Chapter 145: Waiting for You to Pick Me Up and Go Home Together

Chapter 145: Waiting for You to Take Me Home

Lin Lao’s choice to yield and his sudden departure caught Chu Fei completely off guard.

Watching the Lin family members leave one by one, Chu Fei furrowed his brow. In the heat of the moment, impulsiveness did not equal strength; rather, swallowing one’s pride was the true challenge.

Yet the Lin family had done just that—they chose to yield and leave with their dignity bruised. Not just Lin Lao, but every member of the Lin family had suppressed their anger. They all understood that if they continued to make a scene, the Lin family’s reputation would be irreparably damaged, becoming the subject of ridicule. Especially since this was the Fu family’s birthday celebration. If the Lin family truly caused trouble, it would no longer be a matter against Chu Fei alone but a direct affront to the entire Fu clan. Whether they admitted it or not, Fu Ziqing nestled in Chu Fei’s arms was the best testament to their stance. No matter how unwilling or dissatisfied Fu Lao might have been, once things escalated to a certain point, he would undoubtedly stand firmly behind his granddaughter.

Thus, Lin Lao chose to leave, embodying the Lin family motto: “A true man endures anger for a while.” With Lin Lao’s presence, the family naturally followed his lead.

No wonder the Lin family had thrived across the East Sea for over a century; their endurance and bearing alone commanded respect. Chu Fei knew that the feud between himself and the Lin family had been sealed. Yet, as the Lin family departed, whether by forgetfulness or design, they left behind the Rainbow Tear.

The Rainbow Tear still lay conspicuously on the small table before Fu Lao.

“Fu Lao, the troublemakers from the Lin family have left. You may now proceed with the birthday banquet,” Chu Fei said with a smile, offering a “cordial” reminder.

“Heh, yes, it’s getting late. Let’s not be formal—let the banquet begin,” Fu Lao replied, his anger coiled within but powerless to act. No matter his reluctance, the outside world now linked him to Chu Fei. But as a seasoned fox, Fu Lao quickly masked his ire with a joyful smile, as if nothing had happened. He greeted guests in the inner hall while instructing his servants to begin serving dishes.

With Fu Lao’s hearty laughter, a long line of waiters appeared from the tree-lined road, setting plates starting from the inner hall.

Fu Lao moved from the central seat toward the first main table. In mere minutes, the atmosphere grew lively, as if the earlier incident had never occurred, save for the empty seats that silently recalled the tension. Many guests sat but kept their eyes locked on the young man in the inner hall.

Everyone understood that after the recent events, this young man named Chu Fei had officially stepped onto the grand stage of the East Sea, supplanting even the Lin family’s eldest son with force.

Arrogant, unruly, yet strategic—he had even outmaneuvered Lin’s eldest son.

This gave people their first glimpse into who this young man was.

Yet what drew the most attention was the forbidden man standing behind him. Chu Fei’s brazen appearance in Shanghai—was this a deliberate signal from that man?

Speculation ran rife, each mind weaving its own theory.

Still, no one dared approach or attempt to curry favor with Chu Fei.

Chu Fei was unfazed. He didn’t even go to the main table to toast Fu Lao but instead smiled gently at Fu Ziqing, then turned to Xiao Feilong. “Uncle Xiao, thank you for your support today,” he said openly, showing no attempt to hide his gratitude. No one knew the situation better than him; without the Xiao family’s intervention, things would never have reached this point. Even if he had taken on all the Lin family’s sons alone, acting more arrogantly, it wouldn’t have ended here. The Lin family’s authority was not something one could provoke lightly.

Lin Lao’s final choice to yield was driven not only by the Fu family but also by the presence of Xiao Feilong—a wild dog not to be trifled with. Otherwise, no matter how patient Lin Lao was, he would not have swallowed his pride. Chu Fei’s boldness had limits; much of his strength came from leveraging alliances, both with the Fu family and the Xiao family.

“Thanks for what? Why be so polite to me? Haha... Today’s been damn satisfying! It’s been a long time since I felt this good!” Xiao Feilong laughed heartily, growing more fond and excited the more he looked at Chu Fei. He hadn’t expected things to unfold this way. Initially, he had braced for a fierce battle with the Lin family; unexpectedly, he didn’t have to lift a finger. Chu Fei’s public humiliation of the Lin family was far more imposing—and gratifying—than anything he could have done.

“If it weren’t for you backing me up, Uncle, I wouldn’t have known what to do next,” Chu Fei said humbly, a stark contrast to his prior demeanor.

“You don’t know? Slapping Lin Cong’s face just now looked pretty satisfying. Why stop now?” Xiao Feilong scoffed.

“Ha ha—” Chu Fei laughed. “The banquet’s started; I won’t bother you anymore. I’ll invite you properly later!”

“Right, right, the banquet’s begun; go on!” Xiao Feilong nodded, assuming Chu Fei was heading to the main table.

Chu Fei nodded in acknowledgment but, to everyone’s surprise, didn’t approach the main table. Instead, he waved subtly to Fu Ziqing, then took her small hand and walked out of the inner hall, through the outer hall, and straight to the plaza, heading toward the table where the Chu family sat.

