Chapter 81 Dinner Party

Chapter 81: The Evening Banquet

At the Wukang Road mansion, on the third floor, Jiang Luo stood before the mirror, chin slightly raised, scrutinizing his reflection as he tied his tie. Today, he had chosen a vibrant purple-blue one—he thought it looked good and enjoyed dressing well.

He hurried downstairs, left the mansion, and slid into the back seat of the car. Turning to Wang Junqing in the front, Jiang Luo commanded, "Let's go, set off."

He was attending a Chamber of Commerce banquet today.

The host was the Haicheng Chamber of Commerce, which had sent Jiang Luo an invitation a week earlier. He hadn't really wanted to go—attending meant socializing, and he knew most of that schmoozing was useless, a nuisance, and a waste of time. Yet behind the Chamber stood much of Haicheng’s business community—the very key players in the city’s commercial and social landscape. Jiang Luo couldn’t afford to offend them, nor did he wish to.

Fine—he’d go.

Before leaving, Huo Zongzhuo, having learned Jiang Luo had received the Chamber’s invitation, had originally intended to make an appearance himself—to accompany Jiang Luo, back him up, and introduce him around.

But Jiang Luo had declined.

Because he considered Huo Zongzhuo a friend, he felt that at events like Chamber banquets—where people gathered solely for "profit"—there was nothing of that sort between them. He didn’t want to trouble Huo Zongzhuo by leveraging his clout as a top-tier boss to smooth Jiang Luo’s social path or help him make connections.

It wasn't that he didn't want to benefit from Huo Zongzhuo’s influence—he simply didn't want to benefit *that* way.

Jiang Luo also thought it unnecessary. The Chamber had invited him; he’d show his face, avoid stepping on any toes—that was enough.

He didn’t even plan to stay long—just make an appearance, then leave.

So, upon arriving at the hotel, before stepping out of the car, Jiang Luo told Wang Junqing, "Hang around nearby—I probably won’t be too long."

"Okay."

Jiang Luo got out.

He took the elevator up to the banquet hall. At the entrance, he showed his invitation to the attendant.

Inside, he found the hall spacious and bright—carpeted floors, Roman columns, crystal chandeliers, soaring ceilings—luxury oozing from every corner.

Quite a few guests had already arrived, mostly men, with a few women scattered among them. Some were helping themselves to the buffet; others clustered in twos or threes around tables or in open spaces, exchanging polite conversation—all impeccably proper, thoroughly high-class. It was the familiar social whirl Jiang Luo knew all too well.

Jiang Luo walked in. He knew no one—and naturally, no one knew him.

A few people glanced his way, drawn by his good looks, assuming that someone so young attending a Chamber banquet must be the scion of some wealthy family.

Then they noticed the "young master" was heading straight for the buffet—not approaching anyone.

Jiang Luo picked up an empty plate and went to get food.

His plan was simple: arrive, eat something, mingle briefly, sip some champagne—and leave after eating and drinking.

Networking? Unnecessary.

Working the room? Even less necessary.

It wasn't that he was aloof. He understood full well why the Haicheng Chamber of Commerce had invited him—not because they held him in high regard, like Li Fengrui did, seeing him as talented or impressive, eager to bring him into their fold for future collaboration.

Frankly, the Chamber had merely left the door ajar, expecting him to enter on his own—to join, whether through "kowtowing" or "climbing the social ladder." It was essentially like tossing a bone to a dog—a form of condescending handout.

What the Chamber wanted to see was for him—like most others who crossed this threshold—to diligently work the room, network aggressively, and, if thick-skinned enough, flatter or even grovel before powerful bosses or members of the upper crust.

All standard tricks of the social game.

Jiang Luo mentally labeled this a compliance test—akin to training a dog.

That was how phrases like "birds of a feather flock together" or "in cahoots" came about.

Jiang Luo didn't want to be trained like a dog, nor was he interested in colluding with anyone. He couldn't afford to offend the local Chamber forces—but surely he was allowed to play dumb and ignore social niceties?

He'd just eat, come to check things out, play along a little—and then leave.

Let them think he lacked perception—just a slacker who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun.

After all, wasn't that essentially what he was? Just a slacker.

So Jiang Luo selected some food, picked up a drink, found an empty seat at a table, sat down—and began eating.

Unnoticed, more guests arrived in the hall.

Hardly anyone was eating; most gathered in small groups, making polite conversation, clinking champagne glasses—engaging in the obligatory socializing of the scene.

Those who already knew each other discussed business, news, policy-related matters—exchanging opinions.

Those unfamiliar exchanged pleasantries—"What do you do?" "What do I do?"—shook hands, talked about potential future cooperation.

In his previous life, Jiang Luo had been one of these people—though he hadn't even been able to reach the threshold to attend such Chamber banquets.

Had he managed to get in, he would have circulated relentlessly, networking aggressively, trying desperately to build connections.

Like that overweight man now walking around the hall in an ill-fitting suit, slicked-back greasy hair, clutching business cards, smiling obsequiously, trying to talk to everyone.

Jiang Luo, chewing his food, glanced up—and saw the man. It was like looking at his former self.

He felt no disdain. He understood that everyone was simply doing their best—in their own way.

Others might look down on that fat man—but Jiang Luo wouldn't look down on his past self.

"Is he stupid or what?" someone sneered from diagonally across.

A young man with a frivolous, arrogant expression continued, "Does he really think that just by managing to get in here, he can meet important people, get them to collaborate with him—or invest in his shoddy projects?"

Jiang Luo turned and looked at the man sitting diagonally opposite him.

The man, too, had withdrawn his gaze from the fat man across the room—and now met Jiang Luo’s eyes, raising an eyebrow. "I just arrived in Haicheng—don't know the place or anyone. What's your story, sitting here eating alone?"

