The evening air carried with it a light fragrance of osmanthus as the city lights glittered like a thousand jewels. Cars lined up outside the Twin Pagoda, their headlights cutting through the night. Inside, the atmosphere was charged with energy—music, laughter, and clinking glasses filling the air as college students, dressed in their finest, trickled into one of the most exclusive venues in the city.
The occasion? The triumphant return of Wang Yichen, the so-called young master of the Wang family, from his semester-long exchange program in the United States.
Most of the students had only heard stories about him—how he spent his weekends at yacht clubs, how he dined with "real businessmen" in New York, how his family's holdings practically owned half the city. Tonight, they were here to celebrate him, or rather, to bask in his wealth and charm.
And Wang Yichen was not one to disappoint.
The man of the hour arrived fashionably late, stepping into the grand hall with a swagger that could only belong to someone who truly believed the world revolved around him. A designer jacket shimmered under the lights, his wrist heavy with a Rolex that he made sure caught everyone's eye as he waved.
"My brothers! My sisters!" he announced dramatically, throwing his arms wide as though he'd just returned from conquering foreign lands. "New York was fine, but it can't compare to home! Tonight, everything is on me—eat, drink, don't hold back!"
His words earned him cheers and applause. A few girls giggled, others whispered behind their hands about how handsome he looked, while the guys admired—or envied—his bravado.
And then his eyes landed on Liang Chen.
Sitting at the far end of the hall, dressed in a simple black shirt and slacks, Liang was quietly sipping a glass of red wine, a faint smile playing at his lips as though none of this spectacle was meant for him.
Wang's grin widened. He strutted over, patting Liang's shoulder with exaggerated force.
"Well, well, isn't this our silent scholar? Liang Chen, I didn't expect you to show up here." He leaned closer, his voice just loud enough for others nearby to hear. "Tell me, are you sure you can afford to sit here tonight? This isn't some street corner noodle shop."
A few students gave an uneasy laugh. Everyone was aware of Wang's grudge with Liang. Despite having a humble upbringing, Liang had performed far better than Wang on the entrance exam, taking first place and Wang second. Wang was always looking for ways to criticise Liang because he couldn't stand being overshadowed. Liang was unquestionably intelligent, but in this city, intelligence was not enough to cover expenses. Wang took advantage of this by constantly making fun of Liang's lack of wealth and humble beginnings.
Liang simply set his glass down and looked at Wang, his tone calm and unhurried. "I was invited, wasn't I? Since you said everything tonight is on you, why should I worry?"
The hall erupted in laughter at the sharp comeback. For a split second, Wang's expression froze, but he quickly recovered, forcing a laugh.
"Of course, of course! I always take care of my less fortunate friends."
The party rolled on. Platters of exotic dishes were served—caviar, truffle-topped steaks, imported wine that cost more than a month's rent for most families.
Wang made sure everyone knew it.
He tapped his glass and launched into another story. "This wine, for example, Château Margaux 2005. One bottle is over eight thousand dollars. When I was in the States, we drank this every other night. That's just how it is when you're in the right circles, you know?"
He let his gaze flicker toward Liang. "Of course, for some people, even hearing that number makes their head spin."
Some of the girls giggled again. A few of the guys smirked. Everyone waited for Liang's reaction.
But Liang merely swirled his own glass gently and murmured, "Hmm. Not bad."
Wang almost choked. Not bad? Did this pauper even understand what he was drinking?
He leaned in, voice dripping with mockery. "Do you even know how much that sip in your hand costs? That's probably half your monthly living expenses."
This time, Liang looked at him properly, his calm eyes cutting through Wang's arrogance. "If half a month's expenses can fit in a glass," he said softly, "then it sounds like I've been living far too frugally."
The table roared with laughter again, only this time it wasn't forced. A few of the girls even clapped. Wang's smile tightened. He was beginning to feel cornered in his own celebration.
Just then, the doors to the hall opened. A hush swept across the room as a group of men and women walked in—well-dressed, composed, exuding the unmistakable aura of power.
These were not students. They were government officials, local business tycoons, and respected scholars. And they were not here for Wang Yichen.
"Chairman Liang," the manager of Twin Pagoda hurried over, bowing respectfully. "We didn't expect you to join us this evening. Shall we prepare the fifth-floor event space for you and your guests?"
The name landed like thunder in the hall.
Chairman… Liang?
Every head turned. Students blinked in disbelief. Even Wang Yichen's smile finally cracked.
The officials walked directly toward Liang Chen, shaking his hand warmly.
"Chairman Liang, I'm glad to finally see you again. Your Twin Pagoda has truly set a new standard in our city."
"The food is great. I envied how the americans and europeans could have business meeting over meels while we had to gather everone in the plain office."
"Yeah, having our assistant discuss over presentation while we the leader enjoy the meal, it make us feel like everything is good and in control."
Their praises overlapped, drowning the hall in stunned silence.
Wang's complexion went from red to pale to an ugly shade of green. He tried to laugh it off, stammering, "Wait—Chairman? This… this has to be some kind of misunderstanding. Liang Chen… he's just a student—"
The manager of Twin Pagoda shot him a polite but firm glance. "Mr. Wang, I apologize for the confusion, but Chairman Liang is indeed the owner of Twin Pagoda. We only manage the property on his behalf."
Gasps spread through the hall.
The owner? The visionary behind the very building Wang had been bragging about booking?
Wang suddenly felt as though the floor had vanished beneath his feet.
Liang finally stood, adjusting his cufflinks with a calm grace that commanded attention. His voice was soft, but it carried across the hall.
"Wang Yichen, I appreciate your efforts in hosting tonight. Truly. But next time, if you want to impress others, perhaps you should try creating something yourself. Relying on your family's money might let you rent a hall…" His eyes swept over the glittering chandeliers, the marble pillars, the towering windows. "…but it will never let you own the tower."
The silence that followed was deafening. Then came the whispers, the stunned stares, the disbelief turning into awe.
Wang stood frozen, his carefully crafted image shattered.
The rest of the night blurred. Some students immediately drifted toward Liang, eager to curry favor, their voices filled with newfound respect. Others remained quiet, reflecting on how badly they had underestimated him.
Wang Yichen excused himself midway through, his face ashen, his pride crushed. His grand return had turned into a public humiliation, all orchestrated not by any scheme, but by reality itself.
Liang, however, seemed unaffected. He laughed softly at a joke made by one of the officials, clinked glasses with a local entrepreneur, and let the night flow naturally.
For him, this wasn't about face-slapping or revenge. It was simply the truth surfacing.
And as Professor Zhang's words echoed in his mind—"Influence is not built through wealth, but through respect earned"—Liang knew that this was only the beginning.
The Twin Pagoda was no longer just a landmark. It was a stage.
And Liang Chen was ready for the world to watch.