Chapter 81 Banquet in Progress

Chapter 81 The Banquet in Full Swing

Yan Zhoubai and Bu Qiran were in a well-known fashion brand's boutique, trying on formal wear, when they heard the news.

Bu Qiran clearly detested such occasions. As the sales associate adjusted his tie, he wore an impatient scowl, making the assistant tremble nervously.

“How dare he show his face? At his age, he’s broke and drowning in debt. His sham of a company is nothing but an empty shell, yet he had the audacity to come to our family, asking the Yan Group for an investment? Investment? It’s practically extortion!”

Bu Qiran’s face immediately darkened upon hearing that this second uncle would also be attending. After the ugly scene just a few days ago, what good intentions could he possibly have by showing up at the banquet now?

Yan Zhoubai had initially wanted to ask Bu Qiran what exactly he had said to provoke the fight, but now there was no need—Bu Qiran had already spilled the beans himself.

Yan Zhoubai didn’t have any strong feelings about the matter. He hadn't been home when the incident occurred, so he was completely unaware of the situation. Besides, he wasn't the one who should feel awkward—as long as his dear second uncle wasn't embarrassed, that was fine.

Good news puts a spring in one's step. Although he had only been admitted to the rather ordinary Wutong University, Yan Zhoubai was still delighted. He was fully cooperative while trying on the formal wear, a stark contrast to Bu Qiran.

Zhan Jiayu had also heard about the Yan family hosting a college celebration banquet for the two young masters and had received an invitation. He told Yan Zhoubai he would attend and even bring a gift, which elevated Yan Zhoubai’s already wonderful mood to new heights.

Three days later, the Yan family’s college acceptance banquet was officially held at the Primeade Hotel in the city center. The Yan family spared no expense, booking the entire three-story banquet hall of the Primeade Hotel and clearing out the entire upper level. It was the hotel’s largest booking of the day.

The scale of this event far surpassed that of the previous coming-of-age ceremony. Luxury cars of all kinds lined up bumper-to-bumper at the entrance of the Primeade Hotel. The Yan family’s standing in Beijing’s social circles was among the most prominent.

However, as Beijing’s top hotel, the Primeade Hotel was well-versed in handling such grand occasions, and the scene was orderly and well-managed.

The hotel’s banquet hall was much larger than the living room of the Yan family villa. Although many guests attended, the hall didn't feel cramped or stuffy. Guests gathered in small groups, chatting and drinking, creating a very relaxed atmosphere.

“The Yan family really went all out—booking this entire three-story banquet hall. Not many hotels in Beijing have such a three-story ballroom.”

“Both young masters getting into university is naturally a joyous occasion. The Yan family isn’t short on money—what’s a little extravagance to them?”

“I heard the real young master was admitted to Peking University. That’s certainly good news—he’s as bright and talented as his elder brother. But the fake young master only got into some unremarkable Wutong University. What’s there to celebrate?”

“Don’t talk nonsense. The Yan family has acknowledged both as their sons. Besides, even though Yan Zhoubai isn’t Yan Ren and Bai Rong’s biological child, they raised him all these years. He’s still a young master of the Yan family.”

“Exactly, they’re both their children. Both got into university around the same time—what’s the big deal about celebrating? It’s not like your kids did any better.”

“That’s right. Yan Zhoubai’s results are clearly all his own. If the Yan family had pulled some strings behind the scenes, how could he have only gotten into Wutong University? If the Yan family had wanted to, they could’ve used their influence to get him into Peking University.”

“Speaking of Peking University, do you remember those three involved in the Lixing High School bullying incident? I heard none of them made it into Peking University.”

“Rong Qian from the Rong family had good grades. With his scores and some extra points, he should’ve just barely scraped into Peking University. As for the ones from the Dai and Ji families, especially the Ji family’s child, they couldn’t even get close to the threshold for Peking University.”

“That’s not the main point. All three families had the means to get their children into Peking University, but none succeeded. Rumor has it the Yan family exerted pressure behind the scenes, preventing Peking University from accepting them and closing off their backdoor options.”

“It must be because of that.”

“No matter how powerful the Yan family is, they can’t take on all three of those families at once. How could the university simply refuse to accept them just because the Yan family said so?”

“They were in the wrong. Is bullying others something to be proud of?”

“Besides, even if they can’t get into Peking University, those three families have plenty of ways to send their children to other good schools. Since they’ve already admitted to the bullying, there’s no need to burn bridges with the Yan family.”

“Yes, I heard they’re planning to send them abroad.”

“Sending them abroad makes sense—let them lay low for a bit. Bullying is one of those things that doesn't seem like a big deal until it blows up. Did you see how public opinion exploded online back then?”

“Let’s get back on topic. I heard today that Yan Ren’s cousin is also coming—the one who tried to borrow money from the Yan family a few days ago and ended up fighting with his nephew.”

“No need for rumors—it’s confirmed. Since they’ve already fought, things are pretty much over between them. The Yan family didn’t send him an invitation, but he insisted on coming. The Yan family can’t stop him without appearing petty.”

