At seven in the evening, the so-called socialite gathering in Suzhou commenced as scheduled, held on the top floor of the Suzhou Grand Hotel.
It was dubbed a "socialite gathering" because the banquet was primarily organized by the young ladies from Suzhou's major aristocratic families and affluent households, intended to welcome back the eldest young master of Suzhou.
Naturally, the banquet wasn't exclusively for socialites and beauties; young masters from these prominent families would also attend. As the saying goes, men and women working together are more efficient. Whether socialites, beauties, or young masters, everyone aimed to seize this opportunity to meet and network.
In a sense, such banquets also served as hunting grounds for many wealthy young men, or as opportunities for certain fake socialites to attract wealthy patrons.
Even before seven o'clock, the party hall on the top floor of the grand hotel was already bustling with activity.
Young scions from Suzhou's major affluent families were either gathered in small groups chatting, or holding wine glasses, circulating and conversing with others to build connections.
Outside the party area, there was a swimming pool. It was early summer, and the weather was gradually warming up. Many socialites and beauties, clad in bikinis, were swimming, doing their utmost to showcase their tall and hot figures, hoping to catch the eye of a young master.
It was Jun Bufan driving, with Xiao Yunlong and Liu Ruyan seated in the back.
Given the grand occasion, Liu Ruyan had dressed up specially. She wore a white floor-length gown, which made her appear elegant and graceful. Her face, lightly adorned with makeup, was even more exquisite.
As soon as they alighted from the car, a doorman immediately approached and bowed, saying, "Excuse me, sirs and madams, this is the VIP area. May I ask..."
Xiao Yunlong directly handed over the gold-embossed invitation.
"Ah, it's Mr. Xiao and Miss Liu. Please proceed!"
The doorman's attitude became even more respectful. After all, those attending the elite socialite party tonight were almost all members of Suzhou's upper society.
After handing the car keys to the doorman for parking, they were led by two ladies in qipaos to a private elevator that ascended directly to the top floor.
As the elevator doors opened, a cacophony of noise immediately assailed them. Liu Ruyan instinctively frowned, appearing rather averse to such an environment.
As an adopted daughter, she had been constantly mocked and bullied by the Liu Guohao and Liu Feiyan siblings since childhood. Especially in public settings, this pair would never miss an opportunity for sarcasm and ridicule.
Therefore, Liu Ruyan had always disliked such occasions, even experiencing social anxiety. If Xiao Yunlong hadn't agreed to attend, she would never have participated.
Xiao Yunlong, however, remained composed. He adjusted his tie and led Liu Ruyan by her delicate hand directly into the hall.
Tonight, at Liu Ruyan's suggestion, Xiao Yunlong had specially donned a suit. Although he still had a buzz cut, his height of over 1.8 meters made him appear tall and strong. His wheat-colored complexion wasn't fair, unlike the effeminate pretty boys of the current era, but it exuded a healthy, handsome, and dashing aura.
The moment Xiao Yunlong and Liu Ruyan entered the party hall, they immediately attracted considerable attention from many present. Firstly, it was due to the reputation Xiao Yunlong had recently made in Suzhou. Secondly, and more importantly, the pair looked like a perfect match, a harmonious blend of talent and beauty.
Liu Ruyan was stunningly beautiful. Although there were many beautiful women present, their combined beauty likely wouldn't match half of Liu Ruyan's.
Thus, the couple instantly became the focal point of the entire venue.
"I never would have thought this fellow surnamed Xiao, who usually looks so disheveled, could actually look presentable when dressed up!" a provocatively dressed so-called socialite muttered to herself from a corner.
"And what if he looks decent? He's just the Liu family's live-in son-in-law, a good-for-nothing who lives off his wife!" a young man in a white casual suit sneered, his face filled with envy and mockery.
"Shh... Speak softly. This fellow surnamed Xiao is quite skilled. It's said that he even dealt with the Shang family and Jun family some time ago. You should be careful, that guy is not to be trifled with!"
