As Xiao Yunlong and Liu Ruyan walked out of the stadium, Wei Qianqian chased after them from inside.
"What a coincidence, Brother Xiao and Ruyan. I didn't expect you to come watch the basketball game too," Wei Qianqian smiled, as if nothing had happened yesterday.
Moreover, much of what happened in the basketball arena today was largely due to her instigation.
"So you were here too," Liu Ruyan nodded. Although she didn't like Wei Qianqian, she couldn't show it too obviously since she was her dorm mate.
Wei Qianqian nodded and said, "I saw what Brother Xiao did in the stadium just now. It was so satisfying, but I think Brother Xiao was still a bit impulsive. He shouldn't have resorted to violence in the end."
Liu Ruyan immediately retorted, "Brother Xiao wasn't impulsive at all. It was Xiong Youcai and his group who made the first move. Brother Xiao was just defending himself!"
Wei Qianqian shook her head, "It seems Ruyan, you don't know yet. Xiong Youcai is not simple. According to students from the sports department, his father is the president of our Sucheng Martial Arts Association, a very influential figure. He also knows many experts from the martial arts world. It's likely that Xiong Youcai won't let this matter rest, so..."
Before she could finish, Xiao Yunlong waved his hand to interrupt, "Do you have anything else? If not, feel free to go!"
A hint of venom flashed in Wei Qianqian's eyes, but she smiled outwardly, "Look what Brother Xiao is saying. I just wanted to remind you, I really have no other intentions."
Saying this, she quickly added, "Oh right, didn't Ruyan say at noon that she was treating the dorm sisters to a meal? So now..."
Liu Ruyan nodded, "Yes, Brother Xiao, if you have nothing else, why don't you join us for dinner?"
"I won't be able to. I have another engagement tonight that I've already agreed to," Xiao Yunlong shook his head.
Just then, Xiao Yunlong's phone rang. It was Hong Shisan.
"Mr. Xiao, I've sent the location of the banquet to your phone. By the way, Mr. Xiao, where are you now? Do you need me to send someone to pick you up?" Hong Shisan said on the phone. Although Mr. Xiao had said he didn't need a ride at noon, as a subordinate, he had to ask to show his diligence and respect.
Xiao Yunlong thought for a moment, "In that case, send someone over. I'm at Sucheng University!"
"Alright, I'll arrange it immediately. I should arrive at the university entrance in about half an hour!" Hong Shisan said.
After hanging up, Xiao Yunlong turned to Liu Ruyan, "You guys go ahead. I'll pick you up later. The car is parked at the school entrance for now. You girls remember to be careful."
"Don't worry, Brother Xiao. We're just eating in the nearby university town and won't go anywhere else," Liu Ruyan nodded.
Xiao Yunlong said no more, glanced at Wei Qianqian beside them, and turned to leave.
As for Xiong Youcai and the president of the Sucheng Martial Arts Association that Wei Qianqian had mentioned earlier, Xiao Yunlong hadn't taken them seriously from beginning to end.
Twenty minutes later, he arrived at the school entrance. The car sent to pick him up had just arrived. It was a stretched, limited edition luxury car, which immediately caused quite a stir.
Under the envious and amazed gazes of the surrounding students, Xiao Yunlong calmly got in, and the car drove away.
The dining location was not in the city, but at a restaurant in the suburbs. The decor was elegant, and the wooden pavilions had a retro charm.
Hong Shisan was waiting at the main entrance, with three men of noble bearing and distinguished气质 standing beside him. They were all arranged by Hong Shisan to accompany him.
After all, Mr. Xiao was the distinguished guest of the evening. Since he was invited to dinner, it was necessary to invite some prominent figures from Sucheng to accompany him, so as to show the importance of the banquet!
"Thirteen Master, when will the expert you mentioned arrive? Making us wait for so long, this setup is too grand!" a burly man with a thick beard and beard snorted coldly.
"He'll be here soon. Please be patient, everyone!" Hong Shisan said with a fawning smile.
As they were speaking, the stretched, limited edition luxury car slowly drove over and stopped. Xiao Yunlong got out of the car.
"He's here. The one with the buzz cut is Mr. Xiao!" Hong Shisan said.
The burly man snorted coldly, "Thirteen Master, are you sure? Is he the expert you're talking about? How old is he? He probably hasn't even grown all his hair yet, has he?"
An old man with a goatee and an aquiline nose beside him also snorted, expressing his displeasure and disdain.
Hong Shisan smiled, "Don't be fooled by Mr. Xiao's youth. He is indeed a great master. If you don't believe me, you can spar with him later."
