Chapter 10: I Just Love Seeing You Hate Me but Being Unable to Kill Me
The bodyguard glanced at Ning Chen and bowed respectfully.
“Understood!”
After making the arrangements, Zhang Hao swaggered toward the entrance.
“Well, well, Ning family’s fool, what are you doing standing at the door?”
Zhang Hao deliberately raised his voice, his face full of mockery. “What’s wrong? No invitation, so they won’t let you in?”
Liu Qingxue covered her mouth, letting out a coquettish laugh, and mocked coldly, “Isn’t that obvious? With his status, how could he possibly have an invitation?”
Ning Chen’s expression was calm, but a flash of coldness appeared in his eyes.
“How about this—kneel and call me ‘grandpa,’ and I’ll have them let you in?”
The corner of Zhang Hao’s mouth curled into a cold smile, his attitude arrogant.
“Looks like yesterday’s lesson wasn’t deep enough for you.”
Ning Chen looked at Zhang Hao expressionlessly. Today’s occasion wasn’t suitable for a fight.
But that didn’t mean he couldn’t deal with Zhang Hao.
“What a clown.”
Zhang Hao was full of confidence, his expression mocking. “If you’ve got the guts, try laying a finger on Young Master Zhang today.”
Ning Chen’s palm turned slightly, and a silver needle appeared between his fingers.
With a light flick toward Zhang Hao,
The silver needle cut through the air, silently piercing into Zhang Hao’s body.
Pfft!
The needle went in.
Zhang Hao’s body trembled, his eyes suddenly widening.
“W-What’s happening?”
He felt an inexplicable itchy sensation spreading through his body.
“Young Master Zhang, what’s wrong?”
Liu Qingxue noticed something was off and quickly checked Zhang Hao over.
“It itches—so itchy!”
Zhang Hao was overcome with unbearable itching. Without regard for his image, he suddenly sat on the ground, frantically scratching himself.
“Where does it itch? I’ll scratch it for you.”
Liu Qingxue was anxious too. With so many people at the entrance of Jiangcheng Grand Hotel, she felt extremely embarrassed under all the staring eyes.
But with Zhang Hao sitting on the ground like this, she couldn’t just walk away.
“My whole body itches! What the hell…”
Zhang Hao kept scratching wildly.
People nearby pointed and whispered.
“Isn’t that the eldest young master of the Zhang family, one of Jiangcheng’s four great families?”
“Why’s he acting crazy all of a sudden?”
“How shameful to behave like this in public!”
…
Hearing the chatter, Liu Qingxue’s face flushed with awkwardness, her hands fumbling helplessly.
She wanted to help Zhang Hao, but had no idea where to start.
Watching the scene,
Ning Chen sneered. Suddenly, he remembered the medal Xu Deming had given him yesterday.
This thing… might just get him inside.
“Hello, may I enter?”
Ning Chen took out the medal and showed it to the staff.
“A distinguished guest!”
The moment the staff member saw the medal, his pupils contracted sharply, and he immediately showed utmost respect, bowing at a perfect ninety degrees.
“My sincerest apologies. I’ll take you in right away!”
Ning Chen nodded and followed him into the banquet hall.
A moment later,
A well-dressed young man hurried to the entrance.
It was none other than Xu Jun, young master of the Xu family.
Before the medicinal herb conference began, Xu Deming had specifically told him to wait at the door to greet the guest carrying the family medal.
Xu Jun looked around, waiting for a long time, but never saw anyone with the medal.
Just then, the staff member walked out of the hotel.
Xu Jun immediately approached and asked, “Has the guest with the family medal arrived?”
The staff member quickly nodded. “Yes, yes, I just escorted him inside.”
“What?!”
Xu Jun’s voice cracked. “He’s already inside?”
The staff nodded. “Yes, young master.”
This was bad!
Xu Jun’s face turned pale, cold sweat trickling down his back.
Grandfather had asked him to greet the guest personally, but even rushing over, he had still missed them.
“I’d better go confess to Grandpa and hope he isn’t too angry.”
Xu Jun sighed, dragging his feet into the hotel.
…
Ning Chen walked steadily into the venue, his expression composed.
