The car slowly pulled away right as Yang Yi’s voice faded, leaving behind a crowd of stunned students, their faces a mask of disbelief.

“Damn it, is my luck rotten today? It’s like seeing a ghost!” one student suddenly yelped.

“It’s not your luck, it’s all of ours. Wasn’t Xuanyuan Bing cursed? Why is it that when that guy touched her, nothing happened?” another student questioned.

“Heh, I bet that guy is just too formidable; he’s not afraid of the curse!” a portly student declared loudly.

“Probably so.”

The students erupted into discussion. Xuanyuan Bing was known throughout Fudan University as the cursed maiden. They had just watched her link arms with Yang Yi, an act that should have triggered the curse. So why was Yang Yi completely unaffected? In that instant, this question became the hottest topic on the Fudan campus.

Inside the car, the atmosphere was remarkably subdued, perhaps due to Xuanyuan Bing’s sudden presence. Sensing the silence, she gave a slight, wry smile and said, “Don’t mind me. Say whatever you need to say; don’t let my presence bother you!”

“Uh-hmm!” Yang Yi actually broke out in a cold sweat, not just because of her words, but because of the arm she had linked around his own. That soft touch, that heart-tugging, dangerously ambiguous contact, was certainly making him sweat.

“Ahem, since the great beauty Xuanyuan says so, then naturally—I won’t be polite either,” Fatty Lin coughed theatrically, glancing at Yang Yi before forcing a smile.

Yang Yi shot Fatty Lin a look of disdain. “Old Fourth isn’t here, so what else can you say?”

“Ah!” Fatty Lin paused, then quickly recovered. “Speaking of which, Brother Yi, the Shangguan family has invited you to a banquet. Could this be a trap, a Hongmen Banquet?”

Knowing Fatty Lin would never bring up anything good, Yang Yi rolled his eyes before replying, “Isn’t that simple? That old fogey from the Shangguan family is just trying to save face. When we attacked the Shangguan Corporation with commercial tactics, he should have foreseen this day.”

“So that’s why he issued that public notice back then?” Fatty Lin asked, slightly confused.

“Sort of. But if he hadn't issued the notice and instead dragged things out by fighting us, withdrawing from the Shanghai economy would have severely damaged his corporation’s interests. Others see this more clearly than you do. However, tonight’s banquet won't be that simple.” Yang Yi let out a smile that instantly piqued Xuanyuan Bing’s curiosity. Ever since she met Yang Yi, whenever he made that specific expression, she always sensed trouble brewing.

“Well, looks like we’ll have a good show tonight,” Fatty Lin murmured, then asked, “Are you going alone, or taking some people with you?”

“Heh, since we’re guests, of course we’ll bring some people along to lend support. Besides, I hear the cuisine at the Jingdong Hotel in Shanghai is quite expensive. Our brothers have worked hard for so long; they deserve a treat,” Yang Yi said with a light smile, addressing Feng Shi, who was driving. “Later, have the Ten Army Generals and twenty Black God Guards accompany me.”

“Yes!” Feng Shi acknowledged.

“Black God Guards?” Xuanyuan Bing muttered internally. She was growing more curious. Why did the name ‘Black God Guards’ sound so much like the Imperial Guards surrounding ancient emperors? She glanced at Yang Yi, who was smiling knowingly at her. Xuanyuan Bing’s lips moved, and the slight movement almost gave Yang Yi the urge to lean in and kiss her.

Before long, Yang Yi and the others returned to the villa. He looked at Xuanyuan Bing and instructed Feng Shi, “Take her to change into an evening gown. Wearing her school uniform isn't suitable for a public event. And Yanran, you need to dress sexily too!”

“Got it!” Feng Shi replied, her face flushing scarlet, before turning to the outwardly indifferent Xuanyuan Bing. “Miss Xuanyuan, please follow me!”

“Oh! Okay!” Xuanyuan Bing’s inner feelings were quite different from her outward composure. Hearing that Yang Yi had a banquet to attend that evening, she genuinely wished she was already in an evening gown. Though she couldn't explain why she suddenly felt that way, that's just how things were.

“Brother Yi, are you really taking Xuanyuan Bing with you?” Fatty Lin asked, his brow furrowed slightly.

