Inside the hotel.
Lin Mo and Yingzi were sitting cross-legged in meditation in their room, both surrounded by a faint white Spiritual Energy. If a waiter were to enter, they would surely be shocked to the point of dropping their jaw.
He had already contacted Lu Xing, who had important matters to attend to and had agreed to meet at the Vienna Hotel in the evening.
Therefore, Lin Mo and Yingzi first found a hotel to rest and planned to attend the meeting at night. After about a year of arduous cultivation, Yingzi had also improved. Although her progress was not as exaggerated as Lin Mo's, with his guidance and teachings, and the use of high-grade cultivation techniques, Yingzi's rate of improvement could match those so-called geniuses.
Within half a year, Yingzi had already advanced to a Basic-level Martial God, which could be considered a significant achievement. Moreover, her True Qi was clearer, cleaner, and much more condensed compared to others', strong enough to contend even with an Intermediate Martial God.
This was all thanks to the cultivation methods Lin Mo taught her, which he had chosen from those he had brought back from life-and-death experiences.
At nine in the evening, it was time for their appointment, and Lin Mo and Yingzi left their hotel for the Vienna Hotel.
The Vienna Hotel was the most magnificent among the many five-star hotels on Hong Kong Island, standing by the port of Victoria. At night, the entire island was brilliantly lit with endless traffic, looking from above like a flowing golden river, an overwhelmingly impressive sight.
"If it weren't for my uncle attending a reception here today, we probably wouldn't have had the chance to come here."
"Mr. Huang, you really have vast connections. I've long heard that the Victoria Hotel is one of the best hotels on Hong Kong Island, but I've never had the chance to come. Thanks to Mr. Huang this time."
"To reach Mr. Huang's level is to have no regrets in this life."
Such flattering remarks made Huang Jian unable to stop smiling.
"We are all classmates; I just took the opportunity to show everyone around," Huang Jian humbly said.
Only Luo Lan pursed her lips. They had originally planned to go to Lingxiao Mountain to enjoy the scenery that evening, but had to cancel their plans due to road construction and inconvenient transportation. Huang Jian mentioned that his uncle was attending a reception at the Vienna Hotel, so he suggested they go there to see the place.
Luo Lan had planned to watch movies in the hotel for the evening, but hearing that the Vienna Hotel had invited a Russian pianist she liked, she decided to join the group.
But she couldn't stand Huang Jian's arrogant demeanor and simply gave him the cold shoulder, keeping him at bay.
"Mr. Huang, I've heard that the Vienna Hotel has quite a background," said Huang Rui, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Huang Jian raised his eyebrows and, with his hands in his trouser pockets, led the group inside while saying, "Of course, do you know who's behind the Vienna Hotel?"
Everyone looked both curious and reverent.
Huang Jian paused for a moment, and then a hint of pride appeared on his face, "This Vienna Hotel is under the Li Family's properties. My uncle knows the Li family, which is why we have the qualifications to attend this reception."
In fact, his uncle was merely a manager of a small company under the Li Family, and the Li family member he knew was just an inconsequential distant relative.
Even so, being once the ruling wealthiest family in all of Huaxia, the Li Family's power and wealth could be compared to a small nation's; the saying "wealthy enough to rival nations" could indeed apply.
Thus, although he wasn't very explicit, Huang Jian mentioning that his uncle knew the Li Family undoubtedly elevated his own status.
Besides Luo Lan, the eyes of the other two girls were emitting a peculiar radiance, a look filled with a mix of admiration and envy, which overwhelmed Huang Jian with vanity.
"Ah, Yingzi, Lin Mo."
Luo Lan couldn't stand Huang Jian's boasting, her eyes darting around; she meant to search for the pianist she admired, but unexpectedly noticed two familiar faces.
Lin Mo and Yingzi were sitting on a couch in the corner, Yingzi eating some desserts while Lin Mo sat there, leaning back with his eyes closed, looking completely relaxed.
"Hm? Xiao Lan, why are you here too?" Yingzi asked, holding a plate, her eyes shining with surprise.
Huang Jian frowned slightly, taken aback to have encountered Lin Mo and Yingzi again at this upscale social event.
Luo Lan was equally astonished, knowing that although anyone could enter this hotel, not everyone could participate in such an event.
Without an invitation and certain status, one would certainly be prevented from entering by the security guards.
Huang Jian and Huang Rui, along with a few other classmates, were deeply surprised—when it came to paying for lunch earlier that day, Lin Mo didn't even have enough to cover his meal, so how could he show up here?
"I came here with them to have some fun, heard my favorite pianist was here," Luo Lan said, then curiously asked, "How come you are here too?"
"I'm here with my master to meet a friend," Yingzi honestly replied.
"Master?" Luo Lan found this designation odd but didn't pursue it further; instead, she curiously watched Lin Mo, knowing that those attending this banquet were either rich or high-ranking. Could he possibly know some prominent officials or nobility?
Of course, Huang Jian, Huang Rui, and the other classmates didn't believe it—a poor person who could not afford even a meal surely couldn't know any high officials or wealthy people.
"Couldn't he have sneaked in?" Huang Jian squinted, disliking Lin Mo intensely.
With such a stunningly beautiful woman by his side, and him, a wealthy young master, unable to charm such a pretty girl, he felt naturally irked.
"Huang Jian, hold your tongue. If you can get in, can't others?" Luo Lan said coldly, detesting someone like Huang Jian.
Huang Jian curled his lips, unperturbed. Perhaps Lin Mo just knew some hotel staff like a waitress or a cleaning lady, yet dared to pretend to be a guest and sit here.
"Xiao Jian, you're here?" Suddenly, a voice called out.
A corpulent middle-aged man in a suit, his hair slicked back, approached.
"Uncle," Huang Jian greeted the man with a hint of respect at seeing him.
The middle-aged man was Huang Jian's Uncle named Gao Wei, a department manager in a company under the Li Family, followed by three middle-aged men dressed as successful figures, slightly overweight and somewhat bald.
Gao Wei nodded slightly, his somewhat small eyes skimmed over Huang Jian's companions, focusing briefly on the female classmates but not lingering on the males.