C1 Lend Me 800000!

As evening descended, the prestigious "Shengda" Hotel in City A lit up, its seven-story banquet hall buzzing with activity. Ji Xinling stood quietly near the entrance, observing the elite guests inside, a faint, sardonic smile playing on her lips.

The banquet hall was exceptionally lively. Young heirs and heiresses exchanged polite greetings, their faces adorned with practiced smiles. Overhead, a dazzling crystal chandelier added to the festive atmosphere.

Ji Xinling paid no attention to anyone in particular, her gaze fixed on the entrance where people occasionally arrived. Each new arrival was met with cheers or gasps, indicating their notable status and influence.

She watched silently until two figures appeared at the door.

"Oh, it's Young Master Loong and Miss Zhao!"

"Indeed, they make quite the pair."

The couple who entered was striking: the man was tall and handsome, exuding a natural aristocratic aura; the woman was charming and graceful. As their names were called out, a graceful figure moved toward Young Master Loong.

The crowd's attention shifted to Ji Xinling, who wore a pink gown that perfectly accentuated her figure. Even Loong Zijun, the young master who had just arrived, found himself momentarily captivated by her, forgetting the presence of his companion, Zhao Chuchu.

The people who had been chatting with Loong Zijun were now captivated by Ji Xinling. Those who recognized her whispered in surprise to their companions, "Isn't that the eldest daughter of the Ji family?"

Voices quickly chimed in, laced with disdain and scorn, "It sure is her. The Ji family is done for. What's she doing here?"

"Exactly, she used to be Old Master Ji's favorite granddaughter, but now..."

"The Ji family has lost its standing among the elite. Is she here to cozy up to the influential, hoping someone will help her family?"

Some of these remarks drifted to Ji Xinling's ears, but she pretended not to hear them. Her eyes remained fixed on Loong Zijun as she walked straight toward him. Her presence here was solely because he would be attending; she had come specifically to see him.

"Young Master Loong, a toast to you," Ji Xinling said, picking up two glasses of red wine and handing one to Loong Zijun.

Her beautiful eyes sparkled, momentarily mesmerizing Loong Zijun. Previously, he had only thought of Ji Xinling as pretty, but now, in her elegant attire, she was dazzling, so radiant that he couldn't look away.

Accepting the glass, Loong Zijun didn't drink but instead studied Ji Xinling. He pondered her intentions for approaching him. With the Ji family in trouble and Old Master Ji still in the hospital, his fate uncertain, was she hoping he might...

Zhao Chuchu, who was standing beside Loong Zijun, noticed he was lost in thought and gently nudged him. "Zijun."

Loong Zijun snapped back to reality, lightly swirling the drink in his hand.

Zhao Chuchu gave Ji Xinling a meaningful glance, then stepped back a couple of paces to chat with others, seemingly to give them some privacy.

"Young Master Loong, I need to borrow $80,000," Ji Xinling said, her discomfort evident as she tightened her grip on her glass.

Her grandfather was currently hospitalized, and the medical bills, combined with future treatment costs, amounted to $80,000. Now that the Ji family was in such a predicament, she realized how quickly people could turn their backs; the warmth was gone before the person even left.

"What?" Loong Zijun frowned slightly, not quite understanding her request.

Ji Xinling leaned in closer, her expression unchanged, and repeated, "Unless you want everyone to know you broke off the engagement first, lend me $80,000."