Chapter 93: Showing Up

In the early morning, Zhang Yang felt his nose tickling as he drifted awake.

Opening his eyes, he saw the sweet girl lying on his chest, smiling, using his hair to gently scratch him.

“What are you looking at?” Zhang Yang was now fully awake.

“Checking if someone had kidnapped you. Luckily, you’re completely back,” Bei Wei said, carefully studying him. “My Brother Zhang is back in one piece.”

Zhang Yang, slightly embarrassed, got up, feeling a sudden weight behind him.

“Carry me,” Bei Wei whispered into his ear, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Around seven o’clock, after washing up, the two of them took the Cullinan to Bei Tianfu’s company.

Bei Tianfu’s resources were limited, but he understood the importance of a storefront. He had spent heavily on his company in Shanghai, hiring good staff and establishing a solid framework.

At the company, Bei Tianfu gave Zhang Yang a proper tour.

“Nephew-in-law, see? Uncle’s company looks decent, right?” Bei Tianfu asked with a hint of pride.

Zhang Yang glanced at the large space and the decor carried over from the previous tenant, offering a few polite words.

“Dad, you’re showing off to the wrong person,” Bei Jiajia whispered, embarrassed for her father.

Bei Tianfu chuckled awkwardly. “Old habits die hard.”

The franchise recruitment department was crucial. Bei Tianfu had hired a team to handle online inquiries, ready to fully expand.

It was time to reap the rewards!

Ding!

Even while still in the company, Zhang Yang’s expression lit up.

What a divine mission! Recruiting at least ten franchises in Shanghai.

It wasn’t particularly difficult.

In ordinary circumstances, it would be hard. But now, the roast duck brand was showing potential to become a nationwide hit. Going with the trend, it didn’t seem that tough.

As for the rewards?

The first reward: a random industry, details unknown, but the system wouldn’t be stingy.

The second and third rewards: fifty experience points, plus five points for each additional franchise beyond ten.

This meant that completing the task alone could easily level him up.

Zhang Yang felt an instant surge of motivation.

“Sis, you should stay and handle the franchise recruitment with me. Let’s earn some money for your dowry!” Bei Jiajia tugged at Bei Wei, eyes sparkling.

“Stop talking nonsense,” Bei Wei blushed and lightly tapped her sister.

A moment later, after Zhang Yang finished the tour, everyone agreed to have Bei Wei stay and co-manage the franchise expansion for Shudu Spicy Roast Duck .

“Now is the bonus period. I figure it’s just a few months-once the hype drops, it’ll be tough,” Bei Tianfu said wisely.

Countless promoters were pushing this category. If they didn’t recruit widely now, later it would be difficult.

“That makes sense,” Zhang Yang nodded.

With agreement reached, Bei Wei stayed, and Zhang Yang returned to manage the store.

Days of solo store duty were simple yet fulfilling.

The staff was sufficient, handling minor tasks, leaving Zhang Yang to casually check on the store, brew tea, and sit at the counter awaiting mealtime.

That morning, he arrived early, greeted the neighbors.

“Boss Zhang, early as always! Want a massage upstairs to relax?”

“Boss Zhang, coffee?”

The neighbors were eager, fully aware of his wealth-regularly switching between a Cullinan and a Bentley. No one could match his fortune.

“Thanks, maybe next time,” Zhang Yang smiled, entering the store.

As usual, he brewed tea, sat at the counter, and glanced at his phone.

Since that night, Luo Xinyu had vanished from his life entirely-until he saw her post on social media.

Her post showed the airport waiting hall at Pudong International Airport.

The caption read: Waiting for someone.

“Only visible to certain people, maybe?” Zhang Yang glanced, then put his phone down.

Inside Pudong International Airport, a long-haired figure wheeled luggage, staring at her phone.

Her private post hadn’t been updated. Boarding time was approaching.

Slightly disappointed, she put her phone down, shaking her head at her own unrealistic hopes.

Ring!

A new message appeared.

She eagerly picked up the phone-it was him.

Zhang Yang: “Quick question, who’s the someone you’re waiting for?”

Without thinking, Luo Xinyu dialed him immediately.

The call connected.

“Well, do you think it could be visible only to one person?” she asked, a smile at her lips.

“Oh, got it,” Zhang Yang replied.

“Is that it?” she said, hiding her disappointment. “You called just to confirm?”

Beep!

The call ended. Luo Xinyu froze. Suddenly, someone gently tapped her shoulder.

She turned in disbelief, seeing a familiar figure standing there, smiling at her.

“Just confirming, to avoid assuming things,” Zhang Yang said.

“Ah, so you prepared for both outcomes? If I said it wasn’t you, you wouldn’t show up?” Luo Xinyu smiled, stepping forward to press a passionate kiss.

Zhang Yang held her soft body, feeling the warmth of the kiss.

