Chapter 153: The Capital's Number One Kept Man! (Part 1)

A thunderclap out of a clear blue sky!

This was an absolute thunderclap out of a clear blue sky!

Who was Wenren Zhao? He was Wenren Muyue’s younger brother. And who was Wenren Muyue?

Mentioning this name in Yanjing’s upper-crust circles, there was practically no one who didn’t know it, no one who wasn’t familiar with it.

She possessed too many glories, and she had created too many miracles. She was a goddess in the hearts of countless men, and an idol in the eyes of countless women.

Those who viewed her as a goddess knew they were unworthy of loving her.

Those who viewed her as an idol knew the vast distance between themselves and her.

Figures of such dazzling brilliance usually had a multitude of fiercely loyal supporters as well as numerous rivals. Take Qin Zongheng, or Bai Poju, for instance. They had as many friends as they did adversaries.

Wenren Muyue, however, was a truly unique existence. Whether man or woman, everyone could clearly perceive the unbridgeable chasm between themselves and her. Few dared to love her—none dared—nor did anyone hate her, for no one was qualified to harbor such feelings.

Consequently, her fan base encompassed nearly all the young men and women of that aristocratic circle. Even the older generation praised her achievements to high heaven.

Weren’t Qin Zongheng and Bai Poju exceptional enough?

Yet, while Qin Zongheng was still merely managing a few of the Qin family’s enterprises, and Bai Poju was busy hunting bears in the mountains and hunting for treasures in the sea, Wenren Muyue had already taken the helm of the entire Wenren family’s commercial flagship on her twentieth birthday.

To elaborate further, Bai Poju’s succession was a matter of course, as he was the sole male heir of the Bai family. Qin Zongheng was likewise the most heavily favored successor to lead the Qin family. Wenren Muyue, however, had climbed to that supreme throne entirely by her own fierce striving.

The perils and crises involved—how could outsiders ever imagine them?

This was a woman who combined breathtaking beauty with peerless wisdom. Her intellect commanded awe, and her beauty left people spellbound. Her suitors were the finest men the circle had to offer: regional power-brokers on the verge of ruling territories, corporate titans of staggering wealth, including even Qin Zongheng, known as the "Sage Son," the foremost young lord of the capital.

Qin Zongheng had loved her for years without success—a fact known to everyone in the capital. Yet now, a man who was not particularly handsome, whose attire lacked refined taste, and whose face was entirely unfamiliar, had publicly demanded that Wenren Zhao call him brother-in-law in front of so many people.

What did this signify? Did it mean he was Wenren Muyue’s man?

Heaven and earth as witness, Qin Luo truly had no intention of hogging the spotlight on an occasion like this.

He had not expected everyone’s reaction to be so intense, nor had he imagined that a casual remark would be overheard by so many ears.

So those fellows who had been pretending to drink and chat were actually pricking up their ears to eavesdrop! Otherwise, why would a man who spoke in a relatively low voice have gathered such a massive audience?

He wasn’t trying to take advantage of Wenren Muyue, nor was he attempting to make any grand declaration to the outside world. He had merely been provoked by Wenren Zhao turning tail and fleeing the moment he saw him, prompting him to tease the youth a little.

*Since you are so terrified of me, I will just drag you over and make you call me "brother-in-law."* It was originally intended as nothing more than a joke.

He had already gone to the Wenren family to call off the engagement, and he harbored no inappropriate fantasies about Wenren Muyue. His willingness to accompany her and offer his help stemmed purely from friendship.

Well, perhaps with a tiny touch of selfish motive.

After all, Wenren Muyue was his fiancée. Deep down in his heart, he did not wish to see her married to a megalomaniac like Qin Zongheng.

However, Qin Luo had severely underestimated the complexity of this social circle.

You could say this was a very casual circle. Because the men and women attending this banquet might well get into the same car at the end of the evening, head to the same villa, sleep in the same bed, and share the same condom—

Yet you could equally say this was an extremely rigid circle. In formal settings, no one dared to casually utter such words, because matters like this would spread like wildfire and trigger a cascading series of consequences.

A man like Qin Zongheng had gone to great pains to have Wenren Muyue attend this banquet with him, hoping to convey the message to the outside world that the two of them were a romantic couple.

Yet this man had blurted it out so nakedly and brazenly. Wasn’t this delivering a slap to Qin Zongheng’s face in full view of everyone?

Qin Zongheng’s perpetually smiling face stiffened for a fraction of a second. When he forced a smile once more, it carried a somewhat unnatural stiffness and gloom.

Bai Poju gave Qin Luo’s shoulder a heavy slap and laughed, "Well done, Qin Luo. You love and hate with passion. You’re like a real man from the North. Much better than certain other people."

Qin Luo was no fool. From the ghost-like expressions on the faces of those around him, he realized his words had provoked a serious misunderstanding. He quickly explained, "You’ve got it wrong. I was just joking with Wenren Zhao."

"Wrong? What’s wrong about it? When has Muyue ever brought a man to a banquet before? Everyone knows what’s what in their hearts," Bai Poju laughed heartily. True to his word, he thoroughly enjoyed anything that caused Qin Zongheng embarrassment, and he offered his full-throated support. "Looking at it this way, you and Muyue really make a fine match."

Qin Luo heartily agreed with that statement. Whether in terms of external conditions or internal qualities, he was more than a match for Wenren Muyue.

Still, he had to defend himself. "You really have misunderstood," he said. "Muyue and I are just friends."

"Heh, I understand. Unmarried men and women are always just 'friends,'" Bai Poju said, patting Qin Luo’s shoulder again. "Be a man and own up to it. No one can do anything to you. If you keep denying it, that’s showing disrespect to the lady. Or do you think Muyue isn’t good enough for you?"

