Chapter 124: If You Have the Guts, Take My Punch

Shen Chong’s words clearly signaled his fear of Hong Yu, and he blamed Liang Siqi for meddling.

This ungrateful reaction immediately stunned Liang Siqi. Liang Zhanpeng, who loved his daughter dearly, stepped forward and snapped, "Shen Chong, what do you mean by that?"

"If you hadn't been so fond of posturing, would you have offended Mr. Hong? Now you're blaming my daughter?"

"Even if he were just an ordinary waiter, you wouldn't need to lose your temper like that. People in the workplace make mistakes—that’s only natural. Someone with any degree of decorum would have laughed it off. It’s no wonder someone like you will never succeed in business; you're nothing but a nouveau riche!"

Shen Chong was the second-richest man in the neighboring city, but Liang Zhanpeng didn't care; even if he were the wealthiest man in Huaizhou, Liang Zhanpeng wouldn't hold him in high regard.

"You... you people..."

Shen Chong was so infuriated he couldn't speak. Had Hong Yu not been standing right there, he would have started cursing. Like Liang Zhanpeng, Shen Chong wasn't afraid of him. After all, Liang Zhanpeng was merely the king of Huaizhou; even with his status in Hannan, Shen Chong didn't cower before him. The only thing he feared was the Hong family.

Liang Siqi had been raised with a silver spoon in her mouth and had never suffered such indignity. She lowered her head, on the verge of tears. But in a situation like this, a few tears wouldn't solve anything. Seeing Hong Yu looking impatient, Liang Zhanpeng scolded, "What are you standing there for? Do you think crying will solve anything?"

"It’s true that I can't leave you alone for a second. I don't know what you were thinking, letting Mr. Hong act as a waiter!"

"Hurry up and apologize to Mr. Hong immediately!"

As much as Liang Zhanpeng doted on Liang Siqi, he had no choice; the consequences of offending Hong Yu were unimaginable. Had it been his two sons, he might have resorted to violence. But Liang Siqi remained stubborn, refusing to apologize to Hong Yu despite her father’s shouting.

"Damn it! Your mother spoiled you rotten! If you don't go, I’ll force you!" Liang Zhanpeng was furious and reached for her.

Shen Chong, having long disliked Liang Zhanpeng, mocked from the sidelines, "Heh, how impressive. Truly the daughter of Liang Zhanpeng, the king of Huaizhou. Isn't it normal for a princess to have a bit of a temper?"

"Shut the hell up!" Hong Yu snapped at Shen Chong, then turned to Liang Zhanpeng with a smile. "Forget it. Let’s not waste time on such trifles. Besides, I took some money from Liang Siqi earlier; it’s no big deal to do a little work for it."

"Thank you, thank you for your magnanimity, Mr. Hong!" Liang Zhanpeng smiled immediately. In public, he dared only call him Mr. Hong, not daring to address him as "Young Master."

The relationship between Liang Zhanpeng and the Hong family was unknown to anyone in Hannan; it had been a hidden move by the Hong family for years.

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Liang Siqi lifted her head and sneered, "Why are you putting on an act now? I don't need your hypocrisy. You hid your identity all this time just to wait for this moment to humiliate me, didn't you?"

"I admit you’re a big shot, you’ve succeeded. Are you satisfied now?"

Her words left both Liang Zhanpeng and Hong Yu stunned. Liang Siqi continued, "Don't think that just because my father is afraid of you, I have to be!"

"Let me tell you, I have always looked down on playboys like you—trash who rely on their family background to run wild."

"Oh, right, you feel very important because Boss Shen and my father are so afraid of you, don't you? But do you have any self-awareness? Are they afraid of you, or are they afraid of your family?"

"Heh, you even had to come here to borrow ten thousand yuan. It’s rare to see a playboy as pathetic as you."

"See? This is the fate of a playboy without family support. No, without your family, you wouldn't even be able to borrow that much money!"

Liang Siqi, regardless of the consequences, lashed out at Hong Yu; she was determined to burn all bridges today. Liang Zhanpeng was shaking with fear, his hands and feet growing cold. He pointed at her and cursed, "You wretch! Are you trying to get our family killed?"

"Apologize! Apologize immediately!"

"Dad, don't bother. I will never apologize!" Liang Siqi said coldly. "Asking me to apologize to this piece of trash? Not in this life, not in the next!"

"I’d rather die!"

With that, Liang Siqi didn't jump from the window, but turned and walked away. Hong Yu felt a bit helpless, having actually thought she might follow through. Liang Zhanpeng was nearly fainting from anger, and the atmosphere in the conference room was suffocating; no one dared to intervene.

Finally composing himself, Liang Zhanpeng walked up to Hong Yu: "Mr. Hong, it is all my fault for failing to discipline her, which led to such a wretched result."

"Please rest assured, when we return, I will give her a stern lecture, and I will personally bring her to apologize to you another day."

Hong Yu waved his hand. "It’s normal for a young girl to have a temper. No need for a formal apology."

The other wealthy guests nodded repeatedly, agreeing that Liang Zhanpeng should discipline his daughter properly.

"Why should she apologize? I don't think that young lady said anything wrong."

Suddenly, a voice rang out. Liang Zhanpeng and the others were about to snap at whoever dared to speak so recklessly, but when they saw it was Cheng Long, the "King of Combat," they hesitated, not daring to speak.

Cheng Long looked around with a cold sneer. "Are you all deliberately fawning over this young man because of his background, afraid to speak your minds?"

"Everyone has a sense of judgment, don't they? If this young man didn't have his family background, he really wouldn't amount to much."

"I heard he even had to borrow ten thousand yuan? If he were a person who worked hard, he wouldn't have ended up in such a state."

"Sigh, there's an old saying: wealth doesn't last three generations. When a family has such a playboy, its downfall is not far off."

Liang Zhanpeng frowned. "Mr. Cheng, please be careful with your words. Mr. Hong is not a useless playboy. You shouldn't believe everything you hear."

Cheng Long chuckled coldly. "Is he not?"

"I’ve been observing him just now. From head to toe, where does he look like he has any ability?"

"You say he has talent, right? How about you let him take one punch from me?"

"This..." Liang Zhanpeng was in a difficult position. Hong Yu’s legs weren't even as thick as Cheng Long’s arms. If Hong Yu really took a punch, his life might be in danger.

Liang Zhanpeng’s hesitation only made Cheng Long look down on Hong Yu even more. Hong Yu, frowning at Cheng Long, found the man incredibly arrogant. After a moment of thought, he decided to test whether this man was truly as formidable as he claimed.

*Clack.*

Unexpectedly, the conference room door opened once more. Liang Siqi had suddenly run back in.