Birds of a feather flock together, and people are known by the company they keep.

This is not only an objective law but also a habit.

When you feel that someone is not from your circle, even if you don't consciously reject them, deep down there's an involuntary estrangement.

However, when you find out that someone is in your circle, especially if they are of higher status or from a more distinguished family, your enthusiasm increases significantly.

Chen Yan encountered just such a situation.

Compared to the overly disparate identities and the recently appeared Zhao Ying, Chen Yan, who had just made an acquaintance, was evidently a better prospect for friendship.

As a result, an odd atmosphere formed at the scene. Since Zhao Ying had He Mengxue, a prominent figure, by her side, everyone cautiously evaluated before occasionally going over to greet her, hoping to become acquainted.

But on Chen Yan's side, there was a continuous stream of people coming over to bond.

What could Chen Yan do...

He could only respond with a smile to each.

Fortunately, these second-generation kids were quite reserved; seeing so many people, they did not exchange contact information, just exchanged pleasantries with Chen Yan again. Otherwise, Chen Yan would have ended up with a heap of WeChat contacts and still wouldn't be able to tell who was who...

After dealing with these enthusiastic second-generation individuals, Chen Yan finally caught a break.

And Qin Ming, who had been standing by his side the whole time, said to Chen Yan with a smile, "Brother Chen, you're still fooling me, pretending you're not actually the Zhao Family's hidden card."

Chen Yan shook his head and said honestly, "I have no ties with the Zhao Family."

A glimmer of realization appeared in Qin Ming's eyes.

He didn't suspect that Chen Yan was deceiving him; he thought that it was unlikely for a top-tier affluent family to lie.

So... there was only one possibility.

Chen Yan belonged to another grand family...

Qin Ming felt sure his guess was close to the mark...

Chen Yan had no idea what Qin Ming was thinking.

After dealing with the second-generation kids, Chen Yan looked over at Zhao Ying's side.

Apart from looking a bit lively when greeting him, Zhao Ying now seemed like a puppet again, her hollow demeanor was particularly heart-wrenching.

Although He Mengxue still appeared to be engaged in animated conversation, Zhao Ying merely nodded occasionally and replied indifferently; the two weren't having a pleasant conversation.

Seeing this, Chen Yan deliberated for a moment and then decided to approach.

Once again by He Mengxue's side, this time she looked at Chen Yan with much more seriousness than before.

Chen Yan knew it was the halo that Zhao Xuan had cast over him.

He didn't mind and said to He Mengxue, "Hello, Miss He. Ying Ying seems to be feeling unwell; may I have a word with her in private?"

He Mengxue was a decisive person, she nodded, "Of course, Mr. Chen. Then I'll leave her in your care."

With that, she nodded at Zhao Ying and stepped away.

After He Mengxue left, Chen Yan distinctly heard Zhao Ying sigh with relief.

Chen Yan looked at Zhao Ying, was about to speak directly, but hesitated and instead opened his "inner headphones".

Because he felt that with the current situation, even if he asked, Zhao Ying might not tell, it was better to listen to what she was thinking while she was pondering...

The banquet hall's noisy sounds gradually faded, and from afar, it seemed he could hear others whispering about himself and Zhao Ying, but Chen Yan could no longer make it out clearly.

All he could hear was Zhao Ying's strong heartbeat, "thump, thump, thump".

Soon, Zhao Ying's inner voice began to reach Chen Yan's ears.

Her "voice" was a bit lost and helpless...

"Finally, she's gone..."

"I'm so tired of dealing with them..."

"Why do people have to grow up? With growing up comes these burdens?"

"Betraying friends."

"Always having a backup plan."

"Living with a mask on."

"Arranged marriages among influential families."

"Do the children of great families have to bear the corresponding responsibilities while enjoying the benefits that these families bring?"

"Is it really like that...?"

"I really wish I could go back to the past."

Chen Yan looked at Zhao Ying, somewhat surprised.

Zhao Ying was still looking ahead with lifeless eyes, and even with Chen Yan in front of her, her eyes lacked luster.

Zhao Ying's inner voice slowly faded, and Chen Yan hesitated.

He felt that, perhaps, he had guessed some truth about the matter, especially considering the events that had transpired recently involving himself, as well as the information from both Zhao Ying's inner thoughts and from Yu Qiao Qiao; he felt he might have a rough understanding of Zhao Ying's recent troubles.

After pondering, he said to Zhao Ying, "Brother Ying, honestly, I don't blame you."

Upon hearing Chen Yan suddenly speak this way, Zhao Ying, who had been vacant-eyed, suddenly looked up at him.

Chen Yan smiled and said, "That day, Uncle Zhao told you to call me for dinner at your house, then tried to take the opportunity to take over my company, didn't he?"

"And you weren't allowed to tell me why I was being invited, in case I didn't show up or was prepared in advance."

Zhao Ying looked at Chen Yan with surprise.

