C6 Mysterious Expert Gui Ying

He is the CEO of the Tong Group, a conglomerate with assets in the billions, and the father of Tong Waner—Tong Shan!

"Waner is safe, but it wasn't me who protected her. It was someone you'd never guess!"

That raspy voice rang out once more, reverberating through the office with a mocking undertone.

"Oh? Not you? Then who could possibly take on an assassin from the Rebirth Camp?"

Tong Shan's eyebrows lifted as he inquired with a grave tone.

Gui Ying was his ace in the hole, once a renowned powerhouse on the Huaxia assassin leaderboard.

Had he not been aware that the Chen Group had contracted a Rebirth Camp assassin to target his daughter, he wouldn't have played this ace.

But now, Gui Ying was telling him that he hadn't made a move; another master had stepped in to protect his daughter.

"It's your so-called son-in-law, Wang Xiao!"

From the shadows, Gui Ying didn't leave them hanging, his hoarse voice cutting through the darkness.

"What, Wang Xiao? How could that be?"

Tong Shan was initially taken aback, then skepticism spread across his face. He had seen Wang Xiao grow up; he knew his capabilities—or so he thought.

"I assure you, it's the truth. I never expected Wang Xiao to be so adept. The Rebirth Camp assassin launched a surprise attack with a hidden weapon, and before I could intervene, he stepped in to shield Waner."

Gui Ying's voice was tinged with a mix of residual fear and overwhelming astonishment. His bond with Tong Shan was a blend of servitude and camaraderie, and he held Tong Waner dear as if she were his own child.

Hearing this, Tong Shan was deeply stunned, a flicker of realization dawning in his eyes. After a brief pause, he spoke, "It appears that Wang Xiao's half-year disappearance, claiming he was off to the mountains to seek training, must have led to some extraordinary encounter."

Tong Shan believed Wang Xiao had stumbled upon a stroke of luck during his absence, oblivious to the fact that this "Wang Xiao" was not the same person he once knew.

"Well, that's a relief. If Wang Xiao can safeguard Waner, there's no need for you to do so from the shadows. Our focus now should be on confronting the Chen Group!"

As Tong Shan concluded his remarks, a chilling severity crept onto his otherwise stoic face, his voice turning icy.

"Do you need me to intervene? To kill Chen Peng?"

Gui Ying's raspy voice echoed once more in the office, seemingly emanating from the shadows.

"No, simply letting him die would be too lenient. I want him to watch helplessly as I devour the Chen Group!"

In that moment, a commanding presence radiated from Tong Shan, his eyes alight with determination, exuding an undeniable authority.

Gui Ying, cloaked in darkness, remained silent, his stance clear: he would back Tong Shan's decisions without question.

...

The following morning, Wang Xiao awoke and descended to the villa's dining room.

"Uncle Wang Xiao, you're up? Breakfast is ready!"

Tong Hu and the other bodyguards, now recovered from their unconscious state, regarded Wang Xiao with a newfound reverence.

They had learned from the young lady about the previous night's events. After being incapacitated by two assassins, it was Uncle Wang Xiao who single-handedly defeated them.

The sight of one assassin dead from sheer terror had sent shockwaves through them.

They had pegged Uncle Wang Xiao as a do-nothing in-law of the Tong Family, but he had proven to possess enigmatic prowess.

"Despite his remarkable abilities, he endures the Eldest Miss's bullying without a word of complaint, content to be the unassuming backdrop to her spotlight. Could this be what love is?"

Wang Xiao was unaware of the shift in the bodyguards' gazes. If he could hear their thoughts, he'd respond with a wry chuckle, "Love? Hardly. I just don't want that naive girl to die on me—I'd lose my free room and board."

"Big Brother Wang Xiao, you're awake."

Tong Waner's voice bubbled with excitement as she approached Wang Xiao, latching onto his arm with affection.

A scent like jasmine wafted to Wang Xiao, refreshing and delightful.

"Ahem, Waner, it's quite early for this. You know, hugging me like that could easily stir up a reaction."

Wang Xiao cleared his throat and addressed Tong Waner with a straight face. In truth, he was already shamefully affected by her presence.

Tong Waner's cheeks flushed at Wang Xiao's comment, and her eyes reflexively darted to his form, her shyness intensifying.

