Chapter 426: Binhai University

Chen Erbao sat in the passenger seat, his eyes closed in rest. Seeing this, Ivic tactfully fell silent and focused on driving.

After this morning’s dual cultivation session, Chen Erbao felt his own Cultivation had advanced significantly once more.

He could now feel the faint signs of an impending breakthrough to the late stage of the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining.

In truth, ever since he’d founded his company, Chen Erbao had had no time to settle down and cultivate properly. He had originally planned to go into secluded cultivation on Bailong Mountain for a while after dealing with the branch factory, but things never went according to plan, and now this whole mess with the Huang Family had come up.

Given his actual rate of personal cultivation, reaching the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining was entirely thanks to his frequent dual cultivation sessions. If it weren’t for his many dao companions, Chen Erbao would most likely still be languishing in the Second or Third Layer of Qi Refining.

As for today’s progress in his Cultivation, Chen Erbao figured it was because Xia Qingxue’s own Realm was quite high, so the resulting “feedback” he received was more pronounced.

‘Next time might not yield such significant results, but as long as I cultivate diligently, there will always be progress.’

‘Once I get the information from Xiao Guang, it’ll be time to make a move.’

‘First, I need to find a way to get in touch with Huang Sanlang. Only with his help will I know where to start to bring down Huang Baiwen…’

The three of them soon arrived at the Vienna Hotel on the banks of the Huangpu River. From there, Chen Erbao could vaguely make out the Huang Group Building on the opposite shore.

‘As expected, Huang Baiwen is probably in that building right at this very moment…’

After a moment of reflection at the entrance to the Vienna Hotel, Chen Erbao followed Ivic to the presidential suite.

Ivic didn’t ask any questions about the two women Chen Erbao had brought with him.

He was, however, quite curious why Chen Erbao would be with two women whose looks were rather plain, even if they had excellent figures.

Knowing when to keep your mouth shut is a mandatory lesson for any adult. For someone like Ivic, who frequently served high-status guests, the benefits of saying less were especially clear.

After escorting Chen Erbao and his companions to the presidential suite, he discreetly took his leave.

Lunch was already prepared and laid out in the suite’s dining room—a lavish spread that covered the large table.

Chen Erbao had rushed to Binhai first thing in the morning without eating. On top of that, he had fought a great battle all morning and was now famished. The moment he sat down, he began to wolf down his food.

Xia Qingxue was even more exhausted. Not only had she battled a Grandmaster from the Celestial God Sect all night, but Chen Erbao had also pulled her into an “extra training session” that morning. She cast aside all pretenses of etiquette, sat down beside Chen Erbao, and began to eat.

Once the three of them had eaten their fill, the hotel staff waiting outside came in to clear away the leftovers.

Chen Erbao patted his full stomach and flopped onto the sofa, a toothpick dangling leisurely from his lips. He looked utterly content.

Xia Qingxue and the other woman, being a little more mindful of their image, did not behave like Chen Erbao.

“You two rest in the room this afternoon. I’m going out to take care of something, and I’ll also think about how to deal with the Celestial God Sect and the Huang Family.”

Chen Erbao stood up, phone in hand, and started to head out.

Xia Qingxue said worriedly,

“The Celestial God Sect isn’t like the Huang Family. Since I’m safe now, why don’t we leave Binhai for the time being? It would take them a while to find us.”

She was worried Chen Erbao was confronting the Huang Family on her account.

Chen Erbao knew what she was thinking and smiled.

“Actually, when I told you I was coming to Binhai a while back, it was specifically to deal with the Huang Family. This just happened to coincide, so think of it as moving the plan forward. Don’t worry, I have it under control.”

Seeing Chen Erbao’s confident expression, Xia Qingxue nodded and said no more.

Chen Erbao left the room, got into an utterly unremarkable Bentley provided by the hotel, and headed for Binhai University.

‘Now that I’m in Binhai, how could I not go see Xiaorui!’

‘Come to think of it, it’s been almost a month since we last saw each other…’

Binhai University was in the Putuo District. The fact that it could be built in the heart of bustling Binhai City was a testament to its impressive resources.

Chen Erbao parked the car outside Binhai University. Dressed in a black trench coat, he stood at the campus entrance and pulled out his phone to call Lin Rui.

“Brother Er Bao, I’ve missed you like crazy!”

Her sweet voice rang out, and Chen Erbao could easily picture the joyous smile on her face.

“Brother Er Bao, I was going to come home to see you during the October holiday. The semester has been going for so long, and you haven’t come to visit me…”

The young woman chattered on.

Hearing her familiar way of speaking, Chen Erbao felt that Xiaorui was still the same as ever. ‘She hasn’t changed a bit.’

“Xiaorui, do you have classes today?”

“I do, but the student council is getting ready for the October gala, and I signed up! I’m in the auditorium rehearsing right now!”

“Oh, really? You have to rehearse all afternoon?”

‘And here I was, thinking of taking her out for a bit,’ Chen Erbao thought.

Inside the auditorium, a group of student council members in suits were methodically organizing the rehearsal schedule.

A tall, slender young man watched as Lin Rui, phone in hand, skipped joyfully to a corner of the hall to take a call. He couldn’t help but wonder who it was.

“Old Zhou, you’ve been chasing her for more than a semester. The girl’s an ice queen who won’t even look at you. You’re still hung up on her?” someone nearby joked.

Zhou Chongming watched Lin Rui walk away and said with a scoff,

“What the hell do you guys know? The key to pursuing an ice queen is persistence. Xiaorui will be moved by me one of these days.”

“Yeah, right…”

Lin Rui cupped a hand over her phone as she walked to the corner. After looking around to make sure no one was paying attention, she said in a pouting voice,

“Brother Er Bao, are you saying you’d come hang out with me if I wasn’t rehearsing?”

“Sure. If you weren’t rehearsing, I’d come get you.”

“Hmph!”

Lin Rui pouted and huffed, assuming Chen Erbao was just teasing her.

“Then it’s settled. Come to the campus entrance now. I’m waiting for you.”

“Huh? You’re really here?”

Lin Rui froze for a second, then her eyes lit up with delight.

“Would I lie to you? I’m at the campus entrance right now. Consider it a surprise inspection to see if you’ve been stolen away by some schoolboy.”

Lin Rui was so happy she did a little jump on the spot, not even registering Chen Erbao’s teasing.

“Brother Er Bao, wait for me! I’ll go ask for a leave of absence and come find you right now!”

She hurried toward the stage, ready to ask the student council organizers for a leave of absence.

“Or I could come in and find you. We can go out after you’re done with rehearsal. It doesn’t matter to me where we hang out.”

Chen Erbao said casually.

Lin Rui hesitated upon hearing this.

“Th-that works too. It’s actually my first rehearsal today, so asking for a leave of absence wouldn’t be great.”

“Then I’ll come to you. Where are you?”

“The main auditorium. It’s at…”

Lin Rui told Chen Erbao the location of the auditorium. After they exchanged a few more sweet nothings, she reluctantly hung up.

But the thought of seeing Chen Erbao so soon brought a radiant smile to her pretty, innocent face. As she walked, her ponytail bounced rhythmically with her steps, and anyone could see the young woman’s joyous mood at a glance.

She decided to head to the restroom to touch up her makeup. ‘I have to look absolutely perfect for Chen Erbao!’