30. A Chance Encounter

The night passed, and the next morning, Ye Feng opened his eyes and glanced at his watch. It was already past nine o’clock. He had spent the previous night reminiscing about the past, so much so that he couldn’t recall when he finally drifted off to sleep. After washing his face, Ye Feng stepped out and walked to the nearest large shopping center by his ancestral home. Once inside, he slipped into a restroom, and confirming he was alone, he swallowed a transformation pill, focusing on morphing himself into an ordinary man. Mere seconds later, Ye Feng stood before the mirror, staring in amazement at the unfamiliar face reflected back at him. He touched his face and pinched himself—yes, it hurt! This was his own face, just altered. Though Bad Bad had explained the pill’s effects, actually experiencing it left Ye Feng astounded; it was as real as could be.

This earned him another round of contempt from Bad Bad.

Ye Feng checked the time, noted it carefully, then hurried off to see if the herbal shops had opened.

He was lucky; most of the shops were already open, and since the herbs he needed were common, he managed to collect all his materials after visiting just three stores. To avoid suspicion, he even bought some unnecessary herbs. Once he had everything, he went to a public restroom to transfer the items into his space ring.

With his errands done, Ye Feng began to feel a bit uneasy. Bad Bad had mentioned that the transformation pill’s effects might not last long—nearly two hours had passed already. He needed to find somewhere to wait until the effect wore off before returning home.

Where to hide proved troublesome. He couldn’t stay in the restroom forever, so he chose a bustling café. Why not pick somewhere quiet? Simple: with only a few patrons, any change in his appearance would surely be noticed. In a crowded spot, he could sit by the window in a corner and no one would suspect a thing.

Ye Feng sat idly, waiting for time to pass, when he unexpectedly spotted a familiar face: Nan Jing, seated with several men in a corner booth by the window of the elite club across the street. This instantly piqued Ye Feng’s curiosity. He didn’t recall any Nan family among the major clans, but the club opposite wasn’t a place just anyone could enter.

Though a street and two layers of glass separated them, making it impossible for ordinary people to hear their conversation, with Bad Bad’s assistance, Ye Feng could clearly make out their discussion.

The middle-aged man beside Nan Jing, though slightly overweight, sat upright and carried an air of authority. Ye Feng guessed he was likely a military man. With Bad Bad’s analysis, Ye Feng learned that this was Nan Jing’s father, and astonishingly, he was currently the head of the Nangong family. That meant Nan Jing’s true surname was Nangong.

Opposite Nan Jing sat two men, their ages separated by more than twenty years, clearly father and son. Through their conversation, Ye Feng discovered their surname was Bai, members of the Bai family, though their specific identities were unclear.

The middle-aged Bai wore gold-rimmed glasses and exuded warmth, dressed impeccably in a black suit. Beside him sat a young man of refined upbringing, so handsome Ye Feng found him flawless.

At that moment, Bad Bad’s annoying voice sounded: “Ye Feng, do you know who that man is? Bai Weiqi of the Bai Group. He just inherited the group’s vast assets, a remarkable figure and a PhD returned from overseas—quite talented. Rumor has it Bai Weiqi once declared he would marry only Nan Jing. From the look of things, the two are almost certain to end up together. If the Nangong and Bai families form a union, no one in Haifeng City could rival them. Both sides would reap enormous commercial benefits—a classic business marriage. But your little Nan Jing doesn’t seem to fancy Young Master Bai. It’s only because both families’ parents fervently support the match that things have reached this point.”

Ye Feng’s heart jolted. He sighed, “Comparing myself to them, I’m not even worth a dog. So, between the Nangong and Bai families, who holds more power?”

Bad Bad replied disdainfully, “That’s obvious—the Nangong family. Do you know Nan Jing’s grandfather? Nangong Quan is the commander of the Southern Military Region in the Republic of Huaxia. There are only a handful of generals in Huaxia, you could count them on one hand. Who dares challenge the military these days? And Nangong Quan isn’t someone you’d want to cross! Still, with the current state of medical care, that iron-blooded general probably doesn’t have many years left. It’s no wonder they want a powerful ally—so the Nangong family won’t be too vulnerable when the old man passes.”

Ye Feng argued, “That may not be so certain. Bai Weiqi’s father, Bai Shaofeng, has a father-in-law who’s been influential in Beijing for decades. He’s got quite a lot of clout! I wouldn’t be so sure.”

Bad Bad scoffed, “Even if his father-in-law is powerful in Beijing, he’s still not in the same league as Nangong Quan.”

Ye Feng had to admit the logic, but seeing Nan Jing’s unwilling expression across the street made him feel oddly unsettled.

