Chen Mengfei nodded slightly, surprised by his sudden appearance. However, she didn't dwell on it too much. Walking to the side, she turned on the tap, washed her hands, and declined, "No need, I brought my own lunch." Then she walked to the side, picked up her lunch box, opened the chopsticks, and prepared to start eating.

Gu Mo Xie picked up her lunch box and handed it directly to someone else, then pulled her outside. Chen Mengfei didn't want to get too involved with this man, so she naturally didn't want to go.

The people at the repair shop were all familiar with Chen Mengfei. Although she didn't talk much, she was diligent and good-looking, so everyone liked her.

Seeing that she had such a distinguished boyfriend, everyone started joking around. The boss even gave her a few extra hours off to spend time with her boyfriend.

She had no choice but to leave with him and get into the car.

"What do you want to eat?" Gu Mo Xie asked as he drove, turning his head slightly to look at her. These past few days, even he himself was a bit unclear about his intentions. Every time he came to his senses, he found himself back at the repair shop.

"What are you up to?" Chen Mengfei turned to look at him, her eyes showing a hint of fatigue. What did he mean? Did he fall in love with her after that night? She didn't believe it. She still had some self-awareness. As for love, that thing had long disappeared from her life.

Gu Mo Xie fell silent, then suddenly said, "If I said I don't have any ulterior motives, would you believe me?"

Chen Mengfei remained silent, looking out the window.

Her profile was beautiful, with fine bangs covering her smooth forehead. Her expression was consistently indifferent, her complexion softer than before. Gu Mo Xie found himself somewhat dumbfounded, snapping out of it and focusing on driving until he parked the car in the parking lot and entered a high-end restaurant, selecting a private room.

Gu Mo Xie handed her the menu and asked her to choose what she liked. The waiter stood by with a notebook, ready to take their order. When he opened the menu, he realized it was all in French, realizing his oversight. Just as he was about to speak up, he heard her casually order a few dishes in flawless French, her pronunciation perfect and her expression indifferent, making her look like a regular at high-end restaurants.

"I'll have the same as her," Gu Mo Xie said to the waiter, who then walked away. His gaze lingered on her, unable to decipher her thoughts. Suddenly, he said, "Your French is very pure and standard."

Chen Mengfei glanced at him and remained silent.

In less than ten minutes, the dishes were already served. Gu Mo Xie watched her eat gracefully and calmly, slicing the steak as if she were a noble lady, her expression calm. He could sense a faint aura emanating from her, her pupils deep and profound.

After they finished their meal, Gu Mo Xie drove her back to the repair shop. His gaze fell on her, and he suddenly spoke, "I've already helped you find a job. In a few days, you'll come with me."

Chen Mengfei looked up at him, her eyes devoid of warmth. He stared at her, feeling like he couldn't quite reach her, but all he heard was her cold refusal, "I don't need it."

He tightly gripped her wrist and stared at her with a dark gaze. "No one has ever dared to refuse me to my face. Others may not dare, but you must not either."

Chen Mengfei's gaze turned icy, and she broke free from his grasp. "Who do you think you are?" She walked away.

When Gu Mo Xie returned home, the lights were still on. His mother was sitting at the table, waiting for him. When she saw him, she immediately took his coat and hung it on the wall. "Are you hungry? Mom made some dishes you like. Give them a try?"

His mother served him the food, and after he took a few bites, she suddenly spoke up, "Mo Xie, do you remember Li Auntie's daughter who just returned from studying abroad? She used to come to our house often, always following you around and calling you Brother Mo."

Gu Mo Xie paused, then said, "I don't remember."

"You little brat, are you trying to anger your mom? Look, you're almost thirty now, and other people's children are already married. Look at you, you don't even have a girlfriend. No, tomorrow you must go see her with mom."

"Mom, stop pushing it. Brother already has a girlfriend." Gu Mo Cheng gulped down a few mouthfuls of food and said.

"What? What did you say?" Gu Mo Xie's mother clearly didn't believe it and hurriedly took his bowl, asking him to explain.

