C94 At Midnight at the Venue He Met His Exgirlfriend
"I've sent you the location. I've already spoken with the person in charge. Just sign up and come on in!"
"(Location sent)"
Liang Yu had sent several text messages.
Lin Dong glanced at them and stood up.
The location wasn't far from Tingtao Courtyard; he could easily make it there in time.
Night had fallen, but the gathering hadn't started yet.
This would be Lin Dong's first time attending a high-end event.
He hadn't been to such an event before, and knew better than to dress too casually.
The clothes he had were somewhat outdated.
Moreover, since he had played soccer and then rushed Tian Chao to the hospital before driving off, he hadn't had the chance to change and was still a bit sweaty.
Lin Dong looked around the villa's bedroom, intending to find some fresh clothes.
To his surprise, upon opening the wardrobe, he found several sets of clothes inside.
There were suits, shirts, and trousers.
Additionally, there was a casual outfit, a round-neck sweatshirt that seemed more stylish.
All of them looked crisp and proper.
With autumn bringing a chill, and the night promising to be even colder, Lin Dong decided on the round-neck sweatshirt, preferring it over the suits.
After a refreshing shower and changing into the new clothes, Lin Dong felt rejuvenated.
His stomach rumbled with hunger.
The fridge held some food, though not much.
It appeared that these clothes and food had come with the system rewards.
Checking the expiration dates, he noticed they were nearing their end.
Indeed, anything stored in this house was fresh and of high quality, hence the short shelf life.
He resolved to eat the food quickly to avoid any waste.
Lin Dong made do with what was available, boiling some water for a hot drink.
Later, he sat down and texted Tian Chao and the others to check on their situation.
"Playing a game!"
Tian Chao replied with a video. Zhou Hengyu and Liu Wenming were both clutching their phones, intensely focused on their game.
Lin Dong chuckled.
He had asked them to look after Tian Chao, but it seemed they had gotten caught up in their own fun.
Lin Dong noticed that Tian Chao was doing fine, so he wrapped up their conversation. Before long, it was ten minutes past midnight. Lin Dong stepped out, leaving the villa community behind. The location given by Liang Yu was roughly two miles away, a mere three to five-minute walk, which also provided a nice opportunity for a nighttime stroll. There was no need for Lin Dong to take his sports car; it would be too conspicuous, and besides, he preferred to enjoy the local scenery.
Dressed in a shirt and suit pants, Lin Dong left under the watchful, respectful eyes of the security guard, heading to Liang Yu's place for a midnight encounter. Walking along the road, Lin Dong observed various cars speeding by, with the least expensive being of the BBA category, while luxury brands like Porsche and Ferrari occasionally whizzed past. Ferraris, of course, were a rare sight, not something the average wealthy individual could afford. The drivers, upon noticing Lin Dong on foot, would honk their horns from a distance, insistently signaling for him to clear the way, displaying their arrogance. Lin Dong didn't bother to engage with such behavior; at his stature, he found such ostentatious displays amusing rather than impressive.
Tingtao Courtyard was known as an affluent area, and the nearby entertainment venues were correspondingly upscale. The vast parking lot and grand entrance exuded opulence. In contrast to more common venues like Hongmei Disco, the Leka Entertainment Club boasted an elegant atmosphere. Several attendants stood by the entrance, led by a composed thirty-year-old man in a suit, who greeted the arriving guests. Visitors presented their phones to him, revealing an invitation on their screens, which was required for entry.
Lin Dong approached, his attire somewhat plain compared to the formal dress of the other attendees, who were decked out in suits and evening wear befitting the upscale event. This was Liang Yu's private party, after all. In Jiangyang City, the Liang family was considered top-tier among the wealthy elite. Liang Yu, a direct descendant, had access to considerably more resources than the typical rich family, thanks to his family's status.
He wasn't the standout among his siblings, yet he could easily afford to book the venue for himself.
Believing in the clout of Liang Yu's family, he decided to throw a midnight bash. Once the invitations were sent, everyone who wanted to cozy up to him or ride the wave of popularity showed up on his social media.
The event was highly anticipated by all.
After all, there was no telling whether Liang Yu might one day inherit the entire Liang family fortune!
Getting in good with him early on could mean smoother collaboration in the future.
Despite it being a youthful gathering, everyone approached it with the gravitas of an awards ceremony.
By contrast, Lin Dong's attire seemed quite out of place.
Those with invitations cast sidelong glances at him, their expressions a mix of bewilderment and disdain.
To them, Lin Dong appeared to be an uninformed commoner who had stumbled into the wrong venue.
After all, to attend Young Master Liang's event so casually was to show a lack of respect!
"Sir, please present your invitation," requested the man in the suit at the entrance.
He scrutinized Lin Dong, whose casual dress seemed out of step with the occasion.
Yet his role required him to maintain a professional demeanor, so he inquired politely, ready to turn away anyone who didn't belong.
Remembering Liang Yu's earlier words, Lin Dong replied, "I'm Lin Dong."
"Ah? Oh, Mr. Lin! Young Master Liang has given me specific instructions regarding your arrival—please come right in!" the man's demeanor shifted instantly.
His previously cool expression warmed into a beaming smile as he personally escorted Lin Dong through a separate entrance.
The sudden change in treatment caught the attention of onlookers.
Though he was just the doorman, as Liang Yu's representative, he was known for his measured smiles—never too intimate nor too distant with anyone.
Yet upon hearing Lin Dong's name, his enthusiasm was unmistakable.
This dramatic shift left many puzzled!
Those who had initially sneered or laughed at Lin Dong now reevaluated their assumptions, wondering about the identity of this VIP who was whisked away through a special entrance. It was quite the mystery!
The staff at the entrance continued their duties.
The commotion Lin Dong caused at the door was merely a minor incident, witnessed by just a few attendees.
The rest of the guests still harbored their excitement for the upscale event, entering the venue with great anticipation.
"Mr. Lin, Young Master Liang is currently resting in the VIP room! I can escort you there right away."
"If you'd prefer not to, Young Master Liang has also given me instructions to accompany you around the hall, at your leisure."
"Of course, if you're interested in meeting some lively young ladies, I can arrange that for you immediately..." the man escorting Lin Dong offered with deference.
Lin Dong, noticing the man's increasingly flustered spiel, gestured dismissively and said, "That's fine, I don't need to see him, and I'm not looking for female company. I'll just wander around the hall. Actually, could you point me to the restroom? I need to use it."
"Just take a left and it's right there!"
The attendant quickly bowed and directed him.
"Alright, you can go on. I'll find my way alone, no need to fuss over me," Lin Dong replied.
"Understood. If you need anything, just ask any server and I'll be there in a flash!" the attendant said before turning to leave.
Lin Dong made his way to the restroom.
He had overindulged in water at home; had he known, he wouldn't have drunk so much.
After relieving himself, Lin Dong exited.
The restroom facilities were impressively high-end, complete with disposable towels for drying hands.
Lin Dong washed and dried his hands, stepping out as he did so.
Just then, a girl carrying a glass of red wine passed by, her eyes widening in surprise, "Lin Dong?! What are you doing here?!"
Looking up, Lin Dong's brow furrowed involuntarily.
The woman was none other than his ex-girlfriend, Zhang Xiaofeng!