Chapter Fifty-One: Owing Me a Favor

Every step Qin Mu had taken earlier felt like a release for everyone watching! Damn it! Let them swagger and play tricks here as much as they want!

Once Mark was carried away, the ship slowly returned to normal. Yet Qin Mu’s swift and decisive actions had stunned everyone. Their gazes all focused on him. Though no one understood exactly how Qin Mu managed to defeat the seemingly invincible Mark, the outcome was clear—they had won! They had reclaimed their dignity, which could not be lost!

Everyone couldn’t help but cheer, some even popping champagne and drinking exuberantly.

“How did I manage to knock him down just now?” Lin Peipei asked curiously. She certainly didn’t believe she had the strength to beat someone who even Li Dong and Scar Tiger couldn’t handle, leaving him battered and bruised. There must have been some intervention from Qin Mu; she just couldn’t see how he did it.

“He feared me, so he didn’t dare to defend himself,” Qin Mu replied with a smile. That wasn’t a lie.

The more one practiced martial arts, the more one sensed the impact of differences in aura and presence. Mark was nothing but a second-generation scion from an influential family. Even with his training, his aura was as fragile as thin paper, already at its limit compared to Scar Tiger. But when faced with Qin Mu—the war god who survived countless battles, soaked in the blood of thousands, stepping over the bones of the fallen—it was like an egg striking a stone, hopelessly outmatched. The fact that Mark hadn’t fainted from fright was impressive enough.

“If you don’t want to say, that’s fine. You’re full of secrets anyway.”

Lin Peipei pouted, clearly not believing Qin Mu’s explanation.

After tidying up the scene, the people upstairs gradually gathered on the third floor, sharing with others the thrilling and dazzling events that had just occurred. As time moved toward evening, the long-awaited gala at Jiangdong Bay was about to begin.

Luo Shui sat backstage, applying makeup and humming softly, her voice beautiful and melodious. Suddenly, a cold wind swept in, and several people barged in from outside.

“You—you weren’t taken down by Qin Mu…”

Luo Shui looked closely—it was Mark, battered by Qin Mu. Now he wore splints and bandages, and behind him stood several stern, imposing men in refined uniforms. Luo Shui recognized them; she had seen such uniforms at an international banquet. These were from the British royal family, worn only by elite personal guards of noble status.

She hadn’t expected Mark to actually contact members of the royal family—even if only a few guards had been summoned, it spoke volumes about his extraordinary status.

“Hmph, so you remember him?”

Mentioning Qin Mu filled Mark with anger, but he calmed himself; soon enough, Qin Mu would die. Royal bodyguards were unmatched super elites, chosen from thousands. No matter how capable Qin Mu was, he would not escape death tonight.

“Remember what I said—later, you’ll sing for me on stage, or you won’t leave the ship tonight!” Mark threatened.

He intended to reassert his dominance among these ‘yellow-skinned monkeys,’ starting with Luo Shui. Once Luo Shui publicly celebrated his birthday, the bodyguards would strike, killing Qin Mu instantly. Tonight, he would remain the star.

With this thought, Mark grinned menacingly and left the backstage with his entourage.

Luo Shui remained seated, pondering quietly.

Soon, the banquet commenced. Waiters delivered various delicacies to each table. Lin Peipei, Qin Mu, and their companions sat together. Thanks to their diamond membership card, they were seated close to the stage.

Though many things had happened today, with twists and turns, nothing too serious had occurred, and everyone’s spirits gradually lifted. Tonight promised a much-anticipated grand finale.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Jiangdong Bay banquet. First, our hosts would like to apologize for today’s events. As compensation, all expenses tonight are free—please enjoy yourselves!”

As the lights shifted, they focused on the stage. A host stepped up, apologizing and addressing the crowd.

Upon hearing that all expenses were waived, cheers erupted; everyone forgot their grievances.

“And we’ve received news that one distinguished guest happens to have a birthday tonight. To celebrate, our hosts will gift each table an extra bottle of rare wine.”

As soon as the words were spoken, dozens of waiters brought bottles of Louis XIII to each table. This was no small gesture, showing the hosts’ sincere desire to make amends.

At this moment, the surrounding lights dimmed, and a soft yet striking candlelight appeared from a corner passage.

Everyone turned toward the candlelight and saw it nestled atop a luxurious cake, slowly being wheeled forward.

“Happy birthday to you~ Happy birthday to you~”

A voice as clear as silver bells sang out. The woman pushing the cart wore a blue dress, exuding elegance and ethereal beauty. Holding a microphone, she sang gently.

“It’s Luo Shui!”

“Oh my god! Peipei, look! It’s Luo Shui!” Sun Ling exclaimed.

Lin Peipei had already fixed her gaze, her heart pounding. Yet the humiliation her family suffered in the past left her too insecure to guess for herself. Perhaps it was some other distinguished guest whose birthday happened to fall tonight…

Mark’s lips curled into a smile; he sat in the front row, watching Luo Shui approach him, and had someone help him stand.

“Thank you, Miss Luo, for your birthday wishes, I—”

Mid-sentence, Mark realized Luo Shui was still singing as she pushed the cake cart onward.

“Miss Luo, you’ve gone too far! The birthday celebrant is here!”

Just as Mark tried to have someone call Luo Shui back, she stopped at a table, smiled gracefully, and lifted her skirt slightly.

“Dear Miss Lin Peipei, happy seventeenth birthday.”

The entire hall turned their envious gaze toward her. Whose daughter was this, to receive birthday wishes from Luo Shui herself? How lucky could one be!

“Really? Is this truly for me?” Lin Peipei could hardly believe her eyes and ears, covering her face in disbelief.

Meanwhile, Mark’s face turned green with rage.

Standing there, though shadows hid him, many still witnessed his foolish behavior. That ungrateful woman didn’t present him with a gift, but instead gave it to another girl?

“Of course it’s true. Little birthday star, come cut the cake!” Luo Shui ignored Mark, focusing solely on the teary, overwhelmed girl before her.

No wonder Qin Mu had personally asked her—this little girl was so adorable, especially with her two little tiger teeth, which tugged at Luo Shui’s heart. Even without Qin Mu’s request, she would have wanted to give Lin Peipei a birthday gift herself.

As for Mark? She was hardly someone who would cower before power.