NOVEL WEB Chapter 20 - Invincibility
Wang Han is the father of Wang Changyu. While Wang Changyu might give off the vibes of someone born into wealth, Wang Han appears more like a new money magnate.
He has made significant efforts to shed the typical attitude of the wealthy second generation. Yet, every so often, he inadvertently displays those traits.
“I appreciate everyone's presence at this gathering. As fate would have it, our Wang Family has another piece of good news. We've chosen to invest in the Qiangloong Group. From today, we liken ourselves to the humble foot soldiers of Qiang Long,” Wang Han declared gravely.
Some attendees couldn't help but chuckle. It was their first time hearing such a humorous comparison. They were quite amused by the self-deprecating comparison to prawn soldiers and crab generals.
Yet, what caught everyone off guard was that the Qiangloong Group seemed to have roped Wang Han in. Typically, they would disdain someone of Wang Han’s new-rich status.
Chen Yaru remained expressionless. She was first pondering over a certain issue, and secondly, her attention was riveted to the young man next to Wang Han.
“Allow me to introduce him. He is the chairman of Qiangloong Group, Chairman Xu, the son of Xu Shaoning, and known as Young Master Xu. I'm indebted to Young Master Xu for flying back from the U.S. to grace this event. What do we call this event?” Wang Han pondered briefly before conceding, “Never mind, let's have Young Master Xu share a few words.”
Xu Shaoning stepped forward, clad in a pristine white suit, epitomizing grace and charm. His mere presence commanded the room's attention.
“I'm thrilled about the Qiangloong Group's collaboration with Mr. Wang. However, I must clarify, my attendance isn't related to this partnership.” Xu Shaoning hesitated momentarily, casting a deep, searching gaze in one direction. “Two years ago, I left this place for her sake. Today, I've returned to clear up past misunderstandings.”
Whispers erupted among the crowd, with many trying to discern who Xu Shaoning referred to.
Zhang Xiaoloong, sensing something, followed Xu Shaoning's line of sight and, unsurprisingly, found Chen Yaru, who looked as if she was caught in a glaring spotlight, frozen in place.
“Hmm, she doesn't seem too thrilled,” Zhang observed, finding it peculiar.
Xu Shaoning, to any observer, seemed like the quintessential dreamy prince for any young woman. But Zhang Xiaoloong discerned that Chen Yaru's reaction wasn't one of infatuation. Her complexion had turned ashen, hinting at discomfort and perhaps fear.
“Ah, that's Yuanbo's Chen Yaru. It appears Young Master Xu has a soft spot for her.”
“Aren't you aware? Chen Yaru is considered one of Qingyang City's most radiant beauties. Young Master Xu has been smitten with her for quite some time now, having pursued her two years ago.”
“Seriously? A man of Xu Shaoning's stature and charm couldn't win over a woman?”
“Haven't you caught on to what Young Master Xu mentioned? Whatever transpired back then prevented his success. When it comes to the affairs of the heart, you know how it goes…”
“I see. It looks like this time around, Chen Yaru might not elude Young Master Xu's attention. Rumor has it he's relentless in his pursuits.”
The ambiance in the hall was subdued, with only a handful, perhaps two or three individuals, in a corner discreetly conversing about Xu Shaoning and Chen Yaru.
Their murmurs were hushed. While most were oblivious to it, Zhang Xiaoloong caught every word.
After uttering those words, Xu Shaoning began to approach.
His presence was commanding. People naturally parted ways for him. He exuded an air of royalty as a crowd surrounded him while he approached Chen Yaru.
Chen Yaru's reaction was noticeable. Her eyes widened in alarm, and she appeared visibly trapped, searching for an exit but frozen in place.
“Can I assist you?” A soft voice broke through. f(r)ee
It seemed Chen Yaru had found her beacon of hope. She swiftly turned and embraced the speaker tightly around the waist.
“Well, that's quite the response…” Zhang Xiaoloong was taken aback as she pressed against him, feeling a tad out of place.
Being someone unfamiliar with such intimate encounters, the sensation was overwhelming for him.
“Zhang Xiaoloong, please, stay with me,” Chen Yaru's voice was laced with desperation.
Zhang Xiaoloong was taken aback. He could distinctly sense that it wasn't a pretense. This was evident from the slight shiver of the other person's body due to fear.
Reflecting on the words of the others, a frown appeared on his face. It appeared that Xu Shaoning, despite his radiant appearance, was not as benign as he seemed.
In the past, Chen Yaru had mentioned someone bothering her, cautioning Zhang not to cross paths with that individual. Zhang suspected she was talking about Wang Changyu, whom he had recently met. However, based on Wang's recent behavior, it was evident that he wasn’t as menacing as Chen Yaru had implied.
Unexpectedly, it was Xu Shaoning who emerged as the real concern that night. He might be the one Chen Yaru truly feared.
With that realization, Zhang Xiaoloong reached out, gently cradling Chen Yaru and whispered, “It's okay.”
Chen Yaru, sensing Zhang Xiaoloong's warmth, started to ease up, her face regaining its color.
To an onlooker, they appeared deeply connected, their embrace fitting perfectly in that hidden corner. Their stunning pairing was so serene that it seemed wrong to break the moment.
However, while they found peace, Xu Shaoning, approaching them, seemed caught off-guard. He halted, a flicker of annoyance evident in his eyes.
He had invested considerably in planning this reunion, confident that Chen Yaru, willing or not, would ultimately fall into his grasp.
Yet, to his surprise, events had taken a drastic turn. It felt as though he had meticulously prepared for a wedding only to discover the bride had run off with another.
Such a revelation would drive anyone to the edge of fury. Could there be a more heart-wrenching scenario?
Collecting himself, Xu Shaoning managed a poised demeanor, approaching as if noticing them just then. The pair, sensing his presence, hesitated before breaking their embrace, offering a courteous smile. “Did we interrupt you?”
When Chen Yaru recognized his voice as “Young Master Xu,” a slight shiver ran through her.
Yet, at that moment, she felt an unexpected warmth emanating from Zhang Xiaoloong's touch, as if an unfamiliar energy was grounding her. She glanced at him, her eyes filled with astonishment and wonder.
“When did we become so separated?” Xu Shaoning sighed.