She didn't know how Chen Yan found out all this, nor why he would suddenly bring up these things.

Chen Yan took a sip of the champagne in his hand and said lightly, "I reckon Uncle Zhao had prepared for both possibilities that day."

"If he could break my defenses under such circumstances, he would take the opportunity to take over my company."

"If that didn't work, he'd play on your feelings and then pull me back to your side."

The astonishment in Zhao Ying's eyes grew.

And Chen Yan continued, "So you felt like you betrayed me that day and were guilty."

"That's why that night, when we parted, you apologized."

"That's why you said you owed me a favor."

"That's why, in a fit of retribution, you smashed your father's car."

Zhao Ying opened her mouth, looking to explain, but didn't know what to say. Eventually, she looked down and said again, "I'm sorry..."

Chen Yan laughed and patted her shoulder, saying, "What's there to be sorry for?"

"The business world is like that, full of intrigue and fraught with danger."

Hearing Chen Yan's words, Zhao Ying's eyes dimmed.

But then, Chen Yan said, "However... life isn't just about business."

"And you are just an 18-year-old girl, not a businessperson."

Chen Yan looked firmly into her eyes and said, "So, you took advantage of our friendship, you... owe me a favor."

Zhao Ying looked at Chen Yan: one second, two seconds, three seconds.

After a moment, she nodded vigorously.

Chen Yan drained the champagne in his glass and said, "Don't let it happen again."

Zhao Ying... opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, she slowly lowered her head...

Chen Yan watched Zhao Ying's expression change and suddenly shifted the topic. Smiling, he said, "Brother Ying, do you want to flip a table?"

Hearing about flipping a table, a glint emerged in Zhao Ying's eyes, and she couldn't help but look at Chen Yan.

Chen Yan took her hand and said, "Let's go. Forget this damn party! And forget about your family responsibilities and the etiquette expected of a lady!"

"You're just an 18-year-old kid!"

"Do what you want to do!"

"Why care so much about everything else!"

Saying this, Chen Yan led Zhao Ying out the door.

In fact, ever since Chen Yan had approached Zhao Ying, the second-generation attendees had been keeping an eye on them.

After all, the two were the main attraction of the evening's party.

While observing, they discussed among themselves,

"Who would have thought Chen Yan was from the Zhao Family?"

"Maybe not from the Zhao Family, but definitely from a notable background."

"Yeah. Otherwise, how could he be acquainted with the Zhao Family's long-secluded young princess, and be a relative of Mr. Zhao?"

When they saw Chen Yan "listening to inner voices" with Zhao Ying, they were somewhat curious.

"What are they doing?"

"Don't know. Just standing there?"

"What are they talking about? The Zhao Family's young miss seems to be apologizing?"

"What exactly happened?"

And just as everyone was speculating, suddenly, they saw Chen Yan pulling Zhao Ying and walking out.

What's the most common trope in TV dramas? Isn't it all about dramatic escapes and elopements?

Hence, these wealthy youngsters were exhilarated.

Although there was no wedding tonight, it was still a party. The main characters of the party being taken away by another "uninvited guest," leaving behind a host of guests, that was also an interesting topic of discussion!

So everyone watched them with keen interest, trying to figure out what they were planning to do.

Seeing Chen Yan approaching Zhao Ying, He Mengxue wished to step forward and inquire, but Qin Ming quickly stopped her.

He Mengxue glared at Qin Ming and demanded, "Move aside, Qin Ming."

But Qin Ming said with a grin, "Cousin, after all, they're guests. It wouldn't be proper for you to ask. I'll follow them and keep an eye on things, don't worry."

He Mengxue looked at him for a couple of seconds, then stepped back.

Qin Ming smiled and followed after them.

When Qin Ming caught up, Chen Yan had already pulled Zhao Ying out of the banquet hall.

Noticing Qin Ming, Chen Yan didn't mind.

He beckoned Qin Ming over and asked, "Qin Ming, where is my car?"

Despite there being no wedding tonight, it was still a party. The main characters of the party being led away by an "uninvited guest," leaving behind a host of guests, wasn't that also an interesting topic for conversation!

Everybody's eyes were fixed on them, eager to see what they were up to.

As the party's host, He Mengxue, seeing this scene, wanted to come over and ask, but Qin Ming immediately blocked her way.

He Mengxue looked at Qin Ming and snapped, "Move. Qin Ming."

Qin Ming replied with a mischievous grin, "Cousin, after all, they're our guests. It wouldn't look good for you to interject. I'll follow and make sure everything's okay, don't worry."

He Mengxue glared at him for a few seconds and then stepped back.

Qin Ming chuckled and promptly followed after.

When Qin Ming caught up, Chen Yan had already pulled Zhao Ying out of the banquet hall.

Noticing Qin Ming, Chen Yan paid no heed.

He directly called Qin Ming over and asked, "Qin Ming, where's my car?"

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