Chapter 506: Dinner
Translator: _Min_ Editor: Caron_
When they left the manor, the butler prepared a black Benz for the two of them. The car exited the manor from the side door quietly without alerting reporters.
Because it was a private outing, Jiang Chen didn’t bring the four Celestial Trades bodyguards. The reason was partially because of his confidence in his own abilities and partially because traveling with four muscular men would ruin the mood.
The entire day, Jiang Chen took Ayesha to tour the attractions in Bava. From the New Swan Fort to the Lake of Alpines, their footsteps traversed the entire area. It wasn’t until the sun was setting that the two of them, with an entire memory card full of photos, called it a day.
Looking at the weary but excited red glow on the girl’s face, Jiang Chen was delighted.
“Did you have fun today?”
“Mhmm!’ Ayesha nodded, pleased.
Her normally expressionless face displayed a rare liveliness fitting for her age.
Jiang Chen smiled. He took the wheel and turned the car onto a rural road.
With just one glance, a golden wheat field entered their sight. The horizon in the distance connected the darkening sky with the jagged mountains. Dusk as a backdrop for the mountains looked magnificent and poetic.
It was already deep into the fall. On the wasteland, it probably started snowing.
Jiang Chen stared at the scene, amazed at the beauty.
Ayesha, by the side, raised her camera and captured a beautiful image.
Seeing as there was still some time, Jiang Chen took a detour and continued along the rural road.
Suddenly, his field of vision expanded.
At the end of the wheat field was a town with scattered lights. Between where the forest connected was a small town segregated by an iron fence. The people in ragged clothes gathered together, looked at the sky, and took care of their malnourished families. In front of the refugee camp, a couple of workers and polices gathered around a few vans as they distributed food and water.
“They are…”
With the camera in her hands, Ayesha gazed at the segregated area in the distance.
“People without a home are known as refugees. They left their home because of the war and most of them are from Libya or Sy—”Jiang Chen stopped suddenly.
He realized it was her hometown.
It must be a terrible feeling to see people from her hometown who had to flee their home.
Snap.
But she merely raised her camera and captured the scene.
“Don’t you feel… uh… bad?” Jiang Chen was careful with his words.
Ayesha nodded then shook her head.
“Thank you.”
“Mhmm?”
Jiang Chen looked at Ayesha, puzzled.
She lowered her head with a wistful smile. Her frail fingertips subconsciously rubbed the shutter of the camera.
“If I hadn’t met you… I might not even have made it here.”
She recollected everything that happened in the past. While she occasionally encountered danger, most of the time, she felt the warmth of the family. Jiang Chen didn’t treat her with brute force just because of her identity; he had always been gentle.
As for his other aspects, she completely forgot about the pain.
“Stop thinking about weird things.” Jiang Chen grinned and used his right hand to rub her hair with force.
“I wasn’t.”
Ayesha shook her head and hugged the camera as a shallow smile appeared on her face.
The golden girl gilded by the dusk was holding onto a priceless treasure.
…
When they returned to the Rothschild manor, it was around six.
The butler was waiting for them at the gate.
There was still an hour before the party started. Although Jiang Chen thought there was still an ample amount of time, the adamant butler thought otherwise.
Their attire was provided by the Rothschild family. Since Jiang Chen hadn’t known about the party before he arrived, he didn’t have any formal attire with him. As for Ayesha, she returned to her room to rest as she wasn’t accustomed to this type of gathering.
After being worked on by a few meticulous maids for a while, Jiang Chen barely made it to the party venue before it started.
“Mhmm, not bad, it fits you well.”
Carmen smiled at Jiang Chen at the door.
“Thank you.” They walked together into the venue.
The circular venue was decorated exquisitely with class. The diamond chandeliers illuminated the ceiling of the venue. Influential and powerful people from all industries were gathered there; the duchesses and celebrities chatted amongst themselves while waiters with champagne traversed between the circles.
The people invited to the gathering were mostly leaders in finance, industry tycoons or powerful politicians. Because he was outside of the “circle,” Jiang Chen didn’t see anyone he knew.
He didn’t know if it was an illusion or not but the instant he walked into the room, at least ten pairs of eyes consciously and subconsciously were focused on him.
“The Rothschild family isn’t most proud of the assets we possess, but rather, it’s the connections we have. A few guests here are the major shareholders of one hundred billion public companies, and quite a few people here were the president or vice president of a country; we consider all of these people our friends. The business partnerships established at a party is no lesser than any established at an international business summit. This kind of party will be hosted by us every few months. You are all gathered here at just the right time; I can introduce you all to a few interesting people.”
Carmen smiled with his white teeth showing. He opened his arms wide and greeted the man with red hair walking towards him.
“Long time no see, Carmen, my old friend.”
“Haha, my friend, long time no see indeed. Let me introduce you – this is Jiang Chen.” Carmen introduced him to his friend.
The red-haired man displayed a slightly shocked expression before he immediately smiled and extended his right hand.
“Glad to meet you, Mr. Jiang Chen. Your company’s Phantom helmet left me with a profound expression. But unfortunately, your colosseum server only opened level 10 combat. I look forward to the day when the game is officially released. I’m Peter McLean – you can call me Peter.”
Jiang Chen shook Peter’s hand as he replied, “Nice to meet you, Peter. I trust that when that day comes, I assure you won’t be disappointed.”
“Peter McLean, the president of UK’s Guardian, the second largest data backup equipment company in Europe. The old rival of IBM.” Carmen introduced him casually to Jiang Chen.
“Don’t make fun of me.” Peter made an exaggerated expression. “Why don’t we have some champagne to lighten up the mood?”
Due to the restriction of language and other influences, European tech companies were naturally at a disadvantage. Although the Guardian received contracts from British forces, IBM didn’t view this old rival as competition anymore.
“Great idea.” Carmen laughed. “For this party, I brought the most expensive wine from Bava vineyards; please enjoy.”
A table was lined up with crystal cups; the waiter courteously poured Jiang Chen a cup of wine.
Just as Jiang Chen wondered if he should find a “useful” circle of people to mingle with, a man with a beer belly walked up to him with a bright smile.
Beside him was a young blonde girl.
“You must be Mr. Jiang Chen, am I correct?”
