Translator: Noodletown Translated Editor: Noodletown Translated
There was a three centimeters long scar on Qin Shaoyang’s left ear. Yet, because of his long hair, the injury wasn’t noticeable.
“Mr. Qin…” the mayor quickly greeted Qin Shaoyang.
If Hao Zhonghua and Yue Yang were known as the leading figures in East Ocean’s science community, then Qin Shaoyang would be known as the most significant person in East Ocean’s art community.
Leaders and talented people were needed to develop a city’s economy and reputation. Therefore, it was a must for the mayor to greet Qin Shaoyang personally because of the latter’s popularity within the art community.
Qin Shaoyang cracked a charming smile as he shook the mayor’s hand. However, his wound hurt a little as he smiled.
“This Qin Shaoyang, didn’t he become the associate dean of the Arts Program in your university?” Hao Zhonghua asked Hao Ren.
“Mm. Dad, you know him?” Hao Ren asked.
“Not really. I have seen him a few times before at a few events. There was one time when your mom and I received an award overseas, he was one of the guests,” Hao Zhonghua said.
“It isn’t necessary to be too close to him,” Hao Ren advised immediately.
Because of Hao Zhonghua’s status, he would definitely be able to meet people like Qin Shaoyang. In turn, Qin Shaoyang could also get in touch with Hao Zhonghua in some ways.
At this moment, Hao Ren worried about Qin Shaoyang getting close to his family!
However, Hao Ren was also confident that if Qin Shaoyang dared to harm his family, even if the Dragon God Shrine were supporting the latter, he would not hesitate to eliminate him!
“This man is very talented, but we are in two different circles after all.” Hao Zhonghua smiled. Although he had friends who were in the art circle, he had no intention of getting close to Qin Shaoyang.
“I have been to his art exhibition once. A few of his paintings are quite unforgettable,” Yue Yang said.
“Sister Yue, you like paintings as well?” Zhao Hongyu asked with a smile while she took a glass of red wine from a passing waiter.
“Sometimes. I usually just go and see them when I get tickets from my friends. Hongyu, you should care about arts more than I do, right?” Yue Yang tilted her head a little bit and asked Zhao Hongyu casually.
Since Yue Yang decided to stay in East Ocean City, the relationship between the two moms became closer and closer; they even regretted not meeting sooner.
While the two of them were talking to each other happily, Hao Zhonghua and Zhao Guang started talking about the developments of their career and businesses.
Zhao Yanzi and Hao Ren looked at each other. Then, Zhao Yanzi pouted and snorted.
She ran to the food area to pick the freshest strawberries.
“Ohohoh, The big boss of Mingri Group, Mr. Zhao!” After some small talk with the mayor, Qin Shaoyang smiled and walked toward Zhao Guang.
Zhao Guang was a well-respected man in East Ocean City, and Qin Shaoyang was also considered an important figure of the city. Since Qin Shaoyang was also an inspector, Zhao Guang couldn’t offend him openly.
Therefore, Zhao Guang reached out and pretended to be nice, “Mr. Qin, I’ve heard so much about you!”
“Mr. Zhao’s business is growing bigger and bigger. I haven’t had the time to visit you since I came to East Ocean City!” Qin Shaoyang shook Zhao Guang’s right hand with both of his hands as he appeared to be very sincere.
“Oh, this must be the widely known Mr. Hao and Mrs. Yue!” Qin Shaoyang said as if he was surprised to see Hao Zhonghua and Yue Yang next to Zhao Guang.
“Hello,” Hao Zhonghua reached out his hand.
Hao Ren, who was standing next to Hao Zhonghua, looked at Qin Shaoyang vigilantly.
If Qin Shaoyang tried to do anything harmful to Hao Zhonghua, Hao Ren would attack immediately!
Fortunately, Qin Shaoyang only shook Hao Zhonghua’s hand casually and then let go immediately. However, the inspector immediately saw Hao Ren’s nervousness.
Hao Ren clenched his fist instantly; he saw the threat and mockery in Qin Shaoyang’s eyes.
Bang…
Suddenly, a heavy and sharp force flew past Hao Ren.
Dun! Dun! Dun! Dun! Dun!
Qin Shaoyang, who just shook Hao Zhonghua’s hand, suddenly took five steps back!
Waa…
Also, a champagne tower ten meters away from Qin Shaoyang shattered and collapsed.
The sudden change shocked everyone in the banquet hall.
“It’s okay; it’s nothing. Just an accident!” The mayor, who oversaw the event, immediately raised his arms and yelled.
With the arrival of the cleaners, the banquet hall quieted down slowly.
“Mr. Qin, nice to meet you!” Zhao Haoran’s cold and harsh voice suddenly appeared behind Hao Ren.
Hao Ren stepped aside as Zhao Haoran showed himself.
Qin Shaoyang looked at white-haired Zhao Haoran. Suddenly, a chill struck his spine.
“Based on that force, Zhao Haoran could’ve killed me instantly!” Qin Shaoyang immediately made the correct judgment.
“Mr. Qin, are you okay?” Hao Zhonghua asked.
“Nothing, I’m okay… I slipped,” Qin Shaoyang said while he was wiping the sweat off his forehead with a tissue.
He was planning to get some information from East Ocean by attending this event. However, he was deterred by Zhao Haoran!
If he were to act rashly at this event, this old dragon king would strike without hesitation!
At this moment, Zhao Yanzi held a plate full of fresh strawberries as she walked around the puddle of champagne and headed toward Hao Ren.
Qin Shaoyang took a closer look at Zhao Yanzi and almost doubted his own eyesight… “How come this Zhao Yanzi, who lost her dragon core, suddenly has the aura of a cultivator!? And it seems like she has reached the Foundation Establishment Realm.” he thought.
