438 Tan Yumin (1/2)
It was an open-air banquet set at a corridor pavilion beside the lake. The corridor pavilion extended from the side all the way to the middle of the lake, and its floor was made of transparent glass. One could see the lake underneath clearly and could occasionally see one or two crimson-red koi swimming past. Wind chimes hung at the corners of the modillions around the structure. When the wind blew across the lake and brushed the chimes, the fragmented yet clean and clear noise was rather enchanting.
Long tables throughout the corridor pavilion held various red wines and mouth-watering dishes from one end to the other. The servants were moving around, ushering the guests to their respective seats.
”This banquet is so boring. Brother White, why don't we sit together? It's easier to pass the time that way,” Rong Ming said with a smile.
Xu Jia's heart skipped a beat. She couldn't figure out why Rong Ming was especially interested in the White Commander.
Chen Mu thought Rong Ming was a decent person. Besides, he carried an interesting conversation. Hence, he smiled and nodded without much contemplation. ”Sure.”
Rong Ming turned around and said to the servant, ”Move Mr. White's and Miss Xu's seats to my side.”
The two seats had initially belonged to Luo De and Jiang Yu. But they were merely smiling and not bothered by the arrangement at all, so they willingly emptied the two seats.
The servant appeared to be in a difficult position. However, he had been reminded earlier to not offend the master in front of him no matter what happened. He briefly hesitated before deciding to follow Rong Ming's order. He was not a stupid man, though, and immediately ordered someone else to send the news. The other person quickly ran to Tai-shu Zheng's side and whispered into his ear.
”Really? Lord Rong really said so?” Tai-shu Zheng's face turned solemn. That was not a good sign for him. The White Commander was the third brother's underling. Rong Ming paid special attention to him. It would be terrible if that affected his attitude toward Tai-shu Cheng.
”Yes. I was right beside them and heard it with my own ears. It's no mistake,” the servant explained hurriedly.
”I got it. You can return to your place.” Tai-shu Zheng's gaze scanned the crowd to search for the White Commander, who was engaging in a conversation with Rong Ming. They appeared to have a close relationship. A slight chill gleamed in Tai-shu Zheng's eyes and spread to his smile.
Xu Jia sat there uncomfortably. Because of Rong Ming's request, she had to sit beside him with the White Commander. Rong Ming owned a status that no one could have in that banquet. He was seated at the first seat on the right. Beside him was Chen Mu, who took the second seat on the right. In a banquet like that, the seating arrangement was essential. When the guests saw a masked man sitting beside Rong Ming, they were stunned. They were also quite curious and asked about the origin of the masked man. The man must have been quite honorable to be able to take the second seat.
Tai-shu Zheng also appeared to be surprised. He was sitting in the third seat on the left. Seeing how shocked Tai-shu Shen was, Xu Jia could only reply with an awkward grin. Tai-shu Shen's eyes lingered on Chen Mu as his face darkened a shade.
Chen Mu was not bothered by how the others looked at him. Even though he hadn't joined any exclusive banquets before, he had come in contact with large groups of VIPs, so he wasn't the slightest bit flustered. However, the feeling of being peeped at was not a pleasant one.
”To be honest, I despise banquets the most. They are very dull,” Rong Ming said nonchalantly.
Chen Mu asked, ”Then, why did you join?”
Hearing that, Rong Ming remained silent while he thought to himself, I came for you, prick. He couldn't say that out loud, of course, and mumbled, ”I heard Tan Yumin was coming, so I merely came for the show.”
Xu Jia gave a faint laugh and said purposefully, ”Ha ha. I didn't expect Lord Rong to also be interested in Miss Tan!”
Rong Ming kept a straight face as he replied, ”I'm but an old, clumsy man. I have no knowledge about things like this. However, my daughter favors Miss Tan a lot. Since she couldn't be here tonight, she would not stop bugging me; she insisted that I invite Miss Tan to her birthday celebration. When it comes to my daughter, I'm always defeated.”
Xu Jia laughed softly with her mouth covered. ”I'm afraid the same scenario would happen if I had a father like you.”
”Tan Yumin…” Chen Mu remembered that name. Copper had been one of her top fans. However, Tan Yumin had only been well-known in the ordinary residential districts. He hadn't expected her to have expanded her career to the Heavenly Drum Village District. Her advancement was impressive.
Rong Ming asked curiously, ”Is Brother White interested in her too?”
”Me?” Chen Mu shook his head. ”I'm not familiar with her. I merely have a good friend who is really into her.”
The long table was not wide, so both sides were quite close to each other. When Tai-shu Cheng heard Rong Ming addressing Chen Mu as Brother White, he looked aghast. Meanwhile, Tai-shu Shen's expression turned even more sour, and Tai-shu Zheng's was oblivious since he was greeting the guests.
The guests entered the hall one after the other. After about ten minutes of rowdiness, the noises in the long corridor gradually subsided. At that moment, Tai-shu Zheng returned to his seat, which was the main seat on the left. He shot a glance at Chen Mu, who was sitting beside Rong Ming, before his gaze returned to the crowd. With a wide grin, he raised the glass of wine in front of him.
”Ladies and gentlemen, our banquet tonight is about to begin. First of all, I'd like to thank Lord Rong Ming for taking time off from his busy schedule to be present in my humble home. I'm extremely honored! The presence of Young Master Jiang and Young Master Luo is also a rare sight! Those who have a daughter back home should not miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”
Laughter spread throughout the corridor pavilion. Jiang Yu and Luo De laughed along while shaking their heads. Luo De's eyes would occasionally fall on Xu Jia.
Tai-shu Zheng applauded abruptly as he boomed, ”Tonight, we have another honorable guest besides Lord Rong Ming, Young Master Jiang, and Young Master Luo! Ladies and gentlemen, please refrain from screaming out of excitement!” He then ordered, ”Lights out!”
The lights went out at once, and the corridor pavilion was pitch-black. The guests knew something was up. The audience held their breath in anticipation.
An ethereal voice came from the middle of the lake. The audience could vaguely see a tiny boat floating there.
”One life, one song,
Awaiting your harmonization after the lavish decorations wore off,