Haimeng Mall was a newly built integrated shopping mall by the Meng Group, located in the highly valuable downtown area of Haijing City, backed by the CBD and facing the city stadium.

The mall combined shopping, dining, and entertainment, positioned as fashionable and high-end, with many famous brand counters settled in. Even before opening, it was already highly anticipated by Haijing residents.

The Meng Group attached great importance to Haimeng Mall internally. The project cost a huge amount and was one of Meng Group’s key businesses for the coming years. Therefore, the group spent lavishly on the opening promotion—not only spending heavily to invite many celebrities and influencers to endorse it, but also holding a business banquet at the rooftop sky restaurant of the mall, inviting local dignitaries to attend.

Xie Ran also received an inVittation to the banquet. After walking the red carpet that day, he followed the staff to the sky restaurant to attend the banquet.

The banquet was a buffet style. The scene was full of elegantly dressed people—prominent figures in the city. An ordinary small influencer would probably be so nervous they couldn’t speak at such an occasion, but for Xie Ran, it was nothing unusual.

Unlike other influencers dressed flamboyantly, he wore a formal suit according to his habit. His hair was neatly combed back, revealing a smooth forehead. Although young, his temperament was outstanding and extremely noble, even the way he held his wine glass was perfectly proper, making people immediately feel he came from a good background.

Xie Ran moved gracefully among the crowd, not initiating conversations but quietly wandering in the banquet hall, looking for Meng Siyun’s figure.

Many people thought he was a son of some wealthy family who hadn’t shown himself before and took the initiative to strike up conversations.

These people spoke tactfully because they couldn’t figure out Xie Ran’s identity and didn’t want to ask directly about his background, which would seem too blunt. Instead, they started with other topics like foreign elite schools, financial markets, and aristocratic sports such as equestrianism and golf.

Xie Ran didn’t mind. When people spoke to him, he responded casually. He had experienced many occasions like this, and everyone at a vanity fair had their own purposes. Their topics all had their own tactics, but to Xie Ran, they were all the same…

Equally simple.

Xie Ran responded casually, but those who talked to him were quite impressed. They felt this young man was extremely knowledgeable and could talk about any topic, especially having profound insight into current financial investment market trends. He was also very familiar with activities requiring good family background like equestrianism, fencing, and golf.

This had to be a true elite cultivated by a noble family.

Those people showed deep respect and tentatively asked: “By the way, you’re probably not from this city, right? We’ve never seen you before.”

Xie Ran said: “I’m from this city.”

The person expressed surprise and asked: “May I ask which family’s son you are?”

“I’m a streamer,” Xie Ran replied casually and naturally advertised himself: “I stream every night at 8 on the Big Face Cat Live platform. If you’re interested, you can come watch… Want my room number?”

The person was speechless.

The group around also quieted down.

They really didn’t expect that this young man who looked noble and experienced was actually a streamer?

Then someone who had watched the opening red carpet belatedly realized: “Oh, right, you’re the influencer Meng Group invited to endorse the event, right?”

Xie Ran: “Yes.”

Everyone: “…Really!”

So why was he so calm?! Other small influencers were easy to recognize—they were either timid and inexperienced or desperately trying to network.

Only this young man looked like the one others would try to network with.

And it didn’t seem like an act. When asked about his identity, he had no intention to hide it and said it straightforwardly, neither humble nor arrogant.

Because Xie Ran’s demeanor was so natural, many people didn’t react immediately and even thought it was a family alias… if Xie Ran hadn’t added that little self-promo at the end.

After confirming Xie Ran was really just an influencer, some people made excuses to leave.

However, the person who first talked to him found Xie Ran interesting. Although he was an influencer, he was clearly more insightful than many present and had a very open attitude—not eager to curry favor nor feeling inferior due to his identity. That person smiled and said: “I’m Donald, from the Tang family. What’s your stream room number? I’ll come by and send you gifts later.”

He even took out his phone to note it down.

Xie Ran wasn’t affected by the change in others’ attitude and casually gave Donald the room number.

Donald and he exchanged contact information.

