As they walked out of the bar, Ian finally let go of Wendy Jiang's hand, making her realize that he had been holding it the whole time.
"Ian, I really have to thank you so much for tonight...!"
"Enough!" Ian interrupted Wendy with a smile. "You've thanked me plenty already, no need to say it again. Come on, let's head back to the hotel together."
After walking a couple steps, Ian noticed Wendy hadn't followed and turned back, puzzled: "What's wrong, aren't you heading back to the hotel?"
"Well..." Wendy's face showed a hint of embarrassment and inner struggle.
Ian was sharp enough to instantly realize from Wendy's expression that she misunderstood him, so he chuckled and said, "I'm also staying at the Jadeport Hotel."
"Ah!"
Wendy let out a soft cry, her face turning even redder from embarrassment. She was mortified—she'd thought he was inviting her to... but it turned out he was just staying at the same hotel.
"Actually, we've met before," Ian continued.
"Really?" Wendy tried to recall, but her embarrassment was fading.
"Last night at the hotel restaurant, I was sitting right next to you."
"Sorry, I didn't notice you," Wendy said, a little embarrassed.
"No worries. By the way, you came to the bar tonight to drink alone because of that Young Master Song from last night, right?"
"Mm." Wendy nodded, her eyes flashing with complex emotions—sadness, anger, and mostly helplessness. Her mood sank.
After that, neither of them spoke again, quietly making their way back to the hotel.
Inside the elevator, Ian asked Wendy, "Which floor are you staying on?"
"Ninth floor," Wendy replied.
"What a coincidence, I'm on the ninth floor too," Ian said, a bit surprised.
Wendy was taken aback, but soon her gaze toward Ian grew wary—she was starting to suspect he might be approaching her on purpose.
That fleeting look of caution didn't escape Ian's notice.
He just smiled and said nothing.
The elevator rose all the way to the ninth floor. Ian motioned for Wendy to step out first.
They both exited the elevator, and Ian spoke again, "Miss Jiang, I'm in room 808, it's this way. What about you?"
When Wendy heard Ian was in room 808, her wariness intensified—she was in 809. Was he really approaching her on purpose?
"Wendy Jiang!"
A furious shout snapped her out of her thoughts.
They both looked up to see Felix Song storming over with two bodyguards, his face twisted in anger.
Tonight, he'd reserved the hotel restaurant and set up a candlelit dinner.
But Wendy had stood him up.
So he went to Wendy's room to look for her, knocked on the door for ages with no response, and was about to leave when he saw Wendy step out of the elevator with another man.
What drove him even crazier was that the guy was taller, better-looking, and younger than he was.
All the pent-up fury inside him exploded at this moment.
When Wendy saw Felix, her expression immediately changed—she looked disgusted.
Ian, on the other hand, stayed calm and collected.
"Who is he?" Felix strode over, his eyes cold as he glared at Ian, demanding an answer from Wendy.
"Who he is has nothing to do with you," Wendy shot back coldly.
"Fine! Very well!" Felix was so angry he was shaking, then pointed at Ian and said, "Kid, you'd better disappear from my sight right now, or I'll make you regret it!"
Hearing Felix threaten Ian, Wendy was furious too. On impulse, she clung to Ian's arm and sneered at Felix, "He's my boyfriend. What right do you have to drive him away? Ian, let's go back to our room."
Felix was nearly driven mad with rage, his eyes wild as he roared, "Kid, you dare steal my woman? You must have a death wish! Ah Biao, break this kid's arms and legs!"
"Yes, Young Master!"
One of Felix Song's bodyguards darted out from behind him, swinging his hand like a blade toward Ian's arm. The move was fast and ruthless—clearly meant to break Ian's arm in a single blow.
Ian narrowed his eyes slightly. This Ah Biao wasn't just any bodyguard—he was a martial artist, and had reached the peak of the Postnatal stage.
Having a Postnatal perfection martial artist as a bodyguard meant Felix Song's background was no joke—he had to be from a powerful family.
Ah Biao's hand-chop was about to land on Ian.
Just then, Ian moved. He didn't dodge—he simply raised his hand and threw a punch.
He struck after, but landed first.
Though Ian moved later, his fist landed on Ah Biao's chest a split second sooner.
Bang!
Even though Ian didn't use his full strength, his punch was more than a Postnatal perfection martial artist could handle. Ah Biao was sent flying like a broken kite, crashing hard at the end of the corridor. He struggled to get up, but couldn't.
"What...?"
Seeing Ah Biao sent flying seven or eight meters by a single punch, Felix Song couldn't help but look stunned.
"Who are you, kid? I'm a member of the Song Family of Southwest State. If you go against me, my family won't let you off!"
"Song Family of Southwest State?" Ian thought for a moment and remembered—they were one of the third-tier clans in Southwest State, slightly stronger than the Nangong Family. Rumor had it they had four Innate experts, with the strongest at Innate Fourth Layer.
Seeing Ian silent, Felix thought his family's name had intimidated him, and a smug look appeared on his face. "Listen up, kid. If you break your own arm right now, I won't hold it against you for hurting my bodyguard!"
Wendy interjected, "Felix Song, could you be any more shameless? It was your guy who attacked first—Ian only fought back!"
"Shut up, you bitch!" Felix snarled viciously at Wendy. He'd decided to drop all pretenses—whether Wendy agreed or not, tonight he'd have his way with her.
With that thought, Felix turned to Ian and said, "Well, kid, have you decided? Will you break your own arm, or make enemies with the Song Family?"
Ian sneered, "The Song Family? They're nothing to me. If you know what's good for you, get lost now. Otherwise, I won't mind teaching you a lesson, you ugly freak. It's not your fault you're ugly, but flaunting it in public sure is!"
"Bastard! I'll kill you!" Felix roared. Everyone knows you don't hit a man in the face or expose his flaws—Ian's 'ugly freak' jab struck a nerve, sending Felix into a frenzy. "Ah Meng, kill him! Kill him!"
"Yes, Young Master!"
The other bodyguard replied bitterly. Though he was a bit stronger than Ah Biao, he knew he still wasn't Ian's match—anyone who could send Ah Biao flying like that was out of his league.
He'd been with Felix Song long enough to know his master's temper—there was no point trying to talk him out of it. All he could do was follow orders.
"Forgive me!"
Ah Meng cupped his fists toward Ian, then stepped forward and launched his attack.