Translator - Kate from dummytranslations
Editors - Chubby Dragon, death ☺

1.15   Grade
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Many people had already arrived in the banquet hall of the Yan House, most of whom were the cooperative partners of the Yan family. As it was the coming-of-age birthday banquet of Yan Qi, the successor, they naturally had to give some face. After all, each party knew that such occasions were for them to create mutual liaisons.

Of course, there were also those with proud statuses who wouldn't come in person, but would instead send the younger generation in. Such were the minority. They were not enemies with the Yan family but to say they thought highly of them was not necessarily the case. In short, as long as they appeared to get along, it was fine.

The He and Wei families were like that. The two families had some business dealings with the Yan’s but had already risen into a second-rate family. So for the coming-of-age banquet of Yan Qi, this junior, the families sent He Yan and Wei Cheng, who were very promising amongst the younger generation. The two of them were very popular candidates for succession in their respective families so having them come wasn't considered disrespectful.

Currently, the duo were hiding in a more remote area, talking to each other. Truth be told, they couldn’t not hide. Soon after they arrived, a bunch of people approached them ostensibly to cotton up to them, and they were of their parents’ generation so they couldn't be too disrespectful. After listening to bucketloads of praises, their ears were about to develop calluses.

This was why they hated these types of occasions the most, but due to their identities, were never able to avoid them.

Wei Cheng’s temper was relatively more choleric. He frowned impatiently, “Have you seen that young master of the Yan family before?”

Come to speak of it, it was a little funny. He has never really seen the eldest young master of the Yan family before. When Yan Qi was studying in high school, they were in college and once Yan Qi went to college, they had long since entered their families’ companies. The matters they had to attend to increased more and more and the world of both sides didn't intersect at all. Father Yan had never actively brought Yan Qi out either, so it wasn't an exaggeration to say they weren't acquainted with the other party in this situation.

He Yan’s personality was much milder, and he often wore a mellow smile. But only those who knew him well knew that he was a smiling tiger. His expression was slightly bizarre when he heard Wei Cheng’s question, “I’ve seen him once by accident.”

“What do you think of him?” Wei Cheng noticed the change in his expression and was a little curious.

He Yan shook his head, “I can’t explain it, but, I don’t think young master Yan is simple. He's younger than us, but who knows about the future!”

Wei Cheng disagreed, “No matter how complex he is, he's still young. The company is in the hands of his father and his stepmother has a son, how could he possibly have an easy time?”

Clans like theirs were conversant with mistresses from outside, and the number of illegitimate children wasn’t small. But as long as they didn't threaten their statuses, they wouldn't care too much. Situations like the Yan family where the paramour turned things around and became the lady of the house were already rare. It was only something people like Yan Yongan, with a character not fostered by a good family from a young age, would do.

He Yan didn't respond this time, but in his mind, didn't agree with Wei Cheng’s view. However, there was no need to butt heads over this issue.

Others were also chatting in twos and threes. Wei Cheng and He Yan weren’t able to hide idly for very long as soon after, Father Yan appeared in the banquet hall with Hao Ritian, who'd been tidied up.

The outfit that the stylist chose for Hao Ritian was a white suit. The suit set off his tall and lean build brilliantly, while the colour white, which was a difficult colour to pull off, didn’t feel wrong on him at all. His handsome looks and excellent temperament made their eyes involuntarily gravitate towards him. Many were shocked. They didn't expect the eldest young master of the Yan family to give off such an indescribable sense of nobility. When he wasn't smiling, there was feeling of unapproachability. Only the curls on his slightly fluffy hair made him seem warmer. The two contradictory traits were very harmonious when it applied to him.

“That’s eldest young master Yan?” The protagonist he was just mentioning had now appeared. Wei Cheng’s expression was more surprised than before.

Forget what this guy’s ability and character was like, his looks and aura alone were no worse than those young masters of large clans. Could it be that stepmother of his really treated him like her own son?

How could that be?!

Anyhow, Wei Cheng didn’t believe it!

He Yan’s face was somewhat subtle as well. He felt like they fell short in comparison, “Yes. He’s a lot more mature since that time I saw him, and more refined too.”

Yan Yongan was already taking Hao Ritian to meet his partners. Hao Ritian behaved by-the-book the whole time, making no mistakes and had nothing that could be nitpicked on. The praise he received all went in one ear and out the other.

Yan Yongan didn't know whether he should be happy or dejected. Of his two sons, Yan Qi was clearly more outstanding than Yan Yang, but his actual favourite son was Yan Yang and he had made a promise to Yuan Wenyu before, so he could only be unfair to his eldest. However, he could guarantee that as long as his eldest son obeyed him, he would make sure he lived peacefully with plenty of riches in the second half of his life. This way, he wasn’t really treating him all that badly.

After doing a round of introductions, Yan Yongan at last noticed He Yan and Wei Cheng. His face lit up. Although these two were of a younger generation, juniors would have more common topics between themselves, not to mention that their families had deeper inside information than the Yan family.



