Chapter 104: Not Falling for It

Yang Chen could be tolerant towards others, but only if they respected him first.

Tangtang noticed Yang Chen's displeasure and felt nervous. She smiled apologetically and said, "Uncle, don't be angry. That person is Guilt, the most trusted bodyguard of my father. Uncle Guilt has always been like this. He didn't mean to give you a hard time."

"Then he did it intentionally?" Yang Chen sneered. "Because you cried and begged me to come, I came. I have no interest in seeking trouble for myself. If this is the attitude, I have to suspect whether your father wants to drag me into the study and teach me a lesson."

Tangtang's face turned pale. Having interacted with him several times before, she knew that although the man in front of her was usually gentle, once angered, he showed no mercy. So she hurriedly persuaded, "Uncle, don't worry. Dad wouldn't do that. Dad really wants to thank you."

"Is he going to send a popsicle to drag me upstairs like a criminal? Your dad's way of thanking is quite unique," Yang Chen said lazily, still not bothering to move.

Guilt walked to the corner of the stairs, seeing Yang Chen still hadn't followed, his face showed impatience, and he coldly said, "I told you to come, what are you muttering about?"

"I'm saying, let your old master come down himself, I'll wait for him here," Yang Chen glanced at him, then turned and walked towards the sofa, sitting down leisurely.

Everyone present showed indignation at Yang Chen's attitude. Only Tangtang was anxious, not knowing what to do. She wanted to persuade Yang Chen, but she was afraid he would be angry at her. She was in a dilemma.

A smirk crossed Guilt's lips, his face darkened, and he went back downstairs.

Tangtang couldn't bear it anymore. She was worried that Guilt would use force against Yang Chen. She had seen Guilt's strength and was afraid of hurting Yang Chen. So she immediately stood in front of Guilt and said, "Uncle Guilt, don't be angry. Uncle... he's just a bit stubborn, not intentional..."

Guilt narrowed his eyes. "Miss, your father is your father. This man is disrespectful to your father. Are you siding with him instead of your own father?"

Tangtang smiled bitterly, "It's not a big deal. Uncle just has a stubborn temper."

"For me, anyone who dares to disrespect the master should pay a painful price," Guilt said firmly, pushing Tangtang aside effortlessly, his strength unstoppable.

Seeing this scene, Yang Chen felt a little more favorable towards the girl. It seemed that she didn't treat him with fake affection. As for Guilt, who was as cold as ice and as unyielding as wood, Yang Chen didn't even bother to look at him.

It wasn't that Yang Chen was petty or angry. It was just that he didn't have any grudges against Tangtang and her father. He had even helped them a bit. Being treated like a servant, summoned back and forth, was something he wasn't willing to accept. When he returned to Yanxia, he wanted to live a comfortable life, not to be bullied as a lackey.

"Do you think you're great just because you've done a little favor for Miss? Do you think you're someone important?" Guilt walked up to Yang Chen, mocking.

Yang Chen was fed up with this expression and attitude. He simply closed his eyes and waved his hand to dismiss Guilt. "I'm not interested in talking to bodyguards. Let your old master come down immediately. If he doesn't, I'm leaving."

Guilt's face darkened, a hidden ferocity emanating from him. "In Zhonghai, no one dares to speak to me like this. If you dare to say it again..."

"Go away, I'm not interested in talking to you," Yang Chen interrupted him without hesitation, repeating his words casually and mocking Guilt with a playful look.

Veins popped on Guilt's forehead, his fists clenched tightly. "Unfortunately for you, you're going to leave here lying down today."

Just as Guilt was about to act fiercely, a deep and calm voice came from upstairs. "Azui, don't neglect your duty."

Coming down the stairs was a middle-aged man wearing a crisp white shirt and suit pants, with gold-rimmed glasses. He had a scholarly appearance, dignified and composed, giving off an aura of confidence and calmness with each step he took.

Standing next to the man was Tangtang, who patted her chest with relief. It seemed that she realized she couldn't stop Guilt, so she went upstairs to pull her father down herself.

The man ordered all the other bodyguards in the room to leave, and then asked Tangtang to go upstairs. Although Tangtang was unwilling, she didn't dare to disobey her father's orders and reluctantly glanced at Yang Chen before obediently running upstairs.

As for Guilt, seeing the man intervene, he obediently stood in the corner, silent but staring at Yang Chen like a snake ready to strike.

"I'm sorry about Azui's temper. He may have frightened Mr. Yang," the man said with a smile. "Please, Mr. Yang, have a seat."

Yang Chen pointed to the sofa where he was already sitting. "I wasn't scared, I just find him annoying. And I'm already seated, no need for your invitation."

The man's expression stiffened for a moment. He didn't expect Yang Chen to remain ungrateful even after seeing him. He paused, then forced a gentle smile and said, "Mr. Yang, you should recognize me. I'm Tangtang's father."

Yang Chen couldn't help but laugh. "What kind of statement is that? Do I have to know you? Your daughter begged me for half a day before I came here. It's our first meeting. Why should I know you?"

