"You're not coming with me?"
Chen Mo stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his tie, and looked at Xiao Yu who was carefully straightening it for him. At this moment, she looked every bit the gentle, devoted wife.
"I'm not going," Xiao Yu replied with a warm smile. "That kind of social event doesn't suit me. You go alone—there'll be plenty of socialites and wealthy heiresses there."
"If I go alone, aren't you worried one of them might take me away?" Chen Mo teased.
"I don't think they can," Xiao Yu leaned in, kissed his cheek, and smiled softly. "I'll be waiting for you to come home tonight. It's getting late—you should go."
Blue Sea Tower — Top Private Club, Binhai City
This exclusive club was the most prestigious in the city, known for catering to elites who needed a discreet, high-end place to socialize. Membership here was a status symbol—annual dues exceeded a million yuan.
Tonight's cocktail reception was being held in the main hall of Blue Sea Tower.
The gathering brought together top entrepreneurs from across the province—hundreds of guests, each a heavyweight in their respective industry.
The Chamber of Commerce, after all, was a powerful platform for business networking. Unlike forums or summits, chambers were semi-private industry associations, offering real benefits: shared resources, intelligence channels, connections, and influence.
Many companies sought membership for these exact advantages.
This particular event was the annual cocktail party of the South China Chamber of Commerce, held in a different city each year. And this year marked the first time Marching Ant Company had been invited to participate.
The club's parking lot was lined with a dazzling array of luxury vehicles. The sheer number of supercars on display could rival a high-end auto expo. It was clear—everyone attending tonight was someone important.
Chen Mo sat in his car, casually watching the scene outside. He wasn't particularly interested in wining and dining. These social venues had never really appealed to him. Still, given the invitation and the significance of the event, he knew it was necessary to show up.
After stepping out of the car, Chen Mo straightened his suit and headed inside.
Xiao Yu hadn't come with him. Zhao Min was away on business. So he attended alone. Even though he didn't enjoy these occasions, attending was part of managing a growing empire.
"Mr. Chen Mo, welcome. Please follow me—the president has been expecting you."
Zeng Zeye, a senior member of the Chamber of Commerce, greeted Chen Mo respectfully and personally led him into the hall.
Inside the Banquet Hall
Magnificent. Luxurious.
Chen Mo's first thought upon stepping inside was how over-the-top the place felt. But then again, it was the top private club in Binhai City.
As soon as Chen Mo entered, the atmosphere shifted.
Eyes turned. Conversations paused. Many attendees were visibly surprised—and instantly alert.
Quite a few people had tried to contact Chen Mo through various channels and failed. Now that he had shown up at a major business event? It was like a golden opportunity had landed in their laps.
The Marching Ant Company wasn't publicly listed, but its profits had already eclipsed most domestic enterprises. If they ever went public, their market value would instantly shatter existing records.
To businesspeople, Chen Mo was a unicorn—the biggest and most untouchable fish in the pond. Getting close to him meant potential partnerships, technology access, and possibly unimaginable returns.
Under Zeng Zeye's guidance, Chen Mo soon met Xu Jialin, president of the South China Chamber of Commerce and one of China's real estate giants.
"Mr. Chen! I've been looking forward to meeting you. It's an honor to finally do so," Xu Jialin greeted him with a wide smile.
"President Xu, pleased to meet you," Chen Mo responded politely.
"Come, let's talk over there."
Xu Jialin led Chen Mo to a quieter area. As they walked, they drew the attention of nearly every other guest in the hall. The air was thick with envy, curiosity, and calculation. Countless people were already strategizing how to approach Chen Mo once this meeting was over.
Especially the wealthy daughters and young socialites—Chen Mo, in their eyes, was the ultimate prize. Wealthy, powerful, young, and unmarried. To win him over was to win the lottery.
But Chen Mo ignored all the gazes.
After settling into a corner sofa, Xu Jialin raised his glass with a grin.
"Your name has been echoing in my ears nonstop, Mr. Chen. It's a pleasure to finally meet the legend in person. Tonight, we must have a toast!"
"You're too kind, President Xu. We operate in very different circles—you're in real estate, I'm in tech. Not much overlap," Chen Mo replied calmly.
"On the contrary, we intersect a lot more than you think."
Xu Jialin handed him a glass of red wine. It wasn't just a casual gesture—Xu didn't offer drinks to just anyone.
"Oh?" Chen Mo accepted the glass and tapped it lightly against Xu's.
"In the future, smart cities will be the dominant trend," Xu said confidently. "The integration of technology and real estate—intelligent buildings, eco-friendly design, automation—that's the future. Smart cities aren't just a concept anymore; they're the next evolution of urban life."
Chen Mo nodded lightly. "You've got a good eye for the future."
Xu Jialin hadn't reached his status by luck. He clearly saw the big picture—and was bold enough to bet on it.
"That's just part of my vision," Xu said, a hint of pride in his voice. "Your company leads in cutting-edge tech. Mine has a solid foundation in real estate. If we work together, there won't be any competition in China that can match us."
Chen Mo raised an eyebrow, curious.
"I want to collaborate on smart building projects. Your tech and our infrastructure—we could redefine the future of real estate. So… Mr. Chen, are you interested?"
Chen Mo swirled his wine slowly, thinking.
"It's a very compelling idea. And I'm sure once you announce the project, many companies will be eager to partner with you."
It wasn't a rejection, but it wasn't a yes either. Xu Jialin was sharp—he picked up on the subtext instantly.
"You're not even a little tempted?" he pressed, brows briefly furrowing before smoothing out again.
Chen Mo looked at him seriously and finally responded: "To be honest, our company currently has no plans to get involved in the real estate sector."
This was a lucrative opportunity, no doubt. And Xu Jialin was no ordinary businessman. But entering real estate wasn't something Chen Mo wanted to rush into—especially not under someone else's terms.
If Marching Ant ever did step into that field, it would be on their own terms.