After ninety-nine online romances, I finally met my ex in person when school started.

the next day.

A pure black Porsche Panamera sped along the highway and smoothly entered Baoding City.

To avoid drawing attention, Zhu Xun Chuan parked his car in an old, open-air parking lot two blocks away from the Hyatt Hotel.

Push open the glass revolving door in the lobby and walk into the banquet hall.

A murky smell, a mixture of cheap Chinese cigarettes, strong alcohol, and perfume, hit me.

The hall was filled with more than thirty tables, bustling with noise and filled with the vanity and competitive spirit of nouveau riche from a small county.

Zhu Xun Chuan glanced at the bright red welcome sign, walked straight to the table of the groom's relatives, pulled out an empty chair, and sat down.

My cousin Liu Ruoyun was going from table to table toasting with a wine glass in hand, followed by a young best man with slicked-back hair and a Prada handbag.

Upon seeing Zhu Xunchuan, Liu Ruoyun turned and walked over.

My cousin Liu Ruoyun is also quite good-looking, and he does have a slight resemblance to Zhu Xunchuan in terms of their features.

They all inherited the physical characteristics of Zhu Xun Chuan's mother and her siblings.

"Oh, isn't this the top student from Peking University from our Zhu family?" Liu Ruoyun said, holding her wine glass, her tone revealing an undisguised sarcasm.

He looked Zhu Xun Chuan up and down, his dark clothes without any obvious logos flashing with disdain.

"Why did you come wearing clothes without any tags? Did you get them for 9.9 yuan with free shipping on Pinduoduo?" Liu Ruoyun flicked his cigarette ash. "I'm a big construction company now, so if you're short on money, just tell me, and I'll take you to Heilan Home to pick out a couple of decent outfits later."

Zhu Xun Chuan leaned back in his chair, not even lifting his eyelids, pretending not to hear. He didn't care about his cousin and other relatives at all now; an elephant wouldn't care about ants chirping at its feet.

Feeling humiliated, Liu Ruoyun raised her voice two octaves instantly, deliberately making sure everyone at the surrounding tables could hear.

"Xiao Chuan, I'm not trying to be mean, but my engagement is such a big deal, and your parents are putting on airs? They didn't even come in person, just sent a junior like you to go through the motions? Are they treating you like a beggar?"

Zhu Xun Chuan frowned slightly.

He raised his head, his deep gaze piercing Liu Ruoyun, his voice not loud, but extremely penetrating: "Who do you think you are?"

Liu Ruoyun was stunned.

"You're just a junior, do you think you're worthy of my parents making a special trip to eat your leftovers?" Zhu Xun Chuan's tone was calm, but every word was piercing.

The entire table fell into a deathly silence.

My aunt froze in her eating of sunflower seeds, and her face fell.

The surrounding relatives started pointing fingers and gossiping.

"How can this child talk like that?"

"Did you become stupid from studying too much? You got into university and now you're so arrogant, you have absolutely no emotional intelligence!"

"Exactly! Ruoyun has a huge project in her hands now, what's with this poor student acting all high and mighty?"

Zhu Xun Chuan was too lazy to waste his breath arguing with these low-class snobs. You can't talk about ice with a summer insect; he had a billion yuan in his account right now, arguing with them would be a complete waste of his breath.

He came today on his mother's orders, but he never expected to end up like someone in a mindless, feel-good drama, getting his comeuppance in the process.

He picked up the teapot on the table and poured himself a cup of hot tea.

I picked up the teacup and took a small sip.

The cuffs of the gray cashmere sweater slid up slightly.

Bright crystal chandeliers cascaded down from the ceiling of the hall.

The Patek Philippe Nautilus on Zhu Xun Chuan's wrist, a gift from Jiang Yao and worth twelve million, reflected a deep, cold mechanical light.

The light didn't blind Liu Ruoyun.

But it pierced precisely into the eye of the slick-back-haired best man behind Liu Ruoyun.

The best man was chewing gum and watching the commotion when his gaze inadvertently fell on the watch, and he abruptly stopped chewing.

He's an expert in the field and recognized it at a glance as a truly top-tier, hard currency. A one-of-a-kind item that money can't buy!

He then scanned upwards, his gaze fixed on the seemingly ordinary Brunello Cucinelli haute couture piece worn by Zhu Xun Chuan, whose stitching, cut, and fabric exuded top-tier craftsmanship and luxury.

