Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Three: Young Master Feng

Although Lin Shengnan only possessed a high school education, she possessed extraordinary business acumen. She had begun drafting a project proposal, and it was shaping up quite professionally, with clear structure and logic; some of her creative ideas were even remarkably forward-thinking, showing great potential.

Liu Jingye was dutifully massaging her shoulders. However, his technique was extremely unique. He had a profound understanding of human joints and acupoints, and he was quite a shock; every touch produced a distinct effect.

Initially, Lin Shengnan was so focused that she didn't pay much attention, but as the massage continued, it became increasingly comfortable. She couldn't help but hum aloud. The volume grew, the rhythm intensified—a press, a hum; two quick presses, two quick hums. Liu Jingye gave a sneaky smile and began to press with a rhythmic cadence.

"You're annoying!"

After a series of "mm-hms" and "ah-ahs," Lin Shengnan finally snapped out of it. She immediately shook off Liu Jingye’s hands, turned bright red, and gave him two hard kicks.

Once Lin Shengnan got busy, time flew by. Liu Jingye grew bored. Seeing that it was nearly noon, he realized he hadn't even eaten breakfast, and his stomach was rumbling.

Just then, his phone rang. It was Chen Yuxin. He stood up immediately and walked outside. Seeing that Lin Shengnan was completely engrossed in her work, he breathed a sigh of relief; if this "housekeeper" were to find out, he feared he would be "cleared out" along with those other "princesses."

"Hello, Miss Star Reporter, what are your instructions?" Liu Jingye answered the phone in the adjacent private room.

"It's *famed* journalist, don't you dare shorten it here," Chen Yuxin corrected. "What are you doing? Can you come and help me out if you’re free?"

"What’s the situation?" Liu Jingye asked.

"I’m heading to the Red Star Hotel to cover an interview at noon, but my cameraman suddenly came down with acute appendicitis and is in the hospital. The other photographers are all tied up with assignments, so can you step in as a guest cameraman?"

"I can help, but I haven't eaten yet!" Liu Jingye complained.

"That's perfect," Chen Yuxin said. "The event I'm covering is a high-end banquet for a large real estate developer. They’re providing a free buffet and hosting the press for free as well."

"I’ll meet you at the hotel," Liu Jingye said, his interest piqued.

He hung up, pushed the door open, and saw Lin Shengnan still deep in her proposal. Liu Jingye seized the opportunity and said, "Sister Nan, how about I take you out for a buffet?"

Lin Shengnan didn't even look up, waving him away impatiently. Liu Jingye chuckled to himself—this was exactly what he wanted. He wondered if it was a good thing or a bad thing that his "housekeeper" was turning into a career woman.

He slipped away and took a taxi to the Red Wine Hotel. The entrance was already packed with luxury cars, with prominent local figures coming and going.

Chen Yuxin had arrived early. When Liu Jingye saw her, his eyes lit up. She had cut her hair into a short, layered bob, parted to the sides, revealing a smooth forehead. With her slender brows, phoenix eyes, and lips pursed slightly to reveal a dimple, she looked stunning. She wore a red suit with a black shirt, appearing beautiful, dignified, and intellectually sophisticated.

"You're here... do you know how to use this?" Chen Yuxin greeted him. She maintained that cool, indifferent demeanor—not overly warm, but not cold either; it was a sort of keeping-at-a-distance.

She handed him the professional camera and gave him a brief tutorial. Liu Jingye hoisted it onto his shoulder, and they walked into the venue together.

The banquet hall was luxuriously decorated, featuring a typical cold buffet. Liu Jingye asked, puzzled, "Aren't banquets like this usually held in the evening?"

"That’s abroad," Chen Yuxin explained. "Here in our harmonious Middle Kingdom, we value the auspiciousness of high noon. Today is the launch event for the province’s leading real estate developer entering our city. They’re hosting it so lavishly to display their strength, reassure consumers, and intimidate competitors."

"Oh, so it's a business tactic," Liu Jingye nodded. "But wait, aren't you an entertainment reporter? Why are you covering this kind of thing?"

"Because a heavyweight celebrity will be appearing later, so it falls under my purview," she said.

"Can I grab something to eat first? I haven't eaten since this morning," Liu Jingye said, his stomach growling as he looked at the buffet tables.

"No ambition!" Chen Yuxin shot him a glare, pulled a *roujiamo* (meat burger) from her pocket, and said, "Eat this for now. You can gorge yourself after the press conference ends."

"Fine." Liu Jingye took the *roujiamo* and took a big bite, but his expression changed instantly. He looked at it closely and said, "What kind of *roujiamo* is this? This is clearly a *mo* stuffed with green peppers! Where’s the meat?"

Chen Yuxin turned slightly red. "Just eat it. Are you really going to be a picky eater as a grown man?"

Liu Jingye felt a vein twitch. "Big sister, which one of us is the picky eater?"

Just then, enthusiastic applause erupted in the hall, and the scattered guests began to congregate. On the raised platform, the host appeared, holding a microphone: "Thank you all for coming. Today is a great day as Fengxing enters our city. Thank you for your support. Our ceremony is about to begin."

