Lawyer Ma: "Is this true?"
Lawyer Ma carefully examined the pure gold badge sent by the Bilderberg Club.
Ou Yunchen, like her, could hardly believe what was happening, as if it were a dream.
When Gu Yilong found him a month ago and said he had a way to get him into the Bilderberg Club, he had just taken it as an attempt. He never expected to become a member of the Bilderberg Club so smoothly within a month!
But this also meant that he had to start fulfilling the reward he had promised Gu Yilong back then.
Lawyer Ma: "You're amazing. I've never heard of this club before. I didn't know until I looked into it, and it's astonishing."
Before Ou Yunchen could react, a text message arrived from Yun Qingyang on his phone.
Lawyer Ma: "Gone?"
Ou Yunchen: "Something came up."
***
Yun Qingyang was also a legendary figure, having received news of Ou Yunchen obtaining membership status so promptly.
Yun Qingyang: "Congratulations, you've finally become a member of the Bilderberg Club."
Ou Yunchen handed the badge to Yun Qingyang, who clicked his tongue in admiration, calling it a beautiful little thing.
From now on, he, Ou Yunchen, was truly among the elite.
Ou Yunchen: "Teacher, what should I do next?"
Yun Qingyang: "Being accepted by the Bilderberg Club proves that your shining points have attracted them. You must leverage your strengths to gain more benefits for yourself."
Ou Yunchen nodded. He understood these grand principles, but he more desperately wished for someone to tell him the next step!
After all, no one around him had truly been inside, nor did anyone know what kind of issues would be discussed there.
Would it be to benefit all humanity, or, as conspiracy theories suggest, to destroy the earth?
Yun Qingyang: "You first need to understand one thing: the club likely has factions. Who do they represent, and who do they generally listen to..."
Yun Qingyang: "Where there are people, there will always be conflict."
Ou Yunchen: "Teacher, with over a hundred people in the club, can every meeting benefit all of them?"
Yun Qingyang: "Of course not. Equal distribution of benefits isn't capitalism; it's communism."
Ou Yunchen frowned. He suddenly began to wonder about Gu Yilong's true intentions in bringing him in!
Yun Qingyang: "Capital devours capital. If you don't stand at the top and become the planner, you will become food in their mouths."
Ou Yunchen: "So, it's not a guarantee of safety just by getting in."
Yun Qingyang: "However, I believe that like the Elite Association, when they sit down to plot something, you must listen carefully and follow their lead to shift with the times. This will also help you survive the crisis."
Ou Yunchen: "I understand..."
Ou Yunchen did not tell Yun Qingyang that Gu Yilong had helped him obtain his membership, and Yun Qingyang never mentioned that name either.
This instead led Ou Yunchen to believe his initial guess: that there was no connection between Yun Qingyang and Gu Yilong, and Gu Yilong had merely investigated some matters to persuade Ou Yunchen to join...
However, as soon as Ou Yunchen left, an uninvited guest emerged from another corner of Yun Qingyang's office.
Uncle Da: "Well said. Your grand ambitions are about to be realized by that young man."
Yun Qingyang: "I told you, this kid is truly extraordinary. But don't forget, he's not an ordinary businessman to begin with."
Uncle Da: "If it weren't for his stubbornness, I would have loved to recruit him."
Yun Qingyang: "We just need to utilize him, not make him obey."
Uncle Da: "But speaking of which, can someone who doesn't know how to obey truly be of use to us?"
Yun Qingyang: "Do you know what I fear most?"
Uncle Da: "What?"
Yun Qingyang: "I fear he will soon meet the new Tang. Whether he can overcome his internal struggle then is uncertain."
Uncle Da: "You mean..."
Yun Qingyang and Uncle Da exchanged glances, then both looked worriedly towards the door, the direction from which Ou Yunchen had departed.
These two individuals serve the country. Some play the role of villains, others of greedy opportunists, but ultimately, they must dedicate their all to the nation.
And by "utilize," Yun Qingyang meant using Ou Yunchen to counter those exploitative, powerful nations, even if it meant sacrifice in the end...
Everyone lives for themselves, yet they seemed not to live for themselves...
***
A month later, the Bilderberg Club hosted a banquet to celebrate the induction of new members.
Seizing this opportunity, Ou Yunchen met many people. Politicians whom he could never have spoken to, no matter how hard he tried in the business world, were present.
However, these individuals came from various countries, gathered here for their own interests.
Gu Yilong: "And this is..."
