Earth was special to our group.

He was Long Fei’s sworn brother but rarely joined Black Dragon Society activities. You’d barely see him once a month. Even as the "girlfriend" of the boss—me—I’d only met him properly twice. Long Fei once told me Earth’s identity was mysterious. Only disturb him in absolute emergencies.

Of course, you could hang out with him casually. Just don’t interrupt his work—that’s what Long Fei told "me" months ago.

Honestly, I wasn’t curious about Ouyang Earth’s identity. What intrigued me were his words to me.

Jiangnan Gang wanted to treat me to dinner? After beating them, they’d invite their enemy? A Hongmen Banquet?

"Don’t worry," Earth said as we reached the electric scooter parking spot under my apartment complex. "Their higher-ups didn’t take it personally. This feast is mainly to send off their leader. The issue is the guy whose arm you broke."

"He’s the adopted younger brother of ‘that person.’ Communication might be tough later. She’s not easy to talk to—and she has connections."

"‘That person’?"

"Ah, you’ll see when we get there."

He tossed me a helmet and gestured for me to sit behind him on the scooter. "It’s just a formality. Don’t be scared. With so many people around, she won’t dare do anything to you."

That was as good as saying nothing.

I put on the helmet and silently sat behind him, carefully gripping the broad shoulders of this tall man.

"What’s wrong? Something on your mind today?" Earth started the scooter.

"Yeah. My mom’s sick. Seriously ill."

Long Fei had warned me never to hide anything from Earth—not even lies. This gentle-looking uncle clearly wielded immense power behind the scenes.

"She’ll get better."

He offered this utterly ordinary comfort as the scooter carried me out of the complex.

"Back when I watched you train, I always thought this day would come."

On the steady scooter, Earth spoke calmly.

I froze. "You all knew?"

"Hah! Long Ge only has a few close friends. Did you think I wouldn’t know? He told me to leave you alone—said your personality wouldn’t cause trouble. But I always sensed your gentle act was fake. Turns out I was right."

I stayed silent.

Yi Yao hadn’t faked it.

She truly was a girl fragile enough to be crushed by any setback.

But I wasn’t her.

People often say life’s about conquering yourself. Yet Yi Yao conquered herself—and lost to the world.

"Hahaha, don’t misunderstand! I’m complimenting you. I’ve no interest in ordinary girls."

"What about Long Ge?"

Unwilling to dwell on this, I changed the subject.

"His dad’s company hit trouble. He probably won’t make it here for a while."

His dad’s company? Such a promising firm could have issues?

I pondered hard for ages before recalling fragmented memories: ten years ago, Skyfire Tech Network had indeed faced a disaster. Critical accounts were hacked, server files locked down—turning the whole company into an empty shell.

Maybe I could use this to slightly "improve" my relationship with Long Fei.

The scooter glided smoothly through streets, stopping at a modest roadside stall. The sun had fully set, and couples filled the area. A yellow-haired youth at a small table spotted Earth, jumped up, and bear-hugged the burly man. "Brother Earth!"

"Haha, Boss Hai! Long time no see!"

Ouyang Earth plopped down beside the earring-wearing punk, downed a cup of wine in one gulp, and waved me over. "Meet Xiaoyao—Long Ge’s girlfriend."

"Oh… Xiaoyao."

Though intimidating-looking, the youth’s expression was warm. He grabbed a beer mug and poured me a drink. "Can you handle it?"

"I—"

Before I could speak, a wave of killing intent crashed over me. Instinctively, I spun around, dropping into a defensive stance.

*Thud—*

A solid kick slammed into my arm, hurling me backward a meter. I crashed into a sapling in the roadside greenery.

Thanks to my timely defense, the blow—though fierce—only left my left arm slightly numb. No real damage.

I looked up under the crowd’s stares and saw… a girl?

A fifteen-year-old, a head shorter than me. Delicate features, porcelain skin, slender frame, waist-length hair. Expressionless, she stood in a perfect taekwondo stance.

"Xiaodie!" the yellow-haired youth barked. Useless. She spun gracefully, right leg lashing out at me.

I smirked inwardly, stepped back lightly, and lifted my foot.

*Crack!*

I blocked her mid-air strike with the same move, then used the rebound to leap and swing a left kick at her.

She’d anticipated it. With lightning speed, she retracted her leg, twisted away, and countered with a spinning kick. Her long hair fluttered like a butterfly mid-dance.

*Hah—!*

A bell-like shout, laced with icy killing intent.

Black belt?

No. Judging by her power and skill, she hadn’t even passed red belt testing.

*Crack! Crack!*

I blocked her next attacks identically. This time, I held nothing back. In that cramped space, before everyone’s eyes, I launched my assault. She must’ve been furious—she retaliated wildly with her track-panted legs.

A taekwondo enthusiast like me, focusing on kicks?

Taekwondo uses fists too, yet she avoided punching even when opportunities arose. Clearly, she sucked at hand strikes.

And her overall skill was far below mine.

"Xiaodie! Enough!"

After over three minutes of kicking, the yellow-haired youth slammed the table and stood. "What’s this spectacle in front of everyone?"

