Chapter 54: The Man with the Braided Hair

What was happening? What was this sudden turn of events? My mind could hardly keep up!

Kim Junmin’s mouth twitched uncontrollably. What on earth was going on here?

Bai Lang swept a satisfied glance around the room, a hint of smugness in his eyes. Now you all understand that my Brother Yu’s identity is anything but ordinary.

Chen Yu looked at them with calm indifference. “Do you know me?”

Lu Jianshu hurried to reply, “I happened to be there that day, and was fortunate enough to witness Mr. Chen’s greatness!” He was referring, of course, to the underground exchange that had taken place.

“I haven’t met Mr. Chen myself, but I’ve long admired you. Today, I finally have the chance to witness your presence!” Xiao Guoyuan added with enthusiasm.

“Mm,” Chen Yu responded softly, his voice cool. “If that’s the case, drink your wine and leave.”

The young men and women present were all stunned. Having such distinguished guests come to offer a toast was already overwhelming, but hearing Chen Yu speak so casually, not even bothering to raise his glass, simply telling them to drink and go—it was enough to drive anyone mad with frustration. If those two weren’t infuriated, no one would be.

Yet Lu Jianshu and Xiao Guoyuan wore expressions of delight. They quickly drank their wine in one gulp, bowed respectfully, and departed without a word.

Now, everyone present was utterly dumbfounded, jaws practically hitting the floor.

Some even wanted to approach Chen Yu and ask what was happening, but found themselves so nervous they couldn’t utter a single word.

Kim Junmin was deeply shaken as well, though he kept reassuring himself: “They must have mistaken him for someone else. Yes, that must be it!”

Not long after Lu Jianshu and Xiao Guoyuan left, another knock sounded at the door. “Is Mr. Chen inside?”

The newcomers entered directly, as if afraid to miss anything.

“These two are incredible as well—titans of the textile and energy industries in the Jiang region!” Those with broad connections rattled off their names and backgrounds to the others.

No one could remain calm now. They gazed at Chen Yu with deep curiosity and envy, unable to fathom how he could draw such wealthy magnates to come and toast him.

Chen Yu addressed them just as indifferently, telling them to drink their wine and leave.

This time, the crowd wasn’t as shocked as before, but they could only sigh in wonder—was this a toast, or a visit to pay respects to an elder?

Their nerves were soon further tested as one group of tycoons after another filed in and out, each using the toast as an excuse to pay their respects—or perhaps to simply gaze upon Mr. Chen.

After each drank a glass in front of him, they left with broad smiles, their steps almost floating.

The young men and women were numbed by the spectacle.

They couldn’t help but reflect that Kim Junmin’s earlier toast paled in comparison—it was child’s play. Their curiosity only deepened: who was this Mr. Chen, really?

Naturally, they recalled Chen Yu’s earlier joke about being the Venerable Chen, but quickly dismissed it.

According to the rumors, Venerable Chen wasn’t so handsome, dressed plainly, and besides, none of these visitors used the honorific title. If he truly was the Venerable, how could they neglect such formality?

But Mr. Chen was obviously extraordinary. Could he be the scion of some great family in the capital?

The thought gained traction among them. Yes, that must be it. Otherwise, how could an ordinary young master possess such bearing and aloofness, and why would these magnates fawn over him?

They realized their mistake—it was their own arrogance that blinded them, while others simply couldn’t be bothered to notice them.

Just as they prepared to approach Chen Yu themselves and curry favor, the door swung open again.

Sister Yun entered, dressed in a stunning red cheongsam, its neckline plunging lower and the fit even more alluring, her rounded hips swaying as she walked toward Chen Yu.

“Mr. Chen, I must apologize for my earlier neglect!” she said, lips curled in a seductive smile, eyes sparkling as she raised her wine glass to him. “Thank you, Mr. Chen, for gracing my humble villa with your presence.”

She pressed her crimson lips to the glass and drained the wine in a single gulp, then licked her lips, radiating a deep, tempting allure that left the young men nearby utterly entranced.

