# 429
**Chapter 429: The Heir**
Baili Group Headquarters.
166th floor.
The elevator doors slowly opened, and two men in formal suits stepped out, their eyes sweeping across the grand venue before them.
“Baili Group really went all out,” Ninth Seat said coldly, taking in the spacious and luxurious hall.
Shen Qingzhu didn’t respond. He silently turned his head, scanning the area. His gaze lingered for a moment on a few figures standing by the distant window, then he quietly turned away, putting his back to them.
He had already removed his mask before entering the main building—wearing one here would only draw unwanted attention. Though his appearance had changed significantly over the past two years, looking more mature and composed, those who knew him well could still recognize him at a glance.
He had thought the only person he needed to avoid at this event was Baili Pangpang. He never expected Lin Qiye and the others to be here as well.
“I’m going to walk around and get familiar with the layout,” Shen Qingzhu said, then strode off in the direction opposite Lin Qiye and his group.
He knew Lin Qiye’s mental perception abilities all too well. If Lin Qiye casually swept the area with his spiritual sense, he would definitely be discovered… So he had to maintain enough distance to avoid exposing his identity.
Ninth Seat nodded and began casually strolling through the venue, occasionally glancing at the arriving guests, lost in thought.
By the window.
Lin Qiye idly twirled the wine glass in his hand, glanced up at the clock on the wall, and frowned slightly.
“It’s already time. Why hasn’t Baili Pangpang shown up yet?”
“He’s always forgetting things. Being late isn’t unusual for him,” Cao Yuan sighed.
As they chatted, a solemn-looking middle-aged man with graying temples walked out from the back of the hall in a tailored suit. The moment he appeared, all eyes turned toward him.
Representatives from various corporations and families immediately flocked to him with smiles and greetings, acting as if they were old friends.
“That’s the chairman of Baili Group, Baili Xin?” Cao Yuan studied him for a moment, his expression odd. “He doesn’t really look like Baili Pangpang…”
An Qingyu pondered for a moment. “Genetic mutation, perhaps?”
“…”
Lin Qiye was also observing the man. At the same time, Baili Xin seemed to notice them among the crowd and offered a polite nod.
Lin Qiye returned the gesture with a courteous smile.
After exchanging greetings with the guests, Baili Xin slowly made his way to the center of the hall, where a white platform for classical music performances stood. Holding a glass of wine, he ascended the steps with calm, steady strides.
“Thank you all for taking the time out of your busy schedules to attend this birthday banquet,” Baili Xin said in a deep, magnetic voice, a faint smile on his lips as his sharp eyes swept across the faces of the guests.
“I, Baili Xin, started from nothing. Over thirty-five years, I built the Baili Group into what it is today…”
He began his prepared speech, recounting his journey from a poor boy to the richest man in Great Xia. The tale of hardship and perseverance brought tears to the eyes of some of the younger attendees, who gazed at him with admiration.
A specially invited media representative sat attentively below, frantically scribbling in a notebook. Since the Baili Group had banned modern recording devices, the journalist had no choice but to write everything down by hand, afraid to miss a single word.
Of course, Lin Qiye and his group had no interest in this corporate rags-to-riches story. Their eyes remained fixed on the area around Baili Xin, searching for any sign of Baili Pangpang.
“…Now, it’s time for me to step back and enjoy my later years. Going forward, the Baili Group will be led by a young man even more outstanding than myself—someone with sharp logical thinking, innovative business vision, and a wealth of life experience…
He is my son, the designated heir of the Baili Group—Baili Tuming.”
At those words, Lin Qiye and the others’ expressions turned strange.
Sharp logical thinking?
Innovative business vision?
A wealth of life experience?
Aside from the last one—which was indeed both bumpy and abundant—the first two didn’t seem to apply to him at all.
“As expected of Baili Pangpang’s dad. Even his speech is… artistic,” Lin Qiye couldn’t help but mutter.
The other guests began whispering among themselves, curiosity gleaming in their eyes.
“I’ve heard the name Baili Tuming before, but never had the chance to meet him.”
“Same here. I tried to meet the young master of the Baili family years ago, but was turned down. He always seemed too busy.”
“But I heard that this young master is just a good-for-nothing rich kid. Is he really as impressive as Chairman Baili claims?”
“I know that the adopted son, Baili Jing, is truly talented. He worked his way up from the bottom of the company and earned a solid reputation within the group. He even has a strong following… What a shame.”
“I’ve worked with Baili Jing before. He’s a real prodigy. Honestly, I think he’s more suited to be the heir than this mysterious Baili Tuming.”
“An adopted son is still just an adopted son. There’s a difference between that and a biological one.”
“…”
In the corner, Wei Xiuming’s hand holding the wine glass trembled slightly. He let out a long sigh, turned away, and looked out the window.
As the crowd murmured below, Baili Xin maintained his smile and continued, “Now, let me invite my son to greet everyone…”
He gestured lightly toward the back of the hall. A young man in a black suit stepped out from the crowd, adjusted his collar, and with a confident smile, walked toward the platform.
The moment he appeared, many guests frowned in confusion.
“That’s not right. I’ve seen him before. Isn’t that the adopted son, Baili Jing?”
“Yeah, I’ve worked with him. Why is he suddenly Baili Tuming?”
“Wait, don’t tell me…”
“…”
Baili Jing climbed the steps and slowly stood beside Baili Xin. The lenses of his gold-rimmed glasses reflected the pale light as he bowed slightly and spoke politely:
“Hello, everyone. Allow me to introduce myself.
Some of you may already know me. That’s right—I am Baili Jing.
Or, you may call me by my other identity…
I am the only son of Baili Group’s chairman, Baili Xin, and the sole heir to the Baili Group…
Baili Tuming.”
The hall fell into dead silence.
Lin Qiye’s gaze turned ice-cold.