In another corner of the banquet hall, a young man with delicate features rolled his eyes and looked resentfully at Xie Ran.

This man was Ting Shuangsheng, real name Jiang Shuang, also an influencer on Big Face Cat Live invited by Meng Group to endorse Haimeng Mall opening. Actually, given his popularity, it was impossible for him to get Meng Group’s resources, but perhaps because the popularity of his live stream game with Xie Ran attracted Meng Group’s attention, he soon received a call from Meng Group after ending his stream, and was also given an inVittation to the banquet.

Jiang Shuang was naturally very happy. He had made a great effort on his appearance that day and hoped to gain something at the banquet, making connections with local elites.

Unfortunately, he had never attended such occasions before and was somewhat nervous. Many topics of the dignitaries were unfamiliar to him, so after wandering around, he couldn’t join any conversations.

Meanwhile, Xie Ran, who was invited together with him by Meng Group, was very comfortable. Jiang Shuang had seen Xie Ran a long time ago and guessed Xie Ran was invited due to that day’s streaming popularity, but since he always quarreled with Xie Ran, he ignored him.

Unexpectedly, many people actively approached Xie Ran to talk, even though they were similar-level influencers. Why did these people treat Xie Ran so differently?

Moreover, Xie Ran’s casual attitude made it seem like he was the center of the social circle.

Jiang Shuang didn’t know how Xie Ran did it, but he was already insanely jealous.

Luckily, at that moment, he saw Ying Kaixi, who had appeared on Xie Ran’s Weibo before. Jiang Shuang recognized him and smiled, going over to greet him.

Ying Kaixi was dragged around for socializing by his mother earlier, and barely escaped, only to meet Jiang Shuang. Ying Kaixi had sent gifts to Jiang Shuang’s live stream purely to spite Xie Ran, but ended up severely hurt by Xie Ran. He was in a bad mood these days, so when he saw Jiang Shuang, the memory made him even less willing to talk, and his attitude was obviously dismissive.

Jiang Shuang soon realized Ying Kaixi was cold to him, very different from how top donors treated streamers, and felt a bit unhappy.

He knew Ying Kaixi used him as a tool against Xie Ran that day, but he thought Ying Kaixi would at least pretend to be polite face-to-face.

Jiang Shuang’s expression darkened. Just then, he noticed Xie Ran exchanging contacts with Donald and got an idea.

He signaled the direction of Xie Ran and mockingly said to Ying Kaixi: “Young Master Ying, isn’t that Xie Ran? Why aren’t you two together?”

Ying Kaixi’s spirit immediately perked up when he heard Xie Ran’s name. He had come straight to the banquet hall and didn’t attend the earlier red carpet, so he didn’t know Xie Ran was also invited today. Only now did he realize Xie Ran was here too.

But when he turned and saw Xie Ran exchanging contact info with another man, he instantly flew into a rage.

Ying Kaixi often attended such occasions and had seen many influencers and minor celebrities trying desperately to enter elite circles. Seeing Xie Ran’s actions, he immediately imagined all sorts of bad things.

“Xie Ran!” Ying Kaixi rushed over in one step, grabbed Xie Ran’s arm, pulling him away from Donald, glaring at him: “Why are you here? What are you doing?”

Xie Ran was unfazed, but Donald was startled.

Donald knew Ying Kaixi and curiously asked: “Kaixi, do you know Xie Ran?”

Ying Kaixi snorted: “I’m his boyfriend.”

Donald was surprised. He had just thought Xie Ran was a small influencer without background but now learned he was Ying Kaixi’s boyfriend.

“I see,” Donald raised his eyebrows. Ying Kaixi was somewhat famous in their circle for liking to hang out with small influencers and minor celebrities.

Donald’s thoughts multiplied, and his look at Xie Ran became more complicated.

Xie Ran remained expressionless, shrugged off Ying Kaixi’s hand, and said coldly: “We have broken up.”

Ying Kaixi said: “I haven’t agreed yet!”

He used to be indulged by Xie Ran. Whenever they had conflicts, as long as he threw a tantrum, Xie Ran would compromise with him. At that moment, he naturally used the old trick again.

