No one noticed when the Zhong father and son slipped away.
The people of this family were as mysterious and unfathomable as their long history and those unverifiable inheritances, always shrouded in a layer of fog.
Zhong Qian followed his father through the central courtyard of Willow Mansion, heading deeper inside to what outsiders saw as the mansion’s forbidden grounds.
It was much the same even for the Zhong family.
The Zhong descendants served as attendants to that gentleman, a bond forged centuries ago, long before Willow Mansion was built. In the past, the Zhong family had called that being whose name could not be uttered directly “Liu Immortal” or “Master.” Under Liu Immortal’s protection, even mighty dynasties rose and fell, but the Zhong family continued to grow and prosper. Later, as times changed and new ideas flooded in, the Zhong family no longer needed to kneel upon meeting that being, and the title shifted to “Mr. Liu.” It was around then that Willow Mansion was constructed. Mr. Liu shielded the Zhong family through years of war and chaos, sustaining them to this day, when they had become a great clan unmatched by any. Yet Mr. Liu gradually withdrew from worldly affairs.
But he remained the master of the Zhong family.
Without the master’s permission, the attendants could not enter his domain at will. Still, every master needed one or two close aides to handle his troubles, and each generation’s Zhong Family Head took on that role.
With the transfer of power underway, during this period before his father fully stepped down, Zhong Qian needed to learn to adapt to this identity.
They crossed the central courtyard and entered Willow Mansion’s main hall, which was no smaller than the front hall but even more lavish. The hands of the Western clock on the wall pointed exactly to nine o’clock. They then ascended the stairs, illuminated by brass wall lamps that automatically lit at night, lighting their path. First floor, second floor, third floor—Zhong Qian stayed one step behind his father, finally stopping outside the study on the third floor. The Zhong Family Head knocked on the door, bowing respectfully as he waited until a low voice from inside the study said something before pushing the door open.
“Come in.” It was Mr. Liu speaking.
Zhong Qian’s heart skipped a beat. Anyone would feel fear toward a being of incomprehensible power. But now, he was far calmer than he had been as a youth. When the image of that quiet gardenia flower surfaced in his mind, Zhong Qian steadied himself.
Only a single desk lamp lit the study. Mr. Liu was flipping through the newspaper delivered that morning. He retained some old habits, making him look like a noble from a bygone era. Directly behind the desk loomed a large sealed glass window, its curtains drawn open. Vines crept across the glass outside; they would bloom once the weather warmed a bit more. The moon had risen, its pale light spilling into the room.
Zhong Qian had kept his head lowered since entering. Few in the world dared look directly at Mr. Liu’s face. Zhong Qian knew that those aware of Mr. Liu’s existence speculated wildly about his appearance. Most assumed the one controlling the Zhong family must be a stern old man, but his true looks were far from aged. Liu Immortal’s body had long escaped time’s grasp; even time’s full might could only alter his eyes.
Yet even his eyes weren’t truly old—just indifferent, having witnessed the world’s endless changes.
Mr. Liu said nothing, so the Zhong father and son remained silent.
Where he was, there was always dead silence.
Only after finishing an entire page did Mr. Liu fold the newspaper. Zhong Qian felt a gaze fall upon him. “This is your son? It’s been some time since I last saw him, and now he’s grown into an adult.”
A few years that meant nothing to him were enough to turn a boy into a man.
“Yes. The last time I brought my young son Zhong Qian to see you was seven years ago,” the Zhong Family Head said. He was one of the few who could exchange more than a few words with Mr. Liu. “I grow older by the day, but my son is now in his prime. It’s time for him to serve you. If he does anything improper, I hope you’ll bear with him.”
“Zhong Qian,” Mr. Liu recalled. “The thirty-fifth generation of the Zhong family to reach your hands.”
Zhong Qian said softly, “Thanks to your protection, Mr. Liu, the Zhong family has endured to this day.”
