136. Outbreak of Conflict

"It's nothing. President Qian and the others have helped me a great deal; this small gift is just a token of my appreciation. By the way, let me check how your health has been holding up during this time." Chen Fengyun reached out to place his hand on Elder Qian's wrist, his divine sense scanning the man's body like an X-ray.

"I've been feeling quite good lately. How is it? Is there anything serious?" Elder Qian, who trusted him implicitly, allowed him to check his pulse for a moment before asking.

"Elder Qian's health is quite good. Just continue to recuperate slowly and pay attention to your diet and rest. Now that I've come to the capital for school, you can tell me anytime if any issues arise. Elder Qian, you all continue your conversation; I'm going downstairs to hang out with Qingping and the others."

Chen Fengyun nodded, offered a few final words of advice to Elder Qian, and without paying any attention to the others nearby, bid him farewell and headed downstairs.

"Elder Qian, who was that?" A middle-aged man asked cautiously after Chen Fengyun had left.

"He is a young friend I met back in Rongcheng. Don't let his age fool you; his medical skills are truly superb. My health was restored thanks to his treatment," Elder Qian said with a hearty laugh.

"So he is that mysterious miracle doctor. A truly promising young man," the crowd echoed, many of them already beginning to calculate their own interests.

Passing through the second floor, Chen Fengyun saw a gathering of middle-aged people and a small number of young men and women. He glanced over but didn't stop, continuing down. Scanning the hall from the staircase, he immediately spotted Geng Chunming and Xu Dalin, and noticed a familiar face among them.

The acquaintance was none other than Zeng Yiyue, a teacher from Chen Fengyun's school. It seemed that the girlfriend Qian Qingping had mentioned was indeed Zeng Yiyue. He wondered what connections she had used to get into a graduate program in the capital without even taking the entrance exam.

However, as Chen Fengyun walked over, he noticed that Zeng Yiyue and the others appeared to be in a dispute. She stood there with a flushed face, while Xu Dalin and Geng Chunming shielded her, facing a group of four or five young men and women.

"Geng the Blockhead, Xu the Brute, are you trying to protect this outsider hick?" a short-haired girl pointed at Zeng Yiyue and shouted arrogantly.

"Hmph, she didn't bump into you on purpose; you were the one who carelessly knocked into her glass. We’ve already apologized, what more do you want? Do you think we're afraid of you?" Xu Dalin said indignantly.

"Li Xiaowen, Ye Yunlong, I suggest you don't cause trouble here. Today is Elder Qian's birthday; aren't you afraid of blowing things out of proportion and being unable to handle the consequences?" Geng Chunming stared at a young man standing opposite them.

"Geng, it’s not that we want to cause trouble, it’s that this girl you brought got Xiaowen’s clothes wet. I’m not saying this just to pick on you, but look at the occasion. You two are usually unreliable, but to bring an irrelevant person here today? If Young Master Qian finds out, I'm afraid you two will be the ones unable to handle the fallout," the young man across from them smiled and said.

"What do you want? Dalin, let's just go. There's no point in staying here," Zeng Yiyue, having never encountered such a situation, tugged on Xu Dalin's sleeve.

Although Chen Fengyun was some distance away, he had heard their conversation. Just as he was about to step in, he saw Qian Qingping walking over and stopped to wait.

"Everyone, today is my grandfather's birthday. Let's all have a good time and enjoy ourselves. Can we resolve any issues over a drink?" Qian Qingping had noticed the commotion from nearby. Seeing the two sides clashing, he frowned, but stepped forward to mediate.

"Qian the Third, you’ve come at the right time. What kind of people did Geng and Xu bring along? She dirtied my dress. Make them apologize to me," Li Xiaowen’s eyes lit up when she saw Qian Qingping, and she immediately played the victim.

"Young Master Qian, it’s not like that. She wasn't looking where she was going and bumped into my girlfriend's glass. We’ve already apologized to her. Please, be fair," seeing Qian Qingping approach, Xu Dalin’s expression shifted, but he spoke loudly, keeping Zeng Yiyue behind him while looking at Qian Qingping with burning intensity.

"Xiaowen, since it was an accident and they have already apologized, I think let's just leave it at that. After all, it is my grandfather's birthday. Once today is over, I'll host and invite everyone out for a drink, how about that?" Qian Qingping looked at Li Xiaowen.

"Oh, Qian the Third, you’re trying to shield them? An unknown hick isn't worth you going to such lengths to protect. Hmph, if I don't get an apology today, this isn't over," Li Xiaowen insisted relentlessly.

"Alright, Xiaowen, say less. Qian the Third, today is Elder Qian's birthday; we don't want to make a scene either. How about this: you just ask them to leave, and we'll call it even," a young man named Ye Yunlong chimed in with a smile.

"Young Master Ye, that wouldn't be right. All who come are guests; there's no reason to kick them out. How about this: I’ll apologize to Xiaowen on their behalf, does that work?" Thinking of the fact that Geng Chunming and Xu Dalin were friends of Chen Fengyun, Qian Qingping bit his tongue and spoke to Li Xiaowen and Ye Yunlong.

"Third brother, what's going on? Have you offended Young Master Ye?" Just as everyone was surprised, a majestic voice came from the side. Qian Qingping's expression changed, as the person arriving was his eldest cousin, Qian Qingfeng.

Qian Qingfeng had been watching from a distance and saw the incident, but he hadn't intended to intervene. Ye Yunlong was from the Ye family, the younger brother of Ye Yunfeng, the capital's top young master. He was known for being tyrannical, and even the Qian family had to give him face because the Ye family was powerful and backed by a martial arts grandmaster.

Furthermore, with Qian Qingping’s standing in their grandfather's heart rising rapidly, Qingfeng felt threatened. Seeing his younger cousin helping Geng and Xu, he felt it was the perfect opportunity to undermine him, so he stepped forward to question him.

"Eldest brother, it's nothing, just a minor misunderstanding," seeing his brother approach, Qian Qingping suddenly calmed down and smiled.

He hadn't wanted to escalate things, but with Qian Qingfeng now involved, he realized it was inevitable. However, knowing Chen Fengyun was upstairs, he realized that the bigger the scene, the greater the potential benefit for him.

"You call this nothing? Look at Xiaowen's dress—such an expensive brand, now ruined. Geng, Xu, the Qian family welcomes you to my grandfather's birthday, but look at the people you’ve brought along. Since you’ve caused such trouble, you should apologize to Xiaowen and Young Master Ye, and then leave. The Qian family does not welcome you."