CHAPTER 636: CHAPTER 635: ALL FRIENDS

As the words were spoken, the entire campsite seemed to quiet down momentarily, as almost everyone’s gaze shifted in this direction.

But it was just a fleeting glance, and then these people turned their heads away, each returning to their own business.

Li Ge, the Young Master of Mobei Commerce, was also a famous prodigy. Moreover, Mobei Commerce and the Trading House where Annie belonged both had their headquarters in the same city.

It was said that the rivalry between the two Trading Houses was fierce, but these two grew up together from childhood. Some even called them childhood sweethearts.

Lately, there were signs of reconciliation between the two Trading Houses, and they seemed to be getting quite close, even rumors of an arranged marriage between the two houses started to spread.

Everyone had long speculated that it had something to do with Li Ge and Annie, but no one expected Li Ge to make such a sudden attack, teasing Annie in front of so many people.

The affairs of the young were not of concern to the adults, and the members of the Trading Houses continued to be busy with their own matters.

But Annie’s expression was one of annoyance. However, she did not want to cause trouble for Lin Hao, so she let go of his hand, took two steps forward, and said disgruntledly, "Li Ge! Please watch your words! Who is your woman? And this is my friend. If we are not welcome here, we will leave. But please, refrain from using foul language!"

Annie obviously gave no face to Li Ge and there were quite a few people from other Trading Houses watching from the side.

Li Ge’s face grew even darker.

This was a public humiliation in front of so many people!

If this had been in the past, it wouldn’t have happened like this. He, Li Ge, was a man who understood the bigger picture and knew when to advance or retreat, and would not have taken offense.

But not today, not anymore!

He, Li Ge, was no longer the same person he had once been!

"Annie, I hope you will be more considerate. Don’t take my love for you as a license for your insolence, otherwise..."

A sharp glint flashed across Li Ge’s eyes, and a chill emanated from him.

The atmosphere became quite awkward for a moment.

Annie was furious. She had known Li Ge since childhood and knew well what kind of person he was. However, today’s Li Ge was different, so domineering and arrogant.

Where did he get such confidence!

"Fine, if that’s how it is, I’ll just leave."

Annie huffed coldly and turned around to leave.

Seeing this, several young men and women nearby became anxious and rushed over.

"Annie, Annie, don’t be like that. Li Ge is just a little drunk, a bit too bold. Don’t be mad."

Lan Yue, also from a Trading House and familiar with everyone, had joined the caravan as an acquaintance, and immediately rushed over to take Annie’s hand.

"It’s my fault for bringing such good wine. I got it from an ancient tomb; it’s old wine, originally meant to be a celebration for everyone." An exotic young man also came over to persuade: "It’s fate that brought us all together, why make it unpleasant? Come on, tonight I will host, and everyone can taste the wine."

"Speaking of which," the young man winked at a few other youths.

Understanding the hint, they quickly came over, each with a smile piled on their faces.

A young girl from the Trading House approached with a beaming smile, looking at Lin Hao: "Hello, my name is Luo Na, I’m Annie’s best friend, and since you’re Annie’s friend, you’re my friend too. Welcome."

"Exactly, we’re all friends. All of us here are from the Mobei Commerce. As the saying goes, the more friends we have, the more roads we’ll find. The world is not always peaceful, so it’s even more important for us to stick together. Come on, take a seat and have some drinks."

The group, with smiles all over their faces, were very courteous to Lin Hao.

Although Annie was quite displeased with Li Ge, she couldn’t take it out on the others. After all, they were all part of the Trading House, and harmony would bring wealth, which was the right path.

"Mu Yi brother, what do you think..." Annie turned to Lin Hao. She had been deeply impressed by Lin Hao’s extensive knowledge during their half-day together, and Lin Hao had casually resolved her years of cultivation barriers. She was even more grateful to him. If Lin Hao didn’t like it here, she would have no choice but to leave.

"How could we leave when there’s wine to drink and new friends to make?" Lin Hao smiled faintly, "As the gentleman said, when you’re out in the world, the more friends you have, the more paths you’ll find."

The tension finally relaxed, and the crowd surrounded Annie and Lin Hao, guiding them to their seats. Only Li Ge, with a sullen look and seething anger, refrained from making a scene and followed back to his seat.

Sunset Three Laughs didn’t like places like this and was absent, leaving only Mu Yi next to Lin Hao, eagerly eyeing the vintage wine dug out from some ancient tomb.

The man wasn’t stingy; he produced a jar of wine for everyone to share.

"Annie, aren’t you going to introduce your friend to everyone?" Luo Na sat beside Annie, occasionally glancing at Lin Hao from the corner of her eye.

To be honest, even with the Disguise Technique camouflaging him, Lin Hao’s demeanor was unmistakable. Plus, Mu Yi’s Disguise Technique was outstanding, making Lin Hao look like a handsome young man from another race—it was no wonder that he attracted the opposite sex’s attention.

"He’s called Mu Yi, a Wandering Practitioner accompanying our caravan," Annie said, not knowing much about Lin Hao herself, so her introduction was naturally brief.

"So he’s a Wandering Practitioner. I thought he was some key-figure hero," said Li Ge from the side, laughing mockingly in a sarcastic tone.

Lin Hao, of course, paid no attention, as if he hadn’t heard a thing. Mu Yi was the same, ignoring the comment as well. But Annie’s expression soured instantly.

Just as she was about to retort, the young man serving wine quickly raised his glass to Lin Hao and filled it up, saying cheerily: "I envy you Wandering Practitioners the most, unencumbered and free to wander the ends of the earth. You must have seen a lot of the world, right? Here, I, Shen Fei, toast to you, hoping one day I can become a real Wandering Practitioner, too!"

Shen Fei appeared sincere, and naturally, Lin Hao had no harsh words, lifting his glass in return: "As long as you’re determined, you’ll achieve it, won’t you?"

"Alas, folks like us have too many ties, too many to just pick up and travel," Shen Fei said with a bitter smile and drank up in one gulp.

"Just drinking isn’t much fun, why don’t we play some games to liven things up?" Just then, Li Ge spoke up.

His voice was much softer than before, as if he had forgotten his earlier resentment.

But Lin Hao, who was keen-eyed, spotted a glimmer of a scheme in Li Ge’s eyes as he spoke.

Li Ge indeed wouldn’t let it go so easily. Today’s rejection in love wasn’t a big deal for him, but losing face was a grave matter.

Who here didn’t know that he and Annie were a pair? Who didn’t know that Annie would always become his woman?

But just now, his words were ignored, and he was publicly contradicted by Annie.

Not to mention, what infuriated him the most was Lin Hao sitting right next to Annie, close like a couple, while he, her bona fide boyfriend, even fiancé maybe, could only sit and watch from afar!

Li Ge felt like a large green meadow was floating above his head!!