The selection of a new Patriarch for the Dong family was a significant event. Though low-key, when such a matter arose, the Ke Dong family would still host a ball, inviting dignitaries and the elite.

To receive an invitation from the Ke Dong family was a mark of prestige, an honor for many. Especially now, when the Ke Dong family's strength was surging, their power and reputation unparalleled, hinting at the return of their former glory.

On the day the ball was held, Ke Dong Manor, magnificent and luxurious, became a nexus for the aristocracy; nearly every prominent figure from Ke Dong Star was gathered there. It was an unprecedented spectacle.

Such an occasion was always a stage for women to vie for attention, a dazzling display of sensuality, allure, nobility, and grace that overwhelmed the senses. Each woman present was a pinnacle of beauty, a vision rarely seen individually. It was as if all the finest allure of Ke Dong Star had converged in this single hall.

Among them were society matrons and young heiresses, spanning every age bracket, each possessing a distinct charm. It was truly an eye-opening sight.

Given Zhong Yun’s status, he should never have received an invitation. Yet, he was there, accompanying Wen Zhu as her escort. He had intended to find Wei Wei, but couldn't locate her anywhere. It took considerable effort for him to persuade Wen Zhu to allow him to escort her.

Wen Zhu disliked such gatherings, but since the focus of the ball was her own father, she couldn't refuse without offending him. However, if she were to attend, she required an escort. Though she had numerous suitors, many of them exceptional men, she was determined not to send them the wrong signal; she would sooner die than allow any of them to stand by her side.

Indeed, many men had asked her to accompany them. Her father had just become the Planet Governor and was now shouldering the mantle of the Ke Dong family leadership; their status had soared. Naturally, countless individuals, mostly scions from established houses, began pursuing her.

Wen Zhu rejected these invitations one by one. Compared to her genuine admirers, she loathed these young masters from noble families even more. At least the former showed a degree of sincerity; the latter were merely transactional.

In the end, Zhong Yun became her only viable choice. He showed no sign of pursuing her, already possessed a girlfriend whose standing was comparable to hers, and thus wouldn't be tempted by her family's influence.

The only complication was that his girlfriend was her close confidante. However, a certain explanation from Zhong Yun swayed her decision.

Zhong Yun claimed he had argued with Xiao Wei, and she was now hiding from him, refusing his calls. He couldn't even find an opportunity to apologize. He knew Wei Wei would be at the ball, but he couldn't gain entry on his own, so he begged Wen Zhu to take him in so he could apologize to her once they saw her.

Recalling the events of that day, Wen Zhu knew his words held truth. Moreover, Wei Wei had returned home the very next day, confirming they must have had a serious fight.

Thus, Wen Zhu readily agreed.

On the night of the ball, Zhong Yun and Wen Zhu arrived together, causing quite a stir. The commotion was mainly due to Wen Zhu; as the princess of the Ke Dong family, she was naturally entitled to such an entrance.

Zhong Yun, as her escort, naturally drew numerous scrutinizing gazes. Everyone present was speculating about the background of this unimpressive-looking young man—how had he earned the favor of the usually reserved Wen Zhu to be invited as her partner?

Zhong Yun paid no mind to these stares. His purpose for coming was not, as he told Wen Zhu, to apologize to Wei Wei.

He could guess the reason Wei Wei was avoiding him: she likely already knew he was an impostor, not the 'person' she had cherished for nine years.

Frankly, this realization brought Zhong Yun a wave of relief. His primary objective on Ke Dong Star was the "Mercury," and his continued presence was solely for the raw stones. He was not here to play games of the heart. If he brought back another woman, he truly didn't know how he would face Yun Qi, or Xiao Ruo. The already unconscious state of Yu Daoqing was headache enough. Could he handle one more? He wasn't sure he could bear it.

Therefore, he had no intention of rekindling Wei Wei’s affection; he didn't have the luxury of time. Perhaps this outcome was for the best. After all, it all stemmed from a misunderstanding. He and Wei Wei were never meant to intersect. Let fate return to its original track.

He mused silently, a sharp, bone-deep ache blooming inexplicably in his chest.

Wen Zhu disliked socializing, and Zhong Yun felt the same. Yet, as focal points of the ball, finding a moment of quiet proved difficult; wave after wave of guests approached to exchange pleasantries. They had no choice but to keep up appearances.

After finally dispatching a deputy minister from some department, they saw another predatory figure heading their way.

The two exchanged a look and couldn't help but offer a wry smile, both thinking, why did we arrive so early?

After seeing off who-knew-how-many people, the vast hall finally quieted down, underscored by the pleasing strains of music, as the principal figure of the ball, Chang Ben+Dao, began to speak.

