Don’t Discriminate Against Species

Chapter 91 - Power Failure

It was Fu Li’s first time at such an event. The moment he got out of the car, ‘kacha’ sounds rang out all around him unceasingly. If not for his unusual talents as a yao, the flashing lights might have prevented him from opening his eyes.

Zhuang Qing glanced back at Fu Li. Standing sideways, he helped Fu Li block half the lights. Only after waiting for him to adapt to the ambience at the venue did they walk the red carpet together, shoulder-to-shoulder. The red carpet was very long and very wide. The areas beyond the police cordons on both sides were jam-packed with local and international media reporters. A little farther was the fans who had bought audience tickets. They raised LED signboards to promote their beloved idols, even more dedicated than the worshippers of Gods hundreds of years ago.

In spite of the fact that Fu Li and Zhuang Qing were not from the entertainment industry, their appearance still incited astonished but friendly shrieks from quite a few girls. The reason was none other than their astounding body proportions, as if they had grown in accordance to the golden ratio. Looks-wise, each of them also had their own merits. In particular, to women, Zhuang Qing’s face was practically irresistible.

“The two honored guests walking towards us now is Mr Zhuang Qing, the chairman of Chang Long Biotechnology Company, as well as his special assistant, Mr Fu Li.” The host introduced the fleet of cars and contributions that Chang Long had donated this time with high spirits. The sound of cameras flashing increased even more.

Rich, handsome, and young successful figures were truly rare treasures. For reporters with a higher sensitivity towards news, they could rely on a few handsome pictures to write out a sensational script that was several tens of pages long. Who would be willing to miss out on this rare chance?

The crux was that this young and handsome chairman actually didn’t go the conventional route. Not only did he not bring a female companion, he even brought his special assistant to walk the red carpet with him. There were really too many articles that could be written from this.

Hearing the surrounding shrieks, Fu Li maintained his smile as he spoke softly to Zhuang Qing, “These humans are really particular about manners. They’re scared that we’ll be awkward and even specially hyped up the atmosphere.”

Looking at the moist corners of Fu Li’s mouth, Zhuang Qing felt that he shouldn’t let a rabbit develop similar tastes as humans. Having thought this through, he smiled and nodded. “En, these humans are very amiable.”

The smile on Fu Li’s face brightened by two notches.

“Chairman, please stop with Mr Assistant for a photo together,” A gutsy reporter yelled.

Zhuang Qing halted and very naturally placed a hand over Fu Li’s shoulders. Coming to a stop, he allowed the reporters on this end to snap photos for a period of time.

The reporters hadn’t expected the aloof and lofty Chang Long chairman to be so cooperative; even their hands were shaking as they took photos. Only by relying on their formidable professionalism did they manage to snatch a few interesting pictures.

For example, the scene of Chairman Zhuang and Assistant Fu Li looking at each other. For example, Chairman Zhuang stretching out his hands to help Assistant Fu Li block the glaring lights. There were truly too many articles that could be written.

The reporters at the scene were very excited, while the netizens watching the live broadcast online had long since overturned the skies.

Netizen 1: Danggggggggg, this is actually Chang Long’s chairman! He looks thirty, right? This older sister is thirty-one this year, and I had to scrimp and save just to buy a set of Chang Long skincare products. In the end, the other party’s boss is even younger than me. The shabbier product will be tossed out, and the inferior person will be left with no way to live.

Netizen 2: This is the perfect character set-up for a romantic tyrannical director – handsome, wealthy, young. Facing this face, I can eat three more bowls of rice every day. How can there be such a handsome, rich, and powerful person in this world? This isn’t scientific.

Netizen 3: Person upstairs, don’t get excited. This humble one has discerning eyes and can tell that there is definitely an unspeakable gay love between this handsome, rich, and powerful person and his assistant. So, he doesn’t have a romantic tyrannical director’s character set-up, but a pure love tyrannical character set-up.

Netizen 4: The assistant is also very handsome, okay? That waist, those legs, that face. Want to bed him.

Netizen 5: I’m not sure why I’m seeing a sense of excitement as if they’re entering the bridal room when they’re clearly just walking the red carpet. I’m guilty, I’ll lick the screen as I reflect.

The red carpet was a few tens of meters long. Zhuang Qing and Fu Li were not walking slowly, but the reporters’ attention was all placed on them, hating that these two people couldn’t walk slower to let them take a few more detailed photos.

