The Welcoming Banquet
1360 Words
Su Mingshuo ignored Su Qingying’s unusual reaction and continued speaking.
"Shen Chen has already arrived in Jiang City. In two days, he will visit our Su family."
Upon hearing this, the entire hall fell silent.
The weight of those words pressed down on them, leaving them breathless.
This news was too sudden—completely unexpected.
And yet, a single thought surfaced in everyone’s minds—
A thought that made their bodies shiver involuntarily.
If they could forge a connection with the Shen Family,
Or even form an alliance with them…
Then the Su Family would ascend to unimaginable heights!
Even Su Xiao, the carefree playboy who usually had no interest in politics, had his eyes widen in disbelief, his heart pounding in exhilaration.
"Cancel tomorrow's scheduled government meeting," Su Mingshuo commanded.
"Send invitations to the Li family, Wang family, and other major households.
"We will host a welcoming banquet for Shen Chen."
His tone was calm, but his authority was absolute.
Su Changsha, who sat nearby, nodded repeatedly, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.
That government meeting had been planned for two months.
Major reports concerning Jiang City’s infrastructure, economy, and military developments were all set to be discussed.
Numerous officials had spent sleepless nights preparing their presentations, eager for a chance to make an impression.
And yet—
All it took was one sentence from Su Mingshuo, and the entire event was swept aside without hesitation.
But none of them questioned the decision.
Because at their level of power, they knew exactly what mattered most.
And anything related to the Shen Family—
Took absolute priority.
Su Mengning’s Realization
When Su Qingying blurted out Shen Chen’s name, Su Mengning casually glanced at her.
Her sister’s obsession with Shen Chen had already become painfully obvious.
How ridiculous.
In her past life, she had been too blind to notice it.
But this time, sister—
I won’t make the same mistake.
After the meeting ended, Su Qingying quickly pulled Su Mengning aside.
"Mengning! It’s Shen Chen!"
"He’s really here! He’s come to Jiang City!"
Su Qingying’s voice trembled with excitement, unable to suppress her enthusiasm.
Su Mengning quickly recalled her past self, ensuring her response remained in character.
She blinked innocently and tilted her head.
"Shen Chen? That name sounds familiar… Who is he?"
Su Qingying froze for a second, then laughed and tapped Su Mengning’s forehead lightly.
"You! You really need to pay more attention to the outside world."
"Shen Chen is the eldest young master of the Shen Family—the most distinguished young man in the entire empire!"
"If you could get close to him, our entire Su Family would prosper alongside you!"
Although Su Qingying encouraged Su Mengning to pursue Shen Chen,
She wasn’t the slightest bit worried.
Because she knew her younger sister well—
A pure-hearted fool, too timid to face the unknown.
A stranger, even one as prestigious as Shen Chen, wouldn’t appeal to her at all.
So, she continued teasing her—
"You know, Shen Chen is unbelievably handsome."
"The so-called ‘pretty boys’ of the entertainment industry? They’re nothing compared to him—absolutely worthless."
"Plus, he’s a genius at Imperial University."
"And at his age, he already controls several multi-billion-dollar corporations!"
"There’s simply no man in the empire more perfect than him!"
A playful smirk curled onto Su Qingying’s lips.
"I think you and Shen Chen would make quite the pair, Mengning."
"What do you say? Want to try and catch his attention?"
As she spoke, she couldn't help but eye her sister’s ethereal beauty.
A face so pure, so breathtaking, it could steal the souls of men.
She thought of the countless noble sons of Jiang City who worshipped Su Mengning, desperate for her favor.
And a flicker of jealousy sparked in her eyes.
But then, she reminded herself—
Her sister was an i***t.
There was no way she’d be bold enough to act.
It reassured her.
But then—
Su Qingying's mind suddenly went blank.
Because she heard Su Mengning tilt her head slightly,
As if genuinely considering it, and say—
"Hmm… sounds pretty good."
…?!
The Rising Sun in Jiang City
Meanwhile—
Shen Chen woke up, opening his eyes.
But the bed beside him was empty.
As he sat up, his gaze shifted slightly.
Across the room, a young girl stood elegantly in a regal purple-gold dress.
She had already changed into a fresh outfit, waiting quietly for him.
"Young Master, do you have any orders?"
Shen Chen lifted a hand to block the sunlight streaming through the window.
By now—
The sun had risen high in the east.
And outside—
Jiang City was already wide awake.
The morning rush hour was in full swing.
Office workers squeezed into crowded subway trains, seizing the chance to close their eyes for a brief nap.
Executives and corporate elites sat comfortably in their private cars, chatting as they drove to work.
The city was vibrant, bursting with energy and life.
Even though the empire was filled with corruption beneath its polished surface,
Even though the privileged indulged in unimaginable excess,
The flourishing economy masked the deeper inequalities.
At least for now—
The illusion of stability remained intact.
But Shen Chen’s mind drifted elsewhere.
The last time he had come to Jiang City…
Was twelve years ago.
That year, a train derailment had occurred on the Jiang City-Imperial Capital line,
Killing nearly a hundred people.
Coincidentally, Shen Chen had just landed at a nearby airport, traveling with several elders of the Shen Family.
He had witnessed the c*****e firsthand.
Eight-year-old Shen Chen had been… strangely affected by the sight.
He had grabbed a handful of candy and snacks from the plane,
And personally walked over to distribute them to the wounded.
It had been a spontaneous, unplanned act.
Yet—
The Shen Family elders had seized the opportunity immediately.
Within hours, every major news outlet had swarmed to capture the "heartwarming" moment.
The image of a young Shen Chen, with a calm and noble expression, handing candy to survivors—
It swept across the empire, igniting a media frenzy.
From then on—
That single act had granted him an unparalleled political reputation.
Even to this day, the photograph still hung on the Empire’s Wall of Honor.
The image depicted a perfectly poised young boy, bathed in heroic lighting,
His aura like that of a divine savior.
And the victims?
Barely visible.
Just faceless figures in the background.
Their pain and suffering forgotten—
While the nation’s admiration went entirely to the noble young heir.
That was the nature of the world.
Shen Chen sighed lightly, shaking off the thought.
"It’s already this late?"
He muttered, ignoring how Blue Creek’s ears reddened slightly at his morning voice.
"Send word to Su Mingshuo. We’ll be heading over soon."
Blue Creek nodded immediately, not questioning his urgency.
Moments later—
They left the Crystal Night Hotel.
As they stepped outside, the hotel’s general manager—a wealthy, rotund businessman—rushed forward with a sycophantic smile.
He bowed deeply, eager to offer his flattery.
And behind him—
Countless onlookers gawked in shock.
In Jiang City’s business world, the general manager of Crystal Night was a powerful figure,
One who mingled with the city's wealthiest elites.
Yet here he was, practically groveling before a young man.
The black car without a license plate pulled away.
And the city whispered in speculation—
Who was he?
- Writer
