Chapter 1: Falling for Him

True Color (COLOR)

At eight in the evening, the night was dark and cool with a hint of autumn rain.

Inside the brightly lit banquet hall of a five-star hotel, a charity gala was underway.

The attendees were mostly socialites, with figures from the entertainment and fashion circles mingling amidst the fragrance of perfume, showcasing their elegance and glamour.

Qi Xing stood in front of the dessert table, eyeing the delicately presented food with enthusiasm, indulging himself while feeling out of place among others who were busy socializing with just a glass of wine in hand.

A few minutes later, someone came to greet him. "Young Master Qi, why are you here today? I thought you weren't interested in this kind of event."

Qi Xing glanced over. It was one of his friends, Yang Kaiming. "You're here too."

"You think I want to be here," the newcomer scoffed, "My dad forced me to come. Said I should meet more people and broaden my horizons. Oh please, spare me."

Qi Xing glanced in the direction Yang Kaiming was looking. His friend's father was energetically chatting with a big shot, receiving only polite nods in return.

"Not very exciting," Qi Xing commented.

"I agree," Yang Kaiming sympathized with his father's plight, "Are you here alone, Qi?"

Qi Xing nodded casually. "Yeah."

The invitation was from his parents, but with their disinterest in such pretentious social gatherings, he ended up coming alone.

Yang Kaiming looked around and spotted a small celebrity in the crowd, teasing Qi Xing, "Are you here for that someone? Chasing after them all the way here?"

Qi Xing leisurely chewed on the last bite of his dessert, his gaze fixed on the person Yang Kaiming was referring to. The individual was busy fawning over a certain wealthy lady, nodding and bowing obsequiously, devoid of the shy reserve shown in Qi Xing's presence.

"Not anymore," he set down his plate, his interest waning.

Yang Kaiming wanted to inquire further, but a commotion at the entrance of the banquet hall diverted their attention. Someone important seemed to have arrived, as people began flocking to greet the newcomer.

Yang Kaiming lowered his voice, "It's someone from the Ye family."

Qi Xing swallowed the last bite of his dessert slowly. "Who's that?"

"You don't know?" Yang Kaiming was surprised, "It's Ye Xingzhou, the new head of the Ye family. There's been constant turmoil in the family since his father passed away, but it's finally settled recently. He's a bastard son, but he's incredibly talented. None of his brothers or uncles could ever outsmart him."

As the words fell, Qi Xing saw the man entering the hall. He was tall, with rugged features and a prominent nose, sporting a pair of silver-framed glasses. The curve of his lips formed a perfect smile, exuding an air of sophistication and charm, resembling a true gentleman.

The big shot who had previously ignored Yang Kaiming's father was now shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries with him, treating him with respect and admiration.

Yang Kaiming marveled, "Ye Xingzhou seems to have a good temper. Easy to get along with, isn't he? How did he manage to stand out from the pack of wolves and tigers  in the Ye family?"

Qi Xing couldn't care less about what Yang Kaiming was saying, his attention drawn to another person beside Ye Xingzhou.

Dressed in a simple casual suit, the young man exuded a gentle and handsome aura, though not as imposing as the person next to him. Yet, the smile in his eyes and on his lips somehow stirred something within Qi Xing.

"And who's that?" he asked.

Yang Kaiming finally noticed the person accompanying Ye Xingzhou and scrutinized him for a moment. "I remember now, he's from the Lin family, a renowned artist. Seems quite famous, with exhibitions held both domestically and internationally."

"Lin family?" Qi Xing inquired.

"Also part of the upper-class circles in Huaicheng City but their family has declined in recent years. I heard they're just a shell of their former selves. However, the fact that he's here with Ye Xingzhou suggests he must have some talent left."

"He looks good," Qi Xing remarked with a smile.

Yang Kaiming was taken aback. "Are you talking about Ye Xingzhou?"

Qi Xing clarified, "The one next to him."

Yang Kaiming glanced at the person Qi Xing was talking about for a moment. He seemed decent enough, but in his opinion, he didn't compare to that Mr. Ye, let alone Qi Xing himself.

Yang Kaiming chuckled, "Qi, are you shifting your focus from the little celebrity to a new target?"

Qi Xing raised an eyebrow. "Is there a problem?"

Yang Kaiming quickly reminded him, "People like them, who consider themselves 'old money [1]' in Huaicheng City, always look down on parvenus [2] like us. Qi, you'd better not embarrass yourself by pursuing him."

[1] refers to wealth that has been accumulated over generations, typically through inheritance or long-term investments.

[2] is a French word that describes someone who has recently acquired wealth and social status, often through means considered less than respectable. It carries a negative connotation, implying that the individual lacks the refinement, breeding, and social graces associated with established wealth and high society.

"Old money? If you go back a few decades, who among their ancestors didn't start as commoners? They're just putting on airs."

Qi Xing picked up his wine glass and confidently walked towards the man.

Lin Zhinian had just finished chatting with a foreign oil painting enthusiast and turned around to see someone openly scrutinizing him. It was a young man with striking features, exuding an air of extravagance. Lin Zhinian paused for a moment.

Qi Xing approached, raising his glass to him. "Teacher [3] Lin, it's a pleasure to meet you."

[3] In the context of the conversation, "Teacher" is likely referring to Lin Zhinian with respect or as a sign of respect, especially since he is older or more experienced in certain aspects. It's a common way to address someone who is seen as knowledgeable, experienced, or respected in a particular field or relationship dynamic.

Lin Zhinian asked, "Do I know you?"

