"The female star has been invited too, hasn't she? I heard she has a good relationship with Zhang Fan. If that's the case, let's start with her and cause Zhang Fan some minor trouble," Chen Ningtian's eyes flashed with a cold glint. Ultimately, his brother's legs were broken by Zhang Fan because of that woman. As the saying goes, a beautiful woman can bring disaster, and it couldn't be more true.
"Don't worry, Young Master Chen. As soon as I received your notification, I had someone send an invitation to Han Xueqi. With my connections, how could she dare to refuse? Moreover, she's already being ostracized in the entertainment industry. Coming to a party of this caliber would likely be something she'd jump at the chance for," Zhao Ji said with a faint smile.
"That's good." Chen Ningtian nodded. Although dealing with Zhang Fan was the priority, he didn't intend to let the troublemaking female star off the hook. This was the perfect opportunity to ruin her reputation and ensure she could never hold her head up in the entertainment industry again.
"Go, call Han Xueqi over," Zhao Ji beckoned to a young man standing beside him.
The young man responded and quickly began searching for Han Xueqi in the crowd.
Although Han Xueqi was a top star in China, adored by the masses and with countless fans, the highest level of suitors she attracted was only at the level of Chen Yilong. In the high society of Yan Jing, she was considered a mere second-tier young master.
For figures like Qin Mo and Zhao Ji, who were first-tier young masters of Yan Jing, they didn't pay much attention to her. For one, they held very high status within their own families, and their marriages were generally arranged by the family, forming alliances with other powerful families, which involved considerable interests.
Therefore, these young masters, when choosing a partner, needed to consider background and strength in addition to appearance and other external conditions.
At this moment, Han Xueqi was in a corner of the banquet hall, accompanied only by her agent, Sister Ling, and looking somewhat forlorn.
Normally, she would have been surrounded by admirers, but the situation was different now.
Because of the Chen Yilong incident, the young masters of Yan Jing's high society all knew that Han Xueqi had thoroughly offended the Chen family. To pursue her now would be equivalent to slapping the Chen family in the face.
Furthermore, in the entertainment industry, Han Xueqi had been facing setbacks everywhere, and even her entertainment company was showing signs of freezing her out.
Consequently, even some second and third-tier celebrities who usually greeted her enthusiastically now quickly avoided her as if she were a plague, afraid of being implicated.
"Hmph, those minor stars used to rush forward to greet you from afar, Xueqi, and now look at them," Sister Ling, Han Xueqi's agent, said indignantly.
"Times have changed. Now that I'm being suppressed, there's no benefit in associating with me. Naturally, they wouldn't do anything so foolish," Han Xueqi said calmly.
Although she appeared composed, Sister Ling could still see a hint of sadness in her eyes and sighed inwardly.
Han Xueqi, despite her early debut, was still a young woman in her early twenties. Having had a smooth sailing career, facing such setbacks was indeed difficult to handle with equanimity.
With no one bothering her, Han Xueqi welcomed the peace. She had actually been reluctant to attend the gathering, but the invitation came from Zhao Ji, the eldest young master of the Zhao family in Yan Jing, whom she couldn't refuse.
"Zhang Fan?" Suddenly, spotting a familiar figure in the crowd, Han Xueqi's eyes lit up, a flicker of joy in her heart. Just as she stood up to greet him, a young man blocked her path.
"Miss Han, my young master wishes for you to come over," the young man, though merely playing the role of an attendant, had an extremely arrogant demeanor, as if issuing a command.
"Alright." Although inwardly displeased, she dared not offend the great young master of the Zhao family easily, so she could only agree and follow him.
"Miss Han, are you enjoying this party?" Seeing Han Xueqi approach, Zhao Ji did not get up but remained seated, giving Han Xueqi a scrutinizing glance and asking with a smile.
"Thank you for the invitation, Young Master Zhao," Han Xueqi nodded and replied.
"As long as Miss Han is happy. My brother here has always admired you. Would you grace us with a song for my brother?" Zhao Ji pointed at Chen Ningtian and asked.
Upon seeing Chen Ningtian, Han Xueqi's heart sank, sensing something ominous. Nevertheless, she forced herself to smile and said, "Since Young Master Zhao has invited me, I will perform a song for everyone."
After speaking, Han Xueqi prepared to walk onto the stage.
"Miss Han, don't rush," Zhao Ji beckoned.
"It might not be entirely appropriate for Miss Han to perform in that attire. How about changing into this instead?" Zhao Ji pointed to a dress prepared beside them.
Han Xueqi's expression changed drastically upon seeing the pink mini-dress, her heart filled with revulsion.
The reason was that the pink mini-dress Zhao Ji had prepared for her was far too revealing. Not only was the cleavage ample, but the skirt was also so short that it barely covered her buttocks.
"Young Master Zhao, Xueqi hasn't been feeling well recently and might not be suitable to wear this," Sister Ling, standing beside her, said with a forced smile, her expression also looking troubled.
"Get lost! Is this your place to speak?" Zhao Ji's face darkened instantly, and he let out an angry roar, drawing the attention of many.
Even Sister Ling, who was accustomed to handling such situations, looked extremely displeased by Zhao Ji's public reprimand.
The young men sitting beside Zhao Ji watched the scene with smirks, like watching a circus act.
Reprimanded by Zhao Ji, Sister Ling froze in place, daring not to say another word. Given Zhao Ji's status, dealing with a mere agent like her was as simple as a single word.
"Hurry up and take Miss Han to change!" Zhao Ji ordered.
A young man beside him, understanding the implication, stood in front of Han Xueqi with a cold expression and said, "Miss Han, please!"
Han Xueqi's expression also turned unpleasant. It was then she realized that Zhao Ji's primary purpose in inviting her to this gathering was likely not for her to perform, but to humiliate her.
As for the reason, it was probably because of Chen Yilong.
At this moment, many people were standing at a distance, observing. No one dared to step forward.
Han Xueqi stood amidst the crowd, facing Zhao Ji's coercion, isolated and helpless, appearing somewhat pitiable.
There were admirers of Han Xueqi in the crowd, but at this moment, none dared to speak up for her.
"Young Master Lin, don't you always like Han Xueqi? Why don't you step forward and say a few words for her, to extricate her from this predicament? Perhaps she might even pledge herself to you afterward," a young man in a red suit with shiny hair said to his companion.
"Brother Li, please don't tease me. While beauty is indeed captivating, is it more important than one's life? Stepping forward at this moment is no different from courting death, isn't it?" Young Master Lin replied with a bitter smile.
He did have the thought, but his strength didn't permit it.
Zhao Ji alone was enough to make them hesitate. And looking at the people sitting beside Zhao Ji, weren't they all the top young masters of Yan Jing?
If he dared to step forward, he might not even be able to leave this place alive today.
He mused that even Qin Mo, who was presiding over this meeting, would likely not offend these young masters for the sake of a mere female star.