Chapter 12: Disregarding Martial Ethics

Chen Rui held the bouquet of flowers and took a deep breath, looking utterly intoxicated by their fragrance.

This scene made many passing women green with envy, while Tang Bo’s eyes shone with excitement.

Chen Rui was the eldest young master of the Chen family in Jing Hai, a family of true prestige and wealth, with assets worth billions.

If the Tang family could establish a marriage alliance with the Chen family, it would be nothing but beneficial, far better than that country bumpkin fortune-teller!

“Ahem, Fei Er, Young Master Chen is so deeply devoted to you. This is your good fortune! Hurry up and accept it,” Tang Bo said with an unusually warm smile, constantly giving Tang Fei Er meaningful glances.

“Uh…”

But as Tang Fei Er looked at the self-absorbed Chen Rui, the corner of her mouth twitched, and she almost threw up her breakfast.

Chen Rui was one of her many suitors, one of the most persistent ones, in fact.

But her feelings toward him were… complicated, to say the least.

Seriously, who could stand such an overly slick and greasy man? Just looking at him gave her goose bumps all over.

“Chen Rui, why do you keep showing up at my house for no reason? Take your flowers and get lost! I’m in a bad mood today and don’t have time for your nonsense!”

Tang Fei Er was already frustrated over the situation with Chen Yang. Seeing the ever-oily Chen Rui only made her mood worse.

She didn’t even want to acknowledge his presence.

“Fei Er! How can you speak to Young Master Chen like that? Apologize to him at once!”

Tang Bo was startled, quickly scolding Tang Fei Er before turning back to Chen Rui with a fawning smile.

“Please don’t take offense, Young Master Chen. She’s just got a fiery temper. You’re a generous man, please don’t hold it against her. As for these flowers, I’ll accept them on her behalf.”

“Haha, it’s fine! I actually like Fei Er’s fiery attitude.”

Chen Rui laughed heartily. This kind of challenge made things more interesting.

If she gave in too easily, where would the sense of accomplishment be?

As he spoke, he reached into his pocket.

“In fact, aside from this bouquet of roses, I’ve prepared an even grander gift today.”

The Tang family members immediately turned their attention to him.

When they saw him pull out what looked like an invitation card from his pocket, they gasped in shock, covering their mouths.

“Oh my god! Isn’t that an invitation to the Hui Yue Group’s anniversary gala?”

“My heavens! Young Master Chen actually has something this exclusive? How did you even get your hands on it?”

Even Tang Shan and Tang Bo were left slack-jawed, their eyes filled with envy!

Seeing their reactions, Chen Rui was quite pleased with himself. He lovingly held the invitation, not letting anyone else touch it.

“Hui Yue Group is one of the largest financial conglomerates in Jing Hai City. Even on a national scale, they are a force to be reckoned with!”

“The invitation to their five-year anniversary celebration is incredibly rare. As far as I know, Hui Yue Group has only issued a few dozen of them.”

“Those who qualify to attend are all elites of Jing Hai, the true upper-class figures!”

At this point, Chen Rui deliberately paused, glancing smugly at the shocked members of the Tang family.

Then, he suddenly sighed and continued.

“To be honest, even though my Chen family has assets worth billions and is considered a well-known and influential presence in Jing Hai City…”

“Even so, my family still wasn’t qualified to receive an invitation.”

Upon hearing this, everyone in the Tang family was once again stunned.

If even the Chen family didn’t qualify for an invitation, then how did Chen Rui get one?

Chen Rui intentionally kept them in suspense, he loved seeing the Tang family look so awestruck, like they had never seen the world before.

After clearing his throat, he finally continued, “Although my family wasn’t eligible to receive this invitation, we do have wealth and connections.”

“My father pulled a lot of strings and spent a full hundred million just to buy this invitation!”

“A hundred million?!”

“My god, the Chen family really went all out!”

The Tang family members gasped in amazement, overwhelmed with envy.

After all, even if they had the money and were willing to spend a hundred million, they wouldn’t be able to buy this invitation.

