Chapter 33: Lightning

The person who came to chat her up was Chen Feng.

Luo Yan remembered that he was Lu Xiao Na’s classmate—and also her childhood friend. However, their relationship hadn’t been good since they entered the ability school.

His father was the deputy minister of the Defense Department, which made him a genuine second-generation official. In the independent city of Neo Aonan, that kind of background was enough to intimidate most people.

If she hadn’t advanced to the Luminous level, dealing with someone like him might have been tricky. But now, it was much less of a concern.

The other party’s attitude was frivolous.

She responded calmly, “I didn’t expect to see you here either.”

The implication, of course, was that she didn’t want to see him.

Chen Feng called her name the moment he walked up. Clearly, after their encounter at the mall last time, he had looked into her—with ulterior motives.

Given his personality and status, Luo Yan wasn’t the least bit surprised.

Chen Feng smiled, as if he hadn’t heard the subtext of her words.

“Ever since I saw you that day, Miss Luo Yan, your beauty has left a lasting impression on me. I’ve been thinking of finding a chance to get to know you better, but unfortunately, none came up. I was starting to feel regretful, but I didn’t expect to run into you at tonight’s banquet—and dressed in formal attire no less. You’re absolutely stunning.”

Women were soft-hearted.

Praise them a little, add some strategic moves, and you could easily make them fall into your arms.

This was the experience Chen Feng had gained from years of debauchery.

He wasn’t bad-looking, and his family background was quite distinguished in Neo Aonan. In the realm of romance, unless the girl’s father was someone truly untouchable—like Lu Xiao Na’s—he rarely failed.

And this time, he wasn’t lying. When he saw Luo Yan dressed formally earlier, she looked almost ethereal. Now that he was standing closer, that feeling only intensified.

He had to admit—Luo Yan was the most striking woman he had ever seen.

Not only did she pull off white stockings and a gown flawlessly, she carried them with an innate, noble elegance.

Combined with the faintly powerful aura she exuded, she had a regal air about her.

Women like this ignited a man’s instinct to conquer.

“Thank you for the compliment,” Luo Yan said coolly. “Unfortunately, we’re not on the same wavelength, Young Master Chen. Please step aside—you’re blocking me.”

She didn’t intend to save him any face.

Chen Feng’s brows furrowed slightly.

He instinctively tried to grab her wrist—but caught nothing but air, completely thrown off guard.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Luo Yan asked, her dark eyes calm and unreadable.

Chen Feng took half a step closer and said in a low voice, “Miss Luo Yan, it’s better not to be too ambitious.”

“Ambitious? What are you talking about?”

“You came to this banquet hoping to climb the social ladder and become a phoenix, didn’t you?” Chen Feng said, a note of mockery in his voice.

Luo Yan was briefly startled by the remark—then quickly understood why he’d think that way. But she didn’t bother explaining.

Instead, she asked with a smile, “So? What are you trying to say?”

“Yun Mo—the sole heir of Aurora, the world’s top financial group. He’s also the youngest Luminous-level ability user in all of Europe. If you manage to latch onto him, you’ll be able to soar like a phoenix… It’s a bold idea. But judging by your beauty tonight, Miss Luo Yan, it’s not entirely impossible.”

Chen Feng felt like he had seen right through her intentions.

Although he was a bit disappointed in her, deep down he was even more intrigued. In love, desire wasn’t the problem—lack of desire was.

As long as Luo Yan wanted something and was open to negotiation, he had a shot.

If he could land such a top-tier woman, how many of his peers would envy him?

“You certainly have a vivid imagination, Young Master Chen. It’s a pity you’re not a playwright,” Luo Yan said with a smirk.

“There’s no need to deny it so quickly, Miss Luo Yan.”

Chen Feng shook his head and leaned in slightly.

Her delicate makeup was just inches away, and with each breath, he could smell the faint, captivating fragrance from her skin.

“Dreams are beautiful—but what about reality? Lu Xiao Na must’ve given you this idea, right? She’s always been naive…”

“Who is Yun Mo, really? Social status is everything. You and he are worlds apart. If he’s the fireworks in the sky, then you’re just a moth flying into the flame. No matter how hard you try to get close, you’ll only end up burned to ashes.”

Luo Yan was about to wrap up this increasingly boring conversation when something caught her eye from the corner of the room.

She paused, her expression shifting subtly. Then she looked back at Chen Feng, her interest seemingly piqued.

Encouraged, Chen Feng’s smile grew even more confident.

“But I’m different. Maybe I don’t have as much wealth as Yun Mo, but I’m still someone important in Neo Aonan. As long as you’re willing to be with me, everything I have—whether it’s a luxury car or a villa—I’ll give it to you. That’s my promise. Sure, Yun Mo could offer the same, but with his status, he’d never treat you as generously as I would.”

Having concluded that Luo Yan also wanted to climb the ladder, he switched tactics.

“You seem to know him well,” Luo Yan said.

Chen Feng gave a knowing smile. “Human nature is universal. No matter how much of a genius Yun Mo is, he’s still just a man.”

Luo Yan appeared thoughtful.

Thinking he was getting somewhere, Chen Feng reached out again to take her gloved hand.

Luo Yan dodged once more, her expression turning cold. “Young Master Chen, being handsy with women isn’t a good habit.”

Chen Feng’s eyes narrowed. He said with displeasure, “Luo Yan, don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit.”

Just then, a male voice spoke up behind him, calm and smiling.

“Oh? Who’s refusing a toast and about to be forced to drink a forfeit?”

The voice was gentle, but to Chen Feng, it struck like a bolt of lightning.

***

Lu Xiao Na had just finished at the buffet and was making her way back when she suddenly caught sight of someone—and stopped in her tracks.

Then, as if trying not to attract attention, she took a few cautious steps backward.

“Wait… isn’t that… hehe, he actually came over first. I had this whole plan to lure the snake out of its hole, but now it looks like I won’t even need to bother…”

A dazzling smile bloomed on her delicate face.

“My instincts were spot-on. With Big Sister Luo Yan’s looks and presence, not to mention the white stockings and gown, she could kill the whole room the moment she walks in. Even the abstinent male god—”

Big Sister Luo Yan, oh Big Sister Luo Yan…

Step one of my Ultimate Young Master Conquest Plan is complete. Whether it succeeds or not—it’s all up to you now.

If it works, you’ll have a chance to shoot straight to the top, Big Sister Luo Yan.

Even if you just win Yun Mo’s favor, it’s still a huge win—

Before laying out this plan, she had even gone to her father for advice. Her father, who had always had a sharp eye for people, had given Yun Mo a glowing review for both his character and ability.

Only then did she dare to go through with it.

After all, she couldn’t afford to set someone up with the wrong person.

That said, even with all her careful planning, now that everything was actually in motion—and given the other party’s worth, his influence, and all the unknowns—she couldn’t help feeling a flicker of nervousness under her excitement.