Chapter 509: That Kid Is the Reason Zhixuan Is Distant From You

Chai Yan's attitude did a complete one-eighty. The arrogant, merciless look on his face was replaced by an obsequious attentiveness as he eagerly directed Shao Hong to park the car.

Shao Hong was a bit overwhelmed by the attention, casting an awestruck glance at Cheng Yuan.

'Who is this young man?'

'How could he be so powerful?'

'Just mentioning a name made this guard's face drain of color.'

Cheng Yuan said nonchalantly, "No need to park. This isn't my car. I just called a rideshare."

Chai Yan eagerly helped Cheng Yuan by opening the car door. He even placed a hand on the upper doorframe, a sycophantic smile plastered on his face as he watched Cheng Yuan exit the vehicle.

'This was the man who'd beaten up the Young Master!'

'Even my own master has to address him respectfully. I have to serve him well!'

When he turned to Shao Hong, however, Chai Yan's attitude changed in an instant. He said coldly, "Now that Master Cheng is here, you should leave immediately! This is private territory, not a place someone like you can just enter."

Shao Hong: "..."

Rendered speechless by the sharp rebuke, Shao Hong didn't dare to say a word in reply. He just obediently drove away.

However, Shao Hong wasn't the least bit angry. In fact, he was a little excited.

He had actually been inside the White Palace! Even though it was just for a fleeting glimpse, it was enough to brag about for a whole month.

Led by Chai Yan, Cheng Yuan walked into the White Palace and headed straight for the second floor.

As they walked, Cheng Yuan asked, "Young man, you know me?"

Even though Cheng Yuan was clearly the younger man, Chai Yan found nothing wrong with the address. He replied respectfully, "Master Cheng, this humble one wasn't qualified to participate in last night's operation, so I have not had the honor of seeing you in person. I only heard of your glorious deeds from one of my seniors!"

Cheng Yuan shrugged, pulled out his phone, and dialed Zhou Shilong's number.

The call connected quickly. Cheng Yuan said warmly, "Shilong, I've arrived."

"Third Uncle-Master, my apologies. I had to go pick up the Young Master. I'll have Shaofeng come over to receive you now. Would you mind resting in the banquet hall for a little while?"

"Okay."

After a brief pause, Cheng Yuan asked, "Shilong, I recall my Second Brother has several heirs. Which Young Master are you picking up?"

Zhou Shilong's tone became much more serious. "Master has seven heirs, but I, Shilong, have only one Young Master: the Crown Prince, Duan Lang."

Cheng Yuan had reviewed Duan Lang's file back at Dragon Flame. He was the direct-lineage Young Master of the Dali Duan Dynasty, the eldest legitimate son of Duan Yanming.

He was only twenty-seven, yet he had already become a Martial Emperor.

Even among the Five Great Holy Lands, he would be considered a genius.

Duan Lang was hailed as a once-in-a-century genius for the Dali Duan Clan.

"Alright, I understand. Let me know when you arrive."

"Yes, Third Uncle-Master."

Soon, they arrived at the banquet hall on the second floor.

Chai Yan said respectfully, "Master Cheng, this humble one is not qualified to enter the banquet hall. I can only escort you this far."

"Thank you for your trouble."

Cheng Yuan gave a slight nod and strolled into the banquet hall.

The banquet hall was already bustling with people. In the center stood the most distinguished tycoons of Gui City, discussing international economic trends and the policies of major world powers.

On the periphery were younger people, most of whom had come with their elders to broaden their horizons.

Cheng Yuan had spent the entire morning competing against Park Hao and had used up a fair bit of energy. Feeling a little hungry, he made a beeline for the reception's buffet area.

The reception at the White Palace was a high-class affair, and the ingredients at the buffet were of a correspondingly high quality.

Cheng Yuan spotted lobster, king crab, and what looked to be near-A5 grade Wagyu beef.

Cheng Yuan quickly piled a large plate with food, carried it to a corner, and, grabbing a king crab leg, began to chow down.

Mmmph!

'So fragrant!'

'So fresh!'

'This isn't farmed king crab; it's definitely genuine, deep-sea Alaskan king crab.'

After polishing off a few king crab legs, Cheng Yuan licked his fingers with a satisfied expression.

Not far away, a few girls dressed in elegant evening gowns, their every move radiating an air of nobility, curled their lips in disdain. They pointed at Cheng Yuan. 'Where did this country bumpkin come from?'

'Has he never had king crab before?'

'Licking his fingers, too?'

