Chapter 289: Another Flood Swept Away the Dragon King's Temple

At the same time, in a high-end restaurant, Xiao Qidi had the waiter prepare the dishes.

According to the agreed time, Ning Jinli should be arriving soon.

This restaurant was specially selected by Xiao Qidi after searching online, renowned as the most romantic restaurant in Xinghan City, a holy ground for proposals.

He chose this place because, beforehand, he himself had searched online and learned that people of this era often stage a proposal ceremony before marriage.

He had long since decided that Ning Jinli was his one and only.

So, he ought to follow the customs of this era and also propose to her.

For this, Xiao Qidi studied the relevant information he found online, and while Ning Jinli was busy today, he reserved the best spot at this restaurant.

Enjoying a private floor-to-ceiling window with a wide view, outside is Jiang'an Lawn, and the night scenery is especially beautiful.

Moreover, he spent a lot of money to have the restaurant make preparations and cooperate throughout.

At that time, the lighting, music, and staff will all create the ultimate atmosphere for Ning Jinli, and then dedicated personnel will use a large quantity of fresh rose petals outside the floor-to-ceiling window to create a splendid "Rose Rain".

During the Rose Rain, Xiao Qidi will bring Ning Jinli through the glass door beside the floor-to-ceiling window onto the lawn, and while she is there, captivated, a drone fireworks show will appear in the night sky.

Drones all over the sky form a beautiful heart pattern, then let the fireworks pour down.

At the same time, the searchlights set up around the restaurant lawn will switch on, echoing the drone fireworks show, and finally the words "I Love You" in three large characters will appear high above the river.

Such a splendid, romantic, and magnificent sight is enough for passersby strolling and playing by the river to all enjoy.

And at that moment, Xiao Qidi will take out the diamond ring, kneel on one knee, and propose to Ning Jinli amidst the crowd of onlookers.

Xiao Qidi constantly imagined each step in his mind; this ceremony is important to both him and Ning Jinli, and he hopes nothing will go wrong when the time comes.

The waiter began bringing him exquisite dishes and suggested, saying the red wine could be opened first to let it breathe.

Xiao Qidi stared out the window, his hands unconsciously clenched together, without responding.

"Mr. Xiao?" the waiter called softly.

Xiao Qidi then came to his senses, "Huh? What's up?"

The waiter smiled and said, "You seem quite nervous, Mr. Xiao; rest assured, we won't deviate from any step, guaranteeing everything goes smoothly."

Xiao Qidi slowly exhaled a breath.

He was indeed very nervous, more mentally tense than any previous battle he had fought.

The waiters brought out all the dishes, then opened a bottle of the restaurant's signature premium red wine, and following the original plan, a few waiters went to the restaurant entrance to prepare to receive Ning Jinli.

But at this moment, Ning Jinli was in a secluded alley, confronting Zhang Haoyang and Si Ya.

Zhang Haoyang and Si Ya, facing Ning Jinli who had already walked up to their sports car, were still somewhat wary, so they did not get out of the car, only opening the windows.

"I wasn't following you," Zhang Haoyang said stubbornly, "I just happened to be passing by."

Before Wang Kai arrived, he did not want to provoke Ning Jinli into attacking.

Otherwise, he and Si Ya would get another beating.

Ning Jinli crossed her arms, "If there's something, just say it; if not, then move the car out of my way."

Si Ya arrogantly said, "We won't move; what can you do about it?"

"I see, you're tailing me purely to pick a fight." Ning Jinli stepped forward two more steps, placing her hands on the car's hood, "Are you sure you won't move?"

Zhang Haoyang sneered, "What, do you think you can still push my car—"

Before he finished speaking, the hood of the supercar suddenly emitted a creaking sound, and the entire car actually began to slowly reverse.

"Haoyang, why are you reversing? Are you trying to give her space?" Si Ya complained.

Zhang Haoyang said with a stiff face, "No... didn't you see I already turned off the car?"

Only then did Si Ya realize that Ning Jinli was pushing the car with her bare hands!

As the sports car reversed, the two's expressions grew increasingly terrified.

They had seen strong men push a car, but never a woman able to do so.

Meanwhile, Ning Jinli had her hands on the car's front, her expression calm and relaxed, as if she were pushing a supermarket shopping cart effortlessly.

"Is... is this even human?" Si Ya screamed, "Haoyang! Quickly start the car! Just run her over!"

Zhang Haoyang broke out in a cold sweat from fright, and in his panic he started the car without thinking, then floored the accelerator.

The engine roared like a beast's bellow.

