Chapter 69

In the end, Lin Tian was pulled into the backseat, sandwiched between them, like a human chess piece. He sat there in a daze, moved like a puppet, until the car finally started rolling.

Seriously? Was the passenger seat off-limits or something?

The Porsche’s backseat was spacious, but three people were still tight. And why, why did he have to sit in the middle?

With every turn, bump, or shake, he could only cling to the center console, completely at the mercy of physics. If he fell into someone’s lap… he’d never live it down.

Thankfully, Xiaoyun, the driver, seemed to understand the situation and drove very carefully. Still, whether the sisters wanted her to drive carefully or recklessly… was another question altogether.

An hour later, the convoy reached a massive castle.

From afar, it looked like a slumbering beast. Towering stone walls over ten meters high enclosed the estate, with sentries stationed all around. It wasn’t just big, it was a fortress.

Beyond the arched gates lay a modern landscape of dozens of standalone villas, carefully arranged in a defensive crescent around a central, towering four-story mansion. This was the true core of the Xuan Yuan family.

Even seasoned elites like Zhao Dongyun, Bai Ze, and Li Siyi were left speechless. This wasn’t just wealth. It was legacy, influence, and unimaginable power.

They drove half a kilometer inside before reaching the central villa. The surrounding buildings were for servants, guests, and Star Group members. The main villa belonged to Xuan Yuan Xing and Qingya.

As they parked, uniformed staff opened the doors. Maids carrying platters filed into the main building. Lunch was ready to be served.

Usually, the Xuan Yuan family didn’t eat like this, but today’s guests warranted it. Though the castle was walled in, it didn’t feel gloomy. The high-tech layout and vast space made it feel more like a luxury community—except this entire “neighborhood” belonged to one family.

As Xuan Yuan Qingya and Xing welcomed them warmly, they said, “Please excuse our humble home. Come in.”

Everyone looked at each other silently.

Humble? This place was basically fifteen Vaticans stacked together! And they were calling it “humble”?

By now, Lin Tian was sore all over from being squished between two beauties the whole ride. His arms and legs were stiff from staying upright. Finally, he could get out.

Seeing the castle in its full glory, Lin Tian couldn’t help but mutter, “So this is what a hidden top-tier family estate looks like? Damn, that’s ridiculous…”

He couldn’t imagine anything like this existing even in the most elite Western countries in his previous life.

After disembarking, everyone naturally broke off into groups.

Qingya and Elder He were together. Zhao Dongyun walked with Shang Chan, Zhao Mengmeng, and Lin Tian behind them. Bai Ze accompanied Bai Bing’er, along with Meng Youqian and Meng Xiaoling, longtime rivals who seemed to be getting along strangely well. Li Siyi and the Li siblings chatted with President Luo of the Star Association.

Soon, they arrived at the banquet hall.

“Please, have a seat. We’ve prepared a light lunch to tide everyone over. I’ll host a proper banquet tonight.”

Xuan Yuan Xing said graciously and took the host’s seat. Everyone cheerfully found places.

But then Zhao Dongyun noticed that his daughters had already squeezed Lin Tian into the middle seat and completely ignored him. He twitched.

When did I become the outsider here?!

Little did he know, Lin Tian wasn’t feeling great either.

He whispered to Shang Chan, “Elder Sis… shouldn’t you sit with the head of the house? You’re making the Zhao family look bad…”

But Shang Chan didn’t care. Her only goal now was to keep Lin Tian close. Etiquette? Who cares when Lin Tian might slip away?

Zhao Dongyun sighed and sat silently nearby.

In the end, although Lin Tian’s seating seemed odd, no one really minded. Everyone was too hungry to care. And soon, lunch was served.