642: Chapter 642 The Apprenticeship Banquet!

The next day, in the Capital.

News of the Chu Family's apprenticeship banquet spread to every corner of the city as if it had grown wings.

From the heads of major families to the owners of street-side breakfast stalls, everyone was talking about the same thing...

The eldest young master of the Chu Family, Chu Niubi, was officially taking a master.

Moreover, it was said that the Chu Family intended to make it a grand affair, with an absurdly lavish scale.

At the Capital Hotel, an entire floor of the banquet hall had been booked.

The Chu Family had sent invitations to all the prominent figures in the Capital, and even some powerful families from outside the city had received them.

As soon as the news broke, the entire Capital was in an uproar.

"Chu Niubi is taking a master? That kid is actually going to apprentice himself to someone?"

"What is the Chu Family doing? Even if they want to give their son face, they don't need such a huge display, right?"

"What do you know? The Chu Family is declaring their sovereignty!"

"Of the Five Great Families of the Capital, the other four all have major backgrounds. Only the Chu Family started from scratch and has no backer. Now that they're holding such a grand apprenticeship banquet, they must have climbed a high branch!"

"A high branch? Who? Who else in the Capital could serve as a backer for the Chu Family?"

"I don't know, but for the Chu Family to be this extravagant, it definitely isn't an ordinary person."

"Could it be someone from the Kunlun Ruins?"

"It's possible! The Chu Family has developed so quickly these past few years; maybe they made a connection long ago!"

...

Discussions bombarded the Capital, with all sorts of opinions flying around.

Speculations were everywhere, but not a single person guessed the truth.

Because no one would have thought that Chu Niubi's master was actually that young man in his early twenties.

That Ye Chen, who had once stirred up trouble in the Capital and caused the Sima Family to vanish overnight.

...

Capital Hotel, Banquet Hall.

As the evening lights flickered on, crystal chandeliers illuminated the entire hall as bright as day.

There were fully fifty tables set in the massive banquet hall, each covered with a golden tablecloth and set with exquisite porcelain and silver cutlery.

The main table in the center was even covered with red silk, embroidered with golden auspicious clouds and dragon-phoenix patterns.

Chu Shixiong stood at the entrance of the banquet hall, a smile on his face, personally welcoming every guest.

"President Wang, welcome, welcome, please come in!"

"Chairman Li, long time no see. You must have a few extra drinks today!"

"Old Master Zhang, for you to come really gives me, Chu, a lot of face!"

...

He was all smiles and appeared to be in extremely high spirits.

But those who knew him well could see a hint of nervousness hidden in his smile.

He was waiting.

Waiting for someone.

Waiting for today's protagonist.

Chu Niubi stood behind his father, wearing a suit with a red boutonniere pinned to his chest, looking very spirited.

But his face was full of apprehension.

"Dad, why hasn't Master arrived yet?"

Chu Shixiong glanced at him and said in a low voice, "What's the rush? If Mr. Ye said he would come, he will certainly come."

Chu Niubi rubbed his hands together. "I'm not rushing, I'm nervous."

"Nervous about what?"

"I don't know, I'm just nervous."

Looking at his son's restless appearance, Chu Shixiong couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, go inside and sit. Don't pace around here, you're an eyesore."

Chu Niubi nodded and turned to walk into the banquet hall.

After taking two steps, he turned back again.

"Dad, what do you think that gift Master mentioned yesterday actually is?"

Chu Shixiong glared at him. "How would I know? Won't you find out in a moment? Get inside!"

Chu Niubi curled his lip and was just about to turn back to the hall.

However.

Right then.

*Screech—*

A Maybach came to a stop.

The car door opened, and Ye Chen was the first to step out.

He was dressed very casually today, no different from his usual self.

He didn't look like he was attending a formal occasion.

But somehow, this casual attire made his whole being radiate an indescribable aura.

Next, Bai Wanqing stepped out of the car.

She wore a moon-white qipao, her long hair pulled up into a bun, revealing a section of her snowy-white neck.

Her exquisite features appeared exceptionally soft under the lights; she was dignified and elegant, with an outstanding temperament.

Bai Shanshan was the last to get out of the car.

Though she wore a black formal dress, she looked valiant and heroic.

As soon as the three of them appeared, they immediately attracted the gaze of everyone at the hall entrance.

