I looked at the drunk girl in my arms and then at the woman who was whispering little evils in my ear. The woman who had been standing nearby with blush had retreated back into the party.
The girl in my arms steadily became more and more rampant as she tried to struggle further.
I was thinking about putting her to sleep until the effects wore off when energetic steps quickly came forth toward me and a familiar voice rang.
"Brother Ip! Are you ready for the young man I've prepared to introduce to you? I've seen his potential and I'm sure that he would be perfect for your sect! I know you don't take in disciples anymore, so it's a shame he won't be under the guidance of my Brother. But as long as he has resources I'm sure he could bloom and blossom in the future.
But in the end it's your choice. I'll bring him out to you in a bit, in the meantime enjoy the banquet! I'm sure I picked out a few good delicacies so take a look at the food."
"Well do, I can't wait to see this young man you speak so highly about. I'm sure if you praise him then he'll do just fine."
We bid farewell as he rejoined the central part of the banquet.
"Darling, would you like me to get some of the food for you?"
"Yeah, that would be nice, get a little something for our woozy little Jinzi too okay? Get some water for her."
"Of course!"
***
(Ye Chen POV)
My eyes gradually opened as rays of daylight shone through the curtains. To my left was a girl lying under the sheets as she slept peacefully. I cracked a smile as I looked at her and gently rubbed her head.
Today would be a great day. It was the banquet that I had been waiting for the entirety of since I was told that Lord Hao would get a high ranking member of the Azure Sky Sect to come on this day. It's incredible that he would know someone and especially someone who's supposed to be a high ranking member. Perhaps that's just one of the perks of being the nearest city to the sect.
It would all be up to me, but I knew that my performance would triumph their expectations. I was confident in anything I would have to do this day, even if there are any complications I'll get through them. It'll be easy and so long as I get accepted by that high ranking member I'm sure my accomplishments and achievements would soar as well.
Everything is going well for me now, but who can have successive successes indefinitely? I just know that I'll be ready for it whenever it comes.
I've finally graduated from being a loser! Both physically and mentally, I'm a winner from now on!
'I wonder who this High Ranking Azure Sky Sect member is? Is it a man or woman? Old or young? Strict or relaxed? The best outcome? Of course the member would be a young relaxed woman who sees how handsome I am!
If this woman also so happens to be my future teacher in the future then this couldn't be any better! Even if a little immoral, perhaps then we would even develop some sort of relationship and she would become another one of my women!
Hehe… perhaps it all might even come true, with my luck there's a chance right? If I had to choose someone then it would have to be that one Big Sister who appears around Sister Xue occasionally!
She seems a little bit like an ice cold beauty, but I can accept that! Our future relationship can improve as long she continues to see me in a new light.'
I tossed the blanket off my body as I began to get ready. I had to look my best for my first impression. But that wasn't all, when I had gone to all of Hao Lin's big sisters all but one denied my request almost immediately. The fourth child of the Hao family, Hao Lan, had helped us out when I went to her.
The woman compared to the rest who immediately kicked me out the moment they heard what I had to say was quite different to say the least. The others would definitely take some time before they would be conquered by me, they wouldn't even let me come near them.
Hao Lan was both accommodating, nicer, and more accepting of strangers. The only downside is that it seems she's already married. That won't stop me though, maybe I could pick up some dirt on that husband of hers and take her for myself.
As I put on some clothing that I had prepared beforehand I heard some rustling from the bed sheets. Lin'er gradually sat up as she began to rub her eyes. She looked in my direction before blushing and quickly turning away.
Last night was the first time she came to my room and asked to sleep with me. She was nervous the entire time she spoke and even when she eventually climbed into bed. We didn't do anything besides simply sleeping in the same bed which was a little disappointing. I waited a while, hoping that she would make a move, but in the end nothing came out of it and I went to sleep when I noticed that she had a while ago.
"Good morning!"
"G-good morning."
"Are you ready to get out of bed? I'm sure that the banquet will be fun."
"Y-yea, I think I'll get dressed after you leave, no peeking alright!?"
"N-no peeking? I wouldn't do that! Don't you worry about it."
I left with the thought of peeking reigning in my mind, but eventually I decided against it.
The banquet would start soon, but I was in no rush to be there. In fact I actually wanted to be a little late. If I made a later entrance then I would probably be able to bring more attention to myself.
As I was casually walking around I happened to see someone. That person also just so happened to be the fourth child of the Hao family, Hao Lan. I saw her walking around the courtyard by herself and I couldn't let that be.