He led Hao Ritian over and introduced the two to him first. Afterwards, he spoke gregariously, “Two young men, this is my son, Yan Qi. Take this uncle’s face into account and pardon him a little. You young people should have more common topics to talk about, so uncle won't bother you. Go on and chat.”

Wei Cheng was disdainful in his heart. Uncle? How bold. However, he wasn’t so silly as to express these feelings on the surface. Of course, he didn't vent this on Hao Ritian and instead said cheerfully, “Although it’s our first meeting, but after seeing young master Yan, I realize what's called a young hero. It’s nice to meet you!”

Hao Ritian smiled, “Young master Wei, you’re flattering me.”

In fact, he had little patience with this birthday party. What he was waiting for was the good play after the party. It’s not like they were genuinely celebrating his birthday, so what was there to be happy about?



Nevertheless, compared to staying with those haughty seniors that looked down at him from above, it was better to stay with the two youths in front of him. At least it would be more comfortable.

He Yan himself was a good conversationalist. Wei Cheng wouldn’t provoke others at will, and Hao Ritian was even more uninterested in doing that. The three of them, contrary to expectations, were fairly harmonious.

But before long, a commotion suddenly rose in the banquet hall. Even Hao Ritian’s trio involuntarily glanced over. Wei Cheng and He Yan were stunned upon looking, while Hao Ritian frowned. Why did he come?

The child standing well-behaved beside his uncle, Wei Lin, caught sight of Hao Ritian and his eyes lit up on the spot. He scampered over to him and immediately hugged his thighs. Raising his head, he looked at him with sparkling eyes, “Happy birthday, brother Yan!”

This simple and heartfelt well-wish softened Hao Ritian’s frown. This was much more pleasant than the birthday banquet Yan Yongan threw for him to show affectation. He lifted Wei Lin up in one practiced motion and stroked the tip of his nose, “How do you know today’s my birthday?”

Wei Lin swayed his head contently, “Uncle said so. When I found out second uncle was going to celebrate brother Yan’s birthday, I asked him to take me with him.”

Hao Ritian laughed, “That’s clever of you.”

Wei Cheng and He Yan watched the intimate exchange of the two acquainted people, and understood all at once. No wonder second master Wei would appear - that the personage their parents treated cautiously would actually come to the Yan House on his own accord. They'd been shocked at how the Yan family had such great capabilities to invite him, but now it seems, how was it the Yan family that had great capabilities? Second master Wei obviously came for eldest young master Yan!

They looked at each other and were suddenly glad they came today. Eldest young master Yan could get second master Wei to celebrate his birthday in person, which meant their friendship was in no way shallow. If they befriended him, would they need to worry about adding their weight in their clan?!

The change of heart happened in just a few moments. This was what power, status and connections brought. Frankly, it was rather cruel.

What’s more, it wasn't second master Wei alone that came. Third young master Qi and youngest master Mu weren't to be trifled with either. Any of the three could outweigh anyone present in importance, let alone the three of them combined, and all of them came for eldest master Yan. They feared this piece of news would spread among the upper class circle soon after the banquet was over.

Wei Cheng thought of his previous disapproval and was inevitably speechless then. The way things looked, how did eldest young master Yan still need his sympathy?

Hao Ritian and Wei Lin hadn’t spoken much when Wei Zhichen broke free of those waylaying him and made a beeline for them. Qi Sinan and Mu Ye were slower by a beat. Their statuses and identity were high. If they indicated that they had no desire to proceed with them, others—even if they wanted to take this opportunity to build a connection—couldn't force it. They could only direct their gazes at Yan Yongan. Well, who let Yan Qi be his son?

Wei Zhichen glanced at Wei Lin lightly as he joined them and Wei Lin very conscientiously went down from Hao Ritian’s embrace, but still stood close to him affectionately. Wei Zhichen was very satisfied with his nephew’s self-awareness. His eyebrows furrowed when his eyes landed on Hao Ritian, “Were you not thinking of inviting me to your birthday at all?”

Everyone could hear the discontent in his tone.

Before Hao Ritian could respond, Mu Ye who arrived latter by beat chimed in, “Yeah, lil’ brother Yan, that’s not very kind of you!”

He prided himself on calling Hao Ritian lil’ bro at every turn, because he felt like he was taking advantage of Wei Zhichen that way.

Qi Sinan was much better. Neither discontent nor taking advantage. He smiled at Hao Ritian and wished him a happy birthday, using the same approach as Wei Lin.

From their tone and attitude, you could see that they treated Hao Ritian as a real friend. This made tons of people’s jaws drop. Due to this trio’s unexpected appearance, eldest young master Yan’s coming-of-age birthday party was imperceptibly upgraded.

Hao Ritian sighed and spread his hands, “You’ve taken the words right out of my mouth. What else can I say?”

***