Everyone knew that Pan Shaohang was not someone with a good temper.

Their gang of five was notorious. The eldest, Tian Jing, was the son of the major thug Tian Ye. The second brother was Liao Miaochen, son of a private coal tycoon. The third's father was involved with violent agencies. The fourth was Pan Shaohang himself. The youngest had moved south with his family during his first year of high school.

The "Four Young Masters of Dream City" was their nickname after the youngest left.

The more powerful second-generation elites in Dream City were relatively quiet. They never caused trouble in public, which, in turn, fostered the arrogant attitudes of Pan Shaohang's group.

Although everyone knew about Pan Shaohang's explosive temper and speculated whether he would end up fighting today, no one expected that his first slap would be aimed at his own subordinate.

Moreover, one slap from Pan Shaohang wasn't enough. He even followed up with a kick to District Director Zheng's face.

A size 42 foot solidly stamped on District Director Zheng's size 38 face, immediately drawing blood everywhere.

"Fuck! You dumb asshole! Since when did you get to make decisions for me? Huh?! Using me as a tool, do you think you're worthy? You're nothing but a dog!"

District Director Zheng endured at least three more kicks before the enraged Pan Shaohang was pulled away by the surrounding crowd.

When he was finally held down on a sofa nearby, his eyes were still red, and he was breathing heavily.

"Fourth brother, what the hell are you doing?!"

Liao Miaochen slammed the table and rose, furious. He felt his authority had been challenged, especially since District Director Zheng had targeted Han Lie with his tacit approval, or even at his subtle suggestion.

However, Pan Shaohang didn't pay any attention to Liao Miaochen but turned his vicious gaze to Wen Yu.

"Young Master Wen, you were part of egging this on, weren't you? Just wait and see, this isn't over!"

Another girl, who seemed to hold a high status, frowned. "Shaohang, why are you acting like a mad dog?"

HEH, HEH, HEH, HEH...

Pan Shaohang gave a sudden, cold laugh, then forcefully wiped his face, stood up, and walked toward Han Lie.

"Brother Lie, I'll take care of what comes next. Go enjoy your time with sister-in-law!"

His cold, decisive demeanor was arresting, even shocking.

Including Chen Yanfei, everyone who knew Pan Shaohang realized that at this moment, he exuded a completely different and unfamiliar aura.

Even Han Lie couldn't help but see him in a new light.

Clearly, the severe beating he'd received two days prior had taught Pan Shaohang many lessons.

Previously, Pan Shaohang had relied on his mother's indulgence. He revered his father but didn't fear him. No matter what mistake he made, his mother would always protect him. His father, busy with work, wouldn't get too angry or stay angry for long.

But two days prior had been an exception. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Pan Dajun had not only hit him but had also taken him out of the house in the middle of the night. They went to the top floor of Building B in their residential complex, which was nearing completion. Standing by the window of the unfurnished apartment, overlooking the myriad lights of Dream City, Pan Dajun personally lit a cigarette for his son.

There was one sentence that Pan Shaohang still pondered over and over to this moment.

"I always used to console myself—my child is still young; there's still time. I thought I could pave the way for you, smooth out everything, until the day you truly matured.

"Looking back now, it seems my consistent success made me too arrogant.

"In reality, there are too many things beyond my control.

"When we stand here, it feels like 'all other mountains are small,' as if we have the entirety of Dream City beneath our feet. But when we leave this 'pigeon coop' and look again, I, Pan Dajun, am just a slightly stronger ant, nothing more.

"Son, I want you to remember and understand this—

"To climb to where I am today, I've long since discarded many unnecessary things: self-respect, pity, romantic love, anger, resentment, and so on.

"But you are my only son. If I have any warmth left in me, it is all reserved for you.

"I hit you not because I don't love you, but because I've come to a profound realization of how badly I've failed in raising you.

"Yet, I am helpless to do anything about it. I don't even know how to make amends now, which makes me feel dejected, fearful, and furious.

"In your generation's terms, this is called 'impotent rage,' isn't it?

"Now, I formally apologize to you. I'm sorry, son. I didn't protect you well, nor did I consider your dignity. Your father lost his composure earlier…"

On the surface, Pan Shaohang was a defiant young man who only responded to a soft approach.

In reality, he only responded to a hard approach, not a soft one.

But at that moment, he saw an unprecedented vulnerability in his father—disheveled hair, a weary expression, and the wrinkles beginning to spread at the corners of his eyes...

This truly shocked and moved him deeply.

Under Pan Dajun's combination of harshness and tenderness, the immature Pan Shaohang finally broke down completely.

But he didn't understand.

"Dad, I'm sorry, it's all my fault... But why?! Just why?!"

Why was he so furious? Wasn't Dad supposed to be omnipotent?

Pan Dajun looked meaningfully at his son and said softly, "Because the pressure Han Lie puts on me is unimaginably great.

"If you don't understand now, it's fine. When you get the chance to face the Han Lie of today again, you should be able to experience a tenth or two of what I've felt."

Pan Shaohang still didn't understand, but he remembered.

Today, in this sudden confrontation with Han Lie, he finally understood the "pressure" his father had spoken of.