Chapter 53 – Wedding Banquet

Volume 3

In Wen Yu's view, it was perfectly normal for Commander Lin to add another layer of insurance.

His own attitude was a complete unknown, and Lin Haifeng had no way of guaranteeing whether Wen Yu might side with the Aristocratic Families.

That was why Fang Wenhai had been arranged.

First, Fang Wenhai could help him deal with a few minor annoyances. Second, if anything happened, he could report to Lin Haifeng immediately so Lin Haifeng could respond in time.

Wen Yu felt no resentment over any of this. Adding several layers of insurance when doing something was what it meant to be thorough-especially when it came to major matters.

However, Fang Wenhai's strength gave Wen Yu a few thoughts.

"That Fang Wenhai isn't weak. Judging from the air about him, it's like he just came off a battlefield. He should be an expert from the Military's frontline forces."

Wen Yu was not naive enough to think Kuangliu was the only Level 4 Class Holder in the Military.

He slowly shook his head, tossing those useless thoughts out of his mind. Then he casually took a glass of wine from a passing waiter's tray and walked toward the splendid banquet hall inside.

…

Inside the courtyard, music and dancing filled the air.

Wen Yu quietly watched as a large crowd of Ordinary People in suits and leather shoes, or dressed in dazzling finery, moved about and chatted nonstop. Amid the clinking of glasses, they discussed all manner of topics.

"Minister Wang, about that matter I asked you for help with last time…"

"Oh, oh, you mean your second son's job, right? The transfer order will come down tomorrow. He'll be in charge of logistics! I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"

"Li-Ge~ I saw a dress I really like. Will you buy it for me tomorrow? Pretty please~"

"How much?"

"Only 5,000 Magic Crystal Points. It's not expensive at all~"

"Fine. Small matter!"

"General Sun, since it's the old master's birthday today, what gift did you prepare?"

"Nothing special. Just some calligraphy and paintings, things like that."

"Those must be worth quite a bit. I went to the antique market in the Central District yesterday. There weren't many items, but every single one was more expensive than the last!"

One noisy conversation after another rang in Wen Yu's ears, making his frown deepen.

The corruption among these people from the Aristocratic Families far exceeded Wen Yu's imagination.

The various exchanges of benefits they discussed even included positions with real authority, such as regiment commanders and brigade commanders!

And that was not even mentioning the idle chatter of certain noble young ladies. Aside from clothes and cosmetics, some were even talking about going on an outing outside the city tomorrow! Of course, the Military would need to send people to provide security.

Wen Yu simply could not understand how, in an era where no one knew if they would survive from one day to the next, these people had so much time to wander around.

Perhaps in their eyes, with the Military protecting them and their homes located in the most prosperous Central District of the Yanjing Settlement, there was naturally no need to worry about personal safety anymore.

When people were fed and warm, they began to think of lust and leisure. These people had begun entertaining all kinds of thoughts-those boring thoughts from before the Apocalypse!

Wen Yu slowly picked up a piece of Mutant Beast meat from a platter and gently chewed the well-cooked, flavorful food in his mouth. Then he slowly nodded.

At this banquet, only these things suited Wen Yu's tastes and values the most!

…

Amid the bustling crowd, Fang Yuan finally found the one man and two pets who were busy stuffing themselves.

An entire row of tables' worth of food had already been swept clean by the man and his two pets. Food scraps covered the surfaces. Star and One-Eye were actually behaving themselves and were not jumping around everywhere; they simply kept taking food from the table in front of Wen Yu.

When Fang Yuan saw this scene, he immediately felt a little embarrassed, because everyone around them was staring at Wen Yu and the two pets while letting out bursts of mocking remarks.

"Where did this savage come from?"

"Seriously, it's like he hasn't seen food in several lifetimes! Is he a refugee who sneaked in from the Outer City?"

"Look at him. He even brought two beasts to a birthday banquet. No manners at all. Where did this wild man come from?"

All kinds of voices mixed together. Although they were very quiet, they could not escape Wen Yu's ears.

Fang Yuan had heard the comments as he pushed his way over as well. He quickly walked to Wen Yu's side and said with an awkward expression, "Brother Wen Yu, don't stoop to their level."

Fang Yuan had spent some time in the Military, so he naturally understood that someone like Wen Yu would never dress neatly and exchange empty pleasantries with the guests around him.

Likewise, Fang Yuan understood these people's strength even better!

