Night fell, and the city lights began to glow.
Royal City,
The banquet hall of a five-star hotel.
A colossal crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a soft, warm glow that illuminated the entire space as if it were day.
Priceless oil paintings adorned the walls, and the carpet was so soft and thick that walking on it felt like treading on clouds.
Inside the banquet hall, socialites gathered. The air was filled with the scent of perfume, the rustle of fine clothes, and the murmur of cheerful conversation.
Gu Shuling stood in a corner of the hall, clutching a glass of red wine. But the deep red liquid remained as still as her heart, without the slightest ripple.
Beneath her exquisite makeup, a cloud of indescribable sorrow was hidden.
Over the past few days, Gu Shuling had come to accept the harsh reality of her situation.
She once believed she had built an unshakeable business empire through her own wisdom and hard work.
But she never imagined that it had all relied on Chu He's influence.
Without Chu He, she discovered she was nothing more than a rootless water lily, drifting with the wind, unable to control her own fate.
This realization was a sharp blade that shattered her former pride and confidence to pieces.
She had once been a titan of the business world, never thinking her achievements were so fragile.
During sleepless nights, Gu Shuling endured her inner torment alone, tears streaming down her face like a broken strand of pearls.
However, that wasn't even the worst of it.
Gu Shuling's company was facing an unprecedented crisis.
Dozens of key partners had tacitly chosen to terminate their relationships with her,
and overnight, her business empire collapsed.
The break in her capital chain plunged her into desperation. She now had to face the tragic fate of total ruin and public disgrace.
Her past brilliance and glory had vanished like passing clouds, leaving behind nothing but crushing debt and the looming threat of prison.
Such a catastrophic collapse was a rarity in the entire commercial history of the Great Jing Empire.
Just then, her cousin, Gu Mingwei, stood beside her. He was handsome and dashing in a tailored suit, scrolling through the latest news on his phone.
"Have you seen the news?"
Gu Mingwei asked softly. "It's a good thing you didn't try to remarry Chu He. Otherwise, this whole storm would have been a complete disaster for us."
Gu Shuling nodded slightly and said wearily, "Whether Chu He is doing well or not has nothing to do with me. There's no need to waste too much energy on it.
We have more important things to do now.
I came here tonight to play my part as a pretty face and find a stronger backer to support the company."
Hearing her words, Gu Mingwei smiled. "Oh, my dear silly cousin, why say that? Even a pretty face has its uses. Besides, do you know why I'm so sure you can win over this particular backer?"
Gu Shuling shook her head, a hint of confusion in her eyes. "Why?"
She didn't even know who this "backer" her cousin was talking about was.
A smug smile spread across Gu Mingwei's face as he slowly began to speak. "I have a habit of collecting and analyzing all sorts of valuable data, especially on individuals with great potential.
So, I've cultivated a special team that excels at conducting meticulous investigations from the shadows, making sure not to leave any traces.
When a particular person of interest catches my eye, I immediately deploy this team to investigate and ensure everything is under control."
"I originally thought it was just routine, but I ended up stumbling upon an extremely valuable piece of information."
Gu Mingwei's eyes glinted shrewdly. "This person is about the same age as Chu He, but from what I've gathered, his talents in certain areas are likely no less than Chu He's—he might even surpass him.
What's even more shocking is that this person has actually fought Evil Spirits. He faced a pursuit by three King Level Evil Spirits and managed to escape completely unscathed. That's something no ordinary person could do."
Gu Shuling listened, captivated, her heart stirring with ripples of emotion.
She tried to picture an unparalleled, exceptionally gifted genius, but Gu Mingwei's next words surprised her even more.
"This person... you actually know him."
Gu Mingwei smiled faintly. "Remember the new student welcome party back in college?
You were the host, and with your elegance and outstanding talent, you were named the 'campus belle.' You were even praised as one of the 'goddess upperclassmen' on the school forums."
At the time, a brave underclassman mustered up his courage and gave you a bouquet of roses.
You may have forgotten about him, but I'm sure you'll recognize him once you see his picture."
Gu Shuling's brows furrowed slightly as she tried to search her memory for that vague figure.
Just then, Gu Mingwei pulled up a photo from his phone's gallery and held it out in front of her.
The boy in the photo had a face that was still youthful, yet it struck a chord deep within her.
The moment Gu Shuling's eyes fell on the photo, memories came flooding back like a tidal wave, and she immediately recalled the underclassman's identity.
Back in school, he had certainly been a popular figure—not only were his grades outstanding, but he was also the ideal type in the hearts of all the girls on campus.
He had once clearly expressed his admiration for her, which had left a deep impression.
"So it was him."
Gu Shuling murmured softly, a flash of surprise in her eyes. "I remember him. He was first in his major as a freshman, and after joining the student council, he won the position of student council president in his sophomore year with his exceptional ability and charisma.
Not only that, but all his exams were a piece of cake for him, and he won so many national scholarships it was ridiculous.
Everyone at the time thought his future was limitless, but surprisingly, he resolutely chose to drop out during his junior year and vanished without a trace."
Just as Gu Shuling was lost in her memories, a sudden wave of gasps from the banquet hall pulled her thoughts back to the present.
Looking up, she saw a young man in loose, casual clothes walking slowly through the entrance of the hall.
He wore a calm and carefree smile.
"It really is him!" Gu Shuling's eyes lit up, her heart a mix of surprise and joy.
She never expected this former underclassman to reappear before her in such a dazzling way.
"Her Majesty the Queen has arrived!"
The young man's resonant voice echoed through the banquet hall, drawing everyone's attention.
Immediately after, a Queen, dressed in an elegant gown and exuding a noble air, walked in.
Her appearance shocked everyone.
Her Majesty the Queen herself was attending tonight's banquet.
"Your Majesty!"
The guests quickly put down their glasses and utensils, bowing in unison to show their respect to the Queen.
Her Majesty the Queen gave a slight nod, her gaze sweeping over the crowd before finally landing on the young man.
In that moment, everyone understood one thing.
Her Majesty the Queen had personally graced this banquet entirely because of this young man.
His appearance made everyone believe the rumors were true.
This young man was likely the future pillar of the Great Jing Empire,
and perhaps the next, even more brilliant, more glorious, and more perfect National Guardian War God.
Gu Shuling looked at the young man before her, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside her.
She once thought her fate with this underclassman had long since ended.
But now, it seemed their destinies were about to intersect once more.