Jiang Feng finished his performance, and the outcome was clear.
Qiu Yue'er immediately wanted to take Jiang Feng as her master, the difference in skill was evident.
Everyone wasn't foolish; they naturally knew who had won and who had lost.
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If they refused to admit it, they would just be deceiving themselves.
Involuntarily, everyone's gaze turned to Liang Dachao.
"Sigh, Liang Dachao really lost big this time."
"Who says he didn't? Losing the 'Star of Love' is bad enough, but now he has to kneel and call someone grandpa. Tsk tsk, what a disgrace."
"They've already signed a life-and-death agreement. If he doesn't follow through, he won't be able to show his face in Meilong City anymore."
"In business, integrity is everything. I hope Liang Dachao can see the reality and not act like a coward."
"This has been quite a spectacle. I thought Liang Dachao would win for sure, but Jiang Feng turned out to be even stronger. He has to accept his fate."
"Liang Dachao really overplayed his hand this time. He didn't even know his opponent's strength before challenging him. This time, he played with fire and got burned."
"Well, he brought it on himself."
"Everyone, stop talking. Look at Liang Dachao's face; he looks terrible. He might lose his temper and take it out on us."
"Yeah, you're right. Let's just watch and see what happens."
Everyone tacitly fell silent, staring at Jiang Feng and Liang Dachao, waiting to see how it would end.
Unexpectedly, everyone started to criticize Liang Dachao, just like they had done to Jiang Feng earlier. Although their words weren't as harsh, they were still full of disdain.
As the saying goes, when the wall falls, everyone pushes. These people were experts at kicking someone when they were down.
It had nothing to do with them, so they just watched the show.
"Young Master Liang, kneel." Jiang Feng turned to the still-stunned Liang Dachao, smirking. "I've been waiting long enough. Everyone's watching; it's time to show your manliness."
"I..." Liang Dachao was speechless. He looked around; everyone was watching him, without a hint of sympathy, completely devoid of their previous flattery and fawning.
"Young Master Liang, you spoke so confidently earlier. Are you going to go back on your word now?" Jiang Feng teased. "If you do, the whole of Meilong City will look down on you."
"Remember, we signed a life-and-death agreement. It's all in black and white. Think carefully." Jiang Feng added calmly.
Liang Dachao's expression twisted, as if he were fighting an intense internal battle. His face turned red, and his teeth ground together audibly.
"Jiang Feng, let's just consider it a joke. No harm done, let's shake hands and make up. The 'Star of Love' is yours." Chu Qingqing suddenly stepped in as a mediator.
Chu Qingqing had known Liang Dachao for many years and couldn't bear to see him kneel in public. She had to say something.
Her tone was gentle, without any intention of pressuring Jiang Feng, even carrying a hint of pleading.
"Alright, for Miss Chu Qingqing's sake, I'll let him off. Just hand over the 'Star of Love'." Jiang Feng didn't push further and agreed to Chu Qingqing's suggestion.
Chu Qingqing was taken aback. She had expected Jiang Feng to insist a bit more, but he agreed so quickly and even said it was for her sake. Did her face really hold that much value now?
This made Chu Qingqing see Jiang Feng in a new light.
"Thank you. I'll remember this favor and repay it in the future." Chu Qingqing said.
"You're welcome," Jiang Feng smiled.
In truth, he wasn't doing it for Chu Qingqing's sake; he just didn't want things to get too ugly. After all, he wasn't truly powerful yet.
Better safe than sorry; this was a principle he had adhered to for centuries.
"No, I don't need your pity. I take responsibility for my actions. I lost the bet, and I can handle the shame." Liang Dachao shouted.
Thud!
Liang Dachao knelt firmly in front of Jiang Feng.
Everyone was stunned. They hadn't expected Liang Dachao to have some backbone, which earned him a bit of respect.
No matter what, few people could do such a thing.
Kneeling in front of everyone meant losing face completely, unable to lift his head ever again.
This kneeling would soon spread throughout Meilong City, affecting his future life significantly.
Jiang Feng nodded slightly. Liang Dachao was still a man of his word.
But he knew that this kneeling had irreparably damaged their relationship, and Liang Dachao would surely seek revenge.
So be it; the cause and effect were set, and worrying was useless.
"Since you're kneeling, you might as well kowtow." Jiang Feng crossed his arms, looking down at Liang Dachao.
Liang Dachao gritted his teeth and began to kowtow.
Ten loud kowtows, each one echoing in everyone's ears.
"Grandpa!"
"Grandpa!"
"Grandpa!"
Liang Dachao called out three times.
"Good, obedient grandson," Jiang Feng responded.
