C21 Time Was Up, and He Came as Promised.

The day slipped by uneventfully, and with Sunday on the horizon, they were finally looking forward to a day off.

For high school seniors, a single day of rest was all they had each week.

Jiang Hao slung his backpack over his shoulder, picked up a small gift box, and made a beeline for home.

Once home, he slipped into a crisp new tracksuit.

He then retrieved an exquisite jade phoenix pendant from the System Space and nestled it into the prepared gift box.

"This gift should catch the Jade King's eye and help me forge a connection with this titan of the jade industry, laying the groundwork for my future endeavors there," Jiang Hao mused to himself.

After a quick update to his parents, he grabbed the invitation and headed to the address listed.

Upon arrival, Jiang Hao presented his invitation and was ushered to the banquet by a server.

Inside, he noticed the banquet was split: one side for the young folks like himself, and the other for the esteemed luminaries from various fields.

The venue was bustling with well-dressed men in suits and women in elegant evening gowns, all mingling with glasses in hand, laughter filling the air.

Jiang Hao, in his tracksuit, stood out awkwardly, drawing curious glances from many.

Feeling out of his element, he found a quiet corner to settle into.

As the clock struck eight, the guest of honor made her entrance.

Clad in a purple evening gown that sparkled with golden flecks, Soong Wan exuded a regal maturity that outshone the night sky's stars.

Her angelic beauty dimmed the radiance of the other women present.

The Jade King, Soong Wanzhong, stood proudly by her side with his wife.

As Soong Wan made her appearance, the crowd gathered around her.

Then, the middle-aged man beside her, Soong Wanzhong, addressed the assembly.

"I, Soong Wanzhong, am delighted to welcome you all to my daughter Soong Wan's 18th birthday celebration," he announced.

From his corner, Jiang Hao observed the festivities, experiencing his first close encounter with the Jade King, Soong Wanzhong.

After Soong Wanzhong delivered his opening remarks, he left the stage to the younger generation and made his way to a gathering of influential figures.

Meanwhile, the guests began presenting Soong Wan with birthday gifts. Jiang Hao eyed the beautifully wrapped presents and then glanced at the one he held, which he had thought quite impressive, only to realize it didn't quite measure up to the others. Nonetheless, Jiang Hao wasn't concerned; the gift he brought was far from ordinary.

The question was, how to catch the Jade King's eye if Miss Wan'er didn't even notice the gift? Jiang Hao observed Soong Wanzhong, the Jade King, mingling with the elite, then shifted his gaze to Soong Wan, encircled by admirers, and pondered his next move.

Across the room, eager young men vied to offer their gifts, while Soong Wan, smiling, graciously accepted each one. Yet, there was a distant look in her eyes as they scanned the room, seemingly in search of something—or someone.

Then, her gaze landed on Jiang Hao, sitting inconspicuously on a sofa in the corner, his sportswear clashing with the formal atmosphere of the event. Their eyes met, and in that moment, Soong Wan's smile blossomed radiantly.

She excused herself from the throng of suitors and made her way directly to Jiang Hao.

"I was beginning to think you wouldn't show up," she said, her smile warm.

Jiang Hao, momentarily lost in the brilliance of Soong Wan, quickly regained his composure and replied, "Impossible! I'm here!"

He then presented her with the carefully wrapped gift, offering his best wishes. "Happy Birthday!"

Soong Wan accepted the gift with delight. "Thank you. I still owe you for saving my life, and now you've gone and spent more on me!"

As they chatted amiably, their conversation was abruptly interrupted by a discordant voice.

"Wan'er, who is this gentleman?" A dapper young man had appeared at Soong Wan's side.

Jiang Hao couldn't help but feel taken aback.