TCFGBH Chapter 104

Beauty comes in many forms.

Some are steady and reserved, exuding an upright charm; others are gentle and refined, like a sip of water that needs to be savored; still others are elegant and ethereal, captivating in a way that transcends the mundane.

In the interstellar age, where technology thrives, beauty is never in short supply.

Even so, when the young man appeared, his absolute, dazzling beauty shattered rationality. It burned itself into people’s minds, leaving an indelible mark.

For important banquets, nobles always employed professional stylists to perfect their looks and hairstyles.

He wore a white silk shirt adorned with subtle patterns, faintly reflecting a cool light. A black leather belt highlighted his lean waistline, and his long, well-toned legs were encased in straight-cut black pants that tapered neatly at the ankle, revealing a sliver of skin.

Golden eyes, noble and cold, gazed out with arrogance, as if a god had descended to regard everyone with equal disdain.

His beauty was like the bright red mushroom in the forest, the hunting leopard in the tropical jungle, or the vividly colored venomous snake. It was dangerous, yet impossible to resist its allure.

After a brief silence, the banquet grew lively again.

“Good evening, Mr. Xia.”

Grover watched helplessly as a previously neutral young noble enthusiastically approached Xia Yan, striking up a conversation. “It’s been months, and you’re as dazzling as ever.”

Xia Yan lifted his gaze slightly, his tone indifferent. “Mr. Grant.”

“This banquet is truly lively tonight. Would you like some champagne?” Grant smiled as he made small talk. “It’s crafted from locally grown gemstone grapes, smooth in taste and richly fragrant, with a unique charm.”

“My goodness, Grant, you sound like a wine salesman right now,” interjected another young and handsome noble, appearing out of nowhere and mercilessly mocking him.

Grant’s face darkened instantly. “You’re as insufferable as ever.”

The tension between the two men was palpable.

Trapped between them, Xia Yan appeared calm and aloof but was actually bewildered. Why were these two arguing next to him?

Sifting through the original owner’s memories, he realized they weren’t even close acquaintances!
Xia Yan felt exasperated.

Meanwhile, other guests, previously hesitant to approach due to their respective stances, saw someone take the initiative and quickly swarmed over as well.

The upper echelons of the noble circle were small; most people had at least crossed paths.

“Mr. Xia, I’m Anna Bellum. When I was little, my father took me to visit your estate. Do you remember me?”

“I often travel to X29 to purchase gemstones. If you ever need a guide, I’d be delighted to show you around.”

“…I deeply regret what happened at the Central Military Academy.”

“The law enforcement team is utterly disappointing to have made such a basic mistake.”
…
Xia Yan: “…………”

So noisy!!!

It was as if ten thousand ducks were quacking noisily in his ears. He couldn’t make out a single word they were saying. Despite being at an elegant banquet, he felt like he had mistakenly wandered into a noisy nightclub.

With a bewildered expression, he asked the system, […Was the original owner this popular?]

The system hesitated. [Maybe…?]

“…”

The system tried its best to analyze. [You see… the original owner has a high status and is one of the most likely candidates to inherit the throne. It’s only natural for people to try and curry favor with you.]

The more the system spoke, the more confident its tone became.

Xia Yan was convinced.

Although the vague memories he had inherited didn’t suggest the original owner was this popular, times had changed. This was his first banquet after being granted the Gardner surname, and the significance was naturally different.

Thankfully, the original owner’s character was simple. All he had to do was stand there with a cold expression.

Grover, completely ignored: “…”

Seeing the neutral faction crowding around, the supporters of the Xia family wouldn’t be outdone and naturally joined in as well. Among them, the most prominent figure was Rob Ivan, one of Duke Xia’s most trusted aides.

A civilian sponsored by the Xia family, Rob Ivan was 103 years old. By interstellar standards, he was in his prime. After decades of service on the frontier, he had risen to the rank of major general.

When the original owner was a child, Rob often looked after him. Their relationship was less like master and servant and more akin to family.

“Xiao Yan.”

“Uncle Rob.”

The usually aloof young man suddenly revealed a soft, gentle smile, making him all the more captivating. He took the initiative to start a conversation. “I didn’t expect you to attend this banquet.”

“The frontier is quiet for now, so I thought I’d join the fun,” the man replied casually, not mentioning the fact that he had rushed through his duties overnight to come here just because he was worried about Xia Yan. The child he had raised with care held a special place in his heart, one he would protect at all costs.

Their atmosphere was lighthearted and natural, filled with a camaraderie others couldn’t intrude upon.

After a few simple exchanges, Rob subtly glanced around. “The planetary lord is still hosting guests and will take some time to arrive. Would you like to sit in the lounge for a while?”

