Chapter 101: Are You Sick or What?

Xiang Nan was about to grab the cat tail without a second thought, but his hand stopped halfway.

"Hmm?"

"Big wild cat, your zipper... it's undone!"

Right behind Su Yao, where the tail emerged, the zipper was wide open. It was a custom-made garment Xu Jiya had designed specifically to facilitate her transformations.

"Huh? Oh... I forgot!"

Xiang Nan’s eyes widened as he caught a glimpse of something he shouldn't have seen. Su Yao’s face flushed to the roots of her ears, and she hastily flipped over, lying on the carpet with her back still facing down.

"Don't press down so hard, can you loosen up a bit?"

Straddling Su Yao, Xiang Nan was a bit dazed. He obediently shifted his weight, supporting himself on his knees to give her some room. Su Yao lifted her waist and reached back to pull the zipper up. Yet, in this strange position and with these awkward movements, the two of them remained frozen in a state of mortification.

"Forget it, no tail-petting. I think I prefer petting cat ears instead."

To break the tension, Xiang Nan pulled Su Yao’s upper body up and began rubbing her pair of cat ears with both hands. But this only made the position even stranger, as Su Yao’s face was now buried right against Xiang Nan’s waist. For some reason, Su Yao forgot to resist, her entire body stiffening as she let him pet her ears.

A moment later, she asked weakly, "Xiao Nan, are you finished yet?"

Up on the second floor, Xu Jiya was completely bewildered: What on earth is going on with those two? Why did the air suddenly become so strange and so hot?

"Brother Xiang Nan, Yaya, is there a fire somewhere? It's so hot!"

"Hmm?"

...

Ever since the Eagle Alliance began cleaning up its act over a decade ago, it had secured a firm foothold in the financial district of the capital. With so many years of operations in the city, the alliance had built an extensive network of connections. Since the disappearance of the Axe Gang, the Eagle Alliance had become the dominant power in the capital. Consequently, nearly all the notable figures in the city had turned out for Xu Qingshan’s fiftieth birthday banquet. Even Kang Jiacheng, the venerable head of the Spirit Martial Association, had attended in person. This was a tremendous show of respect for Xu Qingshan.

Then there was the Lu family, the most arrogant and powerful of the capital’s Spirit Martial clans. The Lus were not just a Spirit Martial powerhouse; they were also top-tier business magnates and held the presidency of the Capital Chamber of Commerce. Countless enterprises looking to establish themselves in the city were desperate to curry favor with the Lu family. Lu Pengcheng’s arrival caught Xu Qingshan by surprise, prompting him to step out personally to welcome his guest.

"Chairman Lu’s arrival truly brings honor to our Eagle Alliance!" Xu Qingshan offered a polite, formal greeting.

"It’s good that you realize that. I just worry that some people get a little puffed up and forget who they are!" Although Lu Pengcheng wore a smile, his words were dripping with sarcasm.

Xu Qingshan was momentarily stunned, wondering if he had misheard. However, he had long heard rumors that Lu Pengcheng was notoriously arrogant in the capital and never left anyone a shred of dignity. There was nothing to be done about it; the man simply had the power to back it up. Guests were guests, so Xu Qingshan bit his tongue and generously ushered Lu Pengcheng to his seat.

Xiang Nan, Su Yao, Xu Jiya, Meng Qingwan, and the others had been chatting nearby. Looking up, they saw Lu Yu strutting in, dressed in a tuxedo and looking as arrogant as a peacock. Lu Pengcheng, walking in front of him, exuded an air of utter disdain for everyone around him. In contrast, the host, Xu Qingshan, seemed almost subservient, losing a notch in stature whenever he stood near them.

"What’s going on? I bet Lu Yu’s skin is itching for another beating."

Xiang Nan stood up, took a glass of champagne from a passing waiter’s tray, and downed it in one gulp. When Xu Jiya caught sight of Lu Yu, the memory of nearly being bullied by him at the unfinished building reignited the fire of anger in her eyes. As for Su Yao, she was a girl who wore her heart on her sleeve; she had been itching for a chance to settle the score with Lu Yu, but had been unable to do so while struggling to control her cat-like abilities.

"He’s arrived just in time. I’m going to make sure he doesn't leave in one piece today."

Meng Qingwan, the most level-headed of the group, held Su Yao back and shook her head. "Today is Deacon Xu’s birthday banquet. It looks like they are here as guests. Whatever private grudges we have, they must wait until after tonight."

Xiang Nan nodded as well. "Qingwan is right. As long as they behave and don't stir up any trouble, we’ll have plenty of opportunities to settle our score with Lu Yu later."

Seeing that Xiang Nan agreed, Su Yao stopped moving forward, though she scoffed, "Humph, what a joke! They frame Yaya, and then turn around and come to her father’s birthday party? What kind of game are these two playing?"

Xu Jiya continued to glare at Lu Yu with disgust. "What else could it be? A weasel wishing a chicken a Happy New Year!"

Setting down his glass, Xiang Nan curled his lips into a smile. "Whatever game they’re playing, if they try anything funny, I have plenty of ways to make them regret it for the rest of their lives! Come on, let’s go back to having fun."

As the guests took their seats, the banquet finally reached its most exciting moment. Suddenly, the lights in the hall dimmed.

In a corner of the stage, bathed in the glow of candlelight, Xu Jiya beamed as she pushed a custom-made five-tier birthday cake toward her father.

"My dearest, most handsome father: Happy birthday! May you have many more years just like this! I love you!"

Her sweet, sincere voice warmed Xu Qingshan’s heart. But just as he leaned in to blow out the candles with his daughter—

"Bang!"

In an instant, cream sprayed everywhere as the five-tier cake exploded on the spot. Thick, white cream splattered all over Xu Qingshan and Xu Jiya, covering their faces and hair. The guests were stunned! What was this? A surprise performance? You don't treat the guest of honor like that, do you? Even Xiang Nan and his friends were left utterly bewildered. What just happened?

Staff members immediately rushed up to help Xu Qingshan and Xu Jiya wipe off the cake and cream. Xu Qingshan’s hands trembled with rage. "Who! Who is playing this kind of joke on me? Show yourself!"

In the audience, the Lu father and son were rolling with laughter.

"Xu Qingshan, your birthday banquet is truly something unique. It’s a pity, though—it only splashed a bit of cream, and didn't manage to blow that old face of yours to pieces." Lu Yu pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the tears of laughter from his eyes.

"Lu Yu, was this your doing?!" Xu Jiya pointed at him, her face full of fury.

"It’s just a joke, why the temper? Everyone is busy, yet we took the time to come and wish your father a happy birthday. You should at least provide some entertainment for the guests, right?" Lu Yu was still laughing so hard he couldn't stand straight.

Lu Pengcheng, who had been sitting calmly beside him, suddenly stood up. "Xu Qingshan, it wasn't easy for your Eagle Alliance to reach where it is today. But if you want to run wild in the capital, you’d better weigh your own worth. Today’s event is a small warning. I suggest you learn to keep your subordinates in check!"

This speech left Xu Qingshan completely confused. "Lu Pengcheng, are you sick or something? So you didn't even come here to wish me a happy birthday at all!" Xu Qingshan was practically stunned with rage.