Chapter 047: Gu Keqing Was Shocked
At the dazzling charity gala, the aloof Chu Family Consortium heiress, Chu Yiren, elegantly dressed in a luxurious custom-made gown, entered the venue arm-in-arm with a splendidly dressed Lin Lang. The handsome and beautiful pair immediately became the most dazzling presence of the evening.
Lin Lang wore a white evening suit, elegantly adorned with a bow tie and pocket square. His hair was meticulously styled, exuding an air of nobility, handsomeness, and dignity.
Because Chu Yiren, the heir to the Chu Family Consortium, was a well-known beautiful Hu Merchant in the Shanghai business world, her arrival immediately drew whispers from various wives of CEOs and famous Shanghai socialites.
“Who could resist that?!”
AI generated beautiful image of Chu Yiren
“The male companion of Chu Yiren, the Chu Family heiress, is simply too handsome, isn’t he?”
“Among the successful Hu Merchants in Shanghai, I don’t seem to have seen Chu Yiren’s male companion before?!”
“Indeed!”
“Could it be that he’s not just a male companion, but the boyfriend of Chu Yiren, the Chu Family heiress?!”
“Impossible!”
“Didn’t Yiren always insist in interviews with financial magazines that she was a single person and didn’t date?”
“Whoever marries Chu Yiren, the Chu Family heiress, as his wife is essentially marrying a gold mine; the Chu Family’s wealth is inexhaustible.”
“Chu Yiren’s male companion has such a good physique, so tall and handsome, like a walking clothes rack. He must be a super male model, right?”
“Anyone who can be the male companion of Chu Yiren, the Chu Family heiress, must be either rich or noble, certainly not an ordinary person.”
“That’s right!!”
“Chu Yiren, the Chu Family heiress, is famously arrogant in Shanghai’s financial circles. Look at her overbearing demeanor, as if she doesn’t put anyone in her eyes.”
“I simply can’t believe my eyes!”
“The usually cold and arrogant Yiren, who acts like she’s too good for anyone, is actually clinging to her male companion like a little bird, not only smiling very happily but also publicly feeding him fruit.”
“It seems this is what they call ‘one thing conquering another’!”
“The arrogant female Hu Merchant, Chu Yiren, has actually had her heart captured by this seemingly harmless, puppy-like male companion.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Could it be that Chu Yiren’s male companion is a gigolo who lives off women?”
“He looks like a gigolo who eats soft rice but acts tough. This man is full of pride, composed and elegantly confident in such a grand social setting. He’s definitely not an ordinary person.”
“Where can I find such a handsome gigolo? I want to keep one for my own pleasure too.”
“It seems when women get lustful, there’s nothing left for men.”
“It seems ‘thirty like a wolf, forty like a tiger’ is indeed not false…”
The scene returns to Gu Keqing.
Gu Keqing, looking utterly bewildered, tactically took a sip of red wine, her mind racing. What was happening in front of her?
Gu Keqing racked her brain but couldn’t figure out why her lover, Lin Lang, would attend tonight’s charity event with her sister-in-law, Chu Yiren.
AI generated beautiful image of Gu Keqing
Before Keqing could think further, she saw Chu Yiren, arm-in-arm with Lin Lang, walking towards her elder brother, Chu Tiannan, and his wife, Gu Keqing.
“Uh…” Gu Keqing was extremely nervous.
“What is A Lang doing?”
“A Lang is actually walking towards me with Chu Yiren. Isn’t this crazy?”
“They’re getting closer!” Gu Keqing secretly panicked.
Upon approaching, Lin Lang noticed that Gu Keqing’s complexion wasn’t very natural, so he proactively greeted, “Hello, Brother-in-law!”
Gu Keqing quickly lied, “Cousin, why are you with Yiren?”
Lin Lang replied with a smile, “Sister Yiren needed a male companion, and I happened to be attending an event and needed a female companion, so we came together to tonight’s charity auction gala.”
Gu Keqing’s expression was unnatural as she made small talk, “That’s quite a coincidence then!”
Chu Yiren said, “Sister-in-law, your complexion isn’t very good today. Are you feeling unwell?”
