Boss Huang led a group of East District experts, hiding in the pitch-black artificial forest with a somber gaze fixed on Luo Xiu at the hotel entrance.

"Old Huang, do you think Master Zhou can take care of Luo Xiu?" Qian Laoyao asked quietly.

"I don't know, so let's just hide here for now and see how things unfold," answered Zhu Hongmo.

Boss Huang cracked a smile. "I'm telling you, Old Qian, you have to learn from Young Master Duan. He's so clever—just provides the location but doesn't show his face."

"If Master Zhou can't handle Luo Xiu tonight, and we all reveal ourselves, we'll be in serious trouble."

Qian Laoyao nodded, agreeing that Duan Feibai was indeed quite astute. Of course, Boss Huang was quite clever as well.

Off to the side, Cao Ende suddenly snorted coldly. "I have faith in Elder Zhou's strength."

At that moment, outside the hotel entrance, Luo Xiu looked at Zhou Jingong with an expressionless face, though he was hesitating internally. He was debating whether he should make a move. Given his current physical condition, any action would certainly trigger a relapse of his illness. The agony of a relapse was something he truly never wanted to experience again.

As Luo Xiu was lost in thought, the aura around Zhou Jingong suddenly pulsed violently. In an instant, the air seemed to solidify.

Just as Zhou Jingong was about to strike, a sharp cry came from behind Luo Xiu. "Hold on!"

The old man looked up, his eyelids drooping in surprise. "Madam Duan?"

Su Hongli strode forward quickly in her high heels, positioning herself in front of Luo Xiu to face Zhou Jingong directly. "Master Zhou, it's been a long time."

Zhou Jingong didn't waste words, asking coldly, "Do you intend to protect him?"

Su Hongli offered a gentle smile. "May I ask how he has offended you, Master Zhou? Could you perhaps grant me this favor?"

Zhou Jingong fell silent for a moment before turning to leave. "I once owed the Duan Family a favor. Tonight, I will consider it repaid."

"Madam Duan, regardless of your relationship with this boy, I will show no mercy next time!"

Su Hongli quietly breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Elder!"

A few moments later, after Zhou Jingong had left, Su Hongli looked at Luo Xiu with a worried expression. "How did you manage to provoke that old monster?"

Luo Xiu calmly replied, "I killed his disciple."

"You..." Su Hongli nearly choked. He spoke of killing someone's disciple so casually.

"Come with me to the provincial capital," Su Hongli said. "Stay by my side, and I will protect you."

Luo Xiu gently shook his head. "I appreciate the sentiment, but it's not necessary. I can handle him myself."

Su Hongli grew anxious and her voice became stern. "Do you have any idea how terrifying that old monster is? He's a Martial Way expert on the Xuan List! What do you possibly have to fight him with?"

"If I hadn't been here tonight, and if the Duan Family hadn't helped him find several rare herbs in the past, he wouldn't have granted me that favor, and you would probably be..."

Luo Xiu said nothing and simply started walking away.

"Ah!" Su Hongli sighed, watching his retreating figure. "You're so young; I don't want to see you die. Be good and come with me to the provincial capital. As long as you stay by my side, he won't dare touch you."

Luo Xiu simply raised a hand, walking away without looking back. "I appreciate the gesture, Auntie Su. I'll be waiting for your good news."

Su Hongli stomped her foot in frustration. "This kid... is truly rebellious."

"Forget it! I can't be bothered with you anymore!"

* * *

In the artificial forest outside the hotel, Boss Huang watched the retreating figures of Zhou Jingong and his men, spreading his hands helplessly. "See? All that effort for nothing again."

Qian Laoyao also looked dejected. "Who knew Su Hongli would be there? Master Zhou definitely did it out of respect for her. But why would Su Hongli be at a hotel with Luo Xiu this late at night?"

Boss Huang chuckled. "That Su Hongli, she's actually a cousin of my wife. She's notorious for being flirtatious back in the provincial capital, so what else do you think she'd be doing with Luo Xiu at a hotel?"

"Damn, I have to admit, that pretty boy Luo Xiu really has a way with women."

Qian Laoyao glanced at him furtively and hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Well, Old Huang, actually... one of my men told me he saw your wife going to a hotel with Luo Xiu one night."

