It was truly ludicrous.

If not witnessing it first hand, Liang Xia would never believe that what she is seeing is the reality and that she would ever do something so foolish.

In the expansive mountain top villa, inside the spacious and bright great hall, under the dazzling and resplendent chandelier, dozens of elegantly dressed, young, attractive, and well-behaved socialites were scattered. They appeared to be enjoying delightful conversations, yet in reality, were testing each other out.

However, the real host has not shown up yet.

Only the well-behaved waitstaff in their proper smiles shuttled among these socialites.

This is a large-scale blind date banquet, where all of them are the ones being viewed. And it's by one person.

Xiao Yan Chen, the man who single-handedly built a mythical business empire.

How ridiculous, a thirty-two-year-old bachelor, yet these vibrant socialites were rushing forward to curry his favor.

There was only one reason - this man was exceedingly wealthy.

Everyone loved money, without exception.

The so-called aloofness and pride were nothing more than waiting for a big offer.

Liang Xia was always candidly realistic and never thought that loving money was a fault.

Like today, if it weren't for the long-desired crystal necklace, she would never have appeared here under false pretenses.

It was dreadfully tedious, and worst of all, she had to tolerate various scrutinies from all directions.

Although these socialites were from different cities, there were still some who knew a lot about her.

For example, the rich heiress of Nan Corporation, Nanyuan, who had glanced over at her for the seventh time as if coincidentally, along with a few other rich girls by her side, all got along well with Shen Rui, naturally, they knew her status like the back of their hands.

Obviously, they were wondering why she, a legitimate and well-known lady, would appear at such an occasion.

However, due to their status and upbringing, they had doubts, but would never truly seek the truth. They were afraid that showing any inappropriate behavior in this situation might affect their image or the opinion of the business tycoon about them.

Liangxia really loved these unspoken rules, which saved her a lot of trouble.

However, there was still someone who can't distinguish between importance and impulsivity coming towards her. It was Shi Mingyan, the school beauty from their school.

Uh... the ones approaching her means no good, she had to be careful.

Shen Rui said that even though she didn't want to be elected, she didn't want to hear her reputation being ruined either.

That meant she couldn't do as she pleased.

Lazily leaning back on the white leather sofa, crossing her legs, the hem of her red skirt swaying an winding curve, revealing her clean and beautiful, perfect small legs, the corner of her lips curved, her eyes fluttering charming ripples, Liangxia was already in a battle-ready pose.

Seeing her like this, Shi Mingyan couldn't help but twitch the corner of her eyes, her eyes were dyed with usual hatred. The thought of this woman appearing at the same occasion as her was the greatest insult to her pride.

This was something she couldn't tolerate. Their names were often mentioned together at school, which was already unbearable for her, and she had to see this person at such an event, which was a real turn-off.

Walking over, looking down at the girl leaning on the sofa, Shi Mingyan's question was direct and blunt, "Shen Liangxia, how could you appear at such an occasion?"

She was smart enough to know not to make a scene at this kind of occasion, so, she deliberately lowered her voice. However, her intimidating pressure was not reduced at all. It was as if she held a deep hatred for the girl in front of her.

Unbeknownst to her, this situation caught the eye of a keen observer. In the study on the third floor, a man with peach blossom eyes watched the scene in the hall with interest on the screen, laughing and saying to the man next to him: "After such a long time of boredom, finally, something interesting is happening." Indeed, his eyes had been on the girl in the red dress since she walked into the hall.

The man next to him did not comment. In the reflection of the sleek computer screen, a face with sharp edges. The scrutinizing gaze landed on the most eye-catching red dress in the screen, red dress under the fair skin, it was truly dazzling. With a slight parting of thin lips, the man concluded, "Too frivolous."

Peach Blossom eyes twinkled with a soft smile: "So vibrant."

Liang Xia's eyes shimmered, her red lips slowly parted, her voice low and attractive: "Why can't I be here?"

Her dismissive attitude obviously aggravated the proud young noble girl. Once the girl thought of the past, a surge of anger instantly surfaced within her: "Do you know who you are and what kind of occasion is this?"

Xiao Yanchen, only thirty-two years old, has monopolized the electronic industry across the country, amassing a tremendous fortune. Regardless of his appearance, he's now an unparalleled candidate for all the highborn families. Not just these wealthy heiresses, but even the daughters of many politicians are present here.

Obviously, she, Shen Liangxia, was not qualified to be here.

This was not only an insult to Shi Mingyan herself but also to all the people present.

Shi Mingyan sipped her glass of red wine, her velvet tongue lightly brushing over the edged lips, cleaning the remaining drops. Liangxia laughed unrestrainedly: "Exactly, I am also wondering why all the traditional heiresses are here at an event where I could show up casually? Is this not an insult to you?"

