Chapter Forty-One: Attending the Banquet

At last, the day had arrived! I was filled with emotion, wishing only that it would pass quickly. Otherwise, it felt like a mountain pressed upon my heart, making it hard to breathe.

That afternoon, to my surprise, Hua Jingjing came to pick me up in a drab gray Bentley. The car was spacious and comfortable, complete with a personal chauffeur. I suspected it was Chairman Hua’s own vehicle, and certainly no modest expense.

Hua Jingjing first took me to a luxurious sauna, where I enjoyed a thorough, relaxing bath. Next, she led me to an upscale hair salon, where my hairstyle underwent a complete transformation. Around four o’clock, we arrived at the Zegna boutique.

The store manager greeted us cheerfully, announcing that the suit had been air-shipped from Italy at around three that afternoon and that a staff member had already gone to the airport to collect it. “Just a few more minutes,” he assured us, “and you’ll be able to try it on.”

Hua Jingjing paced restlessly, her impatience clear. “Why is this taking so long, Manager? If you make us late, I won’t pay a single cent.”

The manager kept checking his watch. “It should be back by now. What’s keeping Xiao Zheng? Miss Hua, please wait just five more minutes. Five minutes, and I promise it will be here. Trust me!”

Leaning against the counter, I leisurely lit a cigarette, thinking, “Best if the suit doesn’t arrive at all—then Hua Jingjing’s entire plan falls apart and I can walk away free of blame. Wouldn’t that be perfect?”

But I was only halfway through my smoke when the sound of a motorcycle outside signaled the return of the attendant.

Delighted, Hua Jingjing instructed the driver to bring in all the gentleman’s accessories from the car, and I was ushered into the fitting room to change. Resigned, I carried the suit inside, only to have Hua Jingjing follow me in, determined to help. I turned, amused, and said, “Miss, I’m here to change, not to choose clothes. There’s no need for your advice right now.”

Her cheeks flushed as she spat, “What’s so strange about that? It’s not like I haven’t seen it before!” With that, she hurried out.

I began undressing, changing piece by piece—from thermal underwear, to shirt, tie, suit, trousers, belt, socks, shoes… All world-renowned brands, truly worth every penny. In the mirror, the familiar, unremarkable figure I once knew now appeared striking and spirited, transformed by designer labels.

As I admired myself, I felt an unexpected swell of vanity. “So, I’m actually rather handsome after all! It’s true what they say—fine feathers make fine birds. Wearing brands does make a difference; you can’t help but look sharp.” But I quickly checked myself: “Nonsense, Tang Qian! Remember who you are. These brands, this high society—they’re all fleeting illusions. Know your place! Clearly, I shouldn’t spend too much time with the wealthy—it’s corrupting my thoughts!”

A knock came at the door. Hua Jingjing called from outside, “Are you done yet? Stop dawdling, we’re running out of time.” I opened the door a crack and answered, “Alright, alright. Why are you in such a rush?”

Hua Jingjing bounced in, carrying a bag, her eyes raking over my well-dressed figure. I saw her gaze become dazed and enchanted, admiration shining in her eyes. I reminded her, “Don’t make that nauseating face. Anyone would look sharp in an outfit like this. What’s so surprising?”

Shyly, Hua Jingjing shook her head. “Clothes are just the exterior—it depends on who wears them. Dress a beggar in this and it’ll only make him look all the more shabby. But you, Tang Qian, it’s as if you were born for designer suits. So imposing, so elegant, so hand… Well, it seems my judgment was right all along. I definitely picked the right person.”

Her endless praise gave me goosebumps. I quickly said, “Enough already. I’m only wearing this for the evening; you can have it back when we’re done and admire it then. Didn’t you say time was short? Let’s go.”

“Wait, there’s more for you,” she replied, opening the bag and producing a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. “You reek of those cheap cigarettes you smoke. This was a gift from a foreign friend to my dad—only five in a pack, and each one costs twenty-five US dollars. My father barely touches them, but I managed to sneak a pack for you. Keep them in your pocket for when you need a smoke. And this lighter—my dad only uses it in his study, treasures it dearly. I ‘borrowed’ it for you as well. Keep both on you.”

