Chu Anqing is coming too?

Lin Xian felt like they were gathering for a mahjong game.

This small celebration banquet was truly attracting all sorts of people.

Generally, a man bringing his family to a banquet was the highest form of courtesy, showing how much he valued the event.

Chu Shanhe bringing his daughter wasn't strange in itself. Except…

For Zhao Yingjun's smile that wasn't quite a smile!

Clearly.

The misunderstanding about the painting hadn't been resolved at all.

"Director Zhao."

Lin Xian felt he had to make things clear and explain everything:

"I think it's better to be upfront to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings in the future."

"Go on."

"That painting was just something I drew casually. You said it looked like Chu Anqing, it really was just a coincidence."

"Besides, we all know what kind of person Chu Shanhe is, and his daughter is so young… I'm not tired of living, why would I have such crooked thoughts?"

Zhao Yingjun was amused by Lin Xian:

"That's crude but true. Now that you've said it, it's good you understand. I don't mean anything else, just hoping you don't get into trouble because of it."

"Chu Shanhe isn't just the chairman of the chamber of commerce on the surface. You'll slowly understand his power later, he's the last person you want to offend in the entire Donghai city."

"As for whether Chu Anqing looks like your painting… you'll understand once you see her tomorrow night and confirm it yourself."

Lin Xian nodded. He was indeed curious about it. The answer would naturally be revealed at tomorrow night's celebration banquet.

Afterward.

Lin Xian left Zhao Yingjun's office and went back to work.

…

After getting off work in the afternoon.

He went to his usual small restaurant to meet Gao Yang.

The other party took off his down jacket, looking at Lin Xian with anticipation:

"Really, bro! You're treating me to a banquet at the Victoria Hall? That buffet costs seven or eight thousand per person!"

Lin Xian chuckled.

He picked up the red invitation and waved it.

"Good bro—"

Gao Yang flicked his hand in a Q-shape, hooked the invitation over, and looked at it with a grin.

He kept muttering how great it was.

His saliva was practically dripping:

"I want to see… what delicacies these high society people usually eat, that they dare to charge so much!"

"Right, Lin Xian, we've both been busy lately, and I haven't had time to ask you about seeing the psychologist last time…"

Gao Yang stuffed the invitation into his pocket, looking at Lin Xian:

"Did you confirm it later? Did you take off that girl's mask?"

Lin Xian put down his chopsticks.

He nodded:

"Confirmed. Dr. Liu was right, my dreams are just pure nonsense, nothing big."

"I didn't even care about it. If you hadn't brought it up today, I would have forgotten about it myself."

He lied.

Not intentionally to deceive Gao Yang.

Just…

While confirming that the dream was a real future world, it also indirectly proved that the Genius Club also existed and was lurking in the mists of history, even right beside him.

He didn't want to drag the innocent Gao Yang into danger.

So it was better to tell a lie, so he wouldn't worry about him in the future.

He was already working hard selling cars.

"That's good, haha, false alarm!"

Gao Yang picked up his glass, laughing and clinking glasses with Lin Xian, draining it in one gulp:

"Oh, what a pity! I was originally hoping to get rich from your dreams!"

It had been a while.

The two had a lot to talk about.

Naturally, they wouldn't just eat and leave.

After a satisfying meal, the two went to their usual quiet bar for two hours, only returning home at midnight.

Anyway, it was Saturday tomorrow, so they could sleep until noon, then get up and prepare to attend the celebration banquet.

…

The next day.

The temperature plummeted.

Faint snowflakes fell, gradually becoming denser, covering the international metropolis with a layer of crystal jade.

Saturday, December 31, 2022.

On the last day of 2022, Donghai city had a long-awaited snowfall.

A timely snow promises a good harvest, welcoming the new year.

Creak—

Lin Xian pushed open the window that he hadn't opened for a long time.

He stretched his hand out the window, feeling the coolness of the snowflakes falling on his fingertips.

The thin snowflakes…

Were like ice crystals, slowly melting into water stains on Lin Xian's fingertips.

He looked up at the silver-clad city:

"It's snowing."

Unlike the north, snowing in Donghai city wasn't a common occurrence, especially this kind of "heavy snow" today.

