Not an enemy?

Thank goodness!

Ge Jian’s fist instantly relaxed. When Zhou Cheng had passed by him earlier, he could barely withstand the pressure and almost struck first. In such situations, whoever strikes first loses the initiative – attacking first means lacking confidence in victory.

Zhou Cheng also noticed Ge Jian’s relaxation – did he ease up just because Zhou Cheng had called out to Liu Fen?

That meant they were likely allies, not enemies, so Zhou Cheng ignored Ge Jian.

He had been busy all morning meeting several people, and declining all lunch invitations, his mind set on getting back to please his future mother-in-law. Arriving at the store, he found not only Liu Fen but also two women who appeared to be mother and daughter. Liu Fang’s features resembled Liu Fen’s, and even somewhat resembled Xia Xiao Lan’s.

Zhou Cheng immediately guessed Liu Fang’s identity.

Liu Fen was still dazed seeing Zhou Cheng – how could such a young man hold such a high position? Grandmother Yu had mentioned that Zhou Cheng’s rank meant he managed two or three hundred people. Both were ‘leaders’, but what a contrast between Liang Bing An’s attitude toward the Liu family and Zhou Cheng’s!

Liu Fen was amazed at how Zhou Cheng carried himself without any air.

“Second Aunt, who is this?”

Zhou Cheng was the type of person with a strong presence – he could never be a spy, always drawing attention wherever he went.

Liu Fang also sized up Zhou Cheng. Seeing such a handsome young man being so friendly with her second sister, she formed her speculations. Liang Huan couldn’t contain herself – Zhou Cheng was too striking. It wasn’t that his features were perfect, but he was incredibly captivating. Liang Huan couldn’t take her eyes off him.

When Zhou Cheng smiled, Liang Huan’s heart fluttered wildly.

“I’m that poor outsider you’ve been talking about.”

So this woman was Xiao Lan’s aunt – she dared to come today, walking right into Zhou Cheng’s crosshairs.

Liu Fen, fearing Zhou Cheng might misunderstand her daughter’s situation, had explained to him last night how they had repeatedly told Liu Fang that Xia Xiao Lan had a boyfriend, but Liu Fang ignored them. Who knew what she had told the Fan family to prompt Fan Zhen Chuan’s attempt at forced marriage?

How could Zhou Cheng show any kindness to Liu Fang?

Liu Fang had tried to sell off his future wife to an old man for personal gain. Zhou Cheng wasn’t a saint – why should he treat Liu Fang like he treated Li Feng Mei? The only relatives Xia Xiao Lan acknowledged were Zhou Cheng’s ‘relatives’ – otherwise, a trainload of people wanting to claim kinship with him would line up, and he had no time for them all!

‘Poor outsider’ was self-deprecating humor.

Zhou Cheng was grateful that in his work, he had been tough on himself, willing to strive, and somewhat lucky. If he really were just a poor outsider, wouldn’t he have to watch helplessly as others tried to snatch away his woman?

Liu Fang suddenly understood – no wonder Xia Xiao Lan wouldn’t marry Fan Zhen Chuan when this poor outsider looked like this!

But what good was being handsome? Could you eat looks?

It took Liang Huan a while to process that this was Xia Xiao Lan’s boyfriend – how could someone so handsome be with Xia Xiao Lan? She’d heard his reputation was terrible back in their hometown – did this man know?

“Oh, so this is Second Sister’s future son-in-law. Quite handsome indeed, but what a pity-“

Liu Fang’s words carried deep implications – pity he was still a poor outsider. Such a man was wasted on Xia Xiao Lan. If Xia Xiao Lan married Fan Zhen Chuan, this handsome outsider might catch the eye of some leader’s daughter at work. A poor outsider with no money or influence, paired with a rural-registered uneducated worker – both must be mentally deficient.

They must be crazy to come to Shangdu at this time!

Sensible people would avoid this situation entirely.

Liu Fang thought of the sewage water incident and Liang Huan’s experience, deliberately clicking her tongue: “What a shame, young man, you probably don’t know yet – my niece is getting married this May. Come early for the wedding feast!”

“Sure, if this wedding actually happens, I’ll definitely come early! Now please get out – you’re not welcome in this store.”

As Zhou Cheng considered taking action himself, Ge Jian remained vigilant about the situation inside.

Glaring at Liu Fang and Liang Huan – whether Zhou Cheng was formidable or not, the mother and daughter didn’t know. But they had just witnessed Ge Jian’s fighting prowess.

“Please leave, or I’ll have to make you leave. I’m not known for my restraint…”

Liu Fang gritted her teeth, “Second Sister, you think having a few people help you can handle the Fan family? You’re too naive. If you don’t return the money, I’ll report this to the police!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Go ahead and report it – we’re not short ten thousand yuan!”

Liu Fen’s words were seen as putting on airs.

Not short ten thousand yuan?

With all their savings scraped together, could they even produce a thousand?

Who didn’t know whose circumstances?

Liu Fang wanted to curse more, but Ge Jian’s knuckles cracked ominously. Liang Huan grew scared and tugged at Liu Fang’s sleeve – mother and daughter slunk away shamefully.

Zhou Cheng didn’t take them seriously either. Dealing with the Liang family wasn’t worth it – better to cut off the source first, and the Liang family wouldn’t be able to cause trouble. Of course, while his words sounded magnanimous if it weren’t for Liu Fen’s presence and the fact they were women, Zhou Cheng would have certainly beaten them senseless!

He couldn’t fight in front of his future mother-in-law – if she thought he had violent tendencies, what if she refused to let him marry Xiao Lan?

“Aunt Liu, who is this?”

“He’s a comrade Xiao Lan invited from Yangcheng…”

Zhou Cheng immediately understood, “Hello, you know Bai Zhi Yong?”

Between people, mentioning common acquaintances easily bridges distances. Ge Jian quickly grasped Zhou Cheng’s extended hand:

“Hello, I’m Ge Jian. Bai Zhi Yong is my junior martial brother.”

Ge Jian ranked below Li Dong Liang but above Bai Zhi Yong.

Indeed a veteran of the Bai Martial Arts School. Xiao Lan had mentioned before that she had hired bodyguards from there when visiting Yangcheng and Pengcheng Special Zone – this must be one of them. Zhou Cheng hadn’t expected his wife to summon Bai Martial Arts School people from Yangcheng. He thought his wife clever – if he couldn’t make it in time, the Bai school people could hold off Fan Zhen Chuan.

As long as there were no weapons pointed at their heads, with Bai school protection, no one could take Xiao Lan away.

“I’m Xiao Lan’s boyfriend. Thank you for coming to Shangdu – let’s have lunch together.”

He could consider long-term protection from the Bai school. With Bai Zhi Yong there, Zhou Cheng trusted their people, and he could afford their fees.

Ge Jian, having joined later, knew nothing of Zhou Cheng’s identity. If Li Dong Liang were here, he might have revealed that Miss Xia’s boyfriend was no ordinary person – their hired man had beaten Ke Yi Xiong’s face swollen, berated him until he dared not respond, and threatened to eliminate him at any time.

Speaking of lunch, Liu Fen remembered, “Another comrade was just taken to the police station.”

“Not taken – the police officers released me!”

Li Dong Liang’s voice came from outside. Ge Jian ran out – they’d thought he’d be detained for a while, but it had only been about an hour before his release.