At an auction.
Although the items being auctioned onstage were exceptionally rare, they still failed to hold everyone's attention.
Several industry heavyweights gathered together, deliberately moving to the back row to whisper conspiratorially.
"Did you get an invitation?"
"Of course! Absolutely terrifying!"
"Those brats from the Luo Family are hard enough to deal with normally, and now they're supposed to wait on us? Isn't that just asking them to hold a grudge?"
"Last time, I accidentally snatched a project from Old Luo Second, Luo Ming, and he held it against me for an entire year. He actually stole ten projects back from me, costing me over a hundred million!"
"Hey, everyone in the Capital Circle knows they avenge even the slightest offense!"
"It's bad enough that Old Luo's gone mad. Why drag us into it?"
"So are we going or not?"
"Of course we're going."
"The old one's even harder to cross!"
"..."
And so, throughout the morning.
Prominent figures in the financial elite began reluctantly receiving their invitations.
In fact, banquets like these were held frequently. Even high society had social obligations to navigate.
Old grudges, unfinished business deals, connections they hoped to cultivate, prospective marriage partners-all these matters and more could be dealt with on such occasions.
Beneath the glamorous exteriors lay all manner of agendas.
As the CEO's special assistant, Chen Bei had organized and arranged countless such events over his three years in the position.
He had long since become thoroughly familiar with banquet procedures, handling even the details with exceptional precision.
For instance,
whose birthday it was that day, requiring birthday wishes,
who didn't get along and needed to be deliberately kept apart,
who was a high-ranking official with the authority to approve projects and needed a warm reception,
and so on...
He had always been composed, never flustered.
But today's circumstances really were unusual.
Holding a proposal in his left hand and a megaphone in his right, Chen Bei looked serious and professional.
"Mr. Chen, you're in charge of the drinks area. Refill guests' wineglasses promptly when they run low, but remember, don't let them drink too much. Middle-aged and older alphas in particular tend to harass omegas."
"Mr. Ming, you're in charge of the dessert area. Keep an eye on the kitchen service hatch and the tables, and maintain a constant number of desserts. Also, stay alert at all times to prevent young omegas from getting into fights and throwing cake at each other."
"Mr. Yu, you're in charge of cleaning. If you see anyone flinging, spilling, or throwing wine, rush over and wipe it up. If someone falls in our banquet hall, we'll bear part of the responsibility."
"Mr. Hai, you're in charge of security. For alphas with personal grudges, alphas who force themselves on others, and alphas determined to drag people into dark little rooms, make sure you educate them on the law."
"..."
Before he had even finished assigning all the tasks, the livestream viewers burst out laughing.
[Hahahaha, fuck, is this a top-tier luxury banquet? Why does it sound like things could go wrong anytime, anywhere?]
[Did you notice? The young masters look completely bewildered and shocked. They have no idea what they're supposed to do!]
[Honestly, Assistant Chen is absolutely taking preventive measures. Banquets are a major battleground in domineering CEO novels, after all!]
[I feel like Assistant Chen is seriously impressive. He's definitely a veteran. He knows exactly how certain As and Os behave!]
"Assistant Chen, aren't you exaggerating a little?" Luo Chen narrowed his eyes. "It's just a banquet. Do we need all these unnecessary preparations?"
Everything I've seen has been peaceful and harmonious.
After saying all that, aren't you just trying to attract...
Chen Bei glanced at him through his glasses, cutting his sleazy inner monologue short. "If you don't want to come in last, do as I say."
"For every problem or disturbance in your assigned area, you'll lose ten points."
"You're dismissed. Start preparing."
He turned to leave, only for Qin Yufan to call him back. "What do the guest stars do?"
Chen Bei smiled. "Attend the banquet. Isn't that enough?"
"We don't have any tasks?" Qin Yufan asked, puzzled.
He had thought Assistant Chen would seize the opportunity to make things difficult for him, assigning him dirty, exhausting work to vent his anger.
Instead, he merely gave a faint smile. "Just attending will keep you busy enough."
Qin Yufan: "..." Busy doing what?
Fighting?
Impossible.
I'm far too well-mannered for that!
While preparations for the banquet were underway, Qin Yufan moved from the storeroom back into a guest room.
First, he showered and put on some light makeup, then stood before the full-length mirror to try on clothes.
For important occasions like these, omegas pulled out all the stops to outshine one another.
After all, who didn't want to find the most compatible alpha?
The biological rules of the ABO world left them no other choice.
Qin Yufan was no exception.
Even though he already had a target, he didn't mind drawing more attention and attracting more admirers...
"Good thing I brought couture." Qin Yufan spoke to himself in the mirror. Suddenly, something occurred to him, and a glint of cunning flashed in his eyes.
He picked up the clothes, left his guest room, and knocked on another door.
"Meng Han, are you there?"
"Yes." A soft, sweet voice came from inside.
Then the door opened, revealing Meng Han's pretty, slightly flushed face. "Did you need something?"
"Do you have something suitable for tonight's banquet? I brought a few outfits. Would you like to try them?" With his back to the camera, Qin Yufan spoke affectionately, but a trace of jealous resentment showed in his eyes.
[See? Our Yufan really is a good person. He's even lending out something as personal as clothes.]
[Exactly! Couture is expensive. One outfit costs hundreds of thousands. Yufan is so generous!]
[Could he be fake on the outside but kindhearted underneath? Not sure. Let's keep watching.]
Meng Han seemed a little overwhelmed by the favor. "Really? I can..."
Before he could finish, a tall, slender figure appeared beside them, speaking in a languid voice. "If you don't have any clothes, you can ask Assistant Chen to arrange something."
"You two aren't even the same size."
Qin Yufan turned and saw Luo Ming. His eyes immediately curved into a smile. "Luo Ming, Meng Han and I have similar builds. Besides, I've only worn these a few times."
"Aren't they used even if you've only worn them once?" Luo Ming smiled lazily and shifted aside, revealing the person behind him.
Luo Chen walked out with a dark expression. Facing Meng Han, he curled his lips mockingly. "Just how poor are you that you have to wear someone else's clothes? Can't you buy your own?"
He took out a gold card and offered it with an air of aristocratic dignity. "There's a million in here. Go buy an outfit with the driver. Don't come back until you've spent it all!"
"Luo Chen, you-" Qin Yufan couldn't conceal the shock and jealousy on his face.
A million, just like that?
Was he about to keep an omega?
What gave him the right?!
"Why aren't you taking it?" Ignoring his "first love" beside him, Luo Chen frowned. "How long do you want me to hold this up?!"
"If you don't take it, believe it or not, I'll have everyone in the villa..."
Before he could finish, a figure suddenly darted in and snatched the gold card away with extraordinary speed.
"Who dares?!"
Luo Chen turned to find Assistant Chen's icy, unapproachable face.
"Confiscated," Chen Bei said matter-of-factly. "Private exchanges are prohibited on the variety show."
[Fuck! I'm dying! What the hell does he mean, private exchanges?!]
Before you continue