Chen Yang looked up and saw Yu Haohan standing beside him with a fake smile, his eyes constantly scanning Chen Yang. Fan Zijian, along with Qu Yi, was exchanging pleasantries with someone not far away, his gaze occasionally drifting to Chen Yang.
Chen Yang smiled faintly and said,
"Young Master Yu, I have some things to think about. I want to be alone for a while."
Think about what?! What's with the pretense?! Yu Haohan cursed inwardly, but his smile remained unchanged as he said,
"Xiao Fang, you're Xin Yao's friend, so you're my friend too. Let's go chat! I'll introduce you to some friends; they're all influential figures who will only benefit you. What? You won't even give me this much face?"
Yu Haohan's words were arrogant, carrying a hint of threat. His spoiled, aristocratic manner was on full display. They were complete strangers; why should Chen Yang give him face? After speaking, Yu Haohan's smile faded slightly, and he stared intently into Chen Yang's eyes.
Chen Yang smiled calmly as well, saying,
"Sorry, Young Master Yu, I just want to be alone for a while…"
Chen Yang knew Yu Haohan wasn't giving up and wanted to probe his situation, but he was preoccupied with Xu Qingya's matter and had no time for pretense. Therefore, his tone became more direct. Yu Haohan immediately felt embarrassed, and his face darkened.
"Young Master Yu! Is this your friend? He looks unfamiliar!" A young man approached, smiling as he asked.
Chen Yang looked up and saw a young man with a sallow complexion, a short, parted hairstyle, and a strong smell of men's cologne standing beside them, holding a wine glass and wearing a fawning smile.
"This trip back to Beijing has really brought back quite a few old acquaintances from my past life!" Chen Yang thought to himself.
Chen Yang recognized the man with the short, parted hairstyle; his name was Gu Xuejun. His father, Gu Hua, was a director in the Propaganda Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, a department-level cadre. Although he didn't have a powerful family background, he was adept at using his resources, running a company called Jinma Entertainment. Gu Hua was in charge of media and entertainment in the Propaganda Department, so Gu Xuejun's company was thriving and quite well-known in Beijing.
Of course, the more important reason why Gu Xuejun could navigate the circles of wealthy and powerful families so easily was that he also played a less-than-honorable role—a pimp. The young models, minor stars, and even prostitutes at Jinma Entertainment Company were his stepping stones. There was a saying in the circle: "If you're looking for girls, just go find Little Gu!"
"Xuejun's here too!" Yu Haohan greeted him, then stared at Chen Yang's face, saying with a forced smile, "Mr. Fang is quite a figure! I, Yu Haohan, am not worthy to be his friend."
Gu Xuejun was somewhat taken aback. He hadn't realized Yu Haohan was being sarcastic. He thought that although the Yu family couldn't compare to the Fang or Fan families in terms of power, they were still a prominent political family. If even Yu Haohan wasn't worthy to be his friend, then how illustrious must this overly "low-key" Mr. Fang's background be? Could he be from the Fang family? He'd never heard of such a person in the Fang family! Chen Yang didn't respond, but simply nodded slightly to Gu Xuejun and said,
"Hello, Mr. Gu. You two chat, I have some things to attend to, so please excuse me!"
With that, he turned and left, leaving behind the grim-faced Yu Haohan and the bewildered Gu Xuejun. Gu Xuejun glanced at Yu Haohan and asked,
"Young Master Yu, who exactly is this Mr. Fang?"
"How the hell should I know?" Yu Haohan, feeling rebuffed, replied irritably. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he grabbed Gu Xuejun's shoulder, whispering, "Xuejun, this kid was brought in by Liu Xinyao. I heard he's her classmate. Besides that Fang family guy, there aren't any big shots with the surname Fang in Southeast Province. I think he's probably just putting on a show. How about we make him look foolish later? Brother Fan is quite interested in this too!"
Gu Xuejun's eyes lit up, and he quickly replied,
"No problem, I've got it covered!"
Gu Xuejun had supplied Fan Zijian's Golden Goblet Club with a lot of good talent; even the clingy folk artist next to Fan Zijian was an artist under Gu Xuejun's management. However, Fan Zijian was arrogant and never really thought much of Gu Xuejun. Gu Xuejun had been desperately trying to infiltrate the inner circle of these wealthy and powerful families! So when Yu Haohan mentioned that Fan Zijian was also paying attention, Gu Xuejun immediately agreed without hesitation.
Inside Xu Qingya's boudoir.
Liu Xinyao pushed open the door and saw Xu Qingya sitting blankly in front of her dressing table, her eyes red and swollen, her face streaked with tears, clearly having just cried. Liu Xinyao felt a pang of sadness. Xu Qingya had gone to great lengths to defy her family's arrangements, even going so far as to try and transfer to the southeastern province. A young woman, alone and thousands of miles from home, had still succumbed to the immense pressure.
Seeing Liu Xinyao enter, Xu Qingya quickly wiped away her tears, sniffed, and asked,
"Xinyao, didn't I tell you to stay with Chen Yang? What are you doing here?"
"Cousin, why don't you talk to Uncle again?" Liu Xinyao didn't answer Xu Qingya's question, but instead said, "Even if it's a marriage alliance, they can't marry you off to that bastard, lecherous Fan Zihong! Isn't that pushing you into a fire pit? For the sake of so-called family interests, should your personal happiness be sacrificed?"