Gasp!
Everyone was shocked again. Jiang Feng actually accepted it.
This was like giving Liang Dachao a hard slap.
Impressive.
This was a complete break with Liang Dachao.
Everyone secretly gave Jiang Feng a thumbs up. Bold move!
Since Jiang Feng had given Liang Dachao a way out and he didn't take it, he couldn't blame anyone else.
At this point, there was no harm in being a bit more ruthless.
It was beyond saving anyway.
Might as well take advantage now; as the saying goes, only a fool doesn't take advantage.
Jiang Feng didn't want to be a fool.
"You..." Liang Dachao was furious.
His anger flared up. If conditions allowed, he would have killed Jiang Feng on the spot, tearing him to pieces to vent his hatred.
"What? Do you have any objections?" Jiang Feng asked.
"Hmph, just you wait. This isn't over." Liang Dachao snorted coldly.
"Stop wasting time and finish the matter at hand. Now, hand over the 'Star of Love'." Jiang Feng said casually but with a hint of menace.
Liang Dachao glared at Jiang Feng. He had already knelt and called him grandpa; handing over the item was the least of his worries now.
Liang Dachao stood up, holding the 'Star of Love' in his hands, and presented it to Jiang Feng. "Please accept it."
"Sure, thanks." Jiang Feng used one finger to lift the sapphire 'Star of Love,' twirling it before grasping it in his palm.
"I've fulfilled all my promises. We'll see each other again." Liang Dachao stormed off.
He had no face left to stay here, leaving like a wounded leopard, but his ferocity remained undiminished.
"Take care," Jiang Feng called out.
Liang Dachao's body trembled, showing his burning rage.
But he held back, not losing his temper on the spot.
Finally, under everyone's gaze, he left the venue in humiliation.
Liang Dachao's departure marked the end of the party.
Everyone else had no reason to stay and began to leave.
Jiang Feng returned to Cheng Shaoqing and handed her the sapphire 'Star of Love,' saying, "Here, it's for you."
Cheng Shaoqing was stunned, surprised. "For me?"
Clearly, Cheng Shaoqing hadn't expected Jiang Feng to give her something so precious. It was completely unexpected.
"Yes, it's for you," Jiang Feng said.
"This isn't right. You won this, and it's so valuable. How can I accept it?" Cheng Shaoqing hesitated.
It wasn't that she didn't like the 'Star of Love'; she loved it. Jiang Feng could see that, which was why he had included it in the bet, intending to win it for her.
"I won it for you. I have no use for it, so just take it. Don't be shy," Jiang Feng said.
"For me?" Cheng Shaoqing's heart fluttered.
Jiang Feng had won it specifically for her.
Cheng Shaoqing had never been so moved. No man had ever treated her so well.
Seeing Cheng Shaoqing still in a daze, Jiang Feng took her hand and placed the 'Star of Love' in it.
"Thank you," Cheng Shaoqing said, looking at the 'Star of Love' in her hand.
Such a beautiful thing was now hers, and she was very happy.
Because it was a gift from a man she didn't dislike, her first time receiving a gift from a man.
"You're welcome," Jiang Feng said.
Jiang Feng's actions didn't go unnoticed by the onlookers.
The men admired Jiang Feng's move, thinking it was a surefire way to win a woman's heart.
They were full of admiration for Jiang Feng, thinking he had played it perfectly.
First, he quietly accepted Liang Dachao's challenge, then he stunned everyone by defeating him, and finally, he gave the 'Star of Love' to Cheng Shaoqing.
Such a high level of skill was unmatched.
Impressive, impressive!
The women were envious, wishing they had a man like Jiang Feng who cared for them. They had always fantasized about a prince charming who would bring them flowers and jewels.
But fantasies were just that, fantasies.
Today, they saw it happen for real, and they couldn't help but yearn and envy.
If a man treated them like that, they wouldn't mind agreeing to marry him on the spot, even letting him have his way with them tonight.
But they knew they wouldn't have such an opportunity.
Opportunities were always for those who were beautiful and kind-hearted, like Cheng Shaoqing.
Chu Qingqing was also envious, watching Jiang Feng give the 'Star of Love' to Cheng Shaoqing with a bit of jealousy.
She liked the 'Star of Love' too and had planned to discuss with Liang Dachao about getting it. But Jiang Feng won it and gave it to Cheng Shaoqing.
It made her unhappy.
But it was already given away, now Cheng Shaoqing's possession, and getting it back would be nearly impossible.
Cheng Shaoqing, full of joy, looked at the 'Star of Love' repeatedly and finally said to Jiang Feng, "Help me put it on."