Chapter 93: At the Engagement Banquet

Wenchang Bridge · Su Residence.

“Axing, is everything arranged?” In the study, Su Wenqing, dressed in a traditional silk changpao and leaning on a gentleman’s cane, questioned his chief steward, Su Xing.

This year had not been easy for Su Wenqing. Bai Yulan had rejected him, and his daughter had grown increasingly rebellious...

Fortunately, he had finally found a solution. As long as tonight’s engagement banquet proceeded as planned, everything would unfold according to his wishes.

He had been restrained these past days, his heart burning with suppressed frustration.

“Master, everything is ready. We’ve reserved the entire banquet hall at the New World Hotel tonight. I’ve also arranged for the brothers to guide guests with parking and maintain order nearby,” Su Xing replied, bowing slightly.

“And the young lady? She hasn’t caused any more trouble, has she?” Su Wenqing’s greatest headache was Su Yun. He knew Su Yun disliked Feng Hua, but marriage had always been determined by parental decree—not by the whims of a child.

Feng Hua was the ideal match for Su Yun. Their children would be the natural heirs to the Su family’s vast fortune.

He had long since decided this, and would not allow anyone to disrupt it.

“Ah Hua is keeping her company.”

“Ah Hua may be a bit hot-tempered, but in every other respect he’s exemplary. A girl should marry someone like him. Little Yun doesn’t understand now, but she’ll see once she steps into marriage,” Su Wenqing said. “She’ll graduate in half a year, return to Bingcheng, marry Ah Hua, and settle down to raise a family. Isn’t that ideal?”

“Indeed, Master. The young lady will surely understand your good intentions one day,” Su Xing nodded. To him, Su Yun was a typical case of not appreciating her blessings. So many people would envy her life—yet she didn’t want it. How foolish.

“Has the guest list been confirmed?”

“We sent out three hundred seventy invitations in total. Three hundred thirteen guests have confirmed attendance. The rest accepted the invitation but have not said whether they’ll attend,” Su Xing reported.

“And Bai Yulan? Has she replied?”

“I handed the invitation to Boss Bai personally. She accepted it but said neither yes nor no.”

“She didn’t refuse outright, which means she’s considering. If she comes, it’s the icing on the cake. If not, it’s no matter. When Su Yun and Feng Hua are wed, we’ll serve her tea then,” Su Wenqing said with authority.

“Yes, sir.”

“It’s about time. We should head to the hotel first. We can’t have the guests arrive before the hosts,” Su Wenqing said, rising.

...

“Lan, tighten your waist—just a little more…”

“What’s going on? I tried this qipao before the New Year. It fit perfectly then.” Bai Yulan, standing before the mirror, had already drawn in her stomach as much as she could.

“Lan, perhaps it’s because Sen has been visiting more often lately. You’re eating more than before,” Axing remarked, teasingly.

“What do you mean, I’ve gotten fat?” Bai Yulan looked down at her flat stomach in disbelief. It was true—she hadn’t been watching her diet lately, and meals tasted better than ever.

“Never mind, let’s try another one!”

“Axing, the purple one with gold embroidery should be nice…” Zhou Sen quietly appeared at the doorway, watching the mistress and servant change clothes, unable to resist offering his suggestion.

“Zhou Sen, what are you doing in here? Get out! Can’t you see I’m changing?” Bai Yulan exclaimed, both embarrassed and flustered.

“I’m just standing at the door. I haven’t come in, Yulan, you can’t falsely accuse me…”

“Axing, shut the door!”

Bang!

The door closed, shutting out the lovely scene. Still, Zhou Sen had caught a glimpse—a flash of beauty. The figure of his future wife was truly flawless.

From now on, apart from their son, no other man would ever see her like this.

He knew well that when women changed clothes, it could take hours. Zhou Sen had learned this by experience.

So, he waited outside, brewed a cup of tea, and cracked some melon seeds.

At last, after much anticipation, the door opened and she emerged.

Bai Yulan wore a pale purple, high-collared, three-quarter sleeve quilted qipao, perfectly accentuating her graceful curves. Her hair was parted to one side and pinned low, adorned with a pearl hairpiece, radiating an elegant and dignified aura.

