Tao Zhixing disliked extravagance and, considering that Tao Fengche was still in school, rarely let him appear in Jingpu’s social circles. The last time Tao Fengche had appeared in public was nearly a month ago at Tao Zhixing’s funeral.

At that time, due to his role as a mourner, he wore a pure white hemp mourning robe, which was a stark contrast to his suit and tie at today’s banquet.

The banquet for Mr. Zhu’s birthday was held at a newly opened hotel owned by the Zhu family. Tao Fengche arrived at the entrance in his usual school commute car, showed his invitation to the doorman, and walked into the lavishly decorated banquet hall under the latter’s guidance.

As soon as he stepped inside, he attracted a lot of attention.

Most of the guests had come with companions, making the tall and elegant Tao Fengche, who arrived alone, seem a bit out of place. For most of the attendees, his face was unfamiliar, and those standing near the entrance began whispering as they caught sight of him.

With his acute alpha senses, Tao Fengche, being among the best of his kind, could hear all the murmurs with a slight twitch of his ears.

“Who is that person who just came in?”

“He looks unfamiliar, but his suit is pretty nice. I wonder which high-end brand it is. Could he be a young star invited by the Zhu family?”

“Impossible. His demeanor doesn’t match that of a celebrity.”

“Stop guessing. That’s the young master of the Tao family.” This person spoke with a smug tone. “I think his name is… Tao Fengche? I saw him once at his father’s funeral.”

The young master of the Tao family? People looked at each other in disbelief, but soon, many began to feel the urge to approach and talk to him.

“Tsk.” Tao Fengche frowned slightly, impatiently adjusting his crooked bow tie.

He knew what these people were thinking.

Although Cai Hong was unpleasant and annoying, what he said wasn’t unique to him. Now that Sui Yuesheng held significant power, many considered Tao Fengche a discarded pawn. His public appearance at a social event today was indeed surprising.

Everyone had their own agendas, assessing the situation with new perspectives. However, those who approached quickly were insignificant. Some wanted to curry favor with Sui Yuesheng by stepping on him, others eyed his shares and dividends, thinking it would be easy to deceive a minor, and some just wanted to get close to him…

Fishing for big fish only to get small fry, Tao Fengche didn’t bother with any of them.

Not intending to stand at the entrance as a target, and with the birthday star yet to arrive, he scanned the room. He first spotted Jie Yushu in a group on the left, chatting with several familiar actors, and then saw Zhao Jiayang near a champagne tower on the right. The two were clearly separated, like the Chu-Han boundary.

Are they broken up? Tao Fengche thought as he walked to the right.

As he approached, he noticed that the usually dashing Zhao Jiayang wasn’t alone—an omega, significantly shorter, was feeding him cake with a silver spoon, smiling sweetly.

Zhao Jiayang smiled and ate.

Tao Fengche narrowed his eyes, realizing the omega’s nose resembled Chu Yin’s.

Uncle’s collecting habit is probably incurable. He sighed inwardly, watching them for a while. Seeing their affectionate interaction with no end in sight, he reluctantly stepped forward to greet, “Uncle.”

Zhao Jiayang was startled, then pleasantly surprised, refusing the next bite from the omega. “Xiao Che? Sui Yuesheng let you out?”

“What’s this about letting out? He never confined me; I just didn’t feel like going out before.” Tao Fengche explained and nodded slightly to the omega as a greeting.

Jie Yushu had visited the Tao family with Zhao Jiayang before. Tao Fengche thought Jie might be special to Zhao, but seeing his uncle with a new lover now, he was curious.

However, as a junior, it was inappropriate to meddle in his uncle’s private affairs, and mentioning another lover in front of Zhao’s current lover was inconvenient, so he held back.

Who knows what uncle says to these people? It wouldn’t be good to accidentally cause trouble.

“Claiming you didn’t want to go out, haven’t you finished your homework?” Zhao Jiayang teased like an elder teasing a junior.

“Uncle—” Tao Fengche sighed. “I only slacked off once in elementary school. How long will you keep bringing that up?”

He felt helpless. The downside of familiar elders was their arsenal of his embarrassing stories, ready to mortify him at any moment.

Zhao Jiayang laughed heartily, then relented. “Alright, alright, I won’t tease you anymore. Since you’re out, I’ll introduce you to some of the other uncles and elders.”

“Sweetheart, stay here and help yourself to whatever you like.” He turned to his lover.

The omega pouted but quickly realized the young man wasn’t a rival and nodded sensibly, “Come back soon. I’ll be here waiting.”

Zhao Jiayang smiled, not promising, and ruffled his head before turning to leave with Tao Fengche, showing no reluctance, leaving the omega biting down on a silver spoon in frustration.

People said Zhao Jiayang was a notorious playboy. The omega thought he would be the exception, but now realized it was wishful thinking.

