Chapter 26: The Banquet (II)

Ding Wei felt a sudden awkwardness, followed by a spark of irritation. It was one thing for him to keep the invitation from Lu Ran, but how dare Lu Ran not inform him?

"Ding Wei asked, "What kind of job did you come here for?"

Lu Ran ate slowly and steadily. He looked at Mrs. Shen, who was staring at him intently from a distance, afraid that he might "say something out of line." He smiled and replied, "I suppose you could call me a taste tester – someone who gets to eat without any consequences."

It was clear that Lu Ran was joking around. Although Ding Wei was annoyed, he couldn't afford to lose his temper in such a setting.

Eventually, he found an excuse and left rather awkwardly.

After taking a few steps, Ding Wei realized he might have been too hasty.

He still needed Lu Ran for his experiments in the future.

Moreover, he wasn't aware of the connection between Lu Ran and the Shen family. It didn't seem wise to fall out with Lu Ran at this point.

Wandering around the banquet hall for a while, Ding Wei decided to go back and apologize to Lu Ran.

Just as he began walking, someone called out to him.

Ding Wei turned around and saw a young man.

He had overheard others addressing him as Young Master Zhang, seemingly the heir of some prominent family.

On campus, he had seen this man talking to Shen Xingran before.

Ding Wei instantly felt a bit nervous.

He replied warmly, "Young Master Zhang, what brings you to me?"

Zhang Lin didn't look at him.

His gaze remained fixed on Lu Ran, who was still seated in the corner.

This man was still eating.

How long had he been eating?

Zhang Lin had been watching Lu Ran for a while now.

He was looking for an opportunity to execute his plan, but Lu Ran hadn't budged from his spot.

He didn't have the courage to simply walk up to Lu Ran...

"You know him, don't you?" Zhang Lin asked, pointing at Lu Ran.

Ding Wei paused, then nodded. "Uh... yes, we're classmates."

"That's convenient," Zhang Lin said, passing the wine he'd been holding for over ten minutes to Ding Wei and whispering his instructions. "Get Lu Ran to drink this, then take him back to his own room."

"To his own room? You mean you want him to leave?" Ding Wei was momentarily puzzled.

"Leave where?" Zhang Lin looked at him quizzically. "He lives in the Shen residence."

Ding Wei was startled.

He glanced at the wine in his hand, then hesitantly looked back at Zhang Lin, gradually grasping the underlying meaning.

Zhang Lin gazed down at him intently.

"You know what to do, right?" Zhang Lin casually blocked Ding Wei's path, pulling him aside, and patted his shoulder. "I heard that it's tough to secure a recommendation for postgraduate studies at your university?"

Ding Wei instantly understood the hidden message in Zhang Lin's words.

Acting before thinking, he promptly agreed, "Don't worry, Young Master Zhang. Lu Ran and I are very close."

Zhang Lin nodded in satisfaction and left the scene.

Relieved, he sighed inwardly, no longer needing to confront the demonic Lu Ran directly.

Ding Wei circulated through the crowd with his glass of wine in hand.

His thoughts were in disarray.

How could it be that Lu Ran lived in the Shen family's residence? What connection did he have with them?

What was added to this drink, and what did Young Master Zhang plan to do to Lu Ran?

Could it be that Young Master Zhang had taken a liking to Lu Ran?

At this thought, all his hesitation dissipated, replaced by a tinge of envy.

Why on earth would this Young Master Zhang develop such an interest in Lu Ran?

And to go as far as drugging him?

Ding Wei pondered for a moment before pouring himself another glass of wine.

He approached Lu Ran and said, "Lu Ran, have you been upset with me lately?"

Lu Ran, almost finished with his meal, looked up at him.

Ding Wei continued, "We've been such good friends for so long. It's not worth ruining our relationship over trivial matters. This glass is my apology."

With that, Ding Wei raised the newly poured wine and drank it in one go.

He forcefully suppressed his inner tension, placing the cup that Zhang Lin had given him in front of Lu Ran, saying, "Drink as you please."

Lu Ran watched him finish his drink silently.

