"Miss, it's time."
Lin Sen was dressed up today as well. His face had shed the heavy, exhausted look of an overworked corporate slave, and he actually looked radiant under the lights.
Glancing at him casually, Su Ning thought absentmindedly that even the best tonics couldn't have such a great effect.
So... did he put on some powder?
"Have those two arrived?"
"Not yet."
Although the reference was vague, Assistant Lin quickly realized who she meant—that pair of noble sisters. He shook his head and said, "Though they haven't arrived yet, they are on their way. They'll probably catch the final wave."
That was enough.
"Then let's head down," Su Ning nodded. "Oh, right. Once those two come in, close the doors and decline any further guests."
"Understood."
Su Ning turned to go downstairs. The hem of her dress was a bit long, making her turning motion a little slow. She made a mental note not to wear such a long dress next time. It was pretty, but it hindered her movements.
If there was an emergency, it would be hard to run!
However, someone else thought it looked wonderful.
The exquisite, intricate banquet dress perfectly showcased its owner's beauty, but this beauty was sharp and piercing. Standing on the high platform, she cast a condescending glance downward.
It wasn't like the thorns on a rose.
It was like... like what?
"What are you looking at, Antonio?" His companion curiously followed his gaze, but saw nothing.
"Nothing."
The handsome, green-eyed young man shook his head. He had thought for a long time but couldn't find the right adjective. However, his mood had already soared. This good mood manifested in a smile that grew increasingly romantic and affectionate, prompting his companion to say:
"With you here, I think all those ambitious suitors will return empty-handed. How could Miss Su even notice them?"
"It's not that exaggerated."
"I'm not exaggerating at all."
His companion spread his hands, "Otherwise, just look at the way the people around are glaring at you. They look like they want to eat you alive. They clearly see you as a formidable rival. And that's even without them knowing that, aside from your handsome face, you're also very good with women. Whether at home or abroad, whenever we go out, you're always the one with the most romantic luck."
As he spoke, he sounded a bit sour.
"Don't say that."
Antonio shook his head with a smile. "It will affect the reputations of those ladies. I am just friends with them."
He added:
"Besides, I didn't come here with the same purpose as them."
He was indeed here for Su Ning, but his fundamental goal was to persuade her to invest in him, so he wouldn't be struck out by his siblings taking advantage of his father's coma.
Why should he be?
They shared the same father's blood. Although his mother was Chinese, she was the only woman his father deeply loved. If fate hadn't played a trick and made them meet a little late, why would he be struggling so much now?
He was the crystallization of love!
Thinking of this, a raging fire rose in Antonio's heart.
Those siblings were already jealous of him, jealous of their father's doting on his mother. If they succeeded, he might be able to endure it, but his mother might be kicked out of the house she had lived in for decades.
Absolutely not.
For this reason, he had made a painful decision before coming: if all else failed, he was willing to sacrifice his own love and marriage, just to get Su Ning's support...
He didn't expect that a fleeting glance would move his heart. Antonio was very experienced; this wasn't love yet. He could appreciate the beauty of various women and be moved by them, but unfortunately, after interacting with them, it often couldn't elevate into the profound, moving, and pure love his parents shared.
This time was the same.
Even so, the resistance in Antonio's heart lessened considerably—
Perhaps God was favoring him.
Maybe this time he could reap true love?
...
Su Ning, who was walking downstairs.
Suddenly felt a chill all over her body. If it weren't for the fact that Su One showed no signs of abnormality, she would have almost thought her sixth sense was warning her of an impending assassination attempt...
The host of the banquet finally made her entrance.
At this moment.
If someone were looking down from the ceiling, they would see a continuous stream of people trying to surround Su Ning to talk to her. Not far away, Lin Sen, who was welcoming guests, felt a moment of daze, as if he had returned to Beiping.
It was like this there, too.
Snapping back to reality.
Looking at the shifting emotions on those people's faces—greed, conceit, contempt, and determination—Lin Sen shook his head silently. It was still different. But the world is unpredictable, who could say if it wouldn't be the same in the future...
