X City in the middle of the night was like an awakened sleeping beauty. Enchanting neon lights flickered in the darkness, captivating pedestrians to linger.
Many luxurious cars, whose names Bai Lixin couldn’t recall, orderly entered the Moon Bay Hotel. They arrived neither late nor early, just right.
Bai Lixin silently observed Father Fei through the rearview mirror.
Father Fei was adjusting his tie and hair in the mirror, and raised his eyes just in time to catch Bai Lixin’s gaze. He smiled at him through the mirror.
Bai Lixin: “…”
At this moment, Father Fei exuded an air of elegance, closely resembling the vibrant Master Fei he had seen in the magazine.
Once he confirmed that his clothes were perfect, Father Fei led Bai Lixin to the banquet hall.
Moon Bay Hotel was the most luxurious hotel in the city. According to Father Fei, the developer of this hotel was the Zhang Group. Although it was built ten years ago, it remained one of X City’s most iconic buildings.
As he followed Father Fei, Bai Lixin asked, “I saw in the magazine you gave me that the Zhang Group and Fei Group once had a five-year strategic partnership. Has it not continued?”
Father Fei slowed his steps, waiting for Bai Lixin to catch up. “There was an incident, and the cooperation was canceled midway.”
Bai Lixin: “What incident?”
Father Fei: “The one leading the strategic partnership at the time was Zhang Ao, the helmsman of the Zhang Group. However, Zhang Ao later went missing, and his successor didn’t support our cooperation plan. They delayed it with various excuses. A forced melon is not sweet. In the end, the matter was dropped.”
‘Went missing? What a coincidence.
Could Zhang Ao be the skeleton sitting on the sofa?’
“When did Zhang Ao go missing?” Bai Lixin followed Father Fei into the elevator.
There were several people in the elevator, both men and women, all dressed like upper-class elites. Father Fei closed his mouth and subtly shook his head at Bai Lixin.
“Isn’t this Master Fei? Long time no see.” A middle-aged man in the elevator recognized Father Fei, and extended his hand in greeting.
“President Li, long time no see. How have you been lately?” Father Fei shook hands with a relaxed demeanor.
“I’m not good at all. Still busy with my old business. Business has been tough these two years, and I’m not like Master Fei who has a capable lieutenant to help him. I’m quite envious.” The man addressed as “President Li” glanced at Bai Lixin meaningfully. “Is this the second young master of your family? Long time no see, Young Master.”
Bai Lixin stared at “President Li” expressionlessly, ignoring his somewhat suggestive gaze. “Hello.”
“Young Master hasn’t been seen for more than half a year, and unexpectedly, he’s become even more handsome, Master Fei,” President Li joked with Father Fei, “you’re really fortunate. Both your sons are outstanding, it’s really envious. You’ve been at home idle for more than half a year, and today you attend this banquet. Does it mean you’re coming out of retirement?”
Father Fei: “Not really. It depends on the situation. I’m just here to attend this evening’s banquet.”
“Look at you now, speaking with vigor and a ruddy complexion. It seems your illness has completely recovered, Master Fei. You truly have good fortune.” President Li blew his rainbow farts as if he was in public relations.
Father Fei smiled politely and said, “Thank you.”
President Li squinted his eyes slightly, and his gaze once again swept over Bai Lixin, seemingly with hidden meaning. “Master Fei, not to hide anything from you.”
“Although I’ve attended countless banquets before and after, the one I can’t forget the most is the one at the Fei residence a year ago.” President Li’s eyes wandered as he recalled. “When will you organize another one? I happen to have a good case in hand and would like to discuss it with you.”
Other people in the elevator cast curious glances.
Father Fei’s smile had stiffened a bit. “President Li, let’s discuss this matter later. We’re attending an evening banquet organized by the Zhang Group, praising my banquet on someone else’s territory—aren’t you intentionally putting me in a difficult position?”
President Li reluctantly withdrew his gaze from Bai Lixin. “Then we’ll discuss it in private. It’s a deal.”
With a “ding”, the elevator bell rang, and the doors slowly opened, revealing the grand hall where the banquet was held.
Bright white light illuminated the magnificent orange doors, and the crystal-carved doors refracted the room’s lights, projecting a colorful radiance.
As the elevator doors opened, Father Fei signaled to Bai Lixin and hastily left the elevator.
His hasty movements even seemed like he was running for his life.
As Bai Lixin passed by President Li’s position, he felt someone deliberately rubbing his arm. Raising his eyelids, he saw President Li holding his hand and smiling at him.
Bai Lixin frowned slightly, and walked out of the elevator with long strides, quickly leaving several people in the elevator behind.
“Who is President Li?” Bai Lixin caught up with Father Fei. “Was I acquainted with him from before?”
“Not really. We’ve met a few times on formal occasions, but you don’t need to pay attention to them,” Father Fei said with a sullen expression, “He’s not worth getting close to. He’s not a good person, stay away from him in the future.”
Bai Lixin: “What happened at that banquet a year ago?”