A young man in a coffee-colored suit nearby whispered.
The young man in the white suit who had spoken earlier rolled his eyes but dared not say more, clearly intimidated.
Although the events concerning the Jun and Shang families had not been widely publicized, the young elites of Suzhou's second and third-tier affluent families were naturally aware of them.
Xiao Yunlong snapped his fingers, and a waiter immediately approached with a tray.
"Sir, Madam, what can I get for you? Cocktails or juice?" the waiter asked with a smile.
Xiao Yunlong took a glass of cocktail, while Liu Ruyan, not fond of alcohol, took a glass of juice.
Although many influential figures present were subtly observing them, no one came forward to greet them.
"Yunlong, it seems the people around here don't exactly welcome you," Liu Ruyan commented.
Xiao Yunlong curled his lips. "That's natural. Everyone here is either a young master from a wealthy family or a so-called socialite who considers herself attractive. And I'm merely the Liu family's live-in son-in-law. It's normal that they look down on me."
Liu Ruyan rolled her eyes. She truly didn't know how to respond to his words.
"Let's go, we'll find a corner to sit. If you're hungry, Ruyan, I'll ask a waiter to bring some desserts."
Xiao Yunlong finished speaking and walked towards a corner to sit down.
The party soon resumed its previous lively atmosphere, but still, no one approached to greet or toast them.
Xiao Yunlong, naturally, was too lazy to seek out conversation, simply sitting with his legs crossed in a booth.
Throughout this time, Shang Yuanyuan, standing by the swimming pool, had been keeping an eye on Xiao Yunlong. Liu Feiyan and Liu Guohao were gathered around Shang Yuanyuan.
"This brat surnamed Xiao has finally arrived," Shang Yuanyuan said coldly, glancing sideways.
"He's here, but I'm still worried. This fellow surnamed Xiao, even our Shang family's patriarch was no match for him. It's said the Jun family also suffered at his hands. Can we really contend with him?" a young Shang family member said nervously.
Shang Yuanyuan shot him a look and snorted, "Can't you be more manly and have some spirit? Our Shang family did lose to him, and I admit this dog-like fellow surnamed Xiao has some capabilities. But this time, it's not us acting directly; it's through my brother Ben Dao to teach that kid a lesson."
The Shang family member couldn't help but ask, "I'm just worried that Brother Ben Dao might not be a match for that fellow surnamed Xiao either..."
"What are you talking about? Shut your damned mouth! My brother Ben Dao is the eldest young master of Suzhou. Both in terms of looks and martial arts talent, he's the most outstanding among us. Moreover, he's currently serving in a key department in the capital. Do you think he can't handle that dog-like fellow surnamed Xiao?"
Shang Yuanyuan appeared very angry, after all, her brother Ben Dao was someone she had admired since childhood, and she had almost blind faith in him.
Liu Feiyan asked, "By the way, when will Brother Ben Dao arrive? Wasn't he supposed to be back at seven?"
Although Liu Feiyan also desperately wanted to get rid of Xiao Yunlong, she cared more about the eldest young master of Suzhou.
Shang Yuanyuan glanced at her and pouted, "His flight was delayed by more than ten minutes, but he should be here soon!"
As she was speaking, Shang Yuanyuan's phone rang. After answering it, she didn't say another word and rushed out in her high heels.
"Shang Yuanyuan, why are you in such a hurry? Could it be that Brother Ben Dao is back? Wait for me..."
Liu Feiyan shouted as she chased after her, and several other socialites and beauties from Suzhou's second and third-tier affluent families followed suit.
Xiao Yunlong naturally noticed the commotion. Seeing this, he couldn't help but shake his head.
Jun Bufan suddenly asked without reason, "Brother, did you know this Liang Bendao before?"
Xiao Yunlong was taken aback and retorted, "Why do you ask?"
Jun Bufan smiled faintly. "I have a feeling, I can tell that you, Brother, seem to have come to this party specifically for Liang Bendao."
