CH: 193-194 Don't ask. It was me!

{Chapter: 193 I finally found you!}

"Well..."

Hearing Cui Yunrong's question, Chen Zheng hesitated for a moment. Instinctively, he shrank his injured hand back, but almost immediately, under Cui Yunrong's sharp gaze, he reluctantly stretched it out again.

Originally, Chen Zheng felt deeply embarrassed. To admit that a mere junior had caused such an injury would be humiliating for a man of his rank and position. However, after a brief moment of thought, he realized there might actually be an advantage to sharing the truth — he could use Cui Yunrong's influence to teach that kid from the Lin family a lesson.

After all, from Chen Zheng's perspective, Lin Yuan was truly at fault.

Forcing a bitter smile onto his face, Chen Zheng said respectfully, "Lieutenant General Cui, it's nothing serious. It was just a small conflict with a junior during the banquet. In the scuffle, my hand was injured — smashed quite badly, actually. But I always remember your teachings — that to serve as a soldier is to serve the people, to prioritize the country and its citizens, and to avoid unnecessary conflict with civilians at all costs. So, even though I was hurt, I refrained from retaliating. It's no big deal."

Hearing Chen Zheng's words, Cui Yunrong's frown deepened visibly.

Chen Zheng felt secretly delighted at the reaction. Even though the old general hadn't spoken yet, Chen Zheng knew that Cui Yunrong had always been fiercely protective of soldiers, treating them as his own sons and brothers.

In Chen Zheng's view, his carefully crafted words painted him as a victim who, despite being wronged, maintained military discipline and honor. Cui Yunrong would certainly not let this insult slide.

Cui Yunrong narrowed his eyes slightly and asked with a grave tone, "That junior you mentioned — who is it?"

Just as Cui Yunrong was about to pursue the matter further, he was suddenly interrupted by a sweet voice.

"Old Cui, come over and taste this century-old wine from the Mei family's treasured collection! It's been specially brought out today just for you. You simply must try it!" Mei Yuxian said with a brilliant smile, appearing at Cui Yunrong's side with a glass of exquisite wine in hand.

Her sudden interruption caused both Cui Yunrong and Chen Zheng to frown slightly.

Neither of them was foolish.

It was obvious that Mei Yuxian had deliberately interrupted their conversation.

But why?

Both Cui Yunrong and Chen Zheng quickly realized there must be a deeper reason for Mei Yuxian's unexpected interference.

In truth, Mei Yuxian had no choice but to step in. She deeply admired Lin Yuan and felt nothing but disdain for Chen Zheng. She could already guess what Chen Zheng was trying to do — to use Cui Yunrong's authority to suppress Lin Yuan.

Naturally, she couldn't let that happen.

Even though she knew that interrupting Cui Yunrong might risk offending him — something most people would never dare to do — Mei Yuxian still did it without hesitation.

Lin Yuan had helped her once before, and the casual way he had called her "Sister Yuxian" had left a strong impression on her heart, softening her usual rational and calculating demeanor.

If offending Cui Yunrong was the price for protecting Lin Yuan, then so be it.

Across the hall, Lin Yuan, holding a glass of red wine lazily between his fingers, gave Mei Yuxian a surprised glance.

In his eyes, Mei Yuxian had always been a pragmatic, shrewd woman who valued status and interests above all else.

Yet now, she was willing to risk offending a figure as influential as Cui Yunrong — all for him?

It seemed that his efforts to increase Mei Yuxian's favorability had truly paid off.

Originally, Lin Yuan had intended to go over and greet Cui Yunrong himself. However, seeing the massive crowd surrounding the old general, he felt too lazy to squeeze through the masses just to exchange a few polite words.

When Chen Zheng eagerly approached Cui Yunrong, Lin Yuan simply leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, and sipped his wine leisurely.

He casually nibbled on a small piece of cake, watching the unfolding situation with a faint, amused smile.

In Lin Yuan's mind, if Chen Zheng had behaved himself, he would have let the matter pass — they would each go their own way after the banquet.

But since Chen Zheng insisted on seeking death, Lin Yuan didn't mind helping him along the path.