Chen Yuxin tugged at Liu Jingye. "Stop eating, hurry up and follow me to film."

Liu Jingye chewed his green pepper helplessly, hoisted the camera, and followed Chen Yuxin’s beautiful silhouette to the front row, reserved for the media.

The host announced: "Now, let us use our hands to welcome the General Manager of Fengxing, Mr. Tan Yifeng, and our company’s brand ambassador, the superstar Miss Tang Shiya!"

Liu Jingye was stunned. Tang Shiya being here was surprising enough, but he hadn't expected the organizer of such a high-profile, luxurious event to be Tan Yifeng—the name he had just heard yesterday. He was the legendary "Young Master Feng," born into a wealthy family and rumored to have connections in both the underworld and the establishment!

Amidst the applause, the two walked out arm-in-arm. Young Master Feng was tall and handsome, indeed the man in sunglasses he had seen at the airport. He wore an expensive suit, his hair meticulously groomed, and wore a faint, gentle smile. Yet, beneath his refined exterior lay a hint of ruthless hostility.

Tang Shiya, by his side, wore a black evening gown with a diamond brooch at her chest. She looked noble and elegant, her hair styled in an updo, her exquisite face and tall figure making her seem like a goddess descended to earth, breathtakingly beautiful.

Though Tang Shiya smiled, it felt purely professional—a practiced entertainer's smile. Even though she held Young Master Feng's arm, there was a clear distance between them; there was no sense of intimacy.

"A wealthy heir is truly something else; more arrogant than the high officials of ancient times," Liu Jingye thought to himself. "When a high official traveled, they might have the streets washed, but here, he’s just here to do business and his display is so grand, he might as well have made everyone kneel to welcome him. And this Tang Shiya, she’s so beautiful—not just stunning, but delicate. Standing beside a man, she doesn't overshadow him; instead, she adds to his glory."

"What are you standing there like a fool for? Film!" Chen Yuxin whispered, seeing him dazed. "Are you staring because the beauty is so pretty?"

*Staring because she's pretty? She still owes me money for dinner!* Liu Jingye sneered inwardly. Just as he was about to retort, Chen Yuxin said, "I’m warning you, my parents are currently discussing the dowry and bride price with your parents. I can have them raise the price at any moment!"

*Heh...* Liu Jingye was speechless. This girl's train of thought was always so unpredictable. Sometimes she acted like a total stranger, other times like a couple discussing marriage. She kept him at arm's length, leaving him feeling itchy and frustrated—wanting to pull her into his arms to tease her, yet fearing she might slap him across the face.

"Women, I understand them less and less," Liu Jingye thought with a wry smile. "I just survived the 'housekeeper' torture from Lin Shengnan last night, and now I have to endure the baptism of Chen Yuxin, the 'most familiar stranger.' Being a man isn't easy."

Life is colorful precisely because of the varying personalities of people. No two people are the same, especially women. Every woman one encounters writes a brand-new story.

"Are the four elders’ negotiations going smoothly?" Liu Jingye asked with a pained expression.

Chen Yuxin nodded. "It's fine. Because they got along so well recently, the negotiations have been relaxed. Both sides have maintained a friendly, consultative attitude, based on the principle of mutual development and the happiness of their children. They have discussed topics of mutual interest and are actively seeking methods that benefit both parties while demonstrating sincerity..."

"Alright, alright, my dear anchorwoman, let's talk about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the situation in Syria, or the war in Ukraine instead." Liu Jingye felt a headache coming on.

Chen Yuxin smiled, but before she could speak, the two protagonists stepped onto the stage. Staff members brought out a massive map of the city.

Though Young Master Feng smiled, the arrogance on his face was impossible to hide. He said simply, "Thank you all for coming. This banquet is mainly to meet everyone and introduce my plans. As you can see on the map behind me, I plan to build several garden-style residential complexes here, here, and in this area. I also plan to build a hillside villa district in the north. I hope you will all support me."

His words sounded polite, but they carried the overbearing tone of a leader giving tasks to subordinates.

The guests below turned pale. Many of them were real estate developers; they recognized that the plots Young Master Feng had circled were all prime gold-standard locations with unimaginable profit margins. Yet, Young Master Feng spoke as if he were simply marking his own backyard, as casually as planting cabbages and radishes.

"Mr. Tan, I think you might be mistaken," a middle-aged man in a suit stood up, pointing at the map. "I have already obtained the permits for that plot in the West District and am preparing to develop it into a commercial zone. I'm sorry, but I’m afraid you’ll have to change your plans."

*Hey, who is this guy, daring to challenge Young Master Feng’s authority?* Liu Jingye looked over, thinking to himself, *Everyone here is a tycoon. Unlike Boss Meng, who leans towards the underworld, these people have ties to the establishment and backing of their own. Even knowing Young Master Feng is powerful, no one cries until they see the coffin...*

Young Master Feng merely smiled slightly. "Is that so? What a coincidence. I had already planned to build a garden complex there, and I promised to give one of the units to the beautiful Miss Tang Shiya beside me. It would be a real pity if such a beautiful person couldn't wander through a beautiful garden..."