“That brat!” Xiao Feilong was stunned a moment before cursing playfully, eyes gleaming with amusement. He then left the inner hall and saw his nephew, Xiao Feng, grinning widely.

“Quit laughing! Wait until we get home, I’ll teach you a lesson!” Xiao Feilong scolded.

“Uncle, I was helping you just now, you...” Xiao Feng’s face fell.

“Don’t call me Uncle! I don’t have a nephew like you. Get lost!” Xiao Feilong snapped.

Xiao Feng fled hastily, knowing his uncle was truly angry and might strike if he lingered.

As for Chu Fei, he paid no mind to the gazes around him and approached Chu Zangxuan, his paternal uncle, with a complex expression. “Uncle!”

Chu Fei’s feelings were complicated. He barely remembered this uncle, having met him only a few times as a child and almost never since. He knew of Chu Zangxuan’s existence and the Chu family’s standing, but he had never considered himself part of the family. Yet under these circumstances, he had to greet him.

“Sit down,” Chu Zangxuan sighed, looking at Chu Fei with a complicated expression, unsure of how to feel.

“I won’t sit. Uncle, you and elder brother and second sister enjoy your meal. I have things to attend to,” Chu Fei shook his head, nodded to Chu Zangxuan’s two children, and, under many astonished eyes, left without greeting anyone else, solitary and aloof. Yet no one dared underestimate him.

“Brother Chu, wait for me! Let’s leave together!” Suddenly, a clear laugh rang out. Mu Feixue, from Chu Zangxuan’s table, rose and strode toward Chu Fei. Ye Jiaying quickly followed, like a celestial couple.

This scene stunned Chu Fei and changed the expressions of all onlookers, including the powerful guests in the inner hall. Mu Feixue, a notorious executioner, had just called Chu Fei “brother” and was actively pursuing him. Was this because Chu Fei’s earlier actions had caught his attention, or had they known each other before?

Either way, people looked at Chu Fei differently now. Mu Feixue’s acknowledgment was rare—few in the East Sea could claim such a bond.

Many had thought Chu Fei was finished, no matter how arrogant or whether he was Chu Zangtian’s son. Publicly humiliating the Lin family meant inevitable retaliation. A lone young man against the entire Lin family would end in disaster.

But now, opinions shifted instantly. Because of Mu Feixue’s “brother” remark, if the Lin family knew what was happening now, would they still seek revenge? Even if they did, they would think twice about how to act.

“Mu Chief, aren’t you going to eat?” Chu Fei stopped, puzzled but composed.

“What’s the point of eating? Your brother didn’t come here for a meal,” Ye Jiaying, the big star beside Mu Feixue, said brightly, eyes sparkling. “He was worried you couldn’t handle the situation and planned to back you up, but it turned out unnecessary. Heh!” She glanced teasingly at Mu Feixue.

“Ha ha, Jiaying’s right. I came to watch the show; if you really can’t handle it, I’ll step in,” Mu Feixue laughed heartily.

“Thanks, Brother Mu!” Chu Fei wasn’t sure how much was sincere or just playful banter but thanked him nonetheless.

“You two brothers don’t need to thank each other,” Ye Jiaying said. Her presence was like a charm, easing and creating atmosphere with her clever words.

“Exactly, why thank your brother? Come on, I know you’re not happy here. I’ll take you somewhere for a good drink tonight, brothers’ night,” Mu Feixue smiled.

“Sounds good.”

In the past, Chu Fei would have declined, but not today. Although he had appeared brazen, slapping the Lin family’s sons, his heart was uneasy. He needed a place to vent and to understand Mu Feixue’s sudden interest in him.

Rumor had it Mu Feixue was a ruthless executioner, proud and aloof, friendless and solitary. Yet he was so courteous to Chu Fei?

What was his purpose?

If it was mere admiration, Chu Fei wouldn’t believe it. Did Mu Feixue’s status even allow for such sentiment?

The group reached the entrance of Changxin Garden. Chu Fei stopped and looked back at Fu Ziqing, who had followed him closely. Smiling, he said, “You don’t need to come with me. Go back.”

“Huh?” Fu Ziqing was clearly taken aback. Mu Feixue and Ye Jiaying tactfully stepped away, leaving just the two of them.

“After all, today is your grandfather’s birthday banquet. You’re the eldest granddaughter and the current head of the Fu family. If you’re not here, people will gossip,” Chu Fei explained with a smile.

“And what about you?” Fu Ziqing frowned slightly.

“I’ll find a place to have a drink. Besides, I’m not welcome here. It wouldn’t be right for me to stay, would it?” Chu Fei laughed lightly, teasingly pinching Fu Ziqing’s chin.

This time, Fu Ziqing didn’t mind—perhaps she was used to his teasing. Instead, she glanced at Mu Feixue and Ye Jiaying nearby. “Mu Feixue is a dangerous man. You must be careful.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t get into trouble before I marry you,” Chu Fei said with a mischievous grin.

Fu Ziqing seemed not to hear or get angry, simply nodding softly. “When you finish drinking, come back. I’ll be here waiting for you to take me home.”

Chu Fei was momentarily stunned, then smiled at Fu Ziqing’s earnest gaze. “Alright, I’ll come back for you later.” Without looking back, he walked toward Mu Feixue…