The banquet that night lasted from dusk until the early hours of the morning. As the candle flames flickered, the entire hall was filled with Peng Shidao and the others exchanging pleasantries, flattering one another, and making insincere courtesies.
Su Fan, however, sat quietly in a corner from beginning to end, barely saying a word.
He had always despised such occasions of clinking cups and trading insincere smiles. An invisible chill seemed to surround him, shutting out all the noise around him.
If not for the need to preserve everyone's dignity and maintain a superficial peace, he would never have set foot in this bothersome social gathering, much less endured it until now.
Peng Shidao and the others were all old foxes who had lived for tens of thousands of years. The art of reading people's expressions was already etched into their bones. How could they fail to notice the impatience and alienation between Su Fan's brows?
They did not dare make too much noise. They could only carefully judge the proper measure, deliberately taking his mood into consideration.
Everyone chimed in with one remark after another, forcibly keeping the occasion alive. The banquet did not fall into complete silence, but beneath the bustle there was always a trace of cautious restraint.
Just as the lingering warmth of the banquet gradually faded and everyone thought this awkward gathering was finally about to end, Su Fan moved.
He slowly raised his hand, picked up the Jade Cup filled with Spirit Wine, and swept his gaze across Peng Shidao and the others.
"Thank you both for coming today. This cup of wine is my toast to you two..."
His voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable pressure that instantly subdued the clamor in the hall.
Su Fan drained the Spirit