"General Manager Su never used to attend banquets like this," a businessman remarked, swirling his wine glass as he watched the two men enter together. His gaze held a mix of admiration, reflection, and a hint of bewilderment.
Was it really necessary to go this far for a man?
"Sir, business matters aren’t discussed at banquets," Chao Musheng said, accepting a drink from a waiter before addressing the man attempting to curry favor with him. "Besides, I’m merely a technical consultant for the company. All investment decisions are made by General Manager Su."
"You’re too modest, Mr. Chao," the man persisted, his tone sycophantic. "With your standing in General Manager Su’s heart, a simple nod from you would be enough to secure any investment."
"Sir," Chao Musheng’s smile faded. "Please direct all investment inquiries to Kunlun’s relevant personnel. Excuse me."
Ever since they’d arrived at the banquet, one businessman had addressed him before General Manager Su—earning a rare smile from the latter—and now others were scrambling to flatter him.
His mother had taught him early on: excessive, baseless praise often concealed bottomless greed.
He took a sip of his juice. Seeing that Su Chenzhu was still deep in conversation with a group of businessmen, he made his way outside to the open-air lounge area and sat down.
The man who had just been politely dismissed stiffened, his smile turning brittle. He downed his drink in one gulp, forcing down his embarrassment before resuming his cheerful banter with others.
Just lucky enough to cling to Su Chenzhu’s coattails—he refused to believe Chao Musheng’s good fortune would last forever.
Hmph.
A cool evening breeze brushed past as Chao Musheng leaned back in his chair, admiring the colorful lanterns strung along the trees.
Someone stepped onto the grass and, leaving two seats between them, settled to his right.
"Mr. Chao," the newcomer greeted, his tailored suit immaculate, wine swirling gently in his glass.
"General Manager Chen," Chao Musheng turned slightly, brow furrowing.
This was the same General Manager Chen who had once invited them to the Chen Estate aboard the Moonview cruise. Later, the Chen family had fallen into turmoil, and power had shifted to Third Miss Chen.
"Some time ago, I heard you took a liking to a young actor," General Manager Chen began, his tone smooth. "So I arranged for him to join Kunlun’s film division. Unfortunately, my good intentions backfired and nearly caused you trouble. My apologies."
"No harm done," Chao Musheng replied coolly. "I believe you’ve already received my return gift."
General Manager Chen’s smile didn’t waver. "Of course."
Chao Musheng studied him for a moment. After losing the battle for family control and being outmaneuvered, how was this man still so composed?
"I must congratulate you on going public with your relationship," General Manager Chen raised his glass. "I never thought someone like General Manager Su would ever fall for anyone."
Chao Musheng arched an eyebrow. Was this the prelude to sowing discord?
"Strange, isn’t it?" General Manager Chen mused. "General Manager Su is famously private. As the head of Kunlun, there isn’t a single public photo of him online. That’s quite a feat in this digital age."
"People vary in stature, just as abilities differ in strength," Chao Musheng shifted his drink to his left hand, putting more distance between them. "What you find impossible, General Manager Su might accomplish effortlessly."
"So in your eyes, General Manager Su is omnipotent," General Manager Chen lifted his glass again. "The power of love is truly remarkable."
"Did you seek me out just to discuss love, General Manager Chen?" Chao Musheng scoffed. A man who had allowed his late wife’s memorial tablet to be used as a financial talisman by his father—how dare he speak of love?
"Don’t be upset, Mr. Chao," General Manager Chen lowered his gaze to his wine. "Old men like me enjoy hearing about young love."
He flicked his glass lightly, the wine rippling with the motion.
"Is that so?" Chao Musheng stood abruptly. The moment he rose, General Manager Chen leaned back, a few drops of wine splashing onto his trousers.
"General Manager Chen," Chao Musheng’s eyes dropped to the stain. "No need to be nervous. I don’t make a habit of hitting people."
"A misunderstanding, Mr. Chao," General Manager Chen waved a hand through the air. "Just swatting a mosquito."
"Ah," Chao Musheng smiled. "Good. I’d hate to think you were afraid of me."
General Manager Chen brushed at the wine on his pants. "Then would you indulge an old man and share how you and General Manager Su came to be?"
"Apologies," Chao Musheng’s gaze sharpened. "I don’t share my private life with others."
"What a shame," General Manager Chen sighed. When he looked up again, Chao Musheng was watching him intently. He set his glass down. "I’m sure many here share my curiosity about your love story."
"The difference is, they know better than to ask me directly," Chao Musheng’s phone buzzed. "You’ve never avoided eye contact with me before, General Manager Chen. Something’s changed."
General Manager Chen hesitated for a second. By the time he lifted his head, Chao Musheng was already walking away.
His fingers clenched. The glass shattered in his grip, shards embedding deep into his palm.
Such a fragile body.
Expressionless, he plucked out a piece that had nearly pierced through his hand.
They said Chao Musheng was sharp—so why had he ignored the hints?
