CHAPTER 127: CHAPTER 122 BANQUET

Mingjing University is nominally part of the Alliance, but in reality, it is controlled by major companies in Mingjing City.

As a mid-level leader, Wang Chang’en is well aware of the power of these large corporate groups.

The Jiang Family, Xu Family, and Zhang Family are all first-class noble families in Mingjing City, with immense influence.

Gao Xuan, coming from a rural background, has no power or influence. He was able to attend university through the Xu Family’s connections.

Now that the Xu Family people are turning against Gao Xuan, this kid is basically doomed.

Wang Chang’en is not a reckless person; he has also inquired into Gao Xuan’s background and knows the young man indeed comes from the mountains and has no connections.

He only got into the school because he saved Wei Zhenzhen and Xu Yin, and Xu Yin recommended him.

But now it’s the high-level members of the Xu Family who want to deal with Gao Xuan, and their status is much more important than Xu Yin’s. Moreover, Xu Yin cannot possibly conflict with her family over an outsider.

Wang Chang’en, with limited perspective, is unaware of Gao Xuan’s affairs with Wei Zhenzhen, not to mention those with Bai Yutang.

Although the matter of Bai Yutang allegedly supporting Gao Xuan has spread widely, this spread is confined to the elite aristocrats of Mingjing City.

When Xu An and others want to target Gao Xuan, they naturally won’t tell Wang Chang’en the truth.

If they really provoke Bai Yutang, it will definitely be Wang Chang’en who suffers. Anyway, they dislike Gao Xuan, so they’re set on giving him a hard time.

Even if they can’t destroy Gao Xuan, they want to disgust him.

The teacher ordered by Director Wang is precisely Wan Tao, who is in charge of Class One.

Wan Tao has no background and only got his current position through Director Wang’s promotion. He doesn’t dare to disregard Director Wang’s orders.

Wan Tao also doesn’t sympathize with Gao Xuan. Who let that boy be so handsome and outstanding? It’s only fitting he has bad luck.

On the first day of school, there are all sorts of trivial matters.

Wan Tao was busy the whole day dealing with the new students’ issues.

As per normal requirements, a simple class meeting is to be held at six in the afternoon to let new students get acquainted with each other.

However, Gao Xuan and Yun Qingshang were absent from the meeting, with only Qingyi Fei Niao present.

Wan Tao was slightly displeased, but inwardly quite happy. He caught Gao Xuan in the act on the first day of school.

Failing to attend the first class meeting speaks of poor discipline at best, and at worst, it’s a sign of contempt for the school, teachers, and classmates. This is not only a disciplinary issue but also a moral one.

A morally corrupt student does not deserve to study at Mingjing University.

After the meeting ended, Wan Tao approached Qingyi Fei Niao, "Do you know where Gao Xuan and Yun Qingshang went?"

Seeing Wan Tao’s displeased look, Qingyi Fei Niao felt a bit uneasy.

Influenced by her father from a young age, Qingyi Fei Niao has an unusual respect for rules.

Gao Xuan and Yun Qingshang not attending the meeting and going off to eat instead, even wanting to take her along, made her uncomfortable. So, she declined the invitation to attend the meeting.

Qingyi Fei Niao quickly explained, "Teacher, Gao Xuan has some urgent matters."

"What urgent matters?" Wan Tao pressed further.

Looking a bit troubled, Qingyi Fei Niao said, "Someone invited him, Gao Xuan said he must go."

"An invitation for a meal?"

Wan Tao was even angrier, "Is a meal more important than a class meeting, more important than school discipline?"

If it were an ordinary student, Wan Tao would scold a few words and leave it for tomorrow.

But with Gao Xuan having issues, Wan Tao felt he needed to catch Gao Xuan red-handed. With clear evidence of Gao Xuan skipping classes, expelling him wouldn’t be difficult.

"You know where Gao Xuan is, right? Take me there," Wan Tao commanded.

Qingyi Fei Niao really did know and looked hesitant, "Let me ask Gao Xuan first."

"No need to ask."

Wan Tao said indifferently, "If it isn’t a very important meal, there’s nothing to hide. I’d like to see how important it really is."

Feeling helpless, Qingyi Fei Niao had no choice but to lead the way.

However, she secretly messaged Gao Xuan, recounting the situation.

Gao Xuan was nonchalant, "Teacher Wan is coming? That’s perfect. We’re in Wanfu Tower, third floor, private room 01, just come."

Wanfu Tower is a famous restaurant at Mingjing University, located in the campus’s independent commercial area.

The area, filled with restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, and comprehensive commercial buildings, meets shopping and entertainment needs. It’s also the liveliest place at Mingjing University.

Qingyi Fei Niao and Wan Tao took the circular bus and soon arrived at Wanfu Tower.

The splendid Wanfu Tower, even without commenting on the food, boasts an impressive façade.

Wan Tao had never dined at Wanfu Tower; he couldn’t afford it, and even if invited, he wouldn’t come to such a high-end place.

Standing in front of the entrance, Wan Tao felt a bit uneasy. Gao Xuan’s dining here, who could have invited him?

But recalling Wang Chang’en’s words, he regained some confidence. Regardless of who Gao Xuan associates with, he cannot stand against those nobles.

Wan Tao adjusted his breath, tugged at his slightly wrinkled shirt, and strode into Wanfu Tower with his head held high.

Naturally, a staff member came forward to greet them. After confirming the situation, a pretty female attendant led Wan Tao and Qingyi Fei Niao to the elevator, taking them all the way to the door of the private room.

