Qin Feng stood before the entrance to Lan Shan Ju, tilting his head slightly as he looked up at the distinctly neoclassical building.
The white columns, exquisitely carved eaves, and neatly tiered steps all gave it the air of a grand mansion belonging to the wealthy elite.
I wonder how long I'd have to work for the Special Cases Department before I could afford a villa like this. Qin Feng muttered inwardly as he stepped forward.
Luxury cars stood in neat rows before the entrance, like an auto show.
Maseratis, Lamborghinis, Mercedes G-Wagons... every one of them was worth a fortune.
Qin Feng glanced over them and curled his lip. What a game for rich people.
The moment he reached the entrance, two bodyguards in black suits blocked his way.
"Please show your invitation." The bodyguard on the left spoke expressionlessly.
"Invitation? I don't have one of those." Qin Feng spread his hands.
"You don't?"
The two bodyguards exchanged frowns. One of them explained, "This is a cocktail party hosted by Lin Haoran, Young Master Lin. Only invited guests with invitations may attend."
The bodyguard on the right gestured for him to leave.
Just as they were about to send Qin Feng away, the other bodyguard seemed to recall something upon seeing him. "Wait, you're Mr. Qin Feng, aren't you?"
Qin Feng nodded.
"Young Master Lin is waiting for you inside."
"Anna, take Mr. Qin inside."
As he spoke, a girl dressed in a black-and-white maid outfit walked over and politely gestured for him to follow.
Qin Feng found it a little strange. He had originally thought this might be some kind of Feast at Hong Gate, but things did not seem to be heading that way.
Led by the maid Anna into Lan Shan Ju, he found dozens of young men and women gathered in the spacious living room, holding wineglasses and chatting in small groups.
The men wore suits and leather shoes, while the women floated about in elegant dresses. Every face bore a polished, appropriate smile.
A crystal chandelier cast down warm light. The floor was paved with imported Italian marble, and several expensive-looking oil paintings hung on the walls.
The entire atmosphere exuded the refinement and luxury of high society.
Qin Feng's arrival did not cause much of a stir, but several nearby gazes still turned toward him in unspoken unison, carrying scrutiny, curiosity, and undisguised contempt.
Among these well-dressed second-generation rich kids, Qin Feng's ordinary white shirt and black casual pants stood out sharply.
Though his tall frame and handsome features kept him from looking unattractive, in the eyes of those around him, he was dressed like a country bumpkin.
"Well, if it isn't Qin Feng, the top student from our History Department?" A mocking voice rang out.
Qin Feng looked toward the sound and saw a male student in a floral shirt walking toward him with a wineglass in hand. His hair was slicked back until it shone, and his sharp, monkey-like face wore a sneer. Several spectators followed behind him.
Li Zhe.
The student union official who had harassed Su Qinghui outside the school gates last time, only to be scared off by a single word from Qin Feng.
"Well, well." Li Zhe circled Qin Feng, as though examining some rare animal.
After being intimidated by Qin Feng's gaze last time, he had fled in embarrassment.
But the more he thought about it afterward, the more wrong it felt. How could I have been afraid of a student?
So he investigated Qin Feng's background and discovered that he was merely a poor student with excellent grades, with no prominent family behind him.
Although Qin Feng's background resembled the usual story of a young master from some great family going out to gain experience, Li Zhe had specifically asked several wealthy heirs he was on good terms with and found that none of them had heard of such a person. Only then had he finally put his mind at ease.
"You actually showed up here? Were you afraid of my revenge, so you became some family's lapdog and slipped in under their protection?" Li Zhe deliberately raised his voice, drawing the attention of many people.
A burst of soft laughter rose from the crowd, and several girls covered their mouths as they whispered to each other.
"It's too bizarre. I can't think of any other possibility."
Li Zhe continued fanning the flames. "Do you know whose party this is? It's Lin Haoran's party, from the Lin family."