Honestly, he hadn’t overthought this trip. Even as a friend about to leave the country, it was right to see her off. Besides, their friendship wasn’t shallow.

Also, he was tired of all the missed opportunities and manufactured regrets in novels and movies.

Why not act when you can? Why wait for coincidences to create drama?

In the bustling terminal, they held each other for a long time.

Luo Xinyu, once a spoiled heiress, now felt pure joy and obedience in Zhang Yang’s embrace.

“All right, all right,” Zhang Yang patted her back. “Time to go.”

“Okay,” she nodded, letting him go. “I’m leaving, don’t miss me.”

“Probably not, it’s not like there are no other girls,” Zhang Yang joked.

“Can’t you say something sweet to coax me?” she teased lightly.

She smiled, resigned yet content.

“Let’s go!”

“Mm,” Zhang Yang waved.

At parting, both were composed. Luo Xinyu turned away confidently and soon disappeared into the crowd.

Zhang Yang watched, then got into his car, returning to the store.

When he arrived, the lunch rush was ending, a few tables still occupied.

He noticed a familiar figure sitting alone, quietly eating roast duck.

Tall and strong, but bruised.

It was Zhan Peng-the guy who had tried to stop the manly tomboy from hurting Luo Xinyu that night, and got thoroughly handled by Zhang Yang’s side.

“Hey, fancy seeing you here,” Zhang Yang said, sitting down in front of him.

Of course, he didn’t think it was a coincidence.

Zhan Peng forced a pained smile. “Bro, I just came to deliver a message.”

“What message? Not threatening me, right?” Zhang Yang asked, smiling.

“Bro, I wouldn’t dare,” Zhan Peng said. “Miss Tang Yinan said enemies should be resolved, not escalated. She wants to compete publicly with you again. Win or lose, it’s settled.”

“I’ll go if she says so,” Zhang Yang said.

Zhan Peng stayed quiet. Sitting in the store already implied their intentions.

“All right, tell me the time and place, I’ll be there,” Zhang Yang said after a moment’s thought.

To be honest, he was a bit surprised that they figured out so quickly that he had a store.

The store itself wasn’t a big deal, but it was tied to his next task and couldn’t be taken lightly. Besides, having people constantly watching you made him feel a little restrained.

He chose to face it head-on.

“Bro, you’re straightforward,” Zhan Peng said, giving a thumbs-up. “Don’t worry, we play fair. Here’s the address of our gym’s main branch.”

He then gave Zhang Yang the address of their gym’s main location.

“We’ll close tonight and wait for you,” he added.

“Got it,” Zhang Yang nodded, glancing at the information and preparing to leave.

“Bro!” Zhan Peng suddenly called out.

“What is it? Anything else?” Zhang Yang paused and turned to look at him.

“Um… Luo Xinyu, is she okay?” Zhan Peng stammered. “Bro, I swear I have no other intentions, I just want to make sure she’s fine.”

“Why do you care?” Zhang Yang smiled. “Tell me, how long have you known her?”

“Th-three years,” Zhan Peng stuttered.

“And you know I’ve only known her for a few days?” Zhang Yang shook his head. “Bro, I don’t need to spell it out too directly. You’re a rich second-generation kid, is this necessary?”

Zhan Peng paled, finally catching the implication.

He’d been pining for three years with no progress, blindly worshiping, expecting it to last forever, while Zhang Yang had known her only a few times and already accomplished what needed to be done.

Thinking of that, he felt a deep frustration.

“I’m not trying to provoke you, just reminding you-better late than never,” Zhang Yang said, patting the big guy on the shoulder.

Zhan Peng sat frozen for a long time.

After a while, he suddenly realized something and jumped up.

“Bro, be careful tonight.”

“Huh?” Zhang Yang, sitting at the cashier, looked up curiously.

“Tang Yinan got her brother to find a fighter in the combat circle. Tonight, he’s going to face you,” Zhan Peng hesitated but told the truth. “He’s got a record of twenty fights, seventeen wins, three losses. Extremely strong!”

Zhang Yang didn’t follow the combat circle, so the record meant little to him.

But Zhan Peng’s gym often trained fighters and brought in professionals, so he knew how strong this guy really was.

“Apparently, he’s capable of entering the UFC. Tonight is purely a friendly arrangement. That’s all I know,” Zhan Peng said quietly.

“Extremely strong?” Zhang Yang nodded. “Alright, thanks for the warning.”

It wasn’t arrogance. He knew himself well: his national-level sanda skills were ingrained like instinct, and his sheer strength was terrifying, with limits yet unknown.

Combined, there was no reason not to be confident.

“I’ve said all I can and done my best,” Zhan Peng sighed, noticing Zhang Yang didn’t seem overly concerned.

After a moment, he rubbed his bruised face and left.

