Yan Wenjing was born into a scholarly family.
Not only was he highly accomplished in traditional Chinese painting, but he himself was also a powerful figure with immense influence.
He had three thousand disciples under his tutelage, all pillars of society.
Although the Ye Family could stir up wind and rain in Jinling, when placed across the entire Jiangnan and Jiangbei regions, whether they could rank in the top ten was still uncertain.
Compared to Yan Wenjing, they were hardly worth mentioning.
In the original plotline, the reason Lin Yi was able to rise so quickly in the early stages, transforming from a poor student into a social elite, was largely due to the support and favor Yan Wenjing gave him.
But this appreciation meant for the protagonist, Ye Feng intended to take for himself.
“Young Master Ye, what are you looking at?”
At that moment, a well-dressed young man in a suit walked over to Ye Feng.
He was Chen Zixun, the young master of the Chen Family, one of Jinling’s four major families.
Seeing Ye Feng’s gaze fixed on the elderly man beside his father, Chen Zixun said, “That old gentleman is a friend of my father’s. He seems to have quite a background, but I’m not very familiar with him. Young Master Ye wants an introduction?”
“Chen Zixun, what brings you over here?”
Ye Feng looked at him curiously. Although the Chen Family and the Ye Family had little interaction, as members of the wealthy second-generation circle, Ye Feng and Chen Zixun had drunk together several times.
However, the Chen Family had extremely strict upbringing. Chen Tianlei strictly forbade his son from associating with playboys like Ye Feng.
Chen Tianlei had even asserted that once someone like Ye Feng took over the Ye Family, the family would surely decline and fail to prosper beyond the second generation.
He was absolutely right. But Chen Tianlei would never have imagined that in the original plotline, the Ye Family collapsed because of Lin Yi. Ye Feng’s squandering ruined the family in less than a year.
“My dad’s busy entertaining guests. He doesn’t have time to watch me.”
Chen Zixun wore a sly smile.
He had grown up under strict discipline and feared his father greatly.
Other wealthy second-generation heirs could lounge in their family companies, crossing their legs and sipping coffee. Chen Zixun was not so fortunate.
If he failed at something, his father could scold him from morning until evening, and continue scolding him at home.
What frustrated Chen Zixun most was that even his friendships were controlled. He was no longer a child.
He had finally seized this opportunity to get closer to Ye Feng.
After all, the Ye Family was at the height of its power, while the Chen Family lagged far behind. It was only natural to build a good relationship with the Ye Family’s future successor.
Chen Zixun glanced at the beauty beside Ye Feng and smiled. “Young Master Ye, this must be Miss Gu Yunxiang.”
“You seem to know quite a lot.”
Ye Feng replied.
“Can’t help it. Your affairs are all over the circle these days.”
Chen Zixun laughed.
“This must be Young Master Chen Zixun. The Chen Family ranks among Jinling’s four major families. Young Master Chen is regarded by Patriarch Chen as the future successor.”
Gu Yunxiang smiled gracefully. In business, one must know the players. Anyone of significance in Jinling, she had studied. One never knew when cooperation might arise.
“Wow, sister-in-law has sharp eyes.”
Chen Zixun was startled. He knew Gu Yunxiang only because he had investigated her to get closer to Ye Feng.
Yet she had just returned to Jinling and already recognized him. This woman was definitely not simple.
He quickly responded, “Sister-in-law flatters me. It’s just that my brothers are not capable, so my father pays more attention to me. But after all, the Chen Family is just a family. Only the Ye Family can truly be called a top-tier household.”
“Enough flattery. If you’re not afraid of your father scolding you, you can stay here.”
Ye Feng said casually. Chen Tianlei did not wish to associate with the Ye Family, but that did not mean the Ye Family wished to associate with him either.
The two families had no conflict of interest and no business cooperation. Staying out of each other’s affairs was not a bad thing.
As for Chen Zixun, in the original plotline he had been quite clever. When Lin Yi dealt with Ye Feng, Chen Zixun had given Ye Feng many suggestions.
Unfortunately, Lin Yi’s protagonist halo had been too powerful. No one could withstand it.
“I’ll stay for a bit and then leave.”
Chen Zixun said with a grin. Suddenly, he leaned closer to Ye Feng and whispered, “Young Master Ye, are you really giving up on Bai Susu?”
“Hey, Miss Bai has come out.”
“Wow, Miss Bai looks so beautiful tonight. No wonder Young Master Ye chased her for so many years.”
“Boss Bai is truly fortunate to have such a daughter.”
“I heard Miss Bai is also a disciple of Master Huang Jiaxiang and plays the piano beautifully.”
“Really? Then we must enjoy a performance tonight.”
As soon as Chen Zixun finished speaking, a commotion arose in the villa hall. Bai Susu appeared in an evening gown.
Her beauty was like a painting, her temperament outstanding. Though only twenty years old, she already carried the aura of someone who could captivate a nation.
Even Chen Zixun stared in awe, thinking it was no wonder Young Master Ye had pursued her for years.
“Thank you, uncles and elders, for attending my father’s birthday banquet.”
“The feast will begin shortly. I am not very talented, but I would like to play a piece titled Blessing for everyone. Please forgive any shortcomings.”
At Bai Susu’s signal, the villa staff moved a piano into place.
She sat quietly before the piano like a princess. Outside the window, the stars shimmered, as if marveling at her beauty.
Blessing was a very famous piano piece. She dedicated it both to the guests and to her father.
The melody was exquisite. Even those who did not understand music found it pleasing.
Three minutes later, the performance ended, and thunderous applause filled the hall.
“As expected of Miss Bai. She’s beautiful, and her piano playing is excellent.”
“After all, she is a disciple of Master Huang Jiaxiang. Master Huang is known for having high standards.”
“That’s right. Many of Master Huang’s students have gone international.”
“Miss Bai’s future will surely be limitless.”
The crowd did not hold back their praise. They seemed to have figured out why Ye Feng had been infatuated with Bai Susu for so many years.
Anyone would fall for her.
Now that Young Master Ye had a new companion, perhaps it was not that he had changed his affections, but that Bai Susu’s standards were simply too high.
As for the Bai Family nearing bankruptcy, no one was concerned for now.
As long as they had not truly collapsed, and as long as Bai Susu could still move Ye Feng’s heart, the Bai Family could always rise again.
“You flatter us.”
“My daughter only has a bit of talent. It is all thanks to Master Huang’s careful guidance.”
Bai Jianhao beamed with pride. His daughter had truly brought him honor just now.
Huang Jiaxiang sat nearby, offering only a polite smile.
Truthfully, he had seen far greater musical talents, even prodigies.
Bai Susu’s talent was merely above average. If not for Young Master Ye repeatedly pleading, he would never have accepted her as a student.
Between him and Bai Susu, it was less a teacher-student relationship and more a transaction.
The bargaining chip had been giving face to the Ye Family.
In a corner, Ye Feng asked, “Yunxiang, I remember you’ve been learning piano since childhood, right?”
“Ah?”
Gu Yunxiang was taken aback. “Why?”
“Go up and play a piece. I remember when we were kids and took piano lessons together, you were the one tutoring me afterward.”
“Bai Susu’s performance was just average. These bosses only praised her because they don’t understand music.”
“If you go up, you’ll definitely play better than her.”
Ye Feng’s eyes shifted slightly as he began to hatch a mischievous plan.