{Chapter: 195 Eat, Drink, and Have Fun!}
"What? Little Friend Lin, it was you?"
Cui Yunrong turned his head sharply, staring at Lin Yuan with a face full of disbelief. His voice was thick with astonishment, his eyes wide as if he could hardly believe his own ears.
Upon hearing Lin Yuan's casual admission, Chen Zheng's entire body seemed to collapse inward. His knees went weak, his face drained of color, and it was as if all the strength had been siphoned from his limbs. He stood there like a puppet with broken strings, trembling slightly under the weight of fear and despair.
"Well, yes, it was me."
Lin Yuan spoke easily, as if recounting something no more important than the weather. Then, without hesitation, he pulled out his phone and handed it to Cui Yunrong. "As for the reason, you can take a look yourself."
Earlier, Lin Yuan had anticipated this confrontation. He had quietly arranged for someone to retrieve the security camera footage from the incident when he clashed with Chen Zheng. Now, he presented it openly without a trace of fear.
Cui Yunrong took the phone and watched the video attentively.
The recording left no room for doubt. It clearly showed Chen Zheng approaching Lin Yuan first, puffed up with arrogance, shouting aggressively in public, trying to intimidate him. Yet Lin Yuan had remained composed throughout, effortlessly subduing the situation without escalating it.
After watching the entire footage from beginning to end, Cui Yunrong's expression grew colder and more serious. He calmly returned the phone to Lin Yuan.
Then, with an unblinking gaze, he turned to face Chen Zheng.
At that moment, the atmosphere in the room seemed to drop several degrees. Even the bystanders felt a chill creeping down their spines.
Cui Yunrong's eyes, sharp and unyielding, left Chen Zheng feeling naked and exposed.
There was no longer any sympathy or warmth in his demeanor—only deep disappointment and disgust.
In just a few short minutes, Cui Yunrong had reached a clear conclusion about Chen Zheng's character.
This man was not just arrogant; he was dangerously self-important, spoiled by privilege, and completely lacking the discipline and honor expected of someone wearing a soldier's uniform.
Worst of all, Chen Zheng had attempted to manipulate him—Cui Yunrong, a man who had shed blood and sweat for his country for decades—into punishing an innocent young man.
If he hadn't personally known Lin Yuan, he might have truly been deceived.
The thought of being used in such a way made Cui Yunrong's dislike of Chen Zheng solidify into something colder, something permanent.
"Lie...Lieutenant General Cui...I was...I was wrong..."
Chen Zheng's voice trembled as he bowed his head low, his words stumbling out like a broken prayer for mercy.
But Cui Yunrong's face remained impassive, his tone cold enough to freeze water.
"Don't call me Lieutenant General Cui," he said sharply. "I retired years ago. I no longer hold that title."
He paused deliberately before continuing, making sure every word pierced into Chen Zheng's heart like a blade.
"Xiao Chen...Chen Zheng, isn't it? You are a member of the Chen family, aren't you?"
He took a step closer. "And you hold the position of Lieutenant Colonel here in Jiangbei? Ha! I'm afraid that you are not even remotely worthy of that rank."
His voice grew louder, carrying throughout the hall for everyone to hear.
"And to think you dared to put on that uniform with epaulets... Does your conscience not weigh heavily on you? Does your heart not burn with shame?"
Chen Zheng's world spun. His ears rang. His vision dimmed until the world around him seemed cloaked in darkness.
It was as if he had been struck by lightning.
Sweat poured down his back in rivulets, soaking his shirt.
He understood all too well what Cui Yunrong's words implied.
His position, his authority, his future—all of it was now hanging by a thread, ready to be severed at any moment.
Chen Zheng had never truly earned his rank through merit; he had relied heavily on the influence and money of the Chen family, scraping by on connections and arrogance.
And while Cui Yunrong was retired, his words still carried enormous weight, especially because his children, too, held high-ranking positions in the military hierarchy.
If Cui Yunrong wanted to crush him, he wouldn't even have to lift a finger himself.
His children and their allies would do it swiftly, ruthlessly—and no one would dare say a word in protest.
Knowing he had no other choice, Chen Zheng, with trembling hands, reached up and removed his epaulets.
Each movement felt like lifting a mountain.
This wasn't just a symbolic act; it was a public declaration of his humiliation, an acknowledgment that he no longer deserved the rank he had so proudly flaunted.
Once the epaulets were removed, Chen Zheng didn't dare linger another second.
