No Going Back

Gao Jing did not look back.

A real man never looked back at an explosion. He did not need to look to know that the man with the gold chain had been blown up by his own dogs.

During his time living in the Mountain Tribe, Gao Jing had already learned to skillfully control the Red Serpent aura within him.

If he released it at full force, he could scare the dogs in the Mountain Village into fleeing at the mere sound of the wind.

Compared to the mountain-guarding dogs of the Great World, Rottweilers from the Main World were as far apart as heaven and earth. Gao Jing had only revealed the slightest edge of his power, yet it was already more than they could bear.

But Gao Jing released and withdrew his aura in an instant, without completely suppressing the two Rottweilers.

As a result, the man with the gold chain had no idea what was happening and was bitten by his own crazed beloved dogs.

The wheel of heaven turned, and retribution never missed its mark!

At the intersection ahead, he hailed a taxi and told the driver to take him to the food street.

Cloud City's food street was not far from the urban village. It gathered one or two hundred restaurants, food stalls, and barbecue stands of every size, where delicacies from all corners of the country could be tasted. It was therefore deeply loved by local residents and visiting tourists alike.

Summer nights were when business was at its hottest. By the time Gao Jing arrived at Big Head Stir-Fry, every seat inside was already taken.

In a corner of the food stall, Gao Jing found Zhang Hongyuan getting cozy with a long-haired girl.

"Old Zhang."

He walked over, greeted him first, then sat down across from the pair without ceremony.

Because the food was good and cheap, whenever Gao Jing had a craving and wanted to treat himself in the past, he would come here with Zhang Hongyuan for a feast. They were practically regulars.

"Uh..."

Zhang Hongyuan's expression was extremely strange, as though he had been constipated for ten days and still could not get anything out. His face had twisted out of shape.

"Y-you're Old Gao?"

He was cautious and hesitant, looking as though he wanted to recognize him but did not dare believe it. "Brother Gao?"

"Who else could I be?"

Gao Jing smiled, reached for a bottle of beer, twisted off the cap, and poured himself a glass with several gulps.

After setting down the bottle, he nodded at the long-haired girl. She was Zhang Hongyuan's girlfriend, Zhu Lili, and she was fairly pretty, dressed up quite delicately.

Gao Jing had only seen her twice before, so he was not very familiar with her.

Zhu Lili was a little dumbfounded as well.

Was this Gao Jing?

He did not look much like the Gao Jing in her memory!

"Holy shit!"

Zhang Hongyuan slapped the table, jolting so much beer out of the glasses that it splashed everywhere.

The commotion he made was so loud that nearby customers all turned to look.

Zhu Lili disgustedly smacked her boyfriend.

But Zhang Hongyuan did not notice at all. Gaping in shock, he pointed at Gao Jing and said, "Y-you-you-you-you..."

Gao Jing merely smiled without speaking.

"Holy shit, holy shit!"

Zhang Hongyuan finally came back to his senses. "Old Gao, d-did you go to Korea for p-plastic surgery?"

He was still stuttering.

He really had not recognized Gao Jing just now.

In truth, after completing his life transformation, Gao Jing's looks had not undergone earth-shaking changes.

But his physique, skin, and facial features had all improved noticeably. He was taller, more handsome, and younger-looking than before.

Most importantly, the change in Gao Jing's temperament was nothing short of astonishing, bringing his overall appearance to a whole new level.

For Zhang Hongyuan, who had not seen him in half a year, that was undoubtedly an enormous shock.

And Gao Jing had already heard questions about plastic surgery several times.

"Calm down," he said with a smile. "I didn't get plastic surgery. I just went through a second puberty. Besides, the best cosmetic surgery institutions in the world aren't in Korea—they're in Beverly Hills, Hollywood."

Second puberty...

Zhang Hongyuan was completely speechless. You're already twenty-six and you can still go through a second puberty? I believe in ghosts before I believe that!

Yet the facts were right before his eyes, leaving him no choice but to believe.

Zhang Hongyuan knew quite a bit about Gao Jing's circumstances. He knew that Gao Jing could not possibly have gone off to get plastic surgery, nor could he have afforded the cost of becoming this handsome.

"Forget it!"

He reluctantly accepted the explanation of "second puberty," raised his glass at Gao Jing, and said, "I was originally going to pay for this meal, but now you have to pick up the tab. Otherwise, I won't be able to sleep tonight."

