Selina Wu looked at Sylvia Xia.
Sylvia Xia stared back at Selina Wu.
Both girls had their own strengths. As their gazes met, it was needle against awn—neither willing to back down.
The atmosphere instantly grew tense.
"Forget it. I have no interest in kicking someone when they're down."
Sylvia Xia suddenly broke into a smile, no longer glancing in Evan Lin's direction. The meaning behind her words was obvious.
"Besides, after today, we probably won't see each other again. But Selina Wu, let me remind you—your Wu family is no longer based in Beijing."
With that, Sylvia Xia turned and left with Gordon Guo, Tyson Tai, and the others.
Selina Wu sighed, glanced at Evan Lin, thought for a moment, then asked, "How do you feel?"
"I feel nothing."
Evan Lin shook his head.
That's for the best.
The two groups never got along—those from Juxingan and those from Tyson's side have been at odds since childhood. Everyone is used to it.
Selina Wu had worried Evan Lin might be upset.
In reality, Evan Lin didn't care about Sylvia Xia's earlier words.
For example, Sylvia Xia's comment about kicking someone when they're down.
Evan Lin had never been someone down on his luck, no matter how fierce Sylvia's words were, he wouldn't see himself that way.
In the eyes of the Nine Mysteries Immortal Lord, mortals are like ants. If he sees you as an ant, you are an ant; only if he regards you as human are you truly human.
This is the dao heart.
As for so-called lessons from those who came before…
If Sylvia Xia knew about Mo Yang, Master Baiyun, or Northwest Lord Tao, she might understand who really needs to heed the lesson of those who came before.
As for getting angry…
Sylvia Xia isn't qualified to provoke Evan Lin's anger.
Selina Wu didn't get angry either—even when Sylvia Xia said the Wu family was no longer in Beijing, she didn't mind.
Because that kind of anger is meaningless.
Getting angry because of others only hurts yourself.
Besides, in this kind of gathering, whoever lashes out first loses face.
Qi-nurturing is called qi-nurturing because it cultivates composure—and endurance.
The group headed inside, gathering in the courtyard.
Allen Ju sat in a chair, head down since entering, hunched over, elbows on his knees, hands clasped, his expression hidden.
Judging by his demeanor, his mood was probably pretty bad.
Grace Liu noticed Allen Ju was upset, so she went inside and brought out a tanghulu skewer, offering it to him.
Allen Ju bit into one, forced a smile, and rubbed Grace Liu's head.
"Any plans for tonight?"
Tyson Tai, sitting nearby, looked around: "It's rare for us to all gather—it's been years since we shared a table."
Now that we're grown up, I'm busy making money. Can sitting with you, Tyson Tai, earn me an extra dime?
Calvin Zheng glanced at him: "Tsk, not only won't I make money, I'll probably lose money because of you."
If it weren't for Allen Ju, I wouldn't have come tonight at all.
He said it bluntly.
He made it clear Tyson Tai and his group were a money-losing bunch.
Tyson Tai wasn't angry either; he just smiled: "Your business is impressive, but some things are best done once or twice. Do it too often and aren't you afraid you'll get burned?"
His words were vague, but the tone was sharp.
Calvin Zheng mumbled a couple of words and didn't respond. His business had gone smoothly for years, but it was always thanks to family connections.
There were plenty of gray areas.
To outsiders, Calvin Zheng had connections and channels—maybe not enough to reach the top, but more than most, a business prodigy.
But to people like Tyson Tai, it wasn't worth much.
Where did Mia Liao go?
Gordon Guo, sitting nearby, couldn't help but ask again: "Wasn't tonight supposed to be a welcome party for Mia Liao? Why hasn't she come yet?"
She'll come, of course. When she arrives, it'll just be a quick visit.
Tyson Tai shook his head, then smiled and looked at Allen Ju: "Third Young Master, will you explain or should I?"
Allen Ju said nothing.
Frank Bi, Calvin Zheng, and Grace Sun all frowned.
Since Third Young Master won't speak, I'll do it.
Tyson Tai smiled: "We all went to the airport to pick her up tonight. Mia Liao got off the plane and greeted Allen Ju."
Then she couldn't wait to drive off by herself.
After Tyson finished, everyone except Allen Ju, Gloria Rong, and Leo Lu—who had gone to the airport—were stunned.
"Be clear—what do you mean? You're only telling half the story. Are you trying to drive me crazy?"
Sylvia Xia didn't understand, but seeing Tyson Tai and Allen Ju's expressions, she guessed it was good news for their side.
"Oh, it's simple. My brother was free today. Yesterday, before Mia Liao boarded her flight, she called him. After he found out, Mia Liao had someone leave a car for her at the airport parking lot."
Tyson Tai's lips curled up as he leaned back and spoke slowly: "You all know Mia Liao's personality—decisive, does whatever she wants, never hesitates."
She got off the plane, greeted Third Young Master and a few of us, then left right away.
My brother happened to be busy. I planned to pick up Mia Liao, then my brother, but Mia Liao insisted on going herself. So we ended up driving back with an empty car.
After Tyson Tai finished, Sylvia Xia and Gordon Guo laughed.
They all looked at Allen Ju.
Allen Ju went to pick her up, but didn't succeed. Instead, Mia Liao hurried off to pick up Tyson Tai's brother.
The meaning was clear between the lines.
Allen Ju wasn't just unlucky in love—it was like his crush got completely flattened.
He wasn't even qualified to be Tyson Tai's brother's rival in love.
Suddenly, Frank Bi and the others felt indignant, clenching their fists unconsciously.
Most of them felt Allen Ju had been treated unfairly.
For years, the Ju family had helped the Liao family because of Allen Ju.
Even Calvin Zheng had supported the Liao family in business, but their people let him down, costing him a lot.
Calvin Zheng, a money-minded businessman, never complained—he did it for Allen Ju.
But no one expected Mia Liao to pull such a move.
Now, Allen Ju was a complete joke.
Evan Lin watched from the sidelines.
Selina Wu sighed. She could come and go freely, but couldn't make others do the same.
Allen Ju kept his head down, silent, just waiting.
Soon, there was finally a sound from outside the door.
Allen Ju suddenly looked up.