bayedsolid Chapter 312 Established Wealthy Family
Chapter 312 Established Wealthy Family
Monte Carlo Island.
—An unclaimed island in the high seas.
The night was as dark as ink, enveloping the sea in a deep darkness.
However, Monte Carlo Island remains brightly lit.
Luxurious buildings of different styles stand scattered across the island: neoclassical palaces with white columns, modern villas with glass curtain walls, and Moorish-style domed manors...
Luxury is their only commonality.
At the most prominent location on the shore stands a Gothic manor castle rising abruptly from the ground.
The Gothic spires pierce the night, and the heavy stone walls appear ancient and solemn under the spotlights, asserting their status with an unquestionable air.
That's the tallest building on the entire island, and it's also the venue for tonight's Christie's charity gala.
Bai Li leaned lazily against the window, gazing at the bustling sea of light outside, her mind filled with countless thoughts.
A small island, adorned like a giant gem hidden in the ocean, brazenly displays its brilliance.
But that brilliance is not its own color, but a rare splendor that can only be presented after being sculpted by human hands.
Calling it an island is an understatement; it's more like a second world built by the wealthy with their money.
Luxury, extreme luxury, almost presumptuous luxury.
Money here is no longer just a number; it's a lamp, a brick, flowing seawater, and the intoxicating aroma floating in the air, a blend of top-quality cigars, rare fragrances, and the salty sea breeze.
This is a gray area filled with desires and where rules are blurred.
Bai Li's fingertips unconsciously traced the smooth glass, the glass faintly reflecting her slightly furrowed brows.
Why was this location chosen for the charity gala?
—A tiny place that was forcibly lifted up from the depths of the ocean.
The more luxurious the island was, the stronger the sense of unreality it gave her.
Holding a charity gala here lends an indescribable, ironic touch to the very word "charity."
Especially last night, Zhou Chengjing's whispered words, "I'll show you a good show," caught Bai Li's attention.
She always had a premonition that something was about to happen.
Did Zhou Chengjing know something in advance?
His presence here to participate in the auction is most likely just a pretext; he probably has other motives.
Bai Li withdrew her gaze and twirled the fabric of her evening gown between her fingers.
This outfit, along with the jewelry, was prepared in advance by Zhou Chengjing.
Unsurprisingly, it was extremely expensive.
As we all know, customizing an evening gown takes time and cannot be done on short notice.
Therefore, she was already part of Zhou Chengjing's plan.
Why did he bring himself along?
Bai Li took a deep breath and exhaled, the discomfort of being forcibly dragged into an unknown game growing stronger.
With this unease, Bai Li's mood was also affected when she saw Zhou Chengjing.
Although Bai Li hid it well, Zhou Chengjing still managed to spot her.
Before stepping into the magnificent manor, his gaze swept over her tense jawline, and he asked, "Nervous?"
Bai Li gently took his arm, turning her face to meet his deep gray eyes.
Those eyes were extremely deep, as if a vortex was slowly churning within them.
She had to admit that she really couldn't see through this man, and even now, she still couldn't figure out what Zhou Chengjing was up to.
"Just curious." Bai Li withdrew her gaze, looked straight ahead, and casually asked, "What exactly is this 'good show' that Brother Zhou was talking about?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Chengjing's lips curled into a very faint smile. He tightened his grip on Bai Li slightly and led her up the smooth marble steps. The soft sound of her leather shoes hitting the ground echoed in the empty hallway: "Don't worry, little sister, you'll know soon enough."
They're keeping us in suspense again.
Following Zhou Chengjing to watch the drama unfold is certainly safe, but the uncertainty is really unsettling.
Bai Li gritted her teeth, having already cursed this man eight hundred times in her mind, but she still suppressed her temper and followed his pace, her high heels clicking on the ground with a crisp sound.
Zhou Chengjing seemed to sense her tangible displeasure and his smile deepened: "Don't worry, it won't dirty your hands. Just relax and watch the show."
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Above the towering dome of the banquet hall is a huge ceiling painting, with vibrant colors depicting a scene of gods reveling.
Singing and dancing, indulging in extravagance and debauchery.
Amazing size and exquisite workmanship.
They said it was moved from some famous church, and Shirai believed it.
Several giant crystal chandeliers cascaded down the glass dome, casting a dazzling light like a galaxy waterfall, enveloping the elegantly dressed crowd below in a hazy golden mist.
The interior space of the banquet hall was stretched and distorted to the extreme.
……
Zhou Chengjing is clearly a very special person here.
As soon as Bai Li entered the banquet hall, she could clearly feel the gazes converging from all directions.
Curious, scrutinizing, evaluative... all sorts of gazes, whether obvious or hidden, clung to me.
Some of these were directed at Zhou Chengjing, while others were directed at himself.
Zhou Chengjing walked with ease, occasionally nodding to familiar faces, a detached smile always playing on his lips, as he softly introduced these people to Bai Li.
For someone like Zhou Chengjing, being the center of attention is commonplace.
He was born and raised in a highly publicized environment.
Such social occasions are exactly where he feels at home.
……
"Chengjing." An elderly man with gray hair called out to him with a smile, "What a rare guest! I thought you were too busy with important matters in the capital to appreciate these kinds of parties."
"Mr. Li is too kind." Zhou Chengjing stopped for the first time, naturally took the champagne from the waiter's tray, handed one glass to Bai Li, and raised his glass to lightly clink with the old man's. "National treasures have been scattered abroad, and someone has to bring them back, doesn't he?"
"Hahaha." The old man in front of me let out a very deep laugh and nodded. "Yes, yes, seeing you tonight makes me feel at ease. They should go home now."
The old man's gaze fell on Bai Li.
Although the old man was smiling kindly, Bai Li still felt his sharp, hawk-like gaze when they made eye contact.
—With the air of an elder, the condescending attitude that comes with long-standing positions.
Bai Li felt a slight chill in her heart.
Her intuition told her that the old man's identity was probably not simple.
He was the first person Zhou Chengjing toasted with after entering the venue.
"Chengjing, who is this young lady?" the old man asked inquiringly.
"Bai Li," Zhou Chengjing answered for the old man, also introducing Bai Li's background, "a descendant of the Bai family."
The old man's gaze narrowed slightly. After a moment of thought, he suddenly realized, "The Bai family... it's been so long since I've heard of them..."
In Mr. Li's memory, the Bai family was once an extremely prominent and prestigious family.
But the fact that he hadn't heard from them for so long meant that the Bai family could only be one of two things: either they had declined, or they had temporarily hidden themselves away to avoid trouble.
Originally, the chances of these two being evenly matched were probably 50/50.
But since this Miss Bai is Zhou Chengjing's female companion, the latter is obviously more likely.
Bai Shi, or this woman herself, must have some extraordinary qualities that attracted Zhou Chengjing.
He didn't believe that Zhou, a man who wouldn't do anything without a reason, would bring a woman from a declining family to such an occasion for no apparent reason.
Old Li's mind raced, but he showed no sign of it on his face. He took the initiative to raise his glass and lightly clink it with Bai Li's: "Miss Bai, are your elders at home well?"
Although it was a polite exchange, it was full of probing.
Bai Li's eyes flickered, her mind perfectly clear.
That old guy is all bark and no bite.
Even without Zhou Chengjing's introduction, Bai Li could deduce the old man's distinguished identity.
Those who can attend the dinner on Monte Carlo Island tonight are already extremely distinguished among the wealthy.
The old man was the one Zhou Chengjing stopped to exchange pleasantries with, so his status and position were self-evident.
It's highly likely to be one of the long-established, wealthy families in China with the surname Li.
These long-established wealthy families don't care about money or people; they only value the family's reputation and foundation.
Therefore, when Zhou Chengjing introduced herself to the old man, she kept her words very simple, only mentioning her name and family background.
The old man only chose to clink glasses with Bai Li after hearing her background.
In other words, if Bai Li hadn't used the [Identity Modifier] to add a family background to herself, and was just an ordinary newcomer, this old man probably wouldn't have paid her any attention.
In fact, when Zhou Chengjing first introduced Bai Li, he could have been even more straightforward and blunt.
You could simply omit Bai Li's name and just introduce her family background.
"Descendants of the Bai family" is the only code that allows them to navigate their secretive circle.
It's cruel, but that's their rule.
Although Bai Li had long been aware of this, she felt it even more deeply after experiencing it firsthand—the cold rules based on bloodline and surname were naked and profound.
I understand.
Bai Li also had an idea.