Father Fei paused his steps, “It was just an ordinary banquet. He deliberately said those things with no substance. Just ignore him.”
Bai Lixin stared at Father Fei’s somewhat angry profile thoughtfully.
The business banquet was quite extensive, and when they entered the banquet hall, many people had already arrived.
Bai Lixin walked into the banquet hall and instantly spotted the person he wanted to see.
He was too conspicuous.
Even just standing there, he always stood out with his unique temperament.
He wore a well-tailored black suit, which showcased his straight back and two slender legs.
He was tall and stood out in the crowd.
The man’s back was turned to him, and he was chatting with the person opposite him, with no intention of turning around.
Bai Lixin took a few steps toward him but was quickly stopped by Father Fei, who pointed at a man in another corner. “That’s the Zhang Group’s newly appointed head. He organized today’s banquet. Let’s go greet him first.”
He was a man with well-defined features, sharing about four or five points of similarity with the Zhang Ao in the magazine but looking a bit younger.
“What’s his relationship with the missing Zhang Ao?” Bai Lixin temporarily set aside the obsession to find Dijia and focused on this young head of the Zhang family.
Father Fei lowered his voice, wary of others hearing, “His name is Zhang Xiao, Zhang Ao’s younger brother. After Zhang Ao went missing, he became the head of the Zhang family. Despite his young age, he’s not softer than Zhang Ao in handling things.”
“Don’t say more, he’s looking over here.” Father Fei left this hasty remark and walked towards Zhang Xiao with a smile. “President Zhang, long time no see.”
Zhang Xiao had a smile on his sinister face, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. He had just finished exchanging pleasantries with the previous person and now focused his gaze on Father Fei and Bai Lixin.
When Zhang Xiao looked over, Bai Lixin felt a chill down his spine. As the man’s gaze fell on his face, it proceeded to scrutinize him inch by inch, as if he was assessing prey.
The undisguised gaze made Bai Lixin involuntarily tighten his jawline.
What’s going on with the people he was meeting tonight?
Each gaze was peculiar, as if everyone saw him as a commodity waiting to be traded.
He was no stranger to being the center of attention; he knew he was good-looking. But starting with Fei Yino, followed by President Li, and now Zhang Xiao, among a few others, they all looked him with blatant malice.
Bai Lixin’s eyes gradually turned cold. He lifted his eyes, and stared into Zhang Xiao’s eyes with sharp eyes.
Zhang Xiao was startled for a moment, then suddenly grinned, revealing an even more aggressive smile.
“You are the first person that dares to look at me like this.” Zhang Xiao chuckled, “I remember you, you’re the canary raised by the Fei family. Let me think of your name. Ah, I remember, you’re Bai Lixin.”
Zhang Xiao directly ignored Father Fei, who had greeted him, took a step toward Bai Lixin, and met Bai Lixin’s gaze.
Then he sneered, and stretched out his hand towards Bai Lixin’s chin.
In the nick of time, Bai Lixin stepped back to avoid Zhang Xiao’s rash move and then raised his hand to forcefully slap away Zhang Xiao’s hand. “President Zhang, you’ve overstepped your boundaries.”
“You dare to slap away my hand? It’s the first time someone dared to do this to me,” Zhang Xiao’s eyes suddenly darkened, “Who do you think you are? I can burn down the current Fei family’s industry with just a word. Do you know that?”
Bai Lixin raised an eyebrow and sneered, looking at Zhang Xiao arrogantly. “Then you better do it quickly. Let me see how strong this fire can be.”
‘I’m just afraid that you won’t dare to burn it.’
Father Fei, who was standing nearby, turned pale.
“Are you playing hard to get with me?” Zhang Xiao’s gaze became sinister, “You seem different from before.”
“But you seem more interesting now. Come with me.”
The man spoke as he stretched out his hand towards Bai Lixin again.
Just when Bai Lixin was wondering whether there would be too much noise if he kicked Zhang Xiao to the ground, a strong arm suddenly extended from his side.
The slender fingers directly grasped Zhang Xiao’s wrist, making it impossible for Zhang Xiao’s arm to move forward.
Then, a familiar firm touch appeared behind him. A magnetic, emotionless male voice came from above Bai Lixin’s head, “President Zhang, he’s mine now. Are you sure you want to do this?”
Zhang Xiao’s fierce gaze looked beyond Bai Lixin’s shoulder. Though he didn’t admit defeat verbally, his actions noticeably slowed and stiffened. “He’s yours? President Dijia, do you know what kind of person he is? You’re in such a hurry to stick with him.”
Bai Lixin stood stiffly in place, feeling the even breathing coming from above.
A warm palm gently rested on his shoulder, patting Bai Lixin soothingly.
Dijia’s voice echoed from above once again, “It doesn’t matter where the hero comes from. Just know that he’s under my protection now.”
“A hero?” Zhang Xiao seemed to have heard the biggest joke and laughed. He stared at Bai Lixin, “He actually says you’re a ‘hero.’ Tell him yourself, are you worthy?”
