"You can be cured, but it requires a very precious medicinal ingredient that has even gone extinct in this world. So, do you think it can still be cured?" Duan Muxing chuckled lightly after hearing Lin Xingwan's words.
Duan Muxing's voice was filled with self-mockery, and to Lin Xingwan, it conveyed a sense of utter despair.
Lin Xingwan eventually said nothing more, and the two walked inside in silence.
Duan Muxing, however, spoke again, "I thought Zhou Jinbai would definitely come to tonight's banquet, but I didn't expect him to still be absent. Are you disappointed not to see him?"
Duan Muxing had to be considered a very vindictive person. Since Lin Xingwan's words had made him uncomfortable just now, Duan Muxing would retaliate.
Lin Xingwan's expression immediately turned somber. "It's better if he doesn't come. I was afraid my acting would be too poor and Zhou Jinbai would recognize me at a glance."
They hadn't seen each other since the day she fell into the sea. In fact, all of Lin Xingwan's news about Zhou Jinbai came from Duan Muxing.
The passage of time had not made her slowly let go of a relationship; instead, it made her miss this man, Zhou Jinbai, even more.
Only after truly separating did she realize that even doing nothing together in the past was a precious memory.
However, as soon as Lin Xingwan finished speaking, a subordinate's loud voice was heard from outside the Star-Picking Tower.
"From the Dongfang family, Dongfang Junze has arrived!"
Lin Xingwan felt as if her body had been electrocuted, and she froze on the spot.
Duan Muxing, on the other hand, wore a look of amusement. "Speak of the devil, and he shall appear."
He didn't even need Lin Xingwan to push him. He directly pressed a button on his wheelchair, and the wheelchair turned around.
At the same time, a tall, cold, and majestic handsome figure appeared in everyone's sight.
After more than a week, Lin Xingwan finally saw the man she had been longing for.
He was wearing a black suit, and his handsome face was a mask of ice.
Xuan Zhu and Xuan Yin stood on either side of Zhou Jinbai, while Zhou Jinbai, walking at the forefront, exuded an aura of two meters eighty, possessing the presence of the host for the evening.
However, Zhou Jinbai's complexion was too haggard, and he looked much thinner.
"Mr. Dongfang—" Duan Muxing's lips curved into a meaningful smile upon seeing Zhou Jinbai. "It's very touching that you've come to tonight's banquet despite your serious injuries."
After Duan Muxing finished speaking, Zhou Jinbai replied indifferently, "Serious injuries require rest. I must also thank you for the ointment you sent; otherwise, my injuries wouldn't have healed so quickly. Since today marks the Duan family's emergence, I naturally couldn't be absent. This is my congratulatory gift to the Duan family."
As Zhou Jinbai spoke, eight people carried a pure gold painting of a Jiangnan spring scene into view.
As soon as this gift appeared, it instantly captured the attention of everyone at the banquet.
Gold itself held little appeal to the guests tonight, but a painting of a Jiangnan spring scene crafted entirely from pure gold was a national treasure.
The Jiangnan spring scene painting had once been lost to a foreign land due to war.
The Dongfang family had acquired it at an auction for ten billion yuan.
That was twenty years ago!
Ten billion yuan had set a new record for the auction house, a record that remained unbroken to this day!
Yet, Dongfang Junze was gifting this Jiangnan spring scene painting to Duan Muxing, demonstrating the Dongfang family's sincerity.
Dongfang Junze's actions once again refreshed everyone's perception of the Duan family.
Some families, like the Qiao family, had been making a fuss in Yanjing for years, even spreading rumors that they could replace the Xue family as the head of Yanjing's four major affluent families. But what was their ultimate fate? They were nothing more than paper tigers, easily defeated!
Conversely, the Duan family, who had always been kept out of public view, made a move that shocked all of Yanjing!
"You've spent too much, Mr. Dongfang. It's getting late, please be seated for dinner."
Duan Muxing made a gesture of invitation, and Zhou Jinbai then walked forward.
From beginning to end, Zhou Jinbai's gaze never fell upon Lin Xingwan, who stood to the side.