After a gentle knock, the female attendant opened the solid wood door and gestured for Wan Tao and Qingyi Fei Niao to enter.

Wan Tao coughed lightly and, gathering his breath, strode into the private room.

The spacious room was over a hundred square meters, decorated in opulent gold and jade, exuding a sense of extravagant flair.

In the center stood a round table, with guests seated around it.

Wan Tao immediately noticed the beautiful woman in the main seat, dressed in a phoenix-patterned bright yellow cheongsam, accentuating her curvaceous and slender figure.

Her eyebrows and eyes were like a painting, her long hair casually arranged in a fluffy bun, and her glances were warm and gentle like water.

Wan Tao was momentarily at a loss for words, feeling parched after just one look from the beautiful woman.

Having lived for over thirty years, he had seen many beauties. But a woman with such allure was a first encounter for him.

Wan Tao quickly came back to his senses because right next to the beauty was Gao Xuan. The charming beauty was gentle and intimate towards Gao Xuan, like a lover.

Though Wan Tao felt a pang of discomfort, he had to admit that Gao Xuan matched this beauty well.

He didn’t know this beauty, but judging by her attire and demeanor, she was no ordinary person.

Although Wan Tao wanted to seize the opportunity to act out, he dared not act rashly.

He glanced at the guest position and saw Luo Dong City.

Luo Dong City had a bald spot with a circle of white hair around his head. His stature was tall and his old face bright red, sitting there imposingly.

In Mingjing University, no one didn’t know Luo Dong City, as he was the president of Mingjing University, the biggest authority at the university.

Luo Dong City’s distinctive appearance and grand demeanor were very recognizable. Normally, Wan Tao should have noticed him at first glance.

Mainly, Gao Xuan and the beautiful woman were too outstanding, even overshadowing Luo Dong City’s presence.

Words stuck in Wan Tao’s throat, his face quickly turning red.

Having reached this position, Wan Tao was no fool. On the contrary, he was very smart and sensible, able to understand the situation.

The fact that President Luo Dong City was sitting here meant something—that Gao Xuan had powerful connections beyond what someone of his level could afford to offend.

Although major business groups held shares in Mingjing University, the true manager was undoubtedly Luo Dong City. No matter how powerful others were, they couldn’t bypass him to meddle in university affairs.

Luo Dong City was from Zhongjing, with a substantial background and a tough style, known to everyone at Mingjing University.

Moreover, among the guests was Vice President Xu Jin, also an important figure in the Xu Family. There was also the Sword Dao Chief Instructor Jiang Yuan, Professor Xu Yin, and an elderly man with an ethereal sage-like presence.

Wan Tao didn’t recognize the elderly man, but judging by his demeanor, he was no ordinary person.

As for Yun Qingshang, with her aloof and noble demeanor, she seemed the least noticeable among them.

Wan Tao quickly adapted, turning the intended rebuke and reproach into a smile. He first respectfully bowed to Luo Dong City, saying, "Hello President, I didn’t know you were dining here. It was too rude of me to intrude suddenly."

Luo Dong City didn’t mind too much, nodding as he said, "You’re Gao Xuan’s teacher, right? You arrived just in time, join us."

Bai Yutang, seated at the main position, also smiled and greeted, "Teacher Wan, please have a seat. We were planning to invite you too but didn’t want to disturb you as you had many things. It’s perfect that you came."

Wan Tao didn’t dare say anything else, cautiously taking a seat.

Bai Yutang then took Qingyi Fei Niao’s hand, had the attendant add another seat, and had Qingyi Fei Niao sit between Gao Xuan and Yun Qingshang.

Qingyi Fei Niao was a bit bewildered; she didn’t know who Luo Dong City and Xu Jin were.

Gao Xuan introduced them to Qingyi Fei Niao, and she quickly greeted them again.

Luo Dong City and Xu Jin were quite fond of Qingyi Fei Niao’s sweet nature. Gao Xuan was indeed too dazzling. They could appreciate him, yet they felt a significant sense of distance, not being able to regard him as a junior.

While Yun Qingshang was good, her demeanor was aloof, making close relations difficult.

In contrast, Qingyi Fei Niao, with her exceptional talents and spiritual quality, seemed like an approachable girl nearby.

Naturally, Luo Dong City and Xu Jin were quite warm towards her.

As for Wan Tao, sitting there really felt like sitting on pins and needles, unable to feel comfortable.

However, he quickly noticed a problem.

Despite Bai Yutang sitting at the main seat, he didn’t speak much. It was Gao Xuan who was the lively one, easily chatting with the two presidents, Jiang Yuan, and Fang Zheng.

Gao Xuan didn’t make any deliberate moves, but he naturally clicked with the older gentlemen.

The older gentlemen didn’t find anything inappropriate either, as Gao Xuan’s conversation and insights were indeed remarkable. Especially his strong charisma, which easily made people overlook his age and status.

The meal concluded with mutual joy. Gao Xuan also became friends with Luo Dong City and Xu Jin.

Of course, Gao Xuan didn’t neglect Wan Tao either. He guided the conversation appropriately, chatting with Wan Tao for a while, and toasted with him.

Wan Tao had to admit that Gao Xuan handled the situation beautifully, leaving him no room to find fault with the etiquette.

When the banquet ended, Wan Tao bent over to see off Luo Dong City and Xu Jin before hurriedly saying goodbye to Gao Xuan and others.

Wan Tao took a rapid ring bus to Wang Chang’en’s house and, upon entering, said to Wang Chang’en, "Director Wang, something big has happened!"