Surrounded by noisy chatter for so long, Xia Yan was already annoyed. He nodded immediately. “Sure.”

“I’ll come too—”

Grant, who hadn’t had a chance to talk since the initial exchange, suddenly felt anxious when he saw Xia Yan preparing to leave. He wanted to tag along.

But before he could finish speaking, Xia Yan glanced at him.

The look wasn’t sharp—it was light and fleeting—but it carried just the right amount of noble detachment.

Xia Yan said, “Mr. Grant, given your stance, it’s inappropriate for you to join our conversation.”

Stance? What stance?

Grant froze. It took him a few seconds before his rusty brain finally processed the implication… His family did not support the Xia family and could potentially become their rivals.

His tongue felt tied, and he couldn’t muster a rebuttal.

The others fell silent as well. When Xia Yan’s figure disappeared from view, they exchanged glances, each wearing an expression akin to an admirer being ignored by their idol.

Given their status, they had seen countless beautiful people.

Yet, Xia Yan’s departure still left them with a sense of inexplicable loss.

If… just if… they supported the Xia family, could they also receive the same special treatment as Rob Ivan?

No, no! Decisions about their family’s future couldn’t be made so recklessly.

But they wanted to…

The crowd collectively sighed, their expressions tinged with melancholy.

Grover, one of Xia Yan’s strongest competitors for the throne, was utterly baffled. “What’s wrong with all of you?”

The crowd looked at him wistfully. “…”

Grover: “???” Are you all insane?

–

Second Floor

Edward Brunner, 235 years old, had served as the planetary lord of HHX29 for over a century. Under his leadership, the planet had flourished, earning its reputation as the “Gemstone Capital” of the empire.
A tall man with a broad build, thick eyebrows, and a straightforward appearance, Edward radiated an honest and upright aura that completely concealed his cunning nature.

Opposite him sat a delicate-looking young man.

The man had a head of chestnut curls and unremarkable brown eyes. His features were fine but generic, like a mass-produced product from a beauty clinic—forgettable at a glance.

This man was none other than the incognito Ian Hyde.

To be honest, Ian was troubled.

He had come to this auction to ease the pain of his “breakup.” The moment he landed, before even reaching his hotel, he learned from his subordinates that Xia Yan was also on this planet.

Not only that, but they were staying in the same hotel.

Ian: “…”

In an effort to preserve his fragile virtual relationship, Ian immediately had his accommodations changed, going through great lengths to secure two rooms elsewhere. He thought the matter was resolved, but to his dismay… Xia Yan turned out to be one of the invited guests as well.

What kind of cursed coincidence was this?

Did the universe itself want him to fail at love?

Should he… just leave now? Ian was torn, his mind a chaotic mess. He wasn’t even listening to Edward’s polite chatter. By the time he regained his senses, he was already standing at the top of the grand staircase.

Ian: “…”

Edward noticed his hesitation. “What’s wrong?”

The banquet was already in full swing, with familiar faces mingling and exchanging information. Among them… was someone who, in the virtual world, was his “partner.”

According to Edward, Xia Yan would also attend the final auction, possibly in pursuit of Ian’s alias—the mysterious mecha craftsman “D.”

Unless he left immediately, they were bound to meet sooner or later.

There was no point in running anymore.

Maybe… he could just take a peek?

Ian’s heart wavered. He declined Edward’s offer to enter together, using the distraction of Edward’s arrival to slip into the banquet hall unnoticed.

His eyes scanned the room. He thought it would take a while to find Xia Yan, but in truth, just one glance at a silhouette was enough to pinpoint him instantly.

“…”

Ian’s heartbeat sped up, a nervous tension gripping him.

Step by step, he cautiously approached Xia Yan. The closer he got, the more tightly wound he became, like a soldier on a dangerous mission, his entire focus fixated on the young man.

Perhaps his gaze was too intense, for Xia Yan suddenly turned, his golden eyes locking onto Ian’s.

“!!!!”

Who was this?

This was his wife, whom he had never met before!!!

Why had he ever thought he didn’t feel anything for Xia Yan?

To put it mildly, Ian’s heart seemed to stop for a moment. His cat-like eyes widened in shock, his breathing uneven, and his mind went blank. He stood there, utterly frozen, like a cat under a spell.

His disguise was flawless, blending him seamlessly into the banquet crowd, making him utterly unremarkable.

Xia Yan glanced around, losing interest, and withdrew his gaze.

Ian: “…”

He shouldn’t have disguised himself!!!

Wait, no, if he hadn’t, the empire’s forces would’ve arrested him. [Forced Smile.jpg]

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TN: sighed.. Ian, just a few chapters ago, you said you didn’t want to meet and date Yan Yan in real life, and now you’re already claiming him as your wife??