The afternoon of the second day of the Lunar New Year was bathed in warm sunlight.
An open-air wine party was being held in the front yard of Liushui Pavilion.
Although there were no birds singing or flowers blooming, both the atmosphere of the party and the food, wine, and delicacies provided by the host were top-notch.
Especially the main guests attending this party, any one of them, if casually picked out, would be a prominent figure in Tiandong.
Among the dozens of people present, a man and a woman were particularly eye-catching.
The man was Bai Yujing, the eldest young master of the Bai family, known as the foremost of the three young masters of Tiandong. He had a refined and elegant appearance, dashing and debonair.
Because of the rumors that Li Qianfan had permanently perished in the Blackwater Forest, Bai Yujing’s pursuit of his stepfather’s inheritance had earned him the "notorious reputation" of being a stepson throughout Tiandong’s elite circles.
Crucially, many believed that—
No matter who it was, to gain the favor of Madam Bai, one had to first obtain Bai Yujing’s approval!
The most dazzling woman at the scene was, of course, Jiao Yin, the eldest wife of the Bai family in Tiandong.
Today, Jiao Yin—
Had specially changed into a black silk qipao, but wore white soft boots.
The qipao, designed for shaping, perfectly accentuated Jiao Yin’s already very sexy figure to its fullest!
Especially the color of the qipao, which made Jiao Yin’s snow-white skin appear even fairer.
This made her already flower-like face even more charming and alluring, thus powerfully attracting the gaze of all the men present.
This also caused Bai Ziyan, who was already quite outstanding, to become a mere nobody.
When many people fight over a pig, that pig might become more beautiful than Diao Chan.
Let alone the fact that Jiao Yin was truly beautiful!
So, when Peng Yuanhang, Lan Yeming, Wang Dagui, and others all exerted their best efforts to win her favor tonight, what would the situation be?
It could only be said that—
This woman, who allowed them to have a thoroughly satisfying time that would be endlessly remembered, was more intoxicating today than ever before!
Jiao Yin, who was receiving so much attention, was naturally well aware of what the men were thinking.
She did not take the opportunity to overwhelm them with seductive glances.
On the contrary.
She remained calm and composed, her every move exuding an air of noble aloofness, to be admired from afar but not to be profaned up close.
If she were to flirt indiscriminately, it would only lower her status.
In public, the more unapproachable she appeared.
The more the men present would desire to conquer her.
To conquer her, they would be willing to do anything for her!!
The three presidents of the Dark Net had mastered this point perfectly.
Bai Yujing observed both Jiao Yin's demeanor and the men's reactions clearly.
He was quite satisfied with this.
"Who shall stay to lodge at Liushui Pavilion tonight?"
Bai Yujing, with his hands clasped behind his back, pondered this as his gaze swept over the faces of Wang Dagui and the others.
Suddenly—
A man’s loud shout came from the entrance of the courtyard: "Young Master Longxu, Mr. Qianfan, has arrived at Liushui Pavilion!"
Who was shouting so loudly?
Young Master Longxu, Mr. Qianfan, has arrived at Liushui Pavilion?
Bai Yujing paused for a moment, and then felt his heart pound wildly.
He almost blurted out, "What, Li Qianfan is here!?"
It was not Bai Yujing's fault for being frightened.
After all, this wine party was held under the guise of celebrating his "mother's" birthday, and he had notified the people from nine prominent families to gather at Liushui Pavilion.
To put it more realistically—
Bai Yujing wanted to use this opportunity to firmly grasp the vital weaknesses of Peng Yuanhang and the others (by keeping records of their embarrassing moments with Madam Bai) in his hands!
As long as he could hold their weaknesses, Bai Yujing would have no other choice but to strive to do better whatever he asked of them in the future.
As for his actions, which were akin to once again placing a cuckold’s hat on Li Qianfan after introducing Feng Linzhi to Jiao Meibi, Bai Yujing was not worried.
Because he knew very well that no one present would dare to spread rumors outside.
Even if Li Qianfan knew that a wine party was being held at Liushui Pavilion on the second day of the Lunar New Year, he would only assume everyone was here to celebrate Jiao Yin's birthday.
However.
Bai Yujing truly did not expect Li Qianfan to suddenly appear at Liushui Pavilion.
He hurriedly turned his head to look.
At the same time—
Jiao Yin’s expression also clearly changed.
She also did not expect Li Qianfan to come to Liushui Pavilion this afternoon.
Li Qianfan's arrival would clearly disrupt her plans.
As for Peng Yuanhang and the others—
They instinctively turned their heads to look at the courtyard entrance and suddenly thought of someone.
Feng Linzhi.
Feng Linzhi, the future head of the Feng family in Tianbei, had his family ruined and himself disgraced because he had widely publicized that he had cuckolded Li Qianfan after staying at Liushui Pavilion for two full days and nights.
"Bother! Why has this Killing God suddenly arrived?"
The expressions of Peng Yuanhang and the others changed in unison.
Bai Ziyan, who had already known Li Qianfan would come (in fact, the reason Li Qianfan chose to come to Liushui Pavilion on the second day was specifically requested by Bai Ziyan when she called him on New Year's Eve), watched coldly.
She saw the reactions of all parties.
Smiling coldly in her heart, she specifically glanced at Bai Fu, a fierce glint flashing in her eyes!
The main purpose of Bai Ziyan asking Li Qianfan to come today was to have him kill Bai Fu.
