Chapter 22

The crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling intertwined their glow with the lamp brackets extending from the walls. The spotless floor reflected human figures, and heels striking the ground produced clear, crisp footsteps. Yet the black-clad attendants gliding calmly among the guests with trays in hand made no superfluous sounds.

Willow Mansion’s front hall spanned two stories, with the second floor resembling the boxes in a theater balcony. Those on the second floor could look down imperiously on the movements below, while people on the first floor could only gaze up enviously at those indistinct, elegant, and noble silhouettes.

The Zhong Family’s servant guards stood watch at the spiral staircase leading to the second floor. They knew every guest’s face and had a clear idea of who could go up and who could not.

“Willow Mansion has only opened a small area including the front hall. If you find it too stuffy, you can stroll in the front garden. But once you pass the Central Courtyard beyond the front hall, that’s the owner’s residence, heavily guarded by many people,” Qin Juanshu said softly to Bai Ying.

Bai Ying nodded like a chick pecking at rice. “Got it. I won’t wander off.”

Qin Juanshu smiled. “If you accidentally get lost and end up in a restricted area, it’s no big deal. Just call me, and I’ll handle it.”

Bai Ying realized that Qin Juanshu seemed far more capable than he’d imagined.

“The banquet will last until midnight. We’ll leave around then. If you want to rest…” Qin Juanshu gestured for Bai Ying to look in a certain direction. “See that open side door?”

Bai Ying nodded.

“Behind it should be a rest area for guests. You can have a Willow Mansion attendant take you, or I can go with you,” Qin Juanshu said.

Bai Ying figured staying put for five hours wouldn’t be that tiring.

With nothing else special to explain, Qin Juanshu took a glass of grape juice and a glass of wine from a passing attendant. He handed the juice to Bai Ying. “Anyway, ignore everything else. Just stay with me.”

Bai Ying kept nodding. He got it—the people at the banquet all came in pairs, and he was just there to keep Qin Juanshu from looking lonely.

Maybe he was the only one who thought that way.

Other people’s male or female companions were husbands, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, or unnamed lovers. Only Bai Ying saw himself as a little buddy.

Qin Juanshu casually scanned the second floor but didn’t spot the person he wanted to see. Perhaps they were staying away from the railing, or maybe they hadn’t arrived yet. But in Qin Juanshu’s memory, that person always took an interest in dances. They would definitely appear when the mid-banquet dance began.

Qin Juanshu wasn’t in a hurry. He led Bai Ying around the first floor, greeting a few people from the film industry or fellow advertisers. Those who could go up to the second floor undoubtedly had more networking value, but considering Zhonghe’s poor foundation, Qin Juanshu decided not to take too big a step. Better to start with more ordinary contacts.

Figures wove and swayed in front of Bai Ying, their unfamiliar faces blurring together.

At first, he tried to listen carefully to what Qin Juanshu said to others, but soon his mind grew dizzy. Business talk was exhausting—like they said everything and nothing at the same time, promising something that evaporated on closer thought. Smiles and chatter on the surface, cold indifference underneath.

Dazed, Bai Ying thought, No wonder Qin Juanshu can be the boss.

The little white snake gave up thinking and focused on being a decorative vase.

Such occasions always involved drinking. You couldn’t refuse when someone of higher status offered a toast, and even equals expected you to take a sip for courtesy. Thanks to Qin Juanshu, though, Bai Ying could nurse his grape juice the whole time.

It wasn’t that no one wanted the pretty young man by Qin Juanshu’s side to have a drink—who wouldn’t want to see that jade-like face flush with drunkenness? But Qin Juanshu guarded him closely. A single cold, stern glance was enough to deter anyone.

Some wondered: They’d never heard of any scandals about the Qin Family’s young master who grew up abroad. How did he pick up a companion so soon after returning? And this one didn’t seem like a casual fling—Qin Juanshu protected him like a wife.

That hand had unconsciously settled on the person’s waist, swatting away any who got too close.

Speaking of young masters who had just returned from abroad, Qin Juanshu wasn’t the only one at the banquet.

As the banquet neared its midpoint, the Zhong Family Head led his only son to the front of the stage. The hall fell instantly silent. This was Zhong Family territory—who dared deny them face?

Bai Ying glanced from afar at the young man the Zhong Family Head introduced. This youth, named Zhong Qian, who would gradually take over the Zhong Family’s power from tonight onward, had peach blossom eyes full of tender affection, true to his name.

