Chapter 028: The Terrifying Duanmu Jing

Chapter 28: The Fearsome Duanmu Jing

A stunningly elegant woman had somehow appeared at the doorway, her eyes cold as she gazed at the blustering Wang Zhenhua.

Compared to the alluring sensuality of Ximen Lu, this woman embodied true enchantment. Her face was exquisite, and the purple cheongsam hugging her slender waist accentuated every curve to perfection. A glimpse of pale calf peeked out beneath the hem, matched by a pair of violet high heels. Not only was she seductive, but she also exuded an air of danger.

The atmosphere in the hall fell still in an instant.

Especially when everyone saw the woman at the door—so silent you could hear a pin drop.

The very man who had just been shouting the loudest, Wang Zhenhua, was now drenched in cold sweat, his face ashen and bloodless. His lips parted, but no sound came—not that he didn’t want to speak, but that he dared not.

It was as if the woman at the door was some monstrous beast.

Chu Fei, hearing the commotion, turned. The moment his eyes landed on the woman, his pupils contracted ever so slightly, though he quickly regained his calm. Still, tumultuous waves surged within him.

Duanmu Jing.

With a single glance, Chu Fei recognized the woman in the cheongsam—his high school sweetheart, the one woman he had never managed to forget. Yet the Duanmu Jing before him was utterly changed from the vibrant girl of his memory. Next to Ximen Lu and Xu Shiqi, Duanmu Jing’s transformation was even more pronounced. But Chu Fei recognized her at once, for he was far too familiar with every detail of her, inside and out. No one in the world knew her better than he did. That familiarity meant that no matter how she changed, he could recognize her instantly.

Duanmu Jing strode into the room and stopped in front of Wang Zhenhua. “Wang Zhenhua, I heard you just now. Did you say I must be blind?”

“No—ah, no, I… Duanmu Jing, I was wrong, I’m a fool…” Wang Zhenhua’s face was ghostly pale, as if he stood before a demon. He wanted to deny it but lacked the courage. In the end, he raised his hand and slapped himself hard across the face several times, then looked at Duanmu Jing plaintively. “I spoke out of turn, don’t be angry. If you’re still upset, I’ll slap myself again.”

He even sought her approval before slapping himself. If word of this scene spread, it would astonish anyone.

Yet, apart from Chu Fei, who frowned slightly, no one else in the banquet hall seemed surprised. Instead, all eyes were filled with anxiety and apprehension as they watched the seductive woman.

Duanmu Jing gazed coldly at Wang Zhenhua, letting him finish before she spoke. “Whether I’m blind or not is not for you to judge. Do you understand?”

“Yes, yes, I understand. You can rest assured, I’ll never speak out of turn again.” Far from being angry at her reprimand, Wang Zhenhua seemed almost relieved.

“There’s one more thing to set straight—for you and all of you here.” Duanmu Jing swept her eyes over Wang Zhenhua and the other classmates, her voice icy. “Back then, I did not abandon Chu Fei. He was the one who left me. He kicked me to the curb. Remember this—if anyone dares speak ill of Chu Fei again…”

She didn’t finish, but the steely glint in her eyes sent a chill through everyone present. They all lowered their heads, unable to meet her gaze.

Duanmu Jing withdrew her gaze and turned to Chu Fei, a radiant smile softening her features. “Chu Fei, it’s been a long time.”

“Yes, it has.” Chu Fei smiled as he shook her hand, but let go immediately, his expression calm.

“With me here, I doubt you’ll enjoy your meal. I just wanted to see if you truly had come back,” Duanmu Jing said, then turned to Xu Shiqi, offering a gentle thank you.

“Ah?” Xu Shiqi was caught off guard, not understanding.

“All right, I won’t disturb your dinner any longer.” Duanmu Jing smiled sweetly at Chu Fei once more, then turned and left.

She had appeared suddenly and departed even more abruptly. The whole episode lasted less than three minutes, as if she had truly come only to confirm Chu Fei’s return.

Even after Duanmu Jing left, the atmosphere in the banquet hall remained stifling, and the lively mood never returned. Wang Zhenhua and his clique huddled in a corner, occasionally glaring resentfully at Chu Fei, but none dared cause further trouble.

Of course, not everyone was cowed; eventually, someone approached Chu Fei to make conversation.

“Chu Fei, it’s been years since we’ve seen you. Where are you working now?” A scholarly-looking man struck up a conversation. At his words, all eyes turned toward Chu Fei, curious to see how the former ‘big bad wolf’ was faring in life.