Zhou Sen couldn’t help but swallow at the sight. Such beauty was enough to make a man lose his reason—no wonder Su Wenqing was so determined to win her.

But now, she belonged to him.

“Axing, bring a shawl and a coat. We can’t let our Yulan catch cold,” Zhou Sen hurriedly said.

“Hey, you haven’t told me if this outfit is suitable,” Bai Yulan raised her brows, questioning him.

“I’m afraid if Su Wenqing sees you, he’ll order someone to snatch you away,” Zhou Sen sighed. “I almost don’t want you to go tonight.”

Bai Yulan instantly pursed her lips, laughing softly. Her beauty seemed to ripple through the room, making Zhou Sen’s gaze freeze. Such enchantment—she was best kept indoors, lest she cause chaos among men.

“So should I go, or not?”

“Let’s go. There’ll be plenty of guests tonight. If we arrive early, we’ll steal less of the spotlight,” Zhou Sen replied.

Zhou Sen assisted Bai Yulan onto the carriage. Axing climbed in beside them, and Un, dressed in new attire, took the reins. The carriage rolled out from Ningxiang Pavilion’s front gate.

...

The New World Hotel was especially lively tonight. All the neon lights were ablaze, illuminating the city in dazzling colors that dazzled from afar.

Su Wenqing, as Vice President of the Bingcheng Chamber of Commerce and a strong contender for the presidency, was a man of the syndicate, commanding hundreds of brothers. His business spanned Bingcheng and all of Manchuria.

Naturally, he was supported from behind the scenes. Otherwise, he could not have risen to such status in a mere seven or eight years.

In the puppet Manchu government, among the Japanese, he had powerful connections. Who in Bingcheng dared disrespect President Su?

Tonight’s guests included officials from the Puppet Bingcheng City Hall, Police Department, Binjiang Province, and the Japanese Military Police Command. Even foreign consuls stationed in Bingcheng attended. Bingcheng’s upper crust was all present.

Su Wenqing’s influence was clear. How else could he be known among the people as the “Great Collaborator”?

Bai Yulan’s disdain for Su Wenqing surely had much to do with this.

“Careful, slowly…” Zhou Sen carefully helped Bai Yulan down from the carriage, almost carrying her.

She didn’t refuse, naturally resting her arm on Zhou Sen’s shoulder, but withdrew it quickly once they were on the ground.

After tidying her clothes, she placed her hand in Zhou Sen’s arm, and they turned to smile at each other.

“Su Wenqing must be in the hall greeting guests. Are you nervous?” Arm in arm, they walked toward the entrance of the New World Hotel.

People at the door recognized Bai Yulan, but seeing her arrive at Su Wenqing’s daughter’s engagement banquet on the arm of a young man was a shock.

Su Wenqing’s daughter’s engagement was a golden opportunity for Bingcheng’s press to dig for news, so reporters swarmed the venue.

They paid close attention to tonight’s guests, especially Bai Yulan, who was already on their watch list.

The moment Bai Yulan appeared, reporters surged forward like wolves scenting blood. If not for the hotel’s security, they would have rushed straight to Bai Yulan and Zhou Sen.

“Boss Bai, did President Su Wenqing visit Ningxiang Pavilion to propose on the twenty-third of last December?”

“Boss Bai, who is this gentleman by your side? Is he your new boyfriend?”

“Boss Bai, can you comment on why you closed Ningxiang Pavilion? Was it due to pressure from someone…”

The questions came hot and sharp, one after another.

Bai Yulan didn’t show displeasure; she was accustomed to such scenes. With poise, she replied, “Tonight, I am here for President Su Wenqing’s daughter’s engagement banquet. This is not my personal press conference. So, I will not answer questions about myself. As for the identity of my companion, please use your imagination. Thank you.”

With a simple bow, Bai Yulan continued inside, arm in arm with Zhou Sen.

Her response was textbook—perfect.

Zhou Sen quietly gave her a thumbs up. He had worried she might be caught off guard by the reporters, but she handled it brilliantly, answering without answering, shutting them down completely.

