At the banquet celebrating the 95th birthday of Mr. Xi, the grand hall was packed with distinguished guests, their glasses clinking in endless toasts.
Xi Jianfeng, now advanced in age and with many children, never needed to personally handle such occasions. His second son, Xi Hongming, stood at the entrance, assuming the role of host, greeting the guests with an air of authority.
Recently, Xi Hongming had been riding a wave of success, which he made no effort to conceal. His daughter, Xi Sen, had just completed her assessment in District One, and her photograph with a representative was prominently featured in the media, earning her widespread praise.
Although the event was Xi Jianfeng’s birthday banquet, everyone knew well that such celebrations were becoming fewer and farther between. Meanwhile, Xi Sen was a highly sought-after candidate for the District Six representative, attracting numerous people eager to curry favor.
Amid the flurry of compliments directed at Xi Sen and Xi Hongming, a female celebrity from District Six couldn’t contain her curiosity and asked, “Didn’t Young Master Xi just finish his assessment recently as well? Why isn’t he here today?”
No matter how lavishly such banquets were held, they were, at their core, places where people gossiped and traded idle talk.
Someone raised a glass with a smirk. “He’s always been proud and aloof, too disdainful to attend such gatherings. Maybe he’s even making a point of arriving fashionably late, even for his grandfather’s birthday.”
Another person covered their mouth and lowered their voice. “And then there was that sudden wedding announcement not long ago—caught us all completely off guard.”
“I heard the person he got married to is from District Seven. A top candidate from the Academy of Sciences, but he had an accident and can’t walk anymore.”
“Aiya, a genius from District Seven does sound impressive, but what could they possibly have in common? And now he’s crippled? I really don’t know what Young Master Xi was thinking. Isn’t he just burdening himself with a liability?”
Sharp, suppressed laughter erupted from the crowd.
“This child, Xianqing, takes after his father—always eccentric and doing things his own way.”
Xi Hongming relished hearing the sarcastic remarks, though he maintained the guise of a concerned elder, sighing with feigned helplessness. “Sometimes the choices these young people make are beyond us, older generations’ understanding, and there’s no persuading them otherwise.”
Xi Hongming’s gaze subtly shifted, and his smile grew inscrutable. “But sometimes, marriage… well, it doesn’t necessarily need mutual affection.”
His ambiguous remark left everyone momentarily stunned.
“Aiya, speak of the devil…” A male celebrity glanced toward the entrance and immediately froze, his expression shifting. “This—”
His voice cut off abruptly as all eyes turned toward the hotel’s entrance in unison.
Xi Xianqing’s presence was far too striking to be ignored. People gossiped behind his back, criticizing his arrogance and eccentricities, yet they couldn’t help but fix their gazes on him whenever he appeared.
After all, his stunning looks and exceptional talent were truly unmatched.
That face, flawless from every angle, outshines others’ meticulously edited photos.
Since he rarely made public appearances, leaving little material for the media, the moment he stepped through the door, dozens of cameras stationed outside instantly swiveled to capture his every move, not missing even a corner of his coat.
As always, Xi Xianqing still hasn’t released his spiritual manifestation.
The crowd’s eyes quickly shifted to the person in the wheelchair beside him—and collectively, they held their breath.
The whirlwind marriage between Young Master Xi and a fallen medical genius from District Seven had already spread like wildfire. Although the couple hadn’t held a wedding, the buzz surrounding them had been relentless. This was their first public appearance together at an event like this.
While some media outlets had dug up Zhu Ming’s photos and live recordings, most of District Six’s melon eaters1Gossipy people. still knew little about him, maintaining an attitude of watching the fun.
After all, the stereotype of District Seven people ran deep—especially those who climbed to top candidate status at the Academy of Sciences weren’t ordinary people. The mental image most people had conjured was of a man with thick glasses, messy hair, and a dull, stiff demeanor.
How can this young man… in the wheelchair be a person from District Seven?
