C20 Chapter 20 – Pay up

Luo Yun naturally had no objections.

The group trailed Bai Yi to the banquet hall's entrance, where two strapping men in red suits stood guard. Their imposing statures alone were enough to deter the average person.

They sternly gestured to stop any further approach.

"Please present your invitation card," one of them demanded.

Bai Yi let out a derisive snort. "Go ahead, show them. You're so capable, after all. I'm eager to see how you'll get in without an invitation."

Luo Yun was about to step forward when Tang Loong chuckled. "Hold on. Here's my invitation card."

He shot a self-satisfied look at Luo Yun and the others before handing over his card. It was better to avoid any misunderstandings by showing it to them first.

The bouncer briefly inspected the card and then tossed it into a nearby trash bin. He fixed Tang Loong with an icy stare and warned, "This is not the place for your antics. If you try to waste my time with another fake invitation, I assure you, you'll be leaving horizontally."

Fake?

A look of alarm crossed Tang Loong's face as he turned to Bai Yi, bewildered. "What's this about? How could it be fake? I paid you good money. Why did you give me a counterfeit?"

"So, Tang Loong, that's how you got your invitation?" Wang Yulan seized the opportunity, her voice dripping with scorn. "I always wondered. You have no real talent besides drinking. How could you possibly have an authentic invitation? Turns out it's just a cheap knockoff you bought."

At this, Tang Loong's anger boiled over.

He glared at Bai Yi, fuming. "What's the meaning of this? You took a fortune from me for a fake?"

"What are you talking about? Don't spout nonsense!" Bai Yi's face flushed, but he quickly regained his composure.

"I'm not talking nonsense. You know exactly what I'm talking about. Quit the act. Today, you either hand over a real invitation or you give me back my money!"

Bai Yi was seething internally. How could he have predicted the invitation would be exposed as a fraud?

And Tang Loong—was he brainless? Whether it was the money or the invitation, couldn't he have discussed it discreetly?

Do we really need to discuss this here?

Bai Yi knew he couldn't admit to anything at this point; an admission would spell disaster.

"Tang Loong, stop spouting nonsense. You should know that falsely accusing someone never ends well," Bai Yi warned with a cold edge to his voice, even as he shot Tang Loong a meaningful look.

But Tang Loong was beyond caring. He had blown all his savings on a counterfeit—money that would have been better spent on a night of drinking.

"I don't care. You're giving me my money today, or an invitation. Make it quick!"

"You're really pushing your luck!" Bai Yi snapped and signaled for security.

Confronted by the imposing guards, Tang Loong finally backed down.

"Wait!"

"Oh? Changed your mind?" Bai Yi inquired.

"I got it wrong, okay? I'll leave in a bit, but..." Tang Loong's eyes flicked to Luo Yun, his words coming out through clenched teeth, "I want to see them get in before I go."

Wang Yulan's face fell at the standoff.

A lose-lose situation.

That's what she feared.

Bai Yi, of course, couldn't refuse the demand—he had taken the money, after all.

"Fine, Mr. Luo, give it a try. See if your invitation lets you in."

"Mr. Luo?" The brawny doorman looked puzzled. "Mr. Luo Yun?"

"That's me," Luo Yun confirmed with a nod.

The guards' faces paled as they scrambled to open the door. "Mr. Luo, right this way, please."

The unexpected turn of events left everyone momentarily dumbfounded.

What just happened?

Wang Yulan, though confused, couldn't contain her glee.

Trying to maintain composure, she said, "Oh, Tang Loong, we won't see you out. We're heading in now. Sorry about that."

With that, she breezed through the entrance.

Luo Yun shot a glance at Bai Yi, who was sweating bullets, and entered alongside a bewildered Tang Xueqi.

Engaging in petty squabbles was beneath him.

Tang Loong, still in shock, blurted out, "How come they get in without an invite?"

"You two didn't take a bribe, did you?" Bai Yi blurted out, unable to contain himself.

The muscular guard shot back icily, "Are you kidding me? This comes straight from the top. If you have questions, take them up with the higher-ups, not me. They said Mr. Luo goes in, no questions asked."

Bai Yi and Tang Loong were at a loss for words.

Meanwhile, the spacious hall was bustling with a diverse crowd of men and women, clustering in small groups.

As Luo Yun and his companions made their entrance, a voice tinged with surprise called out from the side, "Hey, didn't you guys lack an invitation? How did you manage to slip in?"

Tang Xueqi felt a pang of anxiety.

Luo Yun glanced over to see a dashing young man in a blue suit with white trim approaching confidently.

His skeptical eyes settled on Luo Yun, but when he caught sight of Tang Xueqi, his lips curled into a smile.

"You're quite a looker, aren't you? Isn't it a bit risky following this fellow? How about coming with me instead?"

Tang Xueqi's brow creased at his words.

The handsome young man paused, then with a realization, he offered a smile and introduced himself, "I apologize, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Qian Yuhao."

He extended his hand gracefully and continued, "May I have the pleasure of your company at this banquet?"

His manners were impeccably gentlemanly.

Luo Yun responded coolly, "If you're lacking a date, I suggest you look elsewhere. She's with me."

"Yours?"

Qian Yuhao nearly burst into laughter, "Kid, how you got in here is none of my concern, but aren't you worried about putting her in harm's way by sneaking her in?"

Without waiting for Luo Yun to reply, he arched an eyebrow and proposed, "Here's a deal: let her accompany me, and I'll see to it that you aren't thrown out. What do you say?"

"There's no need!" Tang Xueqi firmly declined.

She'd rather face expulsion than accept his offer.

Qian Yuhao's expression soured, but Wang Yulan, who had been observing from a short distance, was quick to interject.

"Ah, Mr. Qian, please, let's not make a big deal out of this," she implored.

At that point, Wang Yulan was still in the dark about how her group had gained entry, but regardless of the method, she knew better than to offend someone here. After all, only the wealthy and influential could gain access to such an event.

Qian Yuhao shot a glance at Wang Yulan, "And you are?"

"Um, I'm her mother," she replied.

Upon hearing Wang Yulan's words, Qian Yuhao paused, his smile quickly transforming into a more formal expression.

"Well, if it isn't Auntie Wang," he chuckled. "Your timing is impeccable. I was just about to ask your daughter to be my date. Perhaps she'll give it some thought?"

Wang Yulan turned to look at Tang Xueqi, at a loss for words.