For a moment, Xu Ke couldn't figure out what this woman was doing here. Instinctively, he felt there was something odd about the situation.

Tang Yingchang, however, immediately shot him a mischievous smile. He didn't find it odd at all. It seems Mister Xu's charm is already working its magic here in Sui City! Ah, no, that's not quite right. Back in Tianhai, even when Mister Xu was surrounded by beauties, no one dared to approach him, deterred by Miss Wang's domineering authority. Now that he's away from Tianhai, Mister Xu is finally starting to attract admirers.

Seeing Tang Yingchang's sly expression, Xu Ke desperately wanted to tell him that he had it all wrong. Because the way Bai Qian'er was sizing him up was definitely not one of adoration. Her gaze was brimming with excitement, like a predator eyeing its prey!

Gauging Bai Qian'er's expression, Xu Ke deliberated for a moment before extending his hand to shake hers, stating his real name. "My name is Xu Ke!"

The back of Bai Qian'er's hand was delicate and soft, but to Xu Ke's surprise, her palm and fingers were thick with calluses. She's a powerful martial artist! he concluded instantly.

Seeing their hands meet, the expressions of both Xie Jinhua and the crew-cut man soured as jealousy surged within them. Furthermore, when Xie Jinhua heard the name 'Xu Ke,' fury blazed in his eyes.

So, it's this freeloader!

He hadn't paid attention to Xu Ke's appearance before and didn't recognize him on sight, but the name immediately clicked.

At that moment, a broader smile spread across Bai Qian'er's face. "Pleased to meet you."

"I'm pleased as well."

Xu Ke muttered a perfunctory reply and tried to withdraw his hand, but he couldn't pull it away. He tugged again, adding a bit more force, but the atmosphere grew strangely tense.

Under the astonished gazes of the onlookers, not only did Bai Qian'er refuse to let go, she suddenly stepped forward, tightening her grip on Xu Ke's hand until their palms were pressed firmly together.

At that moment, it wasn't just Xie Jinhua and the crew-cut man whose expressions changed drastically; even the others waiting in the room turned to stare.

Bai Qian'er was the most famous and beautiful granddaughter of the Bai Family. Many had sought her hand in marriage, only to be coldly kept at arm's length. So why was she being so forward with this man now?

"What are you doing?" Xu Ke's expression darkened instantly, his eyes flaring with anger. Is she looking for trouble?

Tang Yingchang's expression changed as well. Mister Xu's charm is powerful, but shouldn't a young lady maintain some decorum and distance?

Seeing Xu Ke's expression of utter disgust, as if he'd touched something filthy, both Xie Jinhua and the crew-cut man became apoplectic, their jealousy and a faint sense of envy now irrepressible. He hit the jackpot and got to touch the goddess's hand, yet he's still angry? Is this guy playing innocent after taking advantage of her?

They couldn't even get close to Bai Qian'er without being ruthlessly brushed aside, let alone have her initiate contact.

"Nothing in particular," Bai Qian'er said, the interest in her eyes growing even more intense. "I'm just very interested in you."

She had already felt the power in his grip. He's very strong, just as I thought!

"But I'm not interested in you, Miss Bai. Please let go. I have a fiancée," Xu Ke warned, his tone grave.

He was angry for good reason. First, Bai Qian'er's brazen actions infuriated him; no one would appreciate such a bizarre and sudden move from a stranger. Second, if Wong Qifu were to see him holding hands with another woman for so long right after arriving in Sui City, he could only imagine the cruel fate that would await him upon his return to Tianhai.

As Xu Ke's words fell, the entire room went silent. Everyone stared at him, utterly dumbstruck, as if petrified.

Does this guy really know who he's rejecting?

The person he was rejecting was none other than Bai Qian'er—the most cherished granddaughter of the Bai Family's patriarch, the woman with the most prominent status and striking beauty among all the noble families.

Now Bai Qian'er is showing interest in him, and he dares to say he's not interested back?

With a gloomy face, the crew-cut man stood up. "You're looking for death!"

He couldn't tolerate Bai Qian'er being with another man, let alone watch her take the initiative only to be so cruelly rejected!

Xie Jinhua's expression was even more savage. This gigolo, what right does he have?! First he gets favored by Wong Qifu, and now Bai Qian'er is approaching him. Does this guy's luck with women only work on the most beautiful ladies from high society?

What made him grind his teeth in fury was that Xu Ke could so easily reject Bai Qian'er, while he couldn't even get her to give him a second glance.

But at this moment, the most intense reaction came not from these spectators, but from Bai Qian'er herself.

When Xu Ke said those words, she was stunned. "What did you say?"

"I'm not interested in you because I already have a fiancée," Xu Ke repeated.

Bai Qian'er was astonished. Then, her fair cheeks suddenly flushed a deep crimson at an unbelievable speed. She yanked her hand back. "Mister Xu, you've misunderstood! I'm not interested in you in that way!"

Only then did she realize her own impulsive actions had caused this misunderstanding.

Tang Yingchang looked on, utterly baffled. She grabbed his hand and declared her 'strong interest' in front of everyone. How could any normal person not think that way?

Xu Ke looked at Bai Qian'er, whose beautiful face was now so red it looked like it might drip, and hummed in acknowledgment. "No interest? That's good. Very good."

Bai Qian'er felt like she was suffocating. The disdain in Xu Ke's tone was palpable.

Forget the fact that I have absolutely no romantic interest in him. But even if I did, was there any need for him to act like that? So what if your Wong Qifu is beautiful? In what way am I, Bai Qian'er, inferior?

"Qian'er, why are you talking to him so much? Don't be fooled by his appearance; he's a well-known kept man."

At this moment, Xie Jinhua came over. Hearing Bai Qian'er's denial, he breathed a sigh of relief. So, we misunderstood her! Thank goodness! She's not actually interested in Xu Ke! As for why she had been holding Xu Ke's hand so tightly, he decided to ignore it. His priority now was to get Bai Qian'er away from Xu Ke.

"Kept man? Don't talk nonsense." Bai Qian'er frowned and glanced at Xu Ke.

She had already looked into him. With his level of strength, would he really need to sponge off the Wang Family?

The crew-cut man also approached, his eyes coldly fixed on Xu Ke. The man in the cap came over slowly, sneaking peeks at Xu Ke with a mix of fear and inexplicable excitement.

Xu Ke appeared indifferent and offered no explanation.

"He's Wong Qifu's fiancé! He relied on the Wang Family to join the upper echelons of Tianhai society. If that's not a kept man, what is?" Xie Jinhua scoffed loudly, assuming Bai Qian'er was ignorant of the facts.

He intended to thoroughly trample on Xu Ke's dignity to win Bai Qian'er's favor.

Sure enough, many of the onlookers began to sneer. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

So, he's just Wong Qifu's pretty boy!