I examined the cigarettes and lighter. I’d never seen this brand before, “Treasurer” written on the case in English—plain on the outside, but twenty-five dollars per cigarette? That’s as much as two cartons of my usual. The lighter was a Zippo, clearly aged, with a metal emblem… Could it be the legendary Harley Eagle? My hands went dry, breath catching—a true collector’s piece, now in my hands. I was honored beyond words.

Even as I reeled, Hua Jingjing pulled yet another surprise from the bag: a delicate box, which she opened with great care.

A dazzling flash greeted my eyes. Inside was a watch.

With grave solemnity, Hua Jingjing explained, “This Vacheron Constantin cost 4.8 million yuan. My mother commissioned it in Switzerland for my father’s fiftieth birthday—platinum case, twelve embedded diamonds. My dad cherishes it more than his life. Please, don’t damage it, or I’ll get the beating of my life. For the sake of my behind, you must be careful!” Realizing how crude her phrasing sounded, she blushed furiously, looking down in embarrassment.

I barely noticed, too stunned by the sheer value of the watch. Shaking my head, I refused. “Are you insane? Cigarettes and a lighter are one thing, but this watch? You’re just adding to my anxiety. Wearing a five-million-yuan watch? Absolutely not. Take it back.”

She snapped, “Put it on! How else will you look the part? How else will you outshine Li Mingfan? I’m telling you, that guy’s really handsome—you can’t compete with him in looks, only in presence and wealth. I have to win tonight, make that woman furious. So this watch, symbol of wealth and status, you must wear, no matter what!”

I protested, “What’s the point of all this finery? If someone asks, ‘Sir, where did you make your fortune?’ what do I say? That I’m a minor employee at Green Lady Enterprises?”

Hua Jingjing stifled a laugh. “I’ve already thought of that. I was going to tell you before the party, but since you asked, I’ll say it now. If anyone asks about your background or success, you must act extremely modest, even self-deprecating. The less you claim, the more enigmatic you seem, the more respect you’ll command. Trust me—if you dress this well, wear a priceless watch, smoke a two-hundred-yuan cigarette, and keep a faintly arrogant smile while insisting you’re nothing, who would believe you? They’ll only wonder more about you, respect you more. But remember: pride and silence. Don’t talk much, don’t explain. In those circles, no one speaks the truth anyway—it’s all empty social pleasantries. Just act reserved, and it’ll work. Remember what I said, alright?”

I sighed, “Good grief! It’s just a fake boyfriend gig—why does it feel like going into battle?”

“Alright, enough. Or we really will be late. I need to change too, so out you go!” Reluctantly, I strapped on the multi-million-yuan watch and stepped out. It fit perfectly, as if made for me.

Soon, Hua Jingjing emerged in a deep purple evening gown. I now noticed she’d applied a touch of makeup, her beauty radiant, her bearing refined. Smiling, she said, “Darling, let’s go.”

The Bentley glided smoothly along the road to Jade Mountain. Midway up, it turned into a wide private drive stretching about five hundred meters. At the end stood a massive iron gate draped in vines, standing open, two cars parked in front: a Mercedes and a BMW. A suited man checked each driver for invitations.

Hua Jingjing opened her bag and produced an exquisite invitation, handing it to the guard as we approached. He glanced at it and smiled, “Miss Hua? Welcome! Please proceed to the parking lot behind the villa. Thank you!” He returned the invitation.

We drove on. On either side, sprawling lawns unfolded. Five or six hundred meters past the gate, a grand four-story European-style mansion appeared, palatial in scale. Beyond it, lush greenery gave the impression of a private forest. I had never imagined such a luxurious villa—or estate—could exist in China; its vastness defied measurement. I couldn’t help but exclaim, “Hua Jingjing, who is your classmate? She seems richer than you—look at this place! Your family’s home isn’t this big, is it?”

Hua Jingjing sniffed, “Not necessarily. But this kind of place can’t be bought with money alone—her father’s got power. Hmph! You definitely know this classmate. In this country, who doesn’t, except maybe toddlers? You’ll see soon enough.”

As we spoke, the car circled the mansion—or perhaps it should be called a castle—and stopped in the vast rear parking lot. I saw fifty or sixty cars already parked there, all luxury vehicles, as if at an auto show. From the building nearby, faint strains of dance music drifted out.

No sooner had we parked than the door of the BMW ahead opened, and a stunning woman stepped out. One glance, and my heart skipped a beat. Wasn’t that the famous actress Hu Feifei? How could she be here?