Chapter Ninety-Eight: Some Words Are Better Left Unspoken

“This city belongs to me.” Qin Mu’s tone was calm as still water, without the slightest ripple of emotion, as if he were stating an irrefutable truth—so much so that people instinctively felt no urge to doubt him.

But upon reflection, it was obvious that such a thing was impossible.

White Emperor Commercial City was, by regulation and on official record, an enterprise of the Chu family—one of the three major families of the Jiang Alliance! Besides, Qin Mu was so young; what could possibly grant him ownership of such a vast city?

A burst of laughter erupted from Zhang Zizhe, drawing amused chuckles from many in his faction.

“Do you really expect me to believe that?” After laughing for a while, Zhang Zizhe reined in his expression, strode coolly to Qin Mu’s table, sat down, and tapped his finger on the tabletop.

Qin Mu paid him no mind. He picked up a bottle of red wine, poured a glass, and handed it to Luo Shui, who accepted it with delight and took a sip without hesitation.

After a long moment, Qin Mu tilted his head slightly and replied to Zhang Zizhe.

“Do I need you to believe me?”

That single line struck Zhang Zizhe speechless, his face cycling through shades of green and purple in mortification.

Their confidence and presence made the difference between them instantly clear.

As the tension between the two rose, Shen Yue broke free from those restraining her and hurried over, plastering on a conciliatory smile. “No need to get so worked up at a classmates’ reunion.”

“Besides, finding a partner is a matter of the heart. Someone as outstanding as you, Young Master Zhang, will surely find an even more exceptional woman.”

With Shen Yue playing mediator, the atmosphere did indeed ease. The others whispered a few words about Qin Mu, the outsider, but soon returned to their seats and resumed their lively chatter.

As for Qin Mu’s claim that the White Emperor City was his, naturally, no one was foolish enough to take that seriously.

Zhang Zizhe, however, didn’t leave. He settled in at the table, stroking the stubble on his chin as he sized Qin Mu up.

Yet the sight of Qin Mu and Luo Shui, their hands occasionally entwined and their conversation full of affectionate laughter, left him deeply unsettled.

“I was a bit rude earlier. Let’s start over. My name is Zhang Zizhe, from Jiangdong. My family’s in real estate, and I manage nearly a hundred million in liquid assets. May I ask where you’re employed, brother?” Zhang Zizhe snapped his fingers, signaling for more expensive wine to be brought in.

“I don’t have a job at the moment,” Qin Mu replied.

He wasn’t lying. He was on leave; unless a top-level mission came down from above, there was nothing for him to handle.

“So you’re currently unemployed? I thought you might at least be some pop idol.” Zhang Zizhe shook his head, feeling he had overestimated Qin Mu.

Qin Mu’s reply, when overheard by the others, only made them scoff all the more at his grandiose talk from before.

“Brother, don’t tell me you’re living off Shui’er now? Doesn’t that hurt your pride as a man?” Zhang Zizhe forced a friendly tone, as if he and Qin Mu were on good terms.

Before Qin Mu could speak, Luo Shui interjected, her voice warning, “First, watch how you address me.”

“Second, I’m happy with it. If he doesn’t have a job, I’ll just support him for a lifetime.”

Zhang Zizhe choked on his breath, coughing violently until his face flushed, utterly embarrassed.

Luo Shui and Qin Mu had, in turn, both left him speechless like a bickering couple. Shen Yue watched with secret amusement.

In the past, no one dared defy Zhang Zizhe, given his arrogance and strong family background; now he was being thoroughly humiliated.

Sensing the souring mood, Shen Yue quickly changed the topic. “By the way, I remember the Chu family announced some time ago they were planning to transfer White Emperor City?”

Zhang Zizhe, regaining his composure, seized the chance to show off his knowledge. “That’s right. Who knows what the Chu family is thinking, giving up such a lucrative asset as White Emperor City?”

“White Emperor City could become a landmark for River City, generating billions in profit every year.”

“But the commercial lots were already auctioned off a while ago. With these dozen or so properties, my Zhang family will soon be among the Jiang Alliance. Once we're in, we’ll have free rein in all major circles of River City. I won’t forget my classmates—anyone interested, I’ll be happy to introduce to the Jiang Alliance.”

At the mention of joining the Jiang Alliance, several business-minded classmates eagerly stood to toast Zhang Zizhe.

“Brother Zhang, joining the Jiang Alliance is a huge honor! I’ll be so proud to say I have a classmate in the Alliance.”

“Young Master Zhang, we’ll be counting on you in the future.”

As classmates flocked to toast him, Zhang Zizhe glanced meaningfully at Luo Shui, as if to show her that looks alone were worthless in this world—only power truly mattered.

Shen Yue, deep in thought, spoke with some resentment, “Actually, the Chu family and that Jiang Alliance aren’t as great as people think.”

“I heard that twenty years ago, the Chu family used all kinds of underhanded schemes to seize White Emperor City from a woman. It was never theirs to begin with. And much of what the Jiang Alliance owns was taken by force. Dozens of powerful families banded together just to wrest an inheritance from a defenseless woman. It’s utterly shameless…”

She was abruptly cut off by a classmate nearby.

“Shen Yue, it’s fine to talk among ourselves, but be careful.”

“That’s right, you’re bold to repeat such rumors—watch your mouth!”

A chorus of admonishments followed, and Shen Yue fell silent.