"I'm full. You guys enjoy your meal." With that, he got up and left.

"Mo Xie, you've only eaten a few bites. How can you be full?" His mother scolded him for a while before urging Gu Mo Cheng to tell her about Gu Mo Xie's girlfriend.

"When did you see her? When?" she asked eagerly.

"A few days ago at my brother's apartment!"

"They're living together?" Gu Mo Xie's mother couldn't believe it. Her expression turned incredulous. She had always thought something was wrong with her son, who had been interested only in military matters since he was a child and had no interest in anything else. She had worried about him a lot.

Gu Mo Cheng thought for a moment and said, "Maybe!"

"What maybe? No, I have to meet this child. Since they've already done something, they have to take responsibility." Gu Mo Xie's mother was excited, looking at Gu Mo Cheng and saying, "Get your brother down here. I have something to tell him."

"Mom, my brother is busy. He definitely won't come down."

"Why don't you take mom to see that child sometime?" Gu Mo Xie's mother suggested again.

"I'll think about it!" Gu Mo Cheng scratched his head, not explaining further, took a few more bites of food, threw the bowl and chopsticks, and went upstairs.

As the dark night descended, the neon lights of the city reflected off the overpass, casting colorful hues on the ground. Chen Mengfei looked at the neon lights, feeling empty inside. How many times had she woken up in the middle of the night, if that man hadn't been so ruthless, if he had believed in her, they wouldn't have ended up like this. But perhaps that man had loved her once, but he didn't believe in her enough. Everything she was enduring now was thanks to that man, and the love she once had for him had long been replaced by hatred in these five years of turmoil. Her heart was cold, and a hint of cruelty flashed in her eyes. Lu Chenxi, Li Ningfei, you owe me. I will make you pay back a thousandfold for what you did to me. What you did to me, making me wish for death, I will make you taste it slowly, one by one.

"Hello! I'm Chen Mengfei... Alright, I'll be right over." Hanging up the phone, she walked towards the direction of Huangye.

When she arrived at Huangye, the waiter led her into the office. Li Hu was sitting in a rocking chair, talking on the phone. When he saw her come in, he said a few words and hung up the phone. "You're here? Are you ready? I've arranged everything for you tonight. If you regret it now, there's still time. Once you're on the court, regrets won't help."

"I've made up my mind," she said firmly.

"Alright, let's go. I've drawn lots for you tonight, and your opponent is Yang Qi. He's strong but not unbeatable. It's all up to your skills. If you can't even beat him, then there's no need for you to continue in the tournament." Li Hu said with meaning, glancing at her. Chen Mengfei was the one he recommended. If she could give him some face and make it into the top ten, he would secure his position as manager. As for entering the top five, he didn't dare to hope anymore. It was good for a young person like her to test her courage. Hopefully, she wouldn't disappoint his expectations. "Just do your best."

Hearing this, Chen Mengfei felt a slight warmth in her heart. This man in front of her was indeed someone she could trust. She nodded. "I will."

"Alright, then let's go now. Your first match is tonight. Relax and don't be nervous." Li Hu got up, taking her out through the backstage passage. They took the elevator upstairs, and when they reached the venue, they were greeted by noisy and excited voices, full of excitement.

The onlookers parted as Li Hu led in a young lad, drawing puzzled and skeptical glances. They couldn't believe Li, the manager, had chosen such a frail youngster. At most, he looked barely twenty-three or twenty-four. They couldn't imagine him in a fight; they could probably lift him with one hand.

Li Hu, having managed the Royal Night for years, understood the whispers and doubts. Walking beside Zhan Yan, he noticed her calm demeanor and subtle confidence. Despite her youth, she exuded an aura of authority, commanding attention effortlessly. Li couldn't hide his astonishment, his eyes reflecting a mix of surprise and complexity.