He lowered his head, turned around in disgrace, and stumbled away, his figure disappearing into the crowd like a dog with its tail between its legs.
After Chen Zheng left, the tension in the room eased somewhat.
Cui Yunrong exhaled slowly and turned back toward Lin Yuan, his stern face softening.
"Little Friend Lin," he said, his tone warm with genuine admiration. "I truly did not expect it. Your strength is far beyond what I imagined. If I were to be honest, I'd say it's comparable to the peak of my youth."
His words were not just casual flattery. His eyes, seasoned by decades of experience, were full of sincere appreciation and even a hint of awe.
In the military, men respected strength above all else.
And despite Lin Yuan's youthful appearance—handsome enough to resemble the elegant scholars of old—he radiated an undeniable aura of confidence, power, and dignity.
To Cui Yunrong, Lin Yuan wasn't some pampered rich boy. He was a dragon among men.
Of course, claiming Lin Yuan's strength rivaled his own youth was a bit of an exaggeration—an old general's pride coloring his words—but it still reflected his profound regard for the young man.
Lin Yuan smiled playfully and said, "Then can I be a lieutenant general too?"
Cui Yunrong threw his head back and laughed heartily, the sound filling the hall like a thunderclap.
"Hahaha! If you ever decided to join the army, Little Friend Lin, I dare say that becoming a lieutenant general would be the bare minimum for someone like you!"
He slapped his thigh and continued, still laughing, "In fact, with your talents, you could climb far higher if you wished! If you ever need assistance, just say the word. I'll do everything in my power to help you and pave the way. But remember—no matter how much help you receive, true soldiers stand on their own two feet."
Lin Yuan chuckled and waved his hand lightly, his expression relaxed.
"No thanks, old man. I'm much happier being a carefree young master. I'd rather eat, drink, and spend my days with a beautiful girl in my arms."
"You rascal."
Cui Yunrong couldn't help but laugh again, shaking his head with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.
"If this were forty or fifty years ago, I would've given you a good thrashing just for talking nonsense like that."
But there was no real anger in his voice—only affection and an almost paternal fondness.
After a moment, his laughter faded and his expression grew serious once more.
"I still owe you an apology, Little Friend Lin," Cui Yunrong said solemnly, clasping his hands behind his back. "I almost misunderstood you. If I hadn't seen the truth with my own eyes, I could have caused you trouble. For that, I am truly sorry."
Lin Yuan smiled, his gaze calm and composed.
He didn't take the apology lightly.
Instead, he appreciated the fact that Cui Yunrong, a proud and seasoned veteran, was willing to admit his mistakes so openly.
Such a man was rare—and worthy of respect.
Lin Yuan waved his hand casually and said with a faint smile, "There's really nothing to apologize for. We're not strangers, after all. There's a level of trust between us. But right now, there's someone else we need to talk to—Patriarch Mei."
Hearing this, Cui Yunrong paused thoughtfully. Upon reflection, he realized that Mei Yuxian had indeed interrupted their conversation earlier, but her actions were not out of disrespect. Rather, she had done so out of concern for Lin Yuan, standing firmly to protect him from deception and injustice. Recognizing her good intentions, Cui Yunrong's expression softened.
He turned toward Mei Yuxian, giving her a nod of approval. "I'm sorry, little girl. Earlier, I misunderstood you. You showed great courage and loyalty. You're not bad at all."
Mei Yuxian, slightly flustered at receiving an apology from such a respected figure, quickly waved her hand in embarrassment. "No, no, it was impolite of me to interrupt you, Old Cui. I should be the one apologizing."
Her words were humble, but inside, Mei Yuxian was stirred with surprise. She lifted her beautiful eyes to glance at Lin Yuan, her heart increasingly filled with curiosity.
The more she observed Lin Yuan, the more she realized she did not understand him at all.
When she first met him, she had sensed he was no ordinary young man—his self-confidence and extraordinary bearing had set him apart. Therefore, she never once treated him merely as an ordinary junior.
But even so, she had not anticipated that Lin Yuan would possess such profound connections—able to converse casually with a legendary figure like Cui Yunrong, and even more incredibly, capable of prompting Cui Yunrong to apologize... and the apology was genuine.
This level of influence was astonishing. It made Mei Yuxian's heart stir with even deeper admiration and wonder for Lin Yuan.
The surrounding guests were even more stunned. Mouths slightly agape, they whispered among themselves, unable to believe their eyes.
Did Cui Yunrong actually apologize?
And it wasn't merely that he apologized—it was at Lin Yuan's subtle suggestion that he did so!
