This sudden conflict and commotion left Li Yundong and Su Chan unable to properly eat lunch; it was Feng Na on the side who kept offering comfort.

"Forget it, don't bother with people like that. Anyone like her screams gold-digger!" Feng Na said with a smile. "Look at her, dripping in designer labels. That dress is Dior, the bag is LV, the shoes are Chanel, and the perfume she's wearing is C—all top-tier stuff."

Li Yundong, who had been stewing in annoyance, suddenly froze, his gaze fixed on Feng Na. "You can actually recognize that many famous brands?"

Feng Na's smile became slightly awkward. She was terribly afraid Li Yundong would start seeing her as a gold-digger too. Cheng Cheng, standing nearby, immediately sensed the tension and jumped in, "Li Yundong, do you really think that no matter how little a woman cares about money or vanity, she doesn't love beauty? Branded clothes are the favorite of every woman, unless she isn't a woman!"

This statement struck a deep chord with Li Yundong. He glanced at Su Chan beside him, shook his head, and offered no comment. "Forget it. I'm heading back to the classroom first."

He walked a few steps with Su Chan, then suddenly turned back to ask, "Oh, right, where is Zhou Qin's birthday banquet being held tonight?"

Feng Na replied, "Seven-thirty tonight, at the Shengyuan Grand Hotel."

Li Yundong was used to staying home and had no idea what kind of hotel that was. Too lazy to inquire, he simply acknowledged it and led Su Chan back to class.

When the two arrived, there was still some time before the lesson started. The classroom was almost empty, with only Li Yundong and Su Chan sitting in the back, lost in thought.

Li Yundong kept replaying Feng Na's words, while Su Chan felt overwhelmingly sleepy, yawning one after another.

Li Yundong suddenly asked, "Su Chan, how about I take you to change your clothes today?"

Su Chan snuggled deeper under Li Yundong's arm, her voice muffled and sweet. "No need, I’m dead tired. Let me sleep for a bit."

Li Yundong had never had a girlfriend before and didn't know how to interact with girls. Hearing Su Chan say that, the idea he had just formed began to waver again. "Hmm? Really no need?"

"No, no need. This outfit is fine!" Su Chan squinted her eyes, curling up like a kitten.

Li Yundong recalled the crimson, classical long dress Su Chan had worn before—the one she wore when he first met her. He wondered where that dress had gone. Maybe she had put it away?

It was a shame that dress was too much like historical costume, too theatrical. Otherwise, wearing it out would surely stun a massive crowd, saving them from the slander of those narrow-minded critics!

Li Yundong remembered the scene when the little girl first appeared by his side, walking onto the school campus in that bright red, ancient-style gown, shocking countless people. A faint smile involuntarily curved his lips.

He watched the sleeping Su Chan quietly, not daring to move an inch, afraid that even the slightest shift would wake the girl heaven had gifted him.

As the class time neared, students gradually filled the room. Su Chan rubbed her eyes and sat up just as Zhou Qin, uncharacteristically, walked into the large classroom alone.

Zhou Qin looked at Li Yundong, hesitated for a moment, then approached him. She first offered Su Chan a polite and reserved nod, then fixed her beautiful eyes on Li Yundong and said, "Seven-thirty tonight, don't forget, okay!"

With that, she smiled at Li Yundong and playfully winked.

Zhou Qin possessed a nearly perfect heart-shaped face, eyes like stars, and eyebrows dark as ink. Her features were as exquisite as a beautiful lady in a meticulous painting. She was wearing a deep blue long top and a brown woolen plaid short skirt, conveying both elegance and the bearing of a well-bred young lady.

Li Yundong was accustomed to the school beauty’s usually calm and composed demeanor, so he was momentarily stunned by this sudden girlish playfulness.

In that instant, everything seemed to brighten before Li Yundong’s eyes. Zhou Qin’s radiant smile gave him the true feeling of a captivating glance capable of stirring a hundred charms.

The school beauty was indeed the school beauty. Even though he had confessed to her before and been rejected, he still couldn't maintain a stern face toward her now—a testament to the devastating power of her beauty!

Li Yundong couldn't help but nod. "It starts at seven-thirty? Won't I be starving by then? Are you providing food or not?"

Zhou Qin paused, immediately realizing that Li Yundong must have never attended such a banquet, mistaking it for a simple dinner reception.

She smiled slightly and said, "Come a bit early then; there will be things to eat."

Li Yundong chuckled. "Alright, as long as there's food provided! If there's free food and drink, I'll definitely be there!"