“Every family has relatives like that. Sometimes it’s not that you don’t want to help, but helping doesn't get you anywhere and only lands you in hot water.”

“Why worry so much? If there’s a show to watch, why not enjoy it?”

…

Since it was a college acceptance banquet, Yan Zhoubai’s formal wear this time was relatively casual, with a youthful and vibrant feel—like a modified version of British school uniforms. It discarded some of the stiff elements typically associated with school uniforms and incorporated more fashionable details. Paired with Yan Zhoubai’s currently unique hairstyle, today’s outfit was 100% eye-catching.

Unfortunately, his companion was Bu Qiran, whose hairstyle was equally striking. He had flamboyant, light golden long hair, and even though his formal wear was a relatively conventional suit, he still managed to exude an unruly and rebellious aura.

Clearly, today’s banquet, like the last one, had two protagonists, and both were poised to stun the guests once again.

Sure enough, when the two of them appeared in the banquet hall, the guests’ reactions were similar to last time.

Sometimes Yan Zhoubai wondered if his mother had an unfulfilled dream of becoming a stylist in her earlier years, turning them into test subjects for her aesthetic visions every time there was a banquet.

His father and elder brother’s formal wear and accessories were also carefully coordinated by her.

But it had to be said that his mother’s taste was indeed excellent. Each time, she stayed within a broadly understandable aesthetic framework while adding some avant-garde touches.

As always, Yan Zhoubai found the banquet tedious—full of social niceties, small talk, clinking glasses, and a mix of genuine and insincere compliments.

Of course, some people used such occasions to discuss business collaborations. After all, the world of fame and fortune was also a social arena.

Naturally, Yan Zhoubai wasn’t involved in such conversations, so in his eyes, the banquet was reduced to those boring activities.

But today, he didn’t find it dull. After realizing that this was his own college acceptance banquet, Yan Zhoubai decided he should embody a sense of ownership. He needed to step up first before others would see him as someone capable of standing tall.

So, Yan Zhoubai began attempting something he had never done before and never dared to try—he actively engaged in conversations and socialized with the guests.

This was just a preliminary attempt. What he really wanted was to eavesdrop on what people were saying about him.

As he had previously decided, if anyone dared to say anything negative about him, he would retort without hesitation, unleash his fury, and ensure no one had a good time.

Unexpectedly, however, the guests today were quite tactful in their speech. He didn’t even hear the mockery he thought was most likely to come up—about him only getting into Wutong University. This surprised Yan Zhoubai, and his prepared retorts went unused.

The guests refrained from making mocking remarks partly because they were surprised that Yan Zhoubai was actively initiating conversations with them.

This fake young master of the Yan family—oh no, young master—had always been the most inconspicuous presence at banquets in the past. He never initiated conversations and always stayed quietly in a corner, seeming very timid. Even at banquets hosted by the Yan family itself, he was like this.

What had gotten into him today? Had the sun risen from the west?

Yan Zhoubai didn’t realize everyone was surprised by his change. He was simply in a good mood and felt that today’s banquet wasn’t as boring as before. He found everyone agreeable.

Even Bu Qiran, who was socializing effortlessly in the crowd like a peacock displaying its feathers.

He still hadn’t seen Zhan Jiayu, though. Most guests had already arrived. He couldn’t help but glance toward the main entrance of the banquet hall.

Zhan Jiayu had sent him a message saying he had some urgent business to attend to and might arrive later. Yan Zhoubai wondered when he would get there.

“What are you looking at? You’re just standing here alone. Such a large banquet hall, so many guests, and you’re not greeting anyone—just standing here dumbfounded?”

Bu Qiran suddenly walked over to Yan Zhoubai, very naturally resting his elbow on Yan Zhoubai’s shoulder, then casually handing him his glass of champagne.

The height difference between Bu Qiran and Yan Zhoubai made this elbow-on-shoulder posture very comfortable. Bu Qiran himself was surprised and even gestured a couple of times, switching arms to try it out.

Both felt equally comfortable.

But Yan Zhoubai wasn’t having it. He shoved off the arm Bu Qiran had draped over his shoulder and shot back:

“None of your business! I was just chatting with the guests earlier. You’re the one fluttering around the banquet hall like some flirty social butterfly—you just didn’t see it!”

Not only had Bu Qiran failed to notice what Yan Zhoubai was doing and spoken carelessly, but he’d also pinned the blame for neglecting the guests squarely on Yan Zhoubai. There was no way Yan Zhoubai was going to let that slide—he fired back on the spot.

“Oh? You’ve already done your part? My mistake, then. Here, have this drink as my apology.”

Bu Qiran was completely unruffled, showing not a hint of embarrassment after misspeaking. He reached out, guided Yan Zhoubai’s hand upward, and gestured for him to drink the champagne.

“No way. Who knows if you’ve sipped from this? I’m not drinking your backwash!”

“Well, well. Looks like my information was wrong—you two seem to get along quite well!”

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Author's note: Here we go [Let me see]