No. 65 Opening

  Dawei's strength was no match for Wang Jian, and he was dragged along to the reception area, where he was forced to show his invitation. Dawai, who had turned pale, finally gave up struggling and allowed himself to be pulled by Wang Jian into a large house with a strong Republic of China style.

  This house is the kind of foreign-style building that can be seen everywhere in Republican-era TV dramas. The exterior materials have already lost their original color, and the ravages of wind and sun have made it look no longer young. However, the owner seems to have no intention of repairing it, but rather lets it be carved out by the wind and frost into another appearance. Climbing plants from the flower bed all the way to the roof, withered yellow vines and tender green new shoots form a striking contrast.

  The house occupies a large area, so large that it would give people an eerie and terrifying illusion if the lights were not turned on. However, now the interior is brightly lit, and the warm light shining out from the modernized alloy windows makes the gloom of this old mansion disappear, giving people a kind of inexplicable sense of intimacy.

  Dawei Wang Jian and others may be late due to the distance and traffic congestion. When they arrived at the reception desk to sign in, they found that the guestbook was already filled with dense signatures of guests, most of which were written in a flowing and cursive style, similar to traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions, making it difficult for people to read.

  After the three of them signed in, the receptionist began to lead the way for them, so that these strangers would not get lost in this vast and complex room.

  "This is the estate of Kezi Xu's uncle, and today is the birthday of either Kezi Xu's cousin or niece, so it makes sense that he would send us an invitation."

  Dawei seemed to be familiar with the route, following behind Ms. Liyi, and was chatting with Wang Jian as if he were teaching him a lesson.

  "It's said that our country doesn't have aristocratic families or nobility. Actually, there are some, like Xu Ke's uncle, but most of them are those kinds of people who grew up eating shit, second-generation rich kids, and low-ability brats. These people are trash, please ignore them."

  Wang Jian nodded: "You mean I shouldn't make trouble? What kind of person do you think I am?"

  Tianran Er suddenly seemed to remember that he had a grudge against Wang Jian, and said with a huff: "Tyrannosaurus Rex, African Elephant, Nile Crocodile, Saber-toothed Tiger, Black Mamba!"

  "What you're saying sounds like a menu... " Wang Jian looked at Tian Ran Er helplessly: "Can't you put it another way?"

  "No way!" Tian Ran Er seemed to feel a thrill of counterattacking Wang Jian, his expression was very pleased: "Hmph..."

  Dawei spread his hands: "You know, there are many people and things here that are different from what we usually see and hear. And the people who came today are quite powerful, I know you're not afraid, but we still have to make a living, it's not worth arguing with this bunch of bastards."

  "I know what you mean." Wang Jian smiled and said: "I'm not an angry little bird, don't worry."

  "Three, we're here! Have fun playing!"

  The receptionist sweetly bumped into Wang Jian, then when they passed each other, she quietly slipped a note into Wang Jian's palm and lightly pinched his palm, leaving behind a flirtatious glance before walking away.

  "Oh... Young Master Wang."

  Dawei saw Wang Jian looking at a pink note under the corridor light before pushing open the door, and his interest was immediately piqued:

  "This girl has broken the rules and should be fired. But she does have a bit of charm, probably thinks you're a high-end rich second-generation looking to hook up with a golden turtle son-in-law."

  Wang Jian casually threw the note into the trash can and chuckled: "I'm just a scavenger."

  After he finished speaking, he pushed open the heavy double doors... and suddenly, music, noise, conversation, all sounds entered his ears. The smell of food, wine, perfume, and sweat mixed together was like a natural sedative, making people unconsciously start to yearn for the intoxication of wealth and glory. The dazzling lights inside also made Wang Jian dizzy for a moment, causing him to involuntarily turn his face to the side and narrow his eyes, adapting slightly before walking in.

  "Hey, Master Xiao is willing to show up?" A greasy-faced, bespectacled young man came forward: "Who are these two?"

  Dawei's mouth twitched: "Get out, if you speak in this tone again, I'll blow your head off."

  "What the...! Where did you find such a perfect pair of golden boy and jade girl?" Xiao Bailian stretched out his hand to Wang Jian: "Xu Qing, this is the childhood friend of this bastard."

  Wang Jian smiled and extended his hand: "Wang Jian, Dawei's colleague."

  "Whose young master? Wang? Let me think..." Xiao Bailian Xu Qing withdrew his hand, sizing up Wang Jian: "With this temperament, I reckon it can only be the Nanyang Shipping King's family, the Wangs?"

