Chapter 108: Adaptation

After receiving Ling Tian’s permission, Sun Yibin walked slowly over to Black Bear, crouched down, and gazed at the bear’s ashen face. With a sigh full of helplessness, he said, “Black Bear, you’ve been with me all these years and endured so much hardship. But now, our struggles have borne fruit—we feast on meat, drink hearty wine; aren’t we living quite splendidly? I just can’t understand why you would go behind my back and stir up such a mess.”

Black Bear, utterly terrified by Ling Tian’s overwhelming power, could only stare blankly with hollow eyes, expressionless and dazed.

“If it weren’t for Young Master Ling showing mercy, you would have been reduced to ashes long ago, not even a whole corpse left behind,” Sun Yibin continued with a sigh, unable to bear seeing his longtime comrade ruined like this. “Black Bear, you took the wrong path, and now you must pay the price.”

Having exchanged a few words with Black Bear, Sun Yibin felt somewhat relieved. He then gestured to the bodyguards, who promptly came forward and lifted Black Bear onto the car.

“Young Master Ling, thank you for granting me this favor,” Sun Yibin said respectfully as he bowed deeply before Ling Tian, expressing his utmost gratitude. He knew full well that if Ling Tian wished to kill Black Bear, it would be effortless; not even his presence could stop him.

Ling Tian replied calmly, “He has paid his due. This matter is now over. Alright, you can take those trash to the police station to surrender. For at least three years, I don’t want to see them again. Scum belongs where scum should be, not lingering here to harass the common folk.”

Sun Yibin nodded eagerly. “Rest assured, when I return, I will arrange for them to write down all their crimes and then submit themselves to the police. I guarantee you a satisfactory answer.” With that, he ordered the bodyguards to lead the group of ruffians out at a leisurely pace.

“Young Master Ling, there’s no time like the present. How about I host a drink at my humble abode tonight for you and your friend?” Sun Yibin smiled. A shrewd man like him would never miss such a golden opportunity—strike while the iron is hot. If he wanted to forge a connection with Ling Tian, he had to seize the moment.

Ling Tian glanced back at Zhao Ming. “What do you think? Shall we have a drink and perhaps let Sun Yibin introduce some friends to you?” Ling Tian had already intended to go when Sun Yibin extended the invitation. If he wanted Zhao Ming to help him in the future, he had to start cultivating him now.

From Ling Tian’s knowledge of Zhao Ming back in high school, this man was certainly capable. The reason he was struggling now was due to a family calamity. Ling Tian planned to remove all obstacles for Zhao Ming and focus on nurturing him, transforming him into his trusted right-hand man.

Zhao Ming appeared simple and honest, yet his mind was sharp. He had already caught some hints from the conversation between Ling Tian and Sun Yibin. He nodded and said, “Sure, I’m hungry anyway, so it’s perfect to go out and eat. But before that, I need to make a call.”

Seeing both Ling Tian and Zhao Ming agree, Sun Yibin nearly jumped for joy on the spot. This meant Ling Tian was willing to accept him as a friend. As for Ling Tian’s intentions, Sun Yibin had already guessed some. He immediately called several good friends to wait at the bar, ready to introduce them to Zhao Ming.

Zhao Ming took out his phone and checked the time—ten o’clock in the evening. In Yunhai City, a place renowned for its vibrant nightlife, this was not late at all. Most people were still out enjoying themselves. That stingy boss was probably still out trying to pick up women.

Thinking of that selfish, arrogant boss gave Zhao Ming a headache.

Zhao Ming worked in a small factory, laboring hard every day for a pitifully low wage. For the sake of survival, he had endured it all. However, that miserly boss knew about Zhao Ming’s family situation and exploited him, confident Zhao Ming wouldn’t dare quit easily. The exploitation worsened: arriving late by a minute meant losing half a day’s pay; overtime was paid at half rate.

The boss often berated and even physically abused Zhao Ming over trivial matters, once even injuring his head badly.

The boss rarely said, “Work hard,” but rather, “None of my business. Get lost!”

To keep his job, Zhao Ming dared not speak up. Even when scolded, he forced a smile.

After dialing, the person on the other end sounded impatient and irritable as if busy, cursing loudly, “Who the hell is this calling so late? Don’t you know I’m busy playing with women?”

Hearing the boss’s voice, all the pent-up anger inside Zhao Ming erupted like a volcano. He shouted loudly, “You bastard! I’m telling you, I’m quitting.”

After cursing, Zhao Ming felt an immense relief. Years of oppression had finally given way to a moment of triumph.

