Word had it that Ling Tianjiao had been painstakingly preparing for this confession for over a month. He'd spared no expense, with many of the roses gracing the venue flown in on a chartered plane from overseas. To put on a grand display of his skills, he'd even hand - picked several Ferghana horses from across the nation. Little did he know, Zhou Jiajia would arrive with a male companion, throwing a wrench in his well - laid plans.
"Who the hell is that guy?"
"Is he nuts? How dare he steal the woman Ling Shao has his eyes on!"
"He's out of his mind!" Whispers rippled through the crowd.
Just then, a young man with white - streaked hair approached Ye Long and Zhou Jiajia, holding two glasses of wine.
"Jiajia, who's this? Aren't you going to introduce us?"
Zhou Jiajia recognized him instantly as Lu Xiaotian, one of Ling Tianjiao's lackeys. The Lu family's business was entirely dependent on the Ling family's support, so Lu Xiaotian was always eager to handle Ling Tianjiao's affairs. He'd tried to set up meetings between Ling Tianjiao and Zhou Jiajia more than once, which made Zhou Jiajia instinctively dislike him.
"Who he is, what's it to you?" Zhou Jiajia retorted, then turned and walked away, not even bothering to spare him a second glance.
As Ye Long was about to follow, Lu Xiaotian blocked his path. "Young master, may I have your name?"
"Ye Long," Ye Long replied indifferently.
Lu Xiaotian smiled, "I wonder what line of work you're in, Young Master Ye?"
"Security," Ye Long said simply.
Lu Xiaotian was even more confused. "So, which big company do you work for?"
"I'm a security guard at Longma Five - Star Hotel."
Lu Xiaotian sneered. "You're quite the joker, Young Master Ye. Well, meeting is fate. Let me offer you a toast." He held out one of the glasses of red wine to Ye Long.
Ye Long shook his head. "There's your spit in this wine. I won't drink it." He sidestepped and walked away.
Lu Xiaotian's expression turned strange. Before approaching with the wine, he had indeed spat in the glass, and he couldn't believe Ye Long had known.
Lu Xiaotian blocked his way again. "Young Master Ye, don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. With so many people watching, if you don't clink glasses with me, how am I supposed to save face?" His eyes held a threatening glint as he shoved the glass of wine right up to Ye Long's chest.
Ye Long took the glass and splashed the wine right in his face.
"Ah!" Lu Xiaotian yelped. Everyone in the room turned to look, and upon seeing the scene, they were filled with astonishment.
Ye Long placed the glass on a nearby table. "There's your spit in this wine, and you still forced me to drink it. You're just looking for trouble." With that, he turned and left.
"You!" Lu Xiaotian clenched his fists, barely holding back the urge to pounce and beat Ye Long up.
"Ha - ha!"
"Lu Xiaotian's really made a fool of himself this time!" Mocking laughter rang out from the side.
Lu Xiaotian turned to see many people looking at him with amusement in their eyes. Feeling utterly humiliated, he quickly turned and walked away. You made me lose face in public. I'll make you pay! Lu Xiaotian shot a glare at Ye Long and rushed towards the crowd ahead.
A group of people were engaged in lively conversation. Among them was the star of the night, Ling Tianjiao, the initiator of this birthday party.
"It's time. I'm about to start my performance!" Ling Tianjiao stood up and was about to head towards his beloved horses.
"Brother Jiao!" Lu Xiaotian rushed forward, his voice filled with agitation. "Brother Jiao, something terrible has happened. Zhou Jiajia has brought a boyfriend."
"What!" Ling Tianjiao's face darkened with rage. He grabbed Lu Xiaotian's collar with both hands. "Are you sure? You're not lying to me?"
Lu Xiaotian quickly said, "Brother Jiao, they walked in hand - in - hand, and Zhou Jiajia even fed him grapes!"
Ling Tianjiao let go of him, almost exploding with anger.
Lu Xiaotian continued, "Brother Jiao, I just went to teach that guy a lesson for you, but that guy splashed wine in my face in public!"
Almost everyone present knew that Lu Xiaotian was Ling Tianjiao's lackey. The fact that the other party dared to splash wine in his face meant they didn't take Ling Tianjiao seriously at all, especially since this was his birthday party.
