"Rong Haodong, it seems your mind isn't quite clear today."
Looking at Rong Haodong's sincere expression, Shen Lang smiled and said, "Have you forgotten how many times I've taught you a lesson?"
"Big Brother, I certainly haven't forgotten, but those past grievances are insignificant compared to my admiration for you."
Rong Haodong chuckled sheepishly and said to Shen Lang, "One 'Big Brother,' one lifetime of 'Big Brother.' From now on, you are my Big Brother."
"You..."
Even though Shen Lang had weathered many storms, he was stumped by Rong Haodong at this moment.
Seeing Shen Lang speechless, Rong Haodong shouted to Yan Weiyuan, Xu Longxiang, and the others, "What are you all standing around for? Hurry up and call him Big Brother."
"Young Master Shen!"
Rong Haodong clearly held absolute authority among these people. Hearing his words, over twenty individuals simultaneously shouted.
"Wow, it's so lively in First Floor. Is someone having a party?"
As the atmosphere in the room turned strange, a startled voice came from the entrance. Immediately after, a man about 1.78 meters tall, with a plump physique and holding a white folding fan, entered with a lean teenager of similar height.
"Brother Jian, is this First Floor? I heard it's a place for the wealthy and powerful to dine. I've never been here before. It is indeed luxuriously decorated and has a high-class ambiance," the lean teenager asked after the plump man spoke.
"Haha, what kind of nonsense 'wealthy and powerful'? Can they be richer than your Brother Jian? I learned a lot from Senior Brother this afternoon, so tonight I've decided to book this entire place. Let's treat ourselves, my brother and I," the plump man said with a lecherous smile. "There are some female influencers in Nanling with great figures. I've invited four. We'll each have two. Isn't that what they call being full of wine and desiring... well, you know?"
"Brother Jian, from today onwards, you are my own Big Brother." The lean teenager beamed with gratitude upon hearing the plump man.
"Who are you people? I've booked this place today. Leave if you have nothing else to do," the plump man said unceremoniously to Yan Weiyuan and her group after the lean teenager spoke.
"Young Master Zhou?"
Hearing the plump man's words, Yan Weiyuan's face turned furious. However, upon clearly seeing the man's plump, chubby face, her expression immediately changed to one of fear. The plump man was none other than Zhou Jian. Zhou Jian was the biological son of the president of Southern Tenglong Group, the sole grandson of the Zhou family. The Tenglong Group and the Zhou family dominated the South, their terrifying influence such that even the Five Great Families dared not provoke them. Yan Weiyuan had once had the honor of meeting Zhou Jian, thus recognizing him instantly.
"Oh, I remember you. You were standing beside Yan Zhanxiong at the Heavenly Horizon Feast before. You are Yan Zhanxiong's younger sister," Zhou Jian said with a smile, slightly surprised upon seeing Yan Weiyuan.
"It's an honor that Young Master Zhou still remembers Weiyuan," Yan Weiyuan replied nervously. Yan Weiyuan knew Zhou Jian's identity because she had seen him. The others accompanying her, unaware of Zhou Jian's status, were stunned, unable to comprehend why the usually defiant Yan Weiyuan would be so polite to him. After all, Yan Weiyuan was from the Yan family of the Northeast, and her elder brother was Yan Zhanxiong, the God Slayer of the Northern Frontier.
"Young Master Zhou?" Besides Yan Weiyuan, Rong Haodong, who was conversing with Shen Lang, also recognized Zhou Jian. If Zhou Jian's family was deeply rooted and dominated the South, then Rong Haodong's family was the true king of the Northwest. Zhou Jian enjoyed the company of female influencers, and Rong Haodong was also a known debaucher. These two had met at a banquet and later became sworn brothers, truly kindred spirits in their pursuit of wine and women. Therefore, Rong Haodong was extremely excited to see Zhou Jian appear here.
"Rong Haodong, you scoundrel, still love putting on a show? If one didn't know it was you, they'd think an ancient emperor was making a private visit," Zhou Jian said unceremoniously, scolding Rong Haodong. After scolding him, Zhou Jian saw Shen Lang and said in surprise, "Brother, why are you here too?"
"Brother?"
Upon hearing this address, Rong Haodong looked incredulous and asked, "Zhou Jian, what did you call him?"
"He's my cousin, Shen Lang," Zhou Jian replied. Then, he frowned and said to Rong Haodong, "Rong Haodong, you bastard, you brought so many people here, you're not thinking of making a move against my brother, are you?"
"Young Master Zhou, what are you saying? How could I disrespect Young Master Shen? On the contrary, my admiration for him is like a continuously flowing river, like a flood from the Yellow River, unstoppable," Rong Haodong said with a smile. "I've just acknowledged Young Master Shen as my Big Brother, so we are family now."
"Brother, is this true?" Zhou Jian asked Shen Lang.
Shen Lang did not directly answer Rong Haodong's question but instead asked, "Why are you two here?"
"Hey, didn't I just say? I learned a lot from Senior Brother today, so I came to First Floor to treat myself," Zhou Jian chuckled sheepishly, giving Shen Lang a knowing look. Yang Junlin also wore a sheepish smile, as if implying that everything was Zhou Jian's plan and he was not involved.
"Xu Longxiang, get over here and tell me what happened just now," Rong Haodong commanded Xu Longxiang, seeing that the atmosphere had somewhat eased. Hearing Rong Haodong's words, Xu Longxiang recounted everything that had happened without omitting a single detail.
"Damn it, how many times have I told you that our circle needs to have some decorum, understand? You forcibly taking a woman is embarrassing me!" Rong Haodong looked at Xu Longxiang and said coldly, "Since Young Master Shen ordered you to break an arm, then break an arm."
"I..."
Upon hearing Rong Haodong's words, Xu Longxiang's face turned ashen.
"What? Do you need my help?" Seeing Xu Longxiang hesitate, Yan Weiyuan aimed her gun at him and said coldly.
"N-no need."
Xu Longxiang knew that one of his arms had to be broken. Finally, gritting his teeth, he drew a dagger and severed his left wrist.
"Now that's more like it. You're taking responsibility for your actions," Rong Haodong said with a satisfied smile, looking at Xu Longxiang who was writhing in agony but trying to suppress his cries. "Pick up your severed hand and go to the hospital to have it reattached. Remember, you can disrespect me in the future, but if you disrespect Young Master Shen, it won't just be your hand that gets broken."
"Yes, I remember. I will never do it again," Xu Longxiang gritted out his last words, picked up his severed hand, and fled. After Xu Longxiang left, Rong Haodong ordered his subordinates, "Prepare yellow wine and paper money. I'm going to formally acknowledge my Big Brother."