The dignitaries and magnates were busy talking and negotiating, and the ladies and ladies gathered in the family, and no one noticed that a delicate figure with a light posture and ragged clothes passed silently from the flowers and trees like a swallow.

Behind the mansion is a dense bamboo forest, dotted with rows of red-brick and white-walled bungalows. Ping Yan tapped her toes, and her steps were like returning to the wind and snow, ready to fly in the wind. She quickly flashed into the house, but she didn't know that the snowflake's flowing back, from the moment she stepped into the bamboo forest, had fallen into a pair of elegant and docile eyes.

There is a low pavilion on the east side of the bamboo forest, which takes its tranquility and occupies the terrain, so that you can have a panoramic view of the bamboo forest. The man in the pavilion was wearing a moon-white satin robe, and the dark brocade flowers on the fabric were gorgeous and pure, and the faint smile on his face was like a spring breeze, making people feel refreshed. He rubbed the thin gold chain pocket watch that hung around his waist and wrapped it around his chest, and looked at the row of tiled houses with curiosity on his face.

He has never liked such a noisy and lively banquet, his father could not get out of the military affairs, so he asked him to send a birthday gift, he presented the gift early in this bamboo forest to hide idle, was sad and bored, but saw the shadow.

The young man sitting opposite him chased his gaze and looked over, frowned and studied it, but he couldn't see anything interesting, so he smiled and joked: "I often hear people say that foxes often haunt secluded places in the bustling market. ”

Changlin said stupidly: "It's already the Republic of China, I don't worship ghosts and gods, I shouldn't have believed your words, but that kind of figure is really like a smart fox......" He thoughtfully stared at the pole and bamboo, and whispered: "It seems to be Xi, if the light clouds cover the moon, fluttering, like the snow of the wind." ”

It's just a back that doesn't look very clear.

The young man heard the haunting thoughts in his words, and a mouthful of tea that had just been poured into his throat almost squirted out, he coughed a few times, and quipped: "It turns out that there is really a fox fairy who charms men, or we can look for it, so that she can solve the charm for you." ”

He just said this, who knew that Dong Changlin really believed it and walked into the depths of the bamboo forest alone. The young man shouted, for fear that the frail and sickly young master of the Dong family would have an accident in his hands, so he also chased after him.

The clothes in the baggage are all brocade fabrics, although they are not superior, but the workmanship and tailoring are made by themselves, which is novel and chic, Ping Yan does not want to attract attention, it just so happens that there is a set of neatly folded linen spring shirts and trousers on the cabinet in the room, like a maid's overalls, she changed it without thinking about it, and opened the door with the burden on her and was about to go out, when she was pulled out by the old lady who happened to pass by. The old mother's eyes were hung high in wrinkles, she glanced at Ping Yan coldly, she was quite arrogant, snatched the burden from her shoulders and threw it into the house, and said sharply: "Now all the maids are busy waiting for guests outside, and you are still hiding here to be idle, don't you want to do it?" As he spoke, he vigorously pushed Ping Yan and rushed out.

Ping Yan secretly split the knife, thinking that she wanted to knock out this noisy old mother, but when she arrived at the corner of the corridor, she saw two figures standing at the door, they were two young talents in their prime, looking at their clothes and demeanor, they must be rich and noble sons who came to the banquet.

She couldn't do anything, so she could only follow the scolding old mother like a gray mouse. As soon as the old mother went out of the door, she saw two young masters with clear eyebrows and beautiful eyes, so she saluted with a servile face.

Changlin stared at Ping Yan regardless of it, she bowed her head respectfully, and her soft hair hung down to her fine white neck, like wisps of ink on jade bamboo. He stood across from him, and could only see her chapped lips pursed loosely, resolute and calm.

The young man slapped his shoulder without a trace, his eyes kept rolling on Ping Yan's body, and he whispered playfully: "What? This is the fox fairy you are looking for? ”

The old mother also noticed the strangeness of the atmosphere, and knew that the young people who could be invited to the birthday banquet were either rich or expensive, and they didn't want to cause any trouble, so they quickly retreated and pulled Ping Yan away.

Turning around and wiping it, Ping Yan unintentionally swept the man's face, and saw that his complexion was pale and sickly. Although the facial features are good, they are ruined, obviously because they have been sick for a long time.

The bamboo forest is dashing, and the sun is not poisonous or spicy from the shadows of the trees, and it is warm and warm on people. Changlin stood there without saying a word, covering his lips with a handkerchief and coughing lowly, watching the woman's back gradually become a little beating. The woman's unintentional glance made him see her appearance clearly, and the face was like a jade of ice bones in the surrounding greenery, like a distant mountain fog cover many years later, chaotically imprinted into his eyes, like a dream. He tensed up, his mind gradually cleared, and a girl's smiling face gradually surfaced, depriving him of all consciousness for a while.

However, the man's gaze has been following Ping Yan out of the bamboo forest, and when he arrives in the open field, people come and go, Ping Yan completely dispelled the idea of knocking out the old mother, and under the majestic command of the old mother, he shuttled through the guest gathering place with various tea trays to serve.

The floor-to-ceiling windows are covered with heavy and luxurious dark green velvet curtains, and the hall is intertwined with glass lights. The clear marble floor is filled with human figures, and on one side of the long table is a white tablecloth with a dazzling array of Western desserts and champagne wines. Ping Yan was holding a tray and flowing among the shadows, only to see Xu Wanqing smiling lightly under the escort of a group of wives, but Shen Dashao was the only one to be seen.