As the car lurched forward, Ning Jinli braced her hands on the front, leapt high with a flip, and in an instant landed behind the car.

Meanwhile, the car continued lunging forward.

"Ah! We're going to hit the car ahead!" Si Ya shouted at the top of her lungs.

Zhang Haoyang's scalp went numb; he released the accelerator and slammed the brakes.

In a sharp screech, the wheels locked, the car skidded and rode up onto the rear of Ning Jinli's vehicle.

Bang!

The sports car's front end dented, and Zhang Haoyang and Si Ya's bodies lurched forward sharply.

Had they not been wearing seat belts, they would have smashed headfirst into the front windshield; also fortunate that this car's engine is rear-mounted, otherwise they would have been wrecked on the spot.

Zhang Haoyang's face turned ashen, "Xiao Ya! Are you alright?"

Si Ya, still shaken, "I... I'm okay..."

"My car was parked perfectly fine, and you rear-ended it—you're fully to blame," Ning Jinli's teasing voice rang out.

Zhang Haoyang, both startled and angry, glanced at the rearview mirror, his gaze darkened, "Xiao Ya, hold on tight!"

Si Ya hastily grabbed the roof handle.

Zhang Haoyang quickly reversed with a flurry of operations, increased power, and slammed into Ning Jinli, who stood behind the car, once again.

He was already beside himself, not caring about any consequences.

Ning Jinli's eyes darkened slightly as she stared at the speeding reversing supercar; at the critical moment, she channeled internal energy into her hands, then struck down forcefully, and after a quick retreat she swiftly withdrew several meters away.

Bang!

Only a huge bang was heard.

The sports car's speed suddenly dropped.

Even though Zhang Haoyang floored the accelerator, it was of no help; finally, relying on inertia, the car rolled back a few meters and came to a complete stop just under ten centimeters short of Ning Jingli's knee.

"Haoyang, what's happening?" Si Ya asked.

Sweat the size of beans beaded on Zhang Haoyang's face, his pupils narrowed, and he stammered, "If I'm not mistaken... she... she... she damaged my car's engine..."

"What did you say?" Si Ya turned around in shock.

When she saw a huge dent in the sports car's rear cover and thick black smoke billowing from the deformed area, her face turned pale with fright.

"Ahhh! It's going to explode!"

She screamed, fumbling to unfasten her seatbelt, and pushed the door open, rolling out in a scramble.

Zhang Haoyang also panicked and hurriedly abandoned the car.

The two scrambled out of the car in a mess, ran a few desperate steps, then collapsed to the ground, clutching their heads tightly.

A few seconds passed—

There was no sound at all.

Zhang Haoyang, trembling, turned his head to look; the sports car's engine was indeed smoking, but there was absolutely no sign of an explosion.

It was Si Ya's sudden fright that made him panic as well.

A pair of sneakers appeared before Zhang Haoyang; he slowly lifted his head, shivered, and hurriedly sat down on the spot, crawling backward, "You... you don't come over!"

Ning Jingli's face showed no emotion; she said lightly, "I don't want any more entanglements with you. It's rather pointless and a waste of time; take care of yourselves."

Zhang Haoyang finally steadied himself, his expression gloomy, but said nothing, grabbed the still-dazed Si Ya, and jogged out toward the alley.

Ning Jingli watched their backs fade at the alley entrance, then returned to her own car, about to hurry to meet Xiao Qidi, when Su Qinglan called.

As soon as the call connected, Su Qinglan's urgent voice came through, "Xiao Li! Hurry over here! Your parents are in trouble!"

Ning Jingli's mind went boom—, and she quickly asked, "Did your parents have an accident abroad?!"

"No, no, no," Su Qinglan said hurriedly, "It's not a personal safety issue... they have already returned to the country; your mother is here with me now. In short, come quickly! I'll keep trying to persuade her."

Hearing that it wasn't a personal safety issue, Ning Jingli felt the knot in her throat loosen.

But from Su Qinglan's tone, it was clearly no small matter.

After ending the call, she sent Xiao Qidi a message, mentioning an urgent matter she needed to attend to and that she'd explain the details once she clarified them.

On the other end, Xiao Qidi read the message, his expression growing solemn; after glancing at the prepared dinner, he thought briefly and replied, "Alright, drive safely on the road; I'll be waiting here."

Ning Jingli drove her car, opening the supercar's roof that blocked half the road; just as she exited the alley, several vans came head‑on, surrounding her.

She slammed on the brakes, stopped, stuck her head out and shouted, "Don't block the road! Move aside!"

