Cen was also a bit surprised. He didn't know that before graduation, when he would chat with Tang Wu after school and walk home together, it had actually changed her perception of him for the better,...Chapter 64: Posturing

The Cabine Hotel under the enemy's surveillance. Its exterior shines brilliantly in the fog lights, making it one of the most splendid landmarks in the city at night.

The entrance now sees a few luxury cars parked there as times progress. Last year, Su Can hadn't seen many Mercedes-Benz or BMWs in Xiahai City, but this year, several A-Class and Mercedes cars are parked outside the Cabine Hotel, complementing its majestic doorframe.

The layout of the restaurant on the ground floor is magnificent; some people are sitting inside with their eyes gazing out. Whether due to the glass barrier or the depth of the night, they all appear distant.

When Su Can arrived, he saw a few cars glide in. The young men and women stepping out were either dressed in fashionable sportswear or were finely attired. They waved goodbye to their parents inside the car before heading excitedly towards the hotel entrance. Greeting them there was an elegantly dressed hostess wearing a cheongsam who ushered these guests attending Chen Ling珊's birthday party into the venue.

It wasn't until Su Can stood here that he heard someone calling out to him. Turning around, Li Lümei, carefully groomed, emerged from a taxi. Several other cars were there too; students from her class were getting out of them. A few of them couldn't be recognized but they seemed to be part of the same clique. Mao Xiaoshi was among them, waving enthusiastically at Su Can. After the incident with Chen Cong, he had changed quite a bit and became more reserved. His injuries healed up pretty well; fortunately, modern medicine wasn't too backward, so there were no lingering effects.

However, towards Su Can, Mao Xiaoshi was already full of gratitude and even developed a special closeness because if not for him, he might have been stabbed to death by Chen Cong alive.

Su Can recalled his time with Tang Wu. On the street when they encountered Chen Cong, there had been resentment in his eyes as well as some stubbornness; seeing them now even brought a hint of nostalgia and melancholy. Perhaps it was because he couldn't let go or forget that led to him missing this chance to strike back.

"It seems Mr. Ling's trading company has made contact with a major buyer, who acquired it at a high price. Uncle Chen is now free from financial troubles; the Chen family earned quite a sum of money overnight. No wonder they're hosting Ling's birthday party here in the Cabine Hotel; Uncle Chen must be looking radiant today!" Li Weimei was absorbed in observing the hotel with envy.

"Having a birthday banquet at this place is too extravagant! If I could hold my wedding reception here, I'd be very content." Li Lümei's gaze was sweetly fixed on Mao Xiaoshi as she spoke in a drawn-out tone. Rarely dressed so ladylike, her disposition seemed to have changed quite a bit.

Mao Xiaoshi blushed and turned away, feeling uncomfortable under Li Weimei's stare but nodded. "Yeah, it is pretty good."

Su Can was startled by the two of them, wondering when this relationship developed between them. Soft chuckles could be heard from the side as a group of stylishly dressed young men and women looked at them with an air of superiority; one girl glanced at Mao Xiaoshi and thought she wasn't bad, but then sneered at Li Lümei for her satisfaction being to host a wedding reception here.

Somethings couldn't help but laugh, and the laughter was somewhat sharp. "She's dressed very tacky too. Wearing gray leg socks with a cake skirt. This outfit wouldn’t be something bought from San Shui Market for cheap prices, would it"

They were talking in a low voice, but this didn't prevent their words from being heard clearly by Ma Xiaoshi and Li Luz Mei et al.

Liu Weimei’s face turned completely red out of embarrassment and anger. She clutched her dress tightly as she hung her head without saying anything.

Mao Xiaoshi’s expression became awkward, and at this moment the group of fashionable people burst into laughter again. Mao Xiaoshi clenched his fists tightly in anger. A girl who was good friends with Liu Weimei couldn’t help but snort. "What's so great about being rich Why would Ling Shan invite a bunch of people like Zhang Su"

"Zhang Su’s father is the vice president of Construction Bank, why can't his dad invite him then" A girl said sarcastically, “On the contrary, we might be thinking that Ling Shan wouldn’t even bother to invite us.” Xiaoshi No.1 High School had a small number of students from other counties and cities in the region who were the children of officials or businessmen. Chen’s father was also somewhat well-known among those in business circles within the city. He held this banquet for his daughter’s birthday, inviting these people over as a way to build stronger connections. It wasn’t surprising that many of the invited kids came with their parents. As far as Chen’s father was concerned, Su Cen didn't mind this either; after all, it was just another business tactic. Without any background, it was indeed difficult for him to establish such networks, so naturally he wouldn’t give up on opportunities like these.

Liu Jumei shook her head and said, "No, others might think that way but Ling Shan won't." Although she spoke in this manner, the panic in her eyes couldn’t be hidden. Evidently the words and actions of those rich kids just now had hurt her self-esteem.

Everyone’s faces showed a trace of worry. In their usual interactions with Chen Ling Shan, they would never think that way. However, at this incredibly luxurious hotel costing a fortune to rent out, Chen Ling Shan was the center of attention in the eyes of those kids who had just been insulted. When many people came to greet her based on seniority and rank, wasn’t their presence actually adding a negative image to her They felt more like a burden than an asset. Many of them would often pass by this hotel while imagining what it looked like inside, but now they were considering not going in at all.

"Forget it, let's just not go then. Just bring the gifts over and leave." Su Cen glanced around for a moment without any results. He felt somewhat disappointed as he said to everyone, "Since we've been invited, might as well come along. It’s almost time anyway."

