Her classmates were all spoiled by their families, typically looking down on those who seemed to come from poorer backgrounds, always enjoying mocking them.
"It’s okay, since we bumped into each other, let’s gather for a bit."
Lin Beichen exchanged a glance with Luo Meixiang, then cheerfully agreed.
Luo Meixiang let out a slight sigh of relief, though she still felt somewhat nervous.
At the same time, she was a bit puzzled.
The professor Lin in the lecture hall, and Lin Beichen, are they really the same person?
Although they had the same name, their demeanor seemed worlds apart.
Lin Beichen stood in the shadows, with a decent enough demeanor, yet always carried a hint of a student’s aura. In contrast, that professor Lin faced hundreds if not thousands of skeptics without losing his composure, like a great general of ancient times, earning admiration.
Luo Meixiang had countless questions in her heart, but in front of everyone, it wasn’t convenient to ask, so she could only silently follow beside Lin Beichen.
Jin Chuchu and Zhang Changhuai stopped their idle chat, similarly focusing on Lin Beichen, becoming more disappointed the more they observed.
From any angle, this guy didn’t seem to have any distinctive features.
In appearance, figure, and temperament, he seemed quite ordinary.
The only commendable thing was his remarkably clear eyes.
But what good is that?
In this world, money and family status are what count; having money in your pocket is most important.
And Lin Beichen’s outfit, it didn’t even compare to their family’s pet dog.
Zhang Changhuai felt puzzled—why was Luo Meixiang so focused on someone so mediocre?
In front of the Huadu University gate, several black sedans were parked. They didn’t look too luxurious from the outside—not the kind of brand that people would gasp at upon seeing—but were just very ordinary business cars.
Only by sitting inside would you realize that these cars had been completely remodeled.
"Princess Xiang, Duchess Chuchu."
A few men were chatting by the cars. When they saw Luo Meixiang and the others approaching, their eyes lit up, and they rushed forward to greet them.
Lin Beichen glanced over, comparing the information in his mind, and found that these people were all on the list.
These individuals were of the same age as Luo Meixiang and were heirs to billion-dollar fortunes.
Some already lived in Huadu and attended prestigious private schools, while others came from the North but gathered in Huadu before going overseas for their studies.
Some others, disinterested in studying, casually sponsored an identity and went to family businesses for training.
No matter who they were, purely from their identities, they belonged to the future elite.
"Lin Beichen, these are my seniors, who have helped me a lot in the past."
Luo Meixiang said softly.
These men were quite surprised, seeing Luo Meixiang be so polite to Lin Beichen, and even showing a hint of respect in her voice.
Back in high school, Luo Meixiang never liked to interact with people, even with the best of relationships, she was usually indifferent.
Everyone had gotten used to her being this way, secretly calling her the Iceberg Beauty, and never expected her to take the initiative like this.
However, they were all shrewd individuals, and no matter what they thought, they always wore a faint smile, showing no signs of any problems.
"Luo Meixiang, let’s not stand here chatting. The Phoenix Club is ready, and Xu Hongzhu is waiting for you."
A young man with a limited edition watch walked up enthusiastically.
"Hongzhu is back in the country?"
Before Luo Meixiang could react, Jin Chuchu already exclaimed and rushed into the car.
Lin Beichen silently stood behind Luo Meixiang, letting these men show off in front of him, but his eyes were only on Luo Meixiang.
"Lin Beichen, this is Zhou Yixian, Zheng Konglian, Wang Tianbang..."
Luo Meixiang introduced everyone in passing.
She just introduced them casually, without elaborating on their identities, clearly not wanting Lin Beichen to feel awkward.
Everyone present, even the least impressive one, was a young master of some group. Even if they didn’t have inheritance rights, with the support from their families, it was only a matter of time before they had billions, far beyond what ordinary people could imagine.
"I’m Lin Beichen."
Lin Beichen nodded while speaking lightly.
