Tradition

The basement level of Jinsheng Hotel had originally been a garage. Its owner, Lv Hongsheng, had poured a fortune into renovating it, transforming the basement into a luxurious bar.

At the center of the bar stood an arena. Twelve cameras had been placed around it, with mobile high-speed cameras above, capable of clearly displaying every detail of the fights on the surrounding big screens.

The arena matches here were also top-tier amateur competitions in Dongjiang, with a great reputation and plenty of spectators. Almost more than half of Dongjiang's Advanced Martial Artists had fought here.

It was past eight on Friday night, and the luxurious bar was already packed to the rafters.

Lv Hongsheng had begun promoting it yesterday, saying that Dongjiang's wildly popular young internet celebrity would be stepping into the ring today.

Gao Wu had exploded in popularity on online platforms over the past few days, and Dongjiang's wealthy and powerful were also intensely interested in the young man. The wealthy and powerful were people too; like ordinary people, they loved to join in the excitement.

The luxury private rooms were located upstairs, where one could overlook the arena through one-way glass walls and clearly see the main hall as well.

Song Yunhe had specifically booked a private room to watch Gao Wu's arena match. He was not there merely to join the excitement. He knew that Gao Wu had been seeing his daughter frequently, and rumor had it that they had already become intimate enough to eat and live together.

He knew Song Mingyue's temperament and did not believe such messy rumors. However, the short videos that had made Gao Wu famous across Kuaiyin had been heavily promoted by Song Mingyue. For this, she had even used the connections her mother had left behind.

After learning this, Song Yunhe had actually been quite furious. Shen Qingqing was already gone, and every bit of the network of connections she had left behind would be diminished with use.

The Shen Family was also a major Lineage in Beizhou, wealthy and powerful. Those connections were immensely precious. Yet Song Mingyue had used them on Gao Wu.

In his view, even ten Gao Wus were not worth that price.

But Song Mingyue had a distant relationship with him. She had always lived off the assets her mother left behind, and the support he provided had been very limited. He was in no position to restrain Song Mingyue.

Besides, by the time he learned the news, it was already too late. He understood Song Mingyue's temperament well. The girl was extremely strong-willed and would not listen to him.

Song Yunhe thought about it for a long time but still did not know how to speak to his daughter about this. Coming to watch Gao Wu today was also his way of getting a close look at what the boy was capable of.

If the boy truly turned out to be someone exceptional, he could refrain from interfering with his daughter's choice. But if he was not good enough, then Song Yunhe would not be polite.

Han Lingxia stood before the floor-to-ceiling window ahead of him, holding a glass of red wine as she leisurely surveyed the bustling, lively hall.

She wore a red spaghetti-strap dress. The soft, draping fabric clung to her body, perfectly outlining the curves of her waist and hips. Even standing there quietly, she exuded elegance and sensuality.

"Yunhe, I see Mingyue..." Han Lingxia suddenly turned her head and called to Song Yunhe.

Song Yunhe was somewhat surprised. He quickly walked over to Han Lingxia's side and looked in the direction she pointed. Sure enough, he saw his daughter, Song Mingyue.

Song Mingyue wore a gray-white wool coat and black sunglasses. With both hands casually tucked into her pockets, she stood at one corner of the arena. The young man seated beside her was Gao Wu.

It had been over a month since he had seen his daughter. Song Yunhe found that she had grown increasingly slender and had obviously gotten quite a bit taller. Her short hair and sunglasses gave her several more hints of sharpness and mystery, while adding a uniquely aloof and noble air.

He could not help sighing. "My daughter has grown up..."

A complicated expression appeared on Han Lingxia's beautiful face. She had not seen Song Mingyue in two years.

The other girl was only eighteen, yet she already possessed a distinctive, extraordinary bearing. The indifference and distance between her brows were as sharp as a sword. It even made Han Lingxia faintly feel threatened.

She turned to look at the chubby boy stuffing desserts into his mouth from a plate, and a deep sense of helplessness rose within her. When Song Yunhe grew old, what could this boy possibly use to fight Song Mingyue for the inheritance?

It might seem a little early to think about such things now, but if she, his mother, did not plan ahead, was she supposed to wait for her foolish son to think about it himself?

"That young man is Gao Wu. Mingyue came with him to watch him fight. Their relationship really does seem quite good." Han Lingxia smiled. "I think the young man is valiant and decisive, warm and cheerful too. His personality perfectly complements Mingyue's."