Tonight, Chen Zheng's military epaulets would very likely be ripped from his shoulders.

And meanwhile, Cui Yunrong, who had been rudely interrupted by Mei Yuxian, frowned slightly as he turned to look at her.

Cui Yunrong quickly realized that Mei Yuxian had interrupted him deliberately.

It was obvious: she wanted to shield the young man who had injured Chen Zheng's hand.

Although he remained composed outwardly, a flicker of annoyance flashed across Cui Yunrong's heart.

However, he soon recalled something important — Lin Yuan had purchased the valuable "Ink Plum Blossom" painting specifically to present as a birthday gift to the head of the Mei family.

Given Lin Yuan's thoughtful gesture, Cui Yunrong decided not to pursue the matter aggressively.

In the end, it wasn't a significant issue. Injuries between young people were common, and he wasn't someone who liked to bully juniors with his authority.

Suppressing his irritation, Cui Yunrong decided to set aside the matter for now and focus on the true reason he had come — to find Lin Yuan.

Still, he couldn't entirely hide the displeasure in his voice. Looking at Mei Yuxian, he said coolly, "Patriarch Mei, there's no need for any wine. I'm here to meet someone."

Hearing Cui Yunrong's response, Mei Yuxian discreetly breathed a sigh of relief.

From his tone, it was clear that although Cui Yunrong was somewhat dissatisfied — declining the wine with an indifferent attitude — he wasn't truly angry with her.

That was a fortunate outcome.

Across the hall, many of the guests exchanged surprised glances, their curiosity piqued.

Since when had Mei Yuxian developed such influence over a figure like Cui Yunrong?

Was it possible that the Mei family's power had grown once again, quietly and behind the scenes?

Otherwise, why would Cui Yunrong, who was famously strict and proud, tolerate Mei Yuxian's obvious interruption without even rebuking her?

And even more puzzling — who exactly was the person Cui Yunrong wanted to meet so urgently?

Judging by his attitude, it seemed that Cui Yunrong had come here not merely to attend a birthday banquet, but specifically for that person.

The banquet hall was massive, sprawling with elegantly dressed guests and luxurious decorations.

Cui Yunrong scanned the crowd with sharp eyes, but he couldn't immediately spot Lin Yuan.

The large number of guests and Lin Yuan's seated position made it difficult.

Frowning slightly, Cui Yunrong turned to the nearby Chen Zheng and asked directly, "Chen Zheng, have you seen Little Friend Lin?"

Then, raising his voice slightly to address the surrounding guests as well, he asked, "Has anyone seen Little Friend Lin? Has he perhaps already left?"

At the mention of "Little Friend Lin," Chen Zheng froze, looking visibly confused.

The other guests also glanced at each other in puzzlement.

Someone surnamed Lin? There were several people with the surname Lin present tonight — who exactly was Cui Yunrong referring to?

With a forced smile, Chen Zheng asked cautiously, "Lieutenant General Cui, may I ask — which Little Friend Lin are you referring to?"

Cui Yunrong chuckled, lightly patting his forehead in a self-deprecating gesture.

"Ai, look at me. I'm getting old and forgetful," he said warmly. "I was referring to Lin Yuan. I came here tonight specifically to meet him."

The moment Cui Yunrong uttered Lin Yuan's name, the atmosphere inside the grand hall shifted dramatically.

The once lively chatter fell into a dead silence.

Not a single person spoke, and for a moment, it felt as if even the sound of a needle falling to the ground could be heard.

However, Cui Yunrong didn't seem to notice the sudden shift in mood. Smiling, he continued speaking in his strong, clear voice.

"I came tonight with two purposes. The first, of course, was to offer birthday greetings to the young lady of the Mei family," he said, glancing kindly at Mei Yuxian.

At his age, calling Mei Yuxian a 'young lady' was both appropriate and affectionate.

"And the second," Cui Yunrong said, his eyes brightening slightly, "was to seek out Little Friend Lin. He specially purchased a rare and meaningful painting to present as a gift today, and I wished to thank him personally."

Upon hearing Cui Yunrong's explanation, realization dawned on everyone present.