Photos of their clothes, accessories, watches, and shoes were captured and then sent back to their companies for the brands to be identified. If the chairman and assistant used the same brand for everything, then then there would be even more to talk about.

She Weilong was caught in a jam for a while. After rushing to the venue with difficulty, he could hear the continuous sound of screeches inside. She Weilong’s manager didn’t have a very good complexion. Was some big shot ahead of them? He was a little regretful in his heart. If he had known this, he would have arrived earlier. They didn’t dare to snatch the spotlight, but also didn’t want to be behind a big shot. Since the media’s attention had all been snatched up by the big shot, the person who came after would naturally be eclipsed.

The worker in front who was in charge of managing the venue gestured, indicating for their car to enter. Seeing this, the manager reminded him in a low voice, “Wei Long, you must not be nervous later. Remember, you must be elegant. Your temperament is very good, and your attire is also sponsored by a major brand. You cannot have stage fright.”

She Weilong nodded solemnly.

But when he alighted from the car and saw the two people walking along the front half of the red carpet, his knees almost softened and directly sent him dropping to his knees.

Heavens, why was the yao world’s boss here? The commotion at the venue just now was caused by the two of them? Thinking of Zhuang Qing and Fu Li’s human appearances, She Weilong took a deep breath and tried hard to make himself appear less terrified. It was fortunate that these two people didn’t make a living in the entertainment industry, otherwise who knew how much hatred they would get?

A cultivator could not randomly sign their true name, as there would be a certain contractual effect. Therefore, whenever cultivators signed their names at events, they would intentionally or otherwise leave out a stroke or dot.

Fu Li didn’t write simplified Chinese characters very well, but he had practiced writing his name to perfection. He took the pen and smoothly wrote his name. Zhuang Qing glanced at his name and then signed his name on the left using a golden glitter pen.

The two names were closely aligned, side by side, as if they were naturally meant to be placed together.

At this moment, the cameraman did a huge close-up on both their signatures, as if he had established contact with the gossip channels. This once again incited the surprised shrieks of the netizens watching the live broadcast. This perpetually present ambiguity was simply too romantic.

Zhuang Qing took the pen from Fu Li and put it on the tray. Turning, he placed a hand on Fu Li’s back and walked down the steps with him.

Fu Li felt the warm palm on his back and flashed a smile at Zhuang Qing. Zhuang little dragon always had a stern mouth and soft heart. Zhuang Qing had still told him not to embarrass Chang Long in the car, yet he was now worrying that he wasn’t accustomed to an unfamiliar environment and protected him everywhere they went.

How could this world have such an awkward dragon? Although he was quite cute.

Netizen 1: Ahhhhhh! My young girl’s heart has revived, Chairman Zhuang really is pampering the little assistant all the time. He took the pen for him and even held him while going down the steps. Really dying from the meng, dying from the meng.

Netizen 2: The little assistant’s smile is also very sweet. That smile he revealed when he turned towards Chairman Zhuang was so sweet that it practically takes the breath away. If I was Chairman Zhuang, I would definitely also dote on him like this. What mountain of gold? What sea of silver? As long as I’m around, I’ll give him everything.

Netizen 3: I’m done for, I’m done for. Me, a single dog, actually finds the interactions between them very sweet. My brain probably went bad.

Netizen 4: So, did Chang Long’s chairman specially attend the party in person this time just so he can feed everyone dog food?

Netizen 5: Rich people are so domineering when displaying affection publicly. Chairman Zhuang’s gaze is so warm when looking at the little assistant that they’re practically love-filled pools of spring water.

They entered the venue. Zhuang Qing and Fu Li were not originally seated together, but the organizer changed their minds and decided on the spot that the two people would be arranged to sit together, possibly because of the atmosphere when they were walking the red carpet.

This was the first time Chang Long’s chairman had personally attended an evening party and it was possible that this assistant was also his lover. Even if they didn’t pursue perfection, the least they had to do was ensure that this important figure did not feel slighted.

Zhuang Qing and Fu Li had arrived a bit later, so after they sat down, the table was fully occupied. The eight people at the table were all public figures, and they each took the initiative to greet Zhuang Qing.

Fu Li didn’t recognize these people, but Zhuang Qing had likely interacted with them before. Therefore, although the atmosphere at the table wasn’t lively enough, at least it wasn’t overly awkward. The other people present had also not expected Zhuang Qing to attend this event in person and to even bring along a good-looking assistant. Observing Zhuang Qing’s respectful attitude towards Fu Li, they had a clear understanding of the situation.