"Who do you think you are, you mother!" Zhang Haoyang's voice suddenly rang out.

Ning Jingli frowned, followed the voice, and saw Zhang Haoyang holding Si Ya's hand, strolling over from the side at a leisurely pace.

It turned out the two hadn't left.

Then Zhang Haoyang shouted, "It's her!"

Whoa—

The doors of several vans swung open quickly, and a group of thugs brandishing sticks poured out, swarming Ning Jingli's car and clanging loudly as they battered it.

Ning Jingli pushed the door open, kicked two thugs aside, and shouted angrily, "What do you think you're doing!"

The thugs were intimidated by her aura, instinctively stepping back two paces, then realized the woman looked somewhat familiar...

"What? Can't you see? Of course it's you!" Zhang Haoyang snarled, "Do you really think I'm scared of you? I tell you, the face you made me lose must be reclaimed today!"

Si Ya now felt emboldened, shouting in support, "Ning Jingli! I'll make you understand, crossing me and Haoyang will have no good outcome! You think you're strong? I doubt you can beat so many! Hmph!"

As soon as the two finished speaking, Wang Kai, who had been in the van, hurriedly got out, eyes wide, staring at Ning Jingli surrounded by thugs.

"Wait!" Wang Kai asked in disbelief to Zhang Haoyang, "The person you sent me to deal with is her?"

Zhang Haoyang replied, "Yeah, any problem?"

Wang Kai was stunned, his mind a bit confused.

From last night's incident, his boss Wu Sanye was a subordinate of this woman, and it was she who had asked him to apologize to Zhang Haoyang with a gift.

How come now...

Zhang Haoyang actually wants to deal with her now?

Crazy, right!

Isn't this the opposite of Tian Gang?

At that moment the thugs also recognized Ning Jingli, all wearing expressions of terror and bewilderment, and collectively turned their heads toward Wang Kai.

Ning Jingli followed their gaze, and instantly pulled a grimace.

Wang Kai felt his scalp tingle under Ning Jingli's stare, nearly dropping to his knees.

Because of last night's incident, after being taken away by Wu Sanye he was scolded mercilessly, and most of the tasks originally assigned to him were withdrawn; for the next year he must be observed, and if he doesn't learn to curb his temperament and avoid further mistakes, Third Uncle will leave him with no foothold in Xinghan City.

Wang Kai had assumed Ning Jingli was protecting Zhang Haoyang, so when Zhang Haoyang asked him to help deal with someone, he obeyed without hesitation.

Little did he know... the situation he faced was this absurd.

Si Ya furrowed her brows and urged, "Why are all your little guys just standing there? Tell them to act quickly!"

Zhang Haoyang assumed a commanding stance and said, "Wang Kai, you saw that woman last night, right? Oh, that's right—if I remember correctly, you had a dispute with her boyfriend, and that night you came to our gathering hotel to deal with him. It seems you didn't... now it's just right; you can settle your account together as well."

Wang Kai's temples pulsed with blue veins; even though he was still a bit confused, he knew he could not offend Ning Jingli any further, so he shouted at the thugs, "All of you, get back here, move the cars! Don't block Miss Ning's way!"

Hearing that, Zhang Haoyang and Si Ya were both dumbfounded.

The thugs reacted quickly, withdrew immediately, and honestly moved the van aside.

Ning Jingli had no time to discuss the situation with Wang Kai; she got back into her car, paused briefly as she passed him, lowered the window and coldly said, "Looks like Third Uncle still spared you some face; I'll talk to him later."

Wang Kai fell to his knees with a thud, "Miss Ning, it's a misunderstanding... a huge one! I... I thought Zhang Haoyang had a good relationship with you! I was only helping him out of respect for your reputation! How could I have known the person he wanted to deal with was you!"

Ning Jinli ignored him, got in the car and sped away.

Zhang Haoyang and Si Ya were both dumbfounded, standing there at a loss.

Wang Kai's face turned livid with anger; he slowly rose to his feet, then seized Zhang Haoyang's throat.

"Kai-ge! What on earth is going on?" Si Ya grabbed Wang Kai's arm and asked, "Why are you being so polite to Ning Jinli? What do you mean… you're only doing it for her sake…"

"Get lost!" Wang Kai kicked Si Ya over, then lashed out at Zhang Haoyang: "Miss Ning is the boss of my boss! It was only because Miss Ning spoke up last night that I apologized to you! I even thought you were on good terms with Miss Ning! Damn it! Because of you, I treated you like a big shot, letting you flood the Longwang Temple again, and I'll kill you, you bastard!"