The Interdimensional Reseller – CH147

Chapter 147: An Old Acquaintance at the Banquet

After admiring them for a while, Zhuang Feixue happily put the pearls away and pulled Chu Feng aside.

“How’s that elixir coming along?”

Chu Feng looked confused. “elixir? What elixir? You mean the Beauty Elixir and the Health Elixir?”

Zhuang Feixue furrowed her brows and said anxiously, “No those, I meant the Slimming Elixir!”

Chu Feng blinked and said, “Oh… the Slimming Elixir… I forgot.”

Zhuang Feixue looked at Chu Feng, frustrated, and raised her voice: “Forgot? How could you forget something so important?!”

Chu Feng was startled by her sudden outburst. “I’ll definitely ask next time,” he promised.

Zhuang Feixue nodded helplessly, her expression downcast. “You must remember next time!”

Chu Feng, seeing her disappointed, said, “Although I forgot about the slimming elixir, I brought some fruit wine. It’s great for beauty and skincare.”

Zhuang Feixue brightened up. “Really? That’s wonderful!”

Chu Feng blinked and thought to himself: I’d better go back and bring two jars of Hundred-Fruit Brew. Through the Tianshui City Merchant Guild, Chu Feng had bought all kinds of spiritual fruits, so he had plenty of materials and brewed quite a lot of Hundred-Fruit Brew.

Zhuang Feixue’s body might not be able to withstand the full medicinal strength, but that’s fine—he could just dilute it with ordinary fruit wine.

Zhuang Feilei, watching Zhuang Feixue and Chu Feng chatting, felt stifled inside.

Growing up, she had always excelled and had been the favored one in her parents’ eyes. But what did that matter? Zhuang Feixue was still the true eldest daughter of the Zhuang family, not her.

Zhou Ting saw Zhuang Feilei’s disappointed expression and felt a little sorry for her.

After chatting with Chu Feng for a bit, Zhuang Feixue stepped outside, regaining her usual graceful and dignified demeanor.

“Feixue,” Zhou Ting called out.

Zhuang Feixue looked at Zhou Ting. “What is it?”

Zhou Ting frowned and said, “Feixue, don’t treat Feilei so coldly. Even if she’s not your biological sister, you two have lived together for so many years. If you act like this, she’ll be really hurt.”

Zhuang Feixue frowned. “If she’s hurt, then you comfort her!”

“Do you care about Chu Feng that much?”

Zhuang Feixue frowned again. “Is it wrong for me to care about him? He is my real brother, isn’t he?”

Zhou Ting scowled. “He’s your real brother, but then what is Feilei to you?”

“She’s fake,” Zhuang Feixue said coldly.

Zhou Ting, a bit angry now, said, “Do you even have a conscience?!”

Zhuang Feixue looked at him coolly. “Then what would count as having a conscience? Should I ignore my real brother just to spare her feelings?”

Zhou Ting pressed his lips together. “Don’t underestimate your brother. He’s not simple.”

Zhuang Feixue gave him a puzzled look. “What are you trying to say?”

“I know someone from a detective agency,” Zhou Ting said. “They told me someone paid a million to investigate the Zhuang family. Normally, that wouldn’t be too strange… but not long after, Feilei’s background was exposed. You’d never guess who hired them.”

Zhuang Feixue narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean?”

Zhou Ting frowned. “Your brother—he’s not simple. He probably knew he belonged to the Zhuang family before you all found out. And it’s just too convenient that Zhuang Cheng had his accident. Maybe…”

Zhuang Feixue shot Zhou Ting a glare. “Enough! I know exactly what kind of person Chu Feng is. What you’re saying is way too suspicious.”

Zhuang Feixue thought to herself: When Feilei’s true identity was exposed, our parents were shocked and used all their connections to find my real brother. The hospital from back then had already moved, and they couldn’t find many useful records. In the end, Dad had to contact government personnel and review the list of people born on that day one by one. It took tremendous effort to finally find Chu Feng.

How could Chu Feng have known in advance? That’s pure nonsense.

