Chapter 14: Xingkuo—The Young Man’s Body Temperature is Scalding Like Fire
The victory banquet Mrs. Zhang organized for Zhang Xingkuo was set at a six-star hotel. Given the Zhang family’s status, which was second only to the Gu family, many young masters and ladies wanted to use the excuse of getting to know Zhang Xingkuo to seize this opportunity to build a wide network and add a boost to their own families.
Mrs. Zhang sent out many invitations, so this victory banquet was exceptionally grand and lively.
“Why are there so many people?”
Sheng Yunzhuan frowned as soon as she got out of the car and saw the display. She turned and hooked her arm into that of Sheng Yunshu, who was a step slower in getting out of the car. “Xiao Xi will definitely be nervous when he comes. Sister, we have to go in quickly.”
Sheng Yunshu patted her hand and said calmly, “With Gu Chuanzhou accompanying him, there’s no need to rush.”
Sheng Yunzhuan’s emotions stabilized a bit, but she continued to be puzzled: “Doesn’t Zhang Xingkuo’s dad hate him racing the most? How could he agree to hold such a big victory banquet?”
“It’s likely his mother organized it personally.” Sheng Yunshu handed the invitation to the waiter, her voice very low. “Xingkuo hasn’t reconciled with his father yet. His return home this time was likely coaxed back by his mother, and so she held such a large banquet.”
“Oh… no wonder.” Sheng Yunzhuan suddenly realized something and burst out laughing. “So our Xiao Xi is also bait?”
The corner of Sheng Yunshu’s mouth lifted almost imperceptibly as she nodded.
Sheng Yunzhuan shook her head. “Sigh, I thought we could keep it hidden for a bit longer. After tonight, we sisters will have one more ‘enemy’.”
The two were talking as they walked into the banquet hall. The venue was too large and crowded, and it took a while before they found Yu Xi’s figure behind a giant gilded floor candelabra.
The candelabra didn’t hold dangerous open flames; instead, it was lit with small bulbs. Yu Xi sat within this soft, oily halo of light, looking like a piece of fine porcelain, emitting a misty luster.
Someone had chosen clothes for him that, regardless of style or color, showcased his unique beauty to the fullest.
It was a style between casual and formal—a jade-white loose silk shirt with a vintage-style long pointed collar. The neckline was slightly low, and a contrasting solid black wide silk ribbon was tied around his neck. The ribbon was fixed on the left side by a green gemstone brooch, draping with a graceful temperament.
He wore black trousers and Oxford leather shoes. The clothing had no patterns; the only highlight was the design of the neck, which was clean yet exquisite, perfectly matching Yu Xi’s youthful aura.
“Xiao Xi!”
Sheng Yunzhuan’s eyes sparkled as she rushed over, squeezing Pei Wang aside to take a seat. She held Yu Xi’s wrist and looked him up and down, not stingy with her praise at all. “Wow, you look so good today.”
Yu Xi’s ears were slightly red. “You and Shushu are also very beautiful.”
Sheng Yunshu smiled as she approached. “Did Auntie Pei choose this for you?”
Yu Xi nodded, instinctively touching the brooch fixing the neck ribbon. “Auntie Pei chose the clothes; Chuanzhou Ge lent this to me.”
On that morning, Gu Chuanzhou had said he wanted to see the formal wear Yu Xi had prepared, so Yu Xi had brought the clothes to the Gu house and tried them on for Gu Chuanzhou.
After a long gaze, Gu Chuanzhou pulled out this green gemstone brooch to replace the original pearl pin.
Even if Yu Xi didn’t understand jewelry, he could see that a gemstone with such a brilliant luster was certainly no ordinary object, and he immediately tried to refuse.
Gu Chuanzhou already knew what he would say and stopped his hand a step ahead. “Xixi doesn’t need to feel pressured. I’m just lending it to Xixi for one night. Give it back to me after the banquet ends, okay?”
Only then did Yu Xi accept the gesture.
“I knew it was his as soon as I saw it.” Sheng Yunzhuan leaned in to examine the brooch closely. “He spent 19 million to win this gemstone at an auction two years ago. At the time, I asked him to lend it to me for a few days and he wouldn’t even let me look. Today, he finally felt like taking it out.”
Yu Xi’s eyes widened; he hadn’t expected it to be so expensive.
Pei Wang, who was nearby, also said in disbelief, “Are you sure it’s that gemstone?”
Sheng Yunzhuan rolled her eyes. “Of course. My sister and I were both trained in jewelry design; how could we misidentify it? Right, Sister?”
She turned to look at Sheng Yunshu.
Sheng Yunshu nodded. “The color and inclusions of this gemstone are very special; Xiao Juan didn’t misidentify it.”
Sheng Yunzhuan raised her chin proudly.
“So it was that valuable…”
Pei Lexin had specifically chosen clothes for him that weren’t stiff or restrictive suits, so that he wouldn’t feel too much pressure and could relax and enjoy the banquet.
After learning that the gemstone brooch Gu Chuanzhou seemingly casually gave him had such a high value, Yu Xi suddenly felt his neck become heavy.