Su Cen’s words surprisingly had great influence on them all, giving them some mysterious courage. They followed him and entered the hotel lobby where a group of women in cheongsams greeted them with a synchronized welcome. After explaining that this was for Chen Ling Shan's birthday banquet, they were led by the manager to take an elevator up to the fourth floor where the banquet would be held. When the door opened, there was carvings and paintings on the walls showing off extravagant decor and a gilded atmosphere that left everyone gasping in awe. The number of people invited for this banquet must have been quite considerable; at least ten tables were definitely needed.

"Looks like Chen’s father really is earning money, having such an expensive place for his daughter's birthday party!"

The girl who had been sharp-tempered earlier couldn’t help but sigh this moment.

In the middle of the lobby, Chen’s father and Chen Ling Shan were welcoming guests. His father was still enthusiastically chatting with several middle-aged men about something while Chen Ling Shan stood out very much in a light pink girl's cocktail dress. Her slender waist and elegant skirt caused everyone around her to feel warmer, even those few middle-aged men who looked at her furtively as one of them said, "Old Chen, your daughter really is becoming more and more beautiful."

Under these circumstances, it was natural for Chen Ling Shan to become the focus of discussion. Even those rich kids from other schools who usually looked down on others couldn’t help but praise her: “In City No.1 High School, in terms of temperament and looks, almost nobody could compare with Ling Shan.”

The conversation turned to the number of people pursuing Chen Lingshan, with some boasting about having written love letters to her.

However, she had never been interested in any of those men, which made them feel slightly better.

The girls were quite envious. While saying "What's so special about her," they couldn't help comparing themselves with Chen Lingshan. Even though they usually competed over fashion and appearance, sometimes they willingly admitted being inferior to her because she was indeed very talented.

Since they could not compete with Chen Lingshan who had specially dressed up, they started comparing the clothes and shoes of other women at the banquet tables.

In this atmosphere, Su Cen and others felt out of place. In fact, they didn't know which table to sit at. Chen Lingshan spotted them from a distance with her beautiful eyes and immediately walked over, smilingly saying, "Why are you so late I've been waiting for a long time! Hurry up and take your seats, it's about to start!"

Li Jumei, who had originally worried with clenched fists, finally relaxed. She looked at Chen Lingshan and said,

"Lingshan, you look really beautiful today!"

This wasn't an exaggeration; after all, the boys from their school district had been staring at her.

Chen Lingshan blushed slightly as she glanced at Su Cen. Her heart raced a little faster, and of course, a sense of pride welled up inside her. She led them to a table, saying, "Everyone, sit here."

This made the surrounding people somewhat uncomfortable. When they entered, Chen Lingshan had not greeted anyone as warmly as she did these particular individuals, which created quite a contrast that irked some of those present.

Seeing Chen Lingshan still behaving friendly and approachable like she usually did in class without putting on any airs, the unease they felt earlier dissolved. They all took out their gifts and passed them over, saying, "Happy birthday!"

Chen Lingshan happily accepted the gifts while playfully asking what was inside each one. Li Juemei handed her a gift and said, “A memento of our sixth year as best friends!”

Chen Lingshan's eyes were slightly red. At her birthday party, surrounded by so many friends, with elegant lighting and stunning decorations, heartfelt blessings from everyone, and longtime friends, the happiness of this moment was indescribable.

"What is it inside" Chen Lingshan sniffled, her voice a bit choked as she asked.

Li Weimei's eyes welled up first. "Hehe, I won't tell you now, come back to see!"

"You're annoying!" Chen Lingshan tapped Li Weimei on the forehead and turned around to look at Su Can. Su Can handed her a long box he was holding, saying, "Happy birthday."

Chen Lingshan nodded quietly without any of the excitement she had just shown earlier. She accepted the long box from Su Can's hand without asking what was inside it, and this difference made everyone around them somewhat aware of their special relationship. However, some people thought that if Chen Lingshan really didn't have feelings for Su Can, then her sudden change in attitude towards him would be hard to explain.

"It’s a set of small porcelain Peking Opera masks; they should have some collectible value," said Su Can.

Chen Lingshan calmly replied, "Oh, thank you. I like it very much." Her expression was calm but she showed some joy, yet there was also a slight sense of loss because she hadn’t seen Tang Wu and didn’t know where this feeling came from. She might not necessarily be inferior to Tang Wu even in the dazzling crowd.

"Welcome everyone to attend Lingshan's birthday party. In future learning and life, I hope you can all help take care of her," a voice said nearby. Chen’s father, holding a highball glass, appeared beside them at their table. Standing next to Chen Lingshan, he had an amiable expression but raised his eyebrows slightly when looking at Su Can: "Oh Su Can is here."

He still maintained a warm tone; however, none of the people present noticed the solitary arrogance in his eyes.

The last time, by using Chen Lingshan as leverage to extend an olive branch, he refused to get involved with the Star Sea Square project, which resulted in missing out on a great opportunity. For a period, Chen’s father did indeed feel some regret.

But life has its way of opening doors when it closes windows; now his trading company had been sold at a price far exceeding expectations, and he suddenly felt as if he had risen several levels with the funds he obtained. Compared to his past attitude of deliberately ignoring Su Can, he was now more willing to face this boy he couldn’t fully understand. He wanted to reclaim the authority he had lost.

He wasn't quite sure why he subconsciously liked showing off in front of Su Can; perhaps it was simply because that young man once made him feel regretful, and now he just wanted to salvage his pride.ke this.After holding Tang Wu's hand, Su Cen felt that her gaze towards him wasn't as cold as before. A soft feeling crept into his heart, much like the wispy clouds under the clear sky of First High....