But Xie Ran’s reaction was completely different from before.

Xie Ran lightly raised his eyelids. In this situation, if Meng Feixuan were present, he would probably have shouted angrily.

Xie Ran unconsciously chuckled, recalling what Meng Feixuan often said, and calmly said: “Who do you think you are?”

Ying Kaixi: “…!” How had he forgotten that Xie Ran was no longer the same as before!

Nearby, Donald Tang couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. Earlier, he thought Xie Ran was also one of Ying Kaixi’s pampered little internet celebrities, but unexpectedly, Xie Ran’s attitude was much tougher than Ying Kaixi’s.

Ying Kaixi’s face instantly turned bright red. Just as he was about to say something, Ying’s mother’s sharp voice suddenly came from the side: “Kaixi, why is he here too?”

Ying’s mother still didn’t know about Xie Ran and Ying Kaixi’s breakup, but she hated Xie Ran with a passion and forbade Ying Kaixi from associating with him. Today, she had originally intended to introduce some well-born prospects to Ying Kaixi, but before she knew it, he slipped away and when she found him again, he was hanging out with Xie Ran.

Ying’s mother hadn’t heard their conversation, but in her eyes, naturally, it was Xie Ran who had come back to bother Ying Kaixi again. Otherwise, a minor internet celebrity like Xie Ran wouldn’t have gotten an inVittation to such an event without Ying Kaixi’s help.

Seeing his mother approach, Ying Kaixi felt overwhelmed and quickly said: “Mom, don’t cause trouble…”

“How dare you say that? Didn’t I tell you not to associate with him?” Ying’s mother sneered as she looked at Xie Ran: “Weren’t you so proud? Why are you clinging to my son again?”

Ying Kaixi: “Mom!”

Donald Tang glanced over, eyes showing some excitement. He hadn’t expected to see such a classic scene.

Xie Ran didn’t cooperate with the “performance” at all, he completely ignored Ying’s mother and only glanced at the necklace hanging on her neck with his peripheral vision.

Just that one look made the originally arrogant Ying’s mother nervous. She instinctively reached to touch the pendant on her chain and only after doing so did she relaxed a little.

It was her most precious necklace, a gold-inlaid jade of high quality, bought after pulling many strings and costing over two million yuan. She rarely wore it, only on important occasions.

But after touching it, Ying’s mother suddenly realized: why should she care about Xie Ran’s glance?!

With Xie Ran’s background, he hardly ever had the chance to see such top-tier jewelry, so how could he have the face to mock her!

Later she came to her senses. Even if Xie Ran knew a bit about jewelry, he couldn’t have recognized the quality and details just from one glance. If he described it so accurately, he must have seen the jewelry certificate from Ying Kaixi.

Her son was really a fool who trusted people too much. The more so, the more she had to protect Ying Kaixi.

Wearing the gold-inlaid jade, Ying’s mother felt more confident and looked down on Xie Ran more and more. Since Xie Ran dared to mock her that day, she wouldn’t let him off easily.

Ying’s mother deliberately raised her voice so that people around could hear: “Xie Ran, I’ll be clear with you. It’s absolutely impossible for you to be with Kaixi… Actually, you’ve already earned quite a bit. I’ve seen Kaixi’s online gifts to you—at least hundreds of thousands. As for other things, I don’t bother to count. Although the money isn’t much, if you rely on yourself, who knows how long it will take to earn that much.”

As she spoke, many nearby people looked over. Indeed, more curious and ambiguous gazes were directed at Xie Ran.

In their circle, many looked down on internet celebrities. Their social class was one reason, and they usually assumed most internet celebrities wanted to take advantage of them.

Hearing Ying’s mother, everyone believed it—just another internet celebrity who got money but wasn’t satisfied and wanted to climb higher.

This kind of thing wasn’t uncommon, but being publicly shamed like this was rare. It seemed this little internet celebrity really had no self-awareness and had angered the mother.

