Chapter 16: Poor Judgment

Lu Feng noticed the commotion not far away and asked Qin Sheng, "Is that Deling's new boyfriend?"

Qin Sheng glanced at Ye Hongxiao, who had been silent since just a moment ago, and ignored him.

Lu Feng clicked his tongue. "Deling's taste is truly subpar. She found such a spineless coward; he’s even kneeling to a woman. What kind of man is that?"

"What do you mean by that?" Ye Hongxiao shot a cold, sharp look in his direction. "Are you implying that her taste was also poor when she was with me?"

"No, no." Lu Feng hurriedly explained, "I meant her taste in this guy is poor."

"Do you think you’ve seen anyone else besides him?" Ye Hongxiao's tone was far from pleasant. His expression had turned icy, and the fierce glint in his eyes could no longer be hidden.

"Just shut up!" Qin Sheng poked Lu Feng hard. "Nobody will mistake you for a mute if you don't talk."

After being poked, Lu Feng finally fell silent.

The group stood there, staring at one another, watching the farce unfolding not far from the steps as if they were observing a play. This continued until a waiter approached to hand over the car keys, informing them that the designated drivers had arrived.

Chen Laosi returned with them, carrying several shopping bags. He bowed and scraped as he presented them to Ye Hongxiao. "Young Master Ye, Young Master Lu mentioned you enjoy this liquor. Shall I have it delivered to your car?"

Ye Hongxiao did not respond; his gaze remained fixed firmly on Deling.

Chen Laosi waited for a long time without a reaction. He followed Ye Hongxiao’s gaze, then observed the man's expression, and tentatively asked, "I know that man. Would you like me to go over and handle things for Miss Deling?"

"How much does he owe you?" Ye Hongxiao finally spoke.

Seeing a chance to impress, Chen Laosi quickly replied, "Not much. Though he looks quite ordinary, he’s been spending money lavishly and pays his debts promptly. A few days ago, when he ran out of money, he used a limited-edition Van Cleef & Arpels necklace as collateral, saying he would pay the rest once a payment hits his account this week."

Hearing Ye Hongxiao let out a soft sneer, Chen Laosi’s heart tightened. Just as he worried he had said something wrong, he heard Ye Hongxiao’s voice:

"When you’re collecting debts, act like a debt collector. Otherwise, people will think your gambling den is a charity."

With that, he walked down the steps.

The rest of the group followed, leaving Chen Laosi standing there, completely bewildered.

Lu Feng was about to get into the car behind Ye Hongxiao when the door slammed shut. His hand, which he hadn't yet pulled back, was caught squarely in the door frame, causing him to howl in pain.

"Ye Hongxiao, are you trying to cripple me, you son of a bitch?"

The car window rolled down. Ye Hongxiao’s gaze fell on his leg, and he spat out coldly, "If you don't want your leg crippled as well, shut your filthy mouth!"

Qin Sheng heard the commotion, got out of his own car, and came over to mediate. Only then did a disgruntled Lu Feng follow him.

"Come back!"

"What is it now, you living ancestor?" Lu Feng walked back, wincing and clutching his hand.

Ye Hongxiao glanced at Lu Feng’s injured hand. Lu Feng thought he might have finally developed a conscience and wanted to apologize, but instead, he heard him say, "Have someone send that necklace to my company tomorrow."

The window rolled up as soon as he finished speaking.

"What necklace? You’re making no sense." Lu Feng grabbed the edge of the window with his uninjured hand. "Hey! Explain yourself!"

"Do you want to lose that hand too?"

Qin Sheng’s words made Lu Feng snap to his senses. He quickly pulled his hand back, fearing that if the window caught his good hand, he really would end up crippled.

"What necklace was he talking about?"

"You really have a dog's brain!" Qin Sheng threw that remark over his shoulder as he returned to his car. "The limited-edition Van Cleef & Arpels!"

Lu Feng stood there for a few seconds, his gaze drifting toward Deling, who was still trapped in Wang Siyang’s grasp. Only then did he realize what necklace Ye Hongxiao meant.