APR 7

The two men were delayed on the road but still managed to arrive at the wedding banquet on time.

In the banquet hall, crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, with a Western-style champagne tower and a seven-tier wedding cake positioned prominently at the center.

Though the banquet hadn’t officially begun, the venue was already buzzing with noise and excitement. Familiar faces from their circle gathered in small groups around the champagne tower, laughing and chatting loudly. Among them were also numerous businessmen in tailored suits who appeared wealthy, along with eloquent politicians.

“Chen Huan, and A Su, come join us over here! We elders specifically saved seats for you two,” Li Zhaodong called out cheerfully as soon as he spotted them, waving them over enthusiastically.

Chen Huan exchanged greetings with Li Zhaodong before taking a seat. Zhong Su followed closely behind and sat down beside him.

Li Zhaodong looked them over with an exaggerated tone, “Ah, you young men are dressed so sharply today—you’re really making Wen Sheng proud.”

Chen Huan chuckled, “Uncle Dong, you look much more dashing than usual in that suit today.”

“Of course! This suit was custom-made at Guladen.”

Li Zhaodong confidently slicked his hair back with one hand while showing off the watch on his wrist with the other, boasting, “See this watch? A fifty-thousand-yuan Rolex Green Submariner. Beautiful, isn’t it?”

Chen Huan held his cigarette and glanced at it with an amused smile, “Congratulations on snagging a bargain, Uncle Dong. I heard the Green Submariner’s market price has already reached eighty thousand now.”

“Eighty thousand?” Li Zhaodong scratched his head in confusion. He remembered the seller telling him that a new batch had just arrived in Hong Kong this month, causing the Green Submariner’s price to plummet.

He lowered his head and examined his watch again. The more he looked, the more the green bezel seemed off, the markings appeared rougher… The whole watch began to look increasingly suspicious.

Chen Huan took a slow drag from his cigarette, his eyes filled with playful amusement. Zhong Su discreetly nudged Chen Huan’s elbow and whispered, “Wen Sheng and Miss Wen are stepping onto the stage.”

Everyone watched as Wen Xiong escorted his radiant bride to the main podium to deliver a speech. The bride, Wen Ting, bore a strong resemblance to her father—slightly plump and plain in appearance, which matched well with the unremarkable but highly educated groom beside her.

Wen Xiong smiled so widely that crow’s feet wrinkled at the corners of his eyes. His gaze swept across the room as he said, “Since we should leave more time for the younger generation, I’ll keep the formalities brief. Just one thing—thank you all for honoring us with your presence at my daughter’s wedding banquet.”

Placing a hand over his heart, he spoke with sincerity, “I, Wen Xiong, have always been a serious man. I remember who is worth keeping close and who has genuinely treated my family well—and I will surely repay that kindness in the future.”

“Well said! Boss Wen is truly impressive!”

As soon as Wen Xiong finished speaking, the hall erupted into enthusiastic applause and cheers. It was hard to tell whether the crowd genuinely believed his words or were merely being polite.

Next, the groom expressed his gratitude to his father-in-law. Nervously gripping the microphone, he said, “Thank you, Dad, for trusting me and entrusting Tingting to my care. I promise to take good care of her, fulfill her every wish, and make sure she never feels unhappy.”

Though his words were directed at the bride, his eyes remained fixed on his father-in-law, afraid that any misstep might displease him.

“Haha, well said,” Wen Xiong nodded in satisfaction.

After briefly advising the newcomers to live in harmony and settle down peacefully after today’s events, he descended from the main stage holding a small liquor cup and began making rounds to toast table by table.

Zhong Su and Chen Huan were seated not far from the main table. Within moments, the short and stout Wen Xiong, exuding the scent of alcohol and cheerfulness, arrived at their table.

Wen Xiong: “Everyone, I hope the dishes tonight were to your liking. I trust you’ve all eaten and drunk your fill.”

Zhong Su refilled his empty glass and stood up along with the others, offering congratulations: “Congratulations, Wen Sheng.”

“Congratulations, boss!”

“May the young lady and her groom share a century of harmony—and welcome two children within three years!” someone shouted, sparking roaring laughter and cheers across the table.

Wen Xiong’s smile widened. “Well, I appreciate your sentiments. Before you leave, remember to collect a return gift from A Tian.”

After finishing the liquor in his cup, Wen Xiong had a server pour him an extra glass.

“Zhong Su,” Wen Xiong looked at him with a jovial expression, “Chen Huan told me you contributed the most in teaching the Zero Gang a lesson last time—holding nothing back. You truly avenged Uncle Hui and Chang She.”

Zhong Su instinctively glanced toward Chen Huan. The young man with the broken eyebrow arched a faint smile but remained silent, as if Wen Xiong’s remarks had nothing to do with him.

