Highland Hotel, Riverford City, nineteenth floor.
William Han sat in his chair, frowning as he glanced at Logan Luo.
Today was their high school class reunion. Because one of the attendees, Logan Luo, had become a multimillionaire, the number of classmates attending had increased.
Some who were undecided also came to the reunion.
Some who weren't interested still showed up—hoping, even if they couldn't benefit, that meeting Logan Luo would be worthwhile.
With age comes a deeper understanding of the power of money.
Thus—
Someone urged, "William, Chairman Luo has already raised his glass—why are you still sitting there?"
Someone nearby looked uncomfortable; the glass set before William Han was not a small shot glass for baijiu, but a tall red-wine goblet, filled to the brim with strong liquor.
Just looking at it was intimidating.
"Old classmate." Logan Luo smiled, raising his glass with an air of control. "You're not drinking?"
"Mm." William Han nodded.
He really wasn't going to drink?
Logan Luo was only being polite, but was momentarily stunned.
The surrounding classmates also looked over; some paused mid-conversation and mid-toast, turning to watch Logan Luo and William Han, their eyes full of surprise and confusion.
"We've been classmates for so many years." Logan Luo smiled. "If you won't drink, are you refusing to give your old classmate some face?"
Clack.
William Han pushed the glass away.
He glanced around at his old classmates, each with a different expression, and sighed: "What is your 'face' even worth?"
Creak.
Logan Luo's right hand tightened, his expression darkening.
The other classmates began to mediate—some urged William Han to apologize immediately, some told him to drink as compensation, and some crowded around Logan Luo to curry favor.
Aside from that—
The classmates who remained silent all quietly shook their heads.
"William Han?"
"I've heard of him, he runs two or three supermarkets." A heavily made-up woman slowly pulled up the metal chain on her purse. "But there aren't many supermarkets in Riverford. What William Han calls a 'supermarket' is just a convenience store with a fancy sign."
She usually lived in Greenfield City.
In Greenfield City, supermarkets are usually thousands of square meters. But in Riverford, most convenience stores just put up a 'supermarket' sign to look better and attract customers.
"Oh?"
"So where does he get the nerve?" Someone couldn't help glancing at William Han, inwardly speechless.
Hmph!
Logan Luo set down his glass, his face clouded.
But for the sake of old classmates, he forced down his anger, moved to another table to keep the lively atmosphere going. William Han's table, however, was left awkward and stiff.
"Sigh."
"William, you were too harsh."
"Logan Luo is an old classmate after all. It's fine not to drink, but there's no need to be so confrontational."
Someone quietly tried to persuade William Han.
A little while later—
The reunion drew to a close. People began to leave the suite, some gathering around Logan Luo, planning to visit his distillery and clothing factory.
Ding-dong.
They took the hotel elevator down to the lobby, discussing how to visit Logan Luo's distillery and clothing factory.
"Huh?"
"Riverford City Government official?"
Logan Luo was startled, seeing the highest leader of Riverford City Government step out of the elevator, wearing silver-framed glasses, walking side by side with a young man in a black coat.
Moreover—
The top leader's demeanor seemed to carry a hint of respect.
As a Riverford entrepreneur, Logan Luo certainly recognized the silver-framed elder. With his own status, he would still have to show deference.
"Who is that?"
The thought flashed through Logan Luo's mind.
Seeing Logan Luo's stunned expression, the others instinctively lowered their voices. After some whispered explanations about government affairs, everyone felt a chill of awe.
The highest leader of Riverford City Government!
To them, he was like a true dragon soaring above the city, ruling all of Riverford with unimaginable status and power—far beyond anything they could compare to.
In other words—
In all of Riverford, there was probably no one who could match this elder.
"But—"
"That young man in black was chatting and laughing with the old leader, and the leader seemed to be watching his expression, speaking with caution." Someone who noticed the details whispered.
The others were speechless with astonishment.
"Keep your voice down."