They hadn't met ten minutes ago, but they do now.

Qi Xing lied without blinking: "I'm a fan of Teacher Lin's art. I've attended several of your exhibitions before. It's quite a coincidence to meet you here tonight. My name is Qi Xing, and I'm delighted to have this opportunity to meet Teacher Lin."

Lin Zhinian almost immediately guessed his identity. With the surname Qi and the fact that he didn't seem to be with anyone else, he could only be from the Qi family of Ronghua Corporation, which was currently one of the most prominent families in Huaicheng City.

Speaking of the Qi family, almost everyone in the upper circles of Huaicheng City knew about them.

The founder of Ronghua Corporation, Qi Ronghua, was originally a country bumpkin with only a high school education who had come to Huaicheng City to make a living over a decade ago. In just over ten years, he first made his fortune in catering, then expanded into hotels, real estate, and even entered the entertainment industry to make quick money. After that, he ventured into financial investment and even dabbled in high-tech internet industries. Clearly, he was someone who went wherever the money was but his luck was astonishingly good, and he made a fortune in every field he entered, leaving others envious and jealous.

Nowadays, even though the snobbish "old aristocrats" in Huaicheng City's upper circles secretly looked down on Qi Ronghua and mocked him as a nouveau riche, they still had to greet him with smiles on their faces when they met him face to face.

Lin Zhinian was somewhat surprised. He had never met Qi Ronghua, but he had heard plenty of gossip about him and his family, and he didn't have a good impression of them. The Young Master Qi in front of him looked frivolous but his demeanor was not inferior to those of Lin Zhinian's peers who had been brought up with elite education.

Even more surprisingly, Qi Xing's looks were exceptionally good.

Qi Xing raised his glass of red wine to Lin Zhinian, who quietly clinked his glass with him.

Qi Xing continued to discuss Lin Zhinian's paintings, all of which he had just searched on his phone moments ago. He spoke confidently, without a hint of embarrassment.

Lin Zhinian listened while smiling politely and choosing not to expose him.

Five minutes later, a gentle male voice interrupted them. "Zhinian, come over here."

Both of them turned their heads. It was Ye Xingzhou, who had just finished speaking with someone and beckoned Lin Zhinian to join him.

As Ye Xingzhou's gaze swept over Qi Xing, it seemed to pause on his face for a second. Qi Xing also openly scrutinized the other party. In the instant their gazes collided, he instinctively sensed the coldness in Ye Xingzhou's eyes. It wasn't obvious, but it couldn't be ignored.

This feeling made Qi Xing extremely uncomfortable. This person clearly wasn't easy to deal with.

Only Yang Kaiming, that fool, would think he had a good temper and was easy to get along with.

Ye Xingzhou withdrew his gaze and Lin Zhinian said "Excuse me" to Qi Xing, walking back to Ye Xingzhou's side.

Qi Xing took a slow sip of his drink, his gaze still fixed on Lin Zhinian. Seeing the intimate interaction between him and Ye Xingzhou, it seemed as if he understood something.

Yang Kaiming followed along and listened to the whole conversation, teasing Qi Xing, "I think that famous painter notice that you actually know nothing about his paintings."

Qi Xing remained composed. "So what? He still has to smile at me."

Yang Kaiming chuckled. "Well, that's true."

————

Ye Xingzhou led Lin Zhinian to the snack table. Lin Zhinian whispered to him, "That person just now claimed to be surnamed Qi. He should be Qi Ronghua's son."

Ye Xingzhou wasn't interested. "If you find it troublesome, you don't have to pay attention to him."

Lin Zhinian observed his expression. 

When Ye Xingzhou said that, his face was calm and it sounded like comforting words, but in fact, he didn't care at all.

Soon, someone else came to toast Ye Xingzhou. He picked up a plate of snacks and casually handed a piece to Lin Zhinian before engaging in conversation with the person.

The few people who came to toast were all slightly surprised by the situation, discreetly appraising Lin Zhinian.

The Lin family's influence had long since dwindled. If Lin Zhinian hadn't come with Ye Xingzhou today, with just the reputation of a renowned young painter, hardly anyone would have paid attention to him. 

Ye Xingzhou openly showed care for him in front of others. If Lin Zhinian were a woman, the implications would have been almost self-evident and people would only sigh at the Lin family's good fortune, still having the opportunity to rise again through marriage. But he happened to be a man.

But, was being a man really a hindrance?

Regardless of what they thought, everyone present was astute, maintaining their smiles and continuing to socialize and toast Lin Zhinian.

Ye Xingzhou's face remained consistently warm and gentle, with little indication of dominance. It was as if he was giving the impression that he was still young and perhaps his rise to power was simply a stroke of luck.

Listening to the insincere compliments around him, Lin Zhinian's gaze met Ye Xingzhou's unchanged smile and he took a sip of wine, suppressing the complex emotions surging within him.

On the other side, Qi Xing's gaze lazily followed Lin Zhinian, as he asked Yang Kaiming, "What's the relationship between those two?"

Yang Kaiming also saw the scene earlier and coughed lightly. "I don't know. I've never heard rumors about Ye Xingzhou having that kind of relationship. Qi, not everyone is like you. But who knows? Anyway, I suggest you don't set your sights on him."

"I won't," Qi Xing smiled, his eyes fixed on Lin Zhinian's softer profile under the bright lights, "I've fallen for him."

Yang Kaiming jokes, "What if they really are in that kind of relationship?"

Qi Xing tapped his finger lightly on the wine glass, his voice rising, "So what?”

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