Chapter 266: Without Much Thought

While Yang Chen was lost in thought, several figures approached him from the side.

Turning his head, Yang Chen recognized them all—Yuan Hewei with his wife Yang Jieyu, as well as Fang Zhongping, the secretary of the Municipal Party Committee.

Seeing Yang Jieyu, Yang Chen couldn't help but feel a bit strange inside. There were things unspoken between them, but both were not foolish; amidst the ambiguities and mysteries, neither dared to speak freely.

Fang Zhongping's expression, however, appeared subdued. When he saw Yang Chen, he managed a forced smile but his gaze seemed to follow the direction Tang Wan had left.

Yang Chen was slightly surprised inwardly. Could it be that Fang Zhongping was one of Tang Wan's pursuers? But he didn't dwell on it much because tonight had already brought him enough troubles.

"I didn't expect you to come here, let alone to be Mr. Lin's husband. It really surprised us all," Yuan Hewei said with a smile.

The Yuan family was the largest clan in Zhonghai. Their participation in the Liu family's banquet was clearly a friendly gesture towards the Liu family.

Yang Chen found the modest and decisive clan head quite acceptable. He was much easier to get along with compared to the clearly aloof Liu Kangbo. He asked, "How is Yuan Ye's injury?"

Yuan Hewei chuckled, "That kid is recuperating at home every day. He's almost recovered now. The doctor says his health is even better than before, though he's gained a bit of weight."

Yang Chen wasn't surprised. He hadn't given up his cultivation from previous years for nothing.

"Yang Chen, do you know Tang Wan?" Fang Zhongping suddenly spoke up.

Yang Chen paused briefly and nodded briefly, "Yes, but we haven't met many times."

Fang Zhongping looked relieved, as if a burden had been lifted.

Yuan Hewei and Yang Jieyu had different expressions, but neither said anything.

Yang Jieyu remembered something and spoke kindly to Yang Chen, "I just saw your wife earlier. She's truly stunning, enough to make us women not feel jealous even after seeing her. But it seems like she's not in a good mood. Did you have a fight with her?"

Yang Chen wasn't accustomed to Yang Jieyu's affectionate tone and nodded, "Just some minor disagreements, but it's my fault."

"Since she's with the Cai sisters, she should be fine. But Yang Chen, between husband and wife, it's always good to be understanding of each other. Your wife manages such a large international company; it's inevitable she might have a temper. But since she married you, she must favor you. You should try to be more considerate of her," Yang Jieyu advised warmly.

Seeing Yang Jieyu stepping in as a peacemaker, Yang Chen couldn't help but smile bitterly to himself. Outsiders had no idea about the complexities between him and Lin Ruoxi, so he temporarily accepted her well-meaning words.

Yang Jieyu smiled and sighed, "We heard from Xiaoye that you're married now, and we were curious about your wife. It seems you're doing even better than we imagined. With your own excellence and such a wife, your future will surely be blissful when you have children."

Children? Hearing Yang Jieyu's description, it sounded like a beautiful blueprint, but could that really happen between him and Lin Ruoxi? Once tonight's banquet ended, they would likely return home to being strangers again.

Yang Chen thought to himself that he shouldn't have attended such an event in the first place; it seemed trouble never ceased.

Yang Jieyu seemed to empathize, "It's a pity I heard your parents aren't with you. If they were here, I'm sure they would be proud and delighted for both of you."

At her words, Yuan Hewei instinctively squeezed his wife's hand, signaling her to stop talking further.

Yang Jieyu reluctantly closed her mouth, feeling somewhat embarrassed herself.

Yang Chen smiled faintly and didn't pay much mind to it.

To the onlookers, this scene wasn't just a simple chat anymore.

Originally, they might have thought Yang Chen had attended the banquet solely because of Lin Ruoxi, but now they realized he also knew Tang Wan. Knowing Tang Wan was one thing, but it was surprising that he had a close relationship with Yuan Hewei and his wife, the prominent family of Zhonghai. What's more, Secretary Fang from the Fang family was speaking amicably with him. These three individuals carried more weight than even Liu Kangbo of the Liu family. Many present knew about Yang Jieyu's strong background in Yandu, and seeing her chatting so comfortably with Yang Chen led to various speculations. Could this fortunate Yang Chen possibly be a hidden member of one of Yandu's renowned families?

Meanwhile, in a corner of the grand hall, Lin Ruoxi, together with the Cai sisters, Cai Yan and Cai Ning, noticed Yang Chen chatting with Yuan Hewei and Fang Zhongping. They were all somewhat surprised. Cai Ning was relatively calm, knowing some inside information, but Lin Ruoxi and Cai Yan were utterly taken aback. They never imagined Yang Chen would have connections with such influential figures.

Lin Ruoxi's thoughts were complicated. She had brought Yang Chen here precisely to help him network with the upper echelons of society. Yet, she had no idea he was acquainted not only with Yuan Ye of the Yuan family but also with Yuan Hewei and Fang Zhongping. These matters had never been mentioned by Yang Chen in her presence.

