Chapter Sixty-Three: Birthday

As soon as Yang Feng spoke, everyone’s gaze followed his. The driver, too, was extremely careful—each wristband contained a unique chip, and only after passing it through a special device could its authenticity be confirmed, granting access to the Platinum Hotel.

What Yang Yuanzhen handed over was a red wristband, already considered a high tier. Usually, guests or those hosting gatherings used only the blue wristband, which explained his caution—he was terrified of damaging it.

When the small wooden box was finally opened, everyone was left speechless.

Anyone able to mingle with Yang Feng and Li Xiaoqing came from at least moderately wealthy families. Naturally, they were familiar with the Platinum Hotel and knew about the wristband system.

So when they saw the red wristband, excitement lit up their faces.

“Feng, you’re incredible! We can really let loose tonight!”

“No wonder you’re the man! If I were a woman, I’d marry you too!”

“Come on now, don’t try to steal Xiaoqing’s man. Even if you were a woman, could you compare to her beauty?”

Everyone was overjoyed, and as the leading lady, Li Xiaoqing wore her happiness plainly on her face.

Yang Feng grinned, waving his hand. “Let’s go! Off to the Platinum to celebrate Xiaoqing’s birthday!”

A group of young men and women set off in high spirits, Yang Feng leading the way with pride and swagger.

He regretted more than ever mocking Jiang Xiaotian so early—how wonderful it would be if Jiang were here, to see the difference between them firsthand!

Meanwhile, Yang Yuanzhen had arrived early. They were now waiting in a private room, with servers having already brought out some appetizers.

These people were used to being the ones others waited for, but now, despite all having to wait, not a word of complaint was heard. In fact, there was a sense of anticipation at finally glimpsing the legendary foremost martial artist of Linhai.

Normally, Yang Yuanzhen had little say among this crowd, but with his connection to Jiang Xiaotian unclear, no one dared be disrespectful.

They all assumed Jiang Xiaotian was still cultivating and wouldn’t be coming down anytime soon—no one was about to rush him.

Little did they know, Jiang Xiaotian was actually downstairs in the shopping mall.

He had little interest in banqueting with Yang Yuanzhen’s crowd; most importantly, Ling’er had invited him personally.

He was keenly aware that Ling’er had helped and even saved him several times, and he had never given her anything in return.

So, while Ling’er went to arrange their dinner spot, he slipped away to pick out a gift he thought she’d like.

Fortunately, Jiang Xiaotian had been in a relationship before, and had treated Chu Ran with all his heart, so he knew well how to make a girl happy.

He browsed for a long time, unable to settle on anything, until his gaze landed on a swan necklace—and he couldn’t look away.

Never mind that girls like sparkly things—even he wanted it.

He wasn’t poor anymore, so he bought it on the spot, swiping his card without hesitation.

He happily watched it being gift-wrapped, took the necklace, and glanced at the bill—then his heart nearly stopped.

“Fifty thousand?!”

He couldn’t help exclaiming, staring at the saleswoman in shock.

“Sister, are you messing with me? This necklace is fifty thousand?”

The saleswoman didn’t know Jiang Xiaotian, but she recognized the black gold wristband on his wrist, so she assumed he was just thrifty. “Sir, this is the latest design, and all the diamonds are Swarovski. It’s really not expensive—every girl who gets one is guaranteed to love it!”

He barely heard her explanation; only her last sentence got to him. “Every girl is guaranteed to love it.” That made him hesitate.

In the end, he gritted his teeth and took it.

He had thought it would cost maybe two or three thousand at most, but fifty thousand? Who could afford that? The one with money was Ling’er—not him!

But since it was for Ling’er, he didn’t mind so much. If anything, fifty thousand might not even be worthy of her.

Jiang Xiaotian carefully put the necklace away, then went back to change into a suit, looking sharp and presentable.

Seeing that it was almost time, he figured he should head down—he wasn’t one to put on airs, so there was no need to make people wait.

Still, he didn’t go straight to the private room. First, he stopped by the lobby and asked the front desk for two hangover pills.