Then, he turned to examine the glass that Ding Wei had set down, but didn't drink from it.

"I understand that you're still upset. Let's talk things out properly," Ding Wei glanced around, adopting a hesitant expression. "There are too many people here. Let's find a quiet spot to chat."

Lu Ran looked at him and suddenly smiled. "Sure."

He raised his glass and led Ding Wei forward. "Why don't we head to my room?"

Ding Wei felt a weight lifted off his shoulders.

He had been on tenterhooks, fearing that Lu Ran wouldn't fall for it.

To his surprise, it had turned out to be surprisingly easy.

As he followed Lu Ran, Ding Wei even stole glances at their surroundings.

He had expected Lu Ran's room to be on the second floor, but seeing him walk down the first floor corridor towards the servants' quarters, Ding Wei couldn't help but pout.

Perhaps Lu Ran was really working here.

Otherwise, why would he live with the servants?

Silent as ever, Lu Ran brought Ding Wei into his room.

He gave Big Yellow, who was lying on its stomach, a signal that they were going out to play.

Big Yellow promptly seized the opportunity to slip out through the crack in the door.

Lu Ran spoke up, "Hey, my dog just ran out. Can you take a look?"

"Oh, sure," Ding Wei responded reflexively, leaning out to call for the dog.

Taking advantage of Ding Wei's distraction, Lu Ran discreetly poured half of his wine into the trash can.

"Ding Wei returned, "It darted off to the backyard."

Lu Ran peered out the window.

Seeing that Big Yellow had merely gone to the back yard for its business, and that the entire scene was visible from the window, he decided not to call it back.

Something unsettling might happen in this room later on, and Big Yellow, being an old dog, was better off not witnessing it.

Noticing that Lu Ran's glass was now half-empty, Ding Wei's heart settled with relief.

With the task seemingly accomplished, he lost interest in engaging in any heartfelt conversation with Lu Ran.

After a brief exchange, he said, "The ones who came with me aren't familiar with the place. I need to check on them."

With that, he dashed out of Lu Ran's room.

Back in the hall, he discreetly gestured to Zhang Lin who was standing nearby.

Lu Ran sat alone in the room, gazing at the half-filled glass of wine on the table.

He was feeling rather down.

Today was Shen Hongyuan's fiftieth birthday.

In his previous life, he had meticulously prepared a gift but was informed that he couldn't attend the banquet.

This was because the Shen family hadn't yet announced his true identity to the public.

Just like now, Shen Xingran had invited Ding Wei.

Upon seeing Ding Wei, Lu Ran was initially delighted, assuming that Shen Xingran had arranged for someone to console him.

Then, Ding Wei found an excuse to pull him back into the room and offered him another glass of wine.

Finally, Zhang Lin entered the scene.

In his previous life, Lu Ran had never offended Zhang Lin and was unaware of when he had provoked this young master.

Right as Zhang Lin was undressing him, Shen Xingran conveniently brought along his classmates to find him for some fun.

Thus, everyone at the banquet witnessed the spectacle.

In front of everyone, Shen Hongyuan slapped him twice.

He cursed Lu Ran as a despicable person who seduced Young Master Zhang.

As Zhang Lin's fiancée, Lin Yi also began to harbor resentment towards him from that point on.

After the incident subsided, Ding Wei wept in confusion, apologizing and saying he had no idea who tampered with the alcohol.

Lu Ran actually believed him.

As Lu Ran recalled the absurd plot from his previous life, he cracked walnuts with his bare hands.

The most ridiculous part was that Zhang Lin had inexplicably targeted him.

Lin Yi had chosen to confront him.

But then Zhang Lin openly confessed his affection for Shen Xingran.

Surprisingly, Lin Yi merely huffed and declared she would compete fairly with Shen Xingran?

The more Lu Ran thought about it, the more he felt like a hapless victim.

Outside, the main guest of the banquet, Shen Hongyuan, stood in the center as the birthday celebrant, delivering a speech.

To his right stood Madam Shen, and to his left was Shen Xingran.