Initially, they had assumed that Cui Yunrong's appearance at the banquet signified that the Mei family's influence had expanded — that Mei Yuxian had somehow earned the favor of such a high-ranking figure.

Yet the truth was different — he was here not for Mei Yuxian, but for Lin Yuan!

And not just casually meeting him — he had come with a clear purpose, to personally seek him out.

A thunderous wave of astonishment rippled through the crowd.

Lin Yuan... Could it be that Lin Yuan held more weight in Cui Yunrong's eyes than even the prestigious Mei family?

Everyone was stunned.

Meanwhile, Chen Zheng, who had been standing stiffly at the side, finally realized something was seriously wrong.

His heart began to pound violently.

Cold sweat formed at the back of his neck.

Sensing danger, Chen Zheng slowly took a few steps backward, his mind racing.

He needed to find an excuse to leave immediately — if he stayed, disaster might very well strike.

But before he could escape, a slightly tipsy yet clear voice rang out from the crowd.

"Old man Cui!" Lin Yuan called out in a relaxed, slightly teasing tone.

All heads turned toward the source of the voice.

Lin Yuan, wine glass in hand, stood up casually from his seat, a laid-back smile playing at his lips.

The moment he spotted Lin Yuan, a bright smile appeared on Cui Yunrong's face, and his entire demeanor softened.

"Little Friend Lin! I finally found you!" he said warmly, his eyes lighting up with genuine happiness.

Without hesitation, Cui Yunrong strode excitedly towards Lin Yuan, ignoring everyone else in the hall.

His joy was not without reason.

Since receiving Lin Yuan's chess guide earlier, Cui Yunrong had been obsessively studying it. He had even tried to find similar works elsewhere, scouring collections and libraries, but had come up empty-handed.

He had feared that, upon returning home, he would be mercilessly ridiculed by his old comrades for failing to bring back anything substantial.

Thus, seeing Lin Yuan now filled him with relief and anticipation.

Still, amidst his excitement, Cui Yunrong didn't forget about Chen Zheng.

While passing by, he casually turned back and said, "Chen Zheng, come along. After I finish speaking with Little Friend Lin, we'll settle the matter with the junior who dared to bully you."

Chen Zheng, hearing these words, froze in place.

His expression twisted into a miserable smile — one that looked more tragic than crying.

At this moment, he deeply regretted his actions.

He realized that today's banquet might just turn into a nightmare he would never forget.

{Chapter: 194 Don't ask. It was me!}

"Y-Yes... Lieutenant General Cui..." Chen Zheng stammered, sweat beading on his forehead. His heart screamed for him to flee, to vanish from the party before things escalated—but how could he leave now that Cui Yunrong had directly addressed him?

With no choice left, Chen Zheng lowered his head and trailed closely behind Cui Yunrong, silently cursing his luck.

Meanwhile, Lin Yuan stood with a glass of red wine in hand, appearing completely unbothered by the tense atmosphere swirling around him. He looked like he was simply enjoying a leisurely evening, as if he were a guest at any other party and not the hidden focal point of a power struggle.

Seeing this, Cui Yunrong smiled warmly and remarked with playful sarcasm, "You, kid… look at you, all relaxed and enjoying yourself."

The old general's tone was light, but his words carried meaning. It was a deliberate contrast—when he appeared, others scrambled to greet him, eagerly trying to curry favor, while Lin Yuan sat calmly in his seat, completely unshaken. It was something Cui Yunrong noticed—and appreciated.

"Old Cui, have a bite." Lin Yuan grinned and offered him a forkful of cake.

Without hesitation, Cui Yunrong accepted it and took a bite.

Lin Yuan's casual and familiar gesture might have been seen as irreverent by others, but to Cui Yunrong, it was refreshing. Rather than being offended by Lin Yuan's lack of formality, he seemed to enjoy it. It was a sign of mutual respect—one not confined by age or hierarchy.

Cui Yunrong admired Lin Yuan deeply, not just for his personality but for his brilliant chess talent. The more he thought about it, the more he entertained the idea that if Lin Yuan continued to impress him, even the idea of marrying off his granddaughter Cui Susu to him might not be so far-fetched.

