When Leo lifted his head, everything around him seemed to freeze. He watched as the person's figure disappeared into the distance, leaving only a small note on the table with the name "Leo" and a string of numbers. At this moment, the lake in the distance remained calm, much like his own state of mind. A few days earlier, Leo had dialed his parents' number. Hearing their long-lost voices, his eyes nearly welled up with tears. After a long period of silence, he fought back the tears and hung up the phone. He then went to the lakeside, choosing to meditate alone. Despite the weak spiritual energy on Earth, he was able to absorb a substantial amount of spiritual power with the cosmic treasure he always carried, gradually improving his cultivation.
In the afternoon, Leo noticed an unfamiliar number on his phone. After a brief hesitation, he pressed the answer button.
"Hello, is this Leo?" A clear female voice came from the other end.
"Yes, who's this?" Leo asked.
"This is Grace, the class monitor. There's a gathering at Mingde Manor tonight at eight. I'm just letting you know."
"Mingde Manor? Not interested, but I hope you all have fun," Leo replied, his tone indifferent. To him, such gatherings held no significance, and he would rather focus on his cultivation.
"Leo, don't be like this! Everyone's coming, if you're so anti-social, won't it make people laugh at you?" Grace said somewhat displeased, before teasing, "Since it's my command as the class monitor, you must come, okay?"
"Alright, alright. Since you're putting it that way, I'll go take a look," Leo sighed and said, then hung up the phone.
"Looks like everything is different since I was reborn," Leo muttered to himself, feeling a mix of emotions.
At 7:00 PM, Leo, dressed in a simple white T-shirt and blue jeans, got out of the taxi. He frowned slightly as he looked at Mingde Manor in front of him. The ancient, elegant Tang-style architecture gave off a solemn feeling, with dazzling lights illuminating the surroundings, and a subtle fragrance of orchids in the air. Leo stepped forward and entered, scanning the surroundings. At that moment, he felt like an outsider.
Mingde Manor was one of the most famous social venues in Anxi City, where many influential figures liked to host gatherings. In the hallway, well-dressed men in suits laughed and chatted, while ladies in evening gowns bloomed like a sea of flowers, showcasing their elegance. Only Leo, dressed simply, stood out in stark contrast. Many eyes instinctively turned toward him, and although he could feel the strange gazes, he paid them no mind.
He walked to a loft marked "Lanting Gathering" and pushed open the door. Inside, more than thirty people were chatting in a lively atmosphere. Everyone was dressed impeccably, their manners graceful, as if this was a symbol of their social class. The two people at the center of the room were particularly eye-catching. People kept approaching them with drinks in hand, speaking with a tone of respect. Leo immediately deduced that these two were from well-off families, likely upper-class figures.
The female classmates were also dressed up in bright, extravagant clothing, their gazes seemingly filled with eager attention toward these wealthy young men. Each person appeared to be vying for attention, but Leo didn't think too much about it. He simply stood silently in the corner.
As soon as he entered the hall, all eyes turned toward him. Particularly the girls, dressed in expensive gowns, who looked at him with a hint of disdain. In their eyes, Leo was undoubtedly a "country bumpkin," completely out of place with this group.
"Hey, Leo's here?" A young man at the center of the room spoke with a mocking smile. His name was Zhou Yuxiang.
Leo didn't say anything; he merely glanced at him calmly.
"But what's the use of being handsome? If you don't have money, you probably won't fit into our circle," Liao Wei added, his tone filled with mockery. "A guy's most important trait is having money. Without it, you're nothing."
"What kind of future can someone like you have?" Zhou Yuxiang sneered, adding to the insult.
Leo looked at them, his face showing no sign of emotion. The old Leo might have been hurt by such words, but the current Leo was no longer the timid person he once was.
At this moment, Iris walked toward him from the crowd. She was dressed in a revealing red evening gown, making her particularly eye-catching. She walked slowly, and everyone's attention shifted to her.
"Leo, I heard your family isn't doing so well. You nearly couldn't afford your tuition fees? How about I introduce you to a part-time job?" Her voice was deliberately raised, ensuring that almost everyone could hear her.
Her words were clearly provocative, and the other classmates joined in the teasing.
"Yeah, Leo, how does it feel to be back in the countryside?" Zhou Yuxiang said with a smirk.
Liao Wei added, "It's okay, Leo. Doing a part-time job isn't bad. At least it can help with your living expenses."
Leo's eyes turned cold, his fists clenched tightly. In the past, he might have endured such insults, but now, he was no longer the weak Leo.
"You're right," Leo said calmly, his tone steady, but it carried an unspoken pressure that affected everyone in the room. "But if something as trivial as this gathering can make me feel so humiliated, doesn't that just prove how shallow you all are?"
These words caused a stir, and the room fell silent. Leo walked over to a table in the corner, picked up a glass of wine, and took a sip, as if none of this concerned him.
His calmness and confidence made everyone realize that they might have underestimated this young man.
Zhou Yuxiang and Liao Wei exchanged a glance, and a hint of unease flashed in their eyes. To avoid Leo leaving, they quickly raised their glasses.
"Leo, don't be upset. We were just joking. Come on, have a drink!" Zhou Yuxiang smiled as he lifted his glass.
"Yeah, Leo, we're just joking. Don't take it seriously," Liao Wei quickly added.
Leo glanced at them, his gaze cold and detached. He took a sip of his wine, then slowly set the glass down.
"Some jokes aren't funny to everyone," Leo said softly, his voice devoid of emotion, though his eyes had become so deep that no one could see through them.
The atmosphere in the room became tense. Grace walked up to him and whispered, "Leo, everyone just got carried away. Don't take it to heart."
Leo didn't answer her, merely nodding slightly. His gaze remained fixed on the two men. Perhaps his purpose for being here today wasn't just to endure this meaningless gathering.