Watching from a short distance, Jiang Shuang (Ting Shuangsheng) felt very pleased, planning to expose this on his alternate account and trash Xie Ran well.

Seeing Ying’s mother’s fierce stance, Ying Kaixi knew she was determined to make things hard for Xie Ran, but he didn’t dare fight with the family and could only stand in front of Xie Ran: “Xiao Ran, how about we leave first…”

“Leave? Leave what?” Ying’s mother didn’t give Xie Ran a chance to respond. Seeing many people showing disdain towards Xie Ran, she felt pleased and spoke more harshly: “He’s rare to get into a place like this. Don’t waste the chance. You better hurry and get to know people you usually can’t, and ask for more gifts later.”

Xie Ran hadn’t really been listening to Ying’s mother, this wasn’t a difficult problem for him to solve.

… Although it would be better if his AI was there, since his AI could manually filter out noise.

Unconsciously, Xie Ran recalled that boy’s voice, the sudden “lue lue lue.”

Xie Ran said nothing, but Ying’s mother thought he was speechless, looking at him with growing disdain: “Why don’t you dare speak? Do you need me to introduce you…?”

Before she finished, a somewhat hoarse but lively young voice rang out: “Sir! I’m here!”

Xie Ran looked up at the sound.

At the same time, at the entrance of the banquet hall, a commotion broke out. Everyone looked toward the sound, then the whole room erupted in noise. People exchanged surprised looks.

Several men in suits escorted a young man in a wheelchair through the door.

The young man looked ill, his face pale and haggard, but his natural handsomeness and noble air couldn’t be hidden. Though seated in a wheelchair, he showed no sense of inferiority, only arrogance.

Everyone present knew who he was—the heir of the Meng family, Meng Siyun.

Meng Siyun was the only son of Meng Yucheng, the head of Meng Group. Although young, he had accomplished much, taking control of Meng Group early on and becoming its youngest vice president in history.

Almost everyone once thought he would soon officially take over Meng Group.

But fate was unpredictable. Half a year ago, Meng Siyun had a car accident. Although he survived, he was paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair.

This was a huge blow to Meng Siyun, who had been a favored child since birth. Since then, he rarely appeared publicly unless necessary.

There was much speculation outside. Everyone agreed that Meng Group would not let a disabled person inherit such a huge business, and Meng Siyun was expected to abdicate.

No one expected Meng Siyun to show up here.

For a moment, no one cared about the Ying family or Xie Ran’s petty gossip. Everyone focused on Meng Siyun, wondering why the former heir suddenly appeared.

Xie Ran also watched Meng Siyun. This young man in the wheelchair was unfamiliar to him.

Had he guessed wrong?

Xie Ran felt confused for a moment. Then he saw Meng Siyun press the control button on his electric wheelchair, which immediately sped like a small electric vehicle toward Xie Ran.

At the same time, Meng Siyun joyfully shouted: “Sir, it’s me—Mark!”

Meng Siyun’s move was too sudden. Everyone was caught off guard and instinctively dodged the wheelchair’s path.

Only Xie Ran stood still, with a relieved yet calm smile.

It was Meng Feixuan!

Though he didn’t know why he had become Meng Siyun, it was indeed his AI.

His AI’s control of machines was at the quantum level. Xie Ran was not worried and felt no need to dodge.

Then Meng Feixuan’s wheelchair crashed directly into his leg.

Xie Ran: ?

Meng Feixuan had pressed the pause button at the last moment, but it was too late, the wheelchair’s inertia was too strong. It couldn’t stop precisely and almost knocked Xie Ran down.

Luckily, Meng Feixuan quickly reached out and caught him. Xie Ran’s falling direction shifted, and he ended up sitting on Meng Feixuan’s lap.

The young man in the wheelchair tightly hugged Xie Ran, cursing: “I told you, being human is hard! Controlling a wheelchair is so difficult!”

As he spoke, he rubbed his head against Xie Ran’s shoulder: “Sir, I can’t ride you now, but you can ride me!”

Beside them, Ying Kaixi: ?!

Ying’s mother and others: ????

What kind of ferocious words were those?!