The boss, who was half-lying on a woman and moving rhythmically while on the call, was stunned, nearly scared into impotence by Zhao Ming’s fierce outburst. Could he have misheard? The obedient Zhao Ming actually exploded?

Damn it! When he comes to work tomorrow, I’ll make sure to deal with him! The boss, realizing he was already soft, attempted to rally himself but found his manhood unresponsive before the voluptuous beauty’s scornful gaze.

Fuming, he smashed things around the room.

Ling Tian patted Zhao Ming’s shoulder and smiled, “You’re done with that job for sure. But don’t forget to get your wages. Tomorrow, I’ll personally go with you to demand your pay. While we’re drinking later, tally up how much that scoundrel owes you in total. We’ll get all of it back with interest.”

Now that his anger had subsided, Zhao Ming seemed like a new man. He nodded firmly, “No problem!”

Sun Yibin chuckled, “Get in the car; we’re heading to catch the midnight show.”

Zhao Ming returned to his room, grabbed his personal belongings, then got into the car, heading straight to the Nest Bar.

The bar staff, already informed, stood in two neat lines at the entrance, with a red carpet laid between them, awaiting Ling Tian and Zhao Ming’s arrival.

The bar manager anxiously checked his watch and the formation repeatedly.

When Sun Yibin called earlier, he had instructed that the guests were VIPs and that the welcome ceremony had to be grand and flawless. If anything went wrong, the manager was to jump into the Yangtze River and feed the fish himself.

Who were these guests to warrant such importance? Even when the Li family visited, it was never this extravagant—not even a red carpet. The manager murmured to himself.

Soon, Sun Yibin’s car arrived at the bar entrance, perfectly aligned with the red carpet.

Before Ling Tian and Zhao Ming could step out, Sun Yibin beat them to it, respectfully opening the doors and gesturing for them to enter. Simultaneously, the waiting staff, led by the manager, bowed deeply and shouted a warm welcome.

Ling Tian was unphased by such scenes, stepping out calmly. Zhao Ming, however, was different. Years of hardship had deeply affected him. Though he had seen grand occasions before, he had never experienced one firsthand, making him somewhat uneasy.

“Ling Tian, I’m a bit nervous,” Zhao Ming whispered, unsure of which foot to step forward first.

“You’ll encounter such occasions often, and even grander ones. You’ll get used to it. Remember, your life is about to change completely. You’re no longer a struggling ant at the bottom but someone who will rise to power, controlling life and death,” Ling Tian said gravely.

Suddenly, Zhao Ming felt a sense of frustration with himself. He hated how weak he was. Ling Tian valued him so much, yet he had acted so ineptly. How could he shoulder great responsibilities in the future?

“Ha, don’t be so nervous. It’s unfamiliar now, but you’ll get used to it. Hold your head high and stride forward boldly,” Ling Tian encouraged.

No one becomes successful overnight. Ling Tian himself was the weakest during training. His first mission on the battlefield left him trembling at the sight of death.

The first time he killed, he had nightmares for a week, dreaming of the dead seeking vengeance. But he quickly adapted.

Learning to adapt and grow was most important.

After a brief moment of tension, Zhao Ming felt better. He braced himself and followed Ling Tian, stepping onto the soft carpet and walking slowly into the Nest Bar amid cheers from the beautiful waitresses.

The bar’s most exclusive VIP room was already set for the banquet. Four pure and lovely women in white gowns stood quietly by the sides. Upon seeing Ling Tian and Zhao Ming, they bowed sweetly. Each pair served one guest, standing behind them and delicately removing their coats with their fair hands.

Zhao Ming, receiving the first touch of a beautiful woman’s hand, shivered instinctively. His face flushed crimson as he stole a glance at one of the beauties, silently admiring, “Truly beautiful—perfect figure, perfect face.”

Sun Yibin laughed heartily. “Hey, Zhao Ming, you’re not still a virgin, are you? Just a touch from a woman and you’re blushing like this.”

Blushing and scratching his head, Zhao Ming chuckled sheepishly. From his reaction, Sun Yibin judged that Zhao Ming was not only a virgin but had probably never even been touched by a woman before.

Ling Tian smiled. “Zhao Ming, virgins are rare these days. How about I arrange some beauties for you tonight? Let you lose your innocence and become a real man. Yibin, I’m entrusting this to you. I trust your taste—the ones you picked tonight are good enough.”

Ling Tian had no interest in heavily made-up women doused in perfume. He preferred pure, beautiful, and natural ladies—those were the ones truly pleasing to the eye.