Zhou Ting looked disappointed at her stubbornness. “I’m just trying to warn you—Chu Feng isn’t simple. Don’t wait until it’s too late and you’ve already been betrayed.”

Zhuang Feixue said impatiently, “I’ve spent time with Chu Feng. I know what kind of person he is.”

Zhou Ting was even more upset. “Your brother isn’t simple. If you won’t listen to me, you’ll regret it sooner or later.”

Zhuang Feixue replied coldly, “Even if I regret it, that’s my business—not yours.”

After Zhou Ting left, Zhuang Cheng came out.

Zhuang Feixue was startled to see him. “What are you doing here?”

“I just arrived,” Zhuang Cheng said calmly. “I heard you two talking just now. Sister, I know Second Brother—he’s not a scheming person.”

But inside, Zhuang Cheng thought: Big sis thinks she knows Chu Feng? What a joke. Chu Feng only puts on a mask around her—his real self shows when he’s with me.

Although Zhou Ting’s words were a mess, he did get one thing right: Chu Feng isn’t simple. Big sis might end up helping him count the money after he’s already sold her out.

Zhou Ting’s warning still left an impression on Zhuang Cheng. While his sister didn’t believe Zhou Ting, he did.

He recalled Manning’s ability. Back when Illya described it, he had a strange feeling—and now he finally understood why.

With the help of an ability user, many things that seemed impossible suddenly made sense.

Feilei’s background being exposed might’ve been a total accident. If no one had found out, maybe Chu Feng wouldn’t have interacted with them at all.

Zhuang Cheng also remembered what Assistant Chen and some employees had said earlier. Back then, Chu Feng claimed he was gay.

From what he knew, when Assistant Chen first found Chu Feng, Chu Feng behaved extremely poorly—like some vulgar nouveau riche who’d never seen the world.

But thinking back on it now, Zhuang Cheng suspected Chu Feng might have been deliberately acting that way. But why? Was he trying to distance himself from the family?

Zhuang Feixue walked out and saw Zhuang Feilei and Chu Feng talking.

After being rejected by Chu Feng, Zhuang Feilei clearly looked disappointed.

Zhou Ting, seemingly unable to stand seeing her hurt, pulled her away.

Zhuang Feixue walked over, worried, and asked, “Chu Feng, what were you two talking about?”

Chu Feng replied calmly, “Nothing much.”

Feilei had asked him to show some humility to the Chu family and said she’d be willing to give up her position if it meant the family could be harmonious again. But Chu Feng wasn’t interested.

If that baby-switch incident had never happened, everything Feilei has now would’ve been mine in the first place. Why would I need her to give it up?

Unfortunately, due to a series of accidents and misunderstandings, he—the legitimate heir—ended up being the unnecessary one.

If he didn’t get his abilities and something like this happened, maybe he would’ve bowed his head and gone to the Zhuang family to enjoy wealth and privilege. But now, he wasn’t lacking money, so he had no need for that.

Zhuang Feixue nodded and casually replied, “Oh.”

“Is the banquet about to start?” Chu Feng asked.

Zhuang Feixue glanced outside and said, “Almost.”

Chu Feng looked at her and said, “Sis, go greet the guests. Don’t worry about me.”

Zhuang Feixue looked at him and said, “Should I introduce you to some of our uncles and family friends?”

Chu Feng shook his head. “No need. I don’t like socializing. In the business world, connections are important, I know. You probably mean well, but I just want to run my own small business. I don’t want to deal with all those shrewd people.”

Zhuang Feixue understood his lazy personality and said, “There’s a buffet prepared. I had them make extra mini cakes—they should taste pretty good. I think Illya will like them.”

A sincere smile appeared on Chu Feng’s face. “That sounds nice.”

The banquet was lively. Chu Feng nestled in a corner with Illya, eating cake. The buffet was very rich, and the mini cakes were delicious.

“That Zhou Ting and Feixue seem to have a complicated relationship,” Illya said vaguely, still chewing cake.

Chu Feng looked at her. “What did you notice?”

Illya tilted her head. “Feixue looked very emotional when she saw him. Her emotions were… complicated.”

