Golden Retriever

The birthday banquet hadn’t even started yet, and it was already a mess.

But Zhou Youbai didn’t really care, after all, she didn’t have much to do with Ma Chuangshi anyway.

The others didn’t seem particularly ready to rally together after seeing Ma Chuangshi get shut down.

A few people just walked over to Ma Chuangshi.

“Old Ma, come on, if Jiang Yunlu gets mad, you’re going to be in trouble.”

Ma Chuangshi wasn’t the only child in his family, but Jiang Yunlu was.

If Jiang Yunlu really got angry, Ma Chuangshi would indeed be in for a rough time.

So he shot a vicious glare at Lin Mo, then at Ye Haoran.

He had remembered those two.

Then he turned around and left without anyone trying to stop him.

Halfway out, something seemed to occur to him. He looked back toward the banquet hall.

Then he pulled out his phone and called someone.

“Hey! Why aren’t you here yet? Jiang Yunlu’s already arrived, and by the way, she brought a guy with her, all cozy and close.”

After saying that, he hung up without waiting for a reply.

Only then did he walk out with a smug grin on his face.

As for what happened next, he’d just have to wait until Monday to find out.

Fifteen minutes after Ma Chuangshi left.

A harsh roar of an engine tore through the quiet of the luxury estate.

A flashy yellow sports car ignored the valet’s guidance, barging in with an almost arrogant force, skidding to a sharp stop right in front of the main entrance of the Zhou residence.

The door swung open, and a man with a head of bleached-blond hair stepped out, a gold watch on his wrist glinting under the lights.

He didn’t even glance at the greeter who approached him, just tossed the car keys over like tossing away some trinket.

Then, from a few black business vehicles parked behind him, five burly men in suits filed out, expressionless, and followed him silently. Their presence was grim and out of place in the party atmosphere.

The man strode into the banquet hall, that flashy head of bleached hair and the bodyguards behind him instantly drawing everyone’s attention.

Whispers broke out.

“Hahaha! Youbai! Happy birthday!”

The man spread his arms wide, grinning, as if to give Zhou Youbai a warm hug.

Zhou Youbai’s brow furrowed immediately. She stepped back half a pace and shoved an arm straight against his chest, her movements clean and crisp.

“Enough, Xie Yuwu. I don’t recall inviting you.”

“We’re classmates, aren’t we? A classmate’s birthday—how could I not come?” Xie Yuwu wasn’t bothered by the rejection at all, pulling his arms back naturally.

He snapped his fingers.

One of the bodyguards stepped forward immediately, holding out a rather heavy wooden box with both hands.

The box opened to reveal a golden piglet frozen in a goofy grin, its mouth wide open.

“Solid gold, plenty of weight!” Xie Yuwu declared smugly, as if showing off some rare treasure.

The pig was indeed solid gold, but its design and craftsmanship were so tacky it would make any designer cringe on the spot.

Several guests nearby couldn’t help but frown.

That nouveau riche attitude was just disgusting.

For someone from an ordinary background, the golden pig would undoubtedly be valuable.

But for someone of Zhou Youbai’s standing, it was the tackiest thing in the world.

Zhou Youbai didn’t even think twice. She simply waved her hand, signaling someone to take the gift.

Since no one offended a guest with a smile, she didn’t bother kicking Xie Yuwu out either. She also knew exactly who he was here for.

Sure enough, the next second, Xie Yuwu sidled up with an ingratiating grin.

“Youbai, has Yunlu already arrived?”

Zhou Youbai really disliked Xie Yuwu’s style and certainly didn’t think he deserved Yunlu.

“I’m warning you, today is my birthday party.”

Zhou Youbai’s voice turned cold. “If you dare cause any trouble here, I guarantee you’ll be carried out on a stretcher.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it—I’m just here to catch up with an old classmate.”

Xie Yuwu said it laughingly, but his eyes were already roaming the banquet hall restlessly, clearly searching for Jiang Yunlu.

Even so, he started moving deeper into the hall, his bodyguards quietly dispersing. They seemed casual but formed a protective circle around him, while also keeping nearby guests at a distance.

This display was hardly that of someone coming to a party.

Zhou Youbai ignored him. She gestured to a corner.

A security captain in a black uniform hurried over quickly.

“Miss Zhou, is something the matter?”

“Keep an eye on that Goldie and his pack of dogs.” Zhou Youbai tilted her chin toward Xie Yuwu, her tone brooking no argument. “Don’t let him cause any trouble, and don’t let his people stir anything up here. Understood?”

“Roger!”

The security captain’s eyes narrowed. Through his earpiece, he quickly relayed the orders for surveillance.

Inside the banquet hall, a few plainclothes security personnel mingling among the guests now had their gazes imperceptibly locked onto Xie Yuwu’s group.

Meanwhile, Lin Mo and Jiang Yunlu stood together, chatting about Jiang Yunlu’s middle school days.

“Those people—ever since I’ve known them, they haven’t changed much. Still the same snobs, judging people by their assets.”

“Isn’t that normal? For ordinary people, assets are power. Without assets, there’s no power—but judging a person’s worth based solely on their assets? That’s pretty pointless.”

Lin Mo didn’t really see the point of so-called high society either. It felt more like a bunch of leeches clinging to the common people.

Someone like Pang Donglai, a true entrepreneur for the people, was the exception.

Just as the two were still talking, a delighted cry came from behind them.

“Oh! If it isn’t Yunlu! Long time no see.”

Then a figure rushed over quickly.

Lin Mo immediately reached out and pulled Jiang Yunlu into his embrace.

“Ah!”

Jiang Yunlu couldn’t help but gasp as she ended up pressed against Lin Mo’s chest.

Her little heart started pounding wildly.

Xie Yuwu saw this and his blood pressure shot straight to his head.

His entire face turned red.

“Let her go!” Xie Yuwu’s shout drew the attention of everyone in the dining area.

By now, Jiang Yunlu turned her head to see who was coming, but she didn’t struggle to free herself from Lin Mo’s arms.

Lin Mo, however, looked at the newcomer with complete indifference.

“Something wrong?”

It was still the same simple phrase.

Zhou Youbai had known things wouldn’t be so simple, so she had already walked over from the entrance.

Following her were some classmates from their class.

Quite a few of them were gloating.

Besides, everyone knew Xie Yuwu was a bully. Almost everyone was convinced he would make a move on Jiang Yunlu’s boyfriend.

They were all curious to see how Jiang Yunlu would keep defending her boyfriend.