No wonder there was no talk of romance between this chairman and any man or woman, it turned out he already had a partner. Everyone was a bigwig and would not use private affairs as a topic of conversation at such an event; the most they would do was talk business.

The commencement of the charity event was followed by performances to hype up the atmosphere, and then the auctioning of goods. At the start of the auction, most of the things sold were branded bags, branded accessories, and whatnot. These were the main battlefields for female artists.

The money used to purchase these goods would all be given to charity, so any information on the amount an artist spent on a certain item was also worthy of being publicized as charity.

After the auctioning of every few items, artists would go on stage to perform. Fu Li propped a hand against his chin as he drank his drink, striving to let his bored expression appear less obvious. Zhuang Qing noticed that he had already drank a few drinks in succession and lowered his head, whispering into his ear. “Bored?”

Fu Li gave a small nod and then transmitted his voice, “A bit.”

“I’ll bring you for supper after the auction,” The tips of Zhuang Qing’s brows moved slightly. He spoke into Fu Li’s ear, “As a thank you gift for accompanying me to this boring event today.”

“Sure,” Fu Li nodded. When Zhuang Qing wasn’t paying attention, he took the chance to secretly touch his slightly itchy ear.

Just as Zhuang Qing was sitting up straight, he caught sight of a camera pointed at him not too far away. He retracted the hand placed on the back of Fu Li’s chair, and turned his gaze towards the stage.

Netizens: Hehehe, the way Chairman Zhuang looks when he’s pretending to cover it up is simply revealing what he wants to hide. Too meng!

Everyone from the management bureau who worried that the boss’ bad habit of being stingy would act up and that he wouldn’t be willing to bid during the auction, looked at the various scenes on the live broadcast screen with complex feelings. Reason told them that the boss and Fu ge had a pure relationship, but emotion told them that these two yao definitely didn’t have a pure relationship.

So, would the boss bid at the auction tonight?

Round after round of the auction was conducted. The rich merchants at the same table as Fu Li and Zhuang Qing had all symbolically bidded for an item. Only Zhuang Qing didn’t bid at all from start to end.

“This is the second-last item to be auctioned at this charity event, the renowned carving master, Mr Liu’s work – Dragon and Rabbit Pair.” The auctioneer removed the red silk, revealing a vivid and lifelike sculpture in the glass case. The rabbit and dragon crouching together were clearly very different species, yet strangely had a harmonious warmth to them.

“Mr Liu took a whole year to complete this sculpture. When it was completed, it just so happened to be the Lunar New Year, when the Year of the Rabbit comes to an end and the Year of the Dragon approaches. Thus, the name of this sculpture is Blessing. It is a metaphor for an abundance of good fortune.” The auctioneer glanced down the stage and smiled. “The starting price of this item is 50 000. The auction will begin now.”

“200 000,” Someone raised their bidding card. Fu Li turned to look over. Unexpectedly, it was the human the Shen had implanted fake memories in. What was his name again? Fu Si?

Zhuang Qing had also noticed Fu Si’s presence. Him, who had never once raised his bidding card, raised it for the first time. “300 000.”

Fu Si didn’t expect someone to compete with him for a wooden carving. He turned to look at Zhuang Qing and Fu Li, revealing a friendly smile. Fu Li stared blankly before nodding at Fu Si.

Fu Si smiled. He raised his card again. “500 000.”

“What are you doing staring at him all the time?” Clenching his teeth, Zhuang Qing quietly spoke into Fu Li’s ears.

Fu Li looked back, his cheek bumping into the corner of Zhuang Qing’s mouth. He wiped his face. “It’s an accident.”

Zhuang Qing’s gaze underwent a subtle change. Immediately after, he snorted coldly. “Of course I know it’s an accident.”

“500 000, going thrice…”

“1 000 000,” Zhuang Qing expressionlessly raised his bidding card. Wasn’t it just a bit of human currency? He had plenty of it.

Fu Si glanced at Zhuang Qing in astonishment. He had bidded for this display item because he felt that the rabbit was lovable and cute, which was why he had some interest in it. But a gentleman wouldn’t snatch what someone else liked. It was obvious that Chairman Zhuang was very fond of this auction item, so he wouldn’t participate in this excitement.

Eventually, the auction item was taken by Zhuang Qing with a high price of 1 000 000. Fu Li asked Zhuang Qing in a low voice, “You like wooden carvings?”

Zhuang Qing nodded with a straight face.

