The female manager discreetly dismissed the sales associate and led Lin Xian into the inner showroom."Mr. Lin, please come in."
Inside, the room was brightly lit, with European-style wooden furniture lining the walls, each piece exuding a timeless charm.
At the center stood several glass display cases, each holding a meticulously tailored suit.
"Since you're attending the banquet tonight, there's no time to custom-make a suit from scratch. These are our standard high-end pieces. If any catch your eye, I'll take it out for you to try. You have a standard build—our tailor can make minor adjustments and you'll be good to go."
"Personally, I recommend the one on the left. It's slightly less formal and has more vibrant accents."
Lin Xian turned to the left display case.
It was a dark navy-blue suit. Even to his untrained eye, he could tell—it was a cut above the ones he had seen outside.
"I'll go with that one. Let me try it."
Lin Xian had only worn a suit once in his life. He trusted the professional's recommendation more than his own judgment.
After trying it on, he looked at himself in the mirror.
Clothes really do make the man.Wearing this premium suit, the transformation was undeniable.
"I'll take this one."
"Excellent, Mr. Lin. Please come this way. I'll have the tailor take your measurements and make some final adjustments. Would you like me to recommend a tie to match?"
"Sure, go ahead."
…
A while later, Lin Xian stepped out of the store carrying a suit box.
It was the first time he realized that top-tier suits came in their own hard-shell cases.
The manager had told him to take it out and hang it upright once he got home to avoid creasing. The box was designed to protect the suit during transport.
"So delicate…"
He felt like he was carrying a box of gold.
He was curious how much the suit actually cost…But there were no price tags on the glass cases, and the manager had simply billed everything to Zhao Yingjun's account.In the end, Lin Xian had no idea what the total came to.
7:00 PM
Lin Xian arrived at the banquet venue by taxi.
It was the most luxurious private club in all of Donghai.As the car stopped, a valet opened the door and placed a hand over the doorframe.
"Please mind your step, sir."
He walked toward the main hall. Along the way, several well-dressed guests nodded and smiled in greeting, which Lin Xian returned politely.
The entire building was decorated in European classical style.Every brick and tile radiated elegance and solemnity.
Inside the grand hall, the banquet had yet to officially begin.
Guests milled about with glasses of wine, chatting in small groups.A live violin and piano duet played from the second-floor balcony.The atmosphere reminded Lin Xian of a scene from Titanic.
He quickly spotted Zhao Yingjun.
Tonight, she wore a deep burgundy evening gown. Her hair was elegantly tied up in a formal style.
Lin Xian noticed her earrings had changed from silver to ruby red—perfectly matching her dress.
She looked very different from her usual business-suited self.Tonight, she exuded the grace and allure of a highborn rose—regal and unreachable.
"Lin Xian, you're here."
Zhao Yingjun looked him over and nodded in approval."Good taste. This suit suits you well."
She walked over and tugged gently at his tie, tightening the knot.
"Lin Xian, a suit is a man's armor, and the tie is his sword. Remember to wear it properly next time."
"Oh, right… got it."
He nodded awkwardly.
Patting his lapel, Zhao Yingjun picked up her wine glass again and led him deeper into the hall.
"Tonight's science fundraiser banquet is organized by the Donghai Chamber of Commerce… by none other than Chu Shanhe himself."
She pointed to the base of the grand staircase, where a broad-shouldered man was laughing and chatting with a group of local bigwigs.
"That's Chu Shanhe—the most prominent figure in all of Donghai."
"I've heard of him."
Lin Xian nodded.
The name Chu Shanhe was a household one in Donghai—a man both legendary and untouchable.
Donghai was a sprawling international city, filled with complex networks both in the open and behind closed doors.To be president of the Chamber of Commerce—a post requiring both authority and strength—was no trivial matter.
"I used to hear about Chu Shanhe all the time back in university. Not sure how much was true. There's even a rumor that… he's a total softie for his daughter?"
Zhao Yingjun smiled faintly."That one's actually true."
"He spoils her that much?"
"It's beyond spoiling—she's like porcelain in his hand or sugar on his tongue. One slip and she'd shatter or melt."
She looked around, then shook her head.
"Chu Shanhe used to bring his daughter to every banquet. I haven't seen her tonight, though. She's a very lovely girl."
"Oh."
Lin Xian responded absently.
He wasn't interested in gossip.This world of elites had nothing to do with him.
"Lin Xian, look over there."
Zhao Yingjun gently tugged his arm and pointed across the room.
There, in a quiet corner, stood a man completely out of place.
His shirt was wrinkled, his beard half-shaved, and he wore heavy blocky glasses fogged up with condensation.
"That's Professor Xu Yun from Donghai University. Did you ever meet him during school?"
"Nope," Lin Xian said honestly.
Donghai University was huge, with countless departments and teachers.He didn't even know every professor in his own department, let alone others.
"Professor Xu is the only scientist in the country researching hibernation pods. But over the years, he's made almost no progress. He hasn't even nailed down the foundational theories, let alone produced real results."
"People in China are researching that kind of thing? Sounds like science fiction."
Zhao Yingjun chuckled softly."He's the only one."
"His research topic is so far-fetched that no institute would take him. His former mentors and students have all left. Everyone thinks he's gone mad."
"After all these years, all he's earned is an associate professorship—no major breakthroughs. He just teaches classes and conducts his experiments in a small university lab."
"But."
She swirled the red wine in her glass, eyes thoughtful.
"Maybe that's how fate works—once you've hit rock bottom, all that's left is to rise."
"Recently, while experimenting with hibernation pod fluid, he failed again… but unexpectedly discovered a new chemical compound."
"This compound, when combined with water molecules, forms a single-molecule-thin membrane. It's breathable, completely waterproof, and harmless to human skin."
Zhao Yingjun set her glass on a table and picked up a new one from a nearby tray.
"This compound may be a failure for his hibernation research. But Lin Xian—"
"Do you know what it means for our skincare industry?"
(End of Chapter)