He had a low tolerance for alcohol and was worried he’d do something foolish if he got drunk later.

The receptionist recognized him and, in a fluster, handed him the entire tray of hangover pills, leaving Jiang Xiaotian at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

Just as he was about to leave, a commotion erupted behind him.

He turned to see a group of young people entering the lobby.

Though this was a hotel lobby, it was usually quiet except for soft music, so their entrance drew plenty of attention.

But anyone in this hotel was either wealthy or powerful, so no one meddled.

Jiang Xiaotian minded his own business and headed for the elevator.

But trouble always comes uninvited.

The group of young people caught the same elevator as him.

As soon as they walked in, both sides were dumbfounded.

“Jiang Xiaotian?!”

“Xiaoqing?!”

Li Xiaoqing’s eyes widened in shock.

Jiang Xiaotian was equally surprised—what was his cousin doing here?

Yang Feng, after a few stunned seconds, broke into a grin.

Heaven itself was helping him!

“You said you’d gone home. Are you following me?” Li Xiaoqing frowned, clearly annoyed.

Jiang Xiaotian was about to explain, but Yang Feng closed the elevator doors and pressed the button for their floor.

“Xiaoqing, you must be mistaken about your cousin! How could anyone just waltz into the Platinum Hotel?”

“Then he…”

Yang Feng looked Jiang Xiaotian up and down before nodding. “If I’m not mistaken, your cousin is probably a waiter here, right?”

Dressed in a suit and holding a bowl of candies, Jiang Xiaotian did indeed look like a server.

Li Xiaoqing’s face flushed red and then white, embarrassment written all over her.

Someone nearby asked, “Xiaoqing, this is your cousin? So he works as a waiter at the Platinum?”

“No wonder you said you couldn’t leave because of work. Turns out you’re working part-time here? Well, at least it’s a respectable job.” Li Xiaoqing sighed, deciding not to make things difficult for Jiang Xiaotian—he was family, after all.

But Yang Feng wasn’t about to let the opportunity slip by. “So you didn’t want to come to Xiaoqing’s birthday because you were working at the Platinum? That’s your excuse? This is your backup?”

He shook his head in mock disappointment, then plucked a hangover candy from Jiang Xiaotian’s tray. “Cousin, you really ought to find a better job. Handing out candies in the elevator doesn’t exactly scream prestige. Oh right, I have a red wristband—you should be guiding me, shouldn’t you?”

Li Xiaoqing frowned and tugged at Yang Feng’s sleeve. “Enough, it’s my birthday. Let’s just have a good time and stop talking about this.”

She wasn’t really thinking of Jiang Xiaotian’s feelings—she just didn’t want to be embarrassed in front of everyone.

At her words, Yang Feng toned it down a little, but the others still looked at Jiang Xiaotian with odd expressions.

Jiang Xiaotian himself was unfazed. He even offered Li Xiaoqing a candy. “Would you like one? Don’t drink too much later. And happy birthday, by the way. Why didn’t you accept the red envelope I sent you?”

He was only curious about her reasons.

But as soon as he spoke, everyone burst into laughter. Yang Feng was laughing so hard he nearly cried, holding his stomach. “My god, a hundred yuan red envelope! A hundred yuan! And you actually wonder why Xiaoqing didn’t accept it!”

The others knew about the red envelope, but hadn’t expected Jiang Xiaotian to be so ridiculous.

Li Xiaoqing wished she could just disappear into the floor.

“Jiang Xiaotian! Are you out of your mind? Today is my birthday! Could you stop embarrassing me? Isn’t it enough that you’re so pathetic?”

Unable to bear it any longer, Li Xiaoqing burst out. The look she gave Jiang Xiaotian was filled with growing disgust.

He paused, then sighed. “Alright, sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

The elevator finally arrived. Jiang Xiaotian walked out without looking back.

He was utterly disappointed in Li Xiaoqing. Ever since she started hanging out with these rich kids, she’d really changed.

Behind him, Yang Feng’s mocking voice echoed, “Cousin, how could you be so petty? It’s Xiaoqing’s birthday—do you have to be like that?”