Fu Li abruptly nodded in understanding. He patted Zhuang Qing on the shoulder. “I know how to carve this too, I’ll carve some for you to play with when we return.”

Yao cultivators without a childhood were really pitiful, they probably didn’t have many interesting toys. As a good brother, he had to carve a few interesting toys to help Zhuang Qing make up for his lack of a childhood.

After the auction ended, Zhuang Qing brought Fu Li backstage to swipe his card and retrieve the auction item.

When Fu Li got closer, he realized that the rabbit and dragon were not seated side-by-side, but instead opposite each other. The image of the rabbit and dragon’s front claws intertwined together was adorable.

Fu Li carried the sculpture in his arms. As he was stroking the dragon’s chubby face, he suddenly thought of his and Zhuang Qing’s original forms. Smiling, he said, “Say, don’t you think this looks like us?”

“Turns out Mr Zhuang and Mr Fu are born in the year of the dragon and rabbit,” The worker responsible for the handover smiled. “Then this item really has a lot of affinity with the two of you.”

“T-That is quite the affinity.” Fu Li wondered how they knew what year he was born in.

The corner of Zhuang Qing’s lips curved, although the curve flattened again when he saw the person who had walked in as well.

“Chairman Zhuang,” Fu Si walked in and shook hands with Zhuang Qing and Fu Li. Bearing in mind that Zhuang Qing and Fu Li might have a lovers’ relationship, he didn’t say anything special to Fu Li, only a few congratulatory words.

“Congratulations, Mr Zhuang, for obtaining what you desire,” He cast a glance at the sculpture in Fu Li’s arms with a gentle smile.

Fu Li thought that even if he wasn’t the pet from those years, his gentle look really did seem very pet-like.

Zhuang Qing glanced at Fu Li. He placed a hand on Fu Li’s shoulder. “Many thanks Mr Fu for the blessings.”

“I’ll go and retrieve what I bidded for, I won’t disturb the both of you,” Fu Si saw Zhuang Qing’s hand on Fu Li’s shoulder and very tactfully brought up leaving.

The corner of Zhuang Qing’s mouth that had straightened once again curved upwards. “Take care.”

Fu Si left with a smile. While swiping his card, he felt that miracles really did exist in the world. Chairman Zhuang rarely participated in public events, but he unexpectedly brought his assistant to a high-profile charity event that was even broadcasted live. It was almost like he had specially attended the event just so he could bring his assistant out.

Though, this assistant did give him a very comfortable feeling, as if they had previously met countless times.

With a shake of his head, he instantly found his previous thought absurd. How many times could he have crossed paths with that assistant?

“Mr Fu, this is the item you bidded for,” The worker handed Fu Si a brocade box. Fu Si had just accepted it when he suddenly heard a buzzing sound coming from above. The entire room sank into darkness.

“What happened?”

“Power failure?”

“What about the emergency backup system?”

“Did something go wrong with the live broadcast in front?”

“There are no issues on stage, all power has been cut backstage.”

“What’s going on? Can the backup system be used?”

“N-No problems with the wires…”

Hearing these words, Fu Si had a vague feeling that there was something fishy about this matter. Even if the electrical equipment wasn’t mistake-proof, many relevant preparations would at least have been made. How could the stage be completely fine while all of backstage was in darkness, and with no unidentifiable reason too?

“No one should walk around recklessly, don’t create a racket,” The person-in-charge switched on his phone and found the honored guests who had come backstage to retrieve the items they had bidded for. They then arranged for security guards to protect them in a large lounge. It was a long walk from backstage to the front so they didn’t dare to take any risks.

If news of this power failure were to get out, it would be very embarrassing. But if something were to happen to these important figures, the consequences wouldn’t only be limited to embarrassment.

Fu Si had just sat down on the couch when he heard two security guards leading two people in. Borrowing the weak light of his phone, he got a clear look at the two people.

It was Zhuang Qing and Fu Li.

“Aiya, what a coincidence, we meet again,” Fu Li seemed to have taken out a round torch that could emit light from his bag, but it was very quickly pressed back in by Zhuang Qing.

Noticing Fu Si’s gaze, Zhuang Qing said, “This sort of toy light isn’t very safe. There is a danger of it exploding when used for too long.”

Fu Si couldn’t help thinking that Chairman Zhuang’s assistant was quite a strange one. He actually carried a play torch the size of a fist on him? Didn’t these two people go out just now, why did they come back?

What about the wooden carving Assistant Fu Li was holding? Had he thrown it out because he was scared of tripping in the dark?