Chapter 64: Is There a Male Lead More Pathetic Than Him? He’s Basically a Rat Crossing the Street…

Shang Chan was startled when she heard Lin Tian’s inner thoughts. Her cold and aloof CEO demeanor crumbled instantly. She bit her lip, urgently thinking of a way to deal with the situation. No matter what, she couldn’t let Lin Tian leave her side. At the same time, she also didn’t want Lin Tian exposed in public.

If Jiang Yifeng were to find out about someone like Lin Tian, Shang Chan was almost certain that while the female leads might remain unharmed, Lin Tian himself would become the target of serious retaliation. Just like Lin Tian said in his inner monologue, on the surface, he was nothing but a powerless nobody. Compared to everyone else present, he was completely outclassed.

To them, Jiang Yifeng might be a nuisance or a rival, but to Lin Tian, Jiang Yifeng was still a colossus he could never hope to challenge. Shang Chan’s mindset at this moment was vastly different from how she’d always been.

Before, no matter the situation, she could always handle it calmly and rationally, even if it meant making a painful sacrifice in the short term as long as she secured the final victory. In countless business wars, it was exactly this composure that helped Shang Chan carve out her empire.

But now, when it came to Lin Tian, that composure was gone. She found herself only considering things from Lin Tian’s perspective, not wanting him to be hurt, not wanting him to leave. Without even realizing it, her feelings for him had already surpassed those of mere friendship or a boss-subordinate relationship. Whether it was full trust or emotional dependence, one thing was certain: She didn’t want Lin Tian to be harmed. She didn’t want to lose him.

While Shang Chan was caught in her inner conflict, across the room, Xuan Yuan Qingya suddenly spoke up.

“Everyone, I sincerely apologize for letting these matters affect you today… If you don’t mind, why not come to our Xuan Yuan family castle for a visit?”

She paused, glancing in Lin Tian’s direction, then continued:

“In a few days, it will be my great-grandfather’s birthday. Since you’ve all come such a long way, you might as well join the celebration. It would also give me a chance to make up for today’s disturbances.”

Commotion broke out almost immediately. First of all, none of them were short on free time—these were the heads of powerful families. Time management was not an issue. Secondly, this was the first any of them had ever heard about the Xuan Yuan family owning a castle.

Judging from the wealth Xuan Yuan Qingya and her mother displayed during the auction, and the power they revealed when the Star Group showed up, it was clear that the Xuan Yuan family was far beyond your average “aristocratic clan.” They might even operate on a higher level than the families present today.

And as the saying goes—the more allies, the more opportunities. While they had competed during the auction, making personal connections outside of that was still extremely beneficial. Especially for those at their level, being invited to a private banquet at such an elite household was extremely rare.

Plus, everyone knew that aristocratic banquets were never just about eating and drinking—they were strategic social exchanges. So who might they meet at the Xuan Yuan family banquet?

Even people like Bai Ze and Zhao Dongyun couldn’t help but feel tempted. Lastly, there was the elephant in the room: Jiang Yifeng, Dragon Group, and now the emerging Star Group.

Some of the families, like the Bai family, the Zhao family, and the Xuan Yuan family, had already clearly taken a stand against Jiang Yifeng. Others, like the Zhou, Li, Xinghui, and Meng families, though not directly involved, would step in if there were profits to be gained.

With these connections forming, there was no reason not to ride the wave and get in on the potential benefits. So, after Xuan Yuan Qingya made her offer, Zhou Wenlong, Meng Youqian, Li Siyi, and Luo Xiangguo were the first to smile and speak up:

“Haha! Since Miss Xuan Yuan has invited us so graciously, how can we refuse?”

“Sorry to intrude! Haha, come to think of it, I’ve never seen the Xuan Yuan castle before!”

“With Miss Xuan Yuan extending such hospitality, how could we say no?”

“Haha, we must give her that face!”

The four old foxes laughed heartily, especially Meng Youqian and Li Siyi. Both had brought their children to the auction. Not only had they gained insight, but now they had a chance to visit the Xuan Yuan stronghold. That experience might very well open doors for their children to surpass them in the future. After them, Bai Ze also chuckled and bowed slightly.

“Since Miss Xuan Yuan is so kind, I’ll gladly impose… Hmm, I wonder what your great-grandfather likes? We should prepare a gift, after all!”

Zhao Dongyun stood up, smiling.

“Naturally, I’ll accept the invitation too. Miss Xuan Yuan Qingya and Madam Xuan Yuan, I’ll be in your care these next few days.”

Xuan Yuan Qingya, uncharacteristically, gave a soft and clear smile.

“No need for such formality. In truth, my mother and I were uninvited guests at today’s auction. Not only did we snatch up some of your items, we even startled everyone with our show of force.”

“So please, enjoy yourselves at the Xuan Yuan castle. Think of it as our apology.”

Madam Xuan Yuan, too, nodded with a pleased expression as she watched her daughter conduct herself with grace and authority.

“Qingya’s right… Our castle usually doesn’t see many guests. It’s been cold and quiet for too long. Your presence will bring it some life. As for my father’s birthday… no need to bring elaborate gifts. He doesn’t care for material things. Just come and make the event more lively, that’ll make him happiest.”

As was standard in high society, the polite refusals and courteous exchanges went on.

But amid the hubbub, Lin Tian felt something wasn’t quite right. Xuan Yuan Qingya, in the original plot, was someone who wouldn’t lower her head even to her own mother. Her arrogance was bone deep. So, how could she suddenly invite outsiders to her family’s castle?

And that castle, it wasn’t just a private estate. It was the ancestral home of the Xuan Yuan clan. In the original novel, only a handful of people ever had access to it. No matter your rank, your influence, or your money, you couldn’t just walk in. That place was the heart of an elite clan whose influence spanned the globe. It wasn’t something easily accessed.

So why was Qingya bringing this up now? If the reason was “scaring people with the Star Group,” Lin Tian found that laughable. Was Xuan Yuan Qingya the type to care about how others felt? Even if the Star Group injured someone today, she’d just pay for their medical bills, not humble herself to this extent.

That’s just not who she was!