Lin Xingwan was momentarily unsure how to describe her feelings.
She was happy because Zhou Jinbai seemed to be fine now.
But she was also sad. Why didn't Zhou Jinbai recognize her when she wore a mask?
Women!
They were always a bundle of contradictions!
At precisely seven o'clock, servers of exquisite appearance and graceful demeanor began serving delicious dishes to each guest.
Duan Muxing and Lin Xingwan sat at the head of the table, and there were even special celebrity performances.
This was the power of the affluent families. Even celebrities who were popular in the entertainment industry were merely lowly performers in their eyes.
However, Lin Xingwan spotted Yun Qingqing among the performers.
Why would Yun Qingqing be at such a banquet?
And even as a backup dancer for a popular celebrity?
Lin Xingwan suspected she was hallucinating, otherwise, how could she see Yun Qingqing?
Duan Muxing, sitting beside Lin Xingwan, seemed to read her mind and explained, "During the time you were missing, Yun Qingqing became somewhat famous in the entertainment industry. Of course, she became famous because of her rumored relationship with the popular film emperor Jiang Wenyuan. Everyone in the entertainment industry is now discussing whether Yun Qingqing is Jiang Wenyuan's girlfriend. Although Jiang Wenyuan has clarified it, due to his immense popularity, and the fact that paparazzi photographed Yun Qingqing leaving Jiang Wenyuan's apartment late at night, Yun Qingqing has been rumored to have a close relationship with him, even if she isn't his girlfriend."
Duan Muxing was like a walking encyclopedia. Any question Lin Xingwan found perplexing, he could answer perfectly.
Lin Xingwan wondered why Yun Qingqing would visit Jiang Wenyuan late at night.
Were there other things she didn't know involved?
Of course, Lin Xingwan's attention soon shifted from Yun Qingqing to Zhou Jinbai.
At the front of the banquet seating, Lin Xingwan saw Zhou Jinbai sitting with Cen Zhiyuan.
Their auras were cold and distant, yet sitting together, they inexplicably gave off a sense of perfect harmony and comfort.
It was as if they were destined to be a perfect match!
As this feeling surged in her heart, Lin Xingwan felt as if her heart had been overturned like a vinegar jar, causing her immense discomfort.
At this moment, Zhou Jinbai and Cen Zhiyuan were engaged in a casual conversation.
"I thought you wouldn't appear tonight, as you haven't finished your confinement period yet. You should at least rest for a month, right?" Cen Zhiyuan said, carefully eating the exquisite dinner. For them, such food was readily available at home. However, the Star-Picking Tower was hosting such a lively banquet, the last one of this magnitude being over twenty years ago.
Back then, Yanjing was brimming with talent and was extremely vibrant, a legend even twenty years later.
Zhou Jinbai cast a cold glance at Cen Zhiyuan and then said, "Do you know why no man likes you yet? I've never met a woman whose tongue is as venomous as yours."
After Zhou Jinbai spoke, Cen Zhiyuan tightened her grip on her chopsticks. "It's fine if no man likes me. I'm going to marry you anyway. In the future, people will only say we are a well-matched couple. Since I can marry an excellent man, why should I care?"
Cen Zhiyuan finished speaking, and Zhou Jinbai asked, "Shi Zhesheng is also attending tonight's banquet, isn't he?"
Cen Zhiyuan nodded. "He is. What, do you want to avenge your woman?"
"It's not time for revenge yet. I'm just curious, which faction does Shi Zhesheng represent?"
Given Zhou Jinbai's personality, even though he hadn't caught Shi Zhesheng red-handed after that night's banquet, did he need a handle to torment someone?
Not at all!
Zhou Jinbai kept Shi Zhesheng around simply because there were too many mysteries surrounding him, and it seemed to be connected to his ongoing investigation. Therefore, Zhou Jinbai intended to follow the clues.
"Then investigate slowly," Cen Zhiyuan said dismissively to Zhou Jinbai.
"You know some things, right?" Zhou Jinbai asked.