Hearing this, Boss Huang froze and turned to glare at Qian Laoyao, his voice icy. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Qian Laoyao shrugged. "Of course, it's just a rumor, nothing certain. My man didn't see their faces clearly; he just thought the couple looked a lot like Luo Xiu and Su Shenyun. I didn't think much of it at the time."

"Besides, the rumors about your wife here in Sea City are just as bad as the ones about Su Hongli."

"Damn it! Son of a bitch!" Boss Huang cursed furiously, nearly grinding his teeth to dust. "That Luo Xiu... I'm going to chop him to pieces!"

Nearby, Zhu Hongmo coughed twice. "Alright, that's enough. Let's stop this nonsense and figure out how to deal with Luo Xiu. It's a good thing we didn't show ourselves just now, or we'd be in real trouble. In any case, that kid has to die. Otherwise, I won't be able to sleep at night!"

* * *

Just as Su Hongli returned to her hotel room, Duan Feibai came looking for her. "Mom, where were you tonight?" he asked, walking up to her with a cold expression.

"Oh, just out for a stroll. It's been a long time since I've been to Sea City. What's wrong?"

Duan Feibai took a deep breath. "You went for a walk at the Forest Hotel with Luo Xiu, didn't you?"

At his words, Su Hongli's eyes narrowed, and her smile vanished. "Are you spying on me?"

"I wasn't trying to spy on you," Duan Feibai said. "I just wanted someone to protect you, but I never expected... Heh, it seems the rumors from the provincial capital are true. You really do just like to seduce men..."

SLAP!

Su Hongli struck him across the face. Duan Feibai stood there, stunned by the blow.

Her eyes were like ice as she stared at him. "So, you were the one who invited Zhou Jingong? I thought it was strange how that old monster suddenly showed up at the hotel."

Duan Feibai smiled crookedly. "It's a shame he didn't manage to kill Luo Xiu."

"Get out," Su Hongli said.

"Aren't you afraid I'll tell Dad?"

Su Hongli smirked. "Go ahead. I don't care. It's been a while since I've felt his whip; I kind of miss it. Now get lost, I'm going to bed."

Duan Feibai took another deep breath, then turned and left. "Mom, don't worry. I won't tell Dad about this, because I don't want to see that scumbag hurt you. And I can understand... being lonely and wanting a man. I really do, especially since Dad has plenty of women on the side."

"But I will make sure Luo Xiu dies! Because he is not worthy of you!"

Su Hongli watched his retreating back and sighed helplessly.

* * *

Time flowed by like a river. In the blink of an eye, five days had passed. Luo Xiu had spent the entire time resting at home, going nowhere. Sun Li had come to visit him a few times, but they only talked and did nothing more. Luo Xiu was simply too weak and had no energy for anything else.

On this day, Luo Xiu woke up early. It was the day of the Shen Luo Company's new product launch. He could have let Lin Xiyue speak on his behalf, but as the chairman, he had to make an appearance.

Many people attended the launch, every one of them a titan of the pharmaceutical industry, along with numerous reporters from the media. Qin An, the owner of Tianbao Residence, was eager to foster a good relationship with Luo Xiu and had also invited many influential figures to show their support.

On stage, Lin Xiyue, dressed in professional attire, looked dignified and elegant as she introduced the Tongxue Buqi Capsules. Meanwhile, Luo Xiu, sitting below the stage, was dozing off.

BOOM—!

A deafening explosion jolted Luo Xiu awake. The large glass doors had been blown to smithereens, and a large, aggressive crowd stormed in. Leading them were none other than the two Dragon Heads, Xiang Laoer and Tao Laosi!

"President Lin," Tao Laosi began, looking up at Lin Xiyue on stage with a humorless smirk, his arrogance on full display, "we're colleagues in the same industry. How could you hold a new product launch and not invite us to show our support?"

Xiang Laoer added with a faint smile, "Since President Lin didn't invite us, we had to come uninvited."

Thinking of the experts sent from the provincial capital to assist them, both Dragon Heads were brimming with confidence. Choosing to make their move today was something they had planned long ago. They intended to utterly destroy Shen Luo Company, Luo Xiu, and Lin Xiyue at their own product launch, ensuring they could never recover

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