The banquet was held at a soon-to-open resort villa under the Tan family’s name. On one hand, it served as a promotional event for the upcoming resort, and on the other, the picturesque scenery and fresh air provided a comfortable and pleasant environment for the elderly, showcasing the filial piety and care of their children and grandchildren.
As the heir to the Tan family and the future patriarch, Tan Shengjun, along with his father, naturally took on the responsibility of hosting the guests. Tan’s father attended to guests of his own generation and even the older generation, including those from Tan Lao Ye’s era, while Tan Shengjun and Su Baiye handled guests of their own age group.
Soon, Tan’s father received news of Pei Zhaohe’s arrival. After hastily excusing himself from the guests he was conversing with, he hurried over to greet him.
Although Pei Zhaohe and Tan Shengjun were close in age, Tan Shengjun was merely an heir—one surrounded by ambitious half-siblings eyeing his position. In contrast, Pei Zhaohe had already suppressed all ill-intentioned rivals and firmly secured his position as the family head. Despite having no close relatives or elders left, his status was unshakable, and no one dared question it.
Moreover, Pei Zhaohe’s exceptional abilities had transformed the already colossal Pei family into his own commercial empire within just a few years. Even when he took time off, no one could easily undermine his authority.
Compared to Pei Zhaohe, Tan Shengjun was like night and day—with Tan being the “night.” Thus, despite their similar ages, Tan Shengjun was unqualified to host Pei Zhaohe. To show proper respect, Tan’s father had to step in personally.
Pei Zhaohe’s appearance stunned the guests, not because of himself, but because of the young man by his side—Yi Lingfan.
The moment Yi Lingfan appeared, even the most composed attendees couldn’t help but whisper among themselves.
Pei Zhaohe’s immense wealth and status had made him a target for countless social climbers, with many families eager to marry their sons or daughters into his circle. Yet, Pei Zhaohe was famously known as a single and celibate man.
While other young elites indulged in lavish lifestyles, Pei Zhaohe remained aloof, with no romantic entanglements whatsoever. Some even speculated privately about his… inadequacies in that regard.
Many had tried—celebrities, socialites—using every trick in the book to get close to him, only to be politely rebuffed and later mercilessly retaliated against. Time and again, harsh lessons taught everyone that Pei Zhaohe despised such advances and preferred solitude.
But now, the supposedly destined-to-be-alone Pei Zhaohe had brought along an exceptionally handsome young man—one who seemed intimately close to him!
Those of Pei Zhaohe’s generation, who had always been overshadowed by him, had consoled themselves with thoughts like, “No matter how impressive Pei Zhaohe is, he’s still a lonely bachelor. Not like me—I have countless admirers.” Now, they could only watch in silent envy.
As they observed Yi Lingfan—graceful, elegant, and stunningly attractive—Pei Zhaohe’s peers inwardly seethed with jealousy: *Damn that Pei Zhaohe, the ultimate winner in life! Either he stays single or he finds someone this perfect! Unfair!*
Meanwhile, those who had been rejected by Pei Zhaohe glared at Yi Lingfan with laser-like intensity, scrutinizing him with disdain.
After all, they were all pampered heirs and heiresses. Pei Zhaohe’s excellence had naturally drawn their affections, only for them to be rejected. If Pei Zhaohe had remained single, they could have consoled themselves with the idea that he simply preferred solitude. But now, he was off the market!
No wonder they were green with envy, eager to tear Yi Lingfan down to prove they were far superior and that Pei Zhaohe’s choice was flawed.
Outside, Su Baiye, who was hosting guests with her fiancé, nearly lost her composure when she saw Yi Lingfan enter, showered with Pei Zhaohe’s affection.
*Yi Lingfan, Yi Lingfan, Yi Lingfan—that damned Yi Lingfan again!*
Originally, Su Baiye had set her sights on Pei Zhaohe, only to be coldly rejected. She had then settled for Tan Shengjun as a second choice. Fortunately, her attempts to seduce Pei Zhaohe had been discreet, so Tan Shengjun remained unaware of her earlier ambitions, believing her admiration for Pei Zhaohe to be purely platonic.
Now, the man who had once rejected her—aloof and untouchable—was gazing at Yi Lingfan with warmth and adoration. How could Su Baiye not burn with jealousy? Especially since the object of Pei Zhaohe’s affection was Yi Lingfan, the very person she despised and had always fallen short of.
If not for the crowd, Su Baiye would have smashed something to vent her frustration.
*Why does Yi Lingfan have all the luck?! He’s the young master of the Su family, a brilliant researcher, and now he’s won the heart of someone as exceptional as Pei Zhaohe! Meanwhile, I’m just a nobody with an unknown father! It’s not fair! Whatever you have, Yi Lingfan, I’ll take it from you—I will surpass you!*
Under Pei Zhaohe’s protective escort and Tan’s father’s introductions, Yi Lingfan suddenly sensed a particularly malicious gaze amid the sea of gossipy stares and jealous glares.
He immediately thought of one person—Su Baiye. Casually glancing over, he spotted Tan Shengjun, the epitome of grace, and the sweet, demure Su Baiye.
Though he saw no overt hostility when he looked, Yi Lingfan knew that earlier venomous stare had been hers.
Pretending not to notice, Yi Lingfan remained unfazed by Su Baiye’s hatred. Today was his and Pei Zhaohe’s first public appearance as a couple, and he refused to let her ruin it.
For some reason, Yi Lingfan felt he had forgotten something, but he brushed it aside. His mind was too occupied with love to dwell on trivial matters.
Thus, the lovestruck Yi Lingfan failed to notice the mix of shock, surprise, and delight in the eyes of the Su family members.
To outsiders, the resemblance between Yi Lingfan and Kong Qintong might seem like a mere coincidence—just two attractive people sharing some features. But to the Su family, who had spent years longing for their lost youngest son/brother, even the slightest possibility was worth clinging to.
However, this was Tan Lao Ye’s birthday banquet, and with so many guests around, it wasn’t the time or place to address such matters. The Su family concealed their emotions expertly, their momentary lapse unnoticed amid the general astonishment over Pei Zhaohe’s romantic debut.
When Yi Lingfan, guided by Pei Zhaohe, finally reached Su Jun and Su Baixiao, it hit him—*the Su family was here today!*
Given their status and Su Baiye’s connection to Tan Shengjun, their presence was inevitable. Despite the longstanding ideological differences between the Su and Tan families, formal courtesies had to be observed, especially with Su Baiye in the picture.
The exchange of pleasantries was brief and polite, but Yi Lingfan couldn’t help but admire the Su family’s composure. *No wonder they’ve achieved such heights—they’re truly formidable.*
Suddenly, an idea struck him—a way to deal with Su Baiye and her birth mother, Wei Zhen. *Using others to do the dirty work… a classic but effective move.*
No one paid much attention to Su Jun and Su Baixiao’s brief interaction with Yi Lingfan—except Su Baiye, who nearly lost her mask of calm.
Even though Su Jun and the others showed no outward reaction, Su Baiye’s instincts screamed danger.
She pressed a hand to her chest, feigning nonchalance, but an overwhelming sense of foreboding gripped her. *Something terrible is about to happen…*
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