Feng Lin’s eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, he was stunned.
By the time he reacted, Xia Xunqian’s lips had already moved away, and he obediently sat back at Feng Lin’s side.
It was as if nothing had just happened.
The wind moved, the car moved, and so did their eyes.
Feng Lin lowered his gaze to the window, his face cold. His elegant features now carried a hint of subtle warmth, hard to read.
The cold wind blew in through the car window, but the man still felt hot.
“You don’t need to try to please me,” Feng Lin suddenly said, his low, deep voice indifferent and slightly cold.
Xia Xunqian’s gaze darkened slightly.
“I’m not trying to please you.”
“I like you, sir…” Xia Xunqian said seriously, quietly, his tone clear and gentle like a mountain stream.
He made it perfectly clear to Feng Lin, “I like you, sir.”
Feng Lin interrupted, his aristocratic tone sharp and striking.
“Bold, aren’t you, all of a sudden.”
Xia Xunqian nervously rubbed his fingers together.
“What kind of person do you like, sir?”
Feng Lin: “I like women.”
Xia Xunqian: “…………”
Feng Lin chuckled lightly. He studied Xia Xunqian up and down, then asked,
“Are you?”
The delicate tension felt almost tangible, something Xia Xunqian couldn’t grasp.
“No,” he said.
Feng Lin’s gaze darkened, his eyes cold as he looked at him sideways.
“Then you should behave and not cross the line.”
Mountains face the sea, but some things are destined to only face the sea.
Wanting too much can leave you with nothing in the end.
Xia Xunqian said nothing more.
The car kept moving and finally stopped at a banquet hall.
Today was the largest business banquet in the capital. All the important people would be here. Outside, the hostesses wore expensive, proper, professional gowns.
Feng Lin opened the car door without looking back at Xia Xunqian.
“Follow me. Today, your only task is to let them recognize you.”
“Learn to adjust your mindset, take initiative, observe and react, get familiar with the environment, and adapt.”
“Look more.”
“Listen more.”
“Observe more.”
“Speak less.”
Feng Lin’s voice carried a cold edge.
These were the most words he had ever said to Xia Xunqian in one breath—cold, yet strangely different from usual.
Xia Xunqian understood what he wanted.
Feng Lin knew exactly what to give him.
Xia Xunqian quietly followed behind Feng Lin.
His back was straight, his gaze calm and distant. Though he lacked the ruthless decisiveness of a businessman, his steady, unshakable presence made him seem capable of facing storms, unyielding.
Feng Lin walked ahead, his broad shoulders carrying authority and power that belonged to no one.
It needed no defense, no envy.
It belonged only to Feng Lin, and only Feng Lin could wield it.
Xia Xunqian wasn’t dressed formally—just a white shirt, standing out slightly among the banquet crowd.
Feng Lin’s suit was crisp and neatly pressed, radiating composed and noble authority.
The banquet spanned two floors, catering with the finest tea, food, and drinks from top suppliers.
Even minor merchants had bought expensive tickets, hoping to network.
As they entered, people quickly approached Feng Lin.
“Third Master Feng is finally here!” one man said, smiling, holding a glass of red wine.
“We were just saying how you, so young, surpass us old men.”
“Yes, yes. I heard you were coming today, so I came to have a drink with you,” another boss said.
Feng Lin, surrounded by people, took a glass of champagne from the waiter. He appeared polite but indifferent.
“Thank you for your kindness,” he said lightly.
He never refused a toast, but when it came to serious matters, he could always find ways to dodge.
One person, flattering him, said, “Third Master Feng, we want German-imported medical equipment in Fengcheng. I heard your prices are good. When would you be free to visit our company?”
Feng Lin pressed his lips.
“That batch isn’t ready yet. The release is early. Sir, you can read the news in the meantime.”
“And other supplies?” the man added.
“The Feng family’s events never disappoint,” Feng Lin said ambiguously.
Then he moved forward with a sharp look.
People kept toasting him along the way, some even pretending to cry.
Xia Xunqian followed, watching Feng Lin drink glass after glass. His expression darkened slightly.
Looking around, he saw that most people’s intentions weren’t pure. In business, offending someone could be dangerous, so one had to tread carefully.
Feng Lin smelled faintly of wine, scanning the crowd while the noisy chatter continued.
He suddenly looked sideways at Xia Xunqian.
“How does this world of wealth and power feel?”
Xia Xunqian answered,
“Sir, you’re at the top of the pyramid—strict, hard to approach, without mercy, which is natural.”
Feng Lin’s eyebrows flicked.
“Why say that?”
Xia Xunqian glanced at him.
“Sir, you weren’t born at the top.”
Feng Lin: “You are perceptive.”
Xia Xunqian: “Of course I’m not as foolish as you think.”
Feng Lin’s lips curved into a faint smile.
He walked forward to the food area, filled with all kinds of pastries, desserts, and cooked food.
He handed Xia Xunqian a plate.
“I’m going to the second floor now. Eat something here.”
Xia Xunqian understood. From their earlier conversation, he realized the important guests were on the second floor.
Feng Lin’s meaning was clear—stay here, don’t follow.
Xia Xunqian pursed his lips.
“Sir… drink less wine.”
Feng Lin looked down at him.
“That’s none of your business.”
Xia Xunqian’s eyes darkened.
“Then go drink yourself to death.”
“Hmm?”
Feng Lin was momentarily stunned.
His voice pressed down.
“You’re acting bold today?”
Xia Xunqian:
“There are so many people here. Go ahead and be strict with me, show your authority.”
Feng Lin: “…………”
It was a frustrating feeling, like losing initiative in a negotiation.
He sighed and turned to leave.
After Feng Lin left, Xia Xunqian didn’t even glance at him.
He looked at the food. He hadn’t eaten before and was truly hungry.
Xia Xunqian had always had a small appetite, only eating more when he liked the food. He walked around but didn’t see anything he liked.
At the hot food section, he saw steaming crabs.
Crabs…
He loved them but couldn’t eat too much, or it would make him sick.
These crabs looked fresh, meaty, and delicious.
He took one and was about to take a second when someone grabbed his hand.
Xia Xunqian glanced sideways.
Feng Lin had come down without him noticing.
He snatched the plate from Xia Xunqian and handed it to a waiter.
“Just cut it in half for him.”
Xia Xunqian pursed his lips, feeling slightly wronged.
“Why…”
Feng Lin’s expression was calm.
“I don’t like this taste, so you eat less.”
Xia Xunqian took the half-crab from the waiter, still dissatisfied.
“I don’t like the taste of wine.”
Feng Lin turned toward the second floor.
“I’ll drink less.”
Xia Xunqian stared at his back and said softly,
“Sir, you’re lying.”
Feng Lin didn’t turn back but answered,
“I’m not lying.”