And here, Xi Mufei’s taste deserved some credit—she had chosen a black suit for Zhu Ming, understated and elegant, but crafted from luxurious, vintage velvet fabric.
On Zhu Ming, the suit accentuated his fair skin, red lips, and white teeth. His beauty, both superficial and structural, was unmistakably striking.
Yet he wasn’t just a flower vase.2Someone who has a pretty face and nothing more.[ His dark, clear eyes held a scholarly air—intelligent and composed, with a hint of playfulness. The slight upward tilt at the corners of his eyes gave him a cunning charm, each expression effortlessly captivating.
Some sharp-eyed guests began to notice a detail. “The brooch on his chest and Young Master Xi’s earring, aren’t they…”
“They’re a matching set.”
Someone familiar with the subject murmured the answer. “And it’s one of Xi Xianqing’s works from his time at the Academy. Back then, many collectors and auction houses offered sky-high prices for his creations, but he… never sold any of them.”
The young man in the wheelchair seemed to spot something. He stopped, raised his hand, and beckoned to Xi Xianqing.
The always aloof, dignified Young Master Xi—who was considered to rarely spare anyone a glance—paused for a moment before doing something that caused everyone to be completely shocked.
—He paused for a short while and even took the initiative to bend down and lean his face over.
Those watching saw the young man in the wheelchair lower his eyelashes and lazily lean toward Xi Xianqing, whispering something in his ear while gesturing toward a distant spot.
Xi Xianqing raised his head, looked in the direction he was pointing, and nodded after a moment.
The media’s cameras caught the subtle curve of a smile forming at the corners of his lips.
“Hey, look at the flowers in that vase.”
Zhu Ming leaned into Xi Xianqing’s ear, pointing at a massive porcelain vase filled with golden blooms. “They’re ugly. They look like toilet brushes. Aren’t you guys in District Six all about aesthetics? How did something like this get in here?”
“…” Xi Xianqing’s lips twitched ever so slightly in a rare moment as he straightened up. “Those flowers are expensive and the production is extremely low. Sometimes rarity holds more value than aesthetics.”
They finally passed through the hotel entrance into the private banquet hall, leaving the flashing cameras behind. Yet, the subtle gazes following them didn’t diminish in the slightest.
Several people approached Xi Xianqing to greet him. He responded with a polite nod and exchanged a few brief words, neither warm nor cold. Zhu Ming, on the other hand, maintained a polite smile.
After a few rounds, Zhu Ming began to feel overwhelmed and rubbed his arms. “If the stares from District Six people could turn into substance, I’d probably be riddled with holes by now.”
Xi Xianqing calmly said, “They’re irrelevant. Pay them no mind.”
They made their way to the buffet table, where Zhu Ming noticed a private room in the corner, partially concealed behind a gold-foil magnolia screen. In front of it stood a long line of guests holding gifts.
Zhu Ming curiously said, “What’s going on over there?”
Xi Xianqing glanced over. “Grandfather is inside. Those are people lining up to offer their congratulations.”
There was naturally no need to say what Xi Jianfeng’s name meant to the people present, especially among District Six residents
Even if it was just to say a toast or a short conversation of a minute or two could have deeper implications—whether it was delivering a carefully crafted birthday wish, presenting a custom-made gift, or negotiating deals that could involve buildings, land, or even entire cities.
Zhu Ming suddenly realized why the scene felt so familiar. It resembled ancient imperial court assemblies, where officials lined up to report matters, and those with nothing to say were dismissed.
He observed the guests for a while and noticed how much people in District Six valued appearances and etiquette. Most of them released their spiritual manifestations during conversations, and many of these spiritual forms bore obvious signs of cosmetic enhancement.
Even the servers carrying drinks had undergone a uniform selection process, all possessing plant-type spiritual forms.
The desserts on the gorgeous and exquisite dessert table are also meticulously arranged. Even something as simple as a custard tart was adorned with edible flowers.