"Who is that woman? How can she be so beautiful?"

"You don't recognize her? That's Bai Wanqing of the Tianyao Group, the current head of the Capital's Bai Family!"

"Good heavens! A woman as the family head? What's the situation with this Bai Family?"

"Why are you asking me? Didn't you see the young man next to her? He's the key."

"Who is that young man? He looks very unfamiliar, doesn't seem like someone from the Capital's circles!"

...

Ignoring the surrounding chatter.

Chu Shixiong, standing at the door, spotted Ye Chen and immediately strode forward to meet him.

"Mr. Ye! You've arrived!"

He cupped his fists and bowed slightly, adopting a very humble posture.

That appearance—how did he look like the helmsman of one of the Five Great Families of the Capital?

He looked exactly like an old butler welcoming a distinguished guest!

Chu Niubi immediately doubled back, running to Ye Chen in a few quick steps, nearly kneeling down.

"Master, you're finally here! I've been waiting so long the flowers have withered!"

Ye Chen glanced at him and said flatly, "What's the rush? I'm not late."

Chu Niubi chuckled and scratched his head. "It's not that I'm in a rush, I just missed you!"

The guests in the entire venue: "???"

What on earth?

Master?

Chu Niubi is calling this young man 'Master'?

Those who were whispering just now instantly shut their mouths.

One by one, their eyes widened as they stared fixedly at Ye Chen, as if trying to see what made him so special.

Could someone who serves as the master to the Chu Family's eldest young master be an ordinary person?

But the problem was...

They had never heard of, much less seen, this figure before!

Chu Shixiong walked up to Ye Chen and bowed again. "Mr. Ye, please come inside!"

As he spoke.

He stepped aside and personally led the way.

Ye Chen nodded and strode toward the banquet hall.

Bai Wanqing and Bai Shanshan exchanged a look and followed.

Chu Niubi followed eagerly at the very back, his smile blooming like a flower.

Wherever that group passed, the crowd automatically parted to form a path.

Everyone's gaze fell on Ye Chen—some with curiosity, some with suspicion, and some with disdain.

"What is this young man's background? How can he make Chu Shixiong act so subservient? And the head of the Bai Family is actually following by his side?"

"I don't know, but someone being pampered like this by the Chu Family is definitely no ordinary person."

"I don't think so. Maybe he's just putting on an act."

"Keep your voice down. If the Chu Family hears you, you'll be in for it."

...

Ye Chen turned a deaf ear to them, walking inside at a leisurely pace.

His gaze swept over the banquet hall; the fifty tables were almost completely occupied.

At the main table in the center of the hall, several seats were empty.

Those were reserved for Ye Chen.

Chu Shixiong led Ye Chen to the main table and pulled out the central chair.

"Mr. Ye, please have a seat."

Ye Chen didn't stand on ceremony and sat down.

Bai Wanqing and Bai Shanshan sat on either side of him, and only then did Chu Shixiong and Chu Niubi take their seats.

The others at the main table looked at each other, their eyes filled with shock.

Quite a few of them knew Bai Wanqing, knew her relationship with the Bai Family, and knew her current status.

But at this moment, Bai Wanqing was actually sitting next to that young man?

Wait...

Who exactly is this young man?

However.

Before anyone could speculate further on Ye Chen's identity.

At the main table.

Yan Huifeng put down his teacup, looked at Ye Chen, and laughed. "Great Instructor Ye, long time no see."

Ye Chen turned his head to look at Yan Huifeng, speechless.

"Uncle Yan, we've only been apart for less than ten days. Does that count as 'long time no see'?"

Yan Huifeng smiled. "How can I not miss you? I want you to become the Yan Family's son-in-law. How is your consideration going?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire venue erupted.

Huh?

Son... son-in-law?

What kind of figure was Yan Huifeng?

The head of the Yan Family, one of the Five Great Families, and the father of the Capital's number one female genius, Yan Qingwu.

But now...

He actually! Actually! Actually! In front of everyone, asked a young man if he had considered clearly becoming his son-in-law???

Who exactly is that young man?

What ability does he have to be the master of the Chu Family's eldest young master?

What skill does he have to have the sisters of the Bai Family head sitting on either side??

What formidable quality does he possess to have the head of the Yan Family chasing after him to be his son-in-law???