Because the Tang family simply didn’t have the connections or the qualifications.

“Heh, don’t be fooled by the price. Even though this invitation cost a hundred million, it’s absolutely worth it!”

Chen Rui smirked triumphantly. “According to my father, this isn’t just about money, this is a ticket to high society!”

As he spoke, he deliberately flicked the invitation in his hand, making a crisp sound.

The Tang family members stared, eyes wide with longing. That wasn’t just the sound of an invitation, it was the sound of wealth and status calling out to them!

Their gazes locked onto the purple invitation in Chen Rui’s hand, utterly mesmerized.

Even the usually composed Tang Shan couldn’t help but take a few extra glances.

“The Chen family truly deserves its reputation as one of Jing Hai City’s most prominent families. Master Chen is a titan of the business world, and Young Master Chen is an outstanding talent among the younger generation,” Tang Bo said with a fawning smile, his eyes darting with calculation.

But Chen Rui ignored him. He had heard countless flattering remarks like this, if not a thousand times, then at least eight hundred.

Instead, he looked at Tang Fei Er with affectionate eyes and grinned.

“Fei Er, as long as you agree to have dinner with me, I’ll get another Hui Yue Group anniversary invitation just for you, even if I have to sell everything I own. How about it?”

“By then, we can attend Hui Yue Group’s grand celebration together and become the most dazzling couple in all of Jing Hai City. Imagine how jealous everyone will be!”

“I, Chen Rui, swear that I will make you, Fei Er, the one and only goddess of Jing Hai!”

As he spoke, Chen Rui raised one hand in a solemn vow, looking deeply sincere.

“Chen Rui, are you insane? I already told you to get lost and stop bothering me!”

Tang Fei Er rolled her eyes dramatically and rejected him without hesitation.

She couldn’t care less about some invitation or whatever.

She was already frustrated enough about her arranged marriage, and now this Chen Rui kept pestering her. He was even more annoying than that Chen Yang!

“Fei Er, what are you saying?”

“How can you be so willful at a time like this? Do you even understand how important the Hui Yue Group anniversary invitation is?”

The Tang family members all widened their eyes in shock, instantly panicking.

This was a golden ticket to high society, something that money alone couldn’t buy. It was an opportunity for the Tang family to rise to prominence!

How could this girl just turn it down like that?

“Young Master Chen, please don’t take Fei Er’s words seriously. She’s just throwing a tantrum with us. What she said just now was absolutely not directed at you…”

Tang Bo shot a glare at Tang Fei Er before stepping forward with an apologetic smile.

“It’s fine. Liking someone is like a passing breeze, but love is a slow and steady stream. Sooner or later, Fei Er will be moved by my deep affection!”

Chen Rui, ever confident, didn’t take offense. His eyes sparkled with admiration as he looked at Tang Fei Er.

What a feisty little pepper!

I like it.

Tang Bo finally breathed a sigh of relief.

A gullible rich young master like Chen Rui was a rare find. He was a thousand times better than that country bumpkin shaman!

“Young Master Chen, I can represent the Tang family in agreeing to Fei Er’s marriage. Now, about that invitation…”

Just then, “Hey! Excuse me, everyone, make way! My brakes aren’t working too well, don’t let me crash into anything!”

Suddenly, a loud ringing from a tricycle’s bell echoed through the air.

Everyone instinctively looked up.

A young man was pedaling a rickety, off-brand tricycle straight toward them.

The brakes seemed to have failed, and he was heading directly for Chen Rui’s luxury sports car!

That was a multi-million-dollar Aston Martin!

If it got hit, could that poor tricycle rider even afford to pay for the damage?

Screeeech, At the last second, the tricycle suddenly swerved, executing a miraculous drift.

It came to a perfect stop just ten centimeters away from the sports car.

“Phew! That was close! Scared the hell out of me!”

“The third senior sister’s gardener is really something, how could he not tell me the brakes weren’t working? So irresponsible!”

“Good thing my skills are top-notch. No wonder I’m the greatest genius to emerge from Dragon Tiger Mountain in a hundred years!”