Xu Qingya sighed deeply and said,
"Xinyao, there's no point in saying this now..."
"Hmph! That Fan Zihong is a complete scumbag! I don't think any man is any good!" Liu Xinyao sneered. For some reason, Chen Yang's image inexplicably flashed through her mind, recalling the passionate encounter in the Sanya Hotel room that day, and her face flushed. Liu Xinyao wanted to remind Xu Qingya, but it was clearly inappropriate to say anything now, so she opened her mouth but didn't speak. Xu Qingya said softly,
"Xinyao, I want to be alone... Go keep Chen Yang company! He's a guest I invited, and he doesn't have much in common with those rich kids. We can't neglect him!"
Liu Xinyao looked helplessly at Xu Qingya's thin face and said,
"Cousin, don't worry. He's not married yet, there's always hope!"
Xu Qingya nodded without speaking. Liu Xinyao shook her head slightly, closed the door, and went out. The noise outside was blocked by the door, and the room returned to silence. Xu Qingya gritted her teeth and muttered to herself,
"It seems I only have one option: going abroad..."
"Xinyao!"
As soon as Liu Xinyao stepped out, someone grabbed her arm. She turned around, a rare smile appearing on her face, and said,
"Second Brother!"
The man was dressed in a Givenchy casual outfit, a pair of aviator sunglasses casually draped over the collar of his white t-shirt, and sported a neat, short haircut, looking very energetic.
This man was none other than Liu Zhengyi, the only son of Liu Xinyao's uncle, Liu ****. Liu **** was the division commander of an aviation division in the Southeast Military Region, and it was said that he would soon be promoted to deputy corps rank and become the commander of the Rongcheng Air Force Command Post. Liu Zhengyi, following in his father's footsteps, was currently a fighter pilot and had recently become a flight squadron leader. Liu Zhengyi, pulling Liu Xinyao along, asked:
"Xinyao, I heard you just went out to pick up a young man surnamed Fang. Is he the amazing guy who saved your life last time and even made an emergency landing in his 757?"
Liu Xinyao nodded slightly and said:
"I was just about to go find him! Second brother, let's go together! I'll introduce him to you!"
Liu Xinyao knew Liu Zhengyi's temperament all too well. Influenced by his mother since childhood, he had a fanatical love for flying. So, as soon as Liu Zhengyi heard that a young man surnamed Fang had come in with Liu Xinyao, he rushed over to find her.
His first flight involved a near-death experience; he had never flown before, yet he almost single-handedly piloted the world's most automated and complex Boeing 757 superjumbo jet to a successful emergency landing. Liu Zhengyi definitely wanted to meet such a legendary figure!
Liu Xinyao and Liu Zhengyi went to the front yard. Liu Xinyao glanced around and spotted Chen Yang sitting alone in a corner, a glass of red wine in hand. Although he was watching the lively atmosphere, his eyes were vacant, clearly his mind elsewhere.
Liu Xinyao felt a pang of guilt. Xu Qingya had specifically asked her to stay with Chen Yang, but she had left him behind. Liu Xinyao knew Chen Yang came from a poor family and would likely feel uncomfortable in such a setting, but she had only thought of accompanying her cousin and hadn't considered the implications.
Liu Xinyao led Liu Zhengyi directly to Chen Yang. Before Liu Xinyao could speak, Liu Zhengyi stepped forward, extending his hand and saying warmly,
"You must be Chen Yang! Let me introduce you. My name is Liu Zhengyi, a squadron leader in a certain aviation division of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force!"
Chen Yang, deep in thought about what to do, was taken aback by Liu Zhengyi's sudden outburst. Liu Xinyao pouted helplessly and stepped forward, saying,
"Chen Yang, this is my cousin..."
Chen Yang naturally recognized Liu Zhengyi. In their past life, they were comrades-in-arms from the same division, both from prominent families, and both top pilots in their respective squadrons. They shared many common interests and were very good friends.
Chen Yang smiled knowingly, reached out and firmly grasped Liu Zhengyi's hand, saying,
"Squadron Leader Liu, I've long admired your name!"
The two shook hands firmly, and Liu Zhengyi smiled, saying,
"Chen Yang, it should be me who has long admired your name! Your glorious deeds make my blood boil. I've wanted to meet you for a long time, but unfortunately, we've never had the chance!"
"I'm not just being polite!" Chen Yang said with a smile, "The first ace pilot in the entire division to solo after being converted to the J-10, the youngest first-class pilot in the entire regiment, the youngest squadron leader. Am I right?"
Liu Zhengyi was surprised and paused for a moment, then turned to look at Liu Xinyao. Liu Xinyao shrugged and spread her hands, saying,
"I haven't mentioned you to him..."
"Don't guess! It's not surprising I know about you! A talented young man like Captain Liu, your deeds will inevitably leak out through various channels, and spread by word of mouth among all the beautiful women who admire you, eventually becoming widely known!" Chen Yang laughed heartily, half-jokingly.
Liu Zhengyi, always unconcerned with formalities, didn't press the matter further and laughed loudly:
"That makes sense! Absolutely perfect! I love that!"
Liu Xinyao rolled her eyes, watching the two like-minded men shamelessly flattering each other.