Enlightened.

One had no money, the other was unafraid to spend it. Thus, the subsequent auction held no suspense at all. Whenever the auctioneer announced a low starting price, as long as the foolish young man didn’t speak up, things remained quiet. But the moment he bid, Ye Feng would instantly double his offer. This price already far exceeded the item’s actual value, so no one else dared to follow. Even if someone occasionally did, it didn’t matter; that foolish young man simply couldn’t add more—he had no money.

By the end of the auction, the foolish young man hadn’t won a single item, and his face was positively stormy. Still, he refused to believe Ye Feng had the wealth to cover his bids. As soon as the auctioneer declared the event over, he called a few friends to surround Ye Feng.

Because Ye Feng had made quite a splash during the auction, this move immediately drew everyone’s attention.

“Friends, this pauper is just here to make trouble! There’s no way he has millions to spend!” the foolish young man shouted, trying to rally supporters. Sure enough, his words sowed suspicion among many. After all, Ye Feng’s attire was anything but impressive—no one with real money would dress like that. The crowd began to heckle, demanding Ye Feng pay on the spot. Of course, most of them were just bored bystanders—the matter had nothing to do with them.

Ye Feng merely sneered in disdain at their remarks. “Do I need to pay you? Is this your family’s auction?”

He hadn’t finished speaking when the foolish young man was already convinced Ye Feng was penniless. Flushed with anger, he jabbed a finger at Ye Feng. “You’re a fraud! Don’t you dare run—I’m calling the police to have you arrested!”

He lunged to grab Ye Feng, but he was doomed to fail. A bank card flew straight into his face, thrown with considerable force. When he peeled the card off, a bright red mark was already blossoming on his cheek, stinging so much that tears welled in his eyes. “Who threw that? Show yourself!”

The reply was a slap.

Smack!

“Who are you?” the foolish young man yelled, clutching his swollen cheek and pointing at Luo Ming.

At this, several onlookers from the city’s elite circles silently offered prayers for the foolish young man. Luo Ming was not a notorious playboy, nor did he usually seek the limelight, but he absolutely detested being pointed at like that—especially since he was the sole heir of the Luo family. For someone to shout in his face like this, even if Luo Ming were willing to forgive, his father, Luo Kai, would never let it go.

Smack!

Another crisp slap rang out, this one knocking out several of the foolish young man’s teeth.

“My name is Luo Ming. I am Ye Feng’s close friend,” Luo Ming introduced himself sternly. The latter half of his statement sent another ripple of astonishment through the crowd. If Ye Feng was Luo Ming’s brother, even if he was nobody now, he was destined for prominence.

Everyone knew what fate awaited the foolish young man. His father, upon learning the kind of trouble his son had stirred up, would be furious—if he didn’t skin him alive, it would be a miracle.

At this, Ye Feng spoke to the foolish young man, whose cheeks were now swollen on both sides. “Well, noble scion, it’s time to honor your wager. As a member of high society, you ought to remember your own words. Be a good grandson!”

The words sent a shiver through the foolish young man, and he instinctively took a step back. Deep down, he knew he couldn’t kneel. He was a wealthy heir, a man of status—if he knelt here, he’d never live it down in Haifeng City.

While he hesitated and stepped back, a sudden pain shot through his knees, and he dropped to the ground involuntarily. He turned to see his father standing behind him, face twisted with fury.

“You unfilial son! Apologize at once!” his father barked. Then, turning quickly to Luo Ming, he said, “Young Master Luo, my son is ignorant and has offended you. Please, be magnanimous—let him off just this once.”

He desperately hoped for Luo Ming’s forgiveness, but fate was not on his side. Luo Ming showed no mercy, his voice cold. “It’s not up to me. He didn’t offend me—you’re asking the wrong person.”

“This…” The foolish young man’s father was at a loss. He didn’t recognize Ye Feng. “This must be Young Master Ye. I beg you, for the sake of my son’s first offense, please forgive him.” His voice was humble and subdued.

Ye Feng, seeing this, felt a pang of sympathy. He understood all too well how hard it was to make a name in Haifeng City. But it was a shame this man had such a foolish son. “For your sake, I won’t make him call me grandfather. Three kowtows will suffice.” Still, though he felt a bit soft-hearted, he wasn’t one to forget a grudge. After all, the man’s ridicule had been witnessed by so many—he couldn’t just let him off so easily.

With his father’s intervention, there was nothing left for the foolish young man to say. He knelt, knocked his head three times, and fled in humiliation. His dignity was utterly destroyed.

His father hastened to express his gratitude. “Thank you, Young Master Ye, Young Master Luo, for your mercy.” With that, he too left, though his departing figure was tinged with desolation. Everyone present knew his family was finished—even if the Luo family didn’t suppress them, surviving in Haifeng City would be nearly impossible.

The crowd quickly dispersed. Ye Feng reflected that from ancient times to the present, the laws of the jungle—survival of the fittest—always prevailed. Sometimes, you have to show your strength, or else others will try to step on you to elevate themselves.

In truth, today’s incident didn’t have to happen at all. It was all because of that foolish young man—if he hadn’t tried to use Ye Feng as a stepping stone to boost his own reputation among Haifeng’s second-generation elites, none of this would have occurred.

In the end, it’s always the one who stands out who gets shot first. Whether you choose to be the gun or the bird is up to you.

Few would remember the hapless fool; he was merely a stepping stone for Ye Feng. But now, everyone knew Ye Feng, Luo Ming’s brother—a man destined for greatness.

After the auction, of course, came the banquet. Seating was arranged strictly by status, with those of similar rank grouped together.

Ye Feng’s position was awkward. Ye Tianhua had wanted to seat him at the head table, but Ye Feng refused—he didn’t have that standing anymore. The next tier was for the scions of prominent families—the famous heirs. But Ye Feng had left their circle long ago and had no desire to sit with them. However, with Luo Ming present, escaping was impossible; Luo Ming insisted he share their table.

Only after sitting did Ye Feng notice several familiar faces: Ouyang Lanlan, Nangong Jing, Amy, and the ever-irritating Murong Fu. Having witnessed Luo Ming stand up for Ye Feng earlier, Murong Fu wisely kept quiet—even if he wasn’t afraid of Luo Ming, he wasn’t his family’s primary heir. The rest showed Luo Ming due respect, so no one objected to Ye Feng taking his seat.

[Editor’s note: Joint recommendation for the hottest titles on the Zhu Lang website—click to bookmark!]