When a woman like her is all alone then it's of course the perfect time to go up to her and build some trust and bond a bit. With those thoughts in mind I walked up to her.
The taps of my feet from behind quickly alerted her to my presence and she turned around to see my smiling face.
"Ah? Mr. Ye, nice to meet you again."
"You as well! Say, what are you doing around here?"
"Me? Well I just felt like it had been a long time since I had done so. It's been a while since I've been able to clear my head like this."
"Oh? Is there something troubling you then? Perhaps I could be of help to you, whatever the problem may be I could look into it for you."
"Oh it's nothing serious, but thank you for the offer. Was my help during your search for any use?"
"Oh that help was perfect, thank you again for your assistance!"
"Of course, I had to help my little sister with her problem and maybe my possible brother-in-law as well Fufu~ Did you two ever manage to catch that guy?"
'Brother-in-law huh? Hehe, maybe I might even become someone even closer to you than you think.'
"No, it seems he was able to get away and the posters we had were taken down as well."
"How terrible! It seems that the man will get away with it after all!"
"I know, it's a true shame. I'm sure people are being deceived by his handsome face as we speak!"
"I really want to know what kind of man could do these things! Is he really as handsome as you say he is? From how you've spoken I feel a lot more like he would be quite an ugly man, it would fit him more."
"That's just how it is! Perhaps that face he has is merely a mirage! Now that you've said it, it all makes sense! He must merely be an ugly man using a disguise!"
Her words immediately boosted my own confidence in my own looks. I know I'm handsome afterall, but I've still been jealous and envious of his looks the moment I saw him. Now that I've broken that illusion of his I can continue onward without any of those emotions since having a real face will still trump a fake!!!
Around this time Lin'er came out and found us together.
"Brother Chen! Why are you still here? The banquet should have started a while ago. I went to the party in hopes of finding you, but I didn't even get into the door when my father came out and asked me where you were!
To think you were here instead of at the party, what were you doing with my 4th Sister?"
"Oh he's looking for me? I guess I should get going now, come on Lin'er. I'll see you later, 4th lady.
Lin'er did your father say anything else?"
"He said that the man he asked to come was here for you. All you had to do was appear and from there after his introduction everything else would be in your hands."
'Perfect! I've got everything prepared so nothing should go wrong. Hopefully the member isn't a man, but even then I should be able to impress them!
I wonder how I should go about it?'
Finally we reached the back entrance of the banquet and as I entered Lord Hao who stood nearby quickly came over.
"Ah! You're finally here, I was getting worried you wouldn't show up. Where were you during this time? Nevermind that, the High Ranking Member is here and I'll bring you right to him. He isn't in a private room, but simply a little hidden so please mind the guests of the banquet nearby. After a short introduction for both of you I'll simply take my leave, understand?"
'He? Wait-HE! Nooooo! Damn, it really happened. Well it doesn't really matter if it's a guy or girl who appraises me, I know I'll do well.'
"Understood, Lord Hao."
"Lin'er, don't accompany the man. This is a crucial period for him, just hang back around the party. I know you don't like parties, but you can't follow him for this."
"I understand Father, I'll just wander the party."
"Good child, now come on and follow me young man. He isn't alone though, in fact he brought a couple companions with him, but I believe the questioning should come from him."
'This person brought two people? I wonder why he would bring others? Maybe they are women! If they are, I'm sure they'll be charmed by my magnificent looks!'
"Thank you for the information, Lord Hao."
He led the way silently amidst the loud and lively banquet. Towards the end of a side we turned a corner and my anticipation was rising from excitement. Once we actually rounded that corner my excitement seemed to disappear and vanish into thin air as I looked at the man on the couch.
His calm eyes slightly squinted and his brows slightly furrowed as he saw me appear.
"Brother Ip, this is the young man I saw potential in. Ye Chen, this is the man who I spoke about who'll appraise you. Now with these short introductions concluded I'll leave you all be."
When he finished he quickly disappeared and left me alone with the people in front of me.
On the left and right side of the couch Sister Xue and that Big Sister I had fantasized about earlier appeared respectively. But the very center lied the problem, the very man I was talking about earlier and how he was both ugly in reality and escaped. This was the man who had knocked me out in that clothing store! I was angry, but didn't really know what to do.
There we sat for a few moments in complete silence, the only noise being heard was the lively banquet chatter behind me.