It looked exquisite, but Zhu Ming couldn’t help but think that the odds of accidentally eating a high-protein bug were uncomfortably high.
As he carefully removed the flowers from his tart and took a bite, he casually observed the guests passing by. “Introduce me. Which ones are your relatives?”
Unlike Zhu Ming, who piled his plate high with an assortment of desserts, Xi Xianqing only selected a few light fruits. He glanced at the crowd, “Anyone with wings and a beak—those are my relatives.”
“…” Zhu Ming took a bite of his tart and sighed. “What a birds-and-flowers kind of day.”
Not long after, Ye Lu walked over in a hurry.
She softly said, “Xianqing, the Old Master sent word—he wants to speak with you now. It’s probably about the assessment.”
Seeing the hesitant look on Xi Xianqing’s face, Zhu Ming smiled and pointed to the snacks on the plate, “I’ll wait for you right here.”
Xi Xianqing frowned slightly, clearly uneasy. He leaned in and whispered something to Ye Lu.
“Relax. Your banquet hall’s carpet doesn’t have tassels. I’m unlikely to get stuck,” Zhu Ming joked lightly. “Go on.”
Xi Xianqing nodded after a long time, “I’ll be back soon.”
Zhu Ming knew there were plenty of unfriendly eyes in the banquet hall. Not wanting to stir up unnecessary trouble, he ate his fill, grabbed a glass of wine, and slipped out to a quiet balcony for some fresh air.
He sipped his drink, gazing down at the city’s nightscape, enjoying the soft evening breeze.
The gentle wind stirred the white fox nestled on his lap. Its nose twitched, and Zhu Ming’s brow lifted slightly as he caught a whiff of nicotine.
A sharp voice suddenly cut through the silence behind him. “You’re the District Seven guy who married Xianqing-ge?”
Zhu Ming sighed lightly.
In a sense, he was also a little bit convinced. He’d deliberately sought out a secluded corner, yet it seemed he still couldn’t avoid the people who took the initiative to pick holes in him to come to his doorstep.
Turning his head, Zhu Ming saw a young man with a baby face and a proud, arrogant demeanor.
Perched on his shoulder was a tiny canary, puffing out its chest. One person and one bird openly scrutinized Zhu Ming from head to toe without the slightest attempt at subtlety.
Zhu Ming pondered for a moment before softly asking Ye Lu, “Troublesome relative?”
Ye Luh’s expression grew more complicated. She leaned in and whispered, “This is Xi Xianqing’s younger cousin, Xi Jiacheng. He’s from the Third Uncle’s branch of the family.”
After a brief pause, she added with a hesitant tone, “He’s not exactly bad, per se. He also studies jewelry design. It’s just that this child, ever since he was little… he’s had this weird obsession with Xianqing. And, well, he doesn’t think things through before acting.”
That is a stupid relative, Zhu Ming raised his eyebrows.
Xi Jiacheng crossed his arms and gave Zhu Ming a once-over. “A District Seven guy who doesn’t know a thing about jewelry or aesthetics? I can’t understand why Xianqing-ge would marry someone like you.”
Zhu Ming smiled faintly and said, “How do you know I don’t know anything?”
Xi Jiacheng hesitantly sized him up again. “Then let me test you. Tell me—which one is more valuable, the pearl or the yellow diamond on my brooch?”
Zhu Ming didn’t seem offended. He simply waved him closer. “Come closer, let me take a look.”
Xi Jiacheng pursed his lips, then took two steps forward. Zhu Ming leaned in to examine it and after a brief pause, he dragged out a slow “Ah~”
He said, “I don’t know, looks ugly.”
Xi Jiacheng was furious. “What are you talking about! Do you know that this pearl is a rare wild freshwater pearl from District Four—”
“I don’t know.”