Many of them thought that Lin Yuan might have been too audacious, too presumptuous. But seeing Cui Yunrong's calm acceptance of it, no one dared to voice such thoughts aloud.
Meanwhile, ignoring the shock and the stares from others, Lin Yuan and Cui Yunrong found a quiet corner to sit down.
There, Lin Yuan began writing a personalized chess guide for Cui Yunrong, neatly laying out strategies and insights.
As Lin Yuan's brush danced across the paper, Cui Yunrong watched with visible excitement gleaming in his old but spirited eyes.
Once the guide was completed, a servant quickly brought over a chessboard, and the two began playing a few matches against each other right then and there.
Unsurprisingly, every match ended with Lin Yuan emerging victorious.
Cui Yunrong, rather than feeling discouraged, grew even more exhilarated. He clinked glasses with Lin Yuan, laughing heartily as they shared several rounds of drinks together.
Their camaraderie was so evident that even bystanders who watched them felt envious.
Everyone noticed how freely and happily Cui Yunrong drank with Lin Yuan.
This was especially shocking because earlier, Cui Yunrong had insisted he didn't drink alcohol, claiming that even the smell made him uncomfortable.
Now, however, with his arm around Lin Yuan's shoulder and a glass constantly in hand, it was clear that his previous excuses were just that—excuses.
His joy was so genuine that even if someone mustered the courage to ask him again whether he could drink, they would surely be brushed aside.
Of course, no one dared approach. They could only mutter complaints silently in their minds, This Old Fox is too good at pretending!
But no one truly held it against him. After all, who wouldn't want to befriend someone like Lin Yuan?
Meanwhile, while the chess games and merrymaking continued, Chen Zheng had already left the scene in disgrace.
When Chen Zheng left, his lackey Wang Sheng also followed behind him like a beaten dog.
Ye Feng, on the other hand, stayed for a while longer, seething in silence. His fists clenched tightly at his sides, knuckles turning white.
His eyes burned with resentment as he glared at Lin Yuan across the hall.
In Ye Feng's heart, he felt that every good thing he deserved was somehow stolen away by Lin Yuan again…
He didn't understand why, but as long as Lin Yuan was around, misfortune always followed him like a shadow.
"I will smash Lin Yuan one day...!" Ye Feng muttered under his breath, venom dripping from his voice as he stood fuming by the elevator doors.
However, Gu Qingshan, noticing Ye Feng's simmering rage, quickly tugged at him and urged him to move.
"Come on, brother. Let's get out of here while the night's still young. You take the ass, I'll take the pussy—let's enjoy ourselves with some fine young beauties!"
"Yes, that would be a nice activity to calm down!" Ye Fang said.
Given how even Chen Zheng, the powerful backer they had relied upon, was humiliated and driven away, there was no point staying any longer.
Although Ye Feng was unwilling, he understood he had no choice but to leave, tail between his legs.
Under the overwhelming suppression from the Lin Family and the Tang Family, the Qingshan Gang's future looked bleak.
Still, Ye Feng clenched his teeth. His heart burned with hatred and ambition.
He had not forgotten what his master had told him before—if he encountered insurmountable trouble, he could seek out that person for help.
Back then, Ye Feng had scoffed at the idea, believing he was strong enough to deal with anything on his own.
Now, forced into desperation by Lin Yuan's relentless pressure, Ye Feng finally decided he would take the risk and find that person.
Today has been a complete disaster.
Instead of forging alliances and finding new support for the Qingshan Gang, Ye Feng had only embarrassed himself and left behind a terrible impression on every important figure in the room.
Of course, Ye Feng still hadn't realized that the humiliating incident earlier—his loud fart—had actually been orchestrated by Lin Yuan in secret.
But even without knowing the truth, Ye Feng's instinct was to blame Lin Yuan for everything wrong in his life.
'As long as something bad happens to me, it must be because of Lin Yuan!' —this was the twisted belief that consumed him.
From across the hall, Lin Yuan glanced up casually from his chessboard, watching Ye Feng's retreating figure with a hint of amusement.
At that moment, a crisp notification sounded in Lin Yuan's mind.
Ding! [Ye Feng has left the banquet! Successfully reversed the entire Mei Family Banquet plot! Reward: 3000 Counterattack Points!]
Lin Yuan's lips curved into a small, satisfied smile.
Another victory, another step forward.
And for Ye Feng, this defeat was just the beginning of his long, miserable downfall.
*****
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