"Ma’am, I’m sorry. Without an invitation, I can’t let you in," a security guard handed Xiaojuan a bottle of water. "You’re welcome to wait here. If someone inside vouches for you, then you may enter."
"Thank you," Xiaojuan hung up her call and declined the water. "This banquet must be quite exclusive?"
"Absolutely," the guard, wary of offending her, replied carefully. "Only the most influential figures are invited. Even Kunlun’s owner is here."
"Have you heard about him and his partner?" The guard’s tone turned wistful. "They’re both stunning. When they stepped out of their car earlier, I thought they were movie stars."
"That’s true," Xiaojuan grinned, crouching on the steps. "They really are a perfect match."
"If only I could get close to people like that," the guard sighed. "I wonder how much Kunlun pays its security staff."
"Xiaojuan."
"Chao-ge!" Xiaojuan spun around, delighted to see Chao Musheng beckoning from the steps. She hurried over.
The guard gaped. Wasn’t that Mr. Chao, General Manager Su’s partner?!
This woman actually knew him?!
She hadn’t been bluffing after all!
"Thank you," Chao Musheng nodded to the guard before leading Xiaojuan inside.
The security guard stared blankly as the two figures disappeared around the corner, taking a long moment to snap out of his daze. "Chao Musheng is really polite," he muttered to himself.
"Chao-ge," Xiaojuan said urgently once they were out of the guard's sight. "Are you okay these past few days?!"
"What would happen to me?" Chao Musheng noticed the unease in Xiaojuan's expression. "Did you... find something new?"
"Yes!" Xiaojuan gritted her teeth, the familiar palpitations and numbness in her tongue creeping up again. "Recently, someone has been trying to harm you. You... you have to be extra careful. It’s best not to leave General Manager Su’s side."
After just those few words, her tongue was already so numb she could barely feel it.
But she’d managed to say it!
That bastard of a "Main God" was weakening bit by bit.
Chao Musheng recalled the three separate knife-wielding assailants he’d encountered over the past two days.
"Yesterday at noon, some thugs with knives broke into Kunlun?"
"Were there five of them?" Xiaojuan pressed anxiously. "Was anyone hurt?"
"No, just four."
Four?
Xiaojuan wondered silently—could they be players from the second wave entering the instance?
"There were supposed to be five, but one ran a red light and attacked a cop. He slipped, hit his head, and was bleeding so badly they had to rush him to the hospital." Not wanting to worry her, Chao Musheng added, "The company’s security team is professional. The moment they barged in, the guards caught them all."
"That’s good." Xiaojuan feared her tongue would go completely numb soon, leaving her unable to speak. "There should be two more groups coming—one with four people, the other with three."
"Four unidentified individuals were caught abusing protected animals at Jinghua Swan Lake. When the guards intervened, they pulled knives and tried to attack. The police took them away."
"Last night, three thieves pretended to be residents in my neighborhood. The local cats and dogs ganged up on them, and the police hauled them off too."
"So all these people were after me?" Chao Musheng realized belatedly. It wasn’t that he lacked awareness—he just couldn’t fathom anyone using such... primitive methods to come after him.
What kind of place were Kunlun and Jinghua? This wasn’t some game where you could just waltz in with a knife. Did they have no common sense?
Xiaojuan couldn’t explain, so she stayed silent.
Those players, accustomed to the kill-or-be-killed mindset of instances, had probably long forgotten the laws of the real world.
"Since you’re here, let me show you around the banquet," Chao Musheng said, not pressing her on how she knew about the assassins. "If anyone asks, just say you’re my assistant."
Xiaojuan followed behind him, marveling for the first time at how rich human language could be.
So many people came to talk to Chao-ge, and not a single flattering phrase was repeated.
"Xiaojuan," Secretary Liu approached. "Long time no see."
"Hello, Secretary Liu." Xiaojuan smiled politely.
"No work today?" Secretary Liu asked curiously. "Haven’t seen you around lately. It’s been a bit strange."
Xiaojuan: "..."
That sounded a little too forward, didn’t it?
"Xiao Chao, the boss seems to be looking for you," Secretary Liu said. "Xiaojuan can stay with me, right?"
He shot Xiaojuan a look—let’s not be third wheels here.
Just as she was about to reply, a sudden chill ran down her spine, the sensation of being watched. She glanced around and locked eyes with a middle-aged man standing in the distance.
The man stared at her expressionlessly, his gaze cold, as if she were nothing more than a disobedient insect.
Xiaojuan took a step back, an inexplicable wave of disgust washing over her—so intense it made her soul tremble.
Ugh!
That indescribable yet utterly repulsive feeling.
Her fingers itched with the urge to meet the man’s face in a swift, decisive collision.
"That’s Eldest Chen. You must’ve seen him when you worked at Chen Manor," Secretary Liu remarked casually, noticing her reaction. "A sore loser in the family power struggle. Tried to cause trouble for Xiao Chao a while back, but he’s been keeping quiet lately. Don’t mind him."