They presented an image of a blissful and harmonious family.

Zhang Lin noticed Ding Wei's signal and planned to use Shen Hongyuan's speech as an opportunity to slip into Lu Ran's room.

However, he was momentarily unable to leave.

The banquet had already begun, but commotion could be heard from outside the Shen family's main gate.

Guests in the courtyard and near the entrance, upon seeing something unknown, ignored Shen Hongyuan's speech, pausing their actions to gaze outward in curiosity.

"I'm fifty years old, with a caring son by my side, a loving wife who supports me. I have the confidence to lead the Shen Corporation..."

A server rushed over and whispered something into Shen Hongyuan's ear as he was delivering his speech.

Shen Hongyuan's words faltered.

He set down the microphone, neglecting to finish his sentence, and hastily pulled his wife and Shen Xingran along to exit.

Zhang Lin peered out but saw nothing unusual.

Continuing his walk towards the corridor, he was suddenly stopped by his approaching wife, who grabbed his hand tightly.

Mrs. Zhang didn't give Zhang Lin any chance to resist. With her head tilted to see what was happening, she muttered anxiously, "Oh no, why is he here? Could it be... he plans to switch this partnership to the Shen family?"

Unbothered by the commotion at home, Zhang Lin was oblivious to his mother's words.

Mrs. Zhang continued her monologue, "He's said to be acquainted with Shen Xingyu and has connections with that illegitimate child…"

Seeing his mother in such a fluster, Zhang Lin found himself puzzled.

He had always believed that his Zhang family could wield power in Jing City, so who could be causing his mother such anxiety?

Peering again, Zhang Lin swiftly found the answer.

He spotted an electric wheelchair.

The person seated in it remained as aloof and gloomy as ever.

His complexion was pale, but his shoulders were broad, exuding an imposing presence. The lower half of his body, concealed beneath a dark-blue cashmere throw, hid the condition of his injured leg from sight.

Despite attending the fiftieth birthday celebration of the head of the Shen family, this man was not dressed formally.

Not only was he late, but he had also interrupted the host's speech.

And yet, not a single person in the room showed any sign of discontent.

A look of pleasant surprise even lit up Shen Hongyuan's face.

This was Ji Min's standing.

"Mr. Ji! Your presence truly graces our humble abode."

Shen Hongyuan's face practically glowed.

He reached out to shake Ji Min's hand.

Ji Min's almost ghostly pale knuckles rested on the dark-blue velvet throw on his knees, showing no intention of lifting up.

Shen Hongyuan didn't take offense at all and withdrew his hand unilaterally.

Behind Ji Min, Manager Chen nodded at the right moment, presenting the gift he had brought.

He smiled and said, "Mr. Ji, Young Master Shen mentioned your birthday. However, there was a slight delay on the way here today. I hope you won't mind."

"Modesty, modesty." Shen Hongyuan lowered himself, greeting Ji Min and the others as they proceeded inside.

The crowd of guests that had gathered around them now followed into the grand hall.

Ji Min's arrival was like a stone dropped into a deep pond, creating ripples throughout.

Everyone at the banquet, including Shen Hongyuan himself, pondered the purpose behind Ji Min's visit.

Recently, the Ji family had a major project seeking a partner. Other companies were vying desperately for this opportunity, with the Zhang family having made numerous attempts to meet with Ji Min.

Now, the usually aloof and disinclined-to-socialize Ji Min had unexpectedly taken the initiative to come to the Shen residence.

If one were to say he placed great importance on it...

He was late, and moreover, indifferent toward Shen Hongyuan.

To say they didn't care... they had actually prepared a gift.

Everyone couldn't help but murmur inwardly.

Hadn't they heard that Ji Min and Shen Xingyu weren't that close?

CEO Zhang and Mrs. Zhang were particularly anxious, fearing that the opportunity they had been waiting for would slip away.

They discreetly asked around, but gained no substantial information.

In the end, the two exchanged glances, and a ridiculous suspicion crept into their minds.

Could it be that Ji Min...

was doing this for that young illegitimate son?