With so many people crowding around.
Su Ning naturally couldn't greet everyone, and many were blocked.
Even more unexpectedly, her expression was extremely cold. When chatting, she rarely spoke, let alone smiled. It wasn't exactly rude.
But it left those meeting her for the first time shocked and disappointed.
"Look at her, not even a hint of a smile. In all my years, I've never seen such an arrogant newcomer. She really doesn't know her place."
"Isn't that the truth? Does she think that just because she took down Young Master Kong and has some ties with the American ambassador, no one dares to mess with her and her status has skyrocketed? If you ask me, it's way too early for that!"
"It's normal for young people to get carried away."
"You can't say that. When others nicely try to talk to you, ignoring them is one thing, but directly humiliating them? What is that about?"
Just humiliating them.
Was already the result of Su Ning holding back time and time again.
She knew many people were scheming, wanting to swallow her fortune through marriage. That was nothing, just human nature. But there were always those kinds of idiots in the world—
Dragging their ugly, useless sons over and immediately saying that Su Ning was getting older and should consider marriage, and that if she delayed any further and her youth faded, it would be hard to find a match.
After a round of belittling.
They would then praise how great their own child was: young, ambitious, spirited, and sure to achieve great things in the future...
"In the future? So that means he's achieved nothing right now."
Su Ning interrupted him impatiently.
"Wh-what."
Mr. Good-for-Nothing flushed red, glaring and clenching his fists. He finally stopped pretending to be mute, babbling about how many people believed in him, how bright and grand his future was, and expressing his disappointment in Su Ning, calling her short-sighted and snobbish...
His voice was also very unpleasant.
Su Ning sighed, waved her hand, and had him thrown out. The person who introduced him was also kicked out along with him. No one expected her to be so merciless!
That guy's attitude wasn't great.
He wasn't likable.
But couldn't she just endure it a little?
This was her first banquet in Nanjing, the perfect time to leave a good impression on everyone. With such great significance, what did a few unpleasant words matter.
Someone sneered and shook their head.
From small things, one can see the big picture; such unrestrained arrogance would eventually cause her to take a massive fall!
On Su Ning's side, someone also tactfully reminded her that although the Mr. Good-for-Nothing from just now wasn't much, his family had extensive connections and might bring her trouble.
"...However, since the person has already been kicked out, you can't call him back. Why not have a servant send a gift later to smooth things over?"
This gift meant money.
Because right now, everyone's deepest impression of Su Ning was that she was rich.
Their first reaction was to have her spend money to avert disaster.
Su Ning laughed.
But the words she spoke were utterly contemptuous, "A family that lingers on its last breath relying on connections rather than actual ability is nothing but dry bones in a graveyard. Are they really worth me compromising myself to smooth things over."
Seeing that she couldn't be persuaded.
The man had no choice but to give up. Consequently, he felt a sudden urge to distance himself, sensing that Su Ning wouldn't last long in this circle. Just as he was trying to figure out how to make a quiet, graceful exit, he heard Su Ning mention that she had a lucrative business opportunity and was looking for partners.
He asked what it was, his tone casual and dismissive.
He didn't really care.
The goal of business was to make money, but to people like them, money wasn't always that important. If Su Ning thought she could conquer the world with wealth alone, she was sorely mistaken...
"Miss Su, what did you just say?"
He thought he had misheard and hurriedly pressed for confirmation. But if he hadn't misheard...
The next second.
"Oil. I said the business is in oil."
Su Ning patiently repeated herself, then added, "The American ambassador has already expressed interest in joining. Honestly, I could easily handle the venture on my own, but why enjoy the wealth alone when we can share it? I am new in town, and I would love to make some friends."
"What do you think?"
Good.
It was fantastic.
Right then and there, he desperately wanted to be Su Ning's friend. And it wasn't just him—the bystanders who had overheard the conversation were breathing heavily, eager to compete for the exact same privilege!