As if on cue, Cui Susu appeared beside her grandfather. With a bright smile, she rushed up to Lin Yuan and grabbed his arm. "Brother Lin Yuan, I missed you! It feels like forever since we last saw each other!"

"You little rascal. It's only been a few hours!" Cui Yunrong chuckled and gave his granddaughter a gentle scolding.

Lin Yuan merely smiled, then affectionately patted Cui Susu on the head.

But across the room, Gui Qingtong's expression darkened.

Her eyes narrowed with a smoldering intensity, her gaze fixed on Lin Yuan's hand gently resting on Cui Susu's head. She wasn't subtle about her feelings—and Cui Susu immediately noticed.

The two girls locked eyes. Both were from powerful families, raised in elite circles, and neither was willing to show weakness in front of the other. In an instant, the silent battlefield of rivalry had begun.

"Brother Lin Yuan!"

"Brother Lin Yuan!"

Two other girls—elegant and charming—rushed over as well. One clung to his left arm, the other to his right, both smiling sweetly and acting coquettish. Their timing couldn't have been worse.

Before either of them could begin their flirtatious antics, both were swiftly—and unceremoniously—driven away.

Cui Yunrong shooed away his granddaughter first. "Alright, Susu. Go and enjoy the rest of the party. Let the adults talk."

Lin Yuan turned to Gui Qingtong with a polite smile. "Qingtong, you too. Go have some fun."

With the girls momentarily out of the picture, the atmosphere lightened again. The seasoned general and the young prodigy chatted like old friends catching up. They spoke freely, laughed, and exchanged opinions as if they had known each other for years.

Across the room, several influential guests—prominent business leaders and patriarchs of elite families—watched the scene with disbelief. Many of them had been waiting for a chance to approach Cui Yunrong, to gain his attention, yet the old general seemed utterly uninterested in any of them.

Instead, he was laughing and chatting with Lin Yuan.

Even Lin Jianjun and Meng Yuelan were dumbfounded.

What was going on?

This was Lieutenant General Cui Yunrong—renowned, respected, and feared. And yet, he didn't seem to mind the blatant familiarity Lin Yuan showed him. On the contrary, he seemed to relish it.

It gradually became apparent to everyone: Lin Yuan didn't treat people based on age or rank. He didn't adhere to the typical hierarchical social rules.

He was polite, yes—but not submissive.

The way he had crushed Chen Zheng's hand earlier made that clear. Now, with Cui Yunrong's open admiration and casual demeanor around him, no one could dare pull rank on Lin Yuan anymore.

People began to reconsider their impressions. He was not just another junior tagging along with the Mei family.

After the earlier senior discussion ended, the atmosphere within the banquet hall shifted.

Lin Yuan was no longer simply viewed as a promising junior. No, he was now seen by many as one of the finest young talents in all of Jiangbei—perhaps the most outstanding. And what was even more astonishing was that his achievements and presence didn't rely on any ancestral shadow or familial power behind him. It came from himself.

More and more of the older generation found themselves hesitating. They wanted to engage with him, to build ties, yet felt uncertain. Could they still approach him from a position of superiority? Would that even be appropriate?

After all, Cui Yunrong himself—one of the most esteemed figures in the entire country—referred to Lin Yuan affectionately as "Little Friend Lin."

If even he chose to forgo seniority and speak to Lin Yuan as an equal, who among them had the qualifications to act superior? Were they greater than Cui Yunrong?

It was a sobering realization.

Whispers moved through the crowd. Several of the older aristocrats and business magnates who had dismissed Lin Yuan earlier now reconsidered their stance. It was becoming clear that the Lin family, previously considered middling, might require reevaluation. There was something deeper here.

Yet when their eyes drifted toward Lin Jianjun and Meng Yuelan, they found something odd. The couple appeared completely unaware of the blossoming friendship between their son and the great Lieutenant General Cui Yunrong.

Meanwhile, in another corner of the venue, Ye Feng's expression had grown dark and brooding.

