Looking at the environment around him, Zhao Lun and his companions felt quite satisfied, glad to finally be undisturbed by the surrounding crowd.
Zhao Lun noticed that many of the guests attending this gathering were older individuals.This group, due to their age, often preferred to stay home, living cautiously and maintaining a regular routine. They rarely ventured out unless absolutely necessary, and certainly seldom attended the parties favored by the younger generation.These guests listened quietly to the piano music, sipping their wine and closing their eyes to relax.They barely noticed Zhao Lun, Maria, Mulan, and Penelope. Under their influence, the atmosphere remained serene, enveloped in music.The younger guests, however, were captivated by Monica, Angela, and Nicole, their gazes lingering on the three beautiful women. After a moment of surprise, they quickly composed themselves, shifting their attention to the trio with newfound respect.While the three women were indeed celebrities, their true significance lay in their ownership of the flourishing Flor de Loto perfume company, their connections in media, and their private security force.These elements represented wealth, power, status, and honor, earning them the respect of those around them.This information was somewhat discreet but also accessible; anyone could uncover it with a little investigation. To many ordinary people, however, the three were merely "big stars," three relatively "lazy" stars who avoided publicity, shunned hype, and preferred to keep a low profile, which endeared them to the public."Boss, should we go introduce ourselves to these people?""Me? I think I'll pass. You all go ahead; I'll just hang back."Given the age and other factors, these guests belonged to a different world. Meeting them held little significance; it was more about making an appearance. Zhao Lun decided to maintain some distance from this group, letting the women interact freely."You all go ahead; I'll stay with Alan."Ultimately, Zhao Lun couldn't shake off Penelope and Mulan, the former being his girlfriend, with whom he had hardly spent any time alone since she came to him. He felt too polite to suggest she should leave. Mulan said nothing and simply followed closely behind.With a beautiful woman by his side, Zhao Lun had little room to complain. As for Maria, he left her in Angela's care.By now, evening had fallen.A gentle breeze stirred outside, and lights around the estate began to glow. Many guests had emerged, seated on chairs scattered across the lawn, chatting in small groups. Servers navigated through the crowd, offering drinks to the guests.Zhao Lun casually took three glasses of drinks from a passing server for the two women beside him, grabbing one for himself as well. He sipped leisurely while making his way to a quieter spot.At this point, Mulan displayed some awareness, not following too closely behind but sitting down in a nearby quiet area, enjoying her solitude.Zhao Lun held Penelope's hand affectionately as they settled together. In moments of intimacy, they would embrace and share soft kisses.Penelope felt deeply moved, clinging to Zhao Lun's arm, almost hanging on him as if seeking comfort.Zhao Lun's scent was delightful, and she loved it. His cool presence shielded her from the heat and mosquitoes outside.After finishing his drink, Zhao Lun placed the glass on a nearby round table. "You seem to have something on your mind," he observed.Penelope paused, surprised that Zhao Lun had noticed her change and chose this moment to address it. A gentle warmth washed over her as she tightened her hold on him. "It's about family matters…""Family matters?"Since she seemed reluctant to elaborate, Zhao Lun didn't press further. Instead, he embraced her, studying her features closely. Penelope's face was delicate and radiant, even more so than before their visit to the estate. He recalled how she had captured many gazes in the previous room."You're becoming more beautiful."Her figure was tall, yet her body resembled soft jade as she nestled against him, akin to a kitten, eyes closed in comfortable slumber.Time flew by, and nearly all the guests had arrived. The hall was vibrant with colorful lights and laughter."Let's go; it's time to check inside."Zhao Lun placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before standing and leading her. Mulan, noticing their movement, followed suit toward the reception area. Feeling a bit bashful, Zhao Lun addressed Mulan, "You really didn't have to come here. I thought you didn't like such crowded places."From what Zhao Lun knew, Mulan was a culinary expert and preferred to stay home. Other than the Culinary Masters Competition in Hong Kong, she had rarely ventured out. Since coming to him, her outings had been minimal, with this being just her second time.Zhao Lun was puzzled as to why she would choose to come to such a bustling event. The crowd and the need for socializing were not her style, so he found her presence here perplexing.Mulan remained quietly composed, saying nothing.Seeing her demeanor, Zhao Lun shrugged at Penelope. The latter gazed at Mulan, seemingly trying to understand her thoughts. Mulan, indifferent to her gaze, walked beside Zhao Lun as they moved toward the reception area. Observing Mulan's affectionate gestures, Penelope began to glean some insight into her feelings.Zhao Lun, unaware of the shift between the two women, entered the reception hall to find the piano music had ceased, and many guests had gathered.Men, women, and children—over three hundred people—were seated in surrounding chairs, mingling with acquaintances. The spacious hall easily accommodated everyone, creating a comfortable atmosphere.Upon entering, they spotted Ada waiting for them at the entrance, who then escorted them over to Nicole and the others."Ada, how's everything here?""Everything is normal."Zhao Lun nodded but maintained his vigilance.This estate was not only vast but also had security measures that rivaled those at his own. Numerous personnel were stationed throughout the grounds, and cameras monitored many areas. In the event of any disturbances, the estate's security would respond swiftly to neutralize threats.Of course, this was just the ordinary security; the more lethal presence lay deep within the estate, where a chilling aura permeated the air, hinting at the possibility of vampires lurking nearby.These vampires, if they were to go berserk, would leave very few attendees able to escape.No one, besides Zhao Lun, was aware of these details, and he preferred not to discuss them here.Before long, the host of the party—Charlie Edward—arrived, and the room fell silent, all eyes turning toward him.With a noble smile, Edward approached the front, "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Edward estate. It is a great honor to have you all here to celebrate my birthday…"Applause erupted in response.Edward's arrival elevated the atmosphere to a peak of excitement, with many guests visibly thrilled to see him.Zhao Lun noticed that the excited guests were primarily the older individuals he had encountered at the entrance. Earlier, they had exuded a calm demeanor, but now they were among the most enthusiastic attendees.Watching their frail faces, Zhao Lun suddenly understood.The wealthy feared nothing more than having endless riches yet lacking the time to savor them. These elderly magnates were no exception.They were no longer young; their lives were nearing their end. To continue living, they would expend any amount of money.Charlie Edward was a man who had managed to reclaim his youth from a similar situation.A person capable of regaining his youth could also help others do the same.