Yet he tapped his glass lightly, as if curious how Zhong Su would respond.

Zhong Su bowed his head and clinked glasses with Wen Xiong. “You flatter me, Wen Sheng. I only did my duty. My contribution was no greater than Chen Huan’s.”

Tilting his head back, Zhong Su downed the pungent baijiu in one gulp, feeling his throat burn as if on fire.

No sooner had he finished than he felt a hand pat his back, followed by Chen Huan’s voice close to his ear.

Chen Huan raised his glass and smiled. “Congratulations, Wen Sheng.”

Wen Xiong beamed brightly, his gaze fixed intently on Chen Huan. “Chen Huan, you’ve been making quite a name for yourself lately. The elders have been singing your praises, saying they see you as the next Double Flower Red Pole.”

Chen Huan: “Thank you, Wen Sheng, and the elders for valuing me and giving me opportunities. Of course, I must handle matters swiftly and decisively.”

“Too much modesty creates distance. Youngsters ought to be more audacious,” Wen Xiong chuckled warmly, personally picking up the liquor jar to refill Chen Huan’s empty cup. “Chen Huan, you’re young and willing to fight—you have every right to be bolder.”

“In my opinion, now that Chuan Bao has stepped down, his turf should be under your management as well.”

“I don’t need—”

Wen Xiong raised a hand, cutting him off. “Now, now, no refusals. This is what you deserve. If you don’t accept, word will get out that I let those who risk their lives go unrewarded. The Jiu Zhong Society would become a laughingstock!”

“It’s settled then. Later, I’ll have A Dong take you to inspect those venues. You’ll be responsible for the monthly accounts from those places.”

He clinked his liquor cup against Chen Huan’s glass and drained his drink amid the hushed murmurs spreading across the table.

Wen Xiong was well-versed in winning people over, using this moment to cement his image as a fair leader who rewards merit and punishes faults.

“In that case, I can only thank you for your trust, Wen Sheng. These three drinks are for you.” Chen Huan laughed softly and, without waiting for anyone else to react, picked up the liquor bottle and poured three consecutive cups.

He picked up the glass and drank, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down as he downed three cups of wine in succession without changing his expression. He then flipped the cup upside down—clean and crisp, as if he had been gulping down water instead of wine.

Only after finishing the drinks at this table did Wen Xiong proceed to the next one.

After the eldest brother left, the atmosphere at the banquet immediately relaxed. People sat back down, picking up dishes, toasting each other, and chattering away.

Zhong Su knew Chen Huan’s drinking capacity—though it was good, it wasn’t so exceptional that he could down so much in one go without any ill effects.

Seeing that Chen Huan’s complexion appeared unaffected, Zhong Su poured a glass of water and pushed it toward him, saying, “Chen Huan, have a glass of water to help sober up.”

“What good will water do?” Chen Huan didn’t even glance at the glass and instead leaned directly onto Zhong Su’s shoulder.

“What are you doing?” Zhong Su lowered his head just as Chen Huan’s burning forehead pressed against his shoulder.

Chen Huan said, “Didn’t you tell me to sober up? I’m borrowing your shoulder to lean on.”

They were too close; Chen Huan’s alcohol-laced breath brushed against Zhong Su’s earlobe.

Zhong Su instinctively recoiled from such clingy contact and said coldly, “Sit up properly. How am I supposed to eat with you leaning on me like this?”

“Dizzy, too lazy to move.” Chen Huan spoke lazily, casually bringing up the topic: “Su Er, Wen Sheng just said he values me. Isn’t that something? Do you believe him?”

He gazed at the faint blue veins beneath Zhong Su’s skin, his voice soft but clear: “I don’t trust any of them. I only trust myself and you.”

The words were too audacious. Zhong Su’s brow twitched, fearing that someone with ill intentions might overhear.

Zhong Su reached out to steady Chen Huan, covering his mouth briefly. The veins at his temples throbbed as he said, “Tsk, my ears aren’t deaf. Lower your voice.”

Chen Huan laughed at him. “So timid. How boring.”

He stood up, loosening his tie slightly, and picked up the cigarette case and lighter from the table. “It’s stifling in here. I’m going out for some fresh air. Come out when you’re done eating.”

Chen Huan strode straight through the bustling banquet and disappeared behind the door.

Zhong Su watched his retreating figure, assuming he was feeling the effects of the alcohol and wanted to be alone. He lowered his head, picked up a piece of fish with his chopsticks, and continued eating.

Chen Huan didn’t need anyone to fuss over his discomfort; in fact, he was annoyed by others trying to help him. He could handle his own affairs alone.

Now that Chen Huan was no longer nearby, Zhong Su felt relieved. He no longer had to worry about Chen Huan’s “drunken ramblings” and could focus on efficiently finishing the food in his bowl.