It was six in the evening.
The first day of the economic conference had concluded, and Yu Mengzhi happily found Chen Jinzhao.
Shangguan Yuan An, being perceptive, stepped aside, not disturbing them.
"I can tell you're very happy," Chen Jinzhao said.
Yu Mengzhi nodded. "Of course, I learned a lot of experience from other seniors that I can apply to my company's operations. What about you? What were you doing outside this afternoon?"
Chen Jinzhao countered, "Guess?"
Yu Mengzhi shook her head. "I can't guess!"
"Thinking about you."
Chen Jinzhao said with a smile.
Yu Mengzhi's face turned slightly red, especially with many business magnates passing by, making her feel quite embarrassed. She rolled her eyes at Chen Jinzhao and said, "Stop being cheeky in front of me, and with so many people listening, aren't you ashamed!"
Chen Jinzhao said with a serious expression, "I'm not lying to you, I was indeed thinking about you."
Yu Mengzhi suddenly burst into a silver bell-like laugh. "You're a straight man, all you can say is you're thinking of me! Alright, I'll believe you this time. Actually, I was thinking of you too."
"Are you going to a private party? Let's hurry over."
The private party was held in a banquet hall at the State Guesthouse. The two had to pass through four or five checkpoints with their invitations to enter, indicating a remarkably high level of security.
After all, those attending this reception were representatives of the top circles.
Any incident involving any one of them could likely cause a major upheaval.
The schedule for the evening was to have a reception first, where family members could be brought along. After the reception, the formal private meeting would commence.
Chen Jinzhao and Yu Mengzhi appeared at the reception venue hand in hand, instantly attracting many gazes. Shangguan Yuan An saw this and walked up to Chen Jinzhao. "Instructor, Mengzhi, you've arrived."
To be honest.
Chen Jinzhao and Yu Mengzhi didn't immediately recognize the person in front of them as Shangguan Yuan An.
This was because Shangguan Yuan An had always appeared in military uniform before. Today, she had specially donned a black strapless long dress, a stark contrast to her usual attire. Dressed up, Shangguan Yuan An was even more captivating.
"I almost didn't recognize you," Chen Jinzhao said directly.
Yu Mengzhi held Shangguan Yuan An's hand, asking her questions, creating a very harmonious atmosphere.
"Cousin, sister-in-law!"
Wu Lingyun also appeared at the venue and walked up to Chen Jinzhao. Chen Jinzhao looked at Wu Lingyun, who resembled a little princess, and his mood lightened considerably. Having an extra little follower seemed quite nice?
Inside the venue.
Some people moved away from Chen Jinzhao, some kept a moderate distance, and others avoided him.
For instance, the legitimate eldest grandson of the formidable Su family from Jiangnan, Su Yuan, was currently hiding behind the crowd, not wanting to be discovered by Chen Jinzhao. In the recent past, the Su family of Jiangnan had been thoroughly exploited by Chen Jinzhao, yet paradoxically, the Su family of Jiangnan couldn't put up a strong front against Chen Jinzhao, acting like timid grandsons. Su Yuan, adhering to the principle of avoiding trouble, was hiding from Chen Jinzhao.
Su Hao, however, was indifferent. After all, he wasn't the first in line for inheritance, so there was nothing to fear.
"Brother Han, did you get slapped when you clashed with Chen Jinzhao today?" Su Hao asked with a smile. Their relationship was quite good, as they were both scions of prominent families from the Yangtze River Delta.
This was yet another small circle.
Han Shangwen said with a dark expression, "Don't mention it. I even had the urge to kill that dog. This Chen Jinzhao is truly excessive. He always hides his identity and plays the pig to eat the tiger. If I had known his identity, how could I have offended him? Su Hao, you must have suffered losses at his hands too, right?"
Su Hao nodded. "Our Su family is almost ruined by him. Do you think that's enough misery?"
"This dog, he really thinks he's somebody. If it weren't for our great-grandfathers sweeping across battlefields with overwhelming force, where would he have this arrogance to flaunt himself? Your Su family is truly something, why don't you try harder to kill him?" Han Shangwen was extremely depressed. Without waiting for Su Hao to speak, he continued, "And that fellow named Qin, I don't know what he's thinking, actually inviting him to this private meeting."
Qin Fengwu had held private meetings for top circles before, but he had never invited people from opposing factions.
Clearly—
Chen Jinzhao belonged to the opposing faction.
Su Hao quickly said, "Brother Han, be careful with your words!"