High-pitched and saccharine, it was detestable. Shi Mingyan could no longer endure, feeling a surge of anger wanting to explode from her chest, wishing she could tear that annoying mouth apart in front of her.

Just as she was about to act out, her arm was restrained: "Mingyan, what are you guys chatting about? Why so animated?"

It was Nanyuan.

Shi Mingyan's expression changed immediately upon seeing her, anger was replaced by grievances: "Sister Nanyuan, just look at her..."

Nan Yuan smiled gracefully, effortlessly defusing the tension without showing any emotions, but she glanced around: "You two are enjoying your leisure time here. Let's go over there. Sisters Nan and Ruan are all there. Let's chat together."

She looked at Shi Mingyan, who was on the verge of lashing out, and spoke quietly so that no one else could hear: "Remember who you are and where you are. Don't let her make you lose your cool."

As her words faded, she turned her attention to Liang Xia. Her smile remained as elegant as ever, and her voice returned to normal: "Would you like to join us?"

Liang Xia pursed her lips and returned a similar smile: "Seeing you so composed, I feel rather exhausted on your behalf. Still, I’m afraid if I spend too much time with you, I might end up with indigestion."

Nan Yuan's expression changes slightly, her biggest fear is Liang Xia speaking recklessly, saying things randomly. So without hesitating, she quickly pulls Shu Mingyan, who is still unsatisfied, away from the scene.

With a raised eyebrow, Liang Xia says to herself, "Cheers!" It's a shame that the drink from the 'School Beauty' Shi hasn't splashed over, otherwise, she would have had an excuse to leave. Now, what to do? Is she supposed to sit there like a fool?

With peach-blossom eyes, she raises her glass towards the people on the screen and says, “Cheers!” Then she downs the red wine in her glass in one go.

The man next to her raises his brows slightly, and once again comes to a conclusion: "Unruly!"

Every word and action, although elegant, was simply too unreserved for his liking, such a person is just not his type.

Peach Blossom Eyes disagrees with his opinion: "How wonderful, not like those false pretenders, only expressing one side of what people want to see. It’s so tiresome. An enlivened person like this is much better. Of course, I can't control if you, Xiao Yanchen, like virtuous ladies. It's just perfect, leave these lively people to me, I am not free tonight."

Xiao Yanchen's eyebrows crinkle, clearly unimpressed: "Whatever."

Liang Yu is his friend, a man who always craves for the new and gets bored with the old. He is used to such antics in this game of life. Xiao Yanchen does not stop him, after all, this woman merely showed up at his blind date banquet, whether she has anything to do with him is entirely up to Liang Yu.

Having received approval, Liang Yu stands up, straightens his clothes: "It's about time, even if you're Xiao Yanchen, these daughters of wealthy families will not be patient if you, the host, do not show up."

While adjusting his tie in the mirror, he once again can't help but rant: "I really do not understand you, if you want to get married, you should seriously look for a partner, why must you make it seem like bidding for a project, especially in this kind of situation, I really do not know who you'd find suitable."

"Saves time, saves effort, saves energy!" the man behind him replies simply.

Liang Yu rolls his eyes: "This event, it's simply rife with faults, not to mention whether a well-bred lady would be willing to attend, even those who do turn up, the majority of them are probably after your money, where's the love in this? Don't you think it's too hasty?"

"That’s even better, clear and simple, it won’t trouble me."

The two head downstairs, one impassive, the other probing lightly: "Don't blame me for exposing you. In the end, you're still brooding over the past, that’s why you’re being reluctant to take risks in love matter."

"Not true!"

"You're being overly cautious because of past hurt. It's like you were bitten by a snake and now you are afraid of well ropes for ten years. You need to ask yourself whether it's worth treating your emotions with such trepidation. Life is short, one should love passionately at least once. Don't be stuck in the shell, too scared to come out. If you marry a woman you don't love, have you ever thought about what your life will be like?"

Xiao Yanchen paused, his face complex.

Can he love passionately?

"Love," is a word too luxurious before it comes and too intense when it does. Not everyone is capable of having it.

Why bother with a mirage that costs so much time and energy?

The two appeared in the crowd, attracting intense attention. Xiao Yanchen was tall and had a handsome face. However, he exuded such a cold air that indicated he was not a people person, deterring people from approaching. Combined with his long-standing status, he naturally commands an imposing presence.

Even when a noble and beautiful person like Liang Yu stood beside him, they were just a foil for him.

Looking through the red liquor in her glass, Shen Liangxia sized up the host of the banquet, "No wonder he put on such a big show, a 32-year-old man, truly quite exceptional."

His face etched out clean and chiseled features, eyebrows shaped like the edge of a blade, phoenix eyes, high nose bridge. It's just that his lips were a little thin, suggesting that he isn't a man of deep emotion.

Engrossed in her evaluation, she didn’t expect to meet a pair of eyes, cold and profound. She shivered, hastily looking away.