Manipulative Harem God

As Zhang Wei scanned the room, the lively atmosphere of the party enveloped him. Suddenly, someone approached from behind, their steps adorned with the rhythm of the event.

A woman, dressed in a striking red open-shoulder dress, emerged into his peripheral vision.

It was Cai Wenxi, holding two wine glasses with an air of mischief.

"Hey, who do we have here? Is it you, the troublesome man from Qingyun?" she remarked, her voice weaving through the sounds of laughter and music, carrying a playful tone that danced with the music.

"Mhm?"

Zhang Wei was inwardly taken aback, his surprise briefly flickering across his face before he composed himself.

As he looked closer, he noticed Cai Wenxi's flushed face, , it became evident she had been indulging in a generous amount of drinks for whatever reason.

Regardless, he accepted a glass from her outstretched hand with a courteous smile. "Yes, that would be me. Thank you."

Cai Wenxi, pouting and slightly unsteady on her feet, protested, her voice carrying the weight of the alcohol, "That wasn't for you."

Zhang Wei nonchalantly shrugged, "Too bad," taking a casual sip from the glass just as Zhang Ming caught up to them.

Zhang Ming, who held a visible disapproval for Zhang Wei, approached the scene with a stern expression. "Cai Wenxi, you're drinking too much. Control yourself," he scolded, his tone carrying a mixture of concern and annoyance.

Cai Wenxi, slightly swaying, looked at Zhang Ming with a defiant glint in her eyes. "Why do you care? It's a party, loosen up a bit!" she retorted, her words slurring.

Zhang Wei, sensing the tension, couldn't help but suppress a laugh. "If it's the dragon squad, Zhang Ming? Appears your 'wife' is going out of control..." He purposefully used the word 'wife,' despite them not being married, to add a touch of provocation.

Zhang Ming's expression darkened at the deliberate choice of words. "She's my fiancée, not my wife. And what business is it of yours?"

Zhang Wei, leaning in with a mockingly innocent expression, continued his playful taunts. "Fiancée, wife, same difference. You might want to keep a closer eye on her, or who knows what might happen at this lively party."

Zhang Ming's frustration grew, and he shot back, "I don't need advice from someone like you. And she is not careless!"

"Oh really?" Zhang Wei glanced towards the staggering Cai Wenxi, pondering what might have caused their recent disagreement for her to act this way. The signs of a recent argument were evident.

Zhang Ming narrowed his eyes, "You don't need to stare at her."

Zhang Wei, with a mocking grin, retorted, "Beauty is meant to be appreciated."

Zhang Ming, defensively, challenged him, "Then how about I stare at those?" He pointed towards Lisa and Xiong Mei, who had accompanied Zhang Wei to the party.

Zhang Wei laughed, "Then I would pluck your eyes." The sudden threat caught Zhang Ming by surprise, making him flinch in disbelief.

Pftt...

Zhang Wei maintained his sly smile, while Cai Wenxi covered her face, stunned, bursting out into a giggle. Zhang Ming's face grew red, a mix of embarrassment and anger simmering beneath the surface.

Zhang Ming, his face reddening further from embarrassment, glared at Zhang Wei. "Watch your toungue, Zhang Wei. You might be overestimating your abilities."

Zhang Wei, seemingly unfazed, grinned. "Oh, I know my strengths quite well."

Cai Wenxi, caught in the middle, shifted uncomfortably, her eyes darting between the two men. The brewing confrontation seemed to have attracted some attention, with curious glances from others.

The system absorbed a harsh lesson: the last time, Zhang Wei's restraint wasn't a sudden transformation into virtue but rather a consequence of his limited strength. Now, unbridled and unrestrained, his ability to provoke directly mirrored his newfound strength.

At 31, Zhang Ming still held dominion in the initial spirit tempering realm, boasting superior strength.

Yet, as the saying goes, there are thousands of ways to defeat a man, rather than directly fighting him... For slow learners, might as well begin by taking his wife...

Zhang Wei's gaze provocatively slid over to Cai Wenxi, a 28-year-old situated in the sour warming realm. Zhang Wei, brimming with newfound confidence, believed he could suppress her, at least...

'Why is he looking at me like that? Does he have ulterior motives?' Cai Wenxi met his gaze, feeling a subtle internal fluster before seamlessly continuing her facade of drunkness.

Amidst the escalating tension, another figure entered the scene – Zhang Yuan, the star of the show. Subtly approaching the group, he laid a hand on both their shoulders, his polite smile belying a latent strength, a subtle but potent threat.

"Hey, can you guys take it easy?" Zhang Yuan's words carried a veneer of civility, but the undertone hinted at a willingness to enforce calm through less diplomatic means.

"Oh, sure," Zhang Wei backed off first, a sly smile still playing on his lips. Zhang Yuan shot Zhang Ming a stern look, his silent message clear. This prompted Zhang Ming to reluctantly step back as well, the tension in the air dissipating, but not entirely gone.

Zhang Wei, ever the master of adapting to the situation, smoothly transitioned from the clash to a more amiable atmosphere. He extended a hand toward Zhang Yuan, a congenial smile replacing the earlier mischievous grin.

Zhang Wei's sly smile remained a constant as he casually remarked, "Speaking of taking it easy, congratulations on your engagement. I wonder, who is the fortunate lady tonight?"

Caught off guard by the direct acknowledgment, Zhang Yuan, with a subtle hint of surprise, nodded. "She'll be arriving soon," he replied, his eyes betraying a touch of curiosity. "How did you know it's my engagement and not someone else's...?" The question lingered, emphasizing the mystery surrounding Zhang Wei's seemingly omniscient knowledge.

At 34, Zhang Yuan epitomized the peak of the spirit tempering realm. His physique, showcased by the perfectly tailored suit, exuded strength and vitality.

Despite the passage of time, his charismatic face retained an undeniable allure, defying the usual effects of aging.