Return of the Celestial King

So, despite his unwillingness, Li Tian had no choice but to put down the bottle.

Qin Tuo, on the other hand, had downed five bottles without batting an eye and, as if he still wanted more, remarked,

”Oh? Quitting already? You’re not much fun, are you?”

At those words, Li Tian’s face turned a deep, blotchy red, and he gritted his teeth in fury.

But the fact remained: he had well and truly lost to Qin Tuo when it came to holding his liquor.

The group of classmates fell silent.

Suddenly, Li Jian spoke up with a fawning smile.

”Brother Tian, you’re just not on your game today. No need to stoop to this punk’s level!”

Another classmate immediately chimed in.

”Exactly! This kid has probably never had such good wine in his life, so of course he’s drinking like there’s no tomorrow. Brother Tian drinks this stuff all the time. It’s boring for him.”

Listening to their words, the tension in Li Tian’s face finally eased a little.

Then, the food began to arrive, and everyone started eating and chatting.

It was obvious to everyone, however, that Li Tian was still sullen.

Seizing the opportunity, Wu Haoyu brought a glass of wine over to Li Tian.

”Brother Tian, it’s been so many years. We have to have a proper drink!”

With a sycophantic smile, Wu Haoyu downed his glass in one go.

But to his surprise, Li Tian completely ignored him, sneering instead.

”Wu Haoyu, you piece of trash. Back in the day, I had you crushed under my boot. What gives you the right to drink with me?”

Wu Haoyu was stunned. His face flushed with embarrassment, and he wished the ground would open up and swallow him whole.

Just a moment ago, Li Tian had seen Wu Haoyu chatting happily with Qin Tuo.

So, simmering with rage, Li Tian decided to take it all out on Wu Haoyu.

Qin Tuo could no longer stand by and watch.

”Li Tian, we’re all classmates here. Don’t you think you’re taking things a little too far?”

Li Tian was just waiting for Qin Tuo to speak up for Wu Haoyu.

He said with a sneer,

”Well, well, Qin Tuo. It looks like you have a problem with me, is that it? But I’m completely out of your league now. You should go ask around and find out what kind of power I, Li Tian, wield in Ming City!”

Qin Tuo couldn’t help but laugh.

”Oh? I’d be very interested to know. Just how powerful are you?”

In front of all their old classmates, Li Tian declared proudly,

”I run a construction company, and we’re currently in talks to partner with the Zhao Family. Young Master Zhao Peng and I drink together all the time—we’re like brothers!”

Hearing this, the other classmates were instantly filled with envy, and a new wave of flattery began.

After he finished, Li Tian looked down at Qin Tuo condescendingly.

”So, Qin Tuo, now you see how powerful I am? The fact that I’m even letting you sit at the same table is me doing you a favor. Otherwise, what right does an ex-con who can’t even find a job have to sit as my equal?”

A thrill of satisfaction shot through Li Tian.

This was the moment he had been waiting for—to utterly humiliate Qin Tuo in front of all their old classmates and make him lose all face!

Only Xu Min remained seated, her heart pounding with anxiety. She desperately wanted to say something to explain.

But one look at Qin Tuo’s expression, and she didn’t dare...

Qin Tuo suddenly spoke, a strange, unreadable smile on his face.

”So you run with that piece of trash Zhao Peng, huh? And it’s actually given you a superiority complex. That’s absolutely hilarious!”

Li Tian flew into a rage and slammed his hand on the table.

”Qin Tuo, what crap are you spouting? How dare you disrespect Young Master Zhao Peng? Believe it or not, I’ll tell him what you said, and you’ll be in for a world of hurt!”

The crowd of classmates beside him immediately joined in, pointing their fingers at Qin Tuo.

”Qin Tuo, don’t say we didn’t give you a chance as old classmates. Take back what you just said and apologize!”

”Heh, you’ve got some nerve, Qin Tuo. An ex-con daring to bad-mouth a young master of the Zhao Family. I have no idea what gives you the confidence.”

Yet Qin Tuo just smiled and asked,

”And what happens if I don’t apologize?”

Li Tian said coldly,

”If you don’t apologize, Young Master Zhao Peng will never let you off the hook. When that happens, there won’t be a single place for you left in all of Ming City!”

Everyone assumed Li Tian’s threat would frighten Qin Tuo.

But to their surprise, Qin Tuo suddenly turned to Xu Min and said,

”Give Zhao Peng a call. Tell him to come over.”

What?

Everyone thought they had misheard him.

When Li Tian snapped out of it, his face was pale with fury.

”Qin Tuo, I’ve had just about enough of you! Who do you think you are, ordering her around like that?”

In the next instant, however, Xu Min obediently nodded, took out her phone, and called Zhao Peng.

At that, everyone was completely dumbfounded.

Li Tian’s mouth fell open, but no words came out.

When the call connected, Zhao Peng on the other end answered with a few impatient curses.

But when Xu Min said that Qin Tuo was looking for him, Zhao Peng was so terrified that he broke out in a cold sweat!

”What! It’s Mr. Qin who’s looking for me... Of course, I’m on my way!”

After hanging up, Zhao Peng felt like he could die.

After a moment’s thought, he knew he had to swallow his pride. He quickly got ready and headed for Hong Lou immediately.

The atmosphere in the private room became incredibly strange. Everyone’s minds were reeling as they stared blankly, watching Xu Min hang up the phone.

Li Tian sat there in silence, seemingly lost in thought.

’An unexplainable unease settled over him, though he couldn’t say why...’

Less than an hour later, the door to the private room suddenly opened, and Zhao Peng came scurrying in.

”Brother Zhao, you’re here?”

Li Tian’s eyes lit up. He quickly put on a respectful, fawning smile and went over to greet him.

But to everyone’s shock, Zhao Peng simply shoved Li Tian aside, walked straight up to Qin Tuo, and bowed.

”Mr. Qin, you were looking for me?”

An uproar ensued.

Everyone’s faces went pale, their hearts pounding in their chests.

”What’s going on? Zhao Peng is actually so respectful to Qin Tuo?”

The people who had been relentlessly mocking Qin Tuo just moments before were now white as sheets, utterly speechless.

Qin Tuo said nonchalantly,

”Zhao Peng, they were just telling me I have to apologize to you, or else I won’t have a place in Ming City.”

Zhao Peng trembled in fear and forced a pained smile.

”Mr. Qin, you’re joking. How would I dare ask you to apologize? It’s just these nobodies talking nonsense. I’ll be sure to teach them a lesson later!”

At these words, Li Tian froze as if he’d been turned to stone.

Zhao Peng knew he had to offer a proper resolution, or he would never be able to get past this with Qin Tuo.

He thumped his chest and declared on the spot,

”Mr. Qin, rest assured, our contract with the Li Family is terminated as of now. From now on, we will have absolutely no relationship with their family.”

”What? Brother Zhao, you...”

Li Tian was stunned speechless, a chill running through his entire body.

All the other classmates were equally dumbfounded.

Seeing that Qin Tuo didn’t seem satisfied, Zhao Peng wiped the sweat from his brow and quickly pulled two documents out of his briefcase.