After scanning the room, he headed straight toward the Xiao family’s table.
“Ning Chen!”
Seeing him, Xiao Qingcheng’s face lit up, and she quickly walked over.
She had argued with Xiao Longhai for quite some time but still hadn’t been able to get an invitation.
Now, Ning Chen had gotten in by himself.
“How did you get in without an invitation?”
Xiao Longhai frowned, his tone tinged with suspicion.
“I don’t need an invitation to get in,” Ning Chen replied calmly.
At this, the Xiao family members exchanged strange looks, and some even laughed outright.
“I’ve never heard of anyone entering the medicinal herb conference without an invitation!”
“This kid’s bragging without even thinking—security here is strict, no one can just walk in.”
“A useless son-in-law like him—who would invite him?”
…
Hearing this, Xiao Zhenbang’s lips tightened, his brow furrowing even deeper, his gaze growing darker.
If Ning Chen were simply incompetent and without background, it wouldn’t matter much.
The Shenglong Banquet was still ten days away; the Xiao family might think of another way to attend.
This marriage wasn’t something that had to be broken off.
Xiao Zhenbang also didn’t want to be known as the man who ruined his granddaughter’s marriage.
But now…
Ning Chen was clearly dishonest, making things up on the spot.
“You didn’t just sneak in when the staff weren’t looking, did you?”
Xiao Longhai crossed his arms over his chest and looked at Ning Chen with a mocking smirk. “Only you would pull something like that.”
Seeing how bluntly Xiao Longhai spoke, Xiao Qingcheng’s face turned cold.
“Second Uncle, don’t slander him!”
She looked straight at him and said firmly, “I believe Ning Chen isn’t lying.”
“He has his own way—you don’t understand, so you have no right to criticize.”
Her strong stance and icy tone made Xiao Longhai lose face instantly.
“Only you would believe the fool’s words.”
He scoffed. “If Ning Chen came in openly and aboveboard, I’ll crawl out of here on my knees!”
Xiao Qingcheng’s face frosted over, just as she was about to speak—
“No need to argue,”
Ning Chen tugged lightly at her sleeve, shaking his head. “He’s not worthy of an explanation.”
Hearing this, Xiao Longhai’s face darkened.
Suddenly, a voice of surprise rang out from the crowd nearby!
“Isn’t that… Purple Star Leaf?!”
The exclamation immediately drew people over.
Ning Chen’s brows furrowed. Purple Star Leaf—exactly what he needed!
In the center of the crowd,
A square-faced middle-aged man was holding a box, which he placed on the table. Inside lay a stalk of herb.
Ning Chen looked closely.
The herb was deep purple, its surface smooth, the leaves shaped like stars.
After a careful examination,
There was no doubt—this was indeed Purple Star Leaf!
At the same time,
Someone knowledgeable in the crowd confirmed, “That’s definitely Purple Star Leaf. And this one—its leaves are plump, color pure without blemish—an absolute top-grade specimen!”
The middle-aged man nodded proudly.
Many people’s eyes lit up, staring at the Purple Star Leaf like hungry wolves.
Such fine herbs were rare; if not for the Xu family’s medicinal herb conference, it could take years to see one.
Ning Chen stood up and addressed the man in a deep voice. “I’ll take this Purple Star Leaf.”
“Name your price.”
Though not loud, his voice carried, and the hall instantly fell silent.
The middle-aged man looked at him, narrowed his eyes, and slowly raised two fingers.
“Two million.”
The price wasn’t excessive. Ning Chen nodded and was about to agree—
When a male voice suddenly sounded from behind.
“I’ll give three million!”
Everyone turned.
It was Zhang Hao, with Liu Qingxue in tow, pushing through the crowd to stand beside Ning Chen.
Zhang Hao glared at him coldly. “What happened just now was definitely your doing!”
“Don’t think I don’t know just because you did it quietly!”
Then, wearing a provocative grin, Zhang Hao said, “I’m not interested in this so-called Purple Star Leaf. But if it’s something you want, I’ll make sure you don’t get it!”
“I just love seeing you hate me but being unable to kill me!”