The best man was a rich second-generation heir whose family owned a mine in Baoding City. He had a passion for researching top luxury goods.

Cold sweat instantly soaked through the back of his shirt.

To be able to wear over ten million on one's wrist and eight hundred thousand on one's body, and still sit here drinking tea with these bumpkin relatives without batting an eye—what kind of Beijing socialite is this?!

He never expected Liu Ruoyun to have such powerful relatives, but it seems the two families don't get along very well! Sorry, brother, let's end our brotherhood now!

"Liu Ruoyun, shut up!" the best man suddenly hissed, pulling Liu Ruoyun away as she was about to explode.

Under the astonished gazes of Liu Ruoyun and her relatives.

The best man quickly walked to Zhu Xun Chuan's side. He picked up the wine glass with both hands, bent over at a ninety-degree angle, and pressed the rim of the glass lower than the base of Zhu Xun Chuan's teacup.

"Young Master Zhu... I'm the second son of the Li family from Baoding Mining." The best man's voice trembled, his posture extremely humble. "I was blind to your greatness just now, I didn't recognize you. I'll drink this one, please help yourself, please do as you please!"

After saying that, the best man tilted his head back and gulped down a full glass of 3.3-ounce baijiu (Chinese liquor).

The strong liquor choked him, turning his face red, but he didn't even dare to wipe his mouth, just stood there hunched over.

This unexpected scene left all the relatives at the table dumbfounded.

"Young Master Li, what are you doing? He's just a poor student..." Liu Ruoyun was completely dumbfounded and reached out to pull the best man.

"Get out of here!" The best man turned around and glared fiercely at Liu Ruoyun, his eyes saying, "If you want to die, don't drag me down with you."

Zhu Xun Chuan put down his teacup and looked up at the trembling best man.

Zhu Xun Chuan tapped the rim of the teacup twice with his index finger.

A very faint glance swept over.

The subtext is obvious: Shut your mouth and don't cause me any trouble.

The best man, as if granted a pardon, nodded frantically and obediently stepped aside, not daring to even breathe loudly.

Zhu Xun Chuan remained calm. He was simply keeping a low profile, not wanting to be stared at and flattered like a monkey by these snobbish relatives. He was only there to make a formality for his mother, and would leave after the meal.

His current status and position mean he's long past the stage where he needs to use money to gain a sense of presence in front of his relatives.

However, Liu Ruoyun couldn't swallow this insult.

The wealthy second-generation best man he had spent a fortune hiring to make a good impression was bowing and scraping to this poor relative. This made him feel utterly humiliated, and he had to get his revenge immediately.

At this moment, he was already somewhat out of his mind, completely forgetting that Young Master Li was bowing and scraping.

"Fine, college students are so high and mighty. I won't stoop to your level." Liu Ruoyun straightened his suit and tie, raised his voice deliberately so everyone in the hall could hear, "Today I'll show you all. My wife is the heiress of Kyoto Big Fruit Industry Company! Her family's assets are worth tens of millions! The fact that she's interested in me is a miracle!"

The eldest aunt immediately beamed and loudly echoed, "Yes, yes, my daughter-in-law is not only wealthy, but also incredibly conservative and pure. She comes from a strict family; I heard she's never even held a boy's hand!"

"They'll be coming out to toast soon, so be on your best and don't embarrass our family!" Liu Ruoyun glanced at Zhu Xunchuan triumphantly.

Zhu Xun Chuan leaned back in his chair, a cold smile creeping onto his lips.

We've never even held hands?

These days, are honest people taking on responsibilities so confidently?

The lobby's sound system suddenly switched to the stirring "Wedding March."

"The bride is out!"

The lobby lights dimmed instantly, and spotlights shone on the lounge door.

Liu Ruoyun greeted him with a beaming smile. He reached out and took the hand of a slender wrist wearing a white lace glove, leading her out from the end of the red carpet.

The bride wore a bright red, fitted toast dress.

She was petite with full curves and her cheeks still had a bit of baby fat.

She linked arms with Liu Ruoyun, wearing a sweet and obedient smile, and followed Liu Ruoyun to the groom's main table amidst the blessings of relatives and friends.

Go halfway.

The bride seemed to sense a very oppressive gaze and unconsciously raised her head.

His gaze swept past the noisy crowd and collided violently with Zhu Xunchuan, who was sitting at a corner table with a teacup in his hand.

P.S.: For those of you still following the story, the novel's rating is out! Please give A Yin a five-star review, thank you everyone. Orz