Chapter 55: So It Was...

At that moment, not only were Lü Zhizhong and Lin Yongyi’s group, not only were Gao Lixia and her friends, but even Zhang Pu himself a little convinced that Lin Kai must have lost his mind today—suddenly having a fit for no reason!

“Kai, what’s going on…” Lü Zhizhong edged closer to Lin Kai in confusion, but before he could finish the question, a sharp slap rang out. To everyone’s shock, Lin Kai struck Lü Zhizhong hard across the face.

As he hit him, Lin Kai cursed, “All of this mess is your fault, you little brat! Just wait till we get home tonight, I’ll have your father feed you bamboo shoots with pork…”

In truth, Lin Kai had been summoned by Lü Zhizhong to punish Gao Lixia’s group, and Lü Zhizhong’s father was one of Lin Kai’s close friends; normally, Lü Zhizhong would have to call Lin Kai “Uncle.”

“Kai!”

Just as Lin Kai was scolding Lü Zhizhong, a balding middle-aged man came in from outside, calling his name.

This bald man was one of Lin Kai’s men, but not just any subordinate—he was someone Lin Kai particularly valued. After all, even in the midst of handling such a tense situation, Lin Kai allowed him to report in.

“Kai, Brother Wang has arrived at Starlight Entertainment Club. He’s waiting for you in a room over there. He… wants you and Zhang Pu to come over together.” The bald man approached Lin Kai, speaking in a low, almost conspiratorial tone.

What? Brother Wang is here at Starlight Entertainment Club? And he wants to personally settle the matter between Zhang Pu and me?

For a moment, Lin Kai found it almost unbelievable. But he didn’t dare show any disrespect. He immediately turned to Zhang Pu, informing him that Wang Gang wanted to speak with both of them in another room.

Lin Kai spoke Wang Gang’s name directly, assuming that Zhang Pu knew who he was—and indeed, Zhang Pu did.

Upon hearing that Wang Gang had arrived, Zhang Pu was surprised for a moment, but in that instant, he understood why Lin Kai’s attitude had changed so drastically. So it was Wang Gang… Ah! Zhang Pu heaved a silent sigh, though he couldn’t quite name what he was feeling.

Zhang Pu agreed to go with Lin Kai at once to meet with Wang Gang.

As for the aftermath of the confrontation, Lin Kai left it to his capable bald subordinate to handle. He instructed him specifically to accommodate the requests of Gao Lixia and her group as much as possible—he had already admitted his fault to Zhang Pu personally.

Lin Kai’s words made the bald man glance keenly at Zhang Pu, but he asked no further questions. With an air of seasoned competence, he left no doubt that he could handle the rest.

“Haha! Master Zhang, we meet again!”

Led by Lin Kai, Zhang Pu entered the room where Wang Gang was waiting. The latter greeted him with a playful cheer. Lin Kai had only just learned that Zhang Pu was the close confidant of Elder Zeng Guoxing, but to his surprise, Wang Gang addressed this young student as “Master,” which left Lin Kai deeply astonished.

So young, yet called “Master”? In this world, who can earn such a title? Lin Kai, who had carved out a name for himself in the southern district of Qingwu City, considered himself no stranger to the ways of the world, but now he could only stare at Zhang Pu in speechless wonder.

After inviting them both to sit, Wang Gang smiled at Lin Kai’s stunned expression and said, “Kai, don’t let his youth fool you. In the eyes of Elder Zeng, Master Zhang is truly extraordinary!”

He was praising Zhang Pu to the skies—so much so that Zhang Pu himself felt a bit embarrassed. Yet Wang Gang clearly believed every word, without exaggeration.

As for Lin Kai, he was left in a state of recurring shock.

Wang Gang’s earlier phone call had already convinced Lin Kai that Zhang Pu was no ordinary youth, but he hadn’t expected his own sense of pride to deflate so quickly the more he learned about Zhang Pu.

Wang Gang, however, had little time for elaborate introductions. As far as he was concerned, if he called Zhang Pu “Master,” Lin Kai had no choice but to accept it—whether he liked it or not.

When Lin Kai assured Wang Gang that his most competent man was handling the earlier incident, Wang Gang let the matter drop.

Wang Gang then turned to Zhang Pu, asking whether he lacked funds for alchemy; if so, he could transfer more money to him via WeChat right away.

Zhang Pu, for his part, did not refuse in the slightest.

Meanwhile, Lin Kai, after his initial shock, was now lost in thought. By now, through all the hints and clues, Lin Kai had realized that this student possessed astonishing abilities, and was even currently helping Elder Zeng with some rare and difficult illness.

A true master, indeed!

Within his heart, Lin Kai was swept by waves of emotion. Unconsciously, he began to calculate how best to curry favor with this student master from now on.

Thus, Lin Kai quickly transformed from confusion to boundless enthusiasm and attentiveness. Not only did he strive to please his boss Wang Gang, he went to every length to ingratiate himself with Zhang Pu, treating him as if he were royalty.

When Zhang Pu left the room, he overheard Lin Kai’s men reporting that Gao Lixia and her friends had already gone home.

Zhang Pu then bade farewell to Wang Gang and Lin Kai.

Wang Gang, still in high spirits, insisted on personally driving Zhang Pu home. Unable to refuse such kindness, Zhang Pu accepted.

This scene left Lin Kai utterly dumbfounded—he could hardly believe what he was seeing. Not even in his dreams had he ever received such treatment; when had Wang Gang ever offered to drive him anywhere?

He could only swallow his envy and jealousy, unable to voice a single word.

Lin Kai naturally escorted Wang Gang and Zhang Pu to the entrance of Starlight Entertainment Club.

Wang Gang had arrived in a luxury Land Rover worth over a million yuan.

At that very moment, Gao Lixia and her group had just exited the club, lingering in a corner that Zhang Pu hadn’t noticed.

Zhang Pu didn’t notice them, but they saw him being picked up by a man of great status in a luxury SUV, while the once-dominant, bald-headed Lin Kai now bowed and scraped like a humble servant, seeing them off with the utmost respect.

Hiding in the shadows, Gao Lixia and her friends stared wide-eyed in shock.

Previously, they had thought Zhang Pu’s clout came from his fists. Indeed, tonight he had once again demonstrated his formidable strength on their behalf.

But never had they imagined that behind Zhang Pu, there was something even more powerful than his fists.