"Big Brother Wang Xiao, stop being a tease!"

She was mortified. How could he say such things in front of everyone!

Tong Waner's heart raced, her face warming with color. She had never seen such a mischievous grin on Wang Xiao's face, nor had she heard him speak with such roguishness.

Yet, inexplicably, this cheeky Big Brother Wang Xiao seemed even more alluring than the dorky one she used to know.

"Big Brother Wang Xiao, you're such a rogue. If you keep this up, I'll stop talking to you!"

Tong Waner chided, her face glowing red.

Deep down, she found this version of Big Brother Wang Xiao quite endearing, but she maintained a demure exterior.

Wang Xiao chuckled and refrained from further teasing, touching his nose in amusement.

They settled down for breakfast, and Wang Xiao kept Tong Waner laughing with his playful banter, creating a warm and lively atmosphere.

Ding Ling...

Just then, the villa's phone rang. Tong Waner rose to answer it, and upon her return, she sat at the table, head bowed, her demeanor hesitant and avoiding Wang Xiao's gaze.

"Waner, what's the matter?"

Wang Xiao, sensing her unease, prompted her for an explanation.

"Big Brother Wang Xiao, Chen Jie mentioned that today is our last high school reunion before college starts, and he wants me to attend."

Tong Waner spoke softly, her voice laced with apprehension, worried that Wang Xiao might disapprove.

"Chen Jie? A high school reunion?"

Wang Xiao was taken aback. It didn't seem like a big deal. Why was Tong Waner so nervous?

"Big Brother Wang Xiao, if you'd rather I didn't go, I won't. Please, don't be upset!"

Tong Waner mistook Wang Xiao's surprised look for annoyance and quickly added, hoping to appease him.

"Why wouldn't I let you go? If you want to go, then go."

Wang Xiao was baffled, asking Tong Waner with a look of confusion.

"Ah? Big Brother Wang Xiao, you're really okay with me going?" Tong Waner's face lit up with surprise. She gazed at Wang Xiao and asked, "Didn't you use to dislike me attending classmate gatherings? And Chen Jie, he used to pursue me. You really can't stand him, can you?"

"Chen Jie? Why would I..."

Wang Xiao began to reply out of habit, stopping mid-sentence as he remembered that he was, apparently, Tong Waner's fiancé.

It seemed that her previous fiancé wasn't too keen on her attending classmate gatherings, especially with Chen Jie in the picture.

Seems like the guy had a bit of a macho streak!

"Cough, even though I'm not fond of Chen Jie, you shouldn't miss out on a high school reunion. How about I accompany you?" Wang Xiao suggested with a light cough and a smile.

At this, Tong Waner looked even more perplexed. "Big Brother Wang Xiao, you usually hate these kinds of gatherings. Why the change of heart now?"

"Isn't this the last reunion?"

Wang Xiao touched his nose and chuckled sheepishly. He might not know Chen Jie, but he remembered attending high school with Tong Waner.

He was curious to see just what sort of character Chen Jie was, the one his predecessor so despised.

Besides, from what Tong Waner said, it seemed Chen Jie had taken a liking to her. As her fiancé, Wang Xiao wasn't about to let another man make moves on his woman right under his nose!

In front of Forest City High School, despite it being the summer break, a crowd had gathered. They were all fresh-faced young men and women, around 18 or 19 years old.

The girls, having graduated, were experimenting with makeup. Each one was dressed in silk camisoles and shorts, their snow-white shoulders and evenly tanned legs turning heads and drawing the gaze of many admiring boys.

They never imagined that the girl who sat beside them in class just a few months ago, looking unremarkable in her school uniform, could transform so dramatically. With a change of clothes and a touch of makeup, she had become stunningly beautiful.

Each one buzzed around her like bees to a flower, drawn to the radiant beauty of these young women.

"Don't worry, Young Master Chen. Today, I'll make sure your confession to Tong Waner is a success!"

At a corner of the school entrance, a group of sycophants gathered around a tall and handsome young man, speaking with reverence.

Dressed in the latest fashion, a stylish lock of hair perfectly in place, and a watch on his wrist worth a small fortune, he exuded the unmistakable air of a rich second-generation heir. This was none other than Chen Jie, the class president of Grade 12 Class 1, and the devoted suitor of Tong Waner.