"Where is he? Take me there!"
"Brother Jiao, follow me!" Lu Xiaotian quickly turned and ran.
Ling Tianjiao, leading a group of people, stormed after him. Their arrival soon caught everyone's attention.
Zhou Jiajia, who was enjoying some fruits on the side, saw them approaching and quickly hooked her arm around Ye Long's, pressing half of her body against him. To onlookers, it seemed as if Zhou Jiajia was nestling in Ye Long's embrace.
Ye Long also noticed the group charging towards them with fury.
"Brother - in - law, be tough later. Whether I can get rid of his harassment depends on how you perform next!" Zhou Jiajia whispered in his ear. To others, it looked like a couple sharing sweet nothings.
Zhou Jiajia's affectionate and proactive behavior instantly made many men in the room jealous, and it enraged Ling Tianjiao to the point that his eyes turned red. Many people looked at Ling Tianjiao with sympathy. Ling Tianjiao never expected that his month - long - prepared love - confession party hadn't even truly started yet, and such a cruel scene had already unfolded.
Zhang Tianfeng, taking this opportunity, quickly walked up to Ling Tianjiao and whispered a few words in his ear. Ling Tianjiao looked at Ye Long, and a strange glint flashed in his eyes.
Soon, Ling Tianjiao stood in front of Zhou Jiajia and Ye Long.
Zhou Jiajia smiled. "Young Master Ling, let me introduce you. This is my boyfriend, Ye Long." Then she turned to Ye Long. "Brother Long, this is Young Master Ling Tianjiao of the Ling family."
Ye Long looked at Ling Tianjiao.
Ling Tianjiao gritted his teeth, suppressing his murderous rage. "Young Master Ye, I heard that you won a car race against Zhang Tianfeng earlier. I wonder if you dare to have a horse - racing match with me now?"
Zhou Jiajia quickly said, "Young Master Ling, Brother Long and I have a movie to catch, and it's almost time. Maybe some other day."
"Brother Long, let's go." She tugged at his hand, ready to leave.
A group of people immediately surrounded them.
Lu Xiaotian blocked Zhou Jiajia and Ye Long's way, yelling angrily, "Brother Tian hasn't agreed yet. Neither of you can leave!"
"You!" Zhou Jiajia glared at him.
Lu Xiaotian glared back.
Zhou Jiajia turned to Ling Tianjiao. "Young Master Ling, tonight is your birthday party. I'm sure you don't want to make things ugly here!"
Ling Tianjiao sneered. Zhou Jiajia's act of bringing a boyfriend had already been a huge blow to his pride!
Ling Tianjiao shouted at Ye Long, "Kid, Jiajia is the woman I, Ling Tianjiao, have my eyes on. If you want to be her boyfriend, you have to be better than me in at least one thing!"
Zhou Jiajia said, "Ling Tianjiao, everyone knows how good you are at horse - riding. In the entire Jiangcheng, there are probably few who can ride better than you. Making my boyfriend race you on horses is just making him look bad!"
"If we really have to compete, then let's race cars!" Zhou Jiajia was confident that Ye Long's driving skills were superior.
Ling Tianjiao shook his head, looking at Ye Long. "It's horse - racing. Since you want to steal a woman from me, you have to beat me in horse - racing. Otherwise, break up with her right away!"
"Ling Tianjiao, you're being completely unreasonable!" Zhou Jiajia flared up. "I'm leaving with Brother Long right now. I'd like to see who dares to stop us!" She grabbed Ye Long's hand and tried to leave, but found that Ye Long didn't move.
Ye Long said, "I haven't ridden a horse for over a year. I'm actually a bit eager to give it a try."
Zhou Jiajia was shocked. "Brother Long, Ling Tianjiao has been riding horses since he was a kid. He even won the runner - up in an international competition last time..."
"Get our horses ready quickly!" Ling Tianjiao shouted triumphantly.
"Yes, Brother Jiao!" Lu Xiaotian turned and ran off.
Zhou Jiajia quickly said, "Ling Tianjiao, Brother Long hasn't agreed yet!"
"Jiajia, it's okay. I'll race him," Ye Long said nonchalantly.