Light Fortress
Chapter 182 - 169: Ball Hunter

Chapter 182: Chapter 169: Ball Hunter

The night of the Freedom Ball.

Under the circular arch of the auditorium’s dome, countless shadows of light hung down, swaying dimly like willow branches reaching out.

Jiang Wan sat in the car, clutching her black gown tightly, despite the heater being on full blast, she still felt cold... it was a mental chill, and through the glass, she could see the myriad lights and figures outside, layering upon one another.

The world outside the car window was noisy.

But inside it was utterly tranquil.

She recalled her parents’ nagging and teachings; the ball this time was of utmost importance, and she absolutely must not follow her whims and cause any trouble... After investigating the abnormal patients in the old town district, she was grounded for a long time upon returning to South Bay.

Stepping out of the car, a wave of cold air hit her.

The autumn and winter in Dadu were almost continuous, with winter setting in right after the end of autumn.

"It’s so cold..."

With the biting cold wind, Jiang Wan took a deep breath before getting out of the car, rubbed her cheeks, and at the moment she stepped out, she restored her expressionless aloof demeanor, took a deep breath, picked up the hem of her gown, and walked toward the entrance of the auditorium with her head held high and chest out, like a proud and majestic white swan, drawing sideways glances from the crowd.

Jiang Wan was in high spirits, treating the Freedom Ball tonight as her own battlefield.

"Please wait... We need to conduct a simple check on you."

At the entrance, a gentle voice sounded.

Jiang Wan frowned, thinking the voice sounded so familiar.

She turned to look at the young man standing at the entrance, holding a scanning device, dressed in simple security garb, and wearing a mask, and said with a surprised expression, "Dr. Xiao Gu? How come you’re here?"

...

...

Gu Shen’s feelings were quite mixed.

He was stirred up by the old man’s few words, excited for the Freedom Ball to arrive... only to end up in a security uniform, with no invitation to get into the ball. How should one get in? It was simple: become a security guard for the ball.

He already anticipated the nonsense Zhou Jiren would spout the next time they met.

"Want to be the hunter of the ball, do you?"

"Start by being a security guard!"

The sole consolation was that he was not alone... Song Ci also put on the plain security uniform and together, they checked the personal items of the arriving guests, essentially verifying the identities of the guests against the list to ensure they were true.

Although there weren’t many familiar faces, Gu Shen still chose to wear a mask to prevent being recognized.

But... the more you fear something, the more it comes.

Gu Shen hadn’t expected Jiang Wan to attend the ball either.

Upon reflection.

Jiang Wan’s parents were members of the Huazhi Board of Directors... It made sense for her to receive an invitation; it was rather his presence that seemed out of place.

He said in astonishment, "Even like this... you can still recognize me?"

"But it’s really obvious, I recognized you at a glance..." Jiang Wan quickly lowered her voice, puzzled, "Why would Dr. Xiao Gu be working as a security guard?"

"Part-time... part-time..." Gu Shen made up an excuse, quickly flattered her, saying, "You truly have the eyes of a journalist, good vision."

Jiang Wan smiled and then earnestly said, "By the way, I haven’t thanked you for last time yet. If Dr. Xiao Gu is really in need of money... you can come to me, there’s no need for you to do this kind of part-time job."

"Thank you for your kindness," Gu Shen responded with feigned delight, "I’ll consider it after the ball is over."

After Jiang Wan left, Song Ci came up with a grin, imitating Jiang Wan’s tone in a not-so-well-meaning way, "Dr. Xiao Gu~"

Gu Shen got goosebumps all over.

"That girl just now... is there something going on between you two?"

"Nonsense," Gu Shen said disgruntledly: "She was just a client at my clinic before, a clean physician-patient relationship."

"Those who can attend the ball are no ordinary individuals," Song Ci said meaningfully, "Haven’t you been single for eighteen years, my boy? Not considering the rich damsel?"

"Sorry, but the grass is already claimed," Gu Shen bragged for once, "You better worry about yourself."

Song Ci spat.

He raised an eyebrow, intending to make some brash, boastful proclamations, something like "Lu Nanjin and I are already destined for life"... but before he could speak, he suddenly caught sight of a graceful figure in the distance and immediately quieted down.

A stretch Kennin stopped outside the red carpet of the auditorium.

Zhou Jiren, wearing a top hat, dressed in a white suit, was leaning on a dragon-headed cane with one hand and escorting a young lady with the other as they slowly approached the hall.

The lady was none other than Lu Nanjin.

The senior sister had abandoned her perennial trench coat in favor of a fluffy black gauze dress that revealed her snowy shoulders and though her stern and muscular back with its slight scars—marks left by battles—were visible, they couldn’t change the aura of a warrior even in a princess’s grand attire.

Upon seeing Lu Nanjin, Song Ci backed down from eight hundred meters away.

"Tsk..."

Gu Shen mocked mercilessly, "Coward."

"So what?" Song Ci said, unperturbed, "In a bit, she’ll still put her hand in mine. Ma’am, please hold out your hand—"

...

...

"Beep—"

During the scanner check.

