You Never Know Whom You Will Meet Again

Faced with such a bossy tone, Faye Shangguan was instantly annoyed and blurted out, "I'm not going! Whoever wants to go can go!"

With a sharp "click," Faye hung up the phone immediately.

But not long after she hung up, the phone rang again. This time, Faye didn't even plan to answer—she just cut the call off directly.

Shortly after hanging up, the phone rang once more, and Faye cut it off again.

But the person on the other end just wouldn't give up and kept calling back.

After a while, Cynthia Murong couldn't help glancing over curiously and teased, "Are you having a spat with your boyfriend?"

Faye forced a smile and joked, "I've already got a beauty like you, little Yueyue. Why would I care about those other stinky men?"

"Is that so? Then maybe we should just make do with each other!"

"Sure!"

The ringtone kept going.

Cynthia hesitated and said, "Why don't you just pick it up? Letting it ring like this isn't helping anyone!"

"Alright, fine!"

Faye finally answered the call, and the same voice came through: "Faye, don't hang up yet—let me explain the situation!"

"Alright, go ahead!"

The voice continued, sounding a bit anxious: "Tonight's banquet at Greenview Manor is hosted by the Long Family, and representatives from the other nine great families have all been invited. So this is a rare opportunity!"

Hearing this, Faye couldn't help looking shocked. "The Long Family? The other nine great families—wait, you mean...?"

"That's right, just as you guessed. To get you into tonight's banquet, our Shangguan Family paid a heavy price, so you really need to seize this chance. And, as long as you go tonight, I promise not to interfere in your personal life anymore, how about that?"

"You mean it?"

"I mean it!"

"Alright, I'll agree—but I have to bring someone with me!"

"Who do you want to bring?"

"That's none of your business. If you agree, I'll go. If not, stop calling me!" Faye threatened to hang up again, making the voice on the other end panic. "Is the person you're bringing a man or a woman?"

"A woman. My best friend!"

"Fine, you can bring her. But I'm warning you, everyone at this level of banquet is a big shot. You'd better rein in your fiery temper and don't cause trouble!"

"If you're afraid I'll cause trouble, then don't make me go!"

"Come on, I worked really hard to get you this chance!"

After hanging up, Faye walked over to the sofa and said to Cynthia, "How about coming with me to a banquet tonight?"

"I don't want to go out," Cynthia replied, her gaze evasive.

"No way. You have to go! If you do, it might just change your situation!"

Faye said seriously. Although the Shangguan Family was only third-rate in Flame City, Faye knew exactly what kind of power the Ten Great Families held.

If someone from the Ten Great Families was willing to help Cynthia, her problems would be nothing at all.

That was precisely why Faye was determined to bring Cynthia along.

"You're not lying to me?" Cynthia's eyes brightened, but then she eyed Faye suspiciously. "What kind of banquet is this, anyway?"

After thinking it over, Faye explained the existence of the Ten Great Families to Cynthia. Cynthia listened in stunned silence and muttered, "Are you sure you're not just telling stories?"

It all sounded way too fantastical to Cynthia. She'd seen plenty of martial arts dramas and even acted in some, but hearing about real martial artists was still hard to believe.

Faye rolled her eyes. "Why would I lie to you? Think about our experience in the U.S.—Ian Song is probably from a martial arts family too. My own Shangguan Family is technically a martial clan, just nothing compared to the Ten Great Families."

"So you're saying you know martial arts too?" Cynthia's curiosity was piqued.

Faye looked frustrated. "Our Shangguan ancestors set the rule: martial arts are passed to men, not women. So even though I'm from a martial clan, I only know some basic moves."

"Alright, I'll go with you tonight!"

............

At six in the evening, Ian Song stepped out of his office in a casual suit, made his way to the underground parking lot, and got into a black sedan.

He did own a sports car, but driving it no longer suited his current status, so he'd bought a more understated sedan.

Logan Long's celebration banquet was set for seven o'clock at Greenview Manor.

Greenview Manor was located on Eight-View Mountain—a gathering place for the powerful, where ordinary people had no right to live. Even a single villa there cost hundreds of millions, and a full estate was worth billions.

Greenview Manor was a Long Family property.

The Zhao Family also had an estate on Eight-View Mountain, as did the other eight great families.

Half an hour later.

Ian's car reached the foot of Eight-View Mountain. A wide asphalt road stretched up to the summit, where estates could be glimpsed.

There was a checkpoint on the road, guarded by armed paramilitary police.

Ian presented the Long Family's invitation, and the guards let him through.

As he drove halfway up, he encountered an S-shaped curve. Just as he rounded the bend, a red Ferrari appeared in view, with two gorgeous women in purple and black evening gowns standing beside it. One of them waved at him enthusiastically, her chest bouncing alluringly with each motion.

But when Ian saw their faces clearly, a strange look crossed his own—what were the odds of running into them here?

He hit the brakes, rolled down the window, and teased, "Hey, big-busted lady, is your car broken down or out of gas?"

Sure enough, the two beauties were Faye Shangguan and Cynthia Murong.

"Why is it you?"

"Ian Song!"

Upon seeing Ian's face, both women looked shocked and delighted.

"Haha, long time no see, ladies! How have you been lately?" Ian greeted them with a smile.

"Terrible! Not good at all. Enough chit-chat—just unlock the car and let us in!" Faye shot Ian an annoyed look.

"Alright!"

Ian unlocked the doors and let the two women into the back seat.

"You two are heading to the Greenview Manor banquet, right?" Ian asked as the car sped off.

"Yeah. You're going too?"

"Yep."

Ian nodded.

Faye glanced at Cynthia and winked, as if to say, "See? I told you this guy was from a martial arts family."

Ten minutes later, Ian's car finally arrived at Greenview Manor. He drove in and, following the signs, reached the parking lot.

Just as the three got out of the car, a black Rolls-Royce and a Bentley pulled up, and two groups of people stepped out.

One young man's gaze swept over Ian and the two women. When he saw Cynthia, his eyes grew playful; but when he recognized Ian, his gaze turned venomous.

The next moment, he strode over and blocked their path, sneering at Cynthia, "Well, if it isn't our big star!"