Volume One, Chapter 21: The Second Young Master of the Ye Family

Ma Minglong’s eyes were wide, round with disbelief as he stared at the woman before him.

Jiang Chen had just swallowed a piece of cake; he had intended to slap this brat himself, but Ning Rou, dressed in a pure white gown, had already entered the banquet hall at some point and heard Ma Minglong’s words.

That slap pinned the two of them in place, drawing everyone’s attention. Just as the crowd assumed the matter was settled, another crisp sound rang out.

Smack—

This slap resounded even louder than the previous one.

Standing there, Ning Rou seemed every bit the empress descending upon her realm, her aura suffocating Ma Minglong, who moments ago was full of bluster.

Ma Minglong fancied himself wealthy, holding a respectable status in Qing City, but compared to the Ning family, his influence was pitifully small. In truth, if Ning Rou so wished, their family could disappear without anyone raising a word.

Knowing he was in the wrong, Ma Minglong glared fiercely at Jiang Chen, then fawned, “Miss Ning, please calm your anger. We didn’t know he was your friend. It won’t happen again, it won’t.”

“Get out of my sight. Next time, watch your mouth,” Ning Rou said coldly. She had little patience for these pampered heirs—at most, she’d greet them out of politeness, but to truly befriend such fools? She’d rather die.

Ning Rou walked over; Jiang Chen was still holding his cake, eating it piece by piece, carefree.

“Eat less. I’ve asked the maid to prepare dinner for us tonight,” Ning Rou murmured.

Jiang Chen considered this and swallowed the last of his cake.

Ning Rou sighed, eyes full of envy. “Ah, yours is the better life—carefree and without worries. I still have to put on a show and socialize with them.”

There was no helping it; this was how high society operated. Everyone moved in the same circles, meeting often, and maintaining relationships was crucial—they were future connections.

Ning Rou was about to leave when a figure hurried over.

“Sister-in-law, you came without a word—I would have sent someone to fetch you,” the newcomer said.

Ning Rou smiled perfunctorily. “Ye Qingming, how many times have I told you not to call me sister-in-law? I have no interest in your brother.”

Realizing his mistake, Ye Qingming quickly corrected himself, “Sorry, that was careless of me, Miss Ning.”

His apology was timely; Ning Rou’s anger faded, and she asked, “Does your father know you’re here?”

Ye Qingming made no effort to hide his intentions. “Father won’t let me attend such small gatherings. My brother said there’s no point, but I heard a national treasure is being displayed tonight, so I wanted to see it for myself. Also, my brother told me to check in on you.”

Ning Rou scoffed, “Your brother really knows how to care for people, doesn’t he?”

Ye Qingming glanced at Jiang Chen and asked, “This young man seems to be quite close to Miss Ning?”

Ning Rou replied noncommittally, “That’s none of your concern, Young Master Ye.”

Ye Qingming dropped all pretense, stating directly, “Miss Ning, remember you’re engaged. If word of this gets back to my brother, this man’s life…”

He left the rest unsaid, purpose achieved, and strode away, not forgetting to add, “Best you remember your place, Miss Ning.”

Ning Rou stared after Ye Qingming, powerless. Compared to the Ye family, hers was still lacking, and over the years, the Ye family had steadily swallowed up industries, now ranking among Qing City’s top three clans.

She could suppress the likes of Ma Minglong and other minor families, but against the Ye family, she was helpless.

Jiang Chen comforted her, “If you want, I could take care of the Ye family for you.”

Ning Rou laughed, though bitterness clouded her face. “At your age, you should be studying, not daydreaming.”

Even if Jiang Chen had rescued her, she didn’t believe he could topple a powerful clan.

Jiang Chen shrugged helplessly. “Fine. If you ever change your mind, let me know—after all, I am your… husband…”

Ning Rou shot him a sharp look. “Just eat your cake.”

After Ning Rou left, Jiang Chen, bored, drifted into the crowd, listening for news.

From the conversations, he learned that the banquet was initiated by an elderly man returning from abroad, mainly to network with high society figures. Though called a banquet, it was more like a small private auction, with items sourced directly from the old man.

By nine in the evening, most guests had arrived. The lights in the hall dimmed, and the small stage up front was suddenly illuminated by spotlights.

Voices murmured through the crowd.

“Is that Elder Sun? He looks vigorous—certainly doesn’t seem eighty.”

“That’s what happens to collectors of antiquities; they never show their age.”

“Well, money keeps you young, after all.”

Bathed in the spotlight, the host of tonight’s banquet, Sun Yingxiong, stood proudly.

Sun Yingxiong gazed at the assembled guests, unable to restrain his smile. “Thank you, friends, for supporting me tonight. Welcome, everyone!”

Applause filled the hall as curious young people sized up the old man.

“I’ve heard Elder Sun brought a national treasure tonight—a relic comparable to the museum’s prized exhibition.”

“Of course I’ve heard about it.”

Jiang Chen interjected, “Such a valuable artifact—does Elder Sun really possess it?”

The two men glanced at this unexpected boy and replied, “Naturally. Elder Sun returned from an appraisal institute in the Beautiful Country. No one doubts he has the goods.”

Sun Yingxiong continued, “I’m delighted to welcome my friend, Director Wu, to tonight’s banquet. Thank you for joining us, Director Wu.”

Jiang Chen looked over and saw that the guest was Wu Wei.

“Jiang Chen?! What are you doing here?” In the dim light, the voice was familiar. Turning, Jiang Chen saw Su Yike, dressed formally.

They immediately understood the situation, exchanged a glance, and Jiang Chen whispered, “Wasn’t Wu Wei the captain? How did he become director?”

Su Yike explained, “The last case was massive. He had little hope for promotion, but thanks to your help—not only did we prevent the factory explosion, we saved nearly an entire city. But your records are too sensitive, so the credit could only go to us. I was promoted to captain, and Wu Wei’s promotion is almost official.”

Jiang Chen slapped his thigh, frustrated. When he’d left the mountain, his master told him he only had an ID card, no household registration, and all other information was tightly sealed—preparation for revenge, so the public could never know him, nor could he appear in news reports.