Tao Fengche followed Zhao Jiayang, greeting many uncles and elders. When they finally reached a quieter spot, Tao Fengche spoke up, “Uncle, why aren’t you with Xiao Jie today?”

“Zhu family values face and invited many from the entertainment industry. Xiao Jie came on his own invitation. I don’t plan to publicize our relationship.” Zhao Jiayang explained.

Tao Fengche understood instantly.

Jie Yushu, a popular actor, entering with Zhao Jiayang would make headlines. Zhao Jiayang didn’t care about his reputation but didn’t want to be gossip fodder.

“Alright, no more about Xiao Jie. I was going to ask why Sui Yuesheng didn’t come with you?” Zhao Jiayang changed the topic.

Tao Fengche shrugged. “He went to Taiqing for something. I didn’t ask for details.”

“You—” Zhao Jiayang tapped his forehead in frustration. “Aren’t you worried? Tao Corporation is in his hands, and he wears the ring. Aren’t you afraid he’ll sell the company or you?”

It felt as if Zhao Jiayang was certain that Sui Yuesheng would harm him or the company. But Zhao Jiayang was his uncle, his father’s close friend, who watched him grow up, while Sui Yuesheng was a stranger to him. It made sense for Zhao to be suspicious and concerned.

Tao Fengche’s mind raced, quickly coming up with the best solution. He complained, “He holds sixty percent of the shares. Even if he wants to sell, what can I do? I only have twenty-five percent.”

The statement was half-true, with a hint of resignation.

If he wanted Zhao Jiayang to stop being hostile towards Sui Yuesheng, the best way would be to tell him the truth about ten years ago. But doing so would expose Sui Yuesheng’s omega identity, which he instinctively didn’t want others to know, even Zhao Jiayang. Besides…

Although their recent interactions had been harmonious, Tao Fengche still harbored doubts about Sui Yuesheng, especially concerning his relationship with Jiang Jingyun, making the situation even more complicated.

It would be better to use Zhao Jiayang’s help to clarify everything.

Zhao Jiayang, frustrated by his apparent lack of ambition, lightly patted Tao Fengche’s head.

“Tao Ge! What are you doing here?” Wang Yuan’s excited voice interrupted their conversation.

Tao Fengche turned, pleasantly surprised to see Wang Yuan and his father. He quickly greeted, “Hello, Uncle Wang.”

“Hello, Xiao Tao,” Mr. Wang replied, then looked disapprovingly at his son, who was beaming foolishly. He slapped Wang Yuan’s back, “Aren’t you going to greet your elders?”

Wang Yuan, stumbling from the slap, quickly followed up, “Good evening, Uncle Zhao! Have you eaten yet?”

Zhao Jiayang, amused, replied, “Not yet. We’re all waiting for the birthday celebrant. We’re all hungry.”

“Alright, you two youngsters go have fun. No need to stick around and bore yourselves,” Mr. Wang suggested, unable to watch his son’s antics any longer.

Tao Fengche agreed. He had greeted enough familiar faces. Zhao Jiayang waved him off, so he quickly joined Wang Yuan.

The two headed straight for the food table, each grabbing a plate and starting on the tartare.

“Every time I eat this, I feel like a caveman eating raw meat,” Wang Yuan joked after eating half a plate, finally feeling alive again.

“Then stop eating it,” Tao Fengche replied, also starving but still eating with impeccable manners.

Wang Yuan was about to retort but noticed a middle-aged alpha with a glass of red wine walking towards them.

They were in a corner with few people around, and the man was clearly heading their way. Wang Yuan thought he looked familiar but couldn’t recall his name.

He racked his brains trying to remember the name, but by the time the man reached them, he still hadn’t figured it out. Feeling a bit awkward, he soon realized the man wasn’t approaching him.

The middle-aged man walked straight up to Tao Fengche and said, “Good evening, Mr. Tao.”

Tao Fengche: “?”

Who are you?

There were still a few small pieces of beef left on his plate. Forced into social mode, he listened for a while before realizing that the man was a CEO from a company that had business dealings with the Tao Corporation.

“Ah, actually, we all really miss when Mr. Tao was still around,” the man started with some small talk before getting to the point. “Mr. Sui is too harsh. Maybe it’s because it’s not his own company; he doesn’t put much effort into it, so he doesn’t cherish it. He’s young and a bit impulsive. Compared to him, we business partners actually have more faith in you…”

Tao Fengche remained impassive, “But I’m even younger than Sui Yuesheng.”

“That’s not the same at all!” The middle-aged alpha grew a bit impatient. “Young master Tao, you have a family legacy to uphold.”

Tao Fengche didn’t take the bait, just smiling without speaking.

At this moment, Wang Yuan suddenly had a flash of realization.

If it weren’t for the inappropriate setting, he’d have slapped his forehead. He finally remembered who this somewhat balding middle-aged alpha was!

He was that CEO who cut corners!