Going to the Banquet, Will You Join

Several people greeted Meng Qianyu in the group chat before falling silent.

Su Yang got up, took a shower in his bedroom, changed clothes, and put on his Vacheron Constantin watch from the nightstand. He stood in front of the full-length mirror in the bathroom, nodded approvingly at his reflection, and muttered, "Not bad, looking sharp."

He then walked to the sink, picked up a bottle of hair gel, and styled his hair into a cool look. At exactly 4 p.m., he grabbed his Porsche keys by the door and stepped out.

After setting the navigation to the Mandarin Oriental in Haicheng, his 911 slowly rolled out of the underground garage. Su Yang had never been to the Mandarin Oriental before, only hearing online that it was a top-tier five-star hotel.

Checking the navigation, he saw it was 14.6 kilometers from Senhai Manor, located in Haicheng's Qinglian Lake New District, nestled by the scenic Qinglian Lake.

A WeChat notification popped up on the car's central display. Su Yang tapped it open.

Pan Ning: "On your way yet?"

Su Yang replied via voice message: "Just left."

"Alright, I'm heading out too."

"Thought you might want me to pick you up."

"No need, I'm going with Qianyu."

"Got it."

Exiting the chat with Pan Ning, Su Yang was about to focus on driving when another message came in—this time from Lu Yun.

"Su Yang, have you left yet?"

"Just did."

"Oh, okay. I'll drive myself then~"

"Sure, you should drive more often—practice makes perfect."

"Got it~ See you soon~"

"See you."

"Now I can finally drive in peace, right? No more messages?" Su Yang chuckled to himself.

Just as he pulled up near the sales office, Gu Xiaoman—whom he hadn’t seen in days—appeared on the sidewalk, talking on the phone.

Su Yang blinked. "Seriously? Why does she always stand here making calls?"

Beep beep—

He honked lightly. Gu Xiaoman turned, looked down, and spotted him.

Rolling down the window, Su Yang grinned. "Hey, my dear sister, why do you always end up making calls right here?"

"None of your business. Where are you off to now?" she replied, hanging up with a smile.

"Going to a dinner party. Wanna come?"

"Nah, not interested. Plus, I'm still on the clock."

"Alright then, next time." Su Yang winked playfully.

"You little brat. Only remember me when it suits you—otherwise, not even a text."

"Hey, I’ve been busy. I’ll treat you and Sister Meng Rou to dinner soon. Later!"

With a smirk, Su Yang floored the accelerator and sped off.

As he drove, he muttered, "Huh, I almost forgot. I should get those two sisters something—they’ve helped me out twice already. Wouldn’t be right not to return the favor."

"Just basic courtesy."

A few hundred meters later, his phone rang again—this time an actual call.

Su Yang frowned. "Seriously? Who is it now? Can’t a guy drive in peace?"

Glancing at the screen, he saw the caller ID: "Huh? Tang Ziyun?"

He tapped to answer, and the car filled with Tang Ziyun’s soft, sweet voice.

"Su Yang."

"Hey, what’s up?"

"Are you on your way to the hotel?"

"Yeah, just left a few minutes ago."

"Oh, never mind then. I thought if you hadn’t left yet, you could swing by and pick me up. I checked—you’d pass near my place on the way."

Su Yang laughed. "No problem. I just started, so I’m still a bit away. Where are you now?"

"Still at home, about to head out."

"Time it so you walk to the curb when I’m close. I’ll be there in ten max."

"Okay~"

Hanging up, Su Yang shook his head with a smile.

Soon, he turned onto a one-way street lined with high-rise residential buildings. Tang Ziyun lived in one of the nearby complexes.

Slowing down, he dialed her again.

After two rings, she picked up.

"Hello? Are you here?"

"Almost. You at the curb?"

"Yep."

"Got it."

After waiting at a red light, he spotted her within another hundred meters—a tall, striking figure by the roadside.

It was unmistakably Tang Ziyun.

She stood out effortlessly—long, flowing waves of hair streaked with hints of purple. Today, she wore a deep purple off-shoulder dress cinched at the waist, black stilettos, and carried a small black purse.

Her entire look radiated elegance and sophistication, a stark contrast to her usual casual style. With flawless makeup and just the right accessories, she looked every bit the wealthy socialite.

Passersby, men and women alike, couldn’t help but steal glances.

A beauty of her caliber was rare in real life—the kind usually only seen on TikTok. Missing the chance to look would’ve been a waste.

Beep beep—

Su Yang honked as he pulled up.

Tang Ziyun looked up to see a sleek silver 911 gliding toward her.

Leaning out the window, Su Yang called, "Hey! Hop in!"

"Oh! Coming~"

This was her first time seeing this car—she’d only known about his Maybach.

Onlookers watched enviously—men coveting the luxury ride and the stunning woman inside, women admiring Tang Ziyun for knowing someone who drove a Porsche sports car.

She opened the passenger door and slid in.

"Wow, this car sits really low."

"That’s how sports cars are. Comfortable?"

"Very~"

"Great. Let’s go!"

Vroom!

Su Yang deliberately revved the engine, sending the 911 Turbo S roaring forward.

[Ding! Detected host’s minor flex—mood boosted. Reward: 800,000.]

As the sports car vanished into the distance, a group of young bystanders sighed in envy.

"Man… goals."

"Who wouldn’t want that life? That’s the dream right there!"

......

Inside the car, Tang Ziyun turned to him with a smile. "First time in a sports car."

"They’re not as comfy as sedans."

"I think it’s nice. Feels great."

"Good. By the way, you don’t have a car yet?"

"Not yet. Just got my license—still too nervous to drive~" She stuck out her tongue playfully.

"What’s there to fear? You’ll never get used to it if you don’t try. What’s the point of the license then?"

"Hmm… true. Maybe I’ll go car shopping soon."

Su Yang perked up at the topic. "What kind are you thinking?"

"I’ve always wanted a Mercedes C260 or a Tesla Model 3."

"One gas, one electric?"

"Yep. Can’t decide which to go for."

"Either works. Depends on your needs. If you’re just driving around the city, electric’s a solid choice. If you’re hitting highways often, I’d say stick with gas."

"No highways for me—just commuting and maybe some weekend trips."

"Then how about a Tesla? That car seems perfect for girls. I’ve seen so many women driving it."

"Hmm~" Tang Ziyun rested her chin on her hand and pondered. "But the Model 3 is way too common now—it feels like it’s everywhere."

"What does that matter? A car is for your own comfort. Who cares if it’s popular or not?"

"Well, that’s true~"

"Besides, if you see a lot of them on the road, it just means people trust the brand, right? That’s why so many buy it."

"Can’t argue with that. Alright, I’ll stop overthinking it. I’ll go check it out when I have time!"