“Within a few days, 85 openings turned into 98 openings. Not bad,” Zhao Haoran said flatly.
Qin Shaoyang looked at Zhao Yanzi and then at Hao Ren, who was next to her. Finally, he understood the situation; within the time of a few days, Hao Ren’s dragon core had obtained several more openings!
What a terrifying rate of progress!!!
After Zhao Guang heard Zhao Haoran’s comment, he was stunned as he looked at Hao Ren as well.
Zhao Haoran had been cultivating for over 1,000 years and had reached top-tier Qian-level. It was a piece of cake for him to see through Hao Ren’s cultivation progress.
Since he said that Hao Ren now had 98 openings, then it would definitely be true!
“What and to 98?” Yue Yang asked Zhao Hongyu quietly.
“That’s… some sort of index,” Zhao Hongyu didn’t know how to explain it either.
Yue Yang nodded and didn’t ask further.
On the other hand, Qin Shaoyang, who remained standing in the same spot, suddenly understood everything.
Zhao Haoran thought highly of Hao Ren’s potential, and that was why he decided to protect the latter at all cost! He was giving Qin Shaoyang a warning when he unleashed that violent force!
“Hao Ren is part of East Ocean, including his family. They are all under the protection of East Ocean. Whoever dares to harm Hao Ren and his family will face only one thing – death!” that was the message Zhao Haoran was conveying.
Qin Shaoyang quietly took a few steps back and held his own hands awkwardly. “I have some friends over there, excuse me.”
He quickly walked to the corner of the banquet hall; he was staggering a little.
“This Qin Shaoyang, what a nuisance,” Zhao Yanzi muttered as she lifted the plate to Hao Ren’s face. “Yo, take some strawberries. I picked them out, and they are all very sweet!”
Hao Ren smiled as he took a toothpick from the plate and poked at a strawberry.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Yanzi suddenly moved the plate and laughed, “Haha, just kidding. These are not for you!”
She took a gorgeous turn and ran to Hao Zhonghua and Yue Yang. “Uncle, Auntie, these strawberries are for you!”
“Haha, Zi is so lovely!” Hao Zhonghua patted Zhao Yanzi’s head as he was delighted.
Hao Ren held the toothpick in his hand and felt a little helpless.
Zhao Yanzi was showing filial respect to everyone with the strawberries, and the edges of her long dress swung left and right as she ran around as if she was a red butterfly. Once the strawberries were all taken, she ran toward the food area again.
Yue Yang started to like Zhao Yanzi more and more as her eyes were filled with joy.
“Ren, do you want to come and learn something at my studio this weekend?” Zhao Hongyu suddenly asked Hao Ren.
“I am quite busy recently…” Hao Ren was about to reply before Yue Yang suddenly interrupted. “He won’t be able to go this weekend because Zhonghua is planning to take him and Zi out on a field trip.”
Hao Zhonghua sighed. He hadn’t even expressed his opinion, and Yue Yang already decided for him.
Yue Yang made it evident that she wanted to treat Zhao Yanzi as her future daughter-in-law, and there was nothing Hao Zhonghua could do about it.
“Since we are talking about this, I still haven’t thanked you for letting Hao Ren learn at your studio,” Yue Yang continued.
“Not a problem. Ren is very talented; he will do great in the future,” Zhao Hongyu kindly replied.
“Zi is great too, Congming and lively…”
The two moms complimented each other’s kid one by one while Hao Zhonghua looked at Hao Ren with a powerless expression.
On the other hand, Hao Ren looked away and saw Zhao Yanzi devouring the fresh fruits at the food area; he broke out in a cold sweat.
“This girl, she has only been grounded for ten days at the dragon palace. Now, she acts like a hungry wolf once released, really not afraid of getting fat at all…
“Where is Congming by the way?” Yue Yang, who was happily chatting with Zhao Hongyu, suddenly asked.
“Zhen Congming?” Hao Ren asked, surprised.
“Yeah. Your dad picked him up from school and brought him along,” Yue Yang replied.
Hao Ren’s eyes immediately scanned the room and noticed a little girl who was dressed in a school uniform and stood beside the mayor. The boy who was also dressed in a school uniform and stood beside her was Zhen Congming.
The little girl was cute and quiet. At a young age, she already gave people the feeling that she was a girl from a respectable family.
“Who is that little girl?” Hao Ren asked Yue Yang immediately.
“Oh, that’s the mayor’s daughter, Wu Luoxue. She goes to the same elementary school as Congming, and she happens to be in the class that was beside his. Because your dad is close to the mayor, he conveniently brought her along as well,” Yue Yang looked toward where Hao Ren pointed at and replied.
“Uh…” Hao Ren immediately felt like something was stuck in his throat.
Zhen Congming was trying to stay close to the little girl, yet that girl was keeping a distance from him and stood quietly beside her dad, the mayor.
Clearly…. Zhen Congming had unrequited love toward her…
“Although Wu Luoxue is very quiet, she is already at level six in piano. She can also play the violin, dance, draw; she can almost do everything,” Yue Yang said.
After hearing this, Hao Ren couldn’t help but look toward Zhao Yanzi who was in the fruit area… He saw some words hanging above Zhao Yanzi’s head: Piano, big red cross; violin, big red cross; dancing, big red cross; drawing, big red cross; personality… big red cross…
Hao Ren then looked past the fruit area and saw the Vice Principal of East Ocean University, Lu Qing, appearing at the front door.
Lu Qing looked around a few times before immediately rushing toward Hao Ren’s direction. He approached Zhao Guang and said something quietly.
Zhao Guang’s expression instantly changed.
