Chapter 40: Toasts and Laughter in the Feast

He didn’t say anything further and simply put it away.

“Aren’t you going to ask me about it?” An Susu gazed at Chen Yuyi, her eyes clear and deep as autumn waters.

“I don’t like to pry into other people’s private affairs. Since I’ve given you my word, I won’t break it,” Chen Yuyi replied. At that moment, he glanced at Ye Mei. He had been somewhat curious about her, especially since she seemed indifferent toward him.

Unable to resist, he teased, “Miss Ye, could you please help me wrap up those spiritual herbs? Carrying them out like this is far too conspicuous.”

Ye Mei hesitated, then responded coldly, “I hope Miss hasn’t misjudged you.” With that, she began packing the herbs, her manner aloof.

Chen Yuyi smiled gently. “Thank you. And if you don’t mind, could you help me carry them to my friend’s car later?”

A cold light flashed in Ye Mei’s eyes. She’d always had men doing her bidding—never had a man instructed her. If not for the sake of her Miss, she would have lost her temper long ago.

Chen Yuyi had just returned to the main hall when Zhu Shaoqi hurried over to him. “Mr. Chen, what were you doing in there? Why did it take so long?” She eyed him up and down, as if hoping to spot some change in him.

Chen Yuyi smiled. “I was asked to identify the age of some medicinal herbs, so their Miss invited me to help.”

Zhu Shaoqi patted her chest, relieved. She believed him without hesitation—Mr. Chen was nearly omnipotent in her eyes.

Just then, Ye Mei came out carrying several packages. The herbs were wrapped tightly, making it impossible to tell what was inside. With the black plastic bags on the outside, they looked more like sacks of garbage.

Ye Mei shot Chen Yuyi a frosty look. “Where’s the car?”

Chen Yuyi patted Zhang Tianyou’s shoulder and whispered, “Tianyou, help her put those things in your car. They’re important to me.”

Zhang Tianyou nodded solemnly. Though he didn’t know what they were, he took Chen Yuyi’s words seriously and led Ye Mei away to store the items.

“What are those things, Mr. Chen? They look like trash,” Zhu Shaoqi asked curiously.

Chen Yuyi just smiled mildly. “They’re something I need.”

Zhu Shaoqi, though curious, didn’t press the matter. Her mind wandered to something else. She’d noticed that the alluring woman seemed less enthusiastic about Mr. Chen than before, which made her secretly happy. Mr. Chen was clearly not the kind of man she'd imagined.

Yet she was a little disappointed too. What kind of woman did Mr. Chen actually like? She felt she’d done everything she could, but still hadn’t earned a real glance from him.

Soon, Zhang Tianyou and Ye Mei returned.

Zhang Tianyou stepped up to Chen Yuyi and whispered, “Everything’s done. Don’t worry!”

Chen Yuyi nodded—his good brother indeed. A few simple words, but they showed his dedication.

“By the way, Mr. Chen, what about the lingzhi? Didn’t you win the bid? Why didn’t they give it to you? If you weren’t prepared with the money, I can pay for it!” Zhu Shaoqi volunteered eagerly.

She then called out to Ye Mei, “Miss, please hand over the lingzhi. Here’s my card—whatever the price, just swipe it.”

She wasn’t wealthy, but she had her own private savings. Besides, after seeing the four characters Chen Yuyi had written, she doubted the lingzhi was worth much. So she seized the chance to offer help.

Ye Mei arched her brow and glanced at her. “Little girl, Mr. Chen has already gotten what he needs. The lingzhi is useless to him now. You don’t need to concern yourself with this matter.”

“What’s your attitude? Who are you calling little girl? I’m not little at all!” Zhu Shaoqi really didn’t think she was lacking in figure, but after glancing at Ye Mei, she deflated a bit. Compared to that alluring woman, she did seem smaller in every respect. Her face flushed.

“Who says it’s useless to me?” Chen Yuyi suddenly said with a half-smile.

Ye Mei was stunned. He knew perfectly well the lingzhi would turn to dust before the day was over—what could he want with it?

“Yes, Mr. Chen said it’s useful. Give it to him,” Zhu Shaoqi said, stretching out her hand impatiently.

“I want the box as well,” Chen Yuyi added.

Ye Mei’s expression darkened, but remembering her Miss’s instructions, she brought out the brocade box.

Zhu Shaoqi quickly took it, delighted. “Go ahead and swipe the card.”

“No need, Shaoqi. Let’s go,” Chen Yuyi said, hands clasped behind his back as he walked out.