"You're not like me, were you dumped here by your old man too?"

Jiang Luo could tell at a glance the man came from privilege—that unruly, proud glint in his eyes wasn't something ordinary people possessed.

Jiang Luo curled his lips slightly. "I don't have an 'old man' who dumped me. I just wanted to sit down and eat something."

The man, fork in hand, clearly intrigued by Jiang Luo, said, "Hey—how old are you? About my age, right?"

"My name is Zheng Bin. Zheng as in Zheng Chenggong’s Zheng, Bin as in the *wenwubin* character. What's yours?"

"Jiang Luo."

Zheng Bin: "Aren't you going to go drink and mingle with them?"

Jiang Luo shot back: "Why aren't you going?"

Zheng Bin was very direct: "Some people, I can't stand; others can't stand me."

"My dad insisted I come, but I'm not here to schmooze."

"I don't need to ask anyone for help."

Perhaps because they were similar in age and shared a similar vibe, Zheng Bin assumed Jiang Luo's presence at such a young age was also due to family wealth.

Zheng Bin spoke up again: "Hey, what does your family do?"

Jiang Luo continued eating, replying in a casual tone: "We run a clothing factory."

"Oh, making clothes, huh."

Zheng Bin: "My family owns coal mines in Shanxi."

So he was the coal baron's son.

Zheng Bin grabbed a plate and came over: "Hey, do you know how to play pool? Let's play some pool?"

"It's too boring, nothing to do."

There was a pool table in one corner of the hall.

Jiang Luo was just killing time anyway; he was here for the free food and drinks, so he nodded: "Sure."

Zheng Bin was stoked, jerking his head: "Let's go, play pool."

He stood up as he spoke.

Jiang Luo had just finished eating, dabbed his mouth with a napkin from the table, and stood up as well.

In the distance, the fat guy was still working the room with a sycophantic grin, pushing his business card on everyone.

In the hall, everything was business as usual, orderly and undisturbed.

Until Huo Zongzhuo arrived. The moment he appeared at the entrance, he created a real buzz.

It turned out the vice president of the Haicheng Chamber of Commerce was also there today. He had claimed his own corner with a few people, shooting the breeze on the sofas in the hall. No one dared to disturb them or casually butt in.

But as soon as Huo Zongzhuo arrived, the vice president immediately stood up from the sofa, let out a booming laugh, went over to greet him, shook his hand, and was exceptionally respectful: "President Huo, Zongzhuo, if I had known you were coming today, I would have waited for you downstairs in the lobby."

"We're honored by your presence; sorry we didn't roll out the red carpet."

This attracted the attention of many in the hall.

Some didn't recognize Huo Zongzhuo and found his face unfamiliar, asking those around them: "Chairman Qiu is giving him the personal treatment? Who is he?"

"You don't know? Huo Zongzhuo."

"He alone snapped up six parcels of land in Pudong."

"Banks all over Haicheng are tripping over themselves to lend him money."

"He was even in the news before for acquiring a plane from the Soviet Union and selling it to Chuancheng Airlines."

The person who had asked was surprised: "So that's the famous Huo Zongzhuo."

In the corner, Zheng Bin and Jiang Luo also turned to see what the fuss was about.

Big deal.

Zheng Bin was unimpressed.

The coal prince was arrogant; he didn't care who had arrived or why all the commotion.

He withdrew his gaze, leaned over the table, and lined up his shot.

Jiang Luo, meanwhile, quirked a smile toward the entrance—"That's my Huo-dad for you."

Well, he showed up after all.

Seems he still doesn't think I can handle myself.

"Your turn."

Zheng Bin took a shot but didn't pocket any balls.

It was Jiang Luo's turn. Jiang Luo leaned over the table, aimed the cue at the white ball, and without much thought, took his shot. With a "thud," it hit the yellow ball, which rolled into the center pocket.

"Nice shot."

Zheng Bin was surprised, smiled, and got more excited: "You're better than me."

"Come on, show me another shot. Let me see if it was luck or if you really know your way around a pool table."

Jiang Luo curled his lips into a lazy smile and walked around the table to the side closer to the white ball: "If you play with me, you don't stand a chance."

Zheng Bin loved it: "Damn, I like your style."

"Go on, take your shot. If you beat me, I'll buy you dinner tonight!"

In the distance, Huo Zongzhuo made small talk with Chairman Qiu and the others, then pretended to scan the room, searching for Jiang Luo.

Seeing that Jiang Luo was playing pool with someone in the corner, Huo Zongzhuo smiled to himself, withdrew his gaze, and continued chatting and laughing with Chairman Qiu and the group.

Then a small incident occurred—

Xue Zhizhong, holding a champagne glass, approached Chairman Qiu's group with a warm smile, calling out, "Zongzhuo, Zongzhuo, you're here."

The two people beside Chairman Qiu exchanged a glance, knowing this guy had forced his way in. They didn't show it on their faces, but inwardly they were somewhat amused.

Xue Zhizhong didn't care; he was determined to shamelessly insert himself, even introducing himself to Chairman Qiu: "My surname is Xue, as in Xue Baochai."

"Chairman Qiu, it's an honor to meet you."

Chairman Qiu naturally wouldn't hit a smiling face, so he smiled and said: "So you're a friend of Zongzhuo's."

"Yes, yes."

Xue Zhizhong smiled obsequiously.

Huo Zongzhuo didn't say anything either.

In the world of fame and fortune, everyone knows the game of flattery and social climbing. As long as things are kept civil on the surface, it's fine.

Besides, Huo Zongzhuo didn't really care who he socialized with tonight or what they talked about.

He came for Jiang Luo, worried that Jiang Luo might not fit into such occasions.

Now that he saw Jiang Luo had found a kindred spirit and was enjoying himself, he felt relieved.