CHAPTER 238: 217: THIS SHIRT SUITS YOU QUITE WELL.

The city lights were just starting to shine, and the moon was rising high in the sky, its starlight dim.

A cold white moonlight, thin like gauze, draped itself over the Galaxy Hotel owned by Xing Ye.

Several limited-edition luxury cars slowly pulled in, and black-clad men wearing earpieces ushered the passengers, clustered in small groups, into the ninth-floor banquet hall.

The rhythm of high heels and leather shoes blended with the comforting melody, as crowds walked arm in arm.

The moment they stepped inside the hall, their eyes were stunned by the decor, and even their footsteps unconsciously slowed down a little.

Unlike other aristocratic families’ typical use of warm tones during banquets, this venue was entirely decorated in hues of blue, black, and red.

Projected onto the ceiling was a sky full of stars, shifting and moving along with the light and shadows.

Bright crimson roses blossomed vividly on the walls, competing for beauty and brilliance as if the room existed in peak bloom season.

Black-and-gold tables and chairs, set against the backdrop of walls of blooming roses, exuded a mysterious aura, transporting guests to what felt like an ancient castle.

"Dad, make sure to ask them which design team they hired later. I want my birthday party decorated like this too," said a young woman, her eyes alight with envy as she scanned the ornate surroundings.

Her previous birthday parties all took warm tones as their dominant theme, aiming to signify a sense of elegance and grandeur.

Yet she had seen far too many of those uninspired settings, and they had long since dulled her aesthetic sense.

The middle-aged man she clung to lightly patted the back of her hand, smiling, "I’ll try my best."

"No, don’t ’try.’ You *have to* figure it out!"

"Alright, alright."

Behind them, other young socialites overheard the exchange and began making similar demands to their own parents and partners.

But as more and more guests arrived, laughter and conversations incessantly filled the room, and that brief scene quickly faded into the background.

"Where’s Xu Linchuan? Where has he run off to?" Xu Changxiao muttered under his breath, his long-maintained smile faltering slightly.

The old man wasn’t fond of socializing, and neither was Chang Yalin.

Even with Xu Fan stepping in to help, keeping up with conversations was overwhelming, to the point that he couldn’t recall how many glasses of water he had already downed.

"He’s gone to the restroom," said Xu Fan, maintaining an impeccable sense of decorum; even amidst the fervent gazes of countless women, he still averted his face.

"Of course he’d pick now to leave. That kid can never be relied upon."

"Alright, Dad. Keep your expression in check."

At the reminder, Xu Changxiao pulled his lips back into the long-practiced smile, which had rested for scarcely a few minutes before he resumed the tailored facade.

He shot a glance at Xu Fan, "Call him and tell him to get here immediately to greet the guests."

"Alright." Relieved to have an excuse to step away, Xu Fan quickly turned and strode over toward the slightly dim-lit sofa.

After finishing a brief phone call, he placed down his wine glass. His gaze shifted toward the man sitting nearby, "That shirt suits you well."

Shi Wei reclined leisurely against the sofa, his legs resting casually on the tabletop, a lit cigarette nestled in the fingers draped over the armrest.

Despite the air of laziness he exuded, his natural aristocratic refinement remained utterly unhidden.

He blew out a puff of pale gray smoke, the upward slant of his peach blossom eyes trailing briefly with a glint of pride, "Zhizhi made it for me."

Xu Fan: "..."

Suddenly, jealousy crept in.

Fetching a cigarette from the box, Xu Fan borrowed Shi Wei’s lighter to ignite it. Raising his eyebrows, he asked, "When can I convince Little Zhi to make one for me too?"

"No need. You can just buy one in the store."

Noticing Xu Fan’s puzzled look, Shi Wei smirked smugly and brushed off imaginary dust from his shoulder, "Ever heard of U·M?"

"Nope."

"..." Shi Wei realized there was little point in continuing this conversation.

Flicking ash off the cigarette with his finger, his gaze shifted as a cheerful figure bounced into view. He spoke with understated indifference, "The kid’s here."

Xu Fan’s eyes lifted and caught the boy’s vibrant, grape-like eyes. Sharing a smile, his previously composed face softened significantly.

"Brother Fan!" Jin Yunzhi bounded over in a half-run.

When he landed in Xu Fan’s strong, welcoming arms, he shyly buried his head with visible delight.

In just a few days, the bond between the two had grown closer, turning hugs and hand-holding into an everyday norm.

Sweetness suffused their interaction in spades.

Shi Wei, unimpressed and unwilling to partake in this saccharine display, picked up his phone. He sent a message to his little lady who was still in the makeup room.

The screen displayed two cartoon figures embracing and kissing, and a playful smile twinkled in Shi Wei’s eyes.

The three were preoccupied with their own amusements, but the dynamic shifted once Shi Yin and Ruan Yuan arrived, shortly followed by Lin Qingyan.

The influx of guests to the hall grew steadily, the atmosphere becoming livelier and more spirited—but to Shi Wei, everything translated to noise and nothing but noise.

Shi Wei scanned the room with detached indifference, his gaze eventually settling on the silhouette of a youth by accident. His elegant brows lifted slightly.

He almost forgot that the Lu Family patriarch had some ties with the old man; seeing Lu Li here wasn’t unexpected upon reflection.

"Brother Wei, Shi Yaoyu’s here," Lin Qingyan’s voice pulled Shi Wei’s thoughts back into focus.

He responded with a curt hum, continuing to toy with the phone in his hand, completely disregarding her presence—and that of Shi Beiming beside her.

"Both brothers are here," Shi Yaoyu remarked, her smile thin but laced with a mocking undertone as she scrutinized the sibling pair seated next to each other.

Although her words carried a trace of malice, Shi Beiming gave no indication that he discerned it, instead cheerfully chatting away, "Little Wei, has work been busy lately?"

"It’s alright."

"About that collaboration last time..."

Their arrival significantly stiffened the atmosphere, leaving the others in their vicinity tacitly silent.

Ruan Yuan glanced briefly at Shi Beiming and then lowered her gaze to Shi Yin’s clenched hand resting against his knee.

She placed her palm over his hand, rubbing her shoulder against him like a coquettish plea, "Shi Yin, I’d like to step outside for some fresh air."

"Feeling stifled?" Shi Yin redirected his attention, turning his concerned gaze toward her.

"Mm, too crowded; even the air feels stuffy."

Whether deliberate or not, her words coincidentally interrupted Shi Beiming’s conversation, her voice louder than before to ensure clarity.

"Alright, let’s go." Shi Yin rose while holding her hand.

He shot a brief nod toward Shi Wei, swallowing the word "brother" hard against his throat and letting it die there.

Their recent interactions had thawed the frosty tension between them.

But in front of these two, there could be no slip-ups. The facade of estrangement from Shi Wei had to be maintained at all costs.

Until his full potential and resources were realized, patience and restraint were not just virtues—they were lifelines.