Hearing her name, Shaoqi froze, hurriedly put away her card, and blushed. “Mr. Chen, wait for me!”

Zhang Tianyou shook his head and followed.

Ye Mei watched them leave, her face tinged with irritation, wishing she could vent her frustration on the spot.

“They’ve gone,” An Susu came out from the back.

“Yes, Miss. I really don’t understand why you value that young man. He seems no different from any other rake—what skills could he possibly possess?”

“Mei’er, you shouldn’t judge by appearances. After all your years of cultivation, you still don’t understand this principle? You may not believe in fate, but you must believe in destiny. This man is my destiny.”

Ye Mei pondered for a moment. “Is Miss’s destiny truly tied to this man alone?”

An Susu turned away calmly. “Whether it is or not, time will reveal the answer.”

Xinyu Hotel.

Though not a five-star establishment, its interior was grand and dazzling, radiating wealth and opulence.

In the hotel’s most luxurious Gold Suite, a gathering of prominent sons and daughters from Lower River City had assembled. Some wealthy heirs had even come from other cities in the river region, including a few from River City itself.

The suite was abuzz with the clinking of glasses, everyone eager to toast a chubby young gentleman.

That gentleman was Yan Hongyi.

The Bao siblings attended him on either side, their faces alight with smiles, as if basking in his glory brought them immense honor.

Yan Hongyi’s face glowed red as he wiped sweat from his brow with a floral handkerchief. Despite all the toasts, he barely sipped his wine, while those offering drinks drained their glasses in one gulp.

Yet everyone felt privileged—having Yan Hongyi from the capital raise his cup was enough for them to brag in their circles for ages.

“Mr. Yan, have you heard of someone since coming to our river region?” asked a young man from River City, who’d followed Yan Hongyi’s lead and traveled here.

“Who?” Yan Hongyi asked, wiping his sweat.

“Is Young Master Xia referring to the renowned Mr. Chen?” another man from River City stood up to ask.

“Exactly! Now, all of River City—no, all of the river region—is talking about him. They say he’s a once-in-a-generation figure, one who holds life and death, controls destiny. If you meet him, a pauper becomes rich, a nobody earns respect!”

“No way—do we really have such a person here? Why haven’t I heard of him?” asked a local socialite, skeptical.

Young Master Xia, Xia Zimo, laughed. “You’re hearing about him now, aren’t you?”

“Is he really so powerful?” Several local young gentlemen were dubious.

“It’s not surprising you haven’t heard. The recent events in River City circulated only among the elite. You simply haven’t reached that level yet,” Xia Zimo replied, with a hint of pride. These local heirs and heiresses hadn’t even heard such news—proof of their status. Were it not for currying favor with Yan Hongyi, he wouldn’t bother sitting with them.

“Come on, Young Master Xia, what’s that supposed to mean? We’re all from distinguished families here—don’t treat us like ignorant children,” the local heirs and heiresses protested.

“All right, everyone, we’re just enjoying some conversation after a few drinks,” said Ke Rui, another wealthy heir from River City, smiling to diffuse the tension.

“Yes, we’re all guests tonight. Let’s sit and chat together,” Bao Hongxuan stood up, adopting a host’s air.

Bao Yingtong raised her glass as well. “Let’s all toast Mr. Yan together, to thank him for visiting our city!”

Everyone quickly agreed, raising their glasses to Yan Hongyi.

Yan Hongyi didn’t move, but looked at Xia Zimo. “Is what you said true?”

Xia Zimo nodded. “Even our city’s Lord Shan said he would honor Mr. Chen as his superior. Would I joke about something like this?”

“What? Lord Shan would honor someone else? Did I hear that right? Someone like Lord Shan would bow to another?” The heirs and heiresses from Lower River City were shaken. In this region, everyone knew the name Zuo Hongshan, whom they regarded as a hero.

“It’s true,” Ke Rui confirmed. “Mr. Chen is the talk of our elders lately. They’re spending fortunes just to meet him, but he remains elusive.”

“If he’s so capable, why does Mr. Chen avoid people?” asked the refined local socialite.

“How could you understand the ways of such a master?” Xia Zimo smiled at her.

She glanced back, “If you know so much, why don’t you tell us about Mr. Chen?”

Yan Hongyi seemed interested as well. “Yes, tell us—I’d like to hear.”

Xia Zimo cleared his throat. “I’ll tell you, but don’t spread it around. If the wrong people hear and offend Mr. Chen, and he takes offense, I might lose my head!”

“Oh, come on, is it really that serious?” Some young men laughed.

Xia Zimo, however, was utterly serious. “It’s exactly that serious.”