Shen Lang truly didn't want to clash with Jiang Cheng deep down.
Yet right now, smashing a bottle over Chen Tie's head in front of him was no different from publicly slapping his face.
If he still did nothing, he'd be outright admitting he was a coward.
Shen Lang's face was as gloomy as still water, his eyes flashing cold light as he ground his teeth and asked, "What do you mean by hitting him right in front of me?"
Jiang Cheng gave Shen Lang a casual sideways glance.
In a flat, even tone he replied, "You're Shen Lang, right? Allow me to introduce myself—Jiang Cheng. As for what I mean, you've seen it. I'll have someone take him to the hospital in a bit; don't worry, I'll cover the compensation..."
Hearing Jiang Cheng throw his own lines back at him word for word, Shen Lang's tightly knit brows twitched.
He stared death at Jiang Cheng, his face so dark it looked ready to drip.
Those words made Shen Lang's fury burn hotter, the murderous intent in his eyes growing clearer.
In a stiff voice he asked, "Jiang Cheng... are you determined to go against me?"
Seeing Shen Lang looking like he could grind his teeth to dust, Jiang Cheng spread his hands.
In a calm yet provocative tone he said, "When you're out having fun, if you mess up you own it; take your beating and stand at attention. I'm letting you leave now because you haven't caused real trouble—but..."
Though Jiang Cheng left the sentence unfinished, the meaning was obvious.
If they kicked up a fuss like Chen Tie, they'd end up the same way.
None of them believed Jiang Cheng would dare lay hands on so many of them.
Any one of them alone might not rank high in Shanghai, but banded together they were still a force to be reckoned with.
Could Jiang Cheng really make every last one of them hit the floor?
Yet though none of them believed it, not a single person dared step up to test it.
Chen Tie was lying right there... Feeling the overbearing tension, Lin Qingxue, sitting quietly to the side, was seized by a nameless fear.
She turned her gaze to Jiang Cheng; in her eyes, adoration now mingled with dread.
Though she had already experienced the episode with Hao Liang and knew something of the power behind Jiang Cheng,
this was the first time she had seen him act so decisively with her own eyes.
He was as handsome as ever, making her heart flutter, yet at the same time frightening her.
Lin Qingxue felt she was seeing a new side of Jiang Cheng.
Though she now held him firmly,
staying by his side filled her with a sense of security,
she knew that if she ever betrayed him the consequences would be grim.
Though she was sure she would never betray him, she still glanced instinctively at the blood beside Chen Tie's head, branding the scene into her memory.
Seeing Jiang Cheng ignore him completely, Shen Lang's expression turned flustered.
After all, he had organized tonight's gathering, and Chen Tie now had his head busted open.
If they just walked away, the Chen family would definitely hold him accountable.
At the thought, Shen Lang felt a throbbing headache.
As he was wondering whether to pull out his phone and call for backup, Qin Fen walked in.
Seeing Shen Lang leading the trouble at Jiang Cheng's booth, Qin Fen frowned.
He glanced at Chen Tie on the floor and immediately understood.
Spotting Qin Fen, Shen Lang sneered, "Oh, the emperor of shanghai has arrived."
Behind him several of his followers gave a synchronized snicker.
They looked as if Qin Fen wasn't worth their notice.
Unbothered by the mockery, Qin Fen
turned to Shen Lang and said calmly, "So it's you, Shen Lang. This guy is with you? Tsk, still so low-class."
The moment those words fell, the second-generation kids behind Shen Lang began to stir restlessly.
They rolled up their sleeves, itching to rush up and teach Qin Fen a lesson.
But the instant they moved, the Bodyguard beside Jiang Cheng went on guard.
Most of them were home-grown "Shanghai-circle second generation," used to throwing their weight around. Being mocked by Qin Fen naturally grated on them.
Though they were outnumbered and already feeling jittery,
when several of them banded together their mouths showed no weakness.
"Who's the one that's low-class? This is Shanghai, Qin Fen—don't forget who you are. Who are you trying to impress?"
"Exactly. Shanghai has Shanghai's rules. Your friend here—does he intend to break them?"
"So it's your friend. Qin Fen, you'd better think this through..."
They had long since fallen out with Qin Fen; they simply didn't mix.
When they met, neither side feared the other.
Spurred by their disdain for Qin Fen and seeing that Jiang Cheng was with him, the rich kids instantly felt a little less wary of Jiang Cheng.
Seeing that they apparently didn't know Jiang Cheng, Qin Fen couldn't help laughing.
He went on, "You bunch of idiots. Know why none of us play with you anymore? You're all clueless. Hang around you long enough and we'll all go down. Apart from drinking, bragging, and bullying ordinary people—what else can you do? Always flaunting your 'Shanghai second-gen' status—pathetic."
Those words of warning left them somewhat unnerved.
Still, after being scolded like that, they reflexively retorted.
One of them glared daggers at Qin Fen. "Who... who the hell do you think you are? You're not so high and mighty..."
Qin Fen gave Shen Lang a pitying glance,
then walked straight toward Jiang Cheng.
He glanced at Wang Jian; the wound on his head wasn't as bad as expected—just some blood and swelling, nothing serious.
He asked, "Bro Cheng, how's everything?"
Jiang Cheng sighed and shook his head, looking resigned. "Sigh, I paid up... but I feel better. Worth it."
Hearing that, Qin Fen played along, nodding in understanding. "Well, as long as no one's dead, money's no big deal. Pay and be done."
Watching Qin Fen and Jiang Cheng trade barbs at their expense, Shen Lang's face turned even darker.
He forced out, "Wang Jian, Chen Tie is the only son of the Chen family from Xishan. They used to be in energy. Today he started it, but you know how lawless people from Xishan can be."
That warning hit Wang Jian like a bombshell.
His face went pale and he instinctively looked at Jiang Cheng.
Of course Wang Jian knew who Shen Lang was.
Leaving Chen Tie aside, his own family was nothing before old-money clans like the Shen family of Shanghai.