerfully, taking the plates from the waiter and placing one in front of him.

Wu Yang was speechless. Sighing internally, he tried again. "Xiaoling, I get the message, but back then..."

"We were just kids, being childish. Lei Ge, you’re how old now? Surely you don’t still take those childhood games seriously?" She smiled sweetly. Spotting his untouched food, she lifted her gaze and chirped, "Look at my bag—isn’t it gorgeous? It’s the latest design from international designer Matteo Manhan, limited to just 1,000 pieces worldwide. A high school friend gave it to me. My classmate said it sold for $100,000 at a charity auction. And this outfit? It’s this season’s Versace..."

"Xiaoling, can we stop digressing?"

"Hehe." She giggled again.

"Lei Ge, I’m really happy to see you in Guangcheng. Truly. But I’m so busy—I can’t show you around. Here’s a card with some money. It’s not much, but consider it a token. Use it to start a small business or whatever you want. Just... please leave Guangcheng. This isn’t the place for you."

She slid a bank card across the table, straightened up, and added, "Take my advice. Leave. Now."

As she turned to leave, something seemed to occur to her. She glanced back, smirking. "Oh, and Lei Ge, you probably haven’t had Western food before, right? The steak here is amazing—enjoy. Oh, and don’t worry about the bill. I already paid."

With that, she lifted her chin and strutted out, stiletto heels clicking against the floor.

Wu Yang watched her go, saying nothing.

"If only we could stay as innocent as we were at first sight... but she’s not mine, so why mourn what was never mine?" he thought. "Lei Ge, my brother, rest easy. The Blade of the Hidden Dragon always keeps its word. Unless the sky falls, I’ll honor my promise."

He stood, pushed open the door, and exhaled deeply. The bustling street stretched before him, and for the first time since arriving, his chest felt light.

Vroom!!! black Audi A6 screeched to a halt beside him. Before Wu Yang could react, two hulking men—each over 1.9 meters tall and built like tanks—leaped out and blocked his path.

"The reason humans are called the lords of creation is because we know what we can and cannot touch..." smooth, oily voice drifted from behind the brutes. The speaker was a slick-haired young man in an immaculate suit.

Wu Yang didn’t even glance at him. Lifting his leg, he delivered a kick that sent both thugs flying. The speaker didn’t even have time to react before crashing into them, blood spraying from his mouth.

"You dare hit me?" The man pointed an accusatory finger, voice trembling with disbelief. His two "bodyguards" lay motionless, noses clogged with blood—whether dead or unconscious, it was impossible to tell.

Wu Yang walked up to him, placed a foot on the man’s pale, twisted face, and said calmly, "You’re right. Some things shouldn’t be touched. And some trash doesn’t deserve to threaten others. By the way, feel free to retaliate. Since you found me here, you can probably track down where I live."

He lifted his foot, wiping the sole against the man’s bleeding lip, then walked away without a backward glance, ignoring the venomous stare boring into his back.

The Blade of the Hidden Dragon wasn’t a petty man—but neither was he some coward who’d tolerate insults from a nobody. He could overlook Li Xiaoling’s childishness for his brother’s sake, but this pretty-boy punk?

Did he really think he could threaten me?

What a joke.