Chu Feng frowned. He’d seen some gossip online suggesting that Zhou Ting and Zhuang Feixue were a couple, but there was no solid proof. His sister was a celebrity—any little thing could spark wild speculation. She’d been paired up with over ten men already.

“If Manning were here, he’d probably know,” Illya muttered.

Chu Feng shook his head. “Doesn’t really matter whether I know or not.”
Even if something had happened in the past, from the way they acted now, it must’ve ended long ago.

“Chu Feng, you’re really taking it easy—hiding out here.” A teasing voice came from Shen Yutong, who walked up to him.

Chu Feng smiled. “Miss Shen! Long time no see.”

“Yes, it’s been a while. I hear your elixirs are selling pretty well,” Shen Yutong said.

Chu Feng smiled. “It’s going alright.”

Shen Yutong tilted her head. “I got the news a bit late. Miss Zhuang Feixue already sold out of her health elixirs. I don’t suppose you have any left?”

Chu Feng shook his head. “None left.”

“Young Master Chu, that’s not very fair. We’re old friends—you can’t open the back door for me?” she said with a playful scolding tone.

Chu Feng thought for a moment and said, “I don’t have any right now, but next time I get a batch, I can sell them to you first. How many do you want?”

Shen Yutong said calmly, “Ten health elixirs.”

Chu Feng froze and said hesitantly, “That elixir is… actually more suited for men.”

It wasn’t a problem for women to take it—it could also boost physical health to some extent—but taking too much could cause issues.

Shen Yutong rolled her eyes. “It’s not for me.”

The Shen family was actually an ancient martial arts clan. Many in the family practiced martial arts, and the further one advanced, the harder it became. They’d accidentally acquired two health elixirs before and found they helped with martial cultivation. One million yuan per elixir wasn’t much for a wealthy family like the Shens. Unfortunately, they’d found out too late—most elixirs had already been bought up by wealthy merchants. Even Zhuang Feixue had run out when Shen Yutong went to buy some.

“Oh, so Miss Shen is doing some proxy buying?” Chu Feng laughed.

Shen Yutong swirled the wine in her glass. “You could say that.”

She tilted her head again and said, “I didn’t expect Zhuang Cheng to be your brother.”

“I didn’t expect to have such a bizarre background either.”

Before awakening his ability, he had always thought he was just an ordinary person.

Shen Yutong smiled. “Why didn’t you go back to the Zhuang family? You could get a cushy position and a generous allowance.”

Chu Feng crossed his arms. “You know my name is Chu Feng. If I changed my surname to Zhuang, I’d become Zhuang Feng. That sounds like ‘pretending to be crazy’—I’d rather not.”

“You could just change your name,” Shen Yutong suggested.

Chu Feng waved his hand. “Too much trouble.”

Shen Yutong laughed. “Zhuang Cheng was rescued by a hero a few days ago.”

Chu Feng’s expression didn’t change, but his heart skipped a beat. “I heard about that. He was lucky to escape.”

“In today’s restless society, most people won’t lift a finger without profit. Zhuang Cheng was lucky to meet such a chivalrous man,” Shen Yutong said with meaning.

Chu Feng sensed that she was testing him, so he responded calmly, “Maybe it wasn’t about honor. Maybe the guy already got paid—you just don’t know it.”

Shen Yutong nodded. “Could be.”

Zhuang Feixue came over, her expression a little strange. “Chu Feng, do you and Miss Shen know each other?”

Chu Feng nodded. “Sort of.”

Zhuang Feixue looked at him in surprise. “You’ve got quite a network.”

The Shen family was a political-military powerhouse with strong influence in the military. They were the dream partners of many young elites in the capital. Zhuang Feixue wasn’t particularly close to Shen Yutong, so she never expected her to show up at her birthday banquet.

Zhuang Feixue gave a mysterious smile. “You’ve got good luck with women too.”

Chu Feng smiled. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Zhuang Feixue looked at him and said in a secretive tone, “I think it’s best if you don’t get too close to Miss Shen.”

Chu Feng asked, puzzled, “Why not?”

Zhuang Feixue took a deep breath. “Miss Shen isn’t simple. One time, some rich guy’s son didn’t know who she was and tried to flirt with her. She kicked his third leg.”