Chen Yu nodded slightly. “That’s enough. Give instructions—no one else is to disturb me.”

Sister Yun’s beautiful eyes glittered as she bowed gracefully. “Very well, Mr. Chen. I won’t intrude any longer.”

True to her word, she didn’t linger, striding away in her towering heels.

Finally, everyone heaved a sigh of relief. This scene would surely remain etched in their memories for life. This must be what a true scion of a noble house was like, they all thought.

Kim Junmin had completely lost his temper. Though he still refused to believe Chen Yu could wield such influence, the evidence was irrefutable—this man was clearly a young master from a prominent house. It was the only reasonable explanation.

Xiang Xuerou stared at Chen Yu in dazed amazement. She had only met him twice, but both times he had shocked her to the core. Mr. Chen? Venerable Chen? Could they truly be one and the same?

Zhu Shaohui, of course, understood why those people had come to toast Chen Yu. At that moment, he had a sudden realization: instead of avoiding him, perhaps it was wiser to forge a connection. His sister, Zhu Shaoqi, seemed to have grasped this long ago. With that thought, his attitude toward Chen Yu shifted from avoidance to fervent admiration. He resolved to win this man’s favor in the future.

Suddenly, the door was kicked open with a crash, and a thunderous voice rang out: “Where is Bai Lang?”

A man strode in, his hair tied in a small braid, eyes burning with anger.

For reasons unknown, Bai Lang felt a jolt of fear and nearly dove under the table. Only the presence of Chen Yu beside him gave him some reassurance.

The crowd was once again bewildered by the unfolding drama.

A few security guards rushed over. It seemed the braided man had barged in uninvited.

“Impudent!” he shouted, raising his hand. Before his palm even reached the guards’ faces, they were sent flying, landing on the ground in groaning heaps.

The young masters and ladies had never witnessed such a spectacle, and were instantly terrified.

Bai Lang nervously edged closer to Chen Yu.

Xiang Xuerou also instinctively moved toward his side.

Chen Yu cast a calm glance at the braided man. “Who are you, daring to cause trouble here?”

The braided man, seeing Chen Yu unruffled while everyone else quaked in fear, crossed his arms and asked, “And who are you?”

With Chen Yu backing him, Bai Lang straightened his spine. “I am Bai Lang. What business do you have with me?”

The braided man ignored Chen Yu, his eyes narrowing. “So you’re Bai Lang. Where is my junior, Lan Sihao?”

Bai Lang nearly collapsed in fright, edging even closer to Chen Yu. “How should I know? I barely know this Lan Sihao.”

A faint smile played across Chen Yu’s lips. “I killed him.”

Thud!

Several faint-hearted guests tumbled to the floor in terror.

The rest trembled, lips quivering. Perhaps they wouldn’t have believed Chen Yu capable of murder before, but the scene they’d just witnessed and the aura he exuded convinced them otherwise.

The braided man’s eyebrows shot up. “So something really did happen to my junior Lan!”

His gaze grew icy as he fixed it on Chen Yu. “Good. Very good. Since you admit it, I’ll see to it your body remains intact.”

Bai Lang shook so hard he could barely stand. Why did Brother Yu just blurt it out like that?

The others sensed the atmosphere growing increasingly tense and wanted to leave, but the braided man blocked their way, making escape impossible.

By now, Sister Yun and others from the villa had been alerted and gathered at the entrance.

“What’s happening?” Sister Yun demanded, her face cold. No one had ever dared cause trouble in her villa, so she felt no fear.

“This is none of your concern. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll leave immediately!” The braided man glanced at Sister Yun, his eyes flashing with a wicked light upon seeing her beauty.

With a twist of his fingers, a streak of dark light shot toward her.

Sister Yun didn’t even notice, still asking, “Who are you, exactly?”

Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of her. She startled, then looked closely—it was Mr. Chen.

But when she saw that Mr. Chen had trapped a slender centipede between his fingers, she was so frightened she nearly fainted…