Chen Yang raised his glass because he still considered Wu Peng a good friend.
But now… You grovel before others for your career and your future, and I can look the other way, but you have to drag into it? This is no longer a question of having a backbone; it's a matter of character.
So, Chen Yang put down his glass.
What he set down along with it were his many years of friendship with Wu Peng.
"Wu Peng, you and Chen Yang used to be best friends. How could you side with outsiders to bully him?" a chubby man nad Hu Tao said, pointing at Wu Peng with righteous indignation and a sneer.
Wu Peng didn't speak, just stared at Chen Yang.
Absolutely nothing impressive about him. If his clothes were even a little more lavish, I, Wu Peng, would have given my forr brother a bit more respect. But unfortunately, Chen Yang, you've fallen too far. I, Wu Peng, am destined for glory and wealth; our paths were always going to diverge. Since that's the case, why bother with pretenses? My priority now is to gain Xie An's approval. As long as I succeed on this path, my future is set. As for my thods or my pride? They no longer matter.
Seeing Chen Yang ignore him, Wu Peng's tone turned cold. "In this day and age, it's best to know your place. For President Xie to single you out for a toast is a blessing from your past life. You should cherish it."
"Get lost! If you want to be a dog, that's your business. Have you no sha?" Hu Tao retorted.
"Pfft!" Xia Chu scoffed. "A blessing from a past life? Does he really think he's soone important? Just hurry up and leave. Don't get in our way."
For a mont, the vast banquet hall fell completely silent. Everyone looked at each other in dismay. They had all endured hard tis together. Was it really worth this?
"This is interesting." Behind Xie An, Qin Han grinned. "Who would have thought that Wu Peng, once known for his iron backbone, would clash with his best friend for your sake, Boss."
"It just shows that Wu Peng has learned how to live," Xie An remarked. "As for that Chen Yang, he still has a long way to go. People like him are self-righteous, thinking that by putting on airs others will look up to them. In reality, they just need a good thrashing from society."
"That makes sense," Qin Han imdiately chid in, eager to curry favor.
Xie An stood up, one hand in his pocket and the other holding a cigar, and walked toward Chen Yang. "We're all friends who have suffered together, Wu Peng. You should watch your attitude."
"Couldn't you have spoken more nicely? You're making , Xie An, look like so kind of local tyrant. Are you trying to embarrass on purpose?"
Xie An bit down on his cigar and smacked the back of Wu Peng's head.
Wu Peng's face reddened. Being smacked on the head in public was humiliating, but he blad Chen Yang for it. If that guy had just drunk the toast from the start, none of this would have happened. Thus, his last shred of goodwill vanished. He said coldly, "President Xie is being generous by not holding this against you. I hope you'll stop acting like a clueless child."
"How about this: you'll drink three glasses as a penalty."
CLICK.
Chen Yang lit a cigarette, his face mostly expressionless.
Xie An was amused and waved his hand dismissively. "I said we're all friends here. What if you scare him with that attitude?"
Though it seed he was chiding Wu Peng, who couldn't hear the implication that Chen Yang was the one who lacked worldly experience?
"Chen Yang, I'm toasting you," Xie An laughed loudly.
Chen Yang acted as if he hadn't heard. He wasn't intentionally putting on airs; he was just wondering how a once-decent man, soone with a stronger backbone than anyone, could have beco like this. Had he completely abandoned his self-respect?
Seeing Chen Yang remain unmoved, Wu Peng exploded with rage. This son of a bitch is still putting on a show for ? The less capable a person is, the more they love to posture!
"I won't be drinking," Chen Yang said indifferently, flicking the ash from his cigarette. "I only ca today to see an old friend. Now that I have, I won't stay any longer."
"Ha!" Wu Peng sneered. "Chen Yang, with an attitude like that, you'll never get back on your feet. People need to learn to change, you get it?"
Why is this guy still so damn stubborn, always clinging to that useless integrity? What's the point of it in this world?
"Don't be in such a hurry to leave," Wu Peng chuckled. "There's a donation ceremony later, and all of us will be contributing generously! Even though you weren't on the invitation list, since you're here, how could you just leave?"
"Oh?" Chen Yang turned to look at Xia Chu.
Xia Chu nodded. "Yes, that's part of the event."
"That's very thoughtful of you," Chen Yang said with a smile. "But Granny Fu told before that the orphanage has more than enough funding each year. There's really no need for this."
"If you're just trying to get out of donating, just say so. There's no need to make up such an excuse," Wu Peng sneered, no longer holding back. "Besides, the old director and Granny Fu will be here later. I'll be sure to ask them if what you're saying is true."
For many years, the orphanage's funds had been allocated solely by Chen Yang, and the fact that there were hundreds of such orphanages across the country was a secret known only to the old director and Granny Fu. As for Chen Yang's true identity, if he didn't reveal it, who could possibly know?
At this, many people laughed. They couldn't imagine a level of funding so ample that it would lead soone to turn down donations.
"To remain unmoved when soone offers a toast is clearly a matter of character," Qin Han spoke up, his gaze toward Chen Yang filled with malice. "Of course, people of a lower class naturally have poor character."
These words were practically a personal attack. The already heavy atmosphere in the room grew even more tense as the crowd, anticipating a spectacle, fixed their eyes on Chen Yang.
"All of you, shut up!" Xia Chu suddenly stood up, first glaring at Wu Peng before turning to Xie An. "You, learn how to be a proper human being first!
"You think you're so special just because your family has a little money?
"Could you even survive on your own without that backing? Huh?!"
Xie An was speechless.
「anwhile」
Fuming, Zhao Siyan picked up her phone and began scrolling through it aimlessly. In the news, everything seed dull, aside from the destruction of the Zuo Family and the conflict between the Forr Chief Military Commander and the Imperial Clan.
While swiping through the news feed, Zhao Siyan suddenly froze. It was an advertisent from a bookmaker, featuring two pictures with their respective betting odds listed below. One of the pictures showed a figure clad in armor, holding a blood-dripping spear.
Isn't that… Chen Yang?
The Forr Chief Military Commander, Chen Yang!
"This… this…" Zhao Siyan's head snapped up. Who could have imagined that these two Chen Yangs were the sa person? At the last gathering, they had even joked with him about it. He had just laughed it off, so everyone else did too. Who would have thought… He hid his abilities so well.
Then, Zhao Siyan's lips curled into a mischievous smile. Just so rich kid from Chu City dares to act so arrogantly in front of the Forr Chief Military Commander? This is about to get interesting.
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