The Card Apprentice

It was an open-air banquet set at a corridor pavilion beside the lake. The corridor pavilion extended from the side all the way to the middle of the lake, and its floor was made of transparent glass. One could see the lake underneath clearly and could occasionally see one or two crimson-red koi swimming past. Wind chimes hung at the corners of the modillions around the structure. When the wind blew across the lake and brushed the chimes, the fragmented yet clean and clear noise was rather enchanting.

Long tables throughout the corridor pavilion held various red wines and mouth-watering dishes from one end to the other. The servants were moving around, ushering the guests to their respective seats.

“This banquet is so boring. Brother White, why don’t we sit together? It’s easier to pass the time that way,” Rong Ming said with a smile.

Xu Jia’s heart skipped a beat. She couldn’t figure out why Rong Ming was especially interested in the White Commander.

Chen Mu thought Rong Ming was a decent person. Besides, he carried an interesting conversation. Hence, he smiled and nodded without much contemplation. “Sure.”

Rong Ming turned around and said to the servant, “Move Mr. White’s and Miss Xu’s seats to my side.”

The two seats had initially belonged to Luo De and Jiang Yu. But they were merely smiling and not bothered by the arrangement at all, so they willingly emptied the two seats.

The servant appeared to be in a difficult position. However, he had been reminded earlier to not offend the master in front of him no matter what happened. He briefly hesitated before deciding to follow Rong Ming’s order. He was not a stupid man, though, and immediately ordered someone else to send the news. The other person quickly ran to Tai-shu Zheng’s side and whispered into his ear.

“Really? Lord Rong really said so?” Tai-shu Zheng’s face turned solemn. That was not a good sign for him. The White Commander was the third brother’s underling. Rong Ming paid special attention to him. It would be terrible if that affected his attitude toward Tai-shu Cheng.

“Yes. I was right beside them and heard it with my own ears. It’s no mistake,” the servant explained hurriedly.

“I got it. You can return to your place.” Tai-shu Zheng’s gaze scanned the crowd to search for the White Commander, who was engaging in a conversation with Rong Ming. They appeared to have a close relationship. A slight chill gleamed in Tai-shu Zheng’s eyes and spread to his smile.

Xu Jia sat there uncomfortably. Because of Rong Ming’s request, she had to sit beside him with the White Commander. Rong Ming owned a status that no one could have in that banquet. He was seated at the first seat on the right. Beside him was Chen Mu, who took the second seat on the right. In a banquet like that, the seating arrangement was essential. When the guests saw a masked man sitting beside Rong Ming, they were stunned. They were also quite curious and asked about the origin of the masked man. The man must have been quite honorable to be able to take the second seat.

Tai-shu Zheng also appeared to be surprised. He was sitting in the third seat on the left. Seeing how shocked Tai-shu Shen was, Xu Jia could only reply with an awkward grin. Tai-shu Shen’s eyes lingered on Chen Mu as his face darkened a shade.

Chen Mu was not bothered by how the others looked at him. Even though he hadn’t joined any exclusive banquets before, he had come in contact with large groups of VIPs, so he wasn’t the slightest bit flustered. However, the feeling of being peeped at was not a pleasant one.

“To be honest, I despise banquets the most. They are very dull,” Rong Ming said nonchalantly.

Chen Mu asked, “Then, why did you join?”

Hearing that, Rong Ming remained silent while he thought to himself, I came for you, prick. He couldn’t say that out loud, of course, and mumbled, “I heard Tan Yumin was coming, so I merely came for the show.”

Xu Jia gave a faint laugh and said purposefully, “Ha ha. I didn’t expect Lord Rong to also be interested in Miss Tan!”

Rong Ming kept a straight face as he replied, “I’m but an old, clumsy man. I have no knowledge about things like this. However, my daughter favors Miss Tan a lot. Since she couldn’t be here tonight, she would not stop bugging me; she insisted that I invite Miss Tan to her birthday celebration. When it comes to my daughter, I’m always defeated.”

Xu Jia laughed softly with her mouth covered. “I’m afraid the same scenario would happen if I had a father like you.”

“Tan Yumin…” Chen Mu remembered that name. Copper had been one of her top fans. However, Tan Yumin had only been well-known in the ordinary residential districts. He hadn’t expected her to have expanded her career to the Heavenly Drum Village District. Her advancement was impressive.

Rong Ming asked curiously, “Is Brother White interested in her too?”

“Me?” Chen Mu shook his head. “I’m not familiar with her. I merely have a good friend who is really into her.”

The long table was not wide, so both sides were quite close to each other. When Tai-shu Cheng heard Rong Ming addressing Chen Mu as Brother White, he looked aghast. Meanwhile, Tai-shu Shen’s expression turned even more sour, and Tai-shu Zheng’s was oblivious since he was greeting the guests.

The guests entered the hall one after the other. After about ten minutes of rowdiness, the noises in the long corridor gradually subsided. At that moment, Tai-shu Zheng returned to his seat, which was the main seat on the left. He shot a glance at Chen Mu, who was sitting beside Rong Ming, before his gaze returned to the crowd. With a wide grin, he raised the glass of wine in front of him.

“Ladies and gentlemen, our banquet tonight is about to begin. First of all, I’d like to thank Lord Rong Ming for taking time off from his busy schedule to be present in my humble home. I’m extremely honored! The presence of Young Master Jiang and Young Master Luo is also a rare sight! Those who have a daughter back home should not miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”

Laughter spread throughout the corridor pavilion. Jiang Yu and Luo De laughed along while shaking their heads. Luo De’s eyes would occasionally fall on Xu Jia.