Upon hearing this, Gu Keqing thought to herself, “Sister-in-law, I’m not unwell. I’m afraid your elder brother will realize that A Lang has given him a big green hat, and that would be embarrassing!”
Having thought that, Gu Keqing raised her left hand and rubbed her temple, feigning, “Perhaps I didn’t rest well last night. Today, I’m tired from socializing, so I feel a bit fatigued.”
Chu Tiannan, who was talking business with several Hu Merchants, was surprised to hear someone call his wife ‘Brother-in-law’ and looked at the unfamiliar Lin Lang.
Chu Tiannan sized up the distinguished and noble Lin Lang, whom he seemed not to have met before.
“Keqing, how come I never heard that you had such a handsome cousin?”
“Uh…” Gu Keqing was almost breaking out in a cold sweat, momentarily unsure how to answer.
Before Gu Keqing could answer, Lin Lang proactively greeted, “Hello, Brother-in-law!”
“My name is Lin Lang. I am Brother-in-law Keqing’s distant cousin. Because my parents passed away early, I haven’t been in contact with Brother-in-law for many years.”
Gu Keqing echoed, “Yes!”
“A Lang just graduated from university recently and is entering the Shanghai business world. Naturally, we’ll have more opportunities to meet in the future.”
Chu Tiannan listened, half-believing, and politely replied, “Hello, Cousin A Lang!”
Chu Yiren, with her arrogant persona and disdain for everyone, greeted expressionlessly, “Hello, Elder Brother!”
Chu Tiannan tentatively asked, “Yiren, are you very familiar with A Lang?”
Chu Yiren took a small sip of red wine and replied, “Moderately, we’ve had some interactions.”
Chu Tiannan was very curious about the suddenly appearing Lin Lang and, with strong caution, asked, “Where are you working now, A Lang?”
Lin Lang, holding his red wine glass, replied confidently and elegantly, “Currently, I am an independent angel investor. I primarily engage in financial stock investments, antique and art investments, and will soon venture into real estate investment.”
Chu Tiannan continued to ask, “A Lang, you are so young. Do you have extensive research in these investment fields?”
Lin Lang replied truthfully, “I graduated from a finance program, and I have some knowledge of many investments.”
Chu Tiannan asked curiously, “But A Lang, you just graduated from university. Where did you get the principal for venture capital?”
Chu Yiren replied with a poker face, “A Lang comes from a prestigious lineage. He is the only beloved disciple of Appraisal Master Zhou Zhongdang, backed by the prestigious Zhou Family of Shanghai, with capital support from his master’s sect.”
Upon hearing this, Gu Keqing was secretly startled, never expecting that Appraisal Master Zhou Zhongdang had actually taken Lin Lang as his closed-door disciple.
Chu Tiannan’s doubts were dispelled upon hearing this, and his attitude did a complete 180-degree turn. He enthusiastically and proactively shook hands with Lin Lang and exchanged pleasantries.
“Your esteemed master is a descendant of a famous family of old Shanghai real estate tycoons. As a Master of Appraisal in Xia Kingdom with a net worth of tens of billions and a renowned collector in this city, he has extensive connections in Shanghai and a very high social status. Big figures in both political and business circles must give your esteemed master some face.”
“My father also loved collecting his entire life and has been a good friend of your esteemed master for many years. Every time my father bought an antique or rare item, he would ask your esteemed master for his expert eye.”
Lin Lang replied with a smile, “Hearing that, my master and your esteemed father have quite a connection.”
Chu Tiannan continued, “I will arrange a dinner in the next few days and invite you, Cousin, and your esteemed master, to gather with my father for a few drinks and to reminisce.”
Lin Lang politely declined, “I appreciate Brother-in-law’s kind intentions on behalf of my master.”
“However, my master just had surgery. Due to cardiovascular narrowing, he had two stents placed minimally invasively and is currently still hospitalized for treatment. I’m afraid he won’t be able to attend the banquet.”
Chu Tiannan replied, “Is that so!”
“When I have time, I will visit your esteemed master in the hospital on behalf of my father. The dinner and reminiscing can be postponed.”
Why did Chu Tiannan’s attitude do a 180-degree turn when he heard that Lin Lang came from a prestigious lineage, was the beloved disciple of Appraisal Master Zhou Zhongdang, and had capital backing from his master’s sect?