Initially, when Chen Zheng had arrived with much fanfare, the tide seemed to turn in Ye Feng's favor. He had quickly seized the opportunity to network, exchanging contact information and discussing future collaborations with influential figures.

But everything changed the moment Cui Yunrong walked in.

Like a sudden thunderclap, the attention of the entire hall veered sharply away from Ye Feng and settled firmly on Lin Yuan once again. The shift was instantaneous, almost brutal.

The revelation that Lin Yuan and Cui Yunrong were not merely acquaintances—but friends—shocked everyone. And with that, any attention Ye Feng was receiving dried up instantly.

He stood alone, surrounded by small talk that no longer included him, his teeth clenched tightly in frustration.

He didn't know why, but as he watched Cui Yunrong chatting warmly with Lin Yuan, an uncomfortable feeling rose inside him. It felt as if something that was his had been ripped away—a spotlight that once briefly touched him was now gone.

He balled his fists tightly, nails digging into his palms.

Back in the center of attention, Lin Yuan, ever composed, smiled and casually said, "Old Cui, I'll send you a copy of that chess guide I mentioned. You'll enjoy it."

But Cui Yunrong chuckled and waved his hand.

"No rush, Little Friend Lin. There's something I need to deal with first."

Lin Yuan nodded, unbothered.

Cui Yunrong then turned with a serious face, scanning the crowd until his eyes landed on the man who had been sulking in silence—Chen Zheng.

"You," Cui Yunrong said firmly. "You're… Xiao Wang, right?"

Chen Zheng's face twitched. "No, no, Lieutenant General Cui. I… I'm not Xiao Wang. My surname is Chen…"

"Oh? My mistake then," Cui Yunrong said, nodding lightly. "I must be getting old—Xiao Chen it is."

Then his eyes narrowed slightly.

"You said earlier that a junior had beaten you up. Who was it? Call him out. I want to see just what kind of arrogant brat dares to bully one of our own."

There was genuine concern in his voice.

Despite his rank, Cui Yunrong had never abandoned the principle of protecting soldiers and officers around him. If Chen Zheng had truly been wronged, then Cui Yunrong wouldn't allow such behavior to go unpunished.

Especially since Chen Zheng claimed he didn't fight back because of military discipline. To a man like Cui Yunrong, that sort of restraint made his situation even more pitiful—and more deserving of justice.

But contrary to his expectations, Chen Zheng's expression turned stiff. His lips quivered, and he muttered nervously, "No... no, Lieutenant General Cui. It's not like that. I… I remembered wrong. My hand injury… it was self-inflicted."

The lie came out clumsily, but it was the only one Chen Zheng could afford to tell.

Though Chen Zheng often bullied and deceived others with arrogance, he was no fool. From everything he'd seen and heard during the party, it was now obvious that Lin Yuan had a very close relationship with Cui Yunrong—so close, in fact, that age and hierarchy didn't matter between them.

If he dared point fingers now, he would be digging his own grave.

Desperate to avoid further humiliation, Chen Zheng tried to make his escape.

"Lieutenant General Cui, I… I suddenly remembered I have urgent matters. I must leave early…"

But Cui Yunrong wasn't convinced. He reached out and grabbed Chen Zheng's shoulder firmly, pulling him back with a scowl.

"What are you so afraid of? From what you said, this junior didn't just disrespect you—he insulted the entire Kyushu Army. If that's the case, even I should step in! Identity, background, status—I don't care who he is. If he's wronged a soldier, then he's in the wrong. Speak up! I will stand by you!"

It was clear that Cui Yunrong was trying to protect what he believed was an innocent subordinate too afraid to fight back. He had no idea the "villain" in question was standing right beside him, smiling.

Chen Zheng opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. Cold sweat trickled down his temples. He was trembling.

Just then, a calm and amused voice cut through the tension.

"Old man Cui, no need to keep asking," Lin Yuan said with a faint smile, raising his wine glass. "The one who crushed his hand… was me."

He said it openly, without fear, without regret.

The hall fell into stunned silence.

Even Cui Yunrong blinked in surprise, his hand still on Chen Zheng's shoulder.

*****

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