The so-called heavy snow was only in comparison to previous years.

In fact, even if it snowed from morning to evening without stopping, it only accumulated a thin layer on the ground.

One step on it would turn into gray ice mud, twisted together with the melting snow below, gradually melting into the flow of pedestrian traffic.

The winter days were short.

When Lin Xian finished dressing and went out at around 7 PM, it was already close to completely dark outside.

Arriving at the Victoria Hall.

It was much warmer inside.

In Lin Xian's eyes, this hall looked even more luxurious than the one where Chu Shanhe held his banquet last time.

That one had a bit of an old-fashioned atmosphere.

But it was hard to describe what high-end feeling was, perhaps that old-fashioned atmosphere was the most noble charm in the eyes of the upper class.

In the middle of the hall was a small stage, and the outer circle still had buffet tables and chairs, but no food or drinks had been served yet.

The most eye-catching decoration in the hall… was naturally the large and small Rhein Cat dolls placed everywhere.

Many Rhein Cat dolls were placed on the stairs, in the corners, on the dining tables, and even at the gift counter.

Many of them were new models, particularly cute.

Lin Xian looked at his watch.

Almost 8:30.

The reason why the celebration banquet started so late today was because today was a special day, the last day of 2022.

The vast majority of the company were young people without families.

So, they simply combined it with the [New Year's Eve].

Everyone who came here today was heading for the New Year's Eve at midnight, there was no need to eat too early.

"Lin Xian, Professor Xu Yun is almost here, come with me to pick him up at the door."

Zhao Yingjun came out of the inner hall and called out to Lin Xian.

Lin Xian nodded and followed Zhao Yingjun's pace.

She was still as heroic as ever today, wearing a dark red haute couture dress, looking like a slender wine glass. The red gemstone earrings bounced with the footsteps of her high heels, reflecting a bright red light.

"How is Professor Xu Yun coming?"

"He's taking a taxi himself." Zhao Yingjun replied helplessly:

"I originally arranged for someone to pick him up, but he didn't want to be so high-profile, especially since there were many media reporters squatting outside the school gate, so he insisted on taking a taxi."

"Okay, that's his style."

The two walked out of the hall and stood on the steps, the temperature plummeting.

Two professional waiters next to them immediately opened black umbrellas to shield them from the snow.

Zhao Yingjun looked at her watch, rubbing her arms:

"He should be here soon, I just called him, he's already at the last intersection."

She smiled at Lin Xian:

"In Donghai, the only people who can invite Professor Xu Yun to participate in this kind of banquet, besides Chu Shanhe, might be you."

"Lin Xian, although I don't know what help you gave Professor Xu Yun, and I don't know why he's giving you so much face. But I really want to thank you for helping MX Company get through such a difficult time."

Lin Xian shook his head:

"I'm also a member of MX Company, it's my duty to do these things."

A taxi appeared from the corner of the gate and drove towards the steps, it should be Professor Xu Yun.

Zhao Yingjun and Lin Xian stepped out of the black umbrella.

After the taxi stopped, Lin Xian opened the car door for Xu Yun:

"Professor Xu, you're here."

Xu Yun smiled and shook hands with Lin Xian, and then shook hands with Zhao Yingjun:

"Ms. Zhao, thank you for your kind invitation."

"You're too kind, Professor Xu." Zhao Yingjun smiled politely:

"We're the ones benefiting from you."

"Please come in, Professor Xu, it's cold outside, let's go inside."

Professor Xu Yun was in a good mood today.

He had even specially dressed up, putting on a set of formal suits.

He stomped his feet on the red carpet, shaking off the snow mud on the edges of his leather shoes, and walked towards the inside of the banquet hall with Zhao Yingjun.

Lin Xian followed behind the two, looking back at the departing taxi, and the ruts that were gradually being filled in by the snow…

He always felt like something was wrong.

But he couldn't tell what was wrong.

"Lin Xian?"

Turning around, he found that Zhao Yingjun and Xu Yun had both turned around and were waiting for him.

"Come in quickly."

Zhao Yingjun smiled, pointing to the crowd cheering and applauding in the hall:

"The banquet…"

"Is about to begin."