Fireworks bloomed in the garden before the front hall, tinting the moonlight on Mr. Liu’s shoulders with bursts of color. The explosions, along with the music from the front hall, faintly reached this secluded study.
Mr. Liu sighed softly. Of thirty-five generations, few faces remained in his memory. To him, human lifespans were as fleeting as these fireworks. He was the last of the ancient demons. Apart from a handful of old monsters his age, whom they had all grown weary of, no new demons had appeared in centuries.
“Is there a banquet tonight?” Mr. Liu asked.
“Yes,” the Zhong Family Head replied. “My son is inheriting the Zhong family, so he needs to make a formal appearance before outsiders.”
“It seems quite lively.” Mr. Liu said, “Let’s go take a look.”
The clamor of the mortal world likely wouldn’t stir his stagnant heart in the slightest.
Bai Ying made a beeline for the dessert tower he’d been dreaming of!
As expected of a banquet hosted by a great clan—the desserts on display were unlike any he’d seen, and they looked utterly delicious. Bai Ying speared a piece of rainbow-colored mini cake with his fork, and the taste lived up to his expectations.
It was such a shame that no one had touched this whole table of desserts!
Bai Ying happily enjoyed Willow Mansion’s delicacies alone. While others played piano, he ate. While others danced, he ate. While others talked business, he still ate… This was a banquet, after all—eating was the main event, right?!
Bai Ying thought he’d found an overlooked corner. No one had glanced at the full table of food before, so his presence wouldn’t draw eyes either. Completely absorbed in his meal, he failed to notice the gazes converging on him from all directions.
Without Qin Juanshu’s protection, some of those looks carried undisguised greed and desire.
The contrast of black and white stood out starkly on the young man.
Onlookers couldn’t help staring at the pale wrist peeking from beneath his black suit sleeve, the soft white neck beneath his black hair, and the dark eyes lowered in focus as he carefully sliced a mini cake on his plate with knife and fork.
The youth’s eyes curved slightly as he savored the sweet, unaware that in others’ eyes, he was far more delectable than the cake.
In a banquet where everyone harbored schemes, deals were struck amid swirling lust and rampant desire—how had such a little white rabbit wandered in?
Actually, it was a little white snake, but a non-venomous one’s attack power was about on par with a rabbit’s.
It seemed all too easy to devour whole.
Some knew this was the young master of the Qins’ guest and didn’t dare touch. Others hesitated because it was Zhong territory and refrained from folly. But some grew bold with lust, desire overwhelming all else the moment they saw Bai Ying.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen this guy in the capital before.” Fang Peng’s eyes nearly popped out. He unceremoniously elbowed the aspiring starlet sidling up to feed him wine. “That face, that figure… Zhang Xunyi, is he some agency’s new signing?”
The elbow nearly made Zhang Xunyi spill his drink—a disaster in such a setting. But he didn’t dare get angry, forcing a smile as he played along. “Young Master Fang has his eye on another newbie? Prettier than me?”
Lust clouding his head, Fang Peng ignored his new fling. “Prettier than ten of you combined.”
Zhang Xunyi’s expression twisted for an instant.
Expression control, expression control… He reminded himself desperately, barely maintaining his smile as he followed Fang Peng’s gaze. But the moment he spotted the quietly seated youth in the corner, his facade cracked.
“How is it him again?” Zhang Xunyi blurted out.
“You know him?” Fang Peng’s eyes lit up.
Zhang Xunyi forced a smile. “He’s no celebrity—just an employee at some small company. Our last drama crew collaborated with his firm not long ago; that’s when I met him once.”
“Just a small company employee?” Fang Peng’s eyes gleamed brighter.
“Yeah, his company went bust and got lucky—acquired by Minghong as a studio. Maybe he tagged along through those connections…” Seeing his hard-won sugar daddy ogling someone else, Zhang Xunyi felt a bad premonition surge. He clung to Fang Peng’s arm, coquettish. “Young Master Fang, didn’t you say you’d take me up to the second floor to meet Director Chen? Let’s go!”
