Chen Mu had not been seated long before he saw Rong Ming come in with his daughter. She looked twelve or thirteen, her face still innocent and childish. He could tell she did not particularly like this sort of occasion, though she maintained a polite expression.
He glanced at Tan Yuwen, who was surrounded by guests. That let Chen Mu breathe a little easier. In this woman's presence, he always felt an involuntary sense of danger. Fortunately, Tan Yuwen was the most dazzling figure of the evening; wherever she went, countless admirers flocked around her. Jiang Yu followed her every step, looking every bit the guardian of a beautiful flower.
Tan Yuwen seemed to sense Chen Mu's covert scrutiny from amid the crowd, and he hurriedly turned his gaze away.
"Chief Steward White, sitting here all alone-have I failed to entertain you properly?" Rong Ming's booming voice reached him. By the time Chen Mu looked up, Rong Ming had already approached with his daughter.
The other guests' gazes shot toward Chen Mu. These days, Chief Steward White was no nameless stray cat or dog. As one of East Rui City's recent movers and shakers, he had already earned the attention of these powerful figures. Still, Rong Ming's special regard for him once again added to his weight in their minds.
"You're too kind, Lord Rong." Chen Mu rose with a smile.
"This is my precious daughter." Rong Ming introduced his daughter first, then smiled gently at her. "Sweetheart, this is the Chief Steward White Daddy told you about."
"So you're Chief Steward White!" The girl studied Chen Mu curiously. "But why are you wearing a mask?"
Rong Ming frowned and was about to scold his daughter for being rude.
"Because I'm ugly." Somehow, hearing the girl's innocent question immediately lifted