Tai-shu Zheng applauded abruptly as he boomed, “Tonight, we have another honorable guest besides Lord Rong Ming, Young Master Jiang, and Young Master Luo! Ladies and gentlemen, please refrain from screaming out of excitement!” He then ordered, “Lights out!”

The lights went out at once, and the corridor pavilion was pitch-black. The guests knew something was up. The audience held their breath in anticipation.

An ethereal voice came from the middle of the lake. The audience could vaguely see a tiny boat floating there.

“One life, one song,

Awaiting your harmonization after the lavish decorations wore off,

Quietly,

The dye of a flower mentioned in the ancient scrolls,

Saying that it can draw the color of the wind in spring,

Ages flow into a river in the poems and songs,

Slowly, floating,

Oh, how many drops of water,

Can engrave the precious time?

The wind that blows for a thousand years,

Separates the clouds and brings them back together.

Who said a loss is always beautiful?”

Even after the song ended, the beautiful voice lingered, and the audience couldn’t get enough of the performance. Suddenly, a woman shrieked, “Ah! Tan Yumin! That’s Tan Yumin!” The cry was like starting a spark in a barrel of gunpowder. The scene turned into mayhem as some of the guests couldn’t help but stand up to cheer and applaud. Jiang Yu, who appeared to be a serious and mature man, surprisingly stood on top of the stool. He balanced on his toes to stare right at the boat in the middle of the lake. Luo De, too, was cheering beside him. Meanwhile, Xu Jia was unable to take her eyes off of the boat in her curiosity. Chen Mu and Rong Ming exchanged glances and smiled.

Tai-shu Zheng was satisfied with the crowd cheering in front of him. He’d spent a lot of effort to invite Miss Tan Yumin to perform at the banquet. From the looks of it, it had been worth it!

At that moment, the lights turned back on. Shortly, the corridor pavilion was bright again, and the little boat had stopped next to it. A gorgeous lady in a blue evening gown slowly walked out of the boat and stepped into the corridor pavilion.

Chen Mu was mesmerized by her beauty! The evening gown was not extravagant, but it didn’t conceal her stunning face. When she appeared, the entire corridor pavilion went silent. She greeted the audience with a faint smile, and that alone captivated everyone’s hearts. At that moment, she stole the spotlight, and all gazes were set upon her!

There was a hint of admiration in Xu Jia’s gaze. She had always been an attractive woman who carried a strong aura. Oddly enough, she didn’t feel the slightest envy now that she had met another woman who shone brighter than her. Even other women couldn’t resist her charm. Tan Yumin was definitely the undefeatable enchantress!

At that point, Tai-shu Zheng immediately stood up and bowed to Tan Yumin. “Miss Tan, please take a seat!”

A sudden realization hit the crowd. The sole seat at the center had actually been left for Miss Tan Yumin. She made a polite bow to the audience before sitting down gracefully.

Chen Mu’s eyes were fixated on Tan Yumin’s face as he wondered what kind of a lady she was for a crowd to be so charmed by her! Even Chen Mu was touched by her beauty. His resistance toward pretty women had always been strong. At that moment, he finally understood why the woman before him had so many admirers! It was obvious why Copper would be her top fan!

Thinking about Copper, he couldn’t help but feel depressed. His emotion bottomed out abruptly, and Tan Yumin’s charm seemed to have subsided in his eyes. He could no longer admire her the same way as before.

Xu Jia was always sensitive to the emotions of the people who surrounded her. She clearly felt Chen Mu’s sudden change of emotion, and a hint of curiosity beamed through her eyes. Everyone else in the room was extremely excited; even Jiang Yu was breathing heavily. But why was the White Commander the only one who appeared to be in distress? Xu Jia was a thoughtful and tactful person; it would be foolish to raise the question now.

Tan Yumin’s pretty eyes scanned the crowd before her, and she had a charming smile on her face. She understood clearly that the closer a person was sitting to her, the more reputable the person was.

Tai-shu Zheng stood up once again and clapped as he announced, “My dear guests, let’s give a toast to our beautiful Miss Tan Yumin!”

Everyone in the hall raised their wine glasses and stood up. “Cheers!” The toast was also to officiate the starting of the banquet.

Tan Yumin’s snow-like cheek blushed, possibly because of the glass of red wine. She now seemed to be even more appealing and captivating. She gently parted her red lips as she said softly, “Mr. Zheng, you have yet to introduce Yumin to the guests!”

Tai-shu Zheng laughed heartily. “My mistake.” He extended his hand to point at Rong Ming, who was sitting at the seat on the right. “This is the chief of the Dongrui Guards Division, Lord Rong Ming! He is a master with level-seven perception!”

Tan Yumin showed faint surprise as she stood up and said, “Yumin greets Lord Rong Ming!”

“Miss Tan, you’ve overpraised. My daughter is your top fan. I’ll have to ask for Miss Tan’s autograph later, so I can report to my daughter! Ha ha!” Rong Ming grinned politely.

“That’s Yumin’s honor!” Tan Yumin still had a slight smile on her face.

At that moment, Tai-shu Zheng’s hand shifted to Chen Mu’s direction. His hand gesture turned stiff, as did his expression.

Having been to all sorts of events and functions, Tan Yumin was sensitive to the change of others’ emotions. Although Tai-shu Zheng’s awkwardness was somewhat subtle, she could see it clearly.

Her gaze followed Tai-shu Zheng’s hand and landed on Chen Mu’s face.