Zhang Yang looked at the address Zhan Peng left, smiled, memorized it, waved to the staff, and returned.

That afternoon, as the sun set, Zhang Yang suddenly opened his eyes, sitting up bare-chested.

Strategically, he was calm; tactically, he was alert.

Even with absolute confidence, he knew preparation was necessary. He spent the afternoon resting, aiming to be fully energized for tonight’s fight.

After a shower, refreshed, he left the house.

Moments later, in the underground garage, he drove the Cullinan straight to Cook Gym.

One of Shanghai’s well-known small gym chains, Cook Gym’s main branch suddenly announced a one-day closure.

In the parking lot, many luxury cars had gathered, their owners curious to watch.

Inside the brightly lit gym, a group of young men clustered around a few figures.

One tall, handsome, and poised figure was chatting with a muscular man with boxing ears.

“Wan Qiang, my sister’s being difficult,” Tang Shao said.

“No worries, Tang Shao. It’s just minor. Plus, facing ten men alone? I’m curious about his skills,” Wan Qiang laughed.

Tang Shao then looked at Tang Yinan standing nearby.

“This is the only time-understood?”

“Bro, I keep my word. You don’t know how arrogant that guy was, but in my eyes, only you can be this cool,” Tang Yinan clung to her brother’s arm, looking more like a girl than usual.

“Cooler than me?” Tang Shao chuckled. “You think I’m cool? Doesn’t sound like a compliment.”

“Haha, that’s basically it,” Tang Yinan smiled awkwardly. “By the way, Luo Xinyu has good taste. That guy really is handsome.”

Tang Shao’s group of men immediately murmured in protest.

“Who dares say anyone’s handsomer than Tang Shao?”

“Yinan’s just talking about some random pretty boy, why exaggerate?”

“Hey, whose Cullinan is that at the door?”

Everyone turned to the black Cullinan BB edition parked outside.

“Wow, that BB edition must cost nearly ten million! And there’s a tough guy driving it?” someone exclaimed, pushing up his glasses in shock.

Moments later, a tall figure jumped out of the car.

“That’s him!” Tang Yinan grabbed Tang Shao’s arm.

“Driving this car isn’t easy. You don’t have all the info,” Tang Shao glanced at his sister.

“I wasn’t thinking much. Besides, he came voluntarily, what’s there to fear?” Tang Yinan explained.

Tang Shao ignored her and turned to Wan Qiang, a domestic martial arts expert.

“Wan Qiang, be gentle if it really comes to a fight.”

“I understand,” Wan Qiang nodded, already forming a plan.

The doors opened, all eyes in the gym turned to the newcomer.

Tall, handsome, with an aura of dominance, Zhang Yang walked forward.

Tang Shao glanced at him, then at his sister.

This was the arrogant, confident young man she had described?

“You come with me,” Tang Shao said, pulling Tang Yinan forward.

Though reluctant, she couldn’t act arrogantly in front of her brother.

“Hello, Tang Junchu,” Zhang Yang said, extending his hand.

Zhang Yang looked at the pair-Tang Yinan and the man introducing himself, her brother, who resembled her somewhat.

“Zhang Yang,” he said, shaking hands.

“Bro, I didn’t bring you here for anything else, just to clear up possible misunderstandings. Enemies should be reconciled,” Tang Junchu smiled. “My sister’s spoiled; she acted out.”

“Wasn’t it agreed that after a fair fight, it would be settled?” Zhang Yang asked, surprised.

“No fight needed either,” Tang Junchu said.

Raised in such a family, knowing right from wrong and avoiding grudges was fundamental.

He had originally planned to let his sister vent, but now he changed his mind.

“Bro…” Tang Yinan opened her mouth, but Tang Junchu stopped her with a glance.

“Bro, why not settle this with a handshake?” he smiled at Zhang Yang.

“Your sister might not agree,” Zhang Yang said, looking at Tang Yinan. “Let’s just stick to the original plan, Miss Tang?”

“Yes! Another match, then it’s all settled,” Tang Yinan quickly said.

“You!” Tang Junchu shook his head. “Bro, why don’t we just stop here and keep the peace?”

“Fine,” Zhang Yang nodded.

Unexpectedly, this ‘manly tomboy’ had a sensible brother.

Moments later, Zhang Yang changed clothes and put on protective gear.

A gentleman avoids unnecessary risk, so he suited up properly.

Across, Wan Qiang also donned protective gear, eyes fixed on his opponent, cautious despite his experience.

He had fought countless opponents publicly and privately, but never anyone who gave him this sense-confident, mysterious, unpredictable.

Around the ring, young heirs gathered, many pulling out phones to record the upcoming fight.

“One versus ten? Seriously? Is this for real?”

“Maybe it just means he’s strong, that’s all. Don’t take it too literally.”