“Xiao Xi, don’t feel pressured. This brooch is just a drop in the ocean compared to the assets Gu Chuanzhou owns—no, one hair on a hundred oxen. Even if you lose it, he won’t say anything.” Sheng Yunzhuan patted Yu Xi’s shoulder.
Sheng Yunshu said softly, “Its value is in matching you; that is enough.”
“Exactly, exactly.” Sheng Yunzhuan agreed completely.
“…”
Pei Wang watched the Sheng sisters coaxing Yu Xi to be happy. After his shock, he also observed and found that what they said was true.
The gemstone was expensive, but it only gained value when worn beautifully by someone.
And Yu Xi was completely worthy; even a few more would be no problem.
“Do you want to eat anything? I’ll go get some for you.” Pei Wang changed the subject.
The Sheng sisters weren’t polite with him either, directly saying what they wanted to eat and helping pick a few things for Yu Xi.
Yu Xi stood up. “I’ll go with…”
Pei Wang pressed him right back down. “No need. You sit here and chat with them.”
With the Sheng sisters watching, he was also very at ease.
However, he ignored at this moment that given the Sheng family’s background, there were always many people wanting to talk. No sooner had he left than others came over to say hello. The corner, which had been somewhat secluded, became conspicuous because of the increasing number of people gathered.
It was just that the people who had originally come for the Sheng sisters shifted their interest to the youth sitting with them.
An excessively beautiful new face was like a pearl whose brilliance couldn’t be hidden; no matter how well it was hidden, it was hard not to attract attention.
They began to subtly probe about his background, but the Sheng sisters kept a very close watch on him, diverting the topic in a few words. Aside from the phrase “Brother Yu Xi,” they didn’t reveal anything more.
Their high regard for him made everyone even more curious about the youth.
Pei Wang, who had returned with the items, placed the dessert in Yu Xi’s hand. “Don’t mind them; just eat your own thing.”
Yu Xi nodded. Because of the exquisite and delicious food, his nervousness diminished quite a bit.
With his friends looking after him, he truly didn’t need to worry. He didn’t even need to say a word; he just had to sit there obediently.
He ate absentmindedly, occasionally glancing outside.
Sheng Yunshu noticed and asked quietly, “Waiting for Gu Chuanzhou?”
Yu Xi: “Mhm. He said the company had some business and he’d be arriving a bit late.”
“He’ll handle it. Once he arrives, he’ll definitely look for you first.” Sheng Yunshu caught sight of something else in her peripheral vision and told Yu Xi to look over. “A-Shen is here.”
Meng Shen was standing at the entrance looking around. His clothing was as low-profile as possible without being impolite, yet because of his abnormally large physique, he was still eye-catching. If he hadn’t deliberately shrunk into a corner, people would have noticed him immediately.
“He never came to this kind of occasion before; he definitely still wants to see you,” Sheng Yunshu said.
Yu Xi hurried to stand up and said, “I’ll go find him.”
“Go ahead.”
Both Sheng Yunshu and Sheng Yunzhuan were somewhat tied up, but fortunately, Pei Wang could accompany Yu Xi.
On the way over, Pei Wang asked Yu Xi in a low voice, “Why don’t I have any impression of him? Is he also a young master of the Meng family?”
Yu Xi nodded and said no more.
This wasn’t surprising; Meng Shen was indeed very inconspicuous in the Meng family.
Yu Xi had known since childhood that Meng Shen’s father was a romantic and promiscuous man. Meng Shen’s mother was already the fourth Mrs. Meng, and the number of mistresses outside was countless. Father Meng not only left a trail of romantic affairs outside but also liked to bring his illegitimate children home to raise. Thus, combined, there were seven or eight legitimate and illegitimate children.
And Meng Shen’s mother had originally only followed her family’s arrangements for an alliance marriage, having no affection for her husband. She was also lukewarm toward Meng Shen, only being content with her current status as a wealthy lady.
Meng Shen had grown up in such a family environment, which created his isolated personality.
Every time Yu Xi saw Meng Shen standing like a lonely island in a crowd, his heart would turn sour. He threw all his nervousness about the new venue out of his mind and walked over quickly.
“A-Shen.”
At his soft call, the drifting lonely island found its home.
As soon as Meng Shen saw him, his gloomy eyes instantly lit up with stars. “Xiao Xi…”
“Yunshu and Yunzhuan are over there; let’s go find them together?”
As he spoke, he naturally reached out his hand to Meng Shen.
Meng Shen stared at it, his throat bobbing. His hand, which was accustomed to being clenched tightly, slowly opened, trembling slightly as it reached out to take it.
Only a millimeter away, he was interrupted by a sneer from behind: “I was wondering why you broke your rule and came here today; it turns out you were looking for someone. How rare. Besides following that woman from the Sheng family, what other person could you know?”
The speaker approached with confident steps. It was only after rounding Meng Shen’s massive frame that he saw the youth who was being blocked, and the mocking expression instantly froze on his face.
His pupils dilated in an instant. He stared unblinkingly at the youth’s clear and beautiful features, his voice raspy as he said, “Yu Xi?”
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