Zhu Ming pointed at the canary on Xi Jiacheng’s shoulder, which was trembling uncontrollably, its tiny legs shaking like leaves in a storm. “But I do know that if you don’t address your spiritual manifestation’s ADHD soon, it won’t be able to stand still for much longer.”
Xi Jiacheng fell into a peculiar silence.
Zhu Ming studied the canary for a moment before speaking. “Judging by the severity of the symptoms, it’s been about a month, hasn’t it?”
A few seconds later, Xi Jiacheng swallowed, glanced around, and lowered his voice. “You… you tell me more in detail.”
“Sure.” Zhu Ming smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. He beckoned with a finger and tapped the cigarette in Xi Jiacheng’s hand. “But you’ll have to give me one of those.”
Ten minutes later, the balcony of the banquet hall was completely packed.
“…Then go to a pharmacy and get these two medications. Take them continuously for a week.”
Surrounded by the crowd, Zhu Ming, with a cigarette between his teeth, tucked the napkin scribbled with the medication names into Xi Jiacheng’s pocket, and put the pen down. “Starting today, avoid any food or drinks containing caffeine, and definitely no more staying up late.”
Seeing Zhu Ming raise his hand, Xi Jiacheng quickly placed his wine glass respectfully in Zhu Ming’s hand. “Dr. Zhu, is there anything else I should watch out for?”
Zhu Ming leisurely sipped the wine before Xi Jiacheng respectfully took the glass back from him.
“Other than that…”
Zhu Ming turned his head slightly, locking eyes with him for a moment before smiling faintly. “You should also practice moderation in your personal life. I don’t think I need to elaborate, do I?”
Xi Jiacheng immediately understood and coughed lightly. “Got it.”
Zhu Ming nodded. Just as he bit down on a new cigarette, Xi Jiacheng promptly lit it for him.
A young girl on the sidelines couldn’t help but also put out her spiritual manifestation—a willow warbler. “Dr. Zhu, could you take a look at me too? My spirit animal’s feathers have been looking dull lately, and it just don’t look good enough for the camera.”
Zhu Ming squinted at her for a long moment. “You’ve been dieting, haven’t you?”
“Yes, because the graduation ball is coming up soon at school.”
The girl’s face flushed slightly. “What should I do ah? I can’t have both glossy feathers and a slim figure. I’ll be laughed to death by my friends ah…”
Zhu Ming wanted to say something.
Previously, he thought that Dish Soap’s inability to fan its tail was no big deal.
But it wasn’t until today that he realized the extent of the people from District Six’s private anxiety about appearances and their relentless criticism of others’ looks—far beyond anything he could have imagined.
If the fact that Xi Xianqing couldn’t fan his tail were to become known to outsiders… Zhu Ming couldn’t begin to imagine the kind of gossip his relatives would spread or how it might affect Xi Xianqing’s career prospects.
Zhu Ming pinched the cigarette “If a short-term diet is necessary, we can prescribe something to improve the shine of its feathers, but if you keep it on a long-term diet, you might as well prepare for it to go completely bald.”
Xi Jiacheng was about to light another cigarette for Zhu Ming when Zhu Ming glanced at the growing crowd of onlookers and felt that the situation was spiraling out of his control.
“No more smoking,” he said, waving his hand before hesitating. “By the way, don’t you all need to go and congratulate Old Master Xi?”
“There are already so many people falling over themselves to curry favor with the Old Master—when is our turn ah.”
Xi Jiacheng snorted and muttered, “Besides, anyone with half a brain can see that this year’s main attraction is Xi Sen and her father, Xi Hongming. Even if we don’t go, the Old Master won’t even remember we exist.”
The name Xi Sen sounded vaguely familiar. Zhu Ming pondered this.
One drink after another went down, and soon Zhu Ming’s stomach and temples were faintly warm. He was well aware of his own alcohol tolerance—one more sip, and he might end up doing something he’d regret.
Understanding the importance of cutting his losses, he maneuvered his wheelchair and pushed through the crowd. “I’m going to the restroom.”