Yang Chen couldn't help but feel foolish for thinking he could help himself establish a foothold in Zhonghai. It seemed his actions were silently mocked by Lin Ruoxi. Unaware that he had suddenly become the focus of the evening's events, he felt Lin Ruoxi's resentment towards him deepen.

Meanwhile, Yang Chen heard Yuan Hewei saying, "It seems Liu Kangbo has some grievances against you. If he dares to do anything, and if you need our help, just let us know. You've done us a favor, and we don't want anything bad happening to you."

Yang Chen couldn't help but think to himself, I hope he dares to do something. Aloud, he replied, "I understand. Thank you."

Afterwards, they chatted for a while longer before the evening progressed into the dancing phase. The dance floor of the entire venue was illuminated with dazzling lights, and nearby, an orchestra specially brought in from Vienna began to play a melodious waltz.

Men and women of all ages took to the dance floor with their partners, dancing various styles of ballroom dance.

After a gentlemanly invitation from Yuan Hewei to Yang Jieyu, the couple lovingly took to the dance floor to elegantly waltz.

Fang Zhongping looked enviously behind him, sighed softly, and quietly sat down alone in a corner of the dance floor.

Yang Chen had no intention of dancing either; he was about to find a place to have a drink when he suddenly saw Liu Yun standing in a corner of the dance floor where Lin Ruoxi and the Cai sisters were standing. Yang Chen frowned, knowing trouble was brewing, so he stepped over.

At the same time, Liu Yun extended his arm in a standard invitation gesture, showing Lin Ruoxi a handsome smile. "Miss Lin, as tonight's host, may I have the honor of inviting you to dance the first dance?"

Liu Yun's actions clearly carried a challenge towards Yang Chen. Earlier, after a few words of instigation, he had caused a rift between Lin Ruoxi and Yang Chen. Now, with the advantage of being the host, he naturally came to invite Lin Ruoxi to dance.

Lin Ruoxi felt troubled. She certainly didn't want to dance with this man. She wasn't naive; she knew Liu Yun intended to embarrass Yang Chen deliberately.

However, Liu Yun was not only the only son of the Liu family but also the host of tonight's dance, so it was not inappropriate in terms of etiquette or status for him to invite her to dance. Lin Ruoxi couldn't say she didn't know how to dance, and there was no valid reason to refuse. How would she handle this situation?

Seeing Lin Ruoxi's dilemma, Cai Yan intervened, saying to Liu Yun, "Mr. Liu, if Ruoxi isn't fond of dancing, perhaps you should ask someone else."

Liu Yun continued to smile gently, "Director Cai, my invitation is sincere. I hope you won't interfere."

Cai Ning pulled her sister's hand, signaling her not to say more. This involved the relationship between the Cai and Liu families, so it wasn't appropriate to intervene without reason.

"Hey, where did you pop out from? Even I, her husband, haven't danced with her. What are you up to?" Yang Chen stepped in front of Lin Ruoxi, confronting Liu Yun.

Lin Ruoxi and the Cai sisters looked astonished at Yang Chen's sudden appearance, their expressions complicated.

Liu Yun sneered, "Oh, really? Mr. Yang hasn't danced yet? I thought you were going to dance with Miss Tang. Miss Tang is also a rare beauty. Mr. Yang, you are indeed fortunate."

Yang Chen smirked, "Are you jealous or admiring? It seems like you think every woman around me is somehow involved with me."

"Isn't that true?" Liu Yun retorted disdainfully.

Yang Chen pointed to the Cai sisters behind him, "What about them? Director Cai hasn't spared me from being dragged into the bureau."

"You jerk! Why are you pointing at us?! Do you want to die?!" Cai Yan blushed and cursed angrily, feeling like she had been stepped on her tail.

Cai Ning was also embarrassed, though she knew Yang Chen was bantering with Liu Yun, she still felt uneasy.

Liu Yun had nothing more to say. After all, the Cai sisters were not ordinary women. He could only give a casual smile and say, "My mistake, there are exceptions. However, Mr. Yang, if you want to dance, I doubt Miss Lin would be willing to dance with her husband."

Yang Chen turned expressionless, looking at Lin Ruoxi, who appeared silently serene. Their eyes met, seeming to have complex thoughts unspoken.

Suddenly, Yang Chen took three steps back, raised both arms, and spun around, executing the standard steps of a waltz. After a few practiced steps to the music, he gracefully approached Lin Ruoxi, extended his arm, and made a flawless invitation gesture.

Even Liu Yun, who was ready to watch the drama, and the Cai sisters looked incredulous.

It was Lin Ruoxi's first time experiencing such a public occasion. Her mind went blank. She never expected Yang Chen to actually invite her to dance, and more surprisingly, this man who sold lamb skewers actually knew ballroom dancing!

In that moment, Lin Ruoxi felt a shy flutter in her heart.

After a silent pause of about ten seconds, Lin Ruoxi lifted a delicate hand and placed it in Yang Chen's hand.

"I accept. It would be very rude at a dance party to refuse. I don't want to become an uncouth person, so that's why I'm dancing with you. Don't read too much into it," Lin Ruoxi said.

Yang Chen smiled bitterly, "I'm not reading too much into it. I just want to dance with you."