A trace of embarrassment flashed across Huo Yunzhi’s face. To be fair, Shen Yan’s background and appearance were truly outstanding. There were plenty of noble ladies who wanted to marry him. But this man—he had clearly liked her first and had even pressured the Shen Family to arrange an engagement with the Huo Family early on. Now he made it sound like she was the one who didn’t know what was good for her?
“Shen Yan, what do you mean by that!?”
Hearing her voice, Shen Yan curved his lips in satisfaction. He went upstairs first. Seeing Huo Yunzhi still following behind, he turned and said, “Miss Huo, hurry up. Didn’t you want to break off the engagement?”
Only then did Huo Yunzhi hasten her steps, but her face suddenly changed. The hem of her dress was stepped on, and her body lunged forward due to inertia.
“Ah—”
“Damn!” Shen Yan’s face turned dark. This damned protagonist halo! This cliché scene again? He hadn’t done a thing, and the female lead still managed to fall in public?
Then, his gaze swept toward a man approaching from nearby. Without a second thought, Shen Yan quickly unbuttoned his suit jacket and, using one hand on the staircase railing, flipped down. His movement was clean and sharp, handsome yet steady. His agile action triggered a chorus of gasps from the crowd.
Thanks to Shen Yan’s quick reflexes, Huo Yunzhi fell straight into his arms. She instantly wrapped her arms tightly around him. Because of the tug just now, her dress had slipped slightly. From Shen Yan’s angle, he could clearly see the scene bursting from her chest—two white jade mounds.
With Huo Yunzhi hugging him tightly, Shen Yan could feel those soft mounds pressing against his chest like a massage.
Uh… his body seemed to be reacting a little.
“Ahem.” Shen Yan snapped back to his senses.
He quickly took off his suit jacket and covered Huo Yunzhi with it, frowning as he asked, “Are you alright?”
Huo Yunzhi had never been so embarrassed before. Her face had turned pale as she clutched the top of her dress.
The sudden mishap caused the crowd to erupt in laughter.
Hearing the laughter around her, Huo Yunzhi’s expression grew panicked. She bit her lip, her face drained of color.
At that moment, Shen Yan narrowed his eyes slightly. In the original plot, Shen Yan had watched helplessly as Huo Yunzhi was carried away by the protagonist, but he still stayed behind to clean up the mess. He spent a large sum of money to buy up all the photos of her embarrassing fall and even ordered everyone present not to spread the incident.
Everyone on-site, fearing the Shen Family’s power, agreed. But as a result, Shen Yan offended many people. When the Shen Family eventually fell, few were willing to help.
But now?
Looking at Huo Yunzhi in his arms, Shen Yan sneered and didn’t stop the crowd from laughing.
If someone wants to play the simp, let them!
[System notification: Plot reversed. Plundered 1,000 luck points from the protagonist.]
Shen Yan looked ahead. In the corner stood a man in a suit.
A virtual panel popped up—Protagonist: Lin Yu. luck points: 36,000.
Shen Yan withdrew his gaze, deep in thought. As expected, he’s the protagonist. The plot had only just begun, and Lin Yu’s luck points was already sky-high!
In the original novel, Lin Yu had used some tricks to get into the banquet. He didn’t leave empty-handed either—this was the event where he first met Huo Yunzhi. Through her, he got acquainted with Master Huo and earned his appreciation.
Master Huo had been aware of Lin Yu’s feelings for Huo Yunzhi from the beginning and had helped him a lot in the early stages of his career.
But now? Want to step on him to rise? No way!
[System notification: luck points has reached 1,100. Spend 500 points to draw a new skill?]
[Draw.]
[System notification: Successfully obtained skill—Presence of a Superior x1.]
In the next instant, Shen Yan’s entire aura transformed.
Gone was the frivolous playboy image—his presence was reborn. Instantly, he stood above everyone else, his aura cold and commanding, making everyone around instinctively tremble.
Looking at Lin Yu, who stood nearby with a regretful expression from missing the chance to save the damsel in distress, Shen Yan said coldly, “Who brought this man in?”
With one sentence, Shen Yan successfully directed everyone’s attention to Lin Yu standing in the corner.
Normally, banquets in the circle of celebrities required formal attire.
So now, everyone’s eyes were on Lin Yu.
“Who is he? How did he get in here?”
“This is the Shen Family’s banquet. Even I had to pull countless strings to get an invitation. My outfit was tailored by a famous designer—only that shows proper respect to the Shen Family. But look at this guy. Why is he dressed like a mess?”
The one speaking was the CEO of a listed company in the capital, worth over a billion yuan.
Others quickly joined in, whispering among themselves.
“Anyone recognize him? If not, how did he get in?”
“Could he have snuck in? I heard some paparazzi and shady vendors shamelessly sneak into banquets to take pictures.”
“Why not just throw him out? Otherwise, he’s really dragging down our status.”
Lin Yu had just returned from abroad. When he heard about this banquet, he scrambled to attend, but due to time constraints, he had to borrow a suit at the last minute.
Now that everyone was staring at him, he felt awkward. He subtly moved his hand to cover a grease stain on the suit.
Initially, Lin Yu had been enjoying himself—sipping wine, watching beautiful women come and go.
To be fair, Lin Yu did fit the typical urban novel protagonist mold. He was handsome and charming, with a slightly roguish look, lounging lazily as he admired the banquet.
Many girls around glanced at him subconsciously, drawn by his presence.
Lin Yu scanned them, silently evaluating each.
Hmm, that one’s chest is too small. That one’s legs aren’t long enough. That one’s waist is too thick…
In the original novel, Lin Yu had this trait—he loved evaluating beautiful women. To put it bluntly, he was a womanizer.
But then, when Huo Yunzhi appeared, he felt utterly dazzled!
Lin Yu stared at her intently, examining her closely. He felt he’d never seen a woman so beautiful in his life.
So, when he saw Huo Yunzhi about to fall, he knew it was his moment to shine. His chance to save the beauty had come! But then, when he saw her fall into Shen Yan’s arms, he was consumed by hatred.
He hated this rich heir named Shen Yan for stealing his moment to be a hero.
“Hahaha, I came too hastily this time. I heard the banquet would be amazing, so I just came by,” Lin Yu said awkwardly, wishing he could dig a hole and hide.
He was fuming inside, furious that Shen Yan had drawn everyone’s attention to him.
“I hope Young Master Shen isn’t angry,” Lin Yu added.
The moment he said that, someone in the crowd snorted.
Shen Yan sneered coldly. Lin Yu was playing the long game—pretending to be in a tough spot while looking pitiful. Clever move. Too bad he ran into Shen Yan.
In his past life, Shen Yan had climbed to the top. He’d seen through countless schemes and manipulations. In the real world, the games people played were far more complex, and Shen Yan had battled through them all.
Besides, his reputation as a playboy was already well known. He had no reason to fear tricks like this.
Everyone here was trying to cling to the Shen Family.
Sure enough, seeing that Shen Yan didn’t seem to like Lin Yu, one billionaire CEO immediately stepped up and said, “Sir, this is a business banquet. There’s a minimum entry requirement. May I ask if you have an invitation?”
Lin Yu shook his head slightly.
“Then, do you own a listed company?”
Lin Yu shook his head again.
The CEO frowned, clearly displeased. “Then may I ask how exactly you got into this banquet?”