Forced to Marry a Female Billionaire CEO

"It was only after I left that I realized how rash I'd been. Once I got to the hotel and thought it through, I understood that man clearly wants to live in seclusion."

"If I were to show Xu Ke even a hint of respect, someone would surely investigate. What if the investigation led back to him? Wouldn't I be harming him then? Therefore, I cannot have any interaction with Xu Ke that crosses the line. Do you understand?" Xie Hezheng said slowly, his tone that of a teacher instructing Yin Han.

He was, indeed, suppressing his excitement for the sake of the person backing Xu Ke.

Hearing this, Yin Han was taken aback, his expression turning peculiar. No interaction that crosses the line? Isn't making your own grandson act as a waiter crossing that line?

He kept these thoughts to himself, however, not daring to voice them. Outwardly, he agreed, "Family Head, what you say makes perfect sense!"

Xie Hezheng nodded slightly, clearly pleased, and after a moment added, "However… while I can't openly assist him, you need to find a way to make things convenient for Xu Ke, both overtly and covertly. Understand?"

"Understood!"

「 ... 」

After Xie Hezheng's departure, the banquet continued as usual.

There were only three groups at the entire event with a direct grudge against Xu Ke. The first was Xie Jinhua, who had already left. The second was Shi Hongda; since this was Sui City and not their home turf of Tianhai, they kept a low profile for now. The third was Fang Caizhe. This man's inner malice and ferocity were second to none, but his actions were limited to mere words.

As for the other powers in Sui City, none of them wanted to provoke Xu Ke. This occasion was a networking event for the forces of Sui City, similar to a corporate retreat. This time was meant for strengthening ties with other factions, not for stirring up trouble. They didn't want to waste their time.

Of course, instead of provoking Xu Ke, they could have tried to connect with him. Had it not been for the incident with the Xie Family, no one would have minded getting to know a prodigy from Tianhai.

But… some things were better left unsaid.

So, for once, Xu Ke was able to enjoy a meal in peace.

As for Bai Qian'er, obligated by a promise, she was forced to start networking on behalf of the Bai Family, which made Xu Ke overjoyed. When Bai Qian'er had appeared to save him, he was worried that after she played the heroine, she would demand a sparring match as repayment. Now that she was entangled with the various family heads vying for connections, how could she possibly have time to bother him?

After finishing his meal, Xu Ke left the banquet with Tang Yingchang, departing early.

Seeing Xu Ke leave, Bai Qian'er, who was holding a wine glass, maintained a graceful facade but was inwardly grinding her teeth in anger. Seeing that I'm surrounded, shouldn't he come and help me out? He could at least thank me for my righteous assistance! That bastard!

「 ... 」

Around ten o'clock that night, as Xu Ke was in his room, there was a knock at the door.

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

"Who is it?"

Xu Ke and Tang Yingchang, who had been sitting on the bed cultivating, opened their eyes at the same time. The latter called out the question.

"Good evening, Mister Xu, Mister Tang. I'm here to deliver the new auction invitations."

The woman's voice from outside was clear and crisp.

Xu Ke and Tang Yingchang exchanged a startled glance.

"Why new ones?" Tang Yingchang asked.

The person explained, "The invitations Lin Fang delivered to you earlier are all invalid."

At that, both Xu Ke and Tang Yingchang frowned. That Xie Jinhua really knows how to cause trouble!

They both got off the bed and walked to the door.

CLICK.

Two people stood outside. One was a waitress with an unnatural, embarrassed smile. "I'm sorry!"

The other was Bai Qian'er, her cheeks flushed from alcohol but her expression frosty.

In that instant, Xu Ke and Tang Yingchang understood everything.

"Elder Tang, you should go and rest," Xu Ke sighed. What was coming couldn't be avoided.

Tang Yingchang nodded slightly and took a few steps back. At a silent signal from Bai Qian'er, the waitress also quietly departed. As she walked away, however, her eyes were wide with shock.

Why would Miss Bai summon me right after the banquet to lead her to Xu Ke's room? What sort of ambiguous, indefinable relationship do Miss Bai and Xu Ke have? And she even had me lie to trick him into opening the door? Could it be that Miss Bai needs an excuse just to see Xu Ke? Are they in some kind of secret relationship?

At the thought, the waitress broke into a cold sweat. No, I can't keep thinking about this. I'll just pretend I didn't see anything today!

「 ... 」

At that moment, Xu Ke and Bai Qian'er were oblivious to how their image had been transformed in someone else's mind.

She stood in the doorway, looking coldly at Xu Ke. "Are you just going to let me stand here?"

"...Stand for a while. It'll help you sober up," Xu Ke said after a moment's silence, having fished for an excuse.

"I'm not drunk!" Bai Qian'er ground the words out through clenched teeth.

"Sober people don't usually resort to tricking someone into opening their door for them," Xu Ke replied with a dry cough.

"If you hadn't ignored my calls and messages, would I have needed to get someone to trick you?!" Bai Qian'er's voice rose several notches as the True Qi inside her began to surge.

"That's not it. You're a young lady from a prominent family. It isn't proper for you to be in my room in the middle of the night!" Xu Ke said, scratching his head.

Bai Qian'er looked ready to strangle him. "I've saved you, bailed you out twice, and stood up for you once. Is this how you treat your benefactor?"

Before meeting him, she had always imagined that a person so highly praised by the likes of You Jinlong would be a dashing and elegant young genius. Now that she had met Xu Ke, she finally understood why half of Tianhai wanted him dead.

Xu Ke coughed twice, a faint, awkward smile on his face. "You make me sound like some irredeemable villain."

"Alright, fine! Come in and sit for a bit!" He stepped aside.

This movement exposed Tang Yingchang directly to Bai Qian'er's murderous gaze. Cold sweat beaded on Tang Yingchang's brow, and he hastily retreated a few more steps.

"I just want to have a martial exchange with you! Why won't you agree?" Bai Qian'er finally exploded.

Does this guy even know why I'm here? Am I really here just to sit in his room? Is he insane?!

Xu Ke opened his mouth, then hesitated, finally managing to say, "It's not that I'm unwilling to fight you, you know?"

"Then what is it?" Bai Qian'er stared at him, her expression menacing.

Xu Ke fell silent.

As he had realized before, someone who had just made a breakthrough has unstable control over their power. Qian Jun was like that, and he was no exception. Just because he had reached the Innate Great Perfection in the past, and had now only returned to that stage, didn't mean he could control his power with ease. He had only just reached the Innate Great Perfection last night at Junyue Residence; it was impossible to have perfect control over his power today. This process took time.

He had taken action today, true. But one opponent was Xie Jinhua, who he could send flying without using even a tenth of his strength. The other was Elder Xuu, an old-timer at the Innate Initial Stage. He could withstand a full-force blow from Xu Ke and would, at most, suffer for a few hours. Need I remind you that Elder Xuu was up and about with Xie Jinhua at the banquet entrance that very evening, making a fool of himself?

But Bai Qian'er was neither Xie Jinhua nor Elder Xuu.

If he fought her the way he fought Xie Jinhua, she would definitely make trouble for him. If he fought her the way he fought Elder Xuu, the Bai Family would definitely make trouble for him.

Besides, there was no sense in seriously injuring a future student and benefactor!

Seeing that Xu Ke couldn't manage to spit out a single excuse, Bai Qian'er—inflamed by alcohol and thoroughly infuriated after a day of his provocations—finally snapped.

She shot a kick directly at him, forcing him to make a move.