61: 61. See the world

Lu Feng had never attended a party, and to be honest, he wasn't really interested in going.

However, Sister Xu had helped him so much these past few days that he couldn't very well refuse, so he went along.

He figured he could just consider it a trip to the upper crust of society to broaden his horizons.

"You don't need to be too nervous. It's called a networking party, but it's really just a high-end salon. Everyone who comes is an entrepreneur from Jiangcheng. The atmosphere is relaxed; everyone just puts on airs, holds a wine glass, and pretends to be sophisticated. Oh, by the way, are you old enough?"

"Just turned eighteen."

"Then you can try a little champagne," Sister Xu said with a smile. "But don't drink too much, or I won't be able to carry you."

Outside the car window, the city lights were dazzling, pouring down like the Milky Way. Skyscrapers stood tall, showcasing the beauty of a first-tier city to its fullest.

The luxury car drove through the bustling city center and finally stopped in front of a neoclassical building.

This was Jiangcheng's most renowned and oldest luxury hotel, Cloud's Edge Hotel.

From its inception, it had been globally acclaimed for its luxurious facilities and excellent service, hosting many legendary figures and heads of state, and serving as a gathering place for top tycoons.

This type of hotel offered a limited number of rooms to the public, with most reserved for members, providing a sense of exclusivity within its circle.

Although Lu Feng had heard of it, this was his first visit, and he couldn't help but feel curious.

Sister Xu led him out of the car. The doorman under the gilded portico immediately respectfully led the two inside. The lobby was sumptuously and elegantly decorated, and the smiling lobby manager, dressed in a suit, quickly approached, handing a black card to Chairwoman Xu: "Chairwoman Xu, you've arrived. The party is on the 16th floor, in the Emerald Suite."

"Mm."

Chairwoman Xu nodded noncommittally, took the card, and went to a private elevator, swiping the card to enter.

"Are these kinds of parties held often?" Lu Feng asked curiously.

Chairwoman Xu pressed the elevator button and said with a smile, "Of course. There are always a few each month. The hosts are different, and the locations vary. Today's is hosted by Li Dongli. His family is in the medicinal herbs business and is preparing to go public soon, so he's very active..."

She suddenly lowered her voice and said, "Remember, any information you hear here must stay with you. Don't spread it around once we leave."

"Got it."

The elevator doors opened, and an elegant piano melody wafted out. Lu Feng looked around, and a refined and luxurious ballroom came into view. Crystal chandeliers sparkled under the lights, refracting into countless points of light that fell onto the floor.

Several rows of long tables covered with white cloths were set up in the venue, laden with delicious food and champagne towers.

Over thirty guests stood in small groups of two or three, holding wine glasses, chatting and smiling faintly.

Lu Feng's mouth twitched. This scene... it was exactly like in TV dramas.

"Boss Xu, you've arrived! Welcome, welcome." A man with a slicked-back hairstyle saw Chairwoman Xu and immediately came over with a smile to greet her.

Chairwoman Xu smiled and shook his hand: "Manager Li, long time no see."

Li Dongli smiled and said, "Indeed, long time no see. I remember the last time we met was three years ago. You were still following Elder Xu back then, and you're just as charming now. By the way, how is Elder Xu's health these days?"

"Grandpa is still hale and hearty, thank you for your concern."

Li Dongli's gaze turned to the handsome young man beside her and asked curiously, "Oh, and who is this?"

"My younger brother," Chairwoman Xu introduced briefly, without mentioning Lu Feng's name.

Li Dongli nodded, not thinking much of it. After all, Lu Feng was too young; he might be one of her younger relatives. It wasn't uncommon for people to bring younger relatives to such events to gain experience.

After greeting Lu Feng, Li Dongli smiled and said, "Hahaha... I won't bother entertaining you two. You're all familiar faces, so just make yourselves at home."

With that, he went to greet other people.

"Everyone here is a leading figure in various industries in Jiangcheng, and also potential partners. Any ambitious entrepreneur will actively make friends and chat with others, because everyone knows that in this world, having more friends means more opportunities and more channels for information. You never know when a chance to get rich might appear."

Chairwoman Xu explained in a low voice to Lu Feng while greeting people.

These were all words of experience, typically not shared with those who weren't close. Lu Feng understood her good intentions and listened quietly.

The conversations around them were not quiet, like an elegant tango—everyone testing each other's boundaries while maintaining a perfect distance.

Fragments of conversation drifted into his ears from time to time.

"Recently, I only made a few hundred million..."

"There's a project I'm very optimistic about; it will definitely be a hundred-billion-yuan market in the future..."

These figures, which would sound like a fantasy to ordinary people, were as common here as haggling in a market.