The Western court floor clock struck three times, and the hour and minute hands overlapped at nine o'clock. With a long shout from the host of ceremonies, the voices of the people were quiet. On the eaves of the house, there is a festive red silk longevity knot, a row of people standing by the white jade fence on the second floor, surrounded by Lin Heng and Lin Lixue in the center, Lin Heng is wearing a Chinese-style Hangzhou silk shirt with gold thread piping, wearing a top hat, holding a civilized stick, Lin Lixue, who is holding his arm, is wearing a wine-red dancing skirt, the design is ingenious, the ruffle neckline is slightly collapsed, and the skirt tail is obliquely slanted, revealing a thin white neck and slender calves, dignified and pretty. Now she stood beside her father with a smile and a smile, her delicate face was close to the soft curls, and she quickly caught the eyes of the celebrities.

Lin Heng shook the goblet in his hand, the velvet red liquid rippled out a circle of strange magnificence, he looked at the people on the first floor condescendingly, "Thank you for your hard work and time to attend my old man's birthday banquet, all of you present are my friends and new friends, so please don't be restrained, eat and have fun!" With that, he led his daughter down the stairs from the second floor.

Lin Heng was born in the reckless army, although his knowledge is shallow, he has been in the upper circle for a long time, and he can naturally appreciate it with elegance and vulgarity. These rough and casual opening remarks greatly eased the solemn atmosphere in the hall, and everyone's cheers and applause rose higher and higher.

The Western band waiting in the long hall played the violin, and the song was mellow and slow, melodiously floating. There are political acquaintances who are good at observing words and emotions and asking the birthday star to personally lead the dance, and they dare to make a mistake on the master's territory, and they suddenly have to respond, and are flattered, Lin Heng took his daughter's hand and turned to the center of the dance floor with the gradient waltz.

Ping Yan stood in the corner where the servants gathered, looking at the father and daughter surrounded by a crowd under the huge and bright glass lamp, they were so dazzling and noble, they were like fish in water in such a luxurious and glamorous occasion, and they couldn't see a trace of worry and fatigue at all, Lin Heng was fine, but what about Lin Lixue? Lin Lixue, who is about to become Shen Yuchen's fiancée, has been missing for a few days since Shen Yuchen's whereabouts are unknown, but she is still as bright and moving as an azalea, and she is not stained with frost marks.

She gradually understood Shen Yuchen's stubborn resistance, digging her own grave like this, once the tacit marriage came true, it would really be a nightmare for a lifetime.

There were many red men and green women on the dance floor, including young men in tuxedos holding the waist of the young lady, dancing and whispering to the music at any time, and there were also solemn old men stroking the hands of beautiful concubines and good wives, swaying stiffly under the blurred lights. They call it a trendy fashion, drinking coffee and wine, dancing ballroom dances, etc., these are the cultures brought by the West to this ancient land, rich businessmen, business celebrities have always sought after, and if you don't like it, you have to pretend to be proficient and proficient, which is really funny.

Ping Yan shook her head and laughed inexplicably.

This kind of lively new-style party, Xu Wanqing didn't like to stay, Shen Dashao sent someone to send her back to the villa, and then turned halfway to the French Concession, and when she came back, she saw in the corner, Ping Yan was dressed as a servant, and she had a wonderful expression that was ridiculous.

He approached and hooked his finger at her, and Ping Yan approached with a tray in a regular manner. He picked up a glass of red wine from the tray and shook it, took a sip, and said casually: "The weather in Qingzhou is always changeable this season, don't look at the sun now, maybe it will change in a while." ”

Ping Yan looked up, his face was clearly defined in the light, but the gloom in his eyes was intertwined and thick.

"Just now I saw a few tabloid reporters outside, and they said that there is big news to be found in the Lin Mansion today, guess what news?"

As his words fell, a congratulatory voice came from outside the door, led by a man in a homely robe, with a black felt hat pressed very low, and the gloom covered his eyes, and only his mouth could be seen buzzing up and down. He walked with two tall men, his steps steady and straight, stopped in full view, stretched out his hand, and slowly took off the felt hat.

From the moment he entered the door, Ping Yan recognized him. Now he raised a polite smile, looked around without reservation, and finally stopped his gaze on Lin Heng opposite, and then leisurely passed him, and glanced at the rich man behind him who looked tired and borrowed wine to drown his sorrows.

That is Gao Yuan, the president of the Qingzhou Chamber of Commerce, who has a son in old age and is depressed all day long for his only son who was killed.

Lin Heng was stunned for a while, and thought hard for a long time, before he suddenly remembered that the seemingly ordinary person in front of him was Liu Muyun, the secretary of the Cabinet Finance Minister, who had never had any intersections with the Mu family in Beicheng. Perennial ups and downs in the sea, he has a strong perception and judgment, and vaguely guessed that for Qingzhou's business this year, isn't the chief financial officer interested in this economy that controls the country's veins? But he was still flattered and greeted, and said: "The distinguished guest is far away, it turns out to be the secretary of the Financial Secretary, Secretary Liu went in for a glass of wine." ”

Ping Yan stared straight at the person who came, the leader of the kidnappers who was hospitable, and wanted to see something else from his calm demeanor, such as information about Shen Yuji. She was extremely eager to know Shen Yuchen's whereabouts. It just so happened that his gaze also pierced through the obstacles, like an invisible cold wind, threading the needle and thread with ease, using the most simple and unpretentious lines, weaving a suffocating net of heaven and earth.

And Ping Yan happened to be trapped in it.