"He must be the son of an aristocratic clan from Imperial Capital." Logan Luo's pupils contracted, glancing cautiously, not daring to speak loudly for fear of disturbing the big shots.
Nearby—
Everyone quickly echoed, lowering their voices.
Ding-dong.
The elevator doors opened.
William Han, in the third group to take the elevator, stepped out and saw everyone standing aside, seemingly whispering about something, their expressions and movements wary and cautious.
"Hm?"
William Han frowned.
At the same time, Andrew Han, with his exceptionally sharp senses, caught sight of his father stepping out of the elevator from the corner of his eye. He strode over in large steps to greet him: "Dad, you're here too?"
"Han—"
The elderly man with silver-framed glasses was about to speak, but seeing this scene, he opened his mouth, then forcibly swallowed his words. His expression was quite remarkable... Usually, others watched his face for cues, but today, he had to watch Andrew Han's expression.
Hiss!
Logan Luo witnessed this scene and sucked in a cold breath in shock.
"Son, what are you doing here?" William Han patted Andrew's shoulder. "Just as well, your old man had a bit to drink. You haven't been drinking, right? Let's go home together."
"Sure, sure."
Andrew responded repeatedly.
In his eyes, the people most worthy of respect in this world were only his own parents—perhaps Miles Ning could count as half of one... As for the leaders of Sinovera's government, what did they have to do with him?
Purely in terms of social status—
His Defense Formation status alone already put him above them, not to mention his Peerless Prodigy identity and boundless future.
Because on Sinovera's soil, there is first the life-and-death war and guardianship, then the people, and only after that come politics, economics, and culture!
"Dad, walk a little slower."
Andrew smiled as he supported William Han, giving the elderly man with silver-framed glasses a meaningful sidelong glance before accompanying his father out of the Highland Hotel.
He would personally explain these things to his parents in the future.
But definitely not now.
After all, for ordinary citizens, the status of the elderly man with silver-framed glasses truly carried a weight like the heavens above.
That was indeed the case.
Gulp.
Logan Luo quietly swallowed, his gaze dull.
The expressions of the others also froze—like lifelike statues, fixed in place.
Thud.
The heavily made-up woman trembled, unable to hold her expensive handbag steady, and it thudded to the floor.
A long moment passed.
"William Han?"
"That black-clothed young man—is he his son? His real son?" Logan Luo murmured, as if struck by a heavy blow, his mind surging with the shock like a tidal wave.
......
The seventh day of the New Year.
Today marked the official end of Sinovera's Lunar New Year holiday—some returned to work, others extended their break.
"Andrew Han, are you there?"
A QQ message popped up on the screen.
Buzz!
Andrew Han was driving his Red Flag LA, picked up his phone and glanced at it—it was a message from Monica Zhang.
"What's up? I'm driving right now."
His voice was low, yet carried an unhurried sense of calm. Even if his destination was the Jiangnan Province border, nothing could shake Andrew Han's tranquil heart.
Indeed.
This was related to temperament.
But the crucial factor was still martial strength! Once he activated his Berserker State, his absolute power could rival an ordinary Martial Lord.
"Mm."
"With Mom and Dad out visiting relatives, it's just right to head to the border," Andrew mused. "After killing Martial General Wade Wang, I must make corresponding contributions."
In short—
He was driving to the border precisely to hunt Demons and Specters.
Four or five seconds passed.
Monica Zhang was startled, hesitated for a moment, then dialed a QQ voice call: "Where... where are you? Where are you driving to?"
"Mm, going to see a friend."
Andrew Han pondered for a moment, then smiled and gave that as an excuse.
Yes, Demons and Specters could be considered 'friends' too... friends he would hunt to the ends of the earth.
"Mm-hmm."
Monica Zhang covered her face with delight, secretly smiling to herself.
At that moment, her eyes seemed to shimmer with countless colors, her cheeks flushed red, lips pressed together as she tilted her head in bliss.
Today was the seventh day of the New Year.
But it was also Valentine's Day.