"Of course, I do. But I won't tell you. Zhou Jinbai, I didn't let that woman Lin Xingwan die at my hands, which is already the greatest mercy I've shown her. Are you really expecting me to help you investigate the background of the woman you like? Are you kidding me? Do you think I'm a saint?" Cen Zhiyuan finished, then lazily glanced at Zhou Jinbai. "Although I don't like you, I'm going to marry you. No woman would be magnanimous enough to help her love rival."
With that, Cen Zhiyuan lowered her head and began to eat seriously, ignoring Zhou Jinbai.
"Everyone, please excuse me for a moment."
Just as the guests were enjoying their meal, Duan Muxing suddenly spoke.
His seat was at the head of the table, very conspicuous. Now, as Duan Muxing spoke, all eyes turned to him.
"I am deeply honored that everyone has graced my banquet with their presence tonight. Therefore, I intend to take this rare opportunity to announce something."
Undoubtedly, Duan Muxing was a master at setting the mood. His words had completely captured everyone's attention.
Simultaneously, Duan Muxing cast a gentle gaze at Lin Xingwan, who was sitting beside him.
In fact, his face was filled with deep affection. Anyone with eyes could tell that Duan Muxing and the woman beside him shared a profound relationship.
"I have been in poor health since childhood, so I have lived in seclusion for many years. During these years, my beloved Xu Qingdai has accompanied me and encouraged me, which is why I am here tonight. I want to take this opportunity to introduce my beloved to everyone, because she is truly a wonderful, wonderful person."
As Duan Muxing spoke, he even took Lin Xingwan's hand and gently kissed it.
Lin Xingwan's expression froze at Duan Muxing's action.
This man hadn't mentioned kissing her. Although he only kissed the back of her hand, the feeling of repulsion made Lin Xingwan instinctively disgusted.
"Be serious. So many people are watching. Do you want to blow our cover?"
Compared to Lin Xingwan's discomfort, Duan Muxing's tone was calm.
Because their seats were a distance from the other guests, Duan Muxing spoke in a low voice that others couldn't hear.
They only saw his mouth move, saying something to Lin Xingwan.
"Six, Duan Muxing, I never saw your beloved during the times I visited you before. It seems you've kept her hidden very well," Xue Manting couldn't help but speak. The Xue family's business was now booming, showing signs of surpassing its former glory, so Xue Manting stood taller.
Although the Duan family was powerful, the Xue family was not to be outdone.
Xue Manting's words were merely for show. The guests present tonight would understand the Duan family's strength in Yanjing, and... which families were on good terms with the Duan family.
"After all, she is the one I love. I didn't want her to be exposed to danger unnecessarily, so I kept her hidden. However, tonight, I have no choice but to let everyone see her." Duan Muxing's tone was filled with a mix of helplessness and doting. After he finished speaking, he glanced at Lin Xingwan, who lowered her head. In the eyes of the crowd, Lin Xingwan's action was interpreted as shyness.
"I didn't expect Duan Muxing to bring out his fiancée, with whom he was betrothed since birth. It seems the Duan family intends to establish a firm foothold in Yanjing this time," Cen Zhiyuan said slowly, her words capturing Zhou Jinbai's attention.
"Duan Muxing has a betrothed wife?"
"Yes, the Duan family and..." Cen Zhiyuan stopped midway, as if she had just realized something, and immediately fell silent.
Furthermore, Cen Zhiyuan's expression turned serious and solemn. She couldn't help but cast her gaze back at the gentle woman sitting beside Duan Muxing.
Duan Muxing's betrothed wife was Lin Xingwan, wasn't she?
But why was it Xu Qingdai now?
Who exactly was this Xu Qingdai?
Cen Zhiyuan's fox-like eyes were filled with a probing light. Although she couldn't immediately connect Lin Xingwan with Xu Qingdai, the mask Duan Muxing had given Lin Xingwan was not to be underestimated!
If it were that easy to see through, Duan Muxing wouldn't need to be a divine doctor.
However, Cen Zhiyuan was now suspicious of Xu Qingdai's identity.