Chapter 16: The Banquet Agreement

Facing the furious Carl, Ma Jun only shrugged, thinking to himself, you guessed right, it really was me who didn't save her! Yet on the surface, he wore an expression of regret and said, "Mr. Cal Hockley, I am truly sorry for what has happened. I won't deny I bear some responsibility, as I did not pay attention to the lady's actions. But perhaps you should reflect more deeply—why would that lady choose to end her own life?"

Carl panted with rage, glaring at Ma Jun, but words failed him. He was overwhelmed by frustration and turned to gaze out at the sea. A film of such renown—how could it possibly continue without its leading lady?

After a moment, Carl suddenly asked, "How do you know my name? Do you know me?"

Ma Jun smiled mysteriously. "How could I not recognize the son of the illustrious king of steel? I even know your bodyguard's name—it seems to be Lovejoy. I've heard he's quite skilled. My employer often compares me to him, though I’m always used as a cautionary example."

Carl frowned. Knowing his name was no surprise—after all, he was a famous figure. But for this Asian man to know his bodyguard’s name as well was truly unusual. What’s more, the man claimed to have an employer; if he could know these details, his employer must be someone of equal stature.

While Carl was analyzing the situation in his own self-important way, Ma Jun continued, "Perhaps my words are inappropriate, but Mr. Hockley, though Miss Rose DeWitt Bukater is indeed a captivating woman, her family is no longer a match for yours. There’s no need for you to be so distraught."

Carl stared at Ma Jun, eager to vent his anger on him. Yet wary of the so-called employer, he restrained himself. Instead, he beckoned his bodyguard and whispered a few words. Then, looking at Ma Jun, he said, "Lovejoy thinks you might be a worthy opponent. He’d like to spar with you. You’re not going to back down, are you?"

Ma Jun took out a cigarette, deliberately showing off its exquisite packaging and unique filter before lighting it. With a smile, he replied, "Of course I won’t back down. I would never disgrace my employer. If Mr. Hockley agrees, then tomorrow at midnight, during the first-class cocktail party, I’ll duel Lovejoy—no holds barred, life or death. When it's over, you’ll know my employer’s name."

The limitations of the era meant that Hockley had never seen such finely crafted cigarettes, nor did he know the purpose of the filter. Glancing at Ma Jun’s suit, he began to suspect that Ma Jun’s employer might not be easy to cross. But the challenge had already been issued. For people of high society, saving face can sometimes be discarded, but at other times it is of utmost importance. In this moment, he could not back down.

He said, "It's settled, then. I look forward to learning your employer’s name."

Carl turned and left, rather rudely. Lovejoy gave Ma Jun a once-over and followed after him.

Ma Jun smiled, turned back to lean on the rail, gazing into the inky sea, and took a deep drag of his cigarette. Inwardly, he murmured, Miss Rose, go in peace—don’t grieve, don’t be lost. The Almighty will surely bless you, and bless us all.

"Uncle, are you out of your mind? Why did you let Rose die?" Xiaohua asked in confusion. "And why are you acting all mysterious now—did something get to you?"

"If you think about it, as an Asian man in this international setting, what are the odds that I could win the heart of a high-society lady in just a few days?" Ma Jun replied with a rhetorical question, grinning mischievously. "I'm not shaken; it’s just that what’s about to happen excites me—I can hardly wait!"

"Hmph, stop pretending to be some kind of mystic," Xiaohua scoffed, rolling her eyes. "I’m going to watch my drama—you entertain yourself!"

Back to calling herself ‘the old lady’ again? Ma Jun felt exasperated. When would Xiaohua ever act her age? And what was she watching all day that elevated her from ‘great-grandma’ to ‘the old lady’?

"Wait, tell me—how much Prestige do I have now?"

"Three hundred."

"Not bad," Ma Jun nodded in satisfaction. "By the way, you have the complete plot, right? When I attend the party tomorrow night, you’ll have to remind me of the names of the people there so I can keep up appearances."

Ma Jun had seen Titanic before, but with so many minor characters, he certainly couldn’t remember all their names.

"You’ve ruined my favorite movie, and you still want my help?" Xiaohua complained in indignation.

"Come on!" Ma Jun said, "Don’t be like that. We’re on the same team, after all. You’re so cute and clever—you’d never hold me back!"

"Hehe," Xiaohua replied, "After all this time, you’ve finally said something honest. Just wait, I’ll help you out soon enough."

Children really could be easy to please sometimes! Ma Jun laughed inwardly, tossed away his cigarette, and went off to find somewhere to sleep.

On the way back, Mr. Cal Hockley wore a deep frown.

His fiancée had committed suicide! Beyond the sadness, as the son of a steel tycoon and a noble family, such a tragedy was a disaster for both the family's reputation and his own.

Adrift on this vast ocean, there was no telling how they’d even recover the body.

Even the phrase ‘at his wits’ end’ was inadequate for Carl’s state of mind. In a rare gesture, he asked his bodyguard for a cigarette. Puffing on it, Carl's steps slowed as he sank into thought.

"Lovejoy, go tell the crew members who were present that Rose fell overboard by accident while looking out at the sea," Carl said, grinding out his cigarette.

Lovejoy was the perfect bodyguard. He nodded without hesitation. "Yes, sir."

A short while later, Lovejoy returned and informed Carl that the crew now understood the real cause of Miss Rose’s death.

Carl nodded and said, "Tomorrow, when you fight that Asian man, go easy on him. I want to know who his employer is. The fiancée of the Hockley family cannot simply die without consequence. He was the only one present—he bears undeniable responsibility. I want him to apologize and tell everyone Rose fell into the sea by accident. If possible, he should be punished for it."

"No problem, sir."

Having arranged everything, Carl finally felt a little relief. Yet what troubled him still was how to break the news to Rose’s mother.

Although Mrs. Bukater had pressured her daughter to marry Carl, she was not without feeling for her child. She was probably dreaming, even now, of the happy life she and her daughter would have in America.

These were matters Carl would have to face first. As for Ma Jun, he had sneaked into a first-class suite and was soon fast asleep.