Hedonist Prodigy

Chapter 54: Narrow Path for Enemies

The restaurant’s interior was simple yet elegant. Frankly speaking, it couldn’t compare to some of the places Jiang Feng had been to, but the ambiance was pleasant—quiet, with the soothing melodies of a French piano piece drifting through the air, lending a strong artistic charm.  

French cuisine was notoriously intricate, and their orders arrived slowly. Sipping red wine casually, Jiang Feng smiled faintly. “Earlier, you said you weren’t just inviting me to make up for the misunderstanding. Was it also because I saved you at the police station? If you really want to thank me, just hassle me less in the future. In that case, I should be thanking you. How about I pick up the tab tonight?”  

Xia Dongxue bit her lip. “No. Since I’m the one inviting you, I’ll pay. Besides, if your behavior weren’t questionable, why would I trouble you for no reason? This dinner is just dinner—it doesn’t mean I’ll turn a blind eye to your actions in the future.”  

Jiang Feng gave a wry smile. “Then tell me—have you ever said you had feelings for me?”  

“Wha—?” Xia Dongxue froze, her face flushing crimson as she snapped, “Jiang Feng, what nonsense are you spouting? When did I ever say that?”  

Jiang Feng cut a piece of steak and chewed slowly before replying lazily, “Seems I remembered right. You really don’t have any feelings for me—otherwise, you wouldn’t have said what you just did. But that’s a relief.”  

Xia Dongxue was stunned again, her anger boiling.  

His words had made her think he was the one with feelings, and she’d been agonizing over how to reject him without being too harsh. Worse, Jiang Feng was already living with Zhao Wuxia—yet here he was, flirting with her? What a scoundrel! But before she could resolve her inner turmoil, he’d flipped the script entirely.  

She nearly flipped the table. Taking several deep breaths to steady herself, she said coldly, “Jiang Feng, I appreciate you saving me at the station, and I regret misunderstanding you at the hospital. This dinner is partly to thank you and partly to apologize—but it’s absolutely not what you’re implying. Don’t misinterpret my intentions.”  

Jiang Feng chuckled. “No need to explain so much. Earlier, you mentioned having another matter to discuss. Care to share now?”  

Xia Dongxue wasn’t sure if he’d understood her or dismissed her words as excuses. Still, she pressed on. “Jiang Feng, I need your help—to save a patient.”  

Back at the hospital, she’d run into Jiang Feng and mistaken him for the hit-and-run driver. After Pei Ruoxi cleared things up, she’d rushed to apologize but couldn’t find him. Later, in the ward, she learned the two elderly victims had survived critical injuries—broken ribs (one puncturing a lung) and intracranial bleeding. The doctors admitted that without prior emergency treatment, the victims wouldn’t have made it.  

Pei Ruoxi had claimed Jiang Feng saved them with remarkable medical skill—something Xia Dongxue initially dismissed. Jiang Feng? A spoiled, good-for-nothing playboy? But the doctors’ confirmation forced her to reconsider.  

Now, desperate, she turned to him.  

Jiang Feng frowned. “Captain Xia, if someone’s sick, send them to a hospital. Why come to me? You’ve got the wrong person.”  

“Jiang Feng,” she pleaded, “I know I’ve been unfair before, but I’m begging you—just this once, please!”  

“I’m not a doctor. Begging me is pointless,” he said flatly.  

Just as she opened her mouth to argue, a sharp voice cut in: “Well, well—if it isn’t Young Master Jiang and Captain Xia? Dining together?”  

She turned to see Li Yuanjue standing behind her, accompanied by Li Yuanbai and a stranger.  

Jiang Feng’s gaze locked onto Li Yuanjue—specifically, his legs. He’d shattered one of them at Red Devil Bar, yet here the man stood, albeit awkwardly. Someone with extraordinary skill must have treated him.  

His eyes then flicked to the stranger—the same man who’d bought the ¥6.88 million semi-gambled jadeite at Liulichang. The man was studying him with equal recognition.  

Xia Dongxue scowled. “Li Yuanjue, who I eat with is none of your business. Leave.”  

Li Yuanjue smirked. “Touched a nerve, Captain? Or did we interrupt something… intimate?”  

“Shut your mouth!” she snapped.  

Ignoring her, Li Yuanjue sneered at Jiang Feng. “Such a hearty appetite. Better enjoy it while you can—who knows when an ‘accident’ might ruin it?”  

With that, he gestured to the stranger. “Mr. Shen, apologies for the scene. This way.”  

Shen gave a noncommittal hum, casting one last icy glance at Jiang Feng before following.  

Xia Dongxue, her appetite ruined, set down her fork. “Jiang Feng, please—hear me out. I’m sincerely asking for your help.”  

After a pause, he said, “Fine. But you’ll owe me a favor in return.”  

“Name it.”  

“That man with the Li brothers—I want his background checked. Deliver his file to me, and I’ll see your patient.”  

She agreed instantly.  

*****

Inside the Private Room.  

Li Yuanjue poured wine obsequiously for Mr. Shen. Running into Jiang Feng had been unexpected—but also satisfying. Let him stew in shock. The real revenge has only just begun.  

“Mr. Shen, this wine is imported directly from France. How is it?”  

Shen took a sip, eyes glinting. “Who was that young man earlier?”  

“Just the Jiang family’s useless heir, Jiang Feng,” Li Yuanjue scoffed.  

“The Jiangs?” Shen mused.  

“Don’t worry—he’s a nobody in that family. And soon, the Jiangs themselves will be finished.”  

Li Yuanbai, sharper, probed, “You’ve met him before?”  

“Oh yes,” Shen said coolly. “Quite memorably.”  

Thanks to Jiang Feng, he’d lost over six million—a near-crippling blow. As an outer disciple of Qihuang Sect, earning that much took half a year. And now, fate had delivered his enemy right to him.  

Smiling, Li Yuanbai raised his glass. “A toast, Mr. Shen. To your arrival.”