“I’m working at Ximen Lu’s company now,” Chu Fei replied with a smile, toasting the man. This was Xu Bin, the former class vice president and one of the few old classmates Chu Fei still remembered.

“You’re working at Ximen Lu’s company?” Xu Bin was momentarily surprised, glancing at Ximen Lu with a smile. “Ximen Lu, are you still running that little ad agency of yours?”

“I’m not as capable as you, Young Master Xu—just muddling through,” Ximen Lu joked, clearly familiar with Xu Bin. She sighed inwardly, having intended to explain on Chu Fei’s behalf, but he’d answered directly.

“You’re doing well yourself—built your business from scratch. I hear you have dozens of employees now,” Xu Bin said, laughing. He turned to Chu Fei. “But Chu Fei, you can do better. Working at Ximen Lu’s company isn’t much of a future. If you’d like, why not join my company? For old times’ sake, I’ll make you a deputy general manager right away.”

Chu Fei raised an eyebrow. Xu Bin had started out friendly, but now there was a clear air of condescension.

Chu Fei didn’t take offense. That was just reality. Perhaps this was Xu Bin’s real reason for approaching him—to see how well he was doing. Chu Fei laughed it off. “No need. I’m quite content with my current work—it’s steady.”

“Ah, you’re not as bold as you were in high school, Chu Fei,” Xu Bin joked, half in earnest. After some idle chatter, he moved on to his own circle, but not before glancing back at Chu Fei with a hint of disdain in his eyes.

A few other old classmates came over to say hello, but those conversations quickly petered out. Such was reality—the former ‘big bad wolf’ who had once commanded respect and awe was now nothing special. Some didn’t even bother to come over. Chu Fei’s current status no longer warranted their attention. As for old bonds of friendship? In this materialistic world, money comes before sentiment.

“I never expected them to change so much. It’s really disappointing…” The gathering ended in less than an hour.

As they stepped out of the club, Xu Shiqi vented in frustration. She had drunk quite a bit, her mood soured.

“Are you really that naive? Isn’t this just how people are?” Ximen Lu glanced at Chu Fei, relieved to see he seemed unaffected.

Xu Shiqi looked at Chu Fei with guilt. He had been hurt the most by all that had happened, and she was the one who had started it. Besides the guilt, she was worried Chu Fei might be angry with her.

“We’ve eaten, it’s getting late, I’ll head home,” Chu Fei said to the two women with a smile.

“No!” Xu Shiqi grabbed his arm, afraid he might run off. Her sudden movement made her stumble, nearly falling against Chu Fei’s shoulder. Chu Fei arched an eyebrow, unsure if she was truly drunk or just playing up to get close.

“The evening was a bust thanks to those jerks. Let’s go somewhere else, just the three of us,” Xu Shiqi suggested.

“More drinking?” Ximen Lu frowned, glancing at the unsteady Xu Shiqi, who now looked nothing like the elegant woman she’d been earlier.

“Oh please, I’m not drunk yet. This is nothing,” Xu Shiqi grumbled, all traces of her refined demeanor gone.

“All right, where do you want to go?” Ximen Lu asked. The previous gathering had indeed been a disappointment.

“How about my place?” Xu Shiqi suggested.

“No way, your villa is like a palace. Every time I go, I feel overwhelmed—I don’t need that kind of pressure,” Ximen Lu refused without hesitation. She didn’t mind, but worried Chu Fei might feel uncomfortable seeing how lavish Xu Shiqi’s home was, given his current situation.

“Then where? A bar? But bars are too chaotic…” Xu Shiqi, quick-witted as ever, realized the issue.

“How about we go to Chu Fei’s place?” Ximen Lu’s eyes sparkled.

“Great, let’s do that. We’ll pick up some food and drinks—tonight we don’t go home till we’re drunk, maybe even sleep till dawn…” Xu Shiqi’s eyes lit up, perhaps genuinely tipsy, tossing out phrases like ‘sleep till dawn’.

Chu Fei stared at them in disbelief. “Hey, could you at least ask for my opinion?”

“Your opinion’s on hold. Don’t forget, I’m your boss—what I say goes,” Ximen Lu replied with a flourish, brimming with authority.

Chu Fei sweated. Here we go again?

He looked at the two beauties. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll take advantage of you both if you come to my place?”

“Oh, please. We’re not afraid—why are you worrying?” Xu Shiqi shot back, then turned to Ximen Lu to discuss what to buy and what to drink, treating Chu Fei as if he were invisible.

Chu Fei was left completely speechless.