Quick Wear: Cousin, Come to the Bowl Quickly

Fengtian.

A Baroque-style mansion shimmered with lights in the night.

Inside the ballroom, a huge crystal chandelier shattered the light into countless dazzling starlight, scattering it onto the gleaming parquet floor. A gramophone played soothing jazz music, and the air was filled with the luxurious atmosphere of cigars, perfume, and champagne.

Political figures, wealthy businessmen, and military officers from various Western countries gathered here, creating a lively scene of toasts and laughter.

The ladies and young women, dressed in gorgeous gowns and holding feather fans, languidly chatted in small groups, creating a scene of elegant elegance and decadent glamour.

Those who could appear here tonight were all important figures in Fengtian City, and the most eye-catching among them were Mr. Ivanov, a White Russian nobleman, and his wife Tasha.

Although on the surface, Ivanov, who was nominally just a businessman, seemed inconspicuous amidst a gathering full of military and political figures.

In reality, however, this man was backed by the old White Russian forces and was the number one figure who almost monopolized the entire arms supply chain in Fengtian City. His influence permeated every corner of the city, making him a force to be reckoned with.

At that moment, several Chinese businessmen surrounded Ivanov, all smiles and showering him with flattery.

"Mr. Ivanov, we heard that you have brought another batch of fine goods from the north. When can we see them?"

"Yes, I heard that you were even summoned by His Majesty of your country during your recent return. That is truly an honor."

"With you here in Fengtian, our business here is much more secure."

……

Ivanov was around forty years old, quite tall, with deep-set eyes, a high nose, and a thick, neatly trimmed beard. His deep-set eyes held a pair of gray-blue pupils.

Holding a wine glass, he wore a polite smile and nodded slightly at the flattery and compliments of the crowd, neither overly enthusiastic nor aloof, displaying the haughty demeanor of an aristocrat.

On the other side, his wife, Mrs. Tasha, was also surrounded by a group of well-dressed ladies and young women.

Lady Tasha had fair skin, a beautiful face, and a pair of beautiful blue eyes. She wore a slightly conservative yet exceptionally gorgeous dark green silk dress with ruffled sleeves, and the diamond necklace around her neck shone brightly under the lights.

Surrounded by the ladies like stars around the moon, she should have been the most glamorous woman in the room. However, she was frowning and looking sullen. She seemed particularly indifferent to the ladies' enthusiastic compliments, and even showed a hint of impatience.

She was proud by nature and had little affection for the Far East. If it weren't for the fact that Mr. Ivanov couldn't live without her, she would never have left her homeland and traveled thousands of miles to this completely unfamiliar country.

She had never been particularly enthusiastic about gatherings among nobles and politicians. In addition, she had just returned from visiting relatives in White Russia and had not yet adapted to the Chinese environment. Moreover, she was not very fluent in the Chinese language. Therefore, being at such a bustling and lively ball did not make her happy at all; instead, she felt extremely irritable.

"Madam, your dress is truly magnificent and exquisite. It must be the most fashionable style in your country, right?"

"That's natural. Only a beauty with fair skin like Lady Tasha could wear this green dress so beautifully."

The Chinese ladies beside her were all smiles, chattering away in their refined Chinese. Mrs. Tasha was impatient. Although she managed to maintain her composure, a barely perceptible hint of disdain flashed in her deep blue eyes.

"These Chinese are so hypocritical. I really don't understand how Ivan can still laugh so happily." She tilted her head slightly and complained to her female companion in Russian about how boring the ball was, her words already showing her lack of interest.

"Don't be so harsh, Tasha," her companion said with a smile, gently patting the back of Mrs. Tasha's hand.

"This is a welcome-back ball that Alyosha and I specially organized for your return. While you were away, those Japanese were causing quite a stir. If Ivan hadn't put in some effort, they might have stolen all our business in Fengtian City."

"Hmph, those foolish and greedy fellows, they certainly have big appetites." Hearing her companion say this, Mrs. Tasha couldn't help but curl her lip and roll her eyes inelegantly under the cover of her feather fan.

As the guests gradually arrived, the already lively ballroom became even more bustling. Mrs. Tasha, suppressing her temper, chatted and laughed with the ladies and young women around her for a while, but in the end, she couldn't help but get up and leave.

"Nia, I'm not feeling well, so I'll go upstairs to rest." Under the cover of her feather fan, Mrs. Tasha whispered listlessly in her companion's ear.

"Oh, Tasha, don't be such a spoilsport. The ball is about to officially begin, and I've specially arranged for you and Ivan to dance the opening dance." Upon hearing this, her companion quickly took her hand and whispered, "After this dance, I'll go up with you."

“I don’t want to dance…” Mrs. Tasha frowned, about to refuse, when a loud announcement suddenly rang in her ears.

"Mr. Li Ke and his wife have arrived!"

The doorman's announcement was unusually loud, with a penetrating force that drowned out the music and conversation inside the hall.

The sudden, loud voice startled all the guests, who stopped talking and looked toward the entrance of the ballroom with surprise.

Almost simultaneously, a question arose in everyone's mind: Who is this person who has such an air about them?

No wonder they were so curious. After all, according to the custom of Fengtian's high society, at a ball of this caliber, the doorman would solemnly announce the guest's title and official rank before stating their name.

For example, Mr. Ivanov, the protagonist tonight, was just introduced into the hall as the "commercial secretary of the Belarusian embassy".

Although everyone present knew perfectly well that this was merely a nominal position for convenience, and that it was insignificant compared to his arms business, they still had to follow the rules.

Of course, apart from these honorary titles, if the guest's prestige and status are enough to intimidate the entire audience, his name alone is enough to let people know his identity, so there is no need for these extra prefixes.

However, the name "Li Ke" that the doorman had just announced was neither an official position nor a well-known figure in Fengtian. The guests present had never even heard of such a person in the city.

But the doorman's loud and confident voice made it seem as if this unfamiliar visitor was no ordinary person.

Everyone's curiosity was piqued to its peak, and their eyes all turned to the door.

When the young couple slowly walked in from the shadows of the foyer, an undisguised look of amazement flashed across the eyes of all the guests.

The tall man was dressed in a well-tailored black tailcoat, his steps steady and upright like a pine tree.

His face had deep features, with a pair of calm yet sharp eyes beneath his sword-like eyebrows. His slightly dark complexion did not detract from his handsomeness; on the contrary, it added to his rugged and weathered air.

What truly takes your breath away is the woman in his arms.

Her skin was as smooth as snow, and her features were as exquisite as an oil painting by a master. She wore a well-tailored strapless dress that was gorgeous without being ostentatious, perfectly outlining her beautiful shoulder and neck lines and delicate collarbones.

She stood gracefully, her hand resting lightly on her male companion's arm, adorned with a pair of black lace gloves that were clearly expensive. These gloves, like the finishing touch, added a touch of mystery to her, making her radiant and captivating.

The two walked with unhurried steps, like a flowing painting, instantly silencing the noisy dance hall.

But in an instant, the amazement in everyone's eyes turned to surprise, and they all turned their gazes to Mrs. Tasha not far away.

It turned out that the color of Mrs. Li's dress was exactly the same as that of Mrs. Tasha.