Seeing Xu Fan's puzzled expression, Feng Huang pulled out an invitation and handed it to him.

His gaze fell on the invitation's icon of a hand-in-hand brother and sister, and Xu Fan immediately began to read carefully.

From the content of the invitation, it was clear that this charity gala was specifically organized to help street children.

"This... I seem to have heard about it."

Watching Xu Fan look towards her, Feng Huang smiled and explained, "This charity gala has several years of history and seems to have only recently expanded to Huaxia."

"I also received an invitation online, and that's how I got this invitation."

Feng Huang was not familiar with the organizer of the charity gala, but anyone who could expand such a meaningful event globally within a few years had to be no ordinary person.

Almost every year, the gala would take place around the world, inviting local magnates to lend a helping hand to those homeless children.

Feng Huang looked at Xu Fan and smiled, "Bro, how to put this, you're quite a figure here in Shanghai now; isn't it strange that you didn't receive an invitation?"

"Now that you mention it, it is indeed a bit odd."

Xu Fan laughed indifferently.

The gala was being held at the Lu Family's villa. It seemed that the organizers had given the hosting rights to the Lu Family.

Given his relationship with Lu Jun, it was quite normal for them to exclude him.

"But what about you, Feng Huang? You must have done many good deeds over the years to receive this invitation?"

Xu Fan said this without dwelling on the Lu Family's cold shoulder toward him.

Ever since he had known Feng Huang, he hadn't seen her spending recklessly.

A mercenary's life is uncertain, and few save up money; they tend to spend their paychecks as soon as they get them.

He had never seen Feng Huang splurge or save money; now he knew where all the money she had earned over the years had gone.

With her history, she certainly felt a deeper connection to those lost and homeless children.

"I just do it for some peace of mind," Feng Huang said with a smile.

To her, money was something you can't bring into life and can't take with you in death. If it could help those stray children find assistance, then that was its greatest purpose.

Over the years, apart from her own expenses, she had donated almost all her money.

Her brother was already gone. All she hoped was that her bit of kindness would prevent more children from facing the kind of despair she and her brother had known.

"Alright, let's head out now, or we'll be late."

After hurrying Xu Fan along, the two drove off toward Baihe Villa.

...

By the time they arrived at Baihe Villa, it was already past eight in the evening.

At the entrance of the villa, various luxury cars were parked, comparable to a top-level car show.

Clearly, the scions of Shanghai's elite had all arrived, and their mere presence meant generous sums for the street children—akin to a blessing from heaven.

Thanks to the invitation Feng Huang wielded, Xu Fan and she entered Baihe Villa without any obstructions.

Soon, they reached the lawn where the gala was taking place.

Among the tables set up in the style of a standard Western dinner, all the well-known figures of Shanghai society were already present.

They were holding wine glasses, chatting and laughing under the soft music.

For them, donating a few million was nothing. If they could use the gala as an opportunity to seal a few business deals, they might earn even more by the end of the night.

"What about you? Aren't you going to go over and mingle?"

Following closely beside Xu Fan, we arrived at a long banquet table. Watching Xu Fan carefully select from the assortment of pastries on the table, Feng Huang couldn't help but tease.

"Is it interesting?"

Xu Fan tossed a pastry into his mouth and said indistinctly, "Most here are guys whose interest isn't really in the wine."

At this banquet, the number of people who were truly there for charity was probably countable on one hand.

Most were here to make connections or for other purposes.

"Besides, am I not standing with one of the greatest philanthropists right now?"

Xu Fan said, looking at Feng Huang beside him.

Of all the people present, probably none could compare with Feng Huang; after all, this woman had donated almost all her wealth over the years.

Such an open and generous heart, even I can't help but feel inferior.

"Kid, you actually showed up, huh?"

As I chatted casually with Feng Huang, I heard a curse from behind.

Turning toward the somewhat familiar voice, I saw Old Li, accompanied by Li Qinghe, walking over.

This banquet had not invited the so-called celebrities or stars; Li Qinghe was here purely because of the Li Family's connections.

Coming closer, Old Li couldn't help but frown when he saw the woman beside Xu Fan.

Her appearance was almost indistinguishable from his granddaughter's, equalling the beauty of the nation; no wonder this kid wasn't too keen on being his son-in-law.

"I thought you were too stingy to donate to charity, kid. Seems like you do have some conscience after all?"

Old Li didn't mince words, and started teasing me right away.

Xu Fan laughed and replied, "Old Li, I'd like to do good, but some people are worried I might overspend and didn't send me an invitation, isn't that right?"

"If it weren't for this beautiful lady beside me, I wouldn't have gotten in tonight."

"Hm? There's such a story?"

"It seems Lu Jun, that kid, is still too narrow-minded."

Xu Fan had said it casually, but Old Li seemed somewhat upset.

This charity banquet had invited almost all the prominent figures in Shanghai, yet Xu Fan was the only one left out; it looked like the Lu Family kid harbored ill intentions.

"Heh, Old Li, here I am, aren't I?"

Why I wasn't invited depended entirely on Lu Jun's whim.

If I hadn't shown up today, by tomorrow the whole of Shanghai would be gossiping about just how heartless Xu Fan was.

I didn't care about such idle talk. After chatting with Old Li for a bit, my gaze wandered over to Li Qinghe.

"Qinghe, thanks for last time."

"Hmph..."

Li Qinghe had easily resolved the issue with Guan Shimeng for me. Seeing her now, I thought to thank her.

But to my surprise, she didn't appreciate it and even gave me a cold and not-so-polite eye roll.

"Pfft."

Feng Huang, standing beside me, couldn't help but laugh.

As a woman, she was fully aware that the smoke of war in the eyes of the woman opposite us was purely because of her presence.

She leaned in close to Xu Fan's ear, beginning to tease.

"Oppa, I must say, I didn't see it coming – your appeal to women isn't half bad, huh?"

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