"Hey, see that little star over there?" Chairwoman Xu leaned in and asked.

Lu Feng followed her gaze and saw a young, beautiful woman sweetly smiling while embracing a man with a receding hairline.

Lu Feng felt that the woman looked familiar. After a moment, he realized it was Wang Xiaoli, an idol from the entertainment industry, a new-generation sweet young girl who was very popular recently. He hadn't expected... "Such events definitely need some entertainment industry people to warm things up. That little star was an eighteen-tier artist last year. Now that she's latched onto a sugar daddy, things are different... But Xiao Lu, let's not get involved in such bad habits," Chairwoman Xu admonished.

Lu Feng said with a wry smile, "Not to that extent, not to that extent."

As they chatted, Chairwoman Xu occasionally exchanged a few words with other guests, discussing company development, market changes, and so on.

The atmosphere was indeed very relaxed. Lu Feng stood beside Chairwoman Xu, holding a plate and eating some food at the dining table.

While eating, Lu Feng's eyes caught sight of someone, and he suddenly asked, "Sister Xu, who is that person?"

Chairwoman Xu turned her head to look. It was a young man wearing a flashy, custom-made sequined suit and exaggerated, gaudy accessories. His flamboyant attire seemed somewhat out of place in the setting.

Her previously smiling face instantly cooled a few degrees, and she said, "Zheng Mingtao, the second-generation heir of Fangming Group. Why do you ask about him?"

Lu Feng thought of his dream from yesterday and was about to speak when Zheng Mingtao, who was on the other side, also looked over. He immediately smiled and said sarcastically, "Isn't this Chairwoman Xu? You've come too?"

Zheng Mingtao's chin was slightly raised as he looked at Chairwoman Xu arrogantly, then glanced at Lu Feng, a sneer playing on his lips.

Lu Feng was bewildered by his expression.

Chairwoman Xu replied indifferently, "Oh, it's Young Master Zheng. Why are you here too?"

Zheng Mingtao smiled and said, "Can't I come just because you, Chairwoman Xu, can?"

"I'm not in the mood to argue with you. If you have nothing to say, please move aside," Chairwoman Xu said calmly.

Many people around them looked over, unable to help but shake their heads and smile wryly.

"Donghai Group and Fangming Group have been sworn enemies for so many years; how is it still continuing into the next generation?"

"Indeed! Now both companies are being taken over by the younger generation, and young people have hot tempers, which is normal. Besides, both companies want to establish roots in Jiangcheng and expand outwards. Isn't this clearly a fight for territory?"

"Donghai has been a bit lacking these past few years, while Fangming Group has been thriving..."

Listening to the conversations around him, Lu Feng hadn't realized the two groups were sworn enemies, but he supposed it made sense; competitors are rivals, after all.

Zheng Mingtao took a step closer, holding his wine glass, his glittering golden accessories making people squint. He sneered, "Still so hot-tempered, tsk tsk tsk... No wonder you need to find a pretty boy. It might relieve your anger, but you've completely lost face, haven't you?"

Zheng Mingtao's voice was not low; in fact, it grew louder and louder, clearly intending for everyone to hear.

The atmosphere around them suddenly quieted down a bit.

Everyone present was a respectable person. Seeing Zheng Mingtao extend business matters to personal attacks, they immediately felt no goodwill towards him.

Chairwoman Xu was not a gentle woman; her decisive actions made that clear. If someone dared to embarrass her, they wouldn't get off easy. She held her cup, ready to splash it on his face.

At this moment, Lu Feng, who was standing beside her, suddenly spoke: "Do you even have the right to talk about others?"

Zheng Mingtao squinted at him, not expecting this pretty boy to dare to speak. He said coldly, "What do you mean?"

Chairwoman Xu also looked over curiously.

Lu Feng said unhurriedly, "What do I mean? I think instead of acting like a gossip and throwing a tantrum, you should go back and take care of your own backyard first. Even women don't dress as gaudily as you, no wonder you're so green."

A few suppressed laughs broke out around them.

Zheng Mingtao's eyes widened, his face instantly turning a purplish-red, and a surge of anger rose within him.

As the Young Master of Fangming Group, wherever he went, he was always flattered, and everyone had to defer to him. When did a pretty boy dare to speak such vulgarities to him?

"You un—"

Lu Feng interrupted him directly, seeing that he still hadn't grasped the main point, and said with emotion, "Don't be so quick to refute. I want to ask you, do you have a friend who hasn't appeared in the morning for a long time? Are you feeling powerless recently? Aching back and sore waist? You should go see a Chinese medicine doctor soon. The fire in your backyard is already out of control, you know."