The sight of Hong Shisan suddenly kneeling on the ground stunned the many guests present once again. After all, he was the leader of the Hong Quan Sect, a prominent figure in the underworld of Suzhou!
"This young man, who is skilled in martial arts and decisive in his actions, is actually the live-in son-in-law of the Liu family? This... is too unbelievable!"
"The Liu family's live-in son-in-law? Which Liu family?"
"Is there a second Liu family in Suzhou? Didn't you see Miss Liu standing right there?"
"With such great martial arts skills, to become a live-in son-in-law, it really proves the saying circulating online: In youth, one doesn't know the sweetness of relying on others, mistaking youth for wasted effort!"
Listening to the whispers around them, Liu Ruyan, who had recovered from her extreme shock, felt both amused and exasperated. However, in such a setting, she couldn't say much. But she knew that after tonight, half of Suzhou would likely know about Xiao Yunlong, the Liu family's live-in son-in-law.
Xiao Yunlong glanced at Hong Shisan, who was kneeling on the ground, and said indifferently, "Get up."
Hearing this, Hong Shisan felt as if he had received a great pardon, knowing his life was spared.
"Master Xiao, I apologize for my earlier offense. It was my ignorance and lack of foresight that led me to offend you. I will fetch the best wine from the tavern to apologize!"
Hong Shisan said, standing up, and was about to walk inside.
"No need. I've already had my drink. Considering you didn't back down against those Fusang warriors earlier, you're a man of courage. I'll let it slide for now!"
After speaking, Xiao Yunlong walked directly towards Liu Ruyan.
"Thank you for your magnanimity, Mr. Xiao. Oh, and Mr. Xiao, this is my business card. If you have any needs in Suzhou in the future, please don't hesitate to command me. I will be there whenever called!"
Hong Shisan held the business card with both hands and respectfully handed it over.
Xiao Yunlong casually took it, glanced at it, and said nothing more, directly leading Liu Ruyan away.
On the way back to the Liu family manor, Liu Ruyan, in the passenger seat, remained silent, seemingly still contemplating what had happened at the Hongmen Tavern.
She was only in her early twenties and was even still studying at Suzhou University, not yet graduated. Being pure and kind, she had never encountered anything like tonight before. It was understandable how shocked Liu Ruyan must have been.
Fortunately, she had known Xiao Yunlong for a while and understood his character. Otherwise, she wouldn't dare to stay with someone who could kill without batting an eyelid.
The car was surprisingly quiet. Xiao Yunlong suddenly asked, "Ruyan, don't you have anything you want to ask? Aren't you curious or interested?"
Liu Ruyan sighed softly, "Of course, I'm interested. You are full of mystery, so how could I not be curious!"
Xiao Yunlong suddenly grinned and said, "Liu Ruyan, you're finished."
"I'm finished?" Liu Ruyan asked, stunned. "I'm perfectly fine."
Xiao Yunlong cleared his throat and said seriously, "Do you know, when a woman becomes curious and interested in a man, it often means that she is very likely to be falling in love with that man."
"..." Liu Ruyan rolled her eyes, letting him ponder it himself, then turned to look out the window.
"Just kidding. You don't need to worry too much about my background. You just need to know that I am the son-in-law of your Liu family, the prestigious family. Oh, and the live-in one," Xiao Yunlong teased.
Liu Ruyan let out a chuckle, and the atmosphere in the car seemed to lighten.
"You, you always mention being the Liu family's live-in son-in-law, as if you're afraid others won't know. It seems you're enjoying this 'relying on others' life very much," Liu Ruyan said with a hint of teasing.
"What can I do? I have weak teeth; I'm naturally suited for this kind of life," Xiao Yunlong shrugged, looking as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"..." Liu Ruyan felt speechless again. This guy seemed to have a thick skin, perhaps even thicker than the carpet at home.
They continued in silence. By the time they returned to the main building of the Liu family manor, it was past eleven o'clock at night.
"Brother Xiao, I'm going back to my room to rest. You should rest early too. Goodnight," Liu Ruyan said, heading towards the bedroom on the second floor.
Xiao Yunlong nodded and headed towards the attic.
The night was hazy. The vast Liu family manor was immersed in silence. However, a villa by the lake still had its lights on.
