Chapter 68: The Masquerade Ball

Night enveloped the city, moonlight and starlight blocked by the thick, polluted atmosphere.
A flying vehicle streaked across the multicolored metropolis at breakneck speed, heading straight toward the darkness.
After weaving through the steel forest, it continued for a short distance before a brightly-lit manor appeared beneath the distant sky.
As the vehicle approached, a variety of aircraft appeared all around, seemingly drawn to the same manor.
Once it landed at the manor entrance, the driver hurried out and opened the door, allowing Ma Jun and Lisa to step out hand in hand.
Lisa had changed into a deep blue evening gown, a one-piece outfit with trousers, holding a small leather purse. Black decorations adorned the gown, perfectly complementing Ma Jun’s attire.
More vehicles landed one after another, releasing a flow of elegantly dressed young people.
Many greeted Lisa, exchanging hellos, their curious eyes lingering on Ma Jun.
“Hey, Lisa, is this your boyfriend?” A girl with a square face approached, her arm linked with a short, plump dance partner. “You’ve finally decided to get a boyfriend?”
“I’ll tell you all inside!” Lisa avoided the question, but the glance she gave Ma Jun seemed to reveal something to those around them.
Everyone scanned their faces as invitations and entered the manor.
After passing through a garden fountain, they arrived before a palatial house.
Soft blue lights bathed the palace in brilliance.
The milky-white doors stood open, and the guests ascended the steps and entered.
At the entrance stood a handsome man, around thirty, dressed in a white suit, greeting each guest with a warm smile.
“Wow, look at our Princess Lisa, so beautiful tonight!” he said, smiling at Lisa and giving her a gentle embrace. Then his gaze fixed on Ma Jun, his pupils narrowing slightly. “Hello, Mr. Ma Jun, I’m from the Portman family. You can call me Harry!”
“Hello, Harry!” Ma Jun replied, his smile radiant. “Glad to meet you!”
“All right, go on in, the ball is about to begin. Mr. Ma Jun, I’ll see you later!” Harry Portman said.
Lisa seemed uneasy, quickly pulling Ma Jun inside.
They entered a spacious hall illuminated by a myriad of lights.
In the center was a cleared area and a small stage. To the left lay a row of mouthwatering food, and to the right, small round tables, each surrounded by five silver chairs.
Paintings hung on the walls; though Ma Jun was no expert in art, he sensed these works were exceptional.
Lisa and Ma Jun took some desserts and found a round table to sit.
“Hey, Ma Jun, you finally made it!” Dawson Carl sat at the table, cheerful. “I wanted to invite you together with Lisa, but she wouldn’t let me interrupt! You’re so late—did you have fun?”
Ma Jun sidestepped the topic and, after sitting, spoke softly to Dawson, “I’m not interested in balls and such. But after your advice yesterday, I wanted to see if there’s any way forward here.”
Dawson looked startled, his expression amusing, then said, “There definitely will be!”
“Are you Ma Jun?” Suddenly, a burly man came over, arm in arm with a slight girl. “A jobless drifter with only a low-level education! You even associate with a filthy gangster bar owner? I hear you’ve developed some drug, and you think getting into high society will make you proud? Too bad, your tricks will be exposed one day, and then you’ll know what the upper class truly means!”
“Lisa, is your Carl family planning to marry you off to this fraud as some investment strategy?” the burly man continued. “I’ve always thought old Mr. Carl was wise!”
“Jaster, you’re being rude!” Dawson Carl narrowed his eyes, stood up and looked up at him, “Please apologize to my friend!”
“Friend?” Jaster laughed loudly. “You’re just partners, united by interests. So, does that mean the Carl family and the Terrancas family are friends too?”
“I’ll say it again: we’re simply friends!” Dawson Carl frowned. “He’s a great hero and shouldn’t be insulted!”
“All right, I understand!” Jaster shrugged and instantly donned a friendly smile. “Mr. Ma Jun, I apologize for my previous words. A new combat mech should be barely acceptable for you—it’ll ensure your safety. If I later discover you’re truly a fraud, then I’ll only regret Dawson’s judgment. Maybe we can chat later?”
Dawson’s face changed dramatically, and Lisa glared at Jaster.