  Wang Jian smiled brightly, but shook his head: "I've turned out all the money on me and it's still not enough to make a hundred yuan, young master."

  Xu Qing was taken aback, looked at Dawei, then narrowed his eyes and pointed to Wang Jian: "Young Master Wang is low-key, it's good to be low-key, let's call a friend, you're Dawei's friend, so from now on, you can also call me Da Zhuang."

  Dawei pushed Xu Qing away: "Don't get too close."

  "What's going on here? We've known each other since we were kids, and everything has to be split except for the sister. This beautiful sister... looks so familiar!"

  "She... " Tianran Er seemed a bit afraid, she unconsciously hid behind Wang Jian's back, sticking out her head and saying fiercely: "I'm not Xiao Ze Maria!"

  "Hmph......" Xu Qing spat out the wine he was holding, then tried his best to hold back his laughter, and after a long time: "Damn it, too cute."

  "After he finished speaking, he paused for a moment: 'Don't misunderstand, I'm talking about this little dog.'"

  Xu Qing pointed to the two Siberian wolf cubs in her arms, adjusted her glasses: "Few people raise Siberian wolves now, this breed is almost extinct. Can't tell Miss is a fan of fierce dogs."

  At this time, the door behind him was suddenly pushed open, and Wang Jian felt a push on his back. A cold and familiar female voice came: "Let go."

  Wang Jian turned his head, and was suddenly shocked. The person who pushed him was none other than Lin Yaxuan herself, dressed in a mature outfit today, cold as ice, looking unapproachable from every angle.

  "Miss Lin, you're getting prettier and prettier." Xu Qing was like a wrapped package, whoever came in would say something familiar: "Do you still remember me? We met once before, I'm Xu Qing."

  "I don't remember, I don't know."

  Lin Yaxuan's voice suddenly turned cold, let alone others, even Wang Jian looked at her with a dead face and wanted to slap her in the ear, but Xu Qing was unexpectedly in a good mood, he not only didn't get angry, but instead smiled and stretched out his hand:

  "Then let's get familiar with Xu Shi Film, Xu Qing."

  Wang Jian immediately remembered "Xu Shi Film" as soon as he heard it. They have made quite a few bad movies, and this film company is actually one of the most famous domestic film companies. However, they always make bad movies, but every bad movie will create a popular star, and even several superstars who walked on the red carpet in Hollywood also came from their bad movies.

  Maybe this is their way of survival, at least they are now a top domestic company... "Who let you come?" Lin Yaxuan didn't even look at Xu Qing, but frowned and looked at Tianran Er: "Is this the kind of place you should be coming to?"

  "What business is it of yours?"

  "Do you know how dirty this place is? Are you bringing her here?" Lin Yaxuan looked extremely angry: "Are you out of your mind? This place is full of all sorts of people..."

  Before she could finish speaking, Wang Jian furrowed his brow: "The innocent are self-clearing."

  "Alright, let's see how you'll clear yourself later."

  Lin Yaxuan didn't want to provoke Wang Jian, so she just glared at Wang Jian and Tianran Er before turning around and leaving. Tianran Er also looked at Wang Jian before chasing after her: "Yaxuan... Yaxuan..."

  Watching the two sisters disappear into the crowd, Wang Jian whistled: "This place can really meet familiar people."

  Dawei, who had been watching the commotion with a smug smile, wrapped his arm around Xu Qing's shoulder and said, "Got rejected, huh? I told you not to hit on just anyone."

  He then said to Wang Jian with a nonchalant expression: "It's nothing, the mascot is following that weird sister of hers, no one will look for trouble, Lin Xiaojie is quite famous after all."

  "Where's the host? Haven't seen them yet." Dawei looked around and saw that the whole room was full of strangers, and couldn't help but smile slightly: "There are really a lot of newly rich people now."

  "Never mind, those nouveau riche. They reek of a foul smell." Xu Qing fanned his nose: "And those third-rate celebrities, their stench is even worse than a public toilet. And it seems your arch-nemesis has also arrived."

  "Never mind..."

  Wang Jian ignored them and walked to the side, using tongs to select things that suited his taste on the table. Under the astonished gaze of the waiter beside him, Wang Jian piled up five large blocks of tenderloin steak on his plate, whistling softly as he squatted down in a corner hidden by ornamental plants and began eating to himself.

  And just as he had taken two bites, he suddenly found Tianran Er crouching less than a meter away from him, also eating with his mouth full of oil. On one side, he was eating by himself, and on the other side, he was feeding that wolf cub, both the man and the dog enjoying themselves immensely.

