"Bro, you look new around here... What turf did you used to run with?"

The speaker's face bore an unmistakable look of teasing and frivolity, practically begging for a punch.

Clearly, the other party wasn't looking for an answer, but rather a pretext to start trouble.

As for the reason...

Han Lie caught on instantly. It must be because of the so-called "big brother" in the middle.

This kind of thing was all too common in Dream City. Every self-respecting "big brother" had at least two or three lackeys by their side. One look from the boss, and they would rush over to bite.

The old Han Lie could never understand—what exactly are you all licking boots so hard for?

Of course, I understand now.

In a small place, resources are scarce and highly concentrated. This makes it easier to form strong de facto dependency relationships, unlike in more egalitarian and open cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.

Dream City only has a few large-scale enterprises. Isn't every person in charge there a local tyrant who calls the wind and summons the rain?

So many people want to climb the ladder. Is it possible without completely losing face?

And because the local culture is aggressive, these 'big brothers' are also willing to keep 'mad dogs' and thugs around. Thus, such small cliques have become a widespread phenomenon.

So, coming to the gathering alone, I'm actually at a disadvantage. If anyone takes a dislike to me, people will immediately gang up, and I can only rely on myself…

As if!

With top-tier enhanced gear and skills, where couldn't I swindle some meat shields and DPS?

You're the one for today!

Without even glancing sideways, Han Lie completely ignored the little lackey and, with a smile, beckoned to the newly arrived Xiao Xiao, "Little Xiao, why don't you explain to them which turf I belong to?"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone but Chen Yanfei was dumbfounded.

Anyone with normal intelligence could discern the difference in tone and emphasis between "Xiao Xiao" and "Little Xiao."

And who was Xiao Xiao?

The son of Xiao Guowei.

Throw Xiao Guowei into Magic Capital, and he's just an unremarkable small-time real estate developer.

But in Dream City, Xiao Guowei was renowned as the 'Timely Rain.' Everyone, from all walks of life, knew him. He was famous, well-connected, knew how to get things done, and everyone gave him face.

As a result, his son's status naturally rose with his father's, and he carried considerable weight in their circle.

And you just called him 'Little Xiao' straight away?!

Caught completely off guard, the lackey froze on the spot, his mouth agape.

And Xiao Xiao?

The young man was dying of embarrassment, his toes practically trying to claw through the soles of his shoes, the corners of his eyes twitching.

Always hailed as the 'school hunk,' Xiao Xiao was the epitome of a golden boy, coddled and adored wherever he went. But today, he'd truly been fed a mouthful of dog shit.

My fucking sides are splitting! You've got to be a dog!

Xiao Xiao wanted to curse Han Lie out loud but didn't dare to actually say anything.

My own father is practically begging the guy; who the fuck am I in comparison?! No matter how much dissatisfaction, jealousy, or suspicion he felt, he couldn't let even a hint of it show.

Taking a deep breath, the young man forced a dry but clearly subservient smile onto his face and said to Han Lie, "Brother Lie, I'm sorry, but I need to speak with Hu Jing for a moment. Would you mind?"

Well, look at you, making all the right moves!

Han Lie was secretly eager for Hu Jing to leave and greatly appreciated the out Xiao Xiao was providing. So, he put on a genuinely surprised expression, "That's between you two; discuss it yourselves. Hu Jing and I are just ordinary classmates. Why ask me?"

The words "just ordinary classmates" immediately softened Chen Yanfei's somewhat serious gaze.

Hu Jing, however, felt a pang of discomfort.

She knew Han Lie's words were perfectly reasonable, yet for some reason, her emotions remained turbulent.

Xiao Xiao, however, didn't quite believe Han Lie.

Thinking like a typical adolescent boy, he mused: Hu Jing is as gorgeous as Daji; what man wouldn't want her? You're fucking trying to play innocent with me!

Ordinary classmates? You not only hit on her but even managed to win over her mother! You beast!

Xiao Xiao was seething with internal rage but dared not vent it, feeling like he was about to explode.

Finally, he forced a laugh, nodded, and then, as if fleeing, approached Hu Jing. In a low but firm voice, he said, "Come outside with me for a moment. We need to talk."

Hu Jing didn't actually want to talk right then. She hadn't even sorted out her own thoughts; what conclusion could they possibly reach?

It would be better to stay here, annoy Chen Yanfei a bit more, and watch Han Lie deal with these people.

However, in front of so many outsiders, she really didn't want to embarrass Xiao Xiao. So, despite her discomfort, she nodded meekly. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Alright, let's go then."

Thus, the two of them departed, taking with them a whirlwind of speculation and, for a good number of those present, their sense of superiority.

Throughout the exchange, Xiao Xiao hadn't said a single word to explain anything about Han Lie, yet his actions alone were profoundly telling.

Anyone with a functioning brain could see that Xiao Xiao was considerably wary of Han Lie.

And therein lay the crux of the matter: Xiao Xiao had ignored everyone else present—including the lackey and the lackey's supposed boss—and had simply, brazenly, led Hu Jing away.

So, who was the real big shot here?

The lackey, whose attempted provocation had backfired spectacularly, flushed crimson with a mixture of anger, panic, and embarrassment. He had been ignored by two people in a row, made to look like a complete buffoon—it was utterly humiliating.

But he wasn't nearly as important as he fancied himself to be. In reality, no one cared in the slightest about his feelings; there were hardly even any mocking glances directed his way.

Most people's attention was focused on another individual—Liao Miaochen, who was seated in the easternmost position.