Chapter 178: A Little Earlier
After delivering a speech, Yin Changhong excused himself on account of his health and left accompanied by Yin He. The banquet was handed over to Yin Qiushi to host, while Yin Chengjue simply took Rong Yu around to find food.
During this time, many people came over to chat, their gazes shifting between the two of them, their eyes carrying a hint of deeper meaning.
In this circle, it was common to bring celebrity artists along. After all, an artist's career path was no longer limited to acting and singing; there was also various image endorsement and promotional work. Some top-tier stars, after reaching the peak of their careers, transitioned into founding their own entertainment companies, engaging in investments and collaborations. Therefore, it really wasn't strange to see artists there. Some wealthy second-generation heirs even brought five or six artists directly, enjoying the sensation of being surrounded by admirers.
Moreover, the confidentiality at such events was extremely strict; no media was permitted inside, so artists didn't have to worry about damage to their reputation if word got out.
If any artist were loose-lipped and later went around talking about which tycoon or CEO they had seen drinking with inside, then that artist had better pray their own backing was strong enough to avoid being marked by someone else's sugar daddy.
Generally speaking, everyone who entered observed the rules by default, focusing solely on expanding their network and not broadcasting details outside. Gradually, this had formed an unspoken understanding among all attendees.
So when they saw the rising star Rong Yu beside Yin Chengjue, many artists who recognized him didn't find it strange. Some even proactively came over to greet him and congratulate Rong Yu on the blockbuster success of the film he had recently starred in.
Rong Yu politely thanked them one by one.
Rong Yu's conversation and demeanor were poised and generous. He had never made a misstep in social situations and could deftly sidestep the various tricky traps set by the media. Sally had therefore laughed with delight countless times in front of Yin Chengjue, saying she had struck gold this time. It was nothing like managing her previous artist, who had often leaped straight into the media's conversational pitfalls, forcing her to scramble and fish him out.
Of course, aside from those who came to offer congratulations, there were also those with nothing better to do who came looking for trouble.
"Young Master Yin, it's rare to see you with someone by your side. What's the matter? After being a monk for so many years, have you finally figured out your sexual orientation? Not that I'm being nosy, but this seems to be your family's banquet. Bringing someone out so openly, can your family accept it?" The young master from a certain family who approached spoke with a provocative tone.
Yin Chengjue looked the other person up and down, finding him somewhat familiar but unable to recall which young master he was, and said, "I'm openly bringing an artist from my company out to meet people. Why wouldn't my family accept that?"
"Hah? Who would believe that if you said it? Ask anyone here, who would believe it?" The young master's breath carried a hint of alcohol, he seemed somewhat drunk.
Yin Chengjue suddenly remembered who he was. At the birthday banquet for the Hua family's old master last time, this same person had come up to him looking for trouble.
Yin Chengjue thought hard but couldn't figure out where any discord between this person and himself might lie.
"I don't know what they believe," Yin Chengjue replied, his expression darkening slightly. "But I do know you're overstepping. A word of advice: don't reach too far outside your own circle, and don't let a few words from others stir up some misguided sense of brotherly loyalty. Otherwise, you'll just end up being used as someone else's pawn."
"You!" The man angrily took a step forward, then seemed to think of something, his eyes revealing a look of anticipation for a good show. "Right, why am I even saying this to you? It's not like you're at the helm of the Yin Group now anyway. You're just a bit lucky that your investments pay off. How can you compare to someone raised at the knee of the Yin family head, personally taught by him since childhood?"
Was he implying that Yin Qiushi now held the real power in the Yin Group, while I, the biological grandson, is far from the center of power?
Yin Chengjue felt speechless, while also quietly noting this person down. He thought he'd ask Yin Qiushi later for the guest list to check exactly which young master this was and why he was always picking on him.
"My family's affairs are none of your business to lecture about, are they?" Yin Chengjue looked at him. "Has my uncle managing the Yin Group left me short a single penny to spend? Are you jealous that my uncle is capable, or are you regretful that your own uncle can't reach such heights?"
"Ah Jue, what's going on? Ah, you are the young master of the Li family, right? Having fun here?" Yin Qiushi walked over with a smile, still holding a wine glass.
Seeing Yin Qiushi approach, the young master Li visibly became much more restrained. "You're too kind, Mr. Yin. I'm having a great time."
"That's good. Please do convey my regards to Chairman Li, young master." Yin Qiushi said.
Seeing that the relationship between Yin Chengjue and Yin Qiushi didn't seem as tense as outsiders said, Young Master Li somewhat lost interest. He just said he had other matters and walked away to another area.