Lost in thought, Ye Feng was startled when Bad Bad suddenly shouted, “Wake up! Your face has reverted—get out of here now!”

Bad Bad’s abruptness made Ye Feng jump. “Are you trying to kill me, shouting like that?” He glanced at Nan Jing one last time, paid his bill, and left the café.

Back home, Ye Feng began to concoct the eagerly anticipated potion—who wouldn’t wish for superhuman strength?

The process went faster than Ye Feng had expected; in just over four hours, he finished making all the necessary potions.

Ultimately, Ye Feng decided to resolve Wang Siyuan’s matter before taking the superhuman pill.

He opened the passage, and Wang Siyuan quickly stood up, looking as if he wanted to speak but held back. He thought, now that his body had recovered, he couldn’t stay locked up here forever, but years with the Ai family had taught him not to speak first at times like these.

Sure enough, after a few seconds, the young master spoke: “Take these two pills. I’ll arrange a new identity for you.”

Wang Siyuan stared at the pills in Ye Feng’s hand, hesitated, then finally took them and swallowed them down.

Ye Feng watched Wang Siyuan quietly. A few seconds later, the man before him had transformed into someone else entirely, his gaze now that of a loyal servant.

“Young master.”

“Mm. From today, you’ll be called Ye Tianhua. Your new identity is ready—an overseas Chinese investor returning home. I’ve prepared your funds; they’re in your account. Go buy two villas with basements in the suburbs, then await my instructions.”

Without hesitation, Wang Siyuan—now Ye Tianhua—slipped out of the ancestral home under cover of darkness.

Watching Ye Tianhua leave, Ye Feng asked, “Bad Bad, are you sure everything’s settled?”

Offended, Bad Bad retorted, “If I can’t handle something like this, what kind of AI am I? No one can stop me in this era’s network systems. Modifying a simple personal record is overkill…”

“Alright, alright, you’re amazing, I get it,” Ye Feng quickly cut him off, wondering how Bad Bad managed it, as his chatter grew more excessive. Ye Feng took a red pill from his pocket, sniffed it, and asked, “Are you certain this potion is finished?”

For the first time, Bad Bad hesitated, “It should be…”

Ye Feng sensed Bad Bad’s lack of confidence. “You’re sure I won’t die from this?”

“Absolutely. Based on my data, the effects should be positive. At worst, your body might weaken a little, but you won’t die.”

“Oh… well, what’s the success rate?” Ye Feng was still uneasy.

“About sixty percent. Take your chances,” Bad Bad replied irresponsibly, as if unconcerned about any adverse effects.

Ye Feng’s heart raced as he held the pill, raising it to his mouth several times before finally, with a firm resolve, he swallowed it whole. Whether he could become a superhuman depended on this moment.

Nan Jing was in agony—utter agony. She never imagined her fiancé by family arrangement would turn out to be Bai Weiqi. He might look gentlemanly on the surface, but in truth, he was a hypocrite, notorious for ruining countless respectable girls. If she married him, her life would be ruined.

Watching her father and Bai Weiqi’s father chat happily, Nan Jing felt increasingly dejected. She would never submit to such a political marriage, but she struggled to find a way out.

After a while, the fathers left, saying they wanted to give the younger ones some privacy. Alone, Nan Jing grew even more miserable—the more she looked at this wolf in sheep’s clothing, the more disgusted she became.

“I already have a boyfriend. Give up,” Nan Jing said with disdain, staring at Bai Weiqi.

“Jing, you’re breaking my heart. Uncle and Aunt both hope we’ll be together. Weren’t things good between us before? Why did you change after going to college?” Bai Weiqi put on a passionate act—an outsider would think him a devoted man, but Nan Jing knew his true nature.

“Spare me your act. You think I don’t know your reputation? In the past, my parents only asked you to look after me. What relationship do we have? Changed heart? Bai Weiqi, the more you say, the more I despise you… And ‘Jing’ is for my family only—call me by my full name, Nangong Jing!”

Exposed, Bai Weiqi snorted coldly, “Jing, I don’t know what rumors you’ve heard to misjudge me, but please believe me, I’m sincere. You’re pure, and society is complicated—don’t let malicious people deceive you!”

“Who I like is none of your business. Don’t meddle—I will never marry you, so don’t waste your efforts,” Nan Jing said as she stood, unwilling to continue. Every moment in his presence made her sick.

“Jing… Jing…” Bai Weiqi chased after her, reaching out, but Nan Jing deftly evaded him, slipped out of the club, and hopped into a taxi, leaving Bai Weiqi behind, seething with resentment.

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