Zhou Qin laughed. "Then it's a deal!"

Li Yundong nodded to her and watched her graceful, moving figure depart. Only then did he notice Su Chan still sitting beside him.

Li Yundong was immediately overcome with shame. Su Chan was sitting right next to him, yet how could he have stared so intently at Zhou Qin?

He quickly reined in his thoughts, muttering to himself: It's not that I'm too fickle; it's that beautiful women are too stunning!

The afternoon class was a large English lecture. Kris and the others didn't show up this time, so Li Yundong was happy to sleep soundly through the class.

When school let out, Li Yundong waved his hand grandly, pulled Su Chan along, hailed a taxi, and headed straight for the Shengyuan Grand Hotel.

Upon arriving at the Shengyuan Grand Hotel, Li Yundong stood dumbfounded at the entrance with Su Chan, simply staring.

It was a six-star luxury hotel, fifty-eight stories high—the only establishment in Tiannan City surpassing five stars, with no other branches! The hotel was resplendent, tapering upward like a massive crystal spire, emanating an aura of noble grandeur in muted gold from top to bottom.

Su Chan’s eyes widened as she surveyed the building. Although she was a cultivator, she had never witnessed such a luxurious and magnificent venue. There were four revolving doors lined up just at the entrance, and at the doorway of each, flower baskets were placed, filled, Li Yundong noticed, with freshly picked blooms!

"Good heavens..." Li Yundong was awestruck. He felt somewhat restrained by such opulence, but thankfully, the hotel staff did not suffer from the condescending attitude of the petty-minded. They respectfully ushered Li Yundong and Su Chan inside, their gazes lingering on Su Chan for a moment longer.

The floor of the Shengyuan Grand Hotel was made of transparent glass, beneath which was a nearly half-meter gap exposing an arrangement of exquisite stones. Combined with the soft, subtle lighting, it gave one the feeling of treading on clouds.

"Truly a world of flashing lights and endless indulgence," Li Yundong sighed internally. If he weren't here for Zhou Qin's birthday banquet, he might never encounter such a setting in his lifetime.

Everyone entering and leaving this place was clearly high society—men in sharp suits with hair meticulously slicked back, and the women accompanying them largely clad in vibrant, costly attire.

As these elites passed through the lobby, they couldn't help but be struck by the handsome pair, Li Yundong and Su Chan. But as their eyes lingered, they invariably smirked inwardly: What a shame; fine jewels set in a battered casing.

Li Yundong wanted to head straight to the location of Zhou Qin's banquet, but he awkwardly realized he was too early; there wasn't even a welcome sign set up at the lobby entrance yet.

"Uh, excuse me..." Li Yundong mustered his courage and stopped a server. "Where is Zhou Qin's evening banquet being held?"

"Zhou Qin?" The server paused, about to shake his head.

But the lobby manager beside him, who had noticed them the moment Li Yundong and Su Chan entered, immediately stepped forward when he heard the name. "Miss Zhou Qin, is it? Hello, and may I ask who you are?"

Li Yundong replied, "I am her classmate."

The lobby manager said, "Oh, please go up to the third floor, turn right, and you will see it."

Li Yundong politely nodded to the manager. "Thank you!"

The two took the elevator to the third floor, where Li Yundong indeed saw a welcome sign written in black on red paper to the right. He smiled. "We're here. But it seems early; are we the only two?"

"Isn't there one guy over there?" Su Chan pointed toward a young man smoking near the entrance.

Li Yundong smiled and walked over with Su Chan, asking, "Excuse me, is this where Zhou Qin is hosting her birthday banquet?"

This young man was dressed in an Armani suit and was quite handsome, but a noticeable gloom hung about his brow. He was smoking with his back to Li Yundong. Hearing the voices, he turned around, and upon seeing Li Yundong, his eyes widened in surprise: This guy is so handsome!

Although he considered himself handsome, the young man had a naturally narrow mind and couldn't stand seeing anyone more attractive than himself, especially a man as radiating with robust energy as Li Yundong.

The young man asked with hostility coloring his voice, "Who are you?"

Li Yundong smiled. "I'm Zhou Qin's classmate. She invited me to the dinner."

Hearing this, the young man felt both shock and anger: Zhou Qin’s birthday banquets were always arranged by her father; she rarely invited guests herself. This guy was personally invited by Zhou Qin!