Having lived with Song Yunhe for ten years, Han Lingxia understood him very well. She knew that Song Yunhe always felt somewhat guilty toward his daughter. As a father, he certainly would not like his daughter finding a boyfriend.

Not to mention that Gao Wu was an orphan to begin with, raised by someone else.

An eighteen-year-old Advanced Martial Artist would be quite impressive in an ordinary family, but at their level, he was nothing at all.

A boy like that was unworthy of Song Mingyue in every regard! Song Mingyue had always hated socializing, yet she had actually accompanied Gao Wu to the hotel for an arena match. That showed she truly cared about Gao Wu.

As long as Song Yunhe stepped in to interfere in the two of their affairs, given Song Mingyue's stubbornness, father and daughter would surely wreck their relationship. That would save Han Lingxia endless trouble.

Sure enough, Song Yunhe frowned deeply. "This brat isn't worthy of her!"

Han Lingxia instead persuaded him, "Mingyue is grown up. You should respect her wishes too. Whatever you think, you can't force it..."

"I know." Song Yunhe responded coldly, but inwardly, he had already resolved to have a proper talk with Gao Wu.

He could not persuade his daughter, but could he not handle a mere teenager?! What a joke. From his first meeting with Gao Wu, he had known that the brat was greedy for money!

Song Mingyue, standing at one corner of the arena, suddenly looked up toward the private room. The one-way glass blocked her sight, but it could not block her spiritual senses. She sensed her father, as well as her stepmother and her foolish, chubby half-brother.

Gao Wu noticed Song Mingyue's movement. "What is it?"

"Nothing. My dad is here. He brought his wife and son too." Song Mingyue said calmly. "If I'm not mistaken, tomorrow he'll seek you out in private and give you some money to stay away from me."

"Hahaha..." Gao Wu could not help laughing. "Uncle Song is so traditional!"

He had wanted to say clichéd, but then felt that would not be appropriate. Song Mingyue could mock her father, but as an outsider, he should not make careless jokes.

"We're good friends worth one hundred billion. I wonder what price Uncle Song will offer me?"

"A few million should be possible," Song Mingyue said. "Take it if he gives it to you. No need to be polite."

"Hm?"

"When the time comes, I'll say that I need your help with cultivation and can't do without you. He won't dare cause you trouble." Song Mingyue said placidly.

"Uh, wouldn't that be inappropriate?" Gao Wu still felt a little embarrassed.

"We'll split the money fifty-fifty." Song Mingyue glanced at Gao Wu. "No problem now, right?"

"Haha... deal!" Gao Wu immediately felt no burden at all. Song Mingyue wanted to farm gold from her father; he was merely helping her. Besides, he would have to bear Song Yunhe's fury, and the risk was no small matter. It was only right that he got a share of the money.

"This guy is actually pretty happy about it..."

Not far from the arena, Yang Ru curled her lips slightly. For some reason, she simply found Gao Wu displeasing to the eye.

Han Yang smiled faintly. "He even dared to kill someone. An arena match is no pressure at all for him."

Yang Ru shifted her gaze to Song Mingyue and said with some surprise, "Second Brother, that woman seems to be from our school?"

She had seen the girl at school and had been deeply impressed by her cold, dazzling appearance.

"Song Mingyue, Song Yunhe's daughter." Han Yang glanced at Song Mingyue before quickly looking away. He had met her through his aunt, and Song Mingyue's cold detachment had left an extremely deep impression on him.

After two years apart, the girl had become even more cold and proud.

"A Song Family girl actually got mixed up with Gao Wu?" Yang Ru found it somewhat unbelievable.

"The girl Gao Wu saved from drowning was Song Mingyue." Han Yang knew this matter quite well. He had also been shocked when he heard the news. Song Mingyue had actually attempted suicide; that did not seem like her personality at all.

He actually admired Song Mingyue, and even liked her a little. But his pride would not allow him to lower his head and pursue a girl.

"A hero saving a beauty—how clichéd!" Yang Ru curled her lips again, even more disdainful of it.

Han Yang did not want to discuss this. Changing the subject, he said, "The Martial Artist Gao Wu is fighting tonight is nicknamed Mad Dog. He underwent biochemical modification surgery, and his flesh is as tough as iron. They say he took too much Flying Squirrel Serum, making him like a madman who fears neither heaven nor earth nor death. He's a formidable opponent... Gao Wu is going to fall flat tonight..."

"Oh, that's wonderful!" Yang Ru's eyes lit up with excitement. She had come specifically to watch Gao Wu make a fool of himself and lose face!