"Is Manager Li here?" A tall, rugged man, oozing charisma, approached. His glance at Zhan Yan was brief, followed by a disdainful expression. "I never knew Manager Li had such a knack for picking talent. Even a kid who hasn't fully grown his hair? Is Li so eager to concede to me? If he regrets his choice later, it'll be too late. You don't want to end up regretting like a fly buzzing into a broken head, do you? My men never hold back on the field."

Strife was common in the Royal Night, A City's biggest entertainment venue. Li Hu maintained his composure, replying with a tinge of anger, "Lin, don't be too full of yourself. Victory and defeat are part of warfare. Even the weakest opponent has a chance. If those dimwits lose, they'll regret it."

The crowd couldn't help but chuckle at Li's veiled sarcasm. This banter was usual, but Li rarely engaged, especially not with Lin. Today was different, catching them off guard. Li's outburst was unexpected but impressive. They wondered who Zhan Yan was to earn such protection.

Lin caught the sarcasm, his face darkening. Li's smile was both a taunt and a warning. "Of course, I'm not saying this to Manager Li. Lin, don't misunderstand. You're not one of those dimwits!"

Everyone understood the veiled insult, stifling their laughter. Li was usually peaceful, even with Lin. But today was different, making them curious about Zhan Yan and her connection to Li.

As Zhan Yan passed by, Lin's gaze turned malicious. He muttered a threat before retreating. Li patted Zhan Yan's shoulder, signaling her not to worry. His expression turned serious; while he had spoken up, he couldn't interfere once the fight began. Lin was a false gentleman, likely to order serious harm. He regretted his outburst, instructing Zhan Yan, "If they get too rough, concede immediately. Life is more important."

Though they'd only met days ago, Li felt an inexplicable fondness for her. Some people just clicked, and Zhan Yan was one of them.

Zhan Yan's eyes remained calm, her face expressionless. "I won't lose," she declared.

Li paused, observing her. Despite her delicate features, a scar by her eye added fierceness. Her narrowed eyes were like a drawn blade, sending chills. Even Li, usually composed, felt a shiver. Victory or defeat remained uncertain.

Relieved, Li chuckled. "I believe you."

The fighting had started days ago, and she had missed the preliminaries. Without Li's intervention, she wouldn't have competed.

"Next up, Yang Qi against Meng Zhan Yan," the referee announced.

"Go!" Li encouraged as Zhan Yan made her way to the arena.

Lin's gaze on her was icy, but Zhan Yan met it coolly. The sudden fear in Lin's eyes surprised him; how could such a fragile youngster have such a piercing gaze? It must be a mistake.

Yang Qi, seeing his opponent, relaxed. This was the kid Lin wanted him to take down? Easy.

Zhan Yan, unfazed, saw through Yang Qi's contempt. Underestimation was the worst mistake; even the strongest could slip up. A single mistake could cost not just a match but life. Survival of the fittest.

"Han, why're you here?" Li greeted Han Jiye, who had arrived unexpectedly, followed by Pang Deyi.

Han Jiye's eyes were fixed on Zhan Yan, oblivious to Li's thoughts. "You've got your eye on her too?" Li's hint was clear; with Han present, Lin wouldn't dare harm Zhan Yan. The Han family was loyal; Zhan Yan had saved Han once, ensuring Lin wouldn't risk her safety.

Han Jiye focused solely on Zhan Yan, unaware of Li's concerns. His gaze settled on the young lad in white. His pupils dilated; he had no interest in fights, but seeing a familiar figure had piqued his curiosity.

Lin, noticing Han Jiye, hurried to greet him. His hopes of impressing Han dashed, Lin regretted his delayed reaction. Seizing the opportunity, he tried to engage Han, mentioning Yang Qi's prowess.

Han remained silent, his gaze deepening. Lin, feeling uneasy, hoped Han's presence would intimidate Zhan Yan. Yet, when Han finally spoke, it was about her.

"Who's the other one?" Han's question caught Lin off guard.

Before Lin could respond, Li jumped in, introducing Zhan Yan. "She's Meng Zhan Yan. You've met her before, haven't you?"

Li's implication was clear to Han, who nodded, acknowledging Zhan Yan's presence.