Ma Jun, amused by the spectacle, secretly gave Jaster a mental thumbs-up.
“I won’t stoop to the level of a mediocre man!” Ma Jun replied with a smile, extending his hand for a handshake. “I love mechs! Thank you for the gift. Perhaps we can talk later!”
“Oh, I forgot to introduce myself!” Jaster’s smile grew more sincere. “I’m from the Natra family, Jaster!” He gestured to the slight girl beside him, “This is my cousin, Amanda. She’s loved armored weapons since childhood and even designed a mech that made it to market!”
Ma Jun’s eyes lit up; the Natra family’s wealth must stem from the arms industry. “A little genius! Hello Amanda, you’re unexpectedly charming!”
“Thank you!” Amanda beamed, looking about sixteen years old. “I heard about your research—at first, I thought it was nonsense, but then my father tried it and said the product really works, so I admire you a lot now!”
This girl was a bit blunt, or perhaps mischievous.
After she finished speaking, Jaster’s expression remained unchanged, while Dawson looked as if he’d eaten something foul.
Ma Jun barely suppressed a smile and said to Amanda, “Oh, you’re such a delightful young lady!”
Jaster led Amanda away, waving his sleeve without leaving a trace.
Compared to Dawson, Jaster was far more entertaining: with just a few words, he got what he wanted and even tried to sow discord between Ma Jun and Lisa and Dawson.
Dawson watched Jaster’s departing figure, his teeth clenched, because Jaster was now conversing with the party’s host, Harry Portman.
Jaster glanced at Ma Jun, shook his head at Harry, then nodded.
Harry Portman smiled, turned and waved at Ma Jun.
Dawson swallowed a piece of dessert, chewed it fiercely, then said to Ma Jun, “See? They’ve heard about your product and want to seize it! Ma Jun, you must be careful choosing your partners!”
“Yes!” Ma Jun nodded earnestly. “I certainly will!”

The ball officially began!
Harry Portman walked to the small stage and delivered a speech, thanking the gentlemen and ladies for attending. Amid cheers, he cut a giant cake.
Everyone raised their glasses in celebration. A small band took the stage and began to play.
A gentle tune started, and the crowd entered the dance floor, moving gracefully.
“Ma Jun, hurry and dance!” Lisa was the first to invite Ma Jun.
Ma Jun didn’t refuse, bowing with gentlemanly grace, one hand behind his back, and led Lisa onto the floor.
Of course, Ma Jun knew these so-called social dance steps; though technology advances rapidly, some things never change.
“Jun, Jaster was spouting nonsense earlier!” As they danced, Lisa pressed close, her cheek against his, whispering, “Their family isn’t a shareholder of R Company. But the Carl family is! Believe me, I’m not seeing you because of my father or family orders!”
Ma Jun sincerely reassured Lisa, telling her he believed her.
Lisa, moved, gave him a fierce kiss on the cheek.
When the dance ended and they returned, Dawson smiled again and teased Lisa.
“Hey, Ma Jun, are you tired? Dance with me too—my brother sent me!” A crisp voice sounded: Amanda!
This girl seemed very straightforward, or perhaps mischievous.
“All right!” Ma Jun said happily.
A lively tune began, and everyone’s steps grew lighter.
Amanda wore a pink one-piece dress reaching from neck to knees, her slender pale neck seeming as if it could break with a squeeze. Freckles dotted her nose, making her look even more innocent.
Her blue eyes sparkled as she stared at Ma Jun. “Hey, can you tell me about your background? You’re quite interesting. Suddenly you burst onto the upper-class scene, and now you can casually stroll through, even with a giant delicious cake.”
“Is your brother trying to send me a message?” Ma Jun asked directly.
“Oh, right, I forgot!” Amanda smiled apologetically. “I was too busy satisfying my curiosity. You haven’t partnered with the Carl family, have you? Lisa foolishly thought bringing you to the ball would create misunderstandings among other families, but my brother figured it out in a moment. You’re not planning to work with them, are you? Or maybe you’ll pick several partners to spread your risk—and bring R Company in, so you’ll be even safer!”
Ma Jun was a bit surprised and nodded, “You’re so direct—no attempt to disguise it? I doubt your brother asked you to pose the question in such a way!”