He howled with envy, jealousy, and hatred, "This is just too damn unfair!"

Gao Jing laughed. "No problem."

He really did not lack this little bit of money now. Once the rosewood in his storage space was sold, he would immediately join the ranks of the wealthy.

Only after downing three glasses of beer with Gao Jing did Zhang Hongyuan finally calm down and urge him to eat.

Although they had not seen each other for a long time, and Gao Jing had changed so much, they did not become estranged because of it.

As they ate and drank, the conversation soon flowed freely.

"Old Gao, did you hear?"

Zhang Hongyuan said, "I just got back today and heard that Liang Xiang was taken away by the economic investigation people."

"Really?"

Gao Jing was somewhat surprised. "When?"

"Just a few days ago. I heard someone above filed the report."

Zhang Hongyuan gloated, "That idiot cousin of his got fired, and Qiao Luoluo was suspended too."

"Apparently, some young heiress parachuted in from above to clean house. The entire company is in a panic now."

Gao Jing chuckled.

He was not particularly surprised by Liang Xiang's fate.

Liang Xiang's hands and feet had never been clean. If not for someone above protecting him, he would have been kicked out long ago.

Now that he had actually been taken away by economic investigators, even if he did not die, he would lose a layer of skin.

That young heiress was truly ruthless. She was probably killing the chicken to frighten the monkeys, establishing her authority.

But it had nothing to do with him anymore.

"Old Gao," Zhang Hongyuan continued, "Old Cheng talked to me this afternoon and asked me to pass along another message."

He looked directly at Gao Jing. "Golden Radiance welcomes you back!"

Gao Jing smiled faintly, then shook his head.

How could the current Gao Jing possibly go back to working for someone else?

He was a man who possessed an entire world.

He truly could not go back.

"Why?"

Zhang Hongyuan was baffled and could not understand Gao Jing's thinking. "Old Gao, don't act on impulse!"

"Now that both Qiao Luoluo and Liang Xiang are gone, the vacant position of Business Department Manager is yours for the taking."

"Work hard for a few more years, and you'll have the down payment for a small apartment."

"That's still better than starting over outside!"

Gao Jing was somewhat moved by Zhang Hongyuan's earnest persuasion.

But only somewhat moved. "Old Zhang, I know you mean well, but I've already found another job."

Zhang Hongyuan suddenly understood. "So that's how it is."

He was disappointed, of course.

But he completely understood. "Then pretend I never said anything. With your ability, you'll make something of yourself anywhere."

"Thank you." Gao Jing raised his glass. "Congratulations on returning to the provincial capital. May you spread your wings and achieve great things."

Half a year ago, Zhang Hongyuan had been exiled to another province, and it had nearly affected his relationship with his girlfriend.

He had complained to Gao Jing about it plenty of times on WeChat.

Now, after waiting until the clouds parted and the moon shone through, Gao Jing was sincerely happy for him.

Zhang Hongyuan could be a little slick, but he was still a very decent person in both conduct and character.

Otherwise, Gao Jing could not possibly have become friends with him.

"Thanks." Zhang Hongyuan clinked glasses with him, grinning. "Same to you, same to you. Bottoms up!"

"Bottoms up."

"Quit thanking each other already."

At that moment, Zhu Lili, who had been quiet the whole time, suddenly asked, "Do you two have any plans after dinner?"

Zhang Hongyuan looked confused. "What's up?"

Zhu Lili blinked. "I want to call a few friends over and go sing karaoke together. What do you think?"

She discreetly glanced at Gao Jing, giving her boyfriend a hint.

Zhang Hongyuan understood instantly. "Sure. Let them know now, and I'll book a private room."

He said to Gao Jing, "Old Gao, you're paying for dinner tonight, and I'll cover all the karaoke costs. Let's have a blast!"

Gao Jing was not particularly interested in karaoke.

But Zhang Hongyuan was being so enthusiastic that he did not want to spoil the mood. Besides, he had just returned from the Great World and needed to relax as well.

So he nodded. "All right."

"Then it's settled."

Zhang Hongyuan immediately took out his phone. "Let's go to the old place!"

The second update is here. A new week, and we're charging the new book rankings—please give all kinds of support. Thank you, everyone!