Chapter 98: 98. The past cannot be reversed

“Young Master Wen, what’s going on?”

Seeing the uneasy look on Wen Zheyang’s face, the crowd members glanced at each other, their laughter gradually subsiding. Mr. Wang Sr. even hurried to his feet, not forgetting to give Lin Fan a fierce glare.

“It’s nothing. He… he’s talking nonsense. I don’t understand a word!” Wen Zheyang’s cheeks were burning.

Naturally, he didn’t dare publicize such a shameful incident and could only grit his teeth and suppress the rage in his heart.

Humph, so what if you saw it with your own eyes, Lin Fan? As long as you don’t have evidence, I can just deny it forever!

“Really? Because I seem to recall you being stripped naked by Da Binzi and forced to streak through the streets for several laps,” Lin Fan said, his strange gaze sweeping up and down Wen Zheyang. His eyes finally settled on the man’s crotch. “If I’m not mistaken, you have a red birthmark the size of a pigeon’s egg on your left butt cheek.”

Wen Zheyang gasped, his breath catching in his throat as his face instantly turned beet-red.

Damn it, this bastard really did see it! He even pinpointed the location of the birthmark with unbelievable accuracy!

“Kid, if you disrespect me again, you’ll pay with your life!” Wen Zheyang hissed, his voice a low growl that barely concealed his panic. He pointed a threatening finger at Lin Fan, his eyes flashing a warning.

Noticing that everyone’s eyes couldn’t help but drift toward his left buttock, Wen Zheyang became so furious that he spun around and bellowed, “What the fuck are you looking at?! Do you want me to drop my pants and show you?!”

“No, no, no, Young Master Wen, you’ve misunderstood! Of course we believe you unconditionally!”

“Yes, that’s right! It’s obviously Lin Fan spouting nonsense! With your distinguished status, Young Master Wen, an ant like him would never have had the chance to meet you before!”

The faces of the pharmaceutical tycoons stiffened at the scolding, but none of them dared to talk back. Instead, they had to force smiles and do their utmost to placate him, terrified of earning his resentment.

“Are you still looking? Who are you? You came with Lin Fan, so you must be bad news!” Wen Zheyang glared at Doctor Jiang with hostility.

“Uh… I wasn’t looking. I was just wondering if I locked the door at home. I got a bit distracted, hehe…” Doctor Jiang shuddered, his forced laugh looking more pained than a sob.

He was still trying to explain sheepishly when Lin Fan took a sudden step forward.

“Little Jiang,” Lin Fan said. “I’ll let you have a good, long look.”

RIP!

Before anyone could react, Lin Fan moved as fast as the wind, viciously tearing Wen Zheyang’s white trousers to shreds. And sure enough, there on the left butt cheek was a red birthmark the size of a pigeon’s egg.

With this sudden development, the hall fell deathly silent. Mr. Wang Sr. and the others were completely and utterly dumbfounded. Doctor Jiang was trembling all over, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.

My God, isn’t this a bit too arrogant and domineering? The man is a noble scion from the Imperial Capital, and you, Lin Fan, didn’t even leave him his underwear! To make matters worse, there really is a birthmark there! Could it be… it’s all true?

For a moment, everyone’s heart skipped a beat as they all instinctively turned to stare at Wen Zheyang.

“Lin Fan! You… you’re fucking looking for death!”

Wen Zheyang’s face cycled through shades of green and white before twisting into a hysterical, ferocious grimace. He was on the verge of going insane. Being publicly humiliated by Lin Fan was one thing, but to have his ass exposed along with the undeniable proof was another!

“What are you so agitated about? I was just trying to help you prove your innocence,” Lin Fan remarked with a slight frown. “Too bad you failed the test… Tsk, it is quite pale, though.”

“Fuck you and your ’pale’!”

Wen Zheyang completely lost it. Covering his rear with one hand, he pointed at Lin Fan with the other and began screaming curses. “You have to die! You have to die today! Wang Meng, kill him for me! I’ll take full responsibility for whatever happens!” he roared, turning his head to shout toward the doorway.

“Young Master Wen, don’t be rash! Lin Fan is a martial arts expert; ordinary men can’t handle him!” Mr. Wang Sr. yelped, jumping in fright. He frantically shot Wen Zheyang a look, whispering his urgent plea.

Even an expert like Master Feng, a Hua Jing Grandmaster, couldn’t kill Lin Fan. If he gets a mind to kill us now, there’s no guarantee he won’t massacre everyone here in a fit of rage!

“Heh, I, Wang Meng, would like to see who dares touch my boss!”

The next moment, a hulking figure strode in from the doorway. His muscles bulged under a black leather vest, and he stood like an iron tower. He had a harsh buzz cut and a square, fleshy face set in a fierce expression.

“Kid, learn your lesson for your next life. Not everyone is someone you can afford to provoke.”