Someone had hurried ahead to inform Su Wenqing of Bai Yulan’s arrival, now accompanied by Zhou Sen.

Su Wenqing’s smile faltered, his expression suddenly stiff and cold.

What did this mean—was she here to challenge him?

But with guests assembled and his daughter’s big day, no matter how displeased he was, he had to keep his composure.

“Master, Boss Bai has arrived…” Su Xing, seeing Su Wenqing distracted, reminded him.

Su Wenqing, a veteran of business, quickly regained his smile and stepped forward to greet Bai Yulan and Zhou Sen.

“Yulan, I’m truly delighted you could come.” Su Wenqing ignored Zhou Sen entirely. Though he could not lash out, his attitude was clear.

With so many eyes watching.

“President Su, congratulations.” Bai Yulan’s tone was calm despite Su Wenqing’s enthusiasm.

“Yulan, please.” Su Wenqing gestured graciously, never once acknowledging Zhou Sen.

His arrogance was unmistakable.

Zhou Sen remained unperturbed, feeling no resentment at Su Wenqing’s disregard. Given Bai Yulan, how could the man’s attitude be pleasant to him?

To Zhou Sen, Su Wenqing was not even a rival at this moment.

Inside the banquet hall, a band played gentle, relaxed music. Guests gathered in groups, chatting among themselves.

Such an engagement banquet was also a grand social event, reflecting the host’s status and influence.

“Boss Bai is here as well…”

“Boss Tang.”

“This young man—how is he related to Boss Bai? May we have an introduction?” Bai Yulan quickly found herself surrounded by admirers.

Beautiful women always attract attention.

“Sen, introduce yourself,” Bai Yulan said, her eyes glinting with amusement as she glanced at Zhou Sen.

“Good evening, everyone. My name is Zhou Sen. I work at the Nangang Police Station—just an ordinary police officer,” Zhou Sen said, bowing politely.

“You’re Zhou Sen—the one who stole President Su Wenqing’s prize?” someone suddenly exclaimed. The hall fell silent.

The atmosphere grew awkward.

Bai Yulan frowned slightly, worried Zhou Sen might lose his temper and embarrass himself. She tightened her grip on his arm.

Zhou Sen gently patted her hand and chuckled, “Yulan is still young. She doesn’t want a third marriage.”

A gasp rippled through the crowd.

His answer confirmed their suspicions: Bai Yulan had rejected Su Wenqing, choosing this unknown policeman instead.

It was a bigger story than Su Wenqing’s daughter’s engagement.

Everyone speculated whether tonight would bring even more drama.

“Brother Shen!”

“Mm.”

Shen Changqing nodded to acquaintances as he walked, exchanging brief greetings or nods.

But regardless of who they were,

No one showed much expression, all seeming indifferent.

For Shen Changqing, this was nothing new.

This was the Demon Suppression Division—a bureau that maintained the stability of the Great Qin, charged mainly with hunting demons and monsters, though with other responsibilities as well.

It could be said,

Everyone here had blood on their hands.

When one grew accustomed to life and death, many things lost their meaning.

At first, Shen Changqing had found this world unsettling, but he had grown used to it over time.

The Demon Suppression Division was large.

Those who stayed were either formidable experts or had the potential to become so.

Shen Changqing was among the latter.

The Division had two roles: Guardian and Demon Slayer.

Everyone started as a Demon Slayer at the lowest rank,

Then rose step by step, with hopes of becoming a Guardian.

Shen Changqing’s predecessor had been a trainee Demon Slayer—the lowest of the low.

With inherited memories,

He was deeply familiar with the Division’s environment.

He soon stopped before a tower.

Unlike the rest of the Division, which was steeped in a sense of slaughter, this tower stood out—like a crane among chickens—bringing a rare serenity to the blood-soaked bureau.

Its doors were open, and people occasionally entered or exited.

Shen Changqing hesitated only briefly before stepping inside.

Upon entering,

The atmosphere changed abruptly.

A scent of ink, tinged with faint blood, struck him. He instinctively frowned, then relaxed.

The smell of blood clung to everyone in the Demon Suppression Division—impossible to wash away.