“Hey, Brother Feng, what took you so long? And who are these folks?”

After handing over their invitations, the four of them soon entered the castle. They’d only just arrived when they ran into some of Feng Xun’s acquaintances. Most of them were decked out in designer brands and luxury watches.

Feng Xun had been worrying about how to help the trio get acquainted with people. And now, here they were, practically delivering themselves to him.

Feng Xun got himself ready, then warmly walked over and reached out to greet them.

“Sorry, something came up and held me back. That’s why I’m a little late.”

“Oh, right. Let me introduce you. These three behind me are friends of mine.”

“We went to the same university.”

When the others spotted Qin Heng and his two friends, they smiled too. The person leading them even walked over and extended a hand to Qin Heng, who was at the front.

“So you’re all top students from Jing University. No wonder you all look so sharp.”

Qin Heng shook their hand, wearing his trademark smile.

Qin Heng: “You’re too kind, brother. We’re just a bunch of rookies. We can’t compare to seasoned professionals like you, who’ve been navigating the business world for years.”

……

Watching the two of them exchange business pleasantries, Su Chen and Zuo Xi just stood there, dumbfounded.

Old Qin’s pretty good, huh?

When Feng Xun saw that Su and Zuo were still standing behind him without saying a word, he stepped in to give them a hand.

“Old Xun, I’ll be counting on you to look after my friends from now on.”

“Come on, Brother Feng, no need to be so formal. We’re all brothers here. Your friends are our friends.”

“Hahaha, all right, all right. My bad—I’m not great with words.”

………

There was still some time before the banquet officially began. When the host finally appeared, that would be the main event.

For now, it was just an upscale buffet. The main purpose was to network and gather useful business information. Of course, making friends who shared your business interests would be nice too.

In the middle of the venue, Qin Heng and Feng Xun strolled along, chatting. After getting acquainted with the others, Su Chen and Zuo Xi had quickly made themselves at home. They’d gone off drinking with them.

Why weren’t Qin Heng and Feng Xun with them?

Because neither of them could drink. Feng Xun was all right—he could manage a little beer. But Big Couch-Potato Qin could barely drink at all. Half a bottle would probably be enough to make him go wild, so the two of them had politely declined to avoid embarrassing themselves.

Qin Heng’s low alcohol tolerance wasn’t a big deal. But Feng Xun was the son of a business tycoon. Surely he’d had plenty of practice with all the drinking etiquette at business banquets. So why was his tolerance still so bad…?

When you’re sitting high enough up, you get to decide whether it’s wine or tea. Not everyone has the privilege of drinking tea in place of alcohol at a business dinner.

As luck would have it, our Young Master Feng had exactly that kind of clout…

“Old Qin, weren’t you curious about who’s hosting this banquet? Why don’t you take a guess?”

Qin Heng, who was still eating dessert nearby, turned around at Feng Xun’s question, grinning.

“They’re a big shot on your level, Young Master Feng. How would I know? I haven’t got a clue.”

“Besides, from what you said back in the dorm, this person’s social standing is probably even higher than yours. I don’t stand a chance. It’d be like a mayfly trying to shake a tree.”

As he spoke, he offered Feng Xun some of his dessert to try.

Feng Xun took it and popped the whole thing into his mouth. He chewed as he spoke.

“…Well, you’re not wrong. But this time’s a special case. That person has a connection not just to me, but to all of you, too.”

“?”

Qin Heng was a little confused.

“A connection to us? To Su Chen and Colonel Zuo, too?”

Feng Xun replied softly.

“Yeah. So, take another guess?”

Qin Heng cupped his chin and thought it over. What kind of big shot could possibly have anything to do with nobodies like them? 🤔

But the moment he thought of Su Chen and Zuo Xi, Qin Heng suddenly got it.

“Don’t tell me they’re from Jing University too?”

Qin Heng asked Feng Xun, only half convinced. Feng Xun gave a slight smile and nodded.

“Clever.”

“No way! Seriously? If I’d known, I wouldn’t have gone out partying during those first few days of school. I should’ve gone straight over and gotten close to them. You’ve got to strike while the iron’s hot!”

Qin Heng looked pained and full of regret. He blamed his own laziness back then—he’d barely socialized at all, and hadn’t even heard that someone so influential was at his school.

“Hey!”

Feng Xun was speechless at Qin Heng’s response. He deliberately cleared his throat.

“Isn’t the ‘moon’ right here? Why are you letting outsiders reap the benefits, building them up while putting your own side down?”

Qin Heng suddenly realized what he meant.

“Hahahahaha, my bad, my bad.”

“Please don’t be mad, Young Master Feng. I was just joking. Here, I’ll punish myself with three drinks, okay?”

Then, right in front of Feng Xun, he grabbed two bottles of soda.

“You’re rewarding yourself with three drinks, aren’t you?”

“Hahahaha.”

He handed Feng Xun a cup, and the two of them raised their drinks and kept chatting.

……

As time passed, the two of them continued strolling around the venue and chatting. Then they suddenly noticed the area around them growing darker.

At first, Qin Heng had no idea what was going on. Then Feng Xun chuckled beside him.

“Old Qin, let’s go to the center of the venue. The main event’s about to start.”

Qin Heng nodded, understanding. From the way Feng Xun put it, some big shot was about to make an appearance…

By the time they reached the center of the venue, it was already packed with people. All the lights were focused there, making the already luxurious hall shine with an even more dazzling, almost sacred glow.

At first, Qin Heng planned to look for Su Chen and Zuo Xi, but the crowd was too big to make them out, so he gave up. He might as well see what this big shot looked like. Maybe she’d be a gorgeous woman.

……

The lights in the venue gradually narrowed again, focusing on the stairs above the red carpet. The lively crowd fell silent, and everyone turned to look at the grand, gilded staircase.

In the dim venue, a steady male voice rang out from somewhere.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the host of tonight’s banquet, Miss Qing Nianyi, who will now say a few words!”

As soon as he finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted.

Amid the sweeping echoes, a beautiful figure slowly appeared atop the magnificent staircase. The applause surged to its peak once more.

She stepped lightly onto the red-carpeted stairs. Her eyes were like something from a painting, and she seemed almost immortal. Beside her, everyone else seemed to fade. Her elegant white evening gown showed off her graceful, alluring figure to perfection.

Her dark golden hair flowed behind her, gleaming like glassy gold beneath the lights. A faint touch of red at the corners of her eyes lent her stunning face a hint of earthly warmth beneath its otherworldly beauty.

The smile on her face was as clear and calm as a pool of water—or as warm as a ray of sunshine. Her manner was elegant, her presence gentle.

Qing Nianyi gently folded her hands in front of her and stood tall before the crowd. A shifting gleam shone in her deep-violet eyes.

At that moment, even calling her a peerless beauty seemed like too weak a description.