Chapter 157 – That May Not Be the Case

The atmosphere in the reception room grew somewhat delicate due to Xu Yongfeng’s sudden movement.

However, under Yun Langyue’s suggestive inquiry and Uncle Wu’s clear stance of not intending to intervene, Xu Yongfeng quickly regained his composure, suppressing his astonishment.

“My apologies.”

Xu Yongfeng cast a deep glance at Uncle Wu before completely shifting his attention to Su Ming and Yun Langyue, as if Uncle Wu no longer existed.

“This is our first face-to-face conversation, isn’t it, Miss Yun?”

Xu Yongfeng revealed a faint smile.

“Indeed.” Yun Langyue responded with graceful courtesy, her smile radiant. “Though I’ve seen you on several occasions in other settings, it was always my mother who conversed with you. This is truly the first time I’ve spoken with you directly like this.”

At this moment, even Yun Langyue set aside her casual demeanor from when she was with Su Ming, carrying herself with the elegance and poise of a true noble young lady.

One could say this was Yun Langyue’s public facade – her usual relaxed attitude was likely reserved only for Su Ming.

Naturally unaware of this, Xu Yongfeng continued conversing with her.

“How is your mother’s health?” Xu Yongfeng inquired. “I haven’t seen her for some time. Has her business been unaffected?”

“Mother is quite well, currently free from any ailments, perhaps even a bit too energetic.” Yun Langyue replied politely with a slight smile. “As for business matters, I’m not very familiar with them. Mother isn’t particularly keen on me getting involved in such affairs.”

“Is that so?” Xu Yongfeng seemed to detect some underlying meaning, chuckling as if amused. “She remains as doting on you as ever.”

Hearing this, Yun Langyue responded with genuine helplessness: “If possible, I’d prefer if she could exercise slightly more self-restraint.”

This was Yun Langyue’s sincere sentiment, not mere politeness.

“If she heard you say that, she’d probably be upset for quite some time again.”

Xu Yongfeng found himself both amused and exasperated.

Nearby, Su Ming couldn’t help but recall Yun Langyue’s mother and shuddered involuntarily.

Though he had only met Yun Langyue’s mother once, that single encounter had left a lasting impression.

Therefore, while others might not grasp the nuances of Yun Langyue and Xu Yongfeng’s conversation, Su Ming understood perfectly.

His tendency to keep a respectful distance from Yun Langyue wasn’t entirely unrelated to her… remarkable mother.

In any case, Su Ming preferred to avoid dealing with that particular individual, which was precisely why he had chosen to make a deal with Xu Qianqian instead.

After all, strictly speaking, Yun Langyue would have been the more suitable transaction partner.

Her family specialized in this very trade. If Su Ming had entrusted them with the various extraordinary items he obtained from the packages, his profits might have increased by another fraction.

Unfortunately, due to Yun Langyue’s extraordinary mother, Su Ming had no choice but to abandon this plan.

Otherwise, given her animosity toward him, if he were to offer the stockpile from his backpack, she would likely devour it all without leaving even a trace.

While Su Ming was lost in these wandering thoughts, the exchange of pleasantries between Xu Yongfeng and Yun Langyue came to an end.Xu Yongfeng also turned his gaze to Su Ming, his eyes filled with scrutiny.

“So you’re Su Ming?” Xu Yongfeng said, “I’ve finally met you.”

From his tone, it seemed Xu Yongfeng had wanted to meet Su Ming for a long time.

“Hello.”

Su Ming offered a polite greeting.

“No need to be so formal.” Xu Yongfeng shook his head, “You’re my daughter’s friend. The reason I invited you here today is to express my gratitude on a personal level. Just think of me as the father of a friend.”

As he spoke, Xu Yongfeng’s tone indeed carried less authority and more warmth.

If Su Ming hadn’t been warned by Yun Langyue on the way here, he might have truly believed Xu Yongfeng was an amiable neighbor.

Back in Huaming District, when Su Ming received Xu Yongfeng’s call, the man’s tone hadn’t been this friendly—it was rather indifferent, much like Xu Qianqian’s usual demeanor.

Whether this current behavior was an act put on for Yun Langyue’s benefit or his genuine self with defenses lowered, no one could tell.

In any case, Su Ming felt it was better not to readily trust what he saw when dealing with political heavyweights accustomed to schemes and intrigues.

Thus, Su Ming adopted the same attitude as Yun Langyue, wearing a polite yet reserved smile.

Xu Yongfeng seemed to notice this, giving Su Ming a deep look in return.

“This is quite a novel experience for me,” Xu Yongfeng suddenly remarked. “My rather unapproachable daughter actually making close friends and bringing one home to meet the family. It truly shows that one must live long enough to witness things they never thought possible.”

Xu Yongfeng actually said this.

It might have been his genuine feeling.

After all, Xu Qianqian was usually somewhat aloof and difficult to get close to.

Despite being the admired and adored Academy Beauty, the young lady of the Xu Family, she had no friends at the Academy—not even other students accompanying her. It was rather exaggerated.

