"Alright, handsome, you've made quite the entrance. Tone it down a bit."
Ling Feng finally spoke.
However, Lin Shuai Nan was unusually stubborn today. He gritted his teeth and said, "No, Big Brother. This is my territory. I can't let anyone disrespect you. You're my idol. Disrespecting you is a stain on me, Lin Shuai Nan!"
With that, he pointed at Jiang Ning and said word for word, "Green-shelled turtle, scram now, or I'll beat you so badly your own mother won't recognize you!"
Jiang Ning was taken aback.
Lin Shuai Nan's eyes truly held a murderous intent!
Combined with his dragon fruit-like hair, he looked like a god of slaughter with fire atop his head!
But just then, from the crowd of onlookers, a handsome man in a white suit emerged!
This man exuded an elegant aura. Within a few steps, he reached Jiang Ning's side and placed a hand on Jiang Ning's arm, blocking him.
"Jiang Ning, calm down. This is a high-class reception. Don't do anything tasteless."
The man spoke, his voice incredibly magnetic. Instantly, many women present were captivated, their eyes turning into hearts!
Upon seeing who it was, Jiang Ning's anger subsided, replaced by deep reverence.
"Young Master Sun, you are right to admonish me. It was my fault!"
Lin Shuai Nan, seeing the previously arrogant green-shelled turtle Jiang Ning acting so obediently before this man, frowned.
"And who are you? You look like a human, but act like a dog. What, do you think you're the most handsome man in the world?"
Hearing this, Sun Jing's eyes narrowed slightly, but his smile became even brighter.
"Heh, what should I call you, my friend? My name is Sun Jing. My family is in the medicinal herbs business. I heard your piano performance earlier and was greatly impressed, which is why I came out to get acquainted!"
Sun Jing's words held no trace of anger.
Lin Shuai Nan blinked, then looked Sun Jing up and down.
"You have quite good taste. However, in terms of looks, you can't compare to my Big Brother. In terms of playing the piano, you can't compare to me, Lin Shuai Nan. So, on what basis are you coming out to defend this green-shelled turtle?"
Ling Feng, receiving an unexpected compliment from Lin Shuai Nan, felt a bit embarrassed.
Sun Jing, however, didn't even glance at Ling Feng. He continued to smile and said, "Heh, in the Kyoto social circles, I, Sun Jing, have some influence. However, since my friend is currently upset, you don't need to grant me this favor. Since I am here to stand up for Jiang Ning, I naturally have some grounds."
"What grounds? Your family is in the medicinal herbs business? Are you going to sell me 'Da Li Wan' (Great Strength Pills)? Let me tell you, my medical skills are also very impressive!" Lin Shuai Nan was not humble at all.
The mention of "Da Li Wan" caused Sun Jing's smile to stiffen slightly!
The surrounding crowd couldn't help but start whispering.
Many women even chided Lin Shuai Nan.
"You don't even recognize Young Master Sun? He's one of the top young masters in Kyoto's social circles!"
"That's right! Young Master Sun is not only skilled in medicine but also a national-level musician. His piano playing is top-notch. You dare to compare yourself to our Young Master Sun? Truly ignorant!"
"How disgusting! Look at his red hair, it's so revolting!"
"How dare you insult our Young Master Sun..."
Lin Shuai Nan scratched the back of his head. Had he stumbled into a hen house?
Why were so many women targeting him?
Hearing the surrounding chatter, Ling Feng's expression turned slightly grim.
Yang Fei also leaned closer and whispered in Ling Feng's ear, "Heavenly Venerate, the Sun family is one of the four major medicinal herb merchant families in Kyoto. Their influence is not to be underestimated!"
Ling Feng nodded slightly.
However, he did not stop Lin Shuai Nan's actions.
Lin Shuai Nan was full of surprises. Provoking Sun Jing so soon after arriving in Kyoto might not be a bad thing!
Sun Jing was quite pleased with the surrounding reactions and paid no mind to Lin Shuai Nan's crude remarks.
He still smiled elegantly and said, "Heh, I don't sell medicine. However, since my friend also enjoys playing the piano, why don't we have a piano duel? You play a piece, I play a piece, and let everyone judge. If I win by a slight margin, then, heh, I'll have to trouble my friend to not make things difficult for Jiang Ning."
Before Lin Shuai Nan could respond.
Screams of excitement erupted from the women around.
The commotion was as if a concert was about to begin.
Jiang Ning, however, spoke with trepidation, "Young Master Sun, this brat isn't worthy of you personally intervening. It's fine, even if I lose face and leave today, I can get it back another day!"
Sun Jing, however, raised his hand slightly, stopping Jiang Ning.
He also turned and said coldly to Jiang Ning, "Do you think I'm standing up for you? This red-haired kid is making this place a mess. He must be taught a lesson!"
Jiang Ning gasped and quickly retreated two steps.
He had been wondering why someone of his status would be worthy of Sun Jing's help. Normally, he would bow and scrape whenever he saw Sun Jing, not daring to look him in the eye.
How could the lofty Sun Jing possibly help him?
Now Jiang Ning understood. Sun Jing wasn't helping him at all; he simply wanted to teach Lin Shuai Nan a lesson!
"Haha, you've walked right into the line of fire now. Alright, I accept!"
Lin Shuai Nan suddenly burst into laughter, extremely hearty and full of confidence, as if he had already won.
But then he turned and whispered to Xiu Xiu, "Xiu Xiu, what is a piano duel?"
Xiu Xiu almost spat blood, her beautiful eyes widening as she stared at Lin Shuai Nan, "You don't even know what a piano duel is, and you're agreeing to compete?"
"Hey, I can't lose face, right? A man doesn't steam buns, he fights for honor!" Lin Shuai Nan scratched the back of his head.
Xiu Xiu rolled her eyes helplessly. "I don't understand it very well either, but it should be that you go up and play, and he will also play, and see who plays more beautifully. The audience's reaction will be the judgment!"
"Judging by the audience's reaction? That's unfair. This pretty boy clearly has the advantage here, and many people around him give him face, especially those women who are going crazy. Even if I win, they won't admit it!"
Lin Shuai Nan, having understood the rules, cried out that it was unfair.
Sun Jing also frowned slightly.
Just then, a young man in a tailcoat emerged from the crowd. "Greetings to both of you. I am Zhao Lang. For the piano duel, I will be the judge. I assume you both agree?"
Another wave of exclamations erupted from the surroundings.
"It's Zhao Lang! That piano prodigy!"
"This is a pianist who has performed on international stages!"
"That's right, I heard he's even eligible to contend for the title of the youngest pianist in our country!"
...
Lin Shuai Nan's eyes lit up. He pointed at Zhao Lang and said, "Hey, you, I've seen you on TV. You're a piano prodigy!"
"Heh, you flatter me, sir," Zhao Lang replied with a humble smile.
Sun Jing, standing beside him, also curved his lips into a smile and nodded slightly at Zhao Lang. "With Mr. Zhao Lang as the judge, I am naturally convinced!"
"Very well, then both of you may take the stage now!"
Zhao Lang gestured them forward and exchanged a look with Sun Jing.
This action was very subtle.
But Yang Fei and Ling Feng saw it clearly.
Ling Feng's eyes turned icy.
Yang Fei shrugged and muttered, "Well, here we have two more conspiring together. Lin Shuai Nan is going to be embarrassed now!"