Crazy Smartphone – Part Two

A birthday party? Lin Feng quickly descended, approaching the crowd where Lan Jianren was energetically hosting like an entertainment show host. He recalled that Lan Yu had once invited all her classmates to her birthday party at school, but wasn’t she kicked out by Lan Jianren a few days ago? Why was Lan Jianren now acting as the enthusiastic host for a group of students and teachers, given his status as the head of the Lan Family with billions in assets? Lin Feng’s heart was filled with suspicion, as he frantically searched the crowd for Lan Yu and Wang Xiaoyun. He had an ominous premonition, as if something extremely important had been taken away. If Lan Jianren’s change was merely due to Lan Yu’s influence or mind control, then hosting this party might not be so bad. However, if it were part of a sinister plot by the Sheng Yang Sect, things could get much worse. Wearing the Lan Family guard’s uniform and with his agile movements, Lin Feng easily approached the bonfire party’s outskirts. Servants rushed by with trays, so busy that they didn’t notice Lin Feng standing like a utility pole in the shadows. At this moment, Lan Jianren was on stage, waving his arms and declaring that everyone would soon be free to explore the peak behind the mountain to find the Condensation Platform. The audience was bustling with excitement, with young men and women shouting and whispering in high spirits. Lin Feng had scanned the crowd several times but hadn’t spotted the two figures he was most concerned about. Could Lan Yu not be here? From afar, he scrutinized Lan Jianren on stage, dressed casually. Lan Yu’s ability to influence others’ minds required her presence at the scene to be effective, and with no sign of her, what act was Lan Jianren putting on? Things were unfolding in ways Lin Feng hadn’t anticipated. After escaping from the Demon King’s Tomb with Qin Jian, guessing at the Rising Sun Sect’s conspiracy, and unable to contact the outside world, they unexpectedly found a small wooden cabin. Inside the cabin was a secret passage leading to the Laughter and Tears Pavilion, and all along the way, various conveniences seemed to have been deliberately arranged to help them reach the only place with the ancient Condensation Platform, where the Rising Sun Sect planned to carry out their plot on the night of the full moon. From the moment they burst out of the secret passage, Lin Feng was ready for a fierce battle against formidable foes. However, aside from a few encounters with ordinary guards outside the underground labyrinth-like structure, they faced no real threats. These guards, though strong, were merely trained common warriors, not the mind-controlling adepts he expected. It was like throwing a punch in a fight, only to have the opponent dissolve like a reflection in water, leaving his fist sinking into a pile of cotton, frustrating him to no end. The old witch hadn’t shown up, nor had the expected onslaught of adept assassins from the Rising Sun Sect, instead, what lay before him was a scene of joyous celebration. Lin Feng was not one for deep thought or logical deduction; previously, Niu Niu inside him handled these matters, allowing him to act flamboyantly. Now, with the situation suddenly chaotic and complex, he felt defeated, his interest waning as he watched the merry crowd. “I could have been like them, simply enjoying life,” he thought, when suddenly another cheer erupted from the crowd. Lan Jianren’s voice, filled with excitement, came through the loudspeaker: “Now, let’s welcome the star of tonight’s party, my little sister Lan Yu!” The familiar tune of a birthday song began to play, and an exceptionally luxurious giant cake was slowly pushed onto the center stage by four attendants, its eighteen slender candles lit by Lan Jianren himself. With these preparations, the anticipation of the crowd was heightened. Before coming here, there had been rumors that Lan Yu had been expelled from the Lan family, and despite being invited here for her birthday, she had not been seen until now. Now, seeing and hearing