The Strongest Master Venturing Urban

After a long time, the two finally came to their senses and embraced each other.

He Beibei looked at Chen Bin, her eyes filled with deep satisfaction.

"After all these years, you're still just as strong."

"Can't help it, this is natural."

As he spoke, a smile played on the corners of Chen Bin's mouth.

"Strong as you may be, you still need to train regularly. You're over thirty now; you never know when you might start going downhill."

"What, are you worried I won't be able to satisfy you in the future?"

"Oh, come on! I'm just looking out for your health—also for your little girlfriend's future, you know."

Nodding as though he understood, Chen Bin deliberately steered the conversation elsewhere.

"By the way, let me tell you something: Xiong Wubing will definitely try to undermine me someday. When I retaliate, don't you go throwing a tantrum."

Sighing deeply, He Beibei appeared a bit downcast.

"Do what you want; it's your man-to-man business. I have no say in it anyway."

After chatting for a while longer, the two entered the bathroom together and showered.

Once finished, He Beibei packed up and left, taking a taxi.

The next day, Chen Bin flew back to Tianhai with Ni Baige.

As she looked at the bustling crowd around her, Ni Baige felt a rush of emotions.

Though she hadn't been away from Tianhai for long, for some reason, she couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness.

Because Ni Baige didn't want to go home, Chen Bin paid to rent her a place.

After settling her in, Chen Bin confirmed with her the song they would perform for the Spring Festival Gala.

Immediately after, he called the Gala director.

"Contact Guan Kongcheng and get him to join this year's Gala."

"Chen Tai, getting in touch is easy, but what if he pulls something again—like last time, subtly trashing us? What then?"

"Guan Kongcheng is a megastar; we have to invite him. His presence can boost our ad revenue and viewership ratings."

"But…"

"No buts. Just follow my instructions! When you contact Guan Kongcheng, tell him we want him to perform a duet with someone. If he agrees, we can offer more money."

Soon, the director provided a response.

Guan Kongcheng agreed to the duet, but he insisted his duet partner must be skilled enough.

Chen Bin immediately forwarded Ni Baige's original song and her previous stage performances to the director.

After roughly half an hour, they received an official reply from Guan Kongcheng's side.

He agreed to collaborate with Ni Baige for the duet.

Watching Chen Bin's series of maneuvers, Ni Baige seemed a bit lost.

"Why did you arrange for me to duet with Guan Kongcheng?"

"Guan Kongcheng is a megastar. Singing with him will raise your fame immensely."

"But my song isn't suitable for a duet at all! And why should I let others sing my song in the first place?"

Ni Baige was deeply protective of her own creations. Even if it was someone as famous as Guan Kongcheng, she didn't want to partake in the collaboration.

Smiling bitterly, Chen Bin shot back with a question.

"Be honest with me—do you want to become famous from this Gala performance or not?"

"Of course I do!"

"Then you need to listen to me!"

"But…"

Before Ni Baige could argue further, she was met with a forceful kiss from Chen Bin.

"Shut up and do as I say, alright?"

She rolled her eyes and wiped her mouth in disgust, turning her face away and falling silent.

Despite her disdain for his methods, she quickly revised her lyrics and melodies.

She made them better suited for a duet.

By late December, all Spring Festival Gala segments were finalized.

Ni Baige and Guan Kongcheng's duet was selected as the closing act.

This year's show would follow the usual pre-recorded format. To prepare for it, Chen Bin had Guan Kongcheng brought to Tianhai a few days early.

Guan Kongcheng was quick to agree. Once he arrived in Tianhai, he and Ni Baige met at the recording studio.

After some brief communication, they immediately began rehearsing the duet.

Before long, they developed a certain degree of synergy.

That evening, Chen Bin invited Guan Kongcheng to dinner.

Given how many times they'd worked together, Chen Bin figured it was only fitting.

Guan Kongcheng agreed readily, but on one condition:

Xin Kalan had to join them at the dinner table.

Xin Kalan's response was explosive when she learned this.

"I won't go! He's the person I hate the most. Why would I have dinner with him?"

Chen Bin attempted to persuade her, "Just come along. Trust me, I have a way to give him a good lesson."

"What are you planning to do?"

Seeing the doubt in her expression, Chen Bin acted mysteriously.

"You don't need to know. Just get him drunk, and I'll handle the rest."

After much deliberation, Xin Kalan finally nodded.

However, she warned Chen Bin sternly.

"Let's make one thing clear: If you dare trick me, you'll regret it!"

"What, are you planning to bite me?"

"Who says I won't?"

"Fine! I'll make sure my lips are ready—you can bite whenever you like!"

"Hmph, jerk!"

Giving Chen Bin a contemptuous glance, Xin Kalan turned and walked away.

As he stared at her graceful figure retreating, Chen Bin unconsciously licked his lips.

That night, at Yanxi Hotel.

Chen Bin, Xin Kalan, and Guan Kongcheng sat around a table, eating and chatting.

Actually, most of the talking was between Chen Bin and Guan Kongcheng. Xin Kalan remained silent throughout.

After a few drinks, Chen Bin decided to strike up a conversation.

"Kongcheng, do you know how to cook?"

"Only enough to make sure the food's edible. As for taste… that depends entirely on luck."

At that, Guan Kongcheng turned to Xin Kalan.

"From what I've heard, Director Xin's cooking is fantastic. Chen Tai must be really lucky, huh?"

"I wouldn't know."

Turning to Xin Kalan, Chen Bin feigned seriousness.

"Kalan, I'm your boyfriend! Why didn't you tell me you could cook?"

Glancing at Guan Kongcheng, Xin Kalan smiled and answered.

"Well, you do everything at home, so I've never had the chance to show my skills. How about this—after work tomorrow, tell me what you want to eat, and I'll make it for you."

Chen Bin smirked pointedly.

"Oh, you already know exactly what I want to eat, don't you?"

"Ugh, stop it! Talk about these things when we're home; there are guests here."

Watching the two teasing each other, Guan Kongcheng felt a mix of bitterness in his heart.

A burning jealousy surged inside him, prompting him to grab a bottle and down three glasses of liquor in quick succession.

Seeing this, Chen Bin and Xin Kalan exchanged a meaningful glance.

A while later, Chen Bin proposed something to Guan Kongcheng.

"Kongcheng, Kalan recently came up with a cooking show for celebrities. If you're interested, you could participate after the New Year."

Guan Kongcheng absently replied, "We'll see. If I have time, I'll join."

Raising her glass, Xin Kalan smiled playfully.

"Kongcheng the superstar, I toast to you. But since I'm a woman, for every drink I have, you'll have to have three."

"No problem! If Director Xin toasts me, I'll down an entire bottle."

Throughout the evening, Xin Kalan kept toasting Guan Kongcheng.

Soon, his head began spinning, and he desperately needed the restroom.

Putting on his sunglasses, he headed to the bathroom.

After relieving himself, Guan Kongcheng pulled up his pants and walked out.

At the doorway, he bumped into two men.

Both wore hats and masks, making it impossible to tell what they looked like.

The taller of the two barked, "Get out of the way, jackass! Move!"

As a megastar, Guan Kongcheng rarely experienced this kind of disrespect. Fury immediately flared within him.

"Why are you talking like that?!"

The man sneered, "So what if I insult you? I might as well hit you too!"

With that, he threw a punch right into Guan Kongcheng's stomach...