  Wang Jian suddenly couldn't catch his breath and almost choked to death... "You're so bold." Wang Jian called out to Tian Ran Er, "At least have some table manners."

  Tianran Er wiped his mouth with a napkin, gave Wang Jian a glance, and put his own plate on the armrest of the sofa, changing from squatting to standing... At this time, Dawei also came over, saw Wang Jian and Tianran Er's appearance, and was taken aback. He asked slowly: "You two... uh... is it delicious?"

  Tianran Er and Wang Jian nodded at the same time. Wang Jian also pointed at the steak and said, "It would be even better if you add some cumin."

  Following closely behind Dawei, Xu Qing also took a while to come back to himself, with a smile all over his face, saying: "It's nothing, just think of it as a buffet, eat freely, later... I'll go get a plate too."

  "Hello......hello......"

  After a while, only Dawei was left standing alone, watching the three people he knew well lined up, eating all kinds of self-service food that those arrogant young masters and socialites wouldn't deign to eat.

  "Hey, Wakabayashi! I finally found you!" Kojirou's voice suddenly came from beside him: "What are you eating this for? Stop eating it, stop eating it."

  He glanced at Kai Zi with a look of indignation, but his mouth didn't stop moving as he picked out a fish bone from between his teeth... As for Wang Jian, he didn't even turn around, continuing to crouch down and eat.

  "What about Wang Jian? He really doesn't dare to come, does he? I said it's just a casual gathering, but he really lacks confidence."

  Due to the angle, Ke Zi Xu's line of sight was blocked by a potted plant and he couldn't see Wang Jian who was just one step away. But when his voice reached Wang Jian's ears, Wang Jian suddenly stood up: "I'm here."

  Kai Zi Xu was stunned at the time, looking at Wang Jian's body in a crisp suit, with a masculine dress and an oily mouth that couldn't hide his temperament, his small face turned pale... Just then, at the front center of the dance party, two middle-aged people walked up, both of whom were about the same age, with every move exuding an air of nobility.

  Their appearance made the whole scene quiet instantly, and for some reason, Dawei suddenly became agile like a rabbit, flipping over and hiding behind the back of the sofa, extremely awkwardly using Wang Jian to block his face.

  One middle-aged man took out a microphone:

  "Thank you everyone for taking the time to attend my daughter's 18th birthday and coming of age ceremony. Of course, all of you here are young people, so don't be reserved, just have fun in your own way, as long as you don't tear off the roof of my house, that's all I ask. By the way, who is this person next to me? Everyone already knows him, no need for me to introduce him much. He actually came today to find a suitable daughter-in-law for his precious son, and I'm just helping out as a matchmaker. So, everyone, don't be shy! His son is quite a good young man after all. Unmarried girls, don't be coy!"

  Wang Jian lowered his head and asked Dawei: "Who is this old man who came to propose a marriage for his son? His son is also too useless, right?"

  Dawei's face turned very ugly: "My dad!"

  Wang Jian suddenly burst out laughing, his laughter causing everyone in the room to turn their heads and stare at him, which made Dawei punch him hard on the thigh from behind.

  "Hey, young man, don't get too excited, this old man doesn't want a son-in-law. But don't be discouraged either, there are many good girls and boys around here, you just work hard to find one to take back home, whether it's a boy or girl doesn't matter, as long as it's true love, uncle will bless you."

  His humor caused the whole audience to burst into laughter, and Wang Jian was also laughing foolishly at that moment, his eyes constantly glancing at Da Wei's pitiful appearance, then he reached back to touch his head and said in a low voice: "Will your dad kill you if you bring him a son-in-law?"

  "Wang Jian, I protest again! You stinky mouth, how many times have I said it, I'm not gay!"

  Wang Jian shrugged: "Heaven knows, earth knows, you know, I don't know."

  At this time, Dawei's father glanced around: "Ladies, if you are willing, I can give you my son's phone number and address. He is anxious to death. If you don't want to in front of so many people, I can go to the side hall next door, and someone can pass a note to me. Thank you all for your kindness."

  "Alright, you young people start making noise, we old guys will go next door and have a small gathering, what do you say?"

  Among the cheers of the crowd, Dawei poked his head out and said to Wang Jian: "My dad must have gone drinking with those old friends, let's take this opportunity to run away quickly!"

  Wang Jian took a glance at Kai Zi Xu, who was hiding behind him again, and then looked at Da Wei's pleading face. Suddenly, he lowered his voice and chuckled: "I'm not leaving, I want to see which girl goes for the interview."

  "Wang Jian, you're so heartless!"

  （）