Chapter Thirty-Two: Gathering of the Young Lords

Upon hearing that he was barred from the banquet, Long Yaoyang was stunned, then erupted in rage, roaring, "What! Qi Heng, do you not recognize me? How dare you stop me?"

Indeed, the one blocking their way was none other than Qi Heng himself.

"My apologies, Young Master Long, but Madam Wang Fan has already been expelled from all Tang family businesses. She is not qualified to enter the Tang family's mansion. Therefore, neither of you may enter. Please choose another companion."

Even though Long Yaoyang was the heir of Tianlong Hall, Qi Heng remained unwavering and dignified, refusing to yield.

This scene immediately attracted a crowd, swelling with the city's true elite—those invited, the real upper crust of Binhai.

Many delighted in watching the arrogant Young Master Long suffer humiliation, whispering and laughing among themselves.

Long Yaoyang's face darkened, being stopped outside by a mere bodyguard—an intolerable disgrace!

"You've been expelled by the Tang family? Wang Fan, why did you not inform me of such a thing beforehand?" Long Yaoyang turned his icy gaze upon her, his tone accusatory.

Wang Fan's complexion instantly paled. She had assumed Long Yaoyang's status and influence would render the Tang family's banishment irrelevant.

Who could have foreseen that, at this critical moment, the Tang family would not yield an inch?

"Young Master Long, it’s my fault. I never imagined the Tang family could be so disrespectful, unwilling even to honor your reputation. I thought—"

A sharp slap cut her off; Long Yaoyang's eyes flashed with malice as he struck Wang Fan, sending her sprawling.

"You thought? Who do you think you are? When did it become your place to decide anything?"

Qi Heng folded his arms, watching coldly as Long Yaoyang vented his fury upon his companion, making himself a laughingstock.

Suddenly, Qi Heng spotted Lin Feng among the crowd. Without another word to Long Yaoyang, he strode over, bowed respectfully, and said loudly, "Mr. Lin, you have finally arrived. Please, use the VIP entrance—no need to queue."

"And my companions?"

"Rest assured, your companions may enjoy VIP privileges with you."

In front of Lin Feng, Qi Heng's earlier firmness vanished entirely; he was as humble as if before his own master.

The assembled elite were struck dumb with astonishment, whispering among themselves, speculating about Lin Feng's identity.

Long Yaoyang, witnessing this, was beside himself with rage.

He was left outside, while Lin Feng—the so-called useless son-in-law—was ushered through the VIP entrance! This was blatant disrespect, as if Long Yaoyang was already dead!

Amid confusion and shock, Lin Feng entered the banquet hall through the VIP passage, leaving Long Yaoyang outside, the subject of ridicule among the city's elite.

...

Entering the Tang family mansion, Lin Feng found himself in a garden by the pond, its design reminiscent of those in Suzhou.

Inside a central European-style villa, a banquet was underway before the auction.

A vast crystal chandelier cast a cold, pure glow from the domed ceiling. The European banquet was attended by elegant waitresses, melodious music, and graceful dancing.

Men and women arrived in splendid attire. The women, in particular, were dressed exquisitely, resembling clusters of beautiful blossoms, dazzling all who beheld them.

"Wow! Lin Feng, there are so many beautiful women here! Wait—isn’t that the famous actress Li Yingying? And she’s on the arm of Young Master Wang!"

"And look—Go champion Wang Wei, landscape painting master Liu Taotao, the bank president, the heads and heirs of all the major families! My god, it's a gathering of truly powerful people!"

Wang Lun, wide-eyed like a country bumpkin in the city, exclaimed at every notable figure, even itching to ask for photos.

Li Yating and Liu Susu hurried to distance themselves from Wang Lun, pretending not to know him, embarrassed beyond measure.

Lin Feng merely smiled, unconcerned.

At that moment, a woman approached gracefully, dressed in a fiery red off-shoulder evening gown, her black wavy hair framing a refined and elegant face. She carried a glass of sweet wine and moved like a butterfly.

"Mr. Lin, it's been a long time," she greeted.

Lin Feng turned toward the voice and recognized her—the woman who had championed him at the hospital, recommending him to treat the Tang family patriarch.

"It's been a while. You are... the Tang family's daughter?"

"Mr. Lin, you have a fine memory. My name is Tang Yun Yun. You can just call me Yun Yun. Last time at the hospital, it was thanks to your skill and compassion that my grandfather's life was saved. Today, I represent him in extending our hospitality. Thank you for your righteous help."

"It was nothing, merely a small effort."

"For you, perhaps, but for the Tang family, it was nothing short of rebirth. Please, do not be so modest."

Tang Yun Yun was already a beauty of the highest order, and with her meticulous attire and radiant smile, she outshone every other woman in the hall.

Lin Feng and Tang Yun Yun conversed amiably—from the arts of traditional medicine, to current affairs and entertainment news.

Tang Yun Yun spoke fluently on every subject, always maintaining the poise and refinement expected of a lady from a distinguished family, her social skills evident.

Lin Feng was delighted to chat with someone so clever, and the two enjoyed a lively exchange.

...

Yet their pleasant conversation was seen as ironic by the city's heirs and heiresses.

"Sister Feng, look—Tang Yun Yun, the Tang family's eldest daughter, is chatting with a nobody. Could it be that—"

The speaker was Wang Lili, heiress of the second-tier Wang family in Binhai. She pointed at Lin Feng and Tang Yun Yun with a disdainful tone.

"Indeed, Sister Feng, Tang Yun Yun always acts superior, even turning down our Elite Society's invitation. Now she's mingling with someone of unknown origin, forsaking all dignity a lady should have."

Wang Lili's confidante, Yu Lin, chimed in, adopting a lofty manner.

At the center of the group sat a woman who glanced at Tang Yun Yun, her lips curled with contempt. "Ha, Tang Yun Yun is still too young. Though modern society no longer insists on matching social rank, at least there should be parity in power. What good are talent and looks if the man is a nobody? The more dramatic it gets, the deeper the pain in the end."

Feng Jing, the most privileged and respected among these heiresses, styled herself as their 'big sister.'

She had also founded the so-called 'Elite Society,' gathering many of Binhai's prominent young women to socialize, believing themselves superior.

"More than that. From what I know, Lin Feng is a son-in-law to a third-rate family—a married man."

Suddenly, a handsome young man in an Armani bespoke suit approached, holding a wine glass, flanked by Long Yaoyang, Liu Jian, Wang Jie, and others.

He carried himself as a leader among young masters, his manner arrogant and self-assured.

This was Qin Chao, the eldest son of the Qin family, one of Binhai's 'Three Great Families' alongside the Tang and Feng families.

"Yaoyang, am I not right?"

"Young Master Qin is absolutely right. This man is nothing but a useless pretty boy. He hails from the Lin family in Jinling, but after offending Young Master Liang, his family went bankrupt and he fled to Binhai, marrying into the Yao family. He is the very definition of a disgraced dog."

Long Yaoyang sneered, openly maligning Lin Feng, intent on stirring up animosity among the heirs and heiresses.

"Hmph! Such a shameless parasite dreams of winning the title of Binhai’s most beautiful flower—it's pure delusion. Not only would Brother Sun, who adores Tang Yun Yun, refuse to accept it, but I, Qin Chao, would never allow it either."

Qin Chao set down his glass, brimming with anger as he strode straight toward Lin Feng.

Long Yaoyang, meanwhile, swirled his wine, a wicked smile on his lips.

"Lin Feng, since you want to play, I, Long Yaoyang, will play with you to the end!"