Chapter 128 CEO Shen, CEO Shen

Chapter 128: President Shen, President Shen

The banquet was held in the city's most prestigious ballroom. Crystal chandeliers hung from the dome, casting thousands of shimmering beams, bathing the entire hall in a light as bright as day.

Celebrities gathered, glasses clinked, and amidst the scents and silhouettes, there were nothing but pleasantries and veiled inquiries.

A red carpet stretched from the entrance all the way to the roadside. Reporters stood on both sides, lining the red carpet, their camera flashes going off in rapid succession, turning the entrance as bright as noon.

One luxury car after another pulled up, each carrying influential figures from the city.

Business tycoons, government officials, celebrities, and aristocrats.

This charity gala was unprecedented in scale.

It had invited nearly every notable person in the city.

A black Maybach slowly came to a stop at the end of the red carpet.

The car door opened.

Lu Lin stepped out of the car.

Instantly, the frequency of the camera flashes doubled.

"It's Lu Lin!"

"President Lu of the Lu Group!"

"He actually came? Weren't they saying he never attends such events?"

The reporters rushed forward, but were stopped by bodyguards three paces away.

Lu Lin stood by the car, dressed in a well-tailored black suit that highlighted his broad shoulders and long legs, exuding an aura that warned people to keep their distance.

He didn't look at the reporters, nor did he enter the banquet hall.

Instead, he turned around, walked to the other side of the car, and reached for the door handle.

All the reporters' cameras focused on the open car door.

They were very curious about who could make this volatile man—a living demon—personally open the car door for them.

A hand reached out and took Lu Lin's hand.

Then, a slender, upright figure slowly stepped out of the car.

Shen Qingci stood steady, leaning on his cane.

He wore a silver-gray suit of fine quality and impeccable cut, making him appear as refined as jade, cool and unapproachable, noble and otherworldly.

His slightly long black hair was tied up, falling to one side of his shoulder, gently swaying in the evening breeze.

He stood there, as if he did not belong to this noisy world.

The surrounding reporters fell silent for a moment.

Then came an even more intense barrage of camera flashes.

"Who is that?"

"...Looks like the boss of Qingye? Named Shen Qing?"

"Who is he to have Lu Lin personally open the door for him?"

Countless gazes fell on him—some shocked, some curious, some appraising, and some with a trace of barely concealed wariness.

Shen Qingci appeared not to notice those stares.

Leaning on his cane, with Lu Lin at his side, he walked toward the banquet hall.

The two walked side by side.

But if one looked closely, they would notice.

While walking together, Lu Lin was always half a step behind Shen Qingci.

And his gaze never left Shen Qingci for a single second from beginning to end.

Inside the venue, the lights were dazzling.

A huge crystal chandelier hung from the dome, illuminating the entire hall as bright as day.

Long tables draped in snow-white cloths held exquisite pastries and champagne.

Socialites gathered in small groups, chatting and laughing easily.

The door swung open.

The two walked in.

Instantly, nearly every eye in the room turned to them.

One was aloof and aristocratic, almost otherworldly.

The other was tall and handsome, with an air of dark obsession.

Standing together, there was an indescribable harmony between them.

Whispers rippled through the crowd, countless eyes sweeping over the two of them back and forth.

Shen Qingci, leaning on his cane, walked slowly and unhurriedly.

His gaze swept across the hall, then indifferently looked away. His face betrayed no emotion throughout, as if all this noise had nothing to do with him.

Lu Lin stayed close at his side, step by step, unwilling to stray even half a step from his side.

Shen Qingci tilted his head slightly and gave him a glance.

That glance was fleeting, carrying a silent question.

Lu Lin understood at once, leaned in slightly, and said in a low voice, almost a whisper:

"Brother, there's a sofa in the corner. How about we sit over there?"

Shen Qingci nodded.

The two made their way through the crowd toward the corner.

Wherever they walked, the crowd parted automatically.

Those who originally intended to come forward and chat barely made it a step before Lu Lin stopped them with just a look.

Shen Qingci slowly sat down on the sofa in the corner.

Lu Lin obediently sat down beside him.

Then he started bustling around.

Pouring water, grabbing snacks, adjusting the sofa's angle.

He was absurdly attentive.

Shen Qingci relaxed.

He leaned back in the sofa, gripping his cane, watching Lu Lin wait on him.

Then he noticed there wasn't a single person within thirty feet of them.

Anyone who tried to get close was driven back thirty feet by Lu Lin's cold, dark stare.

Shen Qingci looked at the people standing at a distance, too afraid to come closer, then glanced at the man still pouring his water.

He suddenly felt.

This kid is pretty useful, huh.

He took the water Lu Lin handed him and took a small sip.

Just then, a stir came from the entrance.

Camera flashes flared more intensely, and reporters' exclamations rang out one after another. Even those inside the venue were startled and turned to the door.

"President Shen is here!"

Someone shouted.

That drew most people's attention.

Shen Qingci's hand tightened around the cup.

The only person here who could be called "President Shen" and make such an entrance, aside from the Shen Qingci who died ten years ago, was one man.

Shen Suili.

His half-brother in name only.

Shen Qingci looked up toward the door.

The crowd parted, and a figure strode in, flanked by admirers.

The man was in his early forties, in a dark gray suit. His face looked somewhat like Shen Qingci's, but his features were sharper and harsher.

He carried the aura of someone who had long held power. With every step, the entire venue seemed to part for him.

A flood of people rushed forward to greet and flatter him. He nodded slightly, answering a word or two, but his gaze swept across the crowd, taking in the whole room.

Shen Qingci watched that figure, a flicker of coldness in his eyes.

He tapped a finger lightly on his cane.

Then he looked away and kept drinking his tea.

As if that person meant nothing to him.

Lu Lin's eyes followed Shen Qingci's gaze to Shen Suili.

He narrowed his eyes slightly.