Chapter 083: The High Society Ball
“Sir, this is your invitation. Please be sure to grace the ball tonight.”
Unsurprisingly, Chen Ran also received an invitation to tonight’s high society networking ball.
Of course, he would go to this event. First, he wanted to get his face known in the circles of Ximan City, and at the same time, attract some guests to the church. It would look better when the old high priest returned. Now that he had money, he even decided to renovate the church.
The feeling of having confidence was different. After everything was settled here, Chen Ran left the auction house under the envious gazes of the crowd and returned to the church.
This time, he changed into his specially made high priest’s robe. Looking at the proper, charlatan-like image in the mirror, after he was ready, Chen Ran nodded in satisfaction, feeling that he was ready to go out.
Before leaving, Chen Ran specially instructed Sister Marian to add some extra dishes for the children at night. After all, he was heading for a comfortable life, and their living conditions should also be improved accordingly.
As the sky gradually darkened, the neon lights in the city’s rich district lit up in an orderly fashion, illuminating the night.
Outside the Xilan Grand Hotel, a crowd surged. All kinds of luxurious carriages were parked outside, and a group of spirited attendants directed the order. The celebrities of Xilan City passed through, entering the hotel in groups.
Chen Ran’s attire was indeed a bit conspicuous. Many people remembered this boy who had become rich overnight from the auction that afternoon. Some celebrities even came forward to greet Chen Ran. Chen Ran just casually replied a few words, and after handing over his invitation, he walked into the hotel’s ballroom on his own.
Upon entering, the view was suddenly wide and open. The huge circular venue was brightly lit, surpassing the brilliance of the day.
The dance floor was very large, enough to accommodate thousands of people. The various celebrities of Xilan City were chatting and networking here.
Because he had a few more things to take care of before, Chen Ran arrived a little late. There were already many celebrities here, more than a hundred of them scattered throughout the ballroom.
Chen Ran glanced around. The circles here were roughly divided into four: the noble circle, the merchant circle, the youth circle, and a circle for women to socialize. Most had their own fixed circles, and only a few people moved between them.
“Hey, Chen Ran!”
A familiar voice. Chen Ran turned his head and saw someone waving at him in the crowd. Chen Ran looked over and saw that it was Colin greeting him and running toward him.
“I heard you made a fortune today, a full 1 million gold coins! You have to treat me!”
Colin was in high spirits tonight. Although the residual effects of the berserk potion had not completely disappeared, and his face was still a little pale, it clearly did not affect the good mood of this future great magician of Xilan City.
“Treating you is a small matter,” Chen Ran said, noticing the frequent glances the young girls were casting at Colin. He said with emotion, “You’re quite popular with the girls.”
“I can’t help it. That’s what happens when you’re handsome,” Colin said, as shameless as ever, nudging Chen Ran’s chest with his elbow. “But in terms of popularity, you’re the brightest guest tonight. I estimate that when your net worth is known to everyone, there will be many mature young madams who will try to seduce you. They are much more realistic than those inexperienced little girls. There’s nothing more leisurely than latching onto a young and not-too-old man.”
“Stop teasing me. I’m representing a high priest of the church now,” Chen Ran said, giving him a light punch in return. He was then led into the crowd by Colin.
As expected, when Chen Ran appeared, many people looked at him and discussed. Those who had not attended the auction that afternoon also gradually learned the news, their faces filled with surprise, jealousy, and envy.
“I didn’t expect you to be so lucky this time. The divine weapon you sold was actually noticed by Lady Angélique of the Tulip family and was bought directly for 1 million gold coins. Lady Angélique has always been the idol of countless people in the Turin Empire. If I had known I could see her there, I would have gone to the auction to join in the fun. I heard you even spoke to her face to face. Tell me, what does she look like?”
“She didn’t show her face. She was wearing a veil,” Chen Ran shrugged. “She’s tall and has a very special temperament. It’s probably the kind of decisive, murderous air that’s been honed on the battlefield. At least, an ordinary man would feel a lot of pressure standing in front of her.”
“That’s true,” Colin said. “I heard that Lady Angélique is incredibly beautiful. When she was young, her father once said that if a man of the same age or younger could defeat her in a one-on-one battle, the marshal would immediately marry his daughter to that man, regardless of his status, whether he was a commoner or a noble. He would keep his promise.”
At this, Colin sighed. “But in fact, no boy of the same age could defeat her. It was only after the old marshal died at the hands of the Austro-Hungarian War Emperor that the eighteen-year-old lady took on the burden of defending the empire. Although people call her ‘Lady,’ it’s just a term of respect. She’s 26 now, not old, but she has never been married. If she were to die in a war with the Austro-Hungarian Empire one day and the Tulip bloodline were to be cut off, it would be a great pity. That’s a great family that has existed for 400 years since the founding of the empire.”
“It sounds like you really want to marry into her family,” Chen Ran couldn’t help but smile.
“What’s wrong with that?” Colin said with a nonchalant expression. “Now that I have the innate lightning runes, I can be considered a talent. If I work a little harder, I can still become a famous great magician in the empire. There’s a saying in our academy: a man who doesn’t want to be the lady’s husband is not a good man. If I could become a man of the Tulip family, that would be a truly glorious thing. Only someone with a god-like background is qualified to stand with her. Otherwise, they would sooner or later be beaten to death by the lady’s admirers.”
“Then good luck to you, our future great Magus Colin.”
Joking, the two walked to the buffet table. Colin casually ate some fruit, while Chen Ran took a large plate and filled it with snacks, and began to munch on his own.
When it came to eating a free grand meal, Chen Ran never knew what politeness was.
“Pay attention to your image, our Your Excellency High Priest. You’re a man with a net worth of 1 million gold now. Everyone is looking at you!” Colin couldn’t help but kindly remind him.
“Who cares? I’ve never denied the reality that I’m a nouveau riche. You have to know that when I first came to Xilan City, I didn’t even have a single copper coin. How could I be as particular as you guys?” After speaking, Chen Ran grabbed a tender roasted chicken leg and took a big bite, saying nonchalantly, “I was even thinking if I could pack these things up and take them back for those kids at the church to try.”
“No way…”
“What’s wrong with that? Money is money, but some habits can’t be forgotten. I was born an ordinary person, and I know that life is not easy. If I lose even the most basic things of being a person, I’ll be pretty much useless.”
“But for most people, money is for enjoyment,” Colin said with a smile. “Then I’m curious, how are you going to spend that 1 million gold coins?”