"Ah Jue, this person by your side must be the lead in the TV drama and movie you've invested in recently, right? Not bad, this young man has a bright future." Yin Qiushi soon shifted his gaze to Rong Yu, smiling. "Earlier, before Dad and Ah He left, they saw you two and asked a few questions. I said this is the new artist your company is heavily promoting, who's been doing well lately. They seemed quite happy, saying our Ah Jue is becoming more and more steady, not forgetting to work hard even at a time like this."
Yin Chengjue: "..." Your interpretive skills are really something, not veering off course at all.
Rong Yu cooperated by greeting him. "Hello, Mr. Yin. I'm Rong Yu."
"Hello, Xiao Rong. May I ask presumptuously, have you firmly decided to develop in this direction? This path is not an easy one to walk." Yin Qiushi said.
Rong Yu: "Yes, I made this decision after careful consideration. I won't regret it."
"Good, then I wish you success in reaching the summit." Yin Qiushi raised a finger, pointing upward.
"Thank you for your auspicious words."
Yin Chengjue seized the moment to say, "Well, Uncle, I'm a little drunk, so I'll go rest first."
"Fine, go rest. An attendant will take you up." Yin Qiushi didn't have much time to exchange pleasantries with Yin Chengjue either, turning to greet others.
The two followed the attendant directly to the top floor. This was the presidential suite on the top floor that Yin Qiushi had arranged for them in advance. Although he knew Yin Changhong and Yin He were most likely to go home to stay, as long as there was a one percent chance they might stay, Yin Qiushi would make arrangements.
"Brother, I've heard some rumors outside. I thought your relationship with your uncle was very bad. Seeing it today, I realize rumors are indeed just rumors." Rong Yu, having held it in all the way, finally spoke his mind after closing the door.
"It is and it isn't. Those spreading rumors place too much importance on his status as an adopted son. If you set that identity aside, he's just a member of the family." Yin Chengjue said. "I still remember, when I was little, my mother was flying all over the place for business talks, and Feng Chengda genuinely disliked me from the bottom of his heart. Only my uncle would come by often to check on me."
Rong Yu's expression darkened slightly. He hooked his finger around Yin Chengjue's hand resting casually by his side and said, "If only I could have been by your side back then. I would definitely have helped Brother chase away all the unhappy things."
Yin Chengjue instinctively replied, "Yes, why didn't you come meet me earlier then?"
If you had been having me followed and photographed all this time, so why didn't you come to me yourself?
These days, Yin Chengjue couldn't help but think: if Rong Yu had appeared before him earlier, would he have fallen for him sooner and gotten together with Rong Yu earlier?
"I... I couldn't... come then." Rong Yu pursed his lips, his expression apologetic as he lowered his head.
Yin Chengjue quickly said, "I was joking, Xiao Yu. If anyone should have been looking, it should have been me. If I could have found you earlier, liked you earlier, we wouldn't have wasted so much time."
As he spoke, Yin Chengjue took a step forward but suddenly felt a burning sensation rising from a certain part of his body.
Rong Yu, who had been about to say something, saw Yin Chengjue's strange expression and immediately grew tense. "Brother? What's wrong? Stomach ache?"
"No..." Yin Chengjue felt a surge of heat rising from that place. Vaguely realizing what it might be, his expression turned unpleasant. "I might have been drugged."
"What? Drugged? Just now? Mixed in the food or the drinks?" Rong Yu quickly helped Yin Chengjue sit down against the headboard.
With this movement, Yin Chengjue felt the fire inside his body burn even stronger, even his exhaled breath feeling scorching hot.
"Brother?" Rong Yu patted Yin Chengjue's face, then exclaimed in alarm, "Your face is so hot! Do you have a fever? What kind of drug were you given?"
Yin Chengjue felt two cool things patting his face. He instinctively reached out, grabbed them, pressed them against his own face, and slowly rubbed against them.
"Don't know... Quick, call my uncle, have the food and drinks at the banquet removed immediately..."
"Oh, right!" Rong Yu quickly pulled his hand out of Yin Chengjue's grasp and reached into Yin Chengjue's trouser pocket to get the phone.
The suit pocket was very snug. Rong Yu reaching into it felt almost like he was placing his hand directly on Yin Chengjue’s thigh and stroking it. Yin Chengjue immediately sensed the entire situation taking a very difficult turn, so he seized Rong Yu’s hand once more and said, "Xiao Yu… I think I’ve figured out what kind of drug this is…"
Rong Yu clenched his teeth, articulating each word, "...I think I've guessed too."
Yin Chengjue shook his head forcefully, trying to regain a bit of clarity. "Who do you think it was? We walked around the banquet a lot just now. I picked up a glass many times, I might have been slightly careless."
A long time passed after he finished speaking without hearing Rong Yu's response, but he felt a weight on his waist!
Startled, Yin Chengjue regained some more of his senses and looked down quickly. He saw Rong Yu lying on top of him, one hand frantically tearing at the suit on his own body, his originally fair face flushed with an abnormal redness.
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