The banquet hall was quite crowded, with people coming and going. Most were gathered in groups of three or five, exchanging pleasantries.
Those present were all prominent figures from various circles, including dignitaries, high-ranking officials, and business magnates. Naturally, they were not idle and seized the opportunity to forge connections. After all, for many, networking was the most crucial asset.
“Hurry up and put away those lecherous eyes. What are you staring at them for? Aren’t you embarrassed?” Tang Xinwan couldn’t help but pinch someone’s waist fiercely.
Ye Cangtian shifted his gaze away from the provocatively dressed noblewomen and casually took a glass of champagne from a waiter’s tray. He said cheerfully, “Didn’t you tell me not to be so reserved? I’m just trying to distract myself and avoid being too nervous!”
“I can’t be bothered with you!”
Tang Xinwan gritted her teeth, ignoring the sophistry of this man.
Ye Cangtian stopped ogling the women, took a sip of champagne, and casually remarked, “Your best friend’s background isn’t simple either. She managed to get an invitation to this kind of ball!”
Those who could attend such high-society balls in the capital were usually not of simple backgrounds. They were either scions of prominent families or high-ranking officials. Even the least significant attendees were billionaires. Therefore, he guessed that Tang Xinwan’s best friend was likely a socialite, otherwise, how could she have obtained an invitation?
“Of course, Yanran is Shangguan…” Tang Xinwan didn’t finish her sentence and waved her hand, “Alright, you find a place to sit for a while. I’m going to the front to look around.” She had come to this ball precisely to expand her network, so she couldn't miss this opportunity.
Ye Cangtian didn’t mind. He found a less crowded corner, enjoying the exquisite pastries provided by the banquet while admiring the elegantly dressed women in the hall. Suddenly, a commotion erupted nearby. At this moment, several young masters appeared in the hall. One of them was handsome, dashing, and impeccably dressed. It was evident that his status was not ordinary. The young men and women at the ball looked at him with admiration, while the wealthy attendees rushed forward to curry favor.
“Who is this guy?” Ye Cangtian pursed his lips and muttered to himself.
“He’s Yuwen Hao, the second son of the Yuwen family. He’s known as one of the Four Great Young Masters of the capital. These people naturally want to curry favor with him!” A strange voice came from beside him.
Ye Cangtian turned his head and saw a man standing beside him with a smile, holding a wine glass in one hand and a pastry in the other, which he was popping into his mouth. Seeing him look over, the man continued, “The Yuwen family is one of the eight great families in the capital. Their family enterprises are spread across the country. If you can build good relations with them, your future will be limitless.”
“And you? Why aren’t you currying favor with him?” Ye Cangtian asked indifferently, glancing at the man.
The man took a sip of champagne and smiled, “Me? Hehe, I don’t do business. I’m just here for the food and drinks, no need to butter him up!”
Ye Cangtian smiled as well, “There’s food, there are drinks, and you can feast your eyes on beautiful women. This is the true essence of attending a ball.”
“That’s true. Nice to meet you, I’m Shangguan Yun!” The man’s eyes lit up, and he extended his hand with a smile.
“Ye Cangtian!”
“Brother Ye, what age group of women do you think has more flavor?” Shangguan Yun asked, looking at the various women in the hall with a smile.
Ye Cangtian pondered for two seconds and then replied, “Women of every age have different flavors. Those young ladies from wealthy families are like cherries in spring, sweet with a hint of sourness. While those noblewomen are like ripe flat peaches, bursting with juice when you take a bite!”
Shangguan Yun was stunned for a moment, then gave him a thumbs-up. “Brother Ye, your insights are unique. I’ve learned a lot!”
The two like-minded libertines sat together, discussing women and soon began smoking, puffing clouds of smoke. Shangguan Yun, holding his cigarette, suddenly pointed at a group of women chatting amicably in the hall and smiled, “Among those women, I think the one in the purple dress is the most beautiful. Both her temperament and appearance are top-notch.”
Ye Cangtian narrowed his eyes, looking at him, and said sternly, “Whether she’s top-notch or not has nothing to do with you. She’s my wife!”
“…”
Shangguan Yun was speechless. He had been somewhat skeptical at first, but when he saw the woman in the purple dress suddenly leave the crowd and walk towards them, he had no choice but to believe him.
Tang Xinwan beckoned to Ye Cangtian, “Come here, I need to tell you something!”
They walked to a less crowded spot. Tang Xinwan’s expression turned grave. “I just saw He Chuan!”
“He Chuan? He’s still alive?” Ye Cangtian was stunned. He had almost forgotten about that guy. After all, the He family had fallen along with the collapse of the He Group. It seemed the head of the He family was still in prison.
Tang Xinwan gave him a look and explained, “After he was injured, the He family sent him to the capital. They say he has relatives there.” He Chuan was a survivor after the He family’s downfall. Ye Cangtian suddenly remembered that this guy, having lost his virility, was still able to move around. His body was indeed quite resilient.
Tang Xinwan lowered her voice, “I just saw He Chuan with some young masters from the capital. The current fate of the He Group is related to us, so I’m worried if he might…”
Ye Cangtian smiled and waved his hand, comforting her, “Don’t worry. If you walk with integrity, you have nothing to fear. The fate of the He Group was entirely their own doing, what does it have to do with us?” He wasn’t worried about He Chuan retaliating. Frankly, when the He Group was still around, he hadn’t even paid them much attention. Moreover, now that the He Group was gone, He Chuan, even if he were alive, was nothing more than a eunuch.
He scanned the crowd and soon spotted several young masters following Yuwen Hao. He Chuan was indeed among them. His attention had been focused on Yuwen Hao earlier, and he had overlooked He Chuan and the others behind him. At this moment, He Chuan happened to turn his head and saw Ye Cangtian at once.
In an instant, He Chuan’s face turned ashen with terror.
“Cousin, what’s wrong? You’ve been listless for so long. You finally came out to have some fun, why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?” A young man beside him chuckled, noticing He Chuan’s expression. He was He Chuan’s cousin, Song Yuan. The Song family was considered a not-so-weak minor family in the capital. Recently, the He family in Yangzhou had declined, so He Chuan had been staying with them temporarily. Seeing his cousin moping around all day, Song Yuan decided to bring him along to the ball today.
He Chuan swallowed, hesitated for a long time, and then stammered, “Cousin, save me, someone might want to kill me!”
“Hmm?” His cousin Song Yuan was stunned.