Wang Meng came to a stop before Lin Fan and reached out with a large, calloused hand, his five fingers spreading to grab for Lin Fan’s neck. He was once a special forces soldier on the front lines of the Northern War Zone but was dishonorably discharged for deserting in battle. He later roamed the underworld of the Imperial Capital before being recruited by the Wen family for a hefty sum to become their chief bodyguard. This time, he had accompanied Wen Zheyang to Haicheng with the sole duty of ensuring his safety.

“I think… I’ve seen you before, too.”

SMACK!

Lin Fan’s brow furrowed silently as a gust of wind stirred. No one saw him move. All they saw was the imposing, tower-like figure sent flying backward, spitting blood.

THUMP!

Wang Meng had come in fast, but he left even faster. In the blink of an eye, he was slammed back outside the doorway, violently vomiting fresh blood.

The dead silence in the vast reception hall was broken only by the sound of shocked gasps. He was so fierce, so strong! No wonder he could single-handedly wipe out the Black Tiger Hall’s lair. With skills like these, he could slaughter everyone here.

Cold sweat beaded on the foreheads of Mr. Wang Sr. and the others, and their expressions grew wary and fearful. Doctor Jiang, however, stared with wide eyes, his back straightening with pride.

See that? With me and Master Lin Fan together, who can possibly stand in our way?!

“You… what are you doing? Don’t come over here!” Wen Zheyang shrieked, his face paling as he saw Lin Fan’s expression shift and begin walking toward the door.

However, Lin Fan didn’t spare him a single glance. He walked straight to the ashen-faced Wang Meng.

“Were you a deserter on the front lines of the Northern War Zone?” Lin Fan asked coldly, his eyes lowered.

Gasping, Wang Meng stared back, his expression changing instantly as his eyes filled with a deep-seated fear. “You… how do you know?!”

He sent me flying with a single slap. That proves he’s at least a peak Hua Jing Grandmaster. Otherwise, as a Late Ming Jin master myself, there’s no way I could have even taken one move from him!

Inside the hall, Wen Zheyang’s eyelids twitched. He was about to lose his mind.

Who the hell is this guy? How does he know every damn thing about Wang Meng’s background?!

“From now on, stay far away from me when you see me. I don’t like deserters.”

For a brief moment, Lin Fan was lost in a memory. The past, all of it, could never be reclaimed. Ever since he had vanished without a trace seven years ago, living under a new identity… wasn’t he, in a way, a “deserter” himself?

“You, you are…!! No, impossible! That person is already dead!”

The next moment, Wang Meng, who had been scrutinizing Lin Fan’s face, suddenly paled in horror. He pointed a trembling finger at Lin Fan and shrieked. He looked as if he had seen a ghost, scrambling and crawling backward, unable to stop himself from retreating.

“That’s right. That person is already dead,” Lin Fan nodded, his gaze withdrawing as a wave of listlessness washed over him. “My name is Lin Fan.”

He turned his head to face Mr. Wang Sr. and the others. “At the ordering conference in two days, my conditions will be doubled.”

“Lin Fan! Don’t you get too arrogant! Someone will deal with you eventually!”

“What good is being a great fighter? You’ve offended the Wen family! You… you’re a dead man walking!”

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the people in the hall soured. Some clenched their teeth in silent rage, while others couldn’t hold back and began shouting furiously.

“How about I just send all of you to your graves with me right now?” A mocking smile played on Lin Fan’s lips as he took a step forward.

The hall instantly erupted into chaos. Not only did Mr. Wang Sr. and the others turn deathly pale and stagger back, but even the Wang family bodyguards who had rushed to the scene swallowed hard, not daring to step forward and intervene.

“Mr. Wang Sr., Su Mengqing is outside! She says she wants to see Lin Fan!” a steward cried, rushing to Mr. Wang Sr.’s side while stealing fearful glances at Lin Fan. “And I just received news that Yuandao Capital has announced its intention to invest five billion in Su Pharmaceutical! The Su family’s stock price has already started to rise!”

What? Yuandao Capital was suddenly investing in the Su family?

The assembled pharmaceutical magnates were all stunned. Mr. Wang Sr. stood slack-jawed, his expression shifting rapidly before erupting into wild elation.

“Hahaha, it worked! Yuan Ruohai must have succeeded!” Mr. Wang Sr. roared with laughter, clapping his hands together as his face beamed with delight.

Yuan Youwei used to hold sway over half of Yuandao Capital. The fact that they were now making this unprecedented investment in Su Mengqing said it all.

“Lin Fan, your good days are over! The Yuan family is backing Su Mengqing, and they must be doing it just to spite you!” Mr. Wang Sr. declared with conviction, a wave of relief washing over him. “Quick, invite Director Su in! From now on, she’s one of us! Hahaha!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep