Chapter 556: Chen Ling’s Gift

A handsome young figure in a theatrical costume, accompanied by a boy carrying his bag, looked like artists attending a banquet.

“Hello, may I ask who…?”

“Lin Yan, actor from Jinghong Theater.” Chen Ling paused briefly. “Here is my invitation.”

Jinghong Theater? Lin Yan? Both names were completely unfamiliar to the butler. They weren't any of the renowned celebrities or famous performers in the main city of Hongchen. He first took the invitation to examine it carefully, then pulled out a list from behind him and meticulously cross-referenced it.

“Lin Yan... oh, a new signee of the Huang Corporation.”

As the butler for the Beidou Corporation, he had encountered countless people. According to the list, this person was likely a newcomer recently signed by the Huang Corporation. With no experience or fame, they weren't truly qualified to attend this dinner party. Most likely, the Huang Corporation was covertly promoting Lin Yan, hoping to boost them at the birthday banquet.

The butler's attitude immediately grew somewhat cold. However, as Chen Ling had an invitation, he proceeded according to protocol.

“Alright... I'll also register the gift you brought, and then you can go in.”

Just as Chen Ling was about to speak, a buzzing horn sound came from behind him. He and the butler both turned to look, seeing a black car pulling up to the manor entrance.

As the car window rolled down, Li Ruohong poked his head out and smiled, "Uncle Tan, could you open the gate for me?"

“Ah, Young Master Ruohong!” The butler's eyebrows lifted, and a kindly smile appeared on his face. “Young Master, please park your car outside. It's quite crowded inside now, so it's not very convenient to drive in...”

“Uncle Tan, I've already spoken to my uncle about this.” Li Ruohong raised his hand, pointed to the back seat of the car, and said in a low voice, “I'm bringing distinguished guests.”

The butler paused, glancing at the car's back seat. Two figures, dressed in bodyguard uniforms with indifferent expressions, were sitting there, casting a casual glance at him.

Chen Ling, holding his oiled-paper umbrella, stood with the butler. Seeing the two figures in the back seat, his heart stirred slightly. The last time, at the dance hall, Chen Ling had only overheard their conversation; he hadn't gone inside or seen the faces of those two agents from the Wuji Realm. Now, it seemed both individuals were younger than Chen Ling had imagined.

As if remembering something, the butler nodded slightly and immediately waved, signaling the security guards on both sides to move, clearing a path wide enough for Li Ruohong to drive into the manor.

“Oh, and this.” Li Ruohong leaned back into the car, and moments later, pulled out an exquisitely packaged gift bag, handing it to the butler. “My birthday gift for my uncle.”

“Young Master Ruohong, you're too kind. Why would family need gifts?” The butler smiled helplessly.

“Proper etiquette must be observed. I specifically chose this for my uncle; it should be very suitable... Remember to mark it prominently for me.”

“Don't worry, Young Master Ruohong, the Chairman will definitely see it,” the butler said with a full smile.

Out of the corner of his eye, Li Ruohong suddenly spotted Chen Ling and Kong Baosheng by the door, and a flicker of surprise crossed his face.

“What are you doing here?”

“I also received an invitation and came to wish Chairman Mu a happy birthday.”

“You? Someone who runs a rundown theater, you're qualified to wish my uncle a happy birthday?”

Li Ruohong looked at the butler with a strange expression. The butler immediately sensed something amiss in his words and hesitated as he explained, “Young Master, this is a newly signed artist under the Huang Corporation, and indeed, we did issue an invitation... However, I'm not entirely sure who specifically sent it or about the screening process.”

Hearing this, Li Ruohong instantly understood the reason and couldn't help but sneer, “So that's why you dared to oppose me – because the Huang Corporation is backing you? But it doesn't seem like they value you much... With your shabby appearance, what could you possibly bring to wish my uncle a happy birthday?”

Upon hearing this, Chen Ling smiled faintly and said, “Don't worry, the gift I've prepared won't be any worse than yours.”

Li Ruohong glanced at him disdainfully, seemingly ready to say more, but the "bodyguard" in the back seat grew impatient. After a light cough, Li Ruohong closed his mouth and glared fiercely at Chen Ling. “We'll see about that.” With those words, Li Ruohong stepped on the accelerator, and the car slowly drove into the manor with a roar.

Once Li Ruohong had left, the smile on the butler's face gradually faded. He placed the gift bag in the pile of gifts behind him, specifically writing 'Li Ruohong' on a label and affixing it to the seal to distinguish it from other presents.

He looked up and glanced at Chen Ling, asking indifferently, “Where were we... Oh, what about your gift?”

Chen Ling glanced at the well-packaged gift bag, clearly marked with 'Li Ruohong,' not far from him. He then silently reached into his own gift box. With a light touch, his 'Crimson Performance' ability activated, and the formerly heavy bag in his hand instantly felt much lighter.

He placed the gift box directly on the table and unhurriedly opened it in front of everyone, speaking with a smile, “A pair of Bataillon men's leather shoes, Black Warrior series, size 43.”

Seeing the shoes, the butler clearly froze for a moment. Behind Chen Ling, Kong Baosheng's eyes widened even more, his mouth unconsciously falling open. This brand of leather shoes was absolutely high-luxury in the Hongchen Realm; it wasn't something money alone could buy. Even Kong Baosheng had heard of its famous name. He couldn't believe his boss, who always claimed to be broke, could make such a powerful move!

“Hmm... alright.” The butler couldn't help but take another look at Chen Ling, then lowered his head to record the information. “You may enter.”

“Thank you.”

Chen Ling smiled politely and walked directly into the manor. Kong Baosheng, having snapped out of his daze, immediately followed behind him.

The birthday banquet hadn't officially begun yet, but the manor was already filled with dining tables and chairs for guests. Everywhere one looked, there were either successful middle-aged figures from political and business circles, or extremely popular celebrities. Chen Ling's gaze swept over the crowd, spotting many familiar faces. People were holding wine glasses on the soft grass, chatting and laughing. A dedicated band played music in the distance. Coupled with the Beidou Corporation's already exquisite and elegant manor environment, it was undoubtedly one of the top banquet venues in the Hongchen Realm.

The only slight drawback was the light drizzle still falling from the sky. However, Mu Chunsheng seemed to find it more atmospheric this way and hadn't moved the event indoors. Instead, everyone was given a transparent plastic umbrella. The gentle patter of raindrops on the umbrellas interwove with the melodious sound of the cello, creating a captivating, almost intoxicating, atmosphere of the Hongchen world.

Chen Ling's arrival didn't draw much attention from most people, because at that moment, a black car was slowly driving along the perimeter of the venue, heading directly deeper into the Beidou Corporation's property. Until now, all guests' vehicles had been parked outside the gate. This sole car driving into the manor made it hard for anyone not to notice.

The Director, holding a transparent umbrella, stood at the edge of the venue, almost brushing past the black car. His gaze followed the taillights as they receded into the distance. After a long moment, he quietly pressed the button on the walkie-talkie hidden in his clothes: "...I've seen what those two look like."