The lanterns were lit, and dusk fell upon the old West Gate. In front of an ancient residence spanning over an acre, decorations fluttered and luxury cars filled the entrance.
Tonight, half of the wealthy elite of Yangcheng had gathered to celebrate Grandpa Chu's birthday.
"Are you very nervous?"
"No... I'm not nervous."
"Look how smoothly you're speaking, yet you say you're not nervous."
Chu Xiang stepped forward, linking her arm through his, and said with a smile, "Don't worry, my grandfather doesn't eat people. He won't make things difficult for you."
Yang Chen naturally knew that Chu Luan wouldn't be fierce towards him. However, his nervousness didn't stem from pressure from the Chu family. The moment he stepped out of the car and saw this scene, it would be strange if he wasn't nervous. In his twenty-odd years of life, he had only ever seen such extravagance in movies.
"Bastard, let go of Xiangxiang's hand!"
Suddenly, a furious roar erupted from behind them. They both turned to see Zhang Hongjie glaring at Yang Chen with an enraged expression.
"Zhang Hongjie, why are you yelling? What business is it of yours here!"
Chu Xiang reprimanded Zhang Hongjie, and in doing so, clung even tighter to Yang Chen.
Seeing their affectionate display, Zhang Hongjie felt as if he had swallowed gunpowder, his anger about to explode.
"Zhang Hongjie, you are not allowed to cause trouble in my house tonight!"
Before Zhang Hongjie could erupt, Chu Xiang spoke up first, "If you're sincerely here to wish my grandfather a happy birthday, I welcome you. But if you dare to disrespect Yang Chen, I'll have you thrown out right now!"
Zhang Hongjie dared not show any disrespect to Chu Xiang. All his rage could only be directed at Yang Chen, his eyes bulging like copper bells.
If looks could kill, Yang Chen would have been dead a hundred times over!
"Did you hear that!"
"I..."
Zhang Hongjie clenched his fists tightly, his teeth grinding audibly. After a long moment, he finally let out a muffled "mm."
"Fine, you."
Chu Xiang then looked up at Yang Chen, a gentle smile on her face, and said, "Darling, let's go in. We'll ignore these insignificant people."
Darling!
This kid really is in an improper relationship with Xiangxiang!
Zhang Hongjie nearly exploded.
Yang Chen was utterly bewildered, but before he could ask, Chu Xiang had already pulled him towards the Chu family mansion.
Only after they disappeared from Zhang Hongjie's sight did Chu Xiang suddenly release Yang Chen's arm, a faint blush on her face.
"I'm sorry, I was just using you to make a point."
"You mean..."
"You don't actually believe it, do you?"
Chu Xiang waved her hand, saying, "I only called you 'darling' just now to spite Zhang Hongjie, so he wouldn't pester me anymore."
"How could I... Of course, I know it wasn't real!"
As he said this, Yang Chen couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. Looking at the luxurious decor of the Chu family hall and the guests radiant in the reception light, he couldn't help but feel inferior, thinking, "How could someone like me, an ordinary person, be worthy of a wealthy young lady like Miss Chu? And I actually took her casual remark seriously!"
"Chu Xiang."
A slender beauty with a swaying gait approached, it was Meng Wanting, whom he had met at the auction last time.
Her beautiful eyes scanned Yang Chen up and down, a look of disdain appearing on her face, and she said sarcastically, "You're quite something, aren't you? Last time at the auction, I thought you were a legitimate appraiser. Turns out you're just a gigolo!"
Yang Chen's face stiffened, and his anger flared. He had come this far through his own capabilities, step by step. When had he ever prostituted himself?
"Meng Wanting, watch your mouth!"
Before Yang Chen could speak, Chu Xiang said coldly, "Yang Chen is a friend I invited. If you are rude to him, you are being rude to me. Don't blame me for disregarding the friendship between the Chu and Meng families and having you thrown out!"
Hmph!
Meng Wanting snorted, "If my grandfather hadn't asked me to come, do you think I'd want to be at your house?"
With that, she turned and left arrogantly.
"Don't pay attention to these insignificant people."
Chu Xiang gently linked her arm through Yang Chen's again, reassuring him, "Later, all you need to do is introduce the gilded tea set to Grandpa. You don't need to worry about anyone else or anything else. Anyone who dares to be rude to you, I'll deal with them!"
"Yes."
"Also, although my grandfather seems a bit stern, he's actually a very kind and amiable person. Don't be nervous. He loves collecting things the most. With your great appraisal skills, he'll definitely like you."
Yang Chen smiled faintly, thinking, "It seems she still doesn't know that I already know Old Master Chu."
"Come on, I'll introduce you to some of the Chu family's friends."
"Okay."
Yang Chen was delighted. His primary objective for attending the Chu family's birthday banquet this time was to meet more wealthy people.
Collecting was originally a game for the rich, and everyone attending Grandpa Chu's birthday banquet this time was a potential client in the future.
...
In a corner of the Chu family hall, Zhang Hongjie watched Yang Chen and Chu Xiang walk through the crowd, arm in arm, laughing and talking, his teeth clenched in anger.
"Don't be angry anymore."
Meng Wanting walked up to him and whispered, "I've already spoken with Chu Junhao. When Chu Xiang presents her gift, he'll expose Yang Chen. I guarantee he'll be kicked out by Grandpa Chu and his reputation ruined!"
"Well done!"
Zhang Hongjie's tightly furrowed brow relaxed, a cunning smile appearing on his face. He said fiercely, "A mere appraiser from an auction house dares to compete with me for a woman? If I don't mess with you until you're ruined, I'll write my name backward!"