'How disgusting is that?'

'I really don't know why Brother Long invited such a clown.'

The girls moved away from Cheng Yuan in disgust. Even though he was kind of handsome, they avoided him like the plague.

Cheng Yuan didn't mind in the slightest.

'Most of these self-proclaimed socialites have an unclean air about them. To put it bluntly, they're just high-class escorts.'

In another corner.

He Zhixuan, Liu Ruyan, and Chang Lanxin were drinking and chatting together.

The three of them were best friends, and after they talked through a few issues, the friction between them quickly dissipated.

Chang Lanxin looked at He Zhixuan with concern. "Zhixuan, your clinic was repossessed. What are you going to do? If worst comes to worst, you can come help me at my bar."

He Zhixuan shook her head gently. "Lanxin, thank you for the kind offer, but you studied medicine too. You know perfectly well that doctors shouldn't be around too much alcohol."

"Sigh..."

As the three were talking, Pei Yuanbin walked over with a wine glass and, with an overly familiar air, sat down right beside He Zhixuan.

"Zhixuan, why haven't you been answering my calls? I was worried about you."

The smile on He Zhixuan's face vanished instantly. 'This Pei Yuanbin is impossible to shake off! How do I run into him everywhere I go?'

He Zhixuan didn't want to explain, nor did she want to offend Pei Yuanbin. She said distantly, "I'm sorry, President Pei. I didn't see your calls."

Knowing what He Zhixuan was thinking, Chang Lanxin stood up with a bright smile. "Excuse us, President Pei, I see an acquaintance over there."

With that, Chang Lanxin pulled He Zhixuan to her feet, and they turned to walk toward the corner where Cheng Yuan was.

Pei Yuanbin was left in an awkward position, unsure if he should follow them.

He Zhixuan discreetly gave Chang Lanxin a thumbs-up, and the two women exchanged a smile.

But Liu Ruyan, who was standing nearby, suddenly extended an invitation. "President Pei, about that case you asked me to handle for you—there are still some details I need to discuss. This way, please."

Pei Yuanbin shot Liu Ruyan a look of immense gratitude and hurried to catch up with the three women.

This absolutely infuriated He Zhixuan and Chang Lanxin.

'They had finally managed to shake off Pei Yuanbin, so why on earth did Ruyan bring him along?'

He Zhixuan shot Liu Ruyan an irritated glare. "I'm going to the restroom. Excuse me."

He Zhixuan headed for the restroom. Not wanting to be with Pei Yuanbin either, Chang Lanxin quickened her pace, putting some distance between herself and Liu Ruyan and Pei Yuanbin.

As she walked, Chang Lanxin suddenly stopped. She had spotted a familiar figure.

Chang Lanxin walked over, and upon confirming it was Cheng Yuan, she said with pleasant surprise, "Oh? Cheng Yuan? You're here, too?"

Cheng Yuan looked up and broke into a smile.

"Senior, what a coincidence."

Chang Lanxin laughed. "Not a coincidence at all. When Young Master Lin invited me, I wondered if I might run into you, Junior. I can't believe I actually did! It seems you and I are truly fated to meet."

Cheng Yuan smiled faintly. "So it was Shaofeng who sent you the invitation, Senior. He's pretty sharp. But you can't let him off the hook. You have to display his photo for at least a month for me."

"I know, I know. You want to teach Young Master Lin some discipline, Junior."

"If Shaofeng doesn't learn his lesson, sooner or later he'll cause a huge disaster."

"You have a point, Junior."

As the two of them were talking, Liu Ruyan and Pei Yuanbin slowly approached.

Liu Ruyan could see her friends' displeasure and their attempts to distance themselves from her, but she didn't think she had done anything wrong. 'Compared to Cheng Yuan, Pei Yuanbin is the much better match!'

'Zhixuan has just been bewitched by Cheng Yuan. Sooner or later, she'll come to her senses!'

Pei Yuanbin suddenly pointed in Cheng Yuan's direction and asked, "Liu Lv, who's that young man with Chang Lanxin? Is he her boyfriend?"

Following the direction Pei Yuanbin was pointing, Liu Ruyan saw Chang Lanxin and Cheng Yuan chatting animatedly. Liu Ruyan couldn't help but narrow her eyes. 'Is this Cheng guy some kind of sticky-toffee you can't get rid of?'

"President Pei, haven't you always been curious why Zhixuan rejects you? The man next to Lanxin is the reason. As long as you take care of him, Zhixuan will surely fall into your arms."