Zhou Yixian and the others enthusiastically approached Lin Beichen, offering cigarettes and patting his shoulders as if they were inviting guests, encouraging him not to be reserved.
But who was Lin Beichen?
Even the Grim Reaper Cobra couldn’t escape his eyes, let alone these inexperienced kids.
With a single glance, Lin Beichen saw through their inner contempt and disdain.
When getting into the car, Luo Meixiang pulled Lin Beichen into a vehicle.
Seeing this, a cold glint flashed in Zhou Yixian’s eyes as he got into Zhang Changhuai’s car.
"Zhang Changhuai, who exactly is this guy?"
Just as the car door closed, Zhou Yixian couldn’t help but ask.
This group of people had been openly and secretly vying for Luo Meixiang for five or six years, ultimately being subdued by Zhang Changhuai’s tactics, acknowledging that Luo Meixiang belonged to Zhang Changhuai.
Yet they had just arrived in Huadu, and suddenly a Lin Beichen appeared. Based on Lin Beichen’s attitude towards her, he seemed to be even closer to Luo Meixiang than Zhang Changhuai.
"I’m not entirely sure either. I only know that Ah Xiang seems to have an old ancestor who believes in fate and suspected that Luo Meixiang has an ominous life fortune, deliberately seeking out a Feng Shui Master to help her resolve it."
Zhang Changhuai drove calmly, acting nonchalant.
"A mere charlatan, he’s no match for me."
"Do you even need to say that? We’ve all lost to you, how could a charlatan be your match?"
Zhou Yixian chuckled.
In Luo Meixiang’s circle, he was the oldest and the most experienced.
He hadn’t even finished middle school before going into family business training. Two or three years ago, he was already leading projects on his own and is now an executive in the family with thousands of people under his control.
Yet, facing Zhang Changhuai, he was very wary.
Zhang Changhuai appeared courteous on the surface but was ruthless and resourceful.
The last person he feared this much was his father.
His father had navigated through chaotic times, building a fortune of billions with his bare hands, with no backing or connections.
In contrast, Zhang Changhuai had both strength and background, probably even surpassing his father.
Phoenix Club was not far from Huadu, located on a small island within Phoenix Lake.
The small island was connected by small bridges, surrounded by trees and bamboo forests, with many rare flowers and plants inside.
Entering the island, the ancient-style clubhouse, with various patterns made by gold thread, looked exceptionally magnificent.
In front of the big red door, a row of gentle maids in Hanfu stood, making it seem like a scene from an ancient palace.
The hostess of the club stood by the door, dressed in an antique moon-colored Hanfu, looking lazy as if she were seventeen or eighteen years old, but her eyes revealed endless weariness, as if she had long experienced the world’s vicissitudes.
"Hongzhu, you’re finally back."
Jin Chuchu jumped out of the car, excitedly ran to the door, and hugged the woman.
"Something came up in the country, so I returned early."
Xu Hongzhu said with a faint smile.
The maids brought out several futons, and everyone sat down on them. Next to each futon was a tea table, with crystal-clear porcelain on top, clearly high-end works.
Since arriving on the island, whether it was the plants, the architecture, or even the maids’ attire and behavior, there was a sense of nobility.
And the hostess of this club was an extraordinary woman in the secular world.
Those who had been boisterous in the car, showing off their aristocratic demeanor, became as meek as lambs in front of their predator when sitting near her, carefully sitting on the futons.
Even Zhang Changhuai showed a bit of caution.
The woman in front of them was considered a legend in the Southern high society circles.
Xu Hongzhu!
The youngest daughter of Xu Jiangyan.
Xu Jiangyan was a significant figure in the Southern Finance Association, with decades of experience weaving a web of benefits unimaginable to ordinary people.
No one dared to be careless when talking about Xu Jiangyan.
And Xu Hongzhu, seemingly calm and even frail, had been trained for years. In a few short years, she had taken over most of Xu Jiangyan’s power.
In many instances, she represented Xu Jiangyan herself, known as the true underground queen of the South.