The restroom was located in a quiet corner outside the banquet hall. Zhu Ming washed his face, finally gaining a moment of peace in the world.
On his way back to the banquet hall, he drowsily operated his wheelchair for a while before coming to a stop, lost in thought.
—He seemed to have gotten lost.
The alcohol was getting to him, and the mirrored symmetry of this luxurious hotel didn’t help. Identical checkered tiles, identical enormous vases, and identical golden-toilet-brush-like flowers arranged in each vase.
After wandering for some time, his dizziness only worsened. Suddenly, he faintly heard voices in the distance.
He paused and glanced through the gaps between the flower arrangements. He vaguely spotted a parrot spiritual manifestation and realized it must belong to one of Xi Xianqing’s relatives.
To avoid unnecessary trouble, Zhu Ming decided to wait until they left before proceeding. He maneuvered his wheelchair backward and hid behind one of the large vases.
He saw three people: a young, sharp-looking woman with short hair, and a well-dressed man and woman who appeared to be a married couple.
“Sen Sen ya,” He heard the woman addressing the young woman. “When you see the Old Master later, make sure to mention how hard things were for you recently in District One. You need to make him feel sorry for you ah.”
Zhu Ming froze momentarily before realizing that these people were the Xi Sen and Xi Hongming family that Xi Jiacheng had mentioned earlier.
Xi Sen’s expression was tired. “The officers in District One treated me with great hospitality. How am I supposed to make up hardships to tell Grandpa?”
“Even if there aren’t any, you have to make something up,” Xi Hongming snapped, his brows furrowed. “Isn’t the climate in District One hot and humid? Just say you nearly had heatstroke several times. How else will Old Master know that your dedication to the assessments far surpasses Xi Xianqing’s?”
Xi Sen’s expression grew even more fatigued. She turned her face away and remained silent.
“Don’t blame your mother for nagging. I heard that District Two’s representatives were extremely impressed with Xi Xianqing’s work this year. You need to push yourself harder.”
Zhang Yuan gritted her teeth and continued, “When the Old Master brought those two siblings back home back then, everyone was on guard against the elder one. Who would’ve thought that now…”
Zhu Ming was originally still drunk and listening to gossip.
Unexpectedly, as he was halfway through enjoying the gossip, Zhu Ming realized the conversation had turned to his own family. The revelation sobered him up considerably.
“At least Xi Mufei is a useless deaf person who likes to draw those absurd, nonsensical things.”
Xi Hongming sneered. “But who would’ve thought that the younger one is even harder to guard against.”
“And he’s completely different from the other family members—none of those indulgent, hedonistic habits.”
Zhang Yuan sighed in agreement. “Without any weaknesses to exploit, and with the Old Master favoring him so much, what are we supposed to do ah…”
Zhu Ming’s eyelids jumped.
At this moment, he finally understood the meaning behind what Xi Xianqing had once said when they first met: “If you don’t eventually reach the top, you’ll spend your entire life living in fear.”
The atmosphere grew tense. Through the gaps in the expensive floral arrangements, Zhu Ming saw Xi Hongming’s lips curl into a shadowy, ambiguous smile. “No flaws at all… that’s impossible.”
“I’ve heard from some contacts in District Two that during the assessment period, he and that crippled person from District Seven stayed in separate rooms the entire time.”
Xi Hongming said slowly, lighting a cigarette. At his feet, the parrot spiritual manifestation pecked at its feathers with evident satisfaction. “Newlyweds are supposed to be deeply in love—how could they have stayed in separate rooms the whole time?”
“This marriage was tied in such a hurry at that time, I felt odd.” He said with a grim expression, “Looking at it now, there must be some unspeakable secret behind this marriage.”
Author’s notes:
The fake marriage has been discovered and is about to be exposed. What measures will the little fox take to deal with it?
A. Use telepathy to urgently inform the big peac0ck in the distance!
B. Sit back and wait for death.
C. ?
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