Chapter Eighty-Seven: The Birthday Banquet (2)

The man turned around, revealing impeccable contours, and his face emerged into the light.

A face both wicked and devastatingly handsome, framed by thick brows and eyes; in those gray-blue eyes lurked an unknown danger. Most striking of all was his ash-gray hair. He held a spotless handkerchief and wiped his hands with elegant, almost devilish grace. What stood out most was the pure blue stud in his right ear. It clashed with his unruly air, yet made him all the more alluring.

A faint, wicked smile curved his lips. “And?”

“I heard the rumored eldest Young Master of the Huangpu family will be coming too.”

He frowned, a trace of displeasure flashing across his face. “You think I’d attend some disgusting banquet just because of him? I’d be sick to death.”

“But sir, the word going around is that General Lin Yan may know the underground organization called Massacre. And at this banquet, the eldest Huangpu Young Master is also in attendance. If by any chance—”

“You suspect Massacre is him?”

“Yes.”

“Ha. Now that would be interesting.”

—

Shangguan Renran and the others handed the gift for Lin Yan to his guards.

Although it was his birthday banquet, Lin Yan was still dressed in immaculate military uniform. However, he had not appeared yet, and the banquet had not officially begun.

The island was heavily guarded, with sentries stationed everywhere. The evening banquet was held in a vast open-air venue, but the surroundings were enclosed by a high fence. There was also a castle-like gate at the entrance, where guards stood watch.

Every person entering had to undergo inspection, and any weapons they brought had to be handed over for safekeeping.

Photography and livestreaming were strictly forbidden. Even the media had to restrain the impulse to take pictures and could not offend the honored guests.

“Sir Huangpu, there are so many people here!”

And every face seemed to bear the marks of a different land; you could not even tell what country each person came from.

“Be good. Just stay by my side.”

Huangpu held her at the waist with deep affection and handed her a matcha petit four from the banquet table.

Ye Zuo kept surveying the surroundings. As long as the young lady stayed beside Huangpu, he could at least be at ease.

Xia Wanqing, meanwhile, had thrown caution to the wind and was wandering everywhere.

—

Gong Yi and Ouyang Mufeng had gone to handle business. Shang Mingcheng and Zhen Mi were chatting with a world-famous director. Ouyang Muya was sitting in a corner with a glass of champagne. The movie star Ye Ziyan had also arrived.

When Huangpu stepped inside, he drew everyone’s eyes at once, though only for a fleeting moment. One cold glance from him was enough to make no one dare continue looking. Everyone wanted to know who the person in his arms was, but they did not dare.

Later, when Shangguan Renran revealed her face, she stunned countless members of the media and visitors from other countries. But once they saw that the man beside her was the eldest Huangpu Young Master, they stopped there.

When Movie Emperor Ye Ziyan appeared, the commotion was even greater.

However, he only showed his face briefly before heading to a more secluded area, which meant he missed Huangpu Deep Affection standing beside Shangguan Renran. Otherwise...

Otherwise, he would have made a proper effort to learn what kind of man his future brother-in-law was.

He had not come today merely for the general’s birthday banquet, but also for...

At last, amid everyone’s anticipation, the sound of synchronized footsteps rang out, steady and powerful, each stride identical. In the eyes of the crowd, the doors opened.

Lin Yan walked toward them with broad steps, his lofty and imposing figure radiating martial grace and commanding presence.

Behind him came the king, the queen, and the representative of the princes and princesses, Prince Qian Suxi.

The ministers of G Country who had come to attend the banquet stepped forward at once to bow.

The king’s deep voice carried over. “Tonight’s birthday star is the general. Let us dispense with these formalities.”

“Yes.”

Everyone straightened and offered congratulations to General Lin Yan, and the atmosphere at the banquet immediately rose.

Ouyang Muya followed the curious gazes of the crowd and looked over as well. When she saw the man in military uniform, her eyes widened, and she gripped the glass in her hand in mild surprise.

It was him? The gentleman she had accidentally bumped into before.

The host stepped onto a high platform. “Welcome, honored guests, to Piaer Island. Here, we will spend a beautiful and romantic night together.”

“First, let us wish our beloved general a happy birthday! Day after day, the general safeguards the peace and order of our nation, and we offer him our sincerest gratitude here.”

“I hope all our guests enjoy themselves to the fullest. We have prepared wines and dishes from many countries, and behind us there are hundreds of entertainment rooms. This is our—”

Tonight, Piaer Island was open without restraint. Even those who had not received invitations could still glimpse this private island.

At a quiet spot on the island, far from the noise of the banquet, the place was serene. No soldiers were nearby, and no one could hear their conversation.

—

“So, what exactly do you want to tell me?”

Qian Suyin asked angrily. She had just stopped her car when these two women from Country Z blocked her way. Bai Ya stood behind Qian Suyin as well, watching them warily.

“Don’t you feel any pain at being erased from the royal family? And your arm is ruined too, isn’t it?” said the woman in white.

“How do you know my arm is ruined? Was it you?”

After she was stripped of her title, she had no choice but to move out of the royal residence. Without the protection of the royal family, one of her arms had been crippled outright last night. She did not know who the assailant was; he had been masked, and even Bai Ya could not defeat him.

She had gone to the hospital for an examination, and the doctor told her she would never be able to lift that arm for the rest of her life. She was furious, angry, and heartbroken all at once, yet she still could not figure out who had done it.

“How could it possibly be us? Anyone could tell at a glance if they were close enough.”

The other woman spoke.

Yes—her arm hung naturally at her side. From a distance, it was not obvious, but up close...

Bai Ya said, “What exactly do you want to tell our princess?”

“I am Huangpu Qingyin, the eldest daughter of the Huangpu family. How about we cooperate?”

Huangpu Qingyin brushed back her hair and spoke with confidence.

She was the eldest daughter of the Huangpu family, yet that so-called general had not sent her any invitation at all.

Not even their family had received one. Their family was one of the world’s upper-tier aristocratic houses.

Such a thing had never happened before. Could it be that this general had some grudge against the Huangpu family?

Her grandfather had sent her to look into it. Just then, she had seen online that the G Country princess had made a global livestream apology, so she had come over together with Bai Xi.