Bai Ying took one look and lost interest. He was just a minor character here to accompany Qin Juanshu—no intersections with someone like that. He lowered his head to gaze at the shallow layer of grape juice left at the bottom of his glass, gently swirling it to create pretty ripples that caught the light spilling from above.

Thus, he naturally missed the gaze the man on stage cast his way.

But Zhong Qian only looked once.

All his attention was on this “succession ceremony.” The performative handover of power in front of everyone meant little to him. What truly unsettled him was the “person” his father would take him to see afterward: Mr. Liu, the true master of Willow Mansion, the house immortal the Zhong Family had served for generations.

Even Zhong Family members couldn’t see Mr. Liu’s face whenever they wanted.

As the Zhong Family Head’s only son and next heir, Zhong Qian had seen Mr. Liu more often than most, but he never dared meet those eyes directly—not even his father did.

Even without displaying any inhuman traits, even with an expression devoid of joy or sorrow and a voice unhurried and even, without crushing rebukes or destructive rage, Mr. Liu’s mere existence inspired fear, a desire to prostrate oneself on the ground.

Every meeting with Mr. Liu brought Zhong Qian immense pressure, as if dark snake tails slithered in the shadows, rustling with terrifying menace.

Yet after spotting that person, his mood strangely calmed.

In the hall of drunken revelry, he stood quietly, like a zi zi flower drifting aimlessly on murky waters.

Whose companion is he? Zhong Qian wondered.

***

The power handover didn’t take much of the banquet’s time.

Then came the dance. The orchestra played luxurious, languid melodies as guests took their male or female companions—or those who’d caught their eye during the banquet—whirling elegantly in the dance floor. Banquets like this often doubled as matchmaking events, with some celebrities scouting for patrons.

But Bai Ying ignored the dance floor and the others, his sidelong glance drifting toward the buffet tables.

Yes, there was food at the banquet—out from the start, yet ignored by everyone. Damn, weren’t they hungry?

Qin Juanshu was guilty of neglecting it too. He took Bai Ying’s hand with a smile. “Want to dance?”

Bai Ying shook his head. “I can’t.”

“It’s simple,” Qin Juanshu coaxed. “I can teach you. Guaranteed results.”

Bai Ying shook his head again.

He was a snake who could tie his own tail in knots if careless. If two people and four legs were involved? Boss, you don’t want your employee embarrassing the company in public, right?

Seeing Bai Ying’s firm refusal, Qin Juanshu regretfully gave up.

“Then…” Qin Juanshu thought for a moment. “Want to grab some food?”

Bai Ying’s eyes lit up.

“I need to go to the second floor to meet someone. You can eat down here,” Qin Juanshu said. He had permission to go up and could bring Bai Ying, but considering the discussion ahead, he decided it was better not to involve him.

“You’re not joining?” Bai Ying looked at Qin Juanshu in confusion. Qin Juanshu still held his hand, and unconsciously, Bai Ying hooked his finger.

Qin Juanshu nearly stayed right there!

He said with difficulty, “Yeah, I have to meet an elder about… family matters. Wait for me on the first floor. I’ll be back soon.”

Bai Ying nodded. “Okay.”

He seemed so obedient that Qin Juanshu felt like an anxious parent leaving a sweet, soft child behind, unable to resist repeated warnings. “If there’s trouble, call me right away—I’ll come immediately. Or ask the Willow Mansion staff for help. No one dares cause a scene here.”

“Got it.” Bai Ying gently pushed Qin Juanshu. “If it’s an elder, you’d better hurry.”

Qin Juanshu left with many backward glances.

But at the spiral staircase, he reverted to his usual cold demeanor. The Willow Mansion staff recognized his face, and he went straight up to the second floor. Based on the profile he’d glimpsed from below, he accurately found his target.

The woman leaned against the railing, lips curved up as she watched the crowd rotate in the dance pool below to the music. She always enjoyed such scenes—the music evoked a decadent urge to dance until the world’s end. Compared to the other ladies in gowns, her outfit was unusual: a shirt with an open collar, wide ruffled edges on the collar and cuffs, paired with fitted black trousers. No longer young, she made no effort to conceal the fine lines of age with makeup, letting them show openly.

Qin Juanshu called her, “Little Aunt.”

Qin Xian turned her head.

“…Qin Juanshu.” She leaned lazily against the railing. “I thought you weren’t coming back. What’s this, nephew? Remembering the Qin Family’s good and bowing your head to my big brother?”

At the mention of Qin Chi, Qin Juanshu’s gaze darkened instantly.