But Fang Peng didn’t budge.
He turned to Zhang Xunyi. “You want into Director Chen’s crew?”
Zhang Xunyi’s smile stiffened. His mind was already cursing. Why else would he throw himself at this bed? Lately, everything had gone wrong—roles snatched at the last minute. Fortunately, he’d hooked this notorious capital playboy, pinning his comeback on Fang Peng.
Come to think of it, his bad luck started right after meeting that guy. Now the guy’s second appearance stole Fang Peng’s attention. Zhang Xunyi inwardly raged at the persistent Bai.
He prayed frantically for Fang Peng to lose interest, but his prayers were doomed to fail.
“Zhang Xunyi, do one thing for me,” Fang Peng said. “Succeed, and Director Chen’s new lead role is yours. Fail, and you’re done with me.”
Zhang Xunyi’s lips trembled as he forced out, “…This is Zhong territory.”
“No issue. I’m not snatching in public—just escorting an unwell guest to rest, right?” Fang Peng slipped a small packet of powder into Zhang Xunyi’s suit pocket.
Thinking of his robbed roles, Fang Peng’s promise of the lead, and that holier-than-thou guy soon reduced to his level…
Zhang Xunyi gripped the packet, gritted his teeth, and agreed. “…Fine.”
A stranger appeared beside Bai Ying.
Someone else had finally noticed these goodies!
But there was plenty more, so Bai Ying didn’t mind sharing. He was generous and already half-full, happy to let others join. Thus, he paid little attention to the newcomer sitting next to him, focusing on his own plate.
But the man struck up a conversation. “Teacher Xiao Bai, do you remember me?”
Bai Ying turned, glanced once, then again.
Heavy makeup really threw off recognition… But recalling the face that had haunted the office screen for ages, stripping away filters and on-set makeup in his mind, Bai Ying finally placed him. “Teacher Zhang?”
The former client! Bai Ying instinctively straightened like a student called by the teacher.
…The primal suppression of client over contractor!
“I heard from the crew that you helped carry the fan gifts to my car. Thanks so much,” Zhang Xunyi said. “My schedule was tight; I left Shen City without properly thanking you.”
“Ah, that… No problem.” Rarely thanked personally by a big-shot client, Bai Ying floundered. “Just doing what I could.”
It wasn’t his job at all, but Bai Ying was easygoing. Had the client’s staff asked nicely instead of bossing him around, he’d have helped willingly.
“I’m truly grateful. Didn’t expect to see you here, and I have no gift to offer, so this will have to do.” Zhang Xunyi handed Bai Ying a glass of wine. “The Zhong family’s vintage is excellent. Shame to miss it.”
Bai Ying shook his head. “Sorry, I can’t drink.”
Zhang Xunyi pushed it closer. “Just try a sip. It’s fine.”
Bai Ying refused again. “Sorry, really can’t.”
Zhang Xunyi was an ex-client, but Qin Juanshu had said no meant no.
Zhang Xunyi’s long-held smile nearly shattered, but he’d prepared alternatives.
“What a pity. How about grape juice instead?” He swapped for a juice glass. “Same as the wine grapes, from the Zhong family’s overseas vineyard—harvested and airlifted within twelve hours.”
Qin Juanshu had given him grape juice earlier, and it was delicious.
That glass was empty now anyway.
“Sure, thanks.” Wholly unsuspecting foul play, Bai Ying took it and sipped.
Zhang Xunyi casually made an excuse about a companion waiting for him and left. In reality, he quietly stood at a spot neither too close nor too far from Bai Ying, full of malice as he waited for the drug to take effect.
Meanwhile, Bai Ying remained completely oblivious. The drug’s effects didn’t kick in that quickly, and he happened to feel thirsty again. Unknowingly, half a cup of the grape juice was gone.