"I advise you to leave now. Otherwise, once the party officially begins, no one will pay any attention to you."
Qin Feng looked at him, his gaze as calm as deep water. Then he suddenly chuckled and said lightly,
"Dog? Do you know that dogs bark, but they usually only wag their tails before those stronger than them, while barking madly at people they think are beneath them."
He swept Li Zhe a glance and asked, "Are you wagging your tail at me now, or are you... barking like a dog?"
The surrounding snickers came to an abrupt halt!
Everyone stared at Qin Feng in shock. No one had expected this guy who looked like a country bumpkin to have such a vicious tongue!
Li Zhe's face instantly turned liver-colored. Being called a dog in public made him furious with shame. "You poor bastard! You dare insult me? Do you know whose territory this is? This is the Lin family's party! What the hell are you supposed to be?"
"What I am is none of your business."
Qin Feng's tone remained calm, yet it carried an unquestionable pressure. "But you, after squeezing your way in here with everything you had, was it just so you could learn how to bark like a dog?"
"You! You're asking to die!" Li Zhe completely lost control and raised his hand to shove Qin Feng.
"Li Zhe? What are you doing!"
Speak of the devil, and he appeared.
Lin Haoran strode over from the crowd, his face clearly displeased.
The moment Li Zhe saw Lin Haoran, his arrogance vanished. "Young... Young Master Lin? I was just helping you get rid of someone who shouldn't be at a party like this."
"Someone who shouldn't be here?"
Lin Haoran let out a cold laugh.
"Qin Feng shouldn't be here, but you should? He is someone I personally invited."
Everyone looked at Qin Feng in disbelief. For Lin Haoran to use the word "invited" and even address him like a brother, just how terrifying must his identity be?
Li Zhe's legs went weak, and he nearly dropped to his knees. His face turned pale as paper. "Young Master Lin! I... I didn't know... I really didn't know Mr. Qin was your friend!
"Qin Feng, I was wrong. I have a foul mouth. Please forgive me!"
He had pulled countless strings just to get into this party. If he were thrown out, he would lose all face in this circle.
"Forgive you?" Lin Haoran sneered. "I remember that just to beg for an invitation, you blocked my front door for three days. You nearly knelt before me.
"What, did you come in just to cause trouble for me? Get out!"
Li Zhe left in disgrace, but not before shooting Qin Feng a resentful glare.
After driving Li Zhe away, Lin Haoran immediately put on a smile. "Brother Qin Feng, I'm truly sorry you had to witness that. I'll definitely deal with that blind fool properly later."
"It's fine. I'm used to it." Qin Feng smiled faintly. "But on the phone, you clearly..."
The meaning behind the phone call had clearly been for him to come act as a wingman, but the current situation was obviously not that.
"There are too many people here. Let's talk somewhere else."
Lin Haoran made a gesture of invitation.
The guests in the hall all began speculating about Qin Feng's identity.
Anyone Lin Haoran valued so highly and personally invited could not possibly be an ordinary person.
Lin Haoran led Qin Feng to a study on the second floor.
The room was filled with antiques and artworks. Thread-bound ancient books lined the bookshelves, while famous calligraphy and paintings hung on the walls. Every corner reflected the taste of a refined scholar.
"Please, sit."
Lin Haoran poured Qin Feng a cup of tea. "I know you may find it strange why I suddenly became so enthusiastic toward you."
Qin Feng picked up the teacup without speaking, waiting for Lin Haoran to continue.
"To tell you the truth, I've run into a very troublesome problem."
Lin Haoran sat behind the desk and took a sip of tea. "You know, this party is mainly meant to pursue Su Qinghui."
"You know she's a student in the Archaeology Department, so to prepare a gift for her, my family bought a batch of cultural relics from an antique dealer some time ago. Among them, there was one thing..."
He paused, seemingly choosing his words.
"One of the items is extremely eerie."
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