"Dad, I asked the servants, and it's indeed that bastard Xiao Yunlong and that slutty bastard Liu Ruyan who have returned," Liu Guohao said as he entered the hall.
Liu Jianmin was sitting on the sofa, smoking and exhaling clouds, with Huang Tingting and Liu Feiyan also present. It seemed they had been waiting for news all night.
"How could those two scoundrels still be alive? Did they not go to the Hongmen Tavern? Could Hong Shisan, that ruthless man, have let them go so easily?" Huang Tingting said.
It was a pity that Huang Tingting didn't know what had happened at the tavern that night. Otherwise, she would never have dared to say such a thing.
Of course, this was also because after Xiao Yunlong left the tavern, Hong Shisan immediately issued a gag order, forbidding any leaks. The guests at the tavern, not wanting to get into trouble, naturally dared not say much.
Liu Jianmin took several puffs of his cigarette, then forcefully extinguished the butt and snorted, "Originally, everything was developing in a good direction. With a little more time, I could have gradually taken control of the entire group. But now, it's all been ruined by that bastard surnamed Xiao."
Liu Feiyan also gritted her teeth and said, "It's this useless live-in son-in-law who's ruining everything. It's simply detestable!"
Huang Tingting said, "Jianmin, it seems we need to think of another plan. Otherwise, at tomorrow's board meeting, our positions might not be secure. That bastard surnamed Xiao, calling himself a live-in son-in-law at every turn, clearly intends to enter the core of our Liu family group to fight for the family fortune!"
"How can this be allowed? The family fortune can only belong to us. Liu Ruyan is just a slutty bastard. As for that bastard surnamed Xiao, Dad, why don't we find someone to just get rid of him..."
Liu Guohao made a gesture of slicing his own throat with his hand, his meaning being all too clear.
"Let's not rush. Unless it's absolutely necessary, we shouldn't take this step. It's too late; let's go to bed. We'll ask for General Manager Chen Yuimin's opinion tomorrow!"
Liu Jianmin said, stood up, and turned to go back to his room.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yunlong had finished washing up and was about to lie down to rest. Just then, there was a knock on his door.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Mr. Xiao," came Liu Hongguo's voice from outside the door.
"Old Master Liu is still awake this late. Is there something important?" Xiao Yunlong had to open the door.
Liu Hongguo no longer needed to use a wheelchair. His physical foundation was already good, and with Xiao Yunlong's care, he had recovered more than half.
"I apologize for disturbing you so late at night. I have a few questions I'd like to ask. Is it convenient for you, Mr. Xiao?"
Xiao Yunlong roughly guessed the reason for his visit and stepped aside to let him in.
The two sat down on the terrace outside the attic. Liu Hongguo said, "Mr. Xiao is a straightforward person, so I won't beat around the bush. I know everything that happened at the Hongmen Tavern tonight."
Xiao Yunlong nodded, not surprised. "I know. You sent people to follow us."
Liu Hongguo smiled, "Mr. Xiao is indeed extraordinary. What happened at the tavern further proves this. If possible, please tell me your identity, Mr. Xiao."
As he spoke, Liu Hongguo cupped his hands, his face filled with anticipation.
Xiao Yunlong did not answer directly but asked in return, "Did Old Master Liu serve in the army before?"
"Yes, decades ago, I served in the Southern Border."
"Since you served in the Southern Border, did you participate in the war in the 1990s, Old Master?" Xiao Yunlong asked again.
"Of course, I did. In that battle, I personally killed two enemies from Guyue country and received a third-class personal merit and a second-class collective merit!"
Liu Hongguo's demeanor was filled with pride as he said this, and even his posture straightened considerably.
"So, you are a senior who has killed enemies and shed blood on the battlefield!"
Xiao Yunlong cupped his hands, then took out the Zhenbei King's token and handed it over, saying, "Since Old Master was once a soldier, you should recognize this."
"What is this?"
Liu Hongguo took the token with a look of confusion. He hadn't paid much attention at first, but when he saw the five-clawed dragon coiling and soaring on the token, his expression changed drastically.
Almost instinctively, Liu Hongguo jumped up from his chair.
"Your subordinate, Liu Hongguo, former captain of the fourth squad of the Tianzi Reconnaissance Camp under the Third Commander of the Southern Border, pays his respects to the Zhenbei King!" Liu Hongguo said, cupping his hands and preparing to kneel.