Volume One: Qin Yang of the Northern Sea Chapter 33: Gathering

When Zhang Mengqi heard this, she was instantly infuriated. Although Qin Yang beside her hadn't spoken yet, she couldn't suppress the anger in her heart. "Who I, Zhang Mengqi, choose as friends has nothing to do with you," she said coldly. Her icy voice drew everyone's attention, and Sun Tao felt his cheeks burning with embarrassment. With a heavy snort, he retreated to the back.

Most people had arrived by now. Sun Tao had organized this gathering, and the private room was already reserved. Everyone started making their way inside. Suddenly, Sun Tao spotted a figure in the distance, his expression lighting up as he hurried over.

More than twenty people sat around the large circular table, which was spacious enough so no one felt cramped. Before long, Sun Wei entered, accompanied by a young man. The young man's eyes lit up when he saw Zhang Mengqi, and he greeted her with a smile. "Hello, beautiful. My name is Pan Wei."

Pan Wei? Zhang Mengqi put on a thoughtful expression before finally replying, "I don't think we've met. Is there a Pan family in Bincheng?"

Gao Chao, who knew a bit about Qin Yang's background, had received a look from him earlier, so he hadn't spoken out of turn. Now, given the chance, he didn't miss the opportunity to add his own jab. "As far as I know, the largest families in Bincheng are the Ye and Bai families, followed by the Fengs, Wangs, and Zhangs. As for this Pan family, forgive my ignorance, but I've never heard of them."

Qin Yang gave Gao Chao an encouraging glance, inwardly sighing at the perfectly timed addition. Gao Chao was quite pleased with himself; after all, though he and Qin Yang were classmates, he couldn't compare to Qin Yang's ability to make money. In a simple jade stone auction, Qin Yang had made over a hundred million.

Sun Tao watched even Young Master Pan being rebuffed and could only feel helpless. After all, Pan Wei had little footing in Bincheng; his real base was in Beihai.

Just as they were about to order, the door was suddenly pushed open. The restaurant manager entered, his face full of anxiety. "I'm terribly sorry, everyone. There was a mistake—the server brought you to the wrong private room." His round, chubby face was all apologetic smiles.

Everyone was stunned. What was going on? Was it really possible to make such a mistake? Sun Tao had arranged the dinner—now being told they had to change rooms was enough to irritate anyone.

"How does your hotel even operate?"

"Exactly, how can you not know which room your guests are in? Why would we ever come back?"

The manager continued to smile apologetically. "I'm truly sorry. How about this: tonight's dinner is on me, but I hope you'll cooperate and move to the correct room."

Sun Tao and Pan Wei stood up, their faces dark. The evening had been full of setbacks, and now they finally had a chance to assert themselves. "Hmph, we're staying right here. Are you trying to get us to pay extra?"

Sweat beaded on the manager's forehead. "Ladies and gentlemen, I strongly advise you to leave."

Sun Tao and Pan Wei remained adamant, especially Sun Tao, who searched his classmates' eyes for a sense of pride or envy. "This private room was reserved by Young Master Bai for Young Master Ye. If you think you're more important, by all means, stay," the manager said before hurrying out.

The room fell silent. Sun Tao looked like a frightened cat, his face betraying traces of fear. Young Master Bai? Young Master Ye? Could it really be the Bai and Ye families? The thought alone made his face break out in a cold sweat. What a coincidence, he thought. The others realized the gravity of the situation, too. They were ordinary people and had no desire to cross paths with these powerful scions—one wrong step could cost them dearly.

"Sun Tao, maybe we should switch rooms?" someone suggested tentatively.

Everyone's gaze turned to Zhang Mengqi, who was the most influential among them.

Bang! Before they could reach a decision, the door was kicked open and two people strode in.

One wore a white suit, the other black. The man in white looked like a princely figure—slick hair, a pale face, and a faint air of menace between his brows. This must be Bai Guijun, the third son of the Bai family. Of the Bai family's three sons, the eldest had died, the second was in the military, and only this third son was still active in Bincheng.

The young man beside him, judging by his posture and stride, had clearly served in the army.

"Who has the nerve to compete with me, Bai Guijun, for a private room?" Bai Guijun swept his gaze around, a hint of aggression in his eyes.

By this time, Sun Tao and Pan Wei were already paralyzed with fear—especially Pan Wei, who wasn't even part of this crowd and slipped away as quietly as he could.

With these men barging in, Sun Tao could only force himself to speak up. "Young Master Bai, apologies, we were just about to vacate the room for you."

"Go on, hurry up and leave."

At that moment, Bai Guijun spotted Zhang Mengqi in the corner. "Well, well, Mengqi, you're here too? Really, you should have told me you were coming."

He was all smiles now, a stark contrast to his earlier domineering demeanor.

"Young Master Bai, you must be joking. We're just having a little reunion here. We didn't mean to disturb you; we'll move to another room."

"Mengqi, you're too kind. If I'd known you were here, I wouldn't have come at all. How about this: you all stay, and I'll leave, all right?" Though Bai Guijun said this, he made no move to leave, while Zhang Mengqi simply smiled in reply.

Qin Yang, unable to watch any longer, spoke up. "Young Master Bai said that if Mengqi is here, he'll leave. So we don't have to go anywhere. Let's just stay."

The others were at a loss, not knowing whether to stay or leave.

Bai Guijun glanced at the strikingly handsome young man before him, frowning. He'd only been showing them some courtesy, yet this man had the gall to push his luck. But having said what he did, to go back on his word now would seem petty.

Sun Tao looked at Qin Yang as if he were a fool, silently wondering how he would handle the situation.

"Hmph, who do you think you are? I'm talking to Mengqi. You, you little nobody, have no right to speak," Bai Guijun snapped.

"And who do you think you are, Bai Guijun? How dare you insult the man I've chosen?" Zhang Mengqi suddenly exploded, catching everyone off guard.

Even Bai Guijun was momentarily stunned. The man she'd chosen? Was this guy her kept boy?

Ma Bo, ready to charge forward with a beer bottle, was stopped by Qin Yang. This was his own business to handle.

"A little nobody?" Qin Yang sneered coldly, taking one step after another toward Bai Guijun, his presence exuding a chilly aura. The man in black, upon seeing Qin Yang, felt a sudden constriction in his chest, inwardly acknowledging him as a dangerous opponent.

"It's the first time anyone's called me that. You should feel honored to be remembered by me." With that, Qin Yang slapped Bai Guijun across the face—not quickly, but for some reason, everyone noticed Bai Guijun seemed to lean into