Su Ruiyi was arm in arm with Ou Yunchen, greeting Gu Yilong friendly.
Gu Yilong: "Su Ruiyi? It seems we'll be meeting often in such settings from now on."
Ou Yunchen and Su Ruiyi exchanged smiles. This dignified and graceful young lady was always by Ou Yunchen's side at important events, and their默契 (mòqì - understanding/chemistry) was no less than that of the men present with their wives.
Gu Yilong: "Did you know that in the past, people from the Tang Empire would not attend such events? Perhaps because of you, even the new Tang has made an appearance."
Ou Yunchen: "New?"
Gu Yilong: "What? Judging by your expression, you seem unaware that the Tang Empire has undergone a change of leadership?"
Ou Yunchen: "Wasn't it Michelle?"
Gu Yilong: "It seems you truly don't care about the Tang Empire at all. This news is several months old."
Ou Yunchen: "Right, go get me a glass of champagne, darling."
Su Ruiyi nodded, knowing she would have to leave for a while again.
Gu Yilong: "However, when I first heard that Michelle abdicated voluntarily, my reaction was even more exaggerated than yours."
Ou Yunchen: "Who? Who in the imperial family was so fortunate?"
Gu Yilong: "Heh, I don't know whether to offer congratulations or feel a sense of danger. The newly appointed Tang is Axe's sister."
Ou Yunchen: "What?!"
Gu Yilong: "Yes, that's the exact expression. I was just as shocked."
Ou Yunchen: "She's not dead?!"
Now it was Gu Yilong's turn to be surprised.
Gu Yilong: "You knew he had a sister?"
Ou Yunchen: "Is it Mo Qingyun?"
Gu Yilong's mouth hung open, while Ou Yunchen anxiously awaited his answer. But Gu Yilong could only gesture in the direction before him, hoping he would find the answer himself.
As Ou Yunchen followed Gu Yilong's gaze, he saw only an ugly man facing him, surrounded by many men and women, but Mo Qingyun was nowhere to be seen.
Ou Yunchen: "Why would someone from the Onassis family be here?"
This time, Gu Yilong was even more perplexed. This Ou Yunchen knew so much about even one of the ancient families of the Tang Empire?!
Ou Yunchen scanned his surroundings until a spotlight on the stage illuminated the entrance on the other side.
Gu Yilong: "She's here. There's a highlight tonight."
A seductive woman wearing a mask slowly emerged from the entrance. The crowd instinctively parted, creating a path for her.
Roussel: "Oh, my dear, you're late."
Roussel kissed the woman's hand, and the lights in the venue dimmed, with soft dance music beginning to play.
Ou Yunchen carefully observed the woman. With the mask covering most of her face, and her engaging in lively conversation beside Roussel, she seemed nothing like the shy mute girl.
Gu Yilong: "She is the Tang. Excuse me."
As the dance music played, the Tang and Roussel began to dance. Everyone had to find a partner, but Ou Yunchen only wished to push through the crowd and remove the mask from that woman's face...
"Ah!"
What happened?!
Accompanied by a woman's scream, the wine glass tower by the dining table toppled over, scattering shards of glass everywhere.
"Someone fell!!!"
The ballroom music came to a halt, and guests turned their attention towards the direction of the commotion...
Ou Yunchen caught a glimpse of Su Ruiyi's hem in the gap!
Ou Yunchen: "Yiyi!!!"
"Someone pushed her..."
"Is she hurt?"
"Who is she?"
Everyone crowded around Su Ruiyi, yet no one was willing to help the unfortunate woman lying amidst champagne and broken glass...
Just as Ou Yunchen was about to push through the crowd, someone called out to him from behind.
Mo Qingyun: "Ou Yunchen..."
Ou Yunchen turned around, and the woman dancing with Roussel was slowly walking towards him.
Mo Qingyun slowly removed the mask from her face...
Ou Yunchen: "Xiao Yun!!!"
Ou Yunchen: "You, you're not dead!!!"
Mo Qingyun: "Was I supposed to be dead?"
Ou Yunchen's eyes widened, his heart pounding and sending blood rushing to his dazed head. He desperately wanted to rush forward and embrace her...
But how could she be Mo Qingyun?
There was nothing about this woman that resembled Mo Qingyun. She seemed to have erected a wall, making Ou Yunchen feel both unfamiliar and fearful.
Mo Qingyun: "We haven't seen each other in so long. Don't you want to talk to me? Let's go, never mind over there. Come with me."
