Chapter Twenty-Three: A Hero's Strength That Moves Mountains

Li Yating drove her pink Honda, carrying Lin Feng and Wang Lun, and soon arrived at the Imperial Phoenix Pavilion Hotel.

As the three stepped out of the car, Liu Jian and his group arrived at the same time. Seeing Li Yating, Liu Jian immediately donned the airs of a young master, launching into an introduction about the Imperial Phoenix Pavilion Hotel:

“The Imperial Phoenix Pavilion Hotel was built three years ago by Wang Jisheng, the big boss of Binhai City’s underworld. It’s one of only two five-star hotels here.”

“Its level of luxury is said to be unmatched—even the décor alone cost three hundred million! Truly, every inch of land is precious.”

“My father knows the hotel’s general manager, Ms. Yun, so I specially asked her to reserve the most extravagant private room for us—the Imperial Hall.”

Liu Jian’s account instantly drew gasps of admiration from the sales department colleagues, who praised his connections and skill:

“Wow, Liu Jian really lives up to his reputation! Your father actually has ties with Wang Jisheng.”

“That’s right. If not for Liu Jian, we’d probably be stuck in the main hall tonight!”

“Young Liu, you’re impressive!”

And so on.

Yet, none of them remembered that Lin Feng would be footing the bill for this entire evening.

While Liu Jian basked in the praise, a glamorous woman in formal attire approached.

“Young Liu, you’re here to support my business again, and you’ve booked the Imperial Hall. I’ll take the liberty of giving you a ten percent discount, how about that?”

“Ms. Yun, that’s wonderful, thank you!”

Her courteous offer only served to confirm Liu Jian’s story, making the sales department colleagues regard him with even greater awe.

Wang Jisheng was a household name in Binhai City—a powerful figure with a syndicate of five thousand men, the only underground force capable of rivaling the Tianlong Hall. Not only ordinary city officials, even those with real power had to show him respect.

For Liu Jian to have any connection with Wang Jisheng was, for the average person in the sales department, almost “godlike” in its reach.

Even the ice-cold beauty Li Yating was somewhat moved.

Liu Susu went further, grabbing Liu Jian’s arm and rubbing it against her ample bosom, her seductive eyes practically dripping with desire.

Lin Feng alone remained calm and composed, for a simple reason: Liu Jian was merely borrowing authority.

How could a boss like Wang Jisheng possibly have any real connection with the son of a minor district official?

These upper-crust figures each had their own circles. Liu Jian’s rank didn’t qualify him to enter Wang Jisheng’s circle—not even to stand at its periphery.

Enjoying the thrill of being surrounded by admirers, Liu Jian led the sales department colleagues in a rush to the top floor of the Imperial Phoenix Pavilion. Guided by staff, they entered the top-tier private room, the Imperial Hall.

As they stepped inside, the scent of lavender greeted them. The Imperial Hall was lavish and grand, equipped with every kind of entertainment facility. There were bedrooms, restrooms, a private cinema, and a karaoke room—everything one could desire.

At Liu Jian’s invitation, everyone gathered around the central round dining table.

Expertly, Liu Jian summoned the waiter for menus and began ordering:

“Two-headed abalone, one for each of us. Ten five-pound Boston lobsters, three king crabs, a filet steak for everyone, ten portions of signature caviar, and eight bottles of Lafite from ’86…”

He shot Lin Feng a glance, choosing the most expensive items on the menu. Just the caviar alone amounted to ten servings!

Wang Lun watched with mounting anxiety. This was easily approaching a hundred thousand! It wasn’t his own money, so there was no pain, but Lin Feng hadn’t even started work yet and was about to shoulder a debt of a hundred thousand?

Did they really think money flowed like water?

“Lin Feng, the Imperial Hall’s room fee isn’t cheap. With all this, it’ll probably top a hundred thousand. What do you say, feeling the pinch? If you are, we can order less.”

Liu Jian smiled faintly, his face insincere as he spoke before the crowd.

“Oh, how could young Lin feel the pinch? His wife is Yao Qianqian—so beautiful and capable—he can’t possibly be short on cash! Everyone, keep ordering, don’t save money for young Lin. He’s the son-in-law of the Yao family, after all, his status is extraordinary!”

Ke Feng and Liu Jian played their duet, appearing to flatter Lin Feng while in truth digging his grave.

“That’s right, young Lin is generous!”

“Hehe, thank you, young Lin!”

None of the colleagues cared about Lin Feng’s fate. They eagerly chimed in, raising their glasses to block any chance of Lin Feng backing out.

Yet Lin Feng was unfazed, sipping his wine with tranquil indifference.

This calm, self-assured demeanor caught Li Yating’s interest; she glanced at Lin Feng several times, finding his profile increasingly handsome and appealing.

Liu Jian, always attentive to Li Yating, naturally noticed her attitude toward Lin Feng, and his heart burned with anger.

At that moment, the doors to the Imperial Hall were suddenly kicked open. A stout, greasy middle-aged man, face flushed and reeking of alcohol, stumbled in.

His steps faltered, and he fell onto two female colleagues from the sales department.

“Well, I didn’t expect to see new princesses after just one trip out. Not bad, fresher than the college girls I keep!”

The drunken man, barely conscious, began to grope at the female colleagues, mistaking them for room hostesses.

“Ah—”

“Pervert!”

The women struggled, but the man, though drunk, was strong enough to pin them. His greasy hands were about to find their way to their waists and hips.

“Damn you! Do you even know whose turf this is?”

Ke Feng, relying on his martial arts skills, leapt forward to play the hero, delivering a powerful kick to drive the middle-aged man back and rescuing the two women.

“Ke Feng, thank you so much!”

“Yes, Ke Feng, without you we wouldn’t know what to do!”

Feeling the admiration in their eyes, Ke Feng’s blood surged. He stepped forward and delivered several forceful kicks to the man’s chest and stomach.

“Stop! Stop! It’s all a misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding!”

Beaten out of his drunken stupor, the man broke out in cold sweat and begged for mercy.

Ke Feng wiped sweat from his brow and stepped aside.

“Brother Jian, I’ll leave this lecherous fool to you.”

Liu Jian flicked his fringe, pleased that Ke Feng had let him take center stage at such a crucial moment.

Secretly delighted, Liu Jia