I wiped sweat from my brow carefully, maintaining my guard as I watched the girl.

The emotionless teen retreated to the youth’s side, no longer attacking. Her heavy breathing showed she was exhausted.

"This isn’t over."

She drained her drink, shot me a cold glare, and turned away.

"A-Vee! Wait up!"

Seeing her leave, several youths in the crowd glared fiercely at me before following.

What was that about?

"Hahaha! Brilliant! Truly the art of performance!"

Earth laughed heartily, pulling me onto a small chair beside him. "You had me worried! With your strength, you could’ve flattened her easily, right?"

I hesitated. "You said she had connections, Brother Earth."

"Hahaha! Fascinating! You girls are fascinating."

He took a big swig of wine, eyes gleaming at me. "Xiaoyao, do you know her background?"

I shook my head.

"She’s the mayor’s daughter. Only child."

The mayor’s daughter?

That unlucky mayor executed for corruption in 2017?

"Huh? You’re not scared after hitting the mayor’s daughter, Xiaoyao?"

I shrugged. "Is it too late to chase her down and apologize?"

*Pfft…*

This time, it wasn’t Earth—it was the yellow-haired youth across the table who snorted. "This girl’s got spirit! Long Ge has good taste."

"Nonsense! Private matters—let’s not discuss them."

Waving a hand, Earth addressed me. "Xiaoyao, this is Yellow Skysea—the real boss behind Jiangnan Gang. Call him Brother Hai."

Yellow Skysea!

The name made my body jolt.

The legendary figure who returned from abroad in 2016, then in 2017 transformed Yixian Province into order—making Shangjing City shine. Everyone owed him respect. What was he doing here?

"What’s wrong?"

My reaction puzzled Yellow Skysea. "Not scared of the mayor’s daughter, but afraid of a small-timer like me?"

"Brother Hai jokes."

Snapping back, I raised the untouched wine on the table. "I’ve read your articles in the paper. Deep insights. Never expected to meet the author here."

Phew. Good thing I’d read widely back then—I’d have been exposed otherwise.

"You… read them?"

The youth ignored my compliment, stunned. He grabbed his cup and clinked it with mine. "I thought few read that paper."

"The one on Shangjing City’s situation. So incisive."

I downed my wine in one gulp.

Bitter.

Though my past self was used to it, this body clearly wasn’t. The harsh taste spread from my mouth to my stomach, making me frown.

"Girls shouldn’t drink. Have juice."

Noticing my expression, the youth snatched my empty cup and filled it with pulpy orange juice.

He believed I’d read his articles.

"First time drinking? Heh. To this insignificant guy."

"No. I genuinely admire you, Brother Hai."

I wasn’t lying. Without this yellow-haired youth, Shangjing a decade later might’ve been unrecognizable. I just hadn’t expected the man who’d dominate Yixian Province in three years to look so… fallen now.

"Heh."

He chuckled dryly, head lowered. "I’m leaving—who knows when I’ll return? How can I be a big shot?"

"Brother Hai, that’s not right."

"Yeah, Boss Hai! East today, west tomorrow—who knows what’ll happen in three years?"

A nearby punk hurried to comfort him.

"Bro, we’re all men. No mushy stuff. Drink!" Earth grabbed two bottles from the ground, bit their caps off, and slammed one before the youth. *Bang!* "Out there, rein in that temper. No one’ll truly help you when trouble hits."

His tone shifted. "But here? No gloomy faces. We’re brothers. Who’re you scowling at?"

"Good! Good. Cheers!"

Taking the beer bottle, Yellow Skysea downed a third of it in one gulp. "Xiao Yao," he said, "I've heard about what happened between you and Xiaodie. We've already sent someone to apologize to Old Liang's side..."

I quickly interrupted, "Brother Hai..."

"No, no..." Yellow Skysea waved his hand. "Let me be clear: I'm set on being your friend—not because of Brother Earth's influence, but because I personally like you. For Xiaodie's incident, consider it a debt I owe you. My men were poorly disciplined, and I apologize for the embarrassment... Did you bring your phone?"

I hesitated for a moment, then pulled out my phone from my pocket and handed it over.

He took it, entered a few numbers, and handed it back. "The first is my number, the second is my father's. If you ever need help, call these and say you're Brother Hai's friend."

"Thank you, Brother Hai."

I didn't know who this "old man" was, but I knew better than to ask now. Pretending to refuse would be rude; these were straightforward people. Accepting their gift openly would ease the tension better.

My directness made Yellow Skysea smile with satisfaction.

"Jiangnan Gang brothers, listen well! Xiao Yao is now one of us. Anyone who messes with her has to go through me, Brother Hai, first."

"No way! It was Qinghao's group who broke the rules anyway."

"Haha, Xiao Yao's a total beauty too. How could any brother bring himself to hurt her?"

"Good. Now, drink up! Xiao Yao, order whatever you like. Brother Hai's treating tonight—but no alcohol, understood?"

...

...

Like hell I would. Even if you begged me, I wouldn't drink another drop.