By nine o’clock, the night sky had long been pitch black, yet the city’s myriad lights illuminated it brightly. In Yuzhou City, for most people, the nightlife was just beginning.
At the Cheng family mansion, one of the prominent households in Yuzhou, the atmosphere was lively today, with cars lining up one after another at the entrance.
The Cheng family was quite unique. In Yuzhou, aside from top-tier families like the Bai family, most others avoided provoking the Chengs—not because of their high status or immense power, but due to their extensive marital alliances. For some reason, every generation of the Cheng family produced several daughters, who then married into other influential families, bearing children and gradually weaving a vast network of connections. Unless the Cheng family faced a truly devastating crisis, these allied families were always willing to lend a hand. Thus, the Cheng family occupied a rather special position.
Today marked the 80th birthday of the Cheng family matriarch, and to celebrate, the Chengs had invited a wide array of guests to host a grand banquet. At the very least, half of Yuzhou’s elite families were in attendance.
Though some families privately mocked the Chengs for “prospering through their daughters,” such influence and grandeur still stirred envy. Many wished to emulate the Cheng model, but the family’s uniqueness lay in its irreplicability—not every family could produce so many daughters generation after generation.
Inside the Cheng villa, Cheng Linlang was bustling with preparations for her grandmother’s birthday banquet. As the eldest daughter of the current Cheng family head, she had always been treated differently. Upon reaching adulthood, she was even granted the rare privilege of working in the family business—an honor none of her sisters enjoyed. She had lived up to expectations, excelling in everything and outshining her peers, making her the undisputed top figure among the Cheng daughters of her generation.
After ensuring everything was in order, Cheng Linlang finally found time to rest. Glancing around the hall, she spotted her younger sister, Cheng Shuying, sitting alone in a corner.
It was still early, and the most distinguished guests had yet to arrive. In high society, circles were strictly defined by status and rank. The current attendees were minor figures, so no one dared to approach Cheng Shuying.
Recalling her sister’s recent state, Cheng Linlang grew concerned and walked over.
The sharp clicks of her high heels should have drawn attention, but Cheng Shuying remained oblivious until her sister stood right before her.
Seeing her sister’s distracted demeanor, Cheng Linlang sighed and sat beside her. “As a daughter of the Cheng family,” she said coolly, “you must always be prepared to sacrifice for the family.”
“B-Big sister?” Cheng Shuying snapped out of her daze, glancing up before lowering her head again, her voice tinged with dejection. “I know… but I just wish I could marry someone I love.”
It had been a long time since Cheng Linlang had seen her four-years-younger sister like this, and her heart softened slightly.
She patted Cheng Shuying’s shoulder. “From birth, the fate of a Cheng daughter is decided. You have no right to choose. Having enjoyed all the privileges the family offers, it’s only right to contribute in return.”
“I… I know. But I just can’t accept being married off to someone I don’t love.” Cheng Shuying’s voice was quiet, but the resentment in her tone was unmistakable.
“You’re still too inexperienced. Love and romance are fleeting—they fade with time. What you should do now is try to enjoy yourself. Later, when the banquet begins, look for any promising young men who catch your eye. That’s the greatest freedom the family can offer.”
Cheng Shuying fell silent, and Cheng Linlang assumed she had taken the advice to heart. Just then, someone called for her, likely to handle some matter. She stood to leave.
As she took a few steps away, Cheng Shuying’s voice floated after her. “Sister… have you ever been deeply in love? Do you regret your engagement to the eldest son of the Guan family?”
Cheng Linlang paused mid-step. Without turning back, she replied crisply, “No.”
No. That radiant young man had been nothing more than a beautiful dream in her youth. But no matter how lovely, dreams end, and one must return to reality.
Unseen by her, Cheng Shuying watched her sister’s retreating back with a gaze full of pity.
The banquet reached new heights of excitement with the arrival of Bai Jixi. Cheng Boxu, the Cheng family head, swelled with pride. Securing the attendance of Bai Jixi, the head of the Bai family, was a feat few could boast of. Let those who mocked the Chengs for “relying on their daughters” chew on that.
The moment Bai Jixi appeared, a crowd swarmed around him—a cluster of middle-aged men in their forties and fifties, with one young man in his early twenties at the center. The sight might have seemed odd, but no one present dared to think so. In fact, many wished they could be one of those men.
Guan Hongbo glanced around and joked, “Look at all these people—seems like everyone wants to join our little circle.”
Though spoken in jest, everyone knew it was the truth.
Qian Yonghe chimed in, “That’s all because Chairman Bai is too handsome and charismatic. Us old men can’t compete!”
Bai Jixi remained expressionless, showing no reaction even to the teasing.
Yet, his silence didn’t equate to being ignored. His presence wasn’t defined by his striking looks but by his capabilities and methods. A decade ago, who could have imagined someone so young would rise to dominate Yuzhou’s—and even the nation’s—business world?
Bai Jixi had little patience for such gatherings. His tolerance had always been low, and these days, there were few things or people he bothered to endure. But this banquet demanded his presence—maintaining ties with influential families required neither closeness nor distance.
True to his word, Bai Jixi made only a brief appearance. After the Cheng family head finished his birthday wishes for the matriarch, Bai Jixi departed.
Though he left, his impact lingered.
Many young women from wealthy families had heard of the Bai family head’s extraordinary looks, but his reclusive nature meant few had seen him in person. Today’s glimpse ignited countless hearts, each dreaming of becoming the next Mrs. Bai.
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