Saying this, he immediately stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "It is truly an honor for Mr. Xiao to condescend to attend. I am deeply honored!"
"You're too kind!" Xiao Yunlong waved his hand.
"Mr. Xiao, let me introduce you. This burly man is Zhang Kuang, a coach at the Sucheng Martial Arts Association. The one on the left is Pan Wuzong, my friend from the Sucheng martial arts world."
"Nice to meet you!" Xiao Yunlong cupped his hands.
Zhang Kuang and Pan Wuzong cupped their hands slightly in return.
Hong Shisan continued to introduce, "As for the old man with the goatee in the middle, I must introduce him specially. He is the president of our Sucheng Martial Arts Association, Xiong Binkun, and also one of the renowned masters in the Sucheng martial arts world!"
"The three of you, this is Mr. Xiao Yunlong, whom I mentioned to you earlier!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yunlong couldn't help but look at Xiong Binkun a few more times. After all, half an hour ago, he had heard from Wei Qianqian that this fellow was Xiong Youcai's father. Looking closely, they did resemble each other somewhat.
Before Xiao Yunlong could speak, Xiong Binkun snorted coldly, "Hong Shisan, after making us wait for so long, to think that all we get is a young brat who hasn't even grown all his hair. Are you sure you're not playing a joke on us?"
Xiao Yunlong's brow immediately furrowed upon hearing this. This old man's words were barbed and clearly targeted him.
Before Xiao Yunlong could speak, Hong Shisan quickly cupped his hands, "I apologize. It's my fault for not hosting properly. Since all the guests have arrived, let's go inside and talk later."
"To be honest, Hong Shisan, I'm attending tonight only because of your reputation. Don't disappoint me too much!"
Xiong Binkun snorted coldly, flicked his sleeve, and took the lead in walking inside, displaying great arrogance.
Zhang Kuang and Pan Wuzong naturally said nothing more and followed Xiong Binkun inside without greeting, creating an undoubtedly awkward atmosphere.
Hong Shisan said with a fawning smile, "I'm truly sorry, Mr. Xiao. Originally, Xiong Binkun heard about what happened at the Hongmen Tavern a few days ago and wanted to meet you, so I arranged this banquet. I didn't expect it to turn out like this. It was my oversight. Please forgive me!"
Xiao Yunlong waved his hand, "It's fine. My temper isn't that small."
"That's good, that's good. Mr. Xiao, please, let's go in and eat." Hong Shisan breathed a slight sigh of relief.
The restaurant was very large. Hong Shisan had booked a high-class private room. The private room was actually a separate courtyard, adorned with orchids and bamboo, rockeries, pavilions, and small bridges with flowing water, making it very elegant.
After being seated, the food and drinks were quickly served.
To ease the atmosphere, Hong Shisan quickly raised his wine glass and stood up, saying, "This glass of wine is to thank everyone for gracing us with their presence tonight. We are all friends from the Sucheng martial arts world. Let's drink to Sucheng's martial arts!"
Xiao Yunlong then raised his wine glass, and Zhang Kuang and Pan Wuzong also raised their wine glasses.
Xiong Bingkun, however, sat motionless, his face sullen and pretentious, clearly showing his disrespect.
The situation immediately became extremely awkward. Hong Shisan didn't know what to say. He could no longer control the situation.
Seeing this, Xiao Yunlong had to speak, "As the saying goes, one should not look at the monk's face but at the Buddha's face. Since we were invited, we should sit down and have a happy meal and drink together. Who are you putting on a sullen face for?"
"Sitting down happily to drink and eat is naturally what we should do, but that depends on who it is with!"
Xiong Binkun said, baring his teeth and sneering, "Some things I don't want to say too directly, but since you asked, I'll make it clear. As the president of the Sucheng Martial Arts Association, I am a prominent figure in the Sucheng martial arts world and know many experts. Not just any young brat can sit down and drink with me, understand?"
Arrogant! These words were incredibly arrogant!
Xiao Yunlong, however, smiled. He had met arrogant people before, but he had never met anyone this arrogant!
Seeing that the situation was about to turn sour, Hong Shisan, as the host, quickly tried to mediate, "There's an old saying in the martial arts world, 'strangers become friends through conflict.' Also, there's the saying 'to make friends through martial arts.' How about you two spar a bit?"
Xiong Binkun drank his wine cup dry and then said mockingly, "Sparring and competing? That's naturally no problem, but as the president of the Sucheng Martial Arts Association, I face many younger generations seeking guidance every day. If I were to spar with any random young brat, wouldn't I be exhausted?"
Xiao Yunlong raised his eyebrows. Those who knew him knew that he was angry!