After Bai Lingtang was electrocuted to death—
Bai Ziyan realized that Bai Fu, whom she had never taken seriously before, was actually Jiao Yin's right-hand man in controlling the Bai family!
For her plan to succeed, she had to eliminate Bai Fu, who had been working in the Bai family for many years, effectively cutting off one of Jiao Yin's arms.
"Strange, why did Li Qianfan come with Du Tianci, this good-for-nothing?"
Bai Ziyan looked towards the entrance, wondering secretly, when Jiao Yin reacted first.
She immediately abandoned all pretense of aloofness.
A perfectly timed surprise flashed across her charming yet composed face. With an eager posture, she twisted her waist rapidly, swung her rounded hips, and stepped in her delicate white soft boots towards the entrance.
She called out sweetly, "Master, why have you suddenly come?"
In front of so many of her "admirers," Jiao Yin not only changed from aloof to subservient but also publicly addressed Li Qianfan as "Master"!
What would Peng Yuanhang and the others feel when they witnessed this firsthand?
It could only be said their hearts ached—
"Yo, so many people? Lively, aren't we."
Li Qianfan stood at the entrance, his gaze quickly scanning Peng Yuanhang and the others. He then raised his left hand and put it around Jiao Yin's slender waist as she rushed towards him.
Although he already knew he was acting.
Du Junlin still felt uneasy seeing Li Qianfan's left hand naturally rest on Jiao Yin's rounded hip and give it a squeeze.
He even felt a pang of jealousy—
"Master, I've missed you so much."
Jiao Yin, worthy of being a Dark Net president, truly had few rivals in her acting skills.
Leaning against Li Qianfan like a delicate bird, she said this with a trembling voice, her eyes already reddening.
When she said, "When I returned from the Blackwater Forest, I thought I would never see you again in this lifetime," tears of longing had already quietly rolled down her cheeks.
Li Qianfan also had a face full of emotion.
Patting her voluptuous figure, he said, "I am very satisfied with your performance in the Blackwater Forest. Honestly, I have missed you dearly these days too."
He wasn't lying when he said he missed Jiao Yin.
But why was he staring at her rosy lips?
Jiao Yin understood immediately!
She bit her lower lip and said with a nasally voice, "Master, don't leave tonight."
"Alright."
Li Qianfan nodded.
Du Tianci, standing beside them, secretly marveled, "As soon as Li Qianfan appeared, he turned the high-and-mighty Madam Bai into a feminine poodle. This is a true man, worthy of being the Young Master Longxu. I wonder when I will possess such ability."
"Stepfather."
Bai Yujing walked over quickly, bowed deeply to Li Qianfan, and said, "Happy New Year! I wish you, Elder Sir, all the best and that all your wishes come true in the new year."
Du Tianci, whose mind was filled with thoughts—
Once again sighed inwardly, "Before Li Qianfan arrived, this idiot Bai Yujing treated himself like a crown prince and was dismissive of me. But now, in front of Li Qianfan, who is even younger than him, he is the most standard filial son. To say nothing else, just this shamelessness is far superior to mine! But what of it? I can guarantee that you are destined for misfortune today. Ha, haha."
"Yujing, my good son. I also wish you a Happy New Year."
Li Qianfan raised his hand and patted Bai Yujing's head (as he was bowing). His face showed the expression of "I am so proud to have such a son."
"Thank you, stepfather, for your New Year's blessing."
Bai Yujing slowly raised his head, his face beaming with the joy of being bathed in paternal love, after Li Qianfan retracted his hand.
Li Qianfan looked at Bai Ziyan.
"What, are you expecting me to publicly call you stepfather like Bai Yujing?"
Bai Ziyan asked with her eyes.
"Never mind, never mind. We are family, why bother with such formalities?"
Li Qianfan quickly replied with his eyes, then looked at Peng Yuanhang and the others.
Even though many people at the scene already knew that Li Qianfan was very likely to become an outcast of Longxu.
But even if Li Qianfan were an outcast of Longxu, he was still someone they could not afford to offend.
Therefore, when Li Qianfan's gaze swept over them, Peng Yuanhang and the others wore their most respectful smiles and nodded in greeting.
"Happy New Year, everyone."
Li Qianfan also nodded, and then, like a returning king, he walked with Jiao Yin to the small pavilion and sat on the long bench covered with cotton cushions.
Jiao Yin quickly and personally poured him water and offered him a cigarette.
After Li Qianfan lit a cigarette, Bai Yujing, standing on the steps outside the pavilion, politely said, "Stepfather, let me introduce you to the guests who have come to wish my mother a happy birthday."
"Wait a moment, I have something to take care of first."
Li Qianfan crossed his legs and pulled Jiao Yin onto his lap, fully displaying the demeanor of a top young master.
Jiao Yin, as if all the strength had drained from her bones, slumped in his embrace.
Bai Yujing listened attentively to what his stepfather wanted him to do.
"Who is Bai Fu?"
Li Qianfan played with Jiao Yin's waist with his left hand, scanned everyone outside the pavilion, and asked with a smile.
Bai Fu, standing at the entrance of the courtyard, did not expect Li Qianfan to call his name as soon as he sat down.
Without time to think—
Bai Fu, with an honest and loyal expression, quickly walked to the front of the small pavilion.
Bowing, he said, "Young Master Li, I am Bai Fu."
"Mhm."
Li Qianfan hummed, but then looked at Du Tianci.
He said in a faint tone, "Du Tianci. Recount for everyone what you heard at the entrance of Liushui Pavilion an hour ago."