Zhou Jiren spoke to Gu Shen with a soft laugh, "Thank you for your hard work."

Gu Shen gritted his teeth and said, "This is your idea for getting me into the event? What happened to being ’the hunter of the ball’?"

The old fellow shrugged helplessly, raising his arms to go along with the inspection.

"You want to be the hunter of the ball?"

"Start with working as a security guard!"

Indeed... The line was exactly as he had anticipated.

"Why can sister-disciple enter the venue?" Gu Shen sighed, "While I have to nest here as a security guard."

"Nan Jin is the lady’s sister, she holds a share of the original stocks in Huazhi... Even if it’s just a tiny share, it’s far more valuable than that invitation," Zhou Jiren blinked, smirking slyly, "Being a security guard has its perks; when we enjoy the performance later, you can enjoy watching us."

Elsewhere.

Song Ci coughed, "Ma’am, please raise your hands—"

Lu Nanjin complied by raising her hands.

Song Ci caught a glimpse of a short dagger fastened to the side of someone’s long dress, scratched his head, and thought about saying something.

"I would advise you to pretend you didn’t see it," Lu Nanjin said calmly.

Song Ci chickened out instantly, letting out a long sigh, "Okay then... Next person, please."

The two beleaguered men exchanged glances, each letting out a wry smile.

Suddenly, their eyes lit up.

A familiar figure appeared in the distance.

"Mr. Zhao seems to have quite the taste, to attend tonight’s ball..."

"Mr. Zhao hasn’t shown his face in Dadu for a long time; I heard you were treated in the hospital recently? Was it because of a terminal illness?"

The man, surrounded by a starry host, wore a smile that was stiff and perfunctory.

It was none other than Zhao Qi, Young Master Zhao.

He was currently having a hard time dealing with the "encirclement" of several guys.

After getting out of the car, Zhao Qi had seen several menacing figures from afar, seemingly loitering outside the auditorium, apparently waiting for someone... Obviously, these guys were reporters, and an annual gala like the Freedom Ball was not without the presence of the paparazzi.

And every year’s news controversy always revolved around some disappointing spoiled brat.

Zhao Qi had self-awareness and took a detour, but eventually, he was spotted, and in the end, he was forced to go along with them.

His mother’s... These guys were actually waiting for him.

It was him. Every year.

Without making fun of me, they wouldn’t even write the news?

Zhao Qi was holding back a belly full of rage.

Last time, while walking at night in the old district, he was beaten up by two unidentified stray dogs, and the culprit had not yet been found.

In recent days, he had been hiding in the hospital to recuperate. It was not easy to heal his face and fix his teeth, only for such a scandal to arise in the Zhao Family.

"Mr. Zhao, we are reporters from Dadu Evening News, many people are very concerned about your life. Some people say you’ve turned over a new leaf. About this, can you come out and dispel the rumors... "

Zhao Qi stopped in his tracks.

He looked at these incessantly babbling guys with gritted teeth, then took a deep breath and smiled, "Sorry to disappoint everyone... To describe me as turned over a new leaf is fine, because I am indeed not the same Zhao Qi as before. I haven’t been anywhere in this period... I was in the hospital for a while, but I wasn’t suffering from a terminal illness, simply was bitten by a dog."

The reporters surrounding Zhao Qi were somewhat disappointed.

"What do you think about your father amending his will?"

"No comment."

So, he walked on with difficulty.

When he reached the entrance of the auditorium, the noisy voices around him finally quieted down a bit... Zhao Qi breathed a sigh of relief; at last, it was quiet.

He straightened his tie and stood at the entrance for the routine inspection, cooperating with the two security personnel.

But then he heard a "beep" by his ear.

"Sorry, sir... this item is against the rules."

Zhao Qi frowned and looked down at the metal brooch pinned to his chest.

He suddenly found the voice very familiar and sharply looked up.

"Song Ci?"

Zhao Qi’s expression was odd; he instinctively took two steps back... During his hospital stay, he had heard about this guy’s formidable record, fighting a hundred men alone on River Beach Dam and even winning.

The issue at River Beach Dam had blown up. Eventually, the leaders from South Bay and Huazhi took it upon themselves to resolve. The disputes that had arisen because of Chen Jingtan had also come to an end.

Seeing Crow’s indifferent expression made Zhao Qi feel a bit uneasy.

"Relax, I’m not the kind of petty person you are... It’s just a routine inspection, I won’t make it difficult for you," Song Ci said calmly, stretching out his hand unceremoniously and removing the brooch, "You can’t bring this thing into the venue, you don’t mind if I confiscate it, do you?"

"... How unlucky."

Zhao Qi muttered inwardly, his face breezy, "If you like it, just take it."

"What’s that supposed to mean?" Crow said indifferently, "Can I even take advantage of you?"

"I just want to give you a piece of advice, after you get inside... don’t get any crooked ideas."

"Otherwise, the outcome... will be like this..."

He extended two fingers and slowly rubbed the brooch.

A gilded brooch was ground to ashes so easily.

Zhao Qi’s pupils constricted, he straightened his clothes, cursed ’crazy’ under his breath, then quickly walked into the venue.