Han Shangwen came to his senses, feeling even more dejected. "It's fine, I'm just saying this in private, I won't take any drastic actions. As long as Chen Jinzhao doesn't hear it, it'll be fine."
"By the way, have you heard that someone from the Li family might also be coming?" Su Hao winked.
Han Shangwen froze for a few seconds, his expression suddenly changed. "Who?"
"You mean someone from the Li family?"
"No way?"
"I just heard rumors. If he truly comes, tonight will be quite spectacular," Su Hao said.
Han Shangwen regained his composure. "More than spectacular, it's a collision of planets! That fellow from the Li family is also at odds with Qin Fengwu. They often engage in covert struggles. One is in the north, the other in the south. In another ten years, they'll meet in the capital, and at that time, they'll definitely fight to the death."
"Yes, that Li family fellow has a peculiar temper, unlike Brother Qin who is so mild-mannered," Su Hao said.
The two whispered, discussing the future situation.
On the other side.
Wu Lingyun pulled a young man towards Chen Jinzhao and said to him, "Cousin, this is my cousin Wu Zhongjun. Brother, this is my cousin Chen Jinzhao, now the Chief Instructor of the Candle Dragon Special Forces. You should know him."
Wu Zhongjun had thick eyebrows and large eyes, and an extraordinary demeanor.
Upon hearing his sister's introduction, Wu Zhongjun also became interested. "So it's General Chen, it's truly an honor. I've long heard of your great reputation, but this is the first time we're meeting."
The two shook hands.
Chen Jinzhao said humbly, "Brother Wu is too kind. I've only done what I could."
Both were very polite to each other.
Chen Jinzhao knew that Wu Zhongjun, as the legitimate eldest son of the Wu family, was not currently employed in the system. Instead, like his uncle Li Qiutao, he was in business. It was conservatively estimated that Wu Zhongjun controlled assets far exceeding those of Li Qiutao. Considering that Li Qiutao's assets had already surpassed trillions, one could imagine how incredibly wealthy this legitimate eldest grandson of the Wu family was.
Of course.
Chen Jinzhao wouldn't delve further into discussions with Wu Zhongjun. He knew best how this money was acquired.
Wu Zhongjun also realized this, and their conversation stopped at a suitable point.
It was at this moment.
Suddenly, a commotion arose from within the venue. Wu Lingyun quickly ran to see what was happening. After a while, she returned to Chen Jinzhao. "Cousin, that person has arrived."
"That person?"
"Who?"
Chen Jinzhao was curious.
He saw Wu Lingyun's expression was strange, a mixture of apprehension and confusion.
She took a few deep breaths and lowered her voice, "It's that fellow from the Li family, Li Tian Ce! You might not know him, but you definitely know his younger brother—Azure Dragon of the YanJing Military Region!"
"He's Azure Dragon's brother?" Chen Jinzhao raised his eyebrows.
He had a strong impression of Azure Dragon!
However, Chen Jinzhao had never fought Azure Dragon before. Back then, he believed Azure Dragon's strength was not inferior to his own, perhaps even slightly superior. And indeed, Azure Dragon's strength was the leader among the seven top aces in the country at the time.
If Chen Jinzhao hadn't emerged, Azure Dragon's status in the military would have been even higher!
"Has Azure Dragon arrived?" Chen Jinzhao asked.
Wu Lingyun nodded frantically.
Chen Jinzhao said with amusement, "What's so strange about that? The Li family is also one of the three top families in YanJing, so they are naturally qualified to attend this reception. It would be more bizarre if Qin Fengwu didn't invite him, wouldn't it?"
"Cousin, you're mistaken," Wu Lingyun shook her head.
The Wu family, being the foremost of the three top families, knew some things that others didn't. She lowered her voice, "Li Tian Ce and Brother Qin have always been at odds. According to my grandfather's generation, these two will eventually have a fierce struggle, and only the victor will become the true dragon! And now Li Tian Ce is wielding great power in the north, while Brother Qin is stirring up trouble in the south. These two are destined enemies!"
After her explanation, Chen Jinzhao understood.
The fact that Li Tian Ce was invited to this private meeting, hosted by Qin Fengwu in the south, was itself a strange signal.
Could it be that Li Tian Ce had conceded defeat?
If so, then in the current world, there was indeed no one who could contend with Qin Fengwu.
While they were talking, Li Tian Ce and his brother, YanJing's Azure Dragon, had already entered the venue, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
They were the protagonists of the evening!