OBS Chapter 311 The Old Money Circle
Chapter 311 The Old Money Circle
Arthur lost interest in Olivia, who had huddled up in a ball and dared not utter a sound.
His attention turned to Bai Li, his eyes filled with pure curiosity.
Meeting Bai Li's gaze, Arthur nodded gracefully and introduced himself: "My beautiful lady, I am Arthur Ashworth, it is an honor to meet you."
Before he finished speaking, Arthur's gaze lingered for a moment on Zhou Chengjing's arm around Bai Li, and his smile deepened.
"This beautiful lady must be extraordinary to be able to get our Cedric to come out and guard his food."
Zhou Chengjing simply chuckled noncommittally at Ashworth's frivolous teasing, then introduced him to Bai Li: "Arthur Ashworth, the Ashworth family, hereditary members of the British House of Lords, whose businesses involve finance, real estate, and art collection."
Zhou Chengjing's voice was flat, and his introduction was casual and concise, but his few words accurately pointed out the other party's illustrious foundation.
Another, more robust man nodded slightly, his voice deep, and introduced himself as well: "Maximilian von Eisenhardt."
His cold, aloof face bore distinct Germanic features.
“The current head of the von Eisenhardt family, a giant in European heavy industry.” Zhou Chengjing picked up the conversation and continued to introduce him to Bai Li in a calm voice, as naturally as if he were talking about the weather. “Just call him Max.”
It would be a lie to say I wasn't surprised. These men, who were around the same age as Zhou Chengjing, all had incredibly impressive backgrounds. They were all powerful figures who could make countless people tremble with a single stomp of their feet. No wonder they could scare that woman named Olivia so much that she didn't dare to breathe.
However, Bai Li maintained a relatively calm demeanor.
“And I am the ever-charming Luc Dubois~” The last man, dressed in a burgundy velvet suit, gave an elegant bow, his eyes darting freely between Zhou Chengjing and Bai Li, his face filled with undisguised gossip. He winked at Bai Li, “Luc Dubois, from Paris, his family runs a small business, selling perfumes and bags and such, nothing special.”
Bai Li smiled slightly, not believing his words.
His inherent nobility and composure were undeniable, making him seem completely unlike someone who ran a "small" business.
Zhou Chengjing directly exposed him: "Luc Dubois, the Dubois family, the actual controller of a top European luxury goods group, a long-established French financial family."
At this point, Zhou Chengjing paused for a moment, then naturally switched to Chinese and whispered to Bai Li, "Don't be nervous, they are all my former classmates."
Bai Li nodded knowingly.
"Bai Li, my female companion." Zhou Chengjing didn't introduce Bai Li in much detail, but the words "my female companion" carried enough weight.
After all, this was the first time he had formally introduced a female companion to this circle.
The group got to know each other for a while, oblivious to everyone else.
Olivia stood to one side, not daring to say a word, yet also not daring to leave. She could only listen to their casual greetings and conversation, her forehead covered in sweat, wishing she could turn back time.
If he had known that Bai Li had that kind of relationship with Cedric, he would never have struck up a conversation with her.
Although they are alumni of the same school and come from the same club, they are not on the same level at all.
The level that people like Cedric, Arthur, Max, and Luc Dubois occupy is the pinnacle of global power, wealth, and influence, built upon centuries of inherited wealth.
This is a circle that is impossible to enter without sufficiently equal conditions.
His family is just "new money," and is still very far removed from the truly established circles.
This is not just a difference in the amount of wealth; the foundation, lineage, and power are also insurmountable.
For families like theirs, the old money circle is unreachable, full of prestige, and an entity that should absolutely not be offended.
“So,” Arthur looked at Zhou Chengjing with interest, then glanced at Olivia, who seemed ready to jump into the sea, “what did this Mr. Olivia do to offend you, Cedric?”
At this point, Arthur Ashworth chuckled mischievously: "It's all your fault for not showing your face in the industry for too long. Some newcomers don't even recognize you anymore."
Luc Dubois chuckled and mocked, "Dear Cedric, if you're always this low-key, some blind fools will always show up and display their ridiculous feathers."
Olivia listened to their conversation, her face covered in sweat.
Zhou Chengjing reacted extremely coldly to their teasing, to the point of ignoring it entirely.
He wasn't intentionally trying to keep a low profile; he simply disdained such things.
Zhou Chengjing didn't even flinch, simply issuing a dismissal order: "Stop making noise. It's late, go home."
Arthur made an exaggerated, hurt expression: "Oh, Cedric! Still as charmingly blunt as ever!"
There was no hint of dissatisfaction in his tone; instead, it carried a habitual smile.
Max merely let out a soft, ambiguous hum from his nose as a response, before turning away swiftly and decisively.
Before parting ways, Luc Dubois winked at Bai Li, gave Zhou Chengjing a mischievous smile, and then leisurely left with his companions.
The group was almost ordered to leave by Zhou Chengjing, but they showed no displeasure. Instead, they seemed to take it all in stride and even enjoy it.
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The charity gala is being held on a secluded island in international waters. It will take another night by cruise ship to reach the island, and we won't arrive until tomorrow.
So we'll need to spend another night on our private yacht, the "Poseidon".
In the ship's corridor, only Bai Li and Zhou Chengjing remained.
The cabins were very quiet late at night, not to mention the top deck, which was almost deserted.
"Are you alright?" Zhou Chengjing asked.
Bai Li glanced at him.
The overhead lights in the corridor cast dim shadows in Zhou Chengjing's deep eyes.
Bai Li thought to herself: What could possibly happen?
With bodyguards nearby, the "Poseidon" yacht was under heavy security.
Even if Zhou Chengjing doesn't come, she has a way to get away.
Although that's what she thought, Bai Li slowly turned her head and politely said to Zhou Chengjing, "It's nothing, thank you for saving the day, Brother Zhou."
She had always known he was powerful and influential in the domestic political arena, but she never imagined that he also held such a transcendent position in the deeply entrenched circles of power and wealth in Europe and America.
The fact that he can get along with the heirs of these long-established, deeply rooted European and American old money families, addressing them as brothers, speaks volumes about his own strength.
This man is perhaps far more unfathomable than she imagined.
Bai Li's gaze towards Zhou Chengjing held a newfound scrutiny.
Then it's even stranger that he invited me to this charity gala.
Zhou Chengjing seemed to sense Bai Li's gaze, and lowered his eyes slightly, his deep gray eyes appearing particularly profound in the dim corridor.
He didn't explain much. After escorting Bai Li to her room, he simply curled the corners of his lips and said, "Go to sleep early. I'll show you a good show tomorrow."
……
After leaving, Zhou Chengjing's gaze darkened again, revealing a chilling depth.
"Mr. Zhou, what should we do with that person?" The assistant, who had been silently following not far away, caught up with Zhou Chengjing and stepped forward to ask.
"Watch out, send it back to Monaco first thing tomorrow morning."
Zhou Chengjing did not stop walking, and there was not a ripple in his deep eyes, as if he had just dealt with a trivial matter.