Chu Feng thought: That woman’s that ruthless? Truly, don’t judge a book by its cover.

“So if you’re thinking about enjoying some harem fantasy, you can forget it,” she added.

Chu Feng rolled his eyes. “Sis, what nonsense are you talking about? What harem fantasy?”

He had no intention of going after Shen Yutong. That woman was sharp—she’d probably already figured out something. He had no intention of provoking her.

“She’s just buying elixirs from me. That’s all.”

Zhuang Feixue thought for a moment and said, “Now that you mention it, I think she did bring it up to me a couple of times, but I didn’t expect that you two actually knew each other.”

Lately, too many people had come to Zhuang Feixue to buy elixirs—some offering five times the price, some throwing tantrums or playing the pity card, and some trying to use family ties to pester her. Many of them had worked with her before or had some kind of connection—and most were far from ordinary. In the middle of it all, Shen Yutong didn’t particularly stand out.

Chu Feng said calmly, “We’ve only met a few times, not that close.”

Zhuang Feilei looked at Zhuang Feixue and Chu Feng chatting so easily and felt a little sour. Her relationship with Zhuang Feixue had never been great. She used to think it was because Zhuang Feixue was naturally aloof, but seeing how well the two of them got along, she couldn’t help but wonder—was it because they were siblings? Is that why they were so close?

“Hey,” Zhuang Cheng walked up to Chu Feng.

Chu Feng glanced at him and said irritably, “Who are you calling ‘hey’? Mind your manners.”

Zhuang Cheng stood with his hands behind his back, face serious. “You know Shen Yutong? She’s not simple, you know.”

Chu Feng nodded. “You sure know a lot.”
He thought to himself: Everyone says Shen Yutong isn’t simple. She must be quite something.

Zhuang Cheng continued, “The Shen family has recruited quite a few ability users. Shen Yutong herself may not be one, but she has more than a dozen under her command.”

Chu Feng replied calmly, “Is that so?”
More than a dozen ability users—that’s quite a number.

He thought again: Shen Yutong really is impressive. But come to think of it, I also know quite a few ability users myself. It’s not about how many you know, but how strong and useful they are.

Zhuang Cheng nodded. “Yeah! Even though most of them have pretty mediocre powers, it’s still impressive that she managed to gather that many.”

Chu Feng smiled at him and said, “You sure know a lot.”

“Just speaking the truth.”

“Second Brother, I think Shen Yutong might have a crush on you!”

Chu Feng crossed his arms. “What can I say? Good looks attract admirers—can’t be helped. Unlike you, a playboy who tries to like two people at once and ends up with neither.”

Zhuang Cheng: “… Second Brother, can’t you say something nice for once?”

Off to the side, Zhuang Ming was chatting with a few acquaintances.

“That’s Chu Feng, right? The switched-at-birth young master of the Zhuang family? He and Zhuang Cheng seem to get along pretty well.”

“Yeah! When the news broke online that Zhuang Cheng had died and Chu Feng would be recognized as the true heir, I thought there would be an all-out fight.”

Zhuang Ming rolled her eyes. “It’s all just for show.”

She thought to herself: I didn’t expect Zhuang Cheng and Chu Feng to get along so well.
Earlier, her older brother had hired a bunch of trolls to stir up conflict between them online, but it had all been suppressed—probably by their second uncle. Although many of the posts had been taken down, some still remained. She didn’t believe Zhuang Cheng hadn’t seen them.

She mused: My brother really hired some talented people. Even I almost believed that Chu Feng had something to do with Zhuang Cheng’s kidnapping. Doesn’t Zhuang Cheng suspect anything?

“I heard Chu Feng gave Feixue over a dozen top-grade pearls as a congratulatory gift,” someone said.

Zhuang Ming was skeptical. “That has to be fake, right?”

Zhuang Zhiming narrowed his eyes. “Seems to be real.”

Zhuang Ming frowned. “Where did that guy get so much good stuff from? First elixirs, now pearls. Isn’t he just a delivery guy? Since when did delivery guys get this rich?”

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