"Welcome, esteemed guests, to the Ke Dong family and this evening's ball..."

Zhong Yun, having just managed to dismiss a group of people, had no mind to listen to the inevitable platitudes. He established contact with Xiao Ling, confirming the... arrangement.

After the setup was complete, Wen Zhu, standing beside him, was called over by her father. Zhong Yun followed the crowd’s applause.

Once Chang Ben Ke Dong concluded his speech, the hall returned to its previous lively clamor—some dancing, some chatting, forming small clusters to exchange intelligence.

Gazing across the brilliantly lit and packed hall, its décor extravagantly luxurious, the impeccably dressed men discussed matters that could sway Ke Dong Star’s economy and finance, while the competitive women exchanged endless talk of jewels and artwork. It was a vibrant, prosperous scene, hard to reconcile with the fact that just months ago, this planet had weathered its most terrifying riot in history.

Zhong Yun told Wen Zhu he was going to find Wei Wei and left alone. She remained, having already checked the guest register and confirming Xiao Wei was present, though she hadn't seen her yet.

Ke Dong Manor was immense, and Zhong Yun wandered aimlessly. He was stopped by security guards several times, warned that certain areas were private and restricted to guests. Zhong Yun merely feigned intoxication, offered an apology, and moved on.

"Third Brother?" A voice from behind made Zhong Yun freeze; he hadn't expected to meet an acquaintance here and initially thought the call wasn't for him. When the voice sounded again, he confirmed it was indeed someone he knew.

"Fourth Brother, what are you doing here?" Zhong Yun turned to see Odin, dressed in formal attire and escorting a stunning young woman, walking toward him.

"I saw your back in the front hall and thought I had misidentified you, but it really is you," Odin chuckled. "What brings you here?"

"I was about to ask you the same thing." They were in a small, quiet garden, the lighting appropriately casting a hazy, pale yellow glow that enhanced the serene atmosphere. Faint laughter echoed from nearby, sometimes closer, sometimes farther, lending a feeling of retreat from the clamor.

"We were invited," Odin clarified that 'we' included the girl beside him.

"So was I." Zhong Yun didn't want to elaborate much. "Aren't you going to introduce me?"

"I didn't intend to," Odin said with a wry smile, only to receive an elbow jab from the girl beside him. "But since you spotted us, I suppose I have to."

"This is my fiancée, Maria. And this is my college roommate I mentioned, Third Brother Zhong Yun." Odin introduced them.

"Hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you." Zhong Yun shook hands with the girl named Maria.

"You're Third Brother? A little better looking than I imagined," Maria replied with easy grace.

"Your fiancée is great," Zhong Yun smiled, then playfully thumped Odin's chest. "You rascal, already engaged and keeping it from us? Tell me, how long have you been engaged? And you didn't invite us?"

Odin raised his hands in surrender. "I was wrong, I shouldn't have kept it from you. But we were engaged before university, it wasn't intentional to exclude you."

"A simple 'I was wrong' won't clear you? Not so easy." Zhong Yun grinned darkly, recalling the substantial "toll" he'd paid last time; he intended to collect this debt with interest.

Odin gritted his teeth. "Whatever punishment or fine you levy, bring it on. I accept it."

Maria suddenly let out a sharp laugh. "You two are hilarious."

"Oh right, did you come with Wei Wei?" Odin remembered something. "I saw a young man bothering her in the front hall earlier."

"No, I didn't come with her," Zhong Yun replied coolly.

Odin looked at him strangely, unable to help himself. "Did you two have a fight?"

Zhong Yun shook his head, genuinely unsure how to answer.

Maria, overhearing their exchange, suddenly widened her eyes. "Zhong Yun, was that incredibly beautiful girl I saw just now your girlfriend?"

"She is his girlfriend," Odin confirmed, then added to Zhong Yun, "Listen, fights between couples are normal, brother. We men need to be more magnanimous sometimes, give them a little leeway."

"I know," Zhong Yun said dismissively. These messy affairs were too complicated to explain.

Odin sensed his evasiveness and stopped advising, merely sighing.

The atmosphere suddenly fell silent.

Maria blinked, studying the two men with a thoughtful expression.

After a few minutes, faint sounds of movement and voices drifted closer, too soft to distinguish the words.

Zhong Yun was just about to bid them farewell when his body tensed, his fists clenching tightly.

The voices grew louder, a magnetically deep male voice saying, "Wei Wei, the environment here is so refined and quiet, why don't we talk here?"

Odin also jumped in surprise, instinctively glancing at Zhong Yun, only to see him hanging his head, his expression unreadable.

P: One more chapter. Still asking for votes.