“Naturally,” Yang Yi replied with a faint smile. “Taking her along has its advantages, especially since the host is the current head of the Shangguan family!”

“Are you thinking of—!” Fatty Lin shook his head slightly, saying with a hint of resignation, “I really am too slow. It seems catching up to you will be quite difficult.”

“Silly boy, if you want to catch up to me, aim for Grandpa as your target!” Yang Yi teased him, smiling as he nudged him. “Hurry up and change. Remember to be ready; I can’t guarantee nothing unexpected will happen tonight!”

“Understood.” Fatty Lin didn’t need the reminder. As someone determined to be Yang Yi’s foremost subordinate, he was always prepared.

Yang Yi took less than five minutes to change into a suit of jet-black evening wear. Though he usually disliked hats, today he even put one on. It had to be said that the hat and the suit complemented his naturally refined features, making him look rather handsome. He flicked the brim of his hat and smirked.

“I didn't realize this young master had a dashing side. Not bad!”

“Brother Yi.” Fatty Lin, descending the stairs, saw Yang Yi and stared in surprise. “Damn, you’re wearing a hat?”

“Uh, what? Is there a problem?” Yang Yi asked.

“No, nothing!” Fatty Lin shook his head, though internally he was shouting, Brother Yi wearing a hat? What a monumental discovery! He recalled an incident a few years ago in a mountain village when the two of them were secretly peeping at a woman bathing in a ravine. At that time, Yang Yi had famously declared, ‘Damn this wretched hat for covering up the good stuff! From now on, I’m never wearing a hat!’ This outburst was because the beauty had used her hat to shield herself from being spied upon, which had nearly driven Yang Yi mad with frustration.

Yang Yi and the others were nearly ready when Feng Shi and Xuanyuan Bing emerged from an adjacent room. Feng Shi already had a naturally sexy and curvaceous figure, so wearing a slit evening gown suited her beautifully, adding a touch of dangerous allure to her charm.

However, the moment Yang Yi’s gaze fell upon Xuanyuan Bing, his mouth inexplicably went dry. Her figure-hugging purple dress accentuated her devilishly perfect curves. If not for the icy demeanor that kept people at a distance, Yang Yi would scarcely have believed how coldly stunning and seductive Xuanyuan Bing looked at that moment.

“What are you looking at? You pervert!” Yang Yi’s intense stare made Xuanyuan Bing feel a nervous thrill, and she chided him lightly.

“Uh!” Yang Yi chuckled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. “Let’s go!”

As they stepped outside, Xuanyuan Bing frowned upon seeing the long line of people waiting. She was quite astonished; these individuals were comparable in bearing to the people in her own family. Little did she know that the true strength of the assembled Ten Army Generals and Black God Guards far exceeded her imagination.

“Greetings, Dragon Lord…”

“Enough, no need for such ceremony. Didn’t I tell you? You don’t need to bow to me. Get in the cars!” Yang Yi waved his hand before they could finish their greeting.

“Yes!” The group boarded the vehicles as if preparing for battle, moving with rigid precision.

Yang Yi, the Ten Army Generals, Fatty Lin, and Xuanyuan Bing—thirteen people in total, plus the contingent of over a dozen Black God Guards and the Six Paths of Reincarnation—were heading to the banquet. This show of force indicated that Yang Yi took this Shangguan family event very seriously, as everyone present was armed, though outwardly concealed, hiding an unexpected shadow beneath the surface.

It was now approaching seven in the evening at the Jingdong Hotel in Shanghai. The entire venue seemed to have been reserved for the night, and the vast lobby was bustling with activity.

This was because the Prime Minister of the Shangguan Corporation had booked the entire space to host prominent figures from the business world. What their presence implied was obvious: since Shangguan Qingyun was inviting Yang Yi here, it was undoubtedly an attempt to regain lost dignity. In such a high-stakes gathering, how could top business figures be absent?

Shangguan Qingyun was truly a cunning strategist. He had arranged everything in advance, now simply waiting for the main character to arrive. Every move made here would affect the interests—specifically, the conflicting interests—between the Black God Corporation and the Shangguan Corporation.

“Master, arrangements are complete,” the old servant reported to Shangguan Qingyun.

“Good, I know,” Shangguan Qingyun replied with a bright, calm smile. “Tonight, we just wait for the star of the show to make his entrance.”