"My surname is Fang, given name Zhongping, Fang Zhongping," Fang Zhongping kindly reminded him, thinking that Yang Chen must know him.

Yang Chen was even more puzzled. "Fang Zhongping? Are you a singer or an actor? A celebrity? What have you sung or acted in?"

Fang Zhongping pretended to cough twice, assuming Yang Chen was pretending not to know him. But years of experience made him appear very experienced. He smiled and hinted, "I work in the judicial department."

"The judicial department of Zhonghai City?" Yang Chen asked tentatively.

Fang Zhongping inwardly chuckled, relieved that Yang Chen finally recognized him. So he put on a "don't get excited" expression and said, "Mr. Yang finally remembers. That's right, I am Fang Zhongping from the Judicial Department of Zhonghai City."

Yang Chen nodded and said, "I usually like to watch the news, but I only watch national news from Yanxia. It's either the president or the prime minister. I haven't seen you on TV before. So, when you said you were from the Judicial Department, I thought it was from the national level. You should have clarified earlier instead of playing guessing games. I thought you were some important leader. I usually only watch national news, not local news. So, it's not strange that I don't know you. Blame it on your low rank."

Low rank? Hearing Yang Chen's string of words, Fang Zhongping almost spit out a mouthful of old blood. He smiled awkwardly and said, "Mr. Yang, you're kidding. I'm Fang Zhongping. Although I can't compare to those national leaders, I've been the Secretary of the Municipal Committee for more than two years. It's rare for someone in their early forties to become a department-level cadre. Few people in the country are as lucky as me. To be honest, it's a bit embarrassing. Mr. Yang must have seen me before, but perhaps didn't remember."

Yang Chen finally realized that this guy was forcing him to acknowledge him. If he didn't, it wouldn't do. People in official positions had brains that were clearly different from ordinary people. But Yang Chen couldn't be bothered to argue with him. He politely smiled and said, "So you're the Secretary Fang. Your reputation precedes you."

Fang Zhongping's complexion improved slightly. He secretly wiped away a cold sweat. What reputation? He didn't even know who I was just now!

However, Fang Zhongping was a seasoned figure. He quickly regained his composure and smiled, saying, "I had to invite Mr. Yang here today out of necessity. If I had gone to see Mr. Yang, it might have caused some inconvenience if the media found out. So, please rest assured, Mr. Yang."

"If you didn't invite me, I'd be even more at ease," Yang Chen rolled his eyes.

Fang Zhongping had figured out Yang Chen's personality. He didn't take himself, the Secretary of the Municipal Committee, seriously at all. In all his years, everyone around him had flattered him. Suddenly encountering someone who completely ignored his official position, Fang Zhongping found it both novel and uncomfortable. "Mr. Yang, you jest. Tangtang is my only daughter. If anything happened to her, I couldn't bear to think about it. Fortunately, Mr. Yang saved her. I really should thank you."

Yang Chen found this man's way of speaking particularly awkward and furrowed his brows. "What do you mean... 'I really should'? You should just thank me. I saved your daughter, not mine."

Fang Zhongping was just being polite. If others heard what he just said, they would immediately say something like "Secretary Fang, you're being too polite" or "Secretary Fang, don't be so modest." But Yang Chen in front of him was not the kind of person molded by the thick-skinned philosophy of society. He didn't fall for it at all!

In the corner, Dugu Zui, with a swift step, rushed in front of Yang Chen and said in a low voice, pointing at him, "Stop acting cheap!" "Dugu Zui! Step back!" Fang Zhongping sternly ordered. Dugu Zui snorted coldly but obediently retreated to the corner. Yang Chen glanced lightly at Fang Zhongping. If he had shouted a second later, Yang Chen wouldn't hesitate to slap Dugu Zui's face. The smile faded from Fang Zhongping's face. He lowered his head in contemplation for a moment and said, "Mr. Yang, you really have no sense of propriety. However, you did save my daughter, so I won't hold it against you. But I hope you won't go too far." "Tsk tsk, listening to you, it sounds like I owe your family something," Yang Chen smirked. "Shouldn't you be thanking me? How did it become my fault for saving that girl?" "Young man, sometimes, don't be too arrogant, don't play with fire." Fang Zhongping's face began to look unpleasant. He couldn't bring himself to say words of gratitude to Yang Chen. In his eyes, a deputy secretary of the municipal party committee and a company PR guy were worlds apart. Yang Chen shrugged indifferently. "I'm just telling the truth. Whether you're a deputy secretary or a roadside sweeper, it doesn't make a difference to me. I came here today because I heard you wanted to thank me, meet me. I couldn't resist your daughter's persistence. I didn't come here to see you put on this poker face. If you have something to say, say it quickly. I still want to rush home for lunch." A glint of determination flashed in Fang Zhongping's eyes. "Since it's like this, then I'll be straightforward. Mr. Yang, I have serious doubts about your identity."