The young man was instantly overcome with jealousy. He snorted coldly to himself, scanning Li Yundong. Although the boy was dressed plainly, he knew some people preferred low profiles. Since this guy was personally invited by Zhou Qin, he must possess some exceptional quality. Combined with his distinguished bearing, he might have an extraordinary background.

But then his gaze fell upon Su Chan, and he froze.

Su Chan's beauty delivered a shock to him! From the moment he first saw Zhou Qin, he hadn't believed there could be a girl more beautiful in the world. But today, he saw one! Su Chan, though not the same type as Zhou Qin, was flawlessly beautiful in every way. Her large eyes held a pure, innocent look of someone unfamiliar with the complexities of the world—an expression that held immense destructive power over men.

Li Yundong noticed the young man staring blankly at Su Chan, a flicker of displeasure rising within him. He cleared his throat pointedly.

The young man snapped back to reality upon hearing the cough. He abruptly turned his head and glared fiercely at Li Yundong, his jealousy intensifying: What right does this fellow have to possess such a stunning creature by his side? And why did he earn Zhou Qin’s favor?

The more he thought, the more resentful he became, a ball of jealous fire burning fiercely in his chest.

But then he noticed Su Chan's clothes were not merely simple; she was even wearing menswear, and her attire had oil stains!

"Ha!" The young man almost burst out laughing. He instantly gauged Li Yundong’s standing.

"You're Zhou Qin's classmate?" The young man squinted, sizing Li Yundong up and down.

Li Yundong felt a surge of anger at the scrutinizing gaze. His voice lowered. "Yes. If you don't believe me, call her and ask!"

The young man let out a cold sneer. "No need to call! Even if you are, I won't let you in!"

Li Yundong exploded with rage. "Why not?"

The young man pointed at Li Yundong. "Look at what you're wearing! Do you think this is a picnic? Do you think this is just some ordinary party? Please, dress with some decorum to show the host a modicum of respect, alright?" He then gestured toward Su Chan. "And the woman beside you is dressed so shabbily she dares to attend a banquet like this! You aren't embarrassed, but I am for you! Forget it. You can fool other young girls, perhaps! If you're poor, don't chase beauties, understand? Scram, scram, I don't have time to waste on you!"

Li Yundong was so furious his lungs nearly burst; he was on the verge of striking the man, but thankfully, Su Chan grabbed him, forcibly dragging him out of the hotel.

The young man sneered dismissively as Li Yundong was pulled away by Su Chan.

Just then, a tall, sexily and fashionably dressed girl emerged from the banquet hall—it was Ding Nan, who had skipped her afternoon classes to help Zhou Qin prepare the event.

"Young Master He, who were you talking to?" Ding Nan looked down the corridor, but Li Yundong’s figure had already vanished into the elevator.

He Shao flicked his cigarette ash, blowing a smoke ring toward Ding Nan with a rather flirtatious smile. "Just talking to a couple of beggars, but don't worry, I sent them packing!"

Ding Nan fanned the smoke away, wrinkling her brow slightly. "Beggars? Where did beggars come from here? Hey, stop standing around daydreaming! Hurry up and help; my waist is about to break from all this work!"

As soon as he left the hotel, Li Yundong was incandescent with rage. "Why did you pull me back? I was going to beat that narrow-minded bastard to death!"

Seeing Li Yundong so furious, Su Chan also felt deeply distressed. She held his hand and whispered, "Master, is it because this little girl looks too ugly and caused you trouble?"

Li Yundong saw Su Chan’s distress, and his anger instantly melted. He coaxed her, "Nonsense, you are the most beautiful! It's that dog-son-of-a-bitch who is shortsighted!"

Su Chan saw he was still angry, so she managed a faint smile. "Then you go into the banquet. I won't go in; I'll wait for you here."

Li Yundong’s heart softened when he heard Su Chan’s pitiful words. "More nonsense! Why wouldn't you go in!"

Su Chan smiled. "Didn't that person just say my clothes were too shabby? I thought if I didn't go in, it would resolve the issue, and you could go in naturally."

These words could turn even an iron-cast Vajra into a pliant willow branch for Li Yundong.

Li Yundong felt a rush of emotion surge to his head—a mix of heartache and tenderness. He pulled Su Chan into a tight embrace and declared loudly, "Nonsense! We aren't attending this damn banquet!"

But as soon as he said it, Li Yundong remembered Feng Na's words earlier, and the look of disdain on that girl's face at lunch. A fresh wave of anger hit him. "No, I'm going to dress you up as the most beautiful princess in the world! I'll show them!"