Wen Yu swallowed the beef in his mouth with some effort, then said unclearly, "The beef is pretty good!"

Of course the beef was good, because it came from a calf that had not been Mutated.

Although it lacked the tremendous energy contained in Mutant Beast meat, he had to admit that ordinary meat tasted far better. Softer, more tender, and much better seasoned.

Seeing Wen Yu's attitude, Fang Yuan finally relaxed. He tugged at Wen Yu and said, "Come on, let me introduce you to some people."

Wen Yu set down the food in his hand, grabbed One-Eye and Star, and followed Fang Yuan into the distance.

The murmurs around them still had not stopped. Wen Yu merely smiled faintly at them.

He wasn't going to bother arguing with a bunch of dead people.

…

Wen Yu followed Fang Yuan slowly to a corner of the banquet hall.

There, a group of young men and women in formal dress were laughing among themselves while discussing pointless topics.

For example, one man was talking about how he had challenged the Promotion Trial today and successfully advanced to become a Level 2 Class Holder, using it to show off his courage and strength.

A pretty young woman was discussing with her best friend where they should go shopping tomorrow, and what cosmetics they should buy.

When they saw Fang Yuan approach, these people seemed to have found their center of gravity. They gathered around him, offering one polite pleasantry after another.

From this alone, it was clear what status the Fang Family held among the Aristocratic Families.

After a long while, just as Wen Yu was about to lose his patience, Fang Yuan finally pulled Wen Yu forward and introduced him.

"This here is the new powerhouse our Fang Family has found. His strength may even surpass Kuangliu's!"

At the mention that he was stronger than Kuangliu, the young men and women around them were instantly shocked. Pair after pair of eyes swept over Wen Yu with a hint of doubt.

Fang Yuan continued, "This man may very well become the future Lord War God. Don't say this older brother doesn't look out for you-I'm letting you get familiar with him ahead of time."

At the same time, Fang Yuan lowered his voice by Wen Yu's ear, whispering things like whose son this one was and whose daughter that one was.

According to Fang Yuan, making connections with them would make Wen Yu's future career path much smoother.

"Oh, right."

After dragging things out for quite some time, Fang Yuan finally said, "Let me introduce you to my younger sister."

Seeing the sly grin on Fang Yuan's face, Wen Yu immediately understood. This younger sister was likely the tool these Aristocratic Families intended to use for a marriage alliance with him.

In the eyes of these Aristocratic Families, marriage alliances were absolutely the best diplomatic method.

Before long, Fang Yuan came back pulling a young woman in a white dress.

The woman was around twenty years old, the age when a woman was at her most beautiful.

Coupled with her attractive looks, tall figure, and beautiful outfit, she instantly gave off the air of a goddess.

Fang Yuan winked at Wen Yu and said, "This is my little sister. Her name is-"

Unfortunately, before Fang Yuan could finish, his sister yanked her hand free from his grip and looked Wen Yu up and down arrogantly.

"Isn't he just a brute? A vulgar man who only knows how to fight and kill. What's there to meet?"

Then the woman rolled her eyes at Wen Yu, turned around, and walked back the way she had come with catlike steps.

Only Fang Yuan was left standing there, at a loss.

"Looks like your status in the Fang Family isn't all that impressive…"

Wen Yu took a small sip of wine from his glass and teased him.

Fang Yuan looked at Wen Yu with an embarrassed expression. After a long pause, he finally muttered, "The old man already agreed. Her objections won't matter. It's just… Brother Wen Yu may have to put in a little effort himself."

Wen Yu nodded.

"I'll do my best."

As Fang Yuan and Wen Yu spoke, a squad of soldiers escorted several elderly men slowly into the banquet hall.

"My grandfather is here, and also…"

Wen Yu selectively filtered out the rest.

Because who had come did not matter.

"It's starting…"

A soft murmur sounded.

Fang Yuan nodded at the side.

"Yes. It's starting…"

…

With Old Master Fang's arrival, the entire banquet instantly reached its climax.

Countless people surged forward, crowding around Old Master Fang and endlessly offering words like, "May your fortune be as vast as the Eastern Sea, and your lifespan as long as the Southern Mountains."

The words were clichéd, but in this setting, they made Old Master Fang grin from ear to ear.

At the same time, one gift after another-antiques, paintings, calligraphy, and the like-was continuously presented before Old Master Fang, then taken to the back by the attendants behind him.

Fang Yuan tugged at Wen Yu and headed straight toward Old Master Fang.