"It’s not like that—" Qin Luo turned to look at Wenren Muyue. Her expression was completely blank, devoid of either joy or anger.

Wenren Zhao glanced at Qin Zongheng, then glared angrily at Qin Luo. "Why should I call you brother-in-law? How could you possibly be worthy of my sister? You’re just a low-class nobody with no taste, no looks, and no money!"

"Wenren Zhao," Wenren Muyue finally spoke. Her tone was like the winter weather outside, capable of freezing a person to the bone.

Seeing that his sister’s ire was aroused, Wenren Zhao wanted to slip away and make his escape. He harbored a genuine dread of his older sister.

"Apologize," Wenren Muyue commanded.

"Sister, he started it first! I was just—"

"Apologize," Wenren Muyue repeated, her voice chilling further.

"------"

"Apologize," Wenren Muyue said for the third time.

Wenren Zhao realized his sister was truly angry; otherwise, she would never have used that tone with him, nor would she have been so insistent on forcing him to apologize to an outsider.

Wenren Zhao’s delicate, flower-like face filled with a wronged expression, and his pretty, large eyes gradually turned red, as if he were about to cry. The sight of it made more than a few ladies present wish they could scoop him up in their arms and coo over him as their precious darling.

"I’m sorry." Wenren Zhao glared viciously at Qin Luo and offered the apology with extreme reluctance.

Qin Luo smiled and let it slide.

He knew that, when all was said and done, he remained an outsider. He wasn't even part of their circle, so expecting Wenren Zhao to accept him was a pipe dream.

If the others present knew his true background, they would likely all dismiss him as a "low-class nobody with no taste, no looks, and no money."

Besides, when he had first visited the Wenren estate, he had put the kid through quite an ordeal—it was only natural that the boy held a grudge against him.

Yet, this little farce between the siblings only served to convince the onlookers even more firmly of one "fact": this man in the long robe was Wenren Muyue’s genuine, officially recognized boyfriend.

Everyone knew how doting Wenren Muyue was toward her younger brother, yet today she had repeatedly forced her brother to apologize for the sake of a man. If that didn't prove something, what did?

"My, it’s so lively over here? So everyone was hiding out in this corner," a soft, slightly husky female voice chimed in.

A woman walked over, wearing a black evening gown beneath a white fox-fur wrap, accented with silver high heels embroidered with dark patterns. Her long, wavy hair cascaded loosely over her shoulders, her brows were delicately arched like distant hills, and her eyes shimmered with a watery, tender allure.

With her undulating, graceful figure and mature, sensual charm, she was none other than Chou Yanmei, whom Qin Luo had met once before.

"Sister Chou!" Upon seeing her savior arrive, Wenren Zhao felt his eyes grow even redder. He hurried over to her side.

"Well now, is little Zhao here too? What’s this? Who has wronged our little Zhao?" Chou Yanmei asked with a smile. Her words of concern and her captivating expression wove together into a picturesque scene.

Wenren Zhao glanced at his older sister and didn't dare to make a sound.

"Yanmei is here. Please forgive me for not coming out to greet you personally," Qin Zongheng said with an apologetic smile. Because he had been delayed by affairs over here, welcoming guests outside had to be left to his younger cousins. Originally, those duties were his responsibility.

This, too, was a mandatory step for any family heir—a form of tempering oneself, as well as a message conveyed to the outside world.

"You are far too polite, Young Master Qin. It’s not like I don't know the way; how could I dare trouble Young Master Qin to come out and greet me?" Chou Yanmei replied with a smile.

"If I am not mistaken, this must be the eldest young master of the Bai family? I am a newcomer here, and I hope Young Master Bai will look after me in the future," Chou Yanmei said, turning to greet Bai Poju, who stood nearby.

"I’ve long heard that the proprietor of the Ladies' Club is a truly extraordinary woman. Seeing you today, I can see the reputation is well deserved," Bai Poju laughed heartily and shook Chou Yanmei’s petite hand. He released his grip almost instantly, showing no inclination to take advantage of her stunning beauty.

When Chou Yanmei turned her gaze toward Wenren Muyue, her expression shifted into something entirely different—warm, intimate, and affectionate. "You must be Muyue! Little Zhao has shown me your photos and often speaks of you to me. He is so very proud to have a sister like you."

Wenren Muyue glanced at Wenren Zhao and remained silent.

Qin Luo could not help but marvel. This woman was truly a public relations genius. Every time she spoke to someone, she effortlessly donned a different facial expression and adjusted her tone, making everyone feel close to her without a hint of repulsion.

She attended to everyone, ensuring that not a single person felt left out.

Beholding her, Qin Luo was reminded of Li Qingcheng. Back at the Qingcheng International Beauty Salon, didn't Li Qingcheng play this exact role? The sheer number of people willing to cluster around her—was that not a testament to this very sort of extraordinary personal charisma?

"Qin Luo, we meet again." Finally, Chou Yanmei walked right up to Qin Luo and extended her hand toward him.

"Indeed. What a coincidence," Qin Luo said with a smile.

"It’s no coincidence. You were always meant to belong to this circle," Chou Yanmei remarked with a meaningful glint in her eye.

Qin Luo merely smiled and let the comment pass.

"Teacher Qin, you’re here too?" As soon as Wang Jiujiu stepped into the backyard, her eyes immediately locked onto Qin Luo, who stood among the crowd—neither particularly conspicuous nor blending entirely into the background. A look of delighted surprise bloomed across her face as she hurried over.