She slowly raised her eyes, meeting Elder Li's scrutinizing gaze directly, a trace of sorrow appearing in her eyes: "I am grateful for Elder Li's inquiry. The Bai family lineage has been scattered and its branches have fallen. Now, on our homeland, only I remain."
This statement was like a thunderbolt to Mr. Li!
The sharpness in Old Li's eyes was instantly replaced by surprise, and his fingers gripping the cup handle tightened slightly.
Only one person remains?
In elite circles where deep roots and the continuation of bloodlines are highly valued, what does this represent?
It is almost equivalent to "having no descendants".
Old Li subconsciously looked at Zhou Chengjing, intending to confirm the truth with him.
Zhou Chengjing remained calm, his expression unchanged, clearly indicating that he already knew.
Old Li thought to himself, "No wonder": No wonder... no wonder we haven't heard from the Bai family for so many years. It wasn't that they had declined or gone into seclusion, but that they had died out!
But soon, a new question arose in Old Li's mind: How could an orphan girl win Zhou's favor so much?
Who is Zhou Chengjing? Why would he bring a woman with no family support to such an occasion?
unless……
There is still something about Bai Shi, or this woman, that he has his eye on.
There is definitely a close relationship between her and Zhou Chengjing, even one that is bound by mutual interests.
In a short moment, Old Li's mind raced, and he grasped the current situation perfectly.
When he looked at Bai Li again, his gaze held a hint of curiosity and scrutiny.
Bai Li met Old Li's gaze calmly.
—Even when a large tree falls, its new leaves are not necessarily weak.
Even if the old man was very knowledgeable, he would never have imagined that the woman in front of him possessed the most powerful cheat device in the world.
With the Godly Rich System as his backing, Bai Li's strength is by no means inferior to any of the established families present, and in some ways, he is even more terrifying than him and Zhou Chengjing.
Thousands of elite-level NPCs completely loyal to her; an [identity modifier] whose settings can be altered at will; the all-encompassing, super-rule-breaking Omnipotent Wheel that can extract special items and attributes...
He single-handedly orchestrated the downfall of the powerful Qing Teng family in Southeast Asia.
In the Luo family case, he participated as a hidden hand and successfully brought down a group of corrupt officials.
So what if I'm all alone?
So what if we have no offspring?
Bai Li herself is a force to be reckoned with.
Even Zhou Chengjing couldn't see through all of her team members, so he didn't dare to make any rash moves. He could only secretly pull her into his camp and slowly test her.
Old Li was secretly alarmed. He then realized that the young woman in front of him, despite her wandering background, had clear and sharp eyes and exuded a powerful, restrained aura, without the slightest hint of vulnerability from someone who was lonely and helpless.
—She is by no means Zhou Chengjing's vassal.
Rather, it is an entity that can rival him.
The disdain and condescension in Old Li's eyes gradually faded. He looked deeply at Bai Li and sighed, "Miss Bai, with you by our side, even if the branches and leaves wither, the spirit of the Bai family will never die!"
Seeing the intense curiosity in Old Li's eyes, and the apparent intention to continue asking questions, Zhou Chengjing spoke calmly: "Old Li, the banquet concerns the return of the national treasure, and the juniors must keep a close eye on things. I will take my leave now, please go ahead."
Zhou Chengjing stopped there and left with Bai Li without giving Old Li a chance to ask further questions.
Before Old Li could finish speaking, he was silenced.
He watched Zhou Chengjing and Bai Li's departing figures and clicked his tongue: How come we didn't notice before that this kid from the Zhou family was "protective of his food"?
However, now Old Li was genuinely curious about what assets Bai Li possessed that made Zhou Chengjing cherish her so much.
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Bai Li followed Zhou Chengjing through the crowd to the second floor of the banquet hall.
Suddenly, as if sensing something, she subconsciously turned around to look.
Is there a familiar gaze?
Bai Li stood on the spiral staircase, looking down through the elegant railings, taking in the entire ground floor of the banquet hall.
The auction has not yet started.
The banquet hall was brightly lit, and people were scattered about, clinking glasses and exchanging toasts.
But she didn't see anyone she recognized.
Zhou Chengjing noticed Bai Li's pause and asked, "What's wrong?"
Bai Li shook her head, thinking to herself, "Maybe it's just my imagination?"
He then turned his gaze away and, led by Zhou Chengjing, headed towards the private room on the second floor.