Lan Die mumbled, “S Windmill!”
Cong Yue’s eyes widened. “Even Rolls-Royce has joined the S Windmill trend? Unbelievable!”
Lan Die offered no further explanation, and Cong Yue didn’t press further.
As soon as Yi An started the car, he called He Canglan. “President He, everything is taken care of!”
He Canglan was galloping on horseback.
Dressed in a fitted black riding outfit atop a tall, imposing black American Quarter Horse, the man on horseback exuded an even more commanding presence.
He merely responded with a soft “Hmm” before hanging up.
A trace of obscure depth flickered in his phoenix-like eyes.
…
A gathering of the top elite.
The attendees were all well-known scions from prestigious circles or descendants of renowned medical authorities, scholars, and scholarly families.
Though a regular gathering, its main purpose was to welcome He Canglan, who had returned from abroad to formally take over the National Security Agency.
He Canglan had been thriving in Wall Street’s financial world. He had always known it was merely a training ground!
His elder brother, He Wanlan, had already followed their father’s wishes and entered politics, leaving the renowned National Security Agency** for him.
Such gatherings inevitably featured entertainment.
These events were strictly distanced from the entertainment industry.
Those who performed were either artist friends known to the scions or outstanding performing students recommended by institutions—all thoroughly vetted and clean.
Many eagerly sought this opportunity, driven by desires to broaden their horizons, expand their networks, or even harbor ulterior motives.
Backstage, Lan Die had already changed into her ballet costume.
As one of the outstanding performing students invited, she was among only three.
She would perform ballet, while the other two would perform the guzheng and violin respectively.
The other two chatted animatedly, while Lan Die sat quietly to the side.
She knew full well that Lin Yi had arranged for her to come and embarrass herself.
Because Kang Jian would also be attending tonight.
But the performance offered substantial payment—she needed the money! She needed to repay loans! She needed to treat her younger brother, Lan Tian!
Kang Jian came from a medical family, with ancestors who were prominent figures in the medical field. He himself was now a young chief physician at Jingzhou Hospital.
The Lan and Kang families were old friends.
Kang Jian’s father had exhausted every effort to save Lan Sheng and his wife, but unfortunately, it was to no avail.
After the collapse of Lan Sheng Group, the massive debts were largely repaid by the Kang family, with the remainder covered by a loan guaranteed by the Kangs, to be slowly repaid by the siblings Lan Die and Lan Tian.
Both Lan Die and Lin Yi were like younger sisters to Kang Jian, having grown up together since childhood.
During his youthful awakening to love, Kang Jian had already developed hidden feelings for Lan Die.
After Lan Die turned 18, the Kang and Lan families held an engagement ceremony for Kang Jian and Lan Die.
Now, with Lan Sheng Group collapsed and Lan Die at 19, that once-celebrated engagement was never mentioned again—except by the persistently devoted Kang Jian!
The Kang family had already gone above and beyond, and Lan Die understood this!
She deliberately avoided meeting Kang Jian and had brought up breaking up with him several times.
Because, at this moment, this was the only thing she could do for Kang Jian’s parents! She understood it all.
“Hey, it’s almost your turn!” the guzheng player called out to Lan Die.
“Oh, thank you!” Lan Die snapped back to reality, briefly adjusting her costume.
It was time to go on stage! She walked out with calm composure.
It was just a ballet performance—for Lan Die, who had danced for fifteen years and won countless awards, it was no difficult task.
Just finish the dance, take the money, and leave. As for any humiliation Lin Yi might inflict, simply turn a blind eye.
When the young girl Lan Die made her entrance, she still caused quite a stir in the venue.
The woman smiled lightly, elegant and composed. She had always been aware of her own beauty!
She wore a pure white gauze dress, flawless and snow-white from head to toe, her figure full and soft, her face charming yet not vulgar, like a sacred snow fairy who had fallen into the mortal world.
As for the various appraising gazes men directed at her, she had grown accustomed to them since childhood, her heart as still as water, handling them with cold indifference.
She had chosen Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake.
As an outstanding dancer, the moment the music began, her entire being would radiate brilliance—the stage was her domain!
On that exquisitely beautiful face, she wore a charming yet composed smile. She truly transformed herself into a white swan, dancing gracefully on the lake.
Bending backward, leaping, multiple pirouettes… a series of high-difficulty moves drew continuous cheers from the audience.
At least half of the young elites present knew or had heard of Lan Die’s name. After all, she had once been not only the most beautiful campus belle but also the stunning ballet princess of high society.
Unlike the clamor of some greasy tycoons, the elites of this class placed great importance on face, preferring to remain outwardly expressionless while secretly maneuvering behind the scenes.
For them to lose control of their expressions and gasp in surprise was already rare enough.
The man in the VIP seats expressionlessly savored the Islay whisky in his glass.
Beside him, apart from Liao Zhongqing, was a refined man wearing gold-rimmed glasses—Shi Zhengqi, another outstanding figure among the elites.
Shi Zhengqi had been silently watching Lan Die dance on stage, his eyes behind the gold-rimmed glasses showing no ripple of emotion.
The only slip came when Liao Zhongqing called his name for the third time, “Zhengqi,” and he snapped back to attention: “What is it?”
Liao Zhongqing gave He Canglan a meaningful glance: “Nothing, just calling you to drink!”
Immediately, a wine steward filled Shi Zhengqi’s glass to the brim.
“Canglan, though it’s fine whisky, you might not know—I’m a bit allergic to alcohol.”
“Then just drink this one glass,” He Canglan said calmly, fixing his gaze on him.
Liao Zhongqing chimed in from the side: “Canglan has finally returned, Zhengqi. Just drink this glass—a full measure of sincerity!”
Shi Zhengqi raised the glass and downed it in one go!
He Canglan’s lips curled faintly: “Good capacity! Good brother!”
Soon, the allergic symptoms appeared. Red spots began to emerge on Shi Zhengqi’s face, itching unbearably.
He Canglan waved his hand: “Yi An, take Zhengqi to the hospital quickly.”
With the seat beside him now empty, the view became much more pleasing.
When He Canglan glanced seemingly casually toward the stage again, the white swan had already reached the finale.
Liao Zhongqing pondered for a long time but couldn’t figure out whether that glass of whisky had been intentional on He Canglan’s part.
He lowered his voice: “Quite a coincidence, that woman on stage…”
“Did you come here to look at women?” He Canglan’s deep voice cut in. “If I didn’t mention women, would you forget your surname is Liao? The old man should make you memorize the Four Books and Five Classics!”
Was he being checkmated? After all that, he had ended up having his sore spot exposed by He Canglan. Liao Zhongqing could only admit his bad luck!
He really wished He Canglan had a female friend by his side. After all, this brother was too averse to women—even his rumored love interests had become men.
After stepping off the stage, Lan Die quickly changed into her own clothes backstage.
A simple white dress, with the hem falling below the knees—a very ordinary, ladylike outfit—yet on her, it became an ethereal, almost celestial presence.
She walked with two other students who had performed with musical instruments to collect their payment.
In the hallway, a tall, refined man was waiting for her.
Seeing her approach, he hesitated for a moment before stepping forward: “Xiao Die?”