But…

“Unapproachable?”

Hearing Xu Yongfeng’s words, Su Ming unconsciously responded.

“Not necessarily.”

While she might be cold by nature, being unapproachable was another matter entirely.

At the very least, someone truly unapproachable wouldn’t risk their life to save Su Ming, nor would they think about not involving him when ambushed, choosing instead to shoulder everything alone.

In front of Su Ming, Xu Qianqian’s humane side was clearly evident.

However, this didn’t seem to be a treatment everyone could enjoy.

At the very least, regarding Li Wei, who was also implicated and whose fate remained unknown, Xu Qianqian hadn’t shown the same concern as she did with Su Ming.

So while others might not be qualified to say such things, Su Ming certainly was.

“Oh?” Xu Yongfeng seemed surprised by Su Ming’s response, narrowing his eyes slightly with a smile. “It seems your relationship is closer than I imagined.”

The one who reacted to these words wasn’t Su Ming, but Yun Langyue.

“I think so too.”Yun Langyue still held onto Su Ming’s arm, her smiling face like a blooming flower as she spoke such words, yet giving Su Ming the distinct impression of being targeted by a smiling tiger, with his vital points firmly grasped.

“It seems today’s family banquet should yield quite a few interesting topics for conversation.”

Xu Yongfeng, having observed all this, voiced these words with an unreadable expression.

Then, Xu Yongfeng turned to the butler nearby and asked, “Where are the Young Miss and Madam? Have they returned yet?”

“Madam has already returned,” the butler promptly replied. “The Young Miss is also on her way and will arrive shortly.”

“Then go prepare,” Xu Yongfeng said indifferently. “We don’t need too many people. For my family’s banquet, just the three of us and our two guests will suffice.”

The meaning was clear—he was telling Su Ming and Yun Langyue that this banquet was indeed private in nature.

The large gathering Su Ming had worried about, with all the Xu Family members present, had not materialized.

“That makes sense.”

Su Ming felt somewhat relieved.

If it were truly as Yun Langyue had said—that the main purpose of this banquet was to win her over and put on a show for others to deter them—then Xu Yongfeng naturally wouldn’t allow outsiders to attend.

Otherwise, there might indeed be a risk of someone seeing through something.

While Su Ming felt reassured that the trouble had diminished considerably, he couldn’t help but grow curious.

“Will Xu-senpai’s mother also be attending?”

I wonder what kind of person she is?

Is she like Xu Qianqian?

Or is she like Yun Langyue’s mother, utterly extreme?

…Hopefully not.

……

Since Xu Qianqian hadn’t returned yet and the family banquet was still being prepared, Xu Yongfeng instructed the butler to prepare rooms for Su Ming and Yun Langyue, allowing them to rest for a while.

The scale of this Main Residence was quite substantial, almost comparable to a castle, and naturally, there were many rooms, including numerous guest rooms.

In fact, within the Main Residence, guest rooms made up the majority.

Only the direct lineage of the Xu Family lived in the Main Residence, while the collateral branches resided in the Separate Residence.

And how many people were in the Xu Family’s direct lineage?

Counting from Xu Qianqian’s grandfather, the Family Head of the Xu Family, there were only a few dozen at most.

A few dozen households might sound like a lot, but in a mansion as large as a castle, it was truly very few.

Thus, the Main Residence had many vacant rooms, many of which were reserved for distinguished guests.

Originally, as members of the younger generation, Su Ming and Yun Langyue were unlikely to receive such high-level treatment. However, since Xu Yongfeng had invited them to his family banquet to express gratitude for saving his daughter, all arrangements were prepared at the highest Rank. As such, the two were genuine honored guests, and their treatment would not be inferior to anyone’s.

Thus, Su Ming and Yun Langyue, led by the butler, exited the Reception Room.

Only Xu Yongfeng remained, watching them leave, his gaze finally fixed intently on Uncle Wu, who followed behind Su Ming and Yun Langyue, remaining silent.

“What do you think?”

Xu Yongfeng spoke abruptly to the empty corner without any warning.

Yet, from what should have been an empty corner, a figure emerged.

It was a man of short stature, appearing somewhat unkempt, but with sharp, gleaming eyes.The man appeared quite abruptly, or rather, he had been here from the very beginning.

“Two rather outstanding youngsters.”

That was the short man’s assessment.

Though the remark felt somewhat perfunctory.

“With your discernment, is that all you can perceive?”

Xu Yongfeng spoke lightly.

“For now, yes.” The short man sighed and said, “I dare not observe too recklessly. The elder from the Yun Family Estate has already detected my presence.”

“Is that so?” Xu Yongfeng showed no surprise, merely tapping the table with his finger. “That woman from the Yun Family Estate truly leaves no openings for others, actually having him accompany her daughter here.”

“So you must be cautious,” the short man reminded. “If you probe and exploit too much, you’ll face backlash.”

Xu Yongfeng nodded.

(End of Chapter)