Mo Qingyun gestured towards where Su Ruiyi had fallen, and Su Ruiyi, looking up, also saw Mo Qingyun's face. Like Ou Yunchen, they both froze.
Ou Yunchen looked at the hand Mo Qingyun extended to him. He took a step towards Mo Qingyun, just as Mo Qingyun had hoped. Would Ou Yunchen leave Su Ruiyi and return to her side?
Ou Yunchen: "Is it really you?"
Mo Qingyun touched Ou Yunchen's face, smiling faintly.
Ou Yunchen: "You can talk now?"
Mo Qingyun: "Did you miss me?"
Ou Yunchen: "Yes, I thought you were dead and I would never see you again..."
Mo Qingyun: "Can you kiss me?"
Ou Yunchen cupped Mo Qingyun's face. He hesitated, but ultimately did not kiss her...
Roussel: "What happened here?"
Just as Su Ruiyi fell, someone had called Roussel away from the dance floor.
Mo Qingyun returned to Roussel's side and kissed another man in front of Ou Yunchen.
Roussel: "My dear, what's wrong?"
Mo Qingyun: "I met my... old friend."
Roussel: "Oh? Is it this gentleman?"
Mo Qingyun: "Yes, and his girlfriend..."
Roussel walked over and saw Su Ruiyi lying on the ground.
Roussel: "Oh no, this is quite a mess!"
Ou Yunchen glanced at Roussel, and just as he was about to turn back to help Su Ruiyi, Mo Qingyun grabbed his hand.
Mo Qingyun: "Do you know how I fell back then?"
Ou Yunchen: "..."
Mo Qingyun: "It was your girlfriend who took me there..."
Ou Yunchen: "..."
Mo Qingyun: "If it weren't for her, wouldn't we still be passionately in love with each other?"
Ou Yunchen's mouth was agape as he stared at Mo Qingyun, who seemed to believe he was shocked by her words.
But in reality, he already knew all that. What Ou Yunchen was shocked by was...
Ou Yunchen: "You've changed."
Mo Qingyun: "What?"
Ou Yunchen: "The first time I saw you, I was deeply captivated by your clear and beautiful eyes. I swear they were the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen."
Mo Qingyun seemed pleased, but just as she was about to gloat over Su Ruiyi...
Ou Yunchen suddenly pulled his hand away from Mo Qingyun.
Ou Yunchen: "But now, your eyes are full of schemes and treachery. They are the ugliest eyes in the world!"
Mo Qingyun: "You!!!"
Ou Yunchen knelt down, took off his suit jacket, and draped it over Su Ruiyi, then helped her up.
Su Ruiyi, however, trembled as she looked at Ou Yunchen, crying in fear.
Ou Yunchen: "Don't cry, darling. I was only gone for five minutes, and you've made yourself so disheveled."
Su Ruiyi: "Is she Mo Qingyun?"
Ou Yunchen: "Mo Qingyun is dead. Whoever she is now, she has nothing to do with us."
Su Ruiyi: "I'm sorry..."
Ou Yunchen gently wiped the champagne from Su Ruiyi's face and then, cupping her chin, gave her a gentle kiss.
Ou Yunchen: "We need to leave."
Su Ruiyi: "But this is your banquet. It's to welcome you to the club."
Ou Yunchen: "It's not important anymore."
Gu Yilong: "I'll escort you out."
Ou Yunchen and Gu Yilong exchanged glances. They both understood that Su Ruiyi's predicament was orchestrated to embarrass her, and they both thought of the same person.
But just as the three of them were about to leave, someone spoke from the stage.
Host: "Today, a special guest will propose to his beloved girl here!!!"
The spotlight on stage began to sweep across the venue, and the guests seemed to have shifted their attention from the minor incident.
Host: "That's right, it's our Mr. Roussel and the beautiful lady beside him, Miss Mo Qingyun!!!"
The spotlight stopped on Roussel and Mo Qingyun, and the crowd erupted in excitement.
Roussel: "My dear, you know I'm not good with sweet talk, but I will always consider you the woman I love most. Will you marry me?"
Mo Qingyun dramatically covered her mouth, then skillfully extended her hand, waiting for the kneeling Roussel to place the giant diamond ring on her ring finger.
As Mo Qingyun and Roussel embraced, confetti rained down, and cheers erupted all around...
However, Mo Qingyun's eyes still searched for Ou Yunchen's figure. She wanted to see his expression.
But unfortunately, after searching for a long time, besides the celebrating crowd, Ou Yunchen's face was nowhere to be seen.