"Mr. Lin, this is my good friend, Jin Chuchu, and this is my old classmate of many years, Zhang Changhuai."
Luo Meixiang introduced them.
Jin Chuchu’s interjection made the situation a bit less awkward.
However, when Luo Meixiang introduced Zhang Changhuai, she clearly paused and stepped back a couple of steps, as if trying to distance herself from Zhang Changhuai to avoid any misunderstanding from Lin Beichen.
"My name is Lin Beichen, Luo Meixiang’s cousin."
Lin Beichen said calmly.
Mr. Li Jiang assigned him this identity without informing him.
Lin Beichen only found out he had been designated as Luo Meixiang’s cousin when he got his identity documents.
Although being cousins made things easier to explain, Lin Beichen still found it a bit amusing.
He was on the same level as Mr. Li Jiang, but to have Luo Meixiang posing as his younger cousin felt quite strange.
"Oh, so it’s Cousin Beichen, we’re all family then."
Zhang Changhuai quickly said, with an expression that was indescribably unnatural.
For some reason, he felt that there was something peculiar about Lin Beichen’s eyes.
Those eyes seemed capable of seeing through to the deepest secrets of his heart.
Lin Beichen gazed at the dapper and seemingly successful Zhang Changhuai, a faint smile on his lips.
It was the first time Zhang Changhuai met him, but it wasn’t Lin Beichen’s first time seeing Zhang Changhuai.
Before meeting Luo Meixiang, Lin Beichen had reviewed all of her information, including the connections around her, and Zhang Changhuai was the most aggressive pursuer.
In front of Luo Meixiang, he was the courteous and refined gentleman, but in the shadows, he used various means to thwart Luo Meixiang’s other suitors, ensuring no other man could get close to her.
In middle school, someone sent a love letter to Luo Meixiang.
After receiving the letter, Luo Meixiang was somewhat troubled and mentioned it to Zhang Changhuai, who tore it up on the spot. Later, he secretly found the boy who had sent it and got his leg broken by his men.
Subsequently, that boy transferred to another city overnight and was never allowed to return home.
During high school, a classmate invited Luo Meixiang to a concert. On the way, the classmate’s family driving to the concert was hit by another truck, resulting in one death and two injuries.
Before graduating in senior year, a boy sang a love song to Luo Meixiang at the graduation party. That night, on his way home, he was severely beaten by unknown thugs and forced to drink a mysterious liquid, which ruined his voice, preventing him from ever singing again.
"I didn’t expect the seemingly gentle young man to be so cruel and vicious, but you have unfortunately targeted the wrong person...
Mr. Li Jiang didn’t kill you because he didn’t want to get involved in mundane affairs, and didn’t want to act rashly and provoke the destiny of the Celestial Killer Lone Star, but my approach is different!"
Lin Beichen peered into the flickering eyes of Zhang Changhuai, seeing the raging jealousy that burned within him.
This young man, dressed in an expensive suit and exuding an exceptional elegance, was in truth a dangerous person.
He was the young master of the Songqiao Group, with immense power backing him.
If Lin Beichen had not chosen to resist and instead remained a puppet for the ancient clans, even with the power of an Immortal, he would not have been able to do anything to Zhang Changhuai.
The reason was simple: Zhang Changhuai was part of an ancient clan.
To deal with the members of an ancient clan, relying solely on individual power would be insufficient.
The ancient clans had persisted through the ages because of their intricate and intertwined systems of interest.
If he hadn’t resisted Zhongcheng Hall, or if he hadn’t slain Qin Wenwu, he would not have had the standing to confront Zhang Changhuai.
But now things were different.
Having chosen the path of resistance, he had gone through many experiences and had gained much along the way.
In the past, Zhang Changhuai might have been considered a formidable adversary, if not an insurmountable problem.
But now, compared to him, Zhang Changhuai was nothing more than an ant.
Lin Beichen only needed to blow a breath to vanquish him instantly.
"Once the Celestial Gate opens, all worldly rules will be rewritten. I don’t seek to control everything in heaven and earth, but anyone who crosses me will be crushed into dust."
Lin Beichen thought silently, a smile creeping onto his face.
He thought about the Songqiao Group.
It felt as if there was some destiny at work, leading him to conflicts with this company despite his initial intentions to avoid them.
His formal acquaintance with Luo Meixiang stirred his heart, causing him to dwell on many thoughts, but just as quickly, he regained his composure.
"Lin, right? We’re all old friends of Meixiang, since we’ve met, why don’t we have a meal together?"
Zhang Changhuai said with a faint smile, his face exuding an irresistible charm that could almost mesmerize.
Luo Meixiang frowned slightly, seemingly wanting to refuse Zhang Changhuai.
Being her own class reunion, it wasn’t necessary to have Mr. Lin join them.
Besides, they were all elegantly dressed today.
Zhang Changhuai wore an expensive custom-made suit, worth at least six figures. Jin Chuchu was adorned in a diamond-studded evening gown that, while not overly ostentatious, had an impressive curve and accessorizing that flaunted its high price.
Though her outfit wasn’t as extravagant, Luo Meixiang wore a custom-made hanfu for the occasion.
By contrast, Lin Beichen wore simple casual wear paired with a pair of sneakers that, while not clearly expensive, had been worn many times.
This entire outfit couldn’t have cost more than a thousand yuan.
Even though she did not look down on Lin Beichen, different occasions called for different attire, and Lin Beichen would surely feel out of place going to a gathering in such clothes.
Luo Meixiang, being meticulous, immediately decided to decline the gathering on his behalf.