Xiao Yunlong didn't commit and changed the subject. "By the way, Bufan, you grew up with Liang Bendao, didn't you? What do you think of him as a person?"
Jun Bufan pondered for a moment and pursed his lips. "Although we grew up together, I'm not very familiar with him. How should I put it? Liang Bendao was very proud and solitary as a child. He was precocious and knew what he wanted from a young age. Moreover, whatever he wanted, he usually found a way to get it."
"So, he was the cream of the crop among us since childhood. Of course, he's still outstanding now!" Jun Bufan said, shrugging.
As they were talking, a young man dressed in black leather overalls and pants, surrounded by Shang Yuanyuan, Liu Feiyan, and many other socialites and beauties, walked in gracefully.
This young man was indeed very handsome, with sharp eyes, well-defined eyebrows, and a tall, imposing physique. His eyes were bright and his posture was as straight as a javelin.
Xiao Yunlong knew at a glance that this was a very confident person, even to the point of being arrogant. He was indeed Suzhou's eldest young master, with a reputation even more prominent than Jun Bufan's. Not only was he tall and handsome, but he was also very sunny and talkative.
Even amidst a crowd of socialites and beauties, he was still engaging in lively conversation and was adept at handling social situations. Furthermore, his martial arts cultivation was also commendable; he was already a Grandmaster at the Half-Step Huajin stage.
In fact, Xiao Yunlong knew that Liang Bendao's return from the capital was primarily for him, the King of Zhenbei, and perhaps also at the behest of Liang Minghui.
The atmosphere of the entire party banquet immediately reached its peak with Liang Bendao's arrival. Numerous socialites and young elites rose to greet and toast him.
Liu Feiyan had been wanting to strike up a conversation and showcase herself, but she had no opportunity because Shang Yuanyuan kept a tight grip on the situation, preventing Liu Feiyan from getting too close.
Later, subtly, Shang Yuanyuan skillfully hooked her arm around Liang Bendao's. Liang Bendao tacitly allowed it, adopting an attitude of neither actively pursuing nor rejecting. This infuriated Liu Feiyan, but she was helpless.
Soon, almost all the young masters and socialites from affluent families present had come to toast him. At this moment, Liang Bendao's gaze, inadvertently, fell upon Liu Ruyan.
Although there were no shortage of beauties present, these heavily made-up socialites paled in comparison to Liu Ruyan. Even Shang Yuanyuan was far from Liu Ruyan's beauty.
Moreover, compared to the vulgar socialites and beauties, Liu Ruyan's otherworldly aura was even more distinctive.
"Who is she?" Liang Bendao asked, his gaze fixed on Liu Ruyan without blinking.
Shang Yuanyuan was stunned, and a deep sense of jealousy and even killing intent flickered in her eyes.
Liu Feiyan then smiled and said, "She's my cousin. We are from the Liu family. However, Brother Ben Dao, my cousin is already engaged."
As she spoke, Liu Feiyan leaned in. Seeing this, Shang Yuanyuan quickly blocked her and said, "Brother Ben Dao, Feiyan is right. She is indeed engaged, and her fiancé is the live-in son-in-law of the Liu family that I mentioned to you on the phone last night!"
"Look, that's him. He's the Liu family's live-in son-in-law. This guy has been making quite a stir in Suzhou recently. Not only does he disregard our Shang family, but it's also said that he dares to offend people from the City Defense Bureau. He's utterly arrogant."
Liang Bendao raised his sword-like eyebrows. "Is that so? He's merely the Liu family's live-in son-in-law; he shouldn't have that much audacity, should he?"
"Why wouldn't he? Let me tell you, Brother Ben Dao, this Liu family son-in-law once said that he is the number one person among the younger generation in Suzhou, the Chief Young Master of Suzhou. He even said that you, Brother Ben Dao, are only fit to carry his shoes!" Shang Yuanyuan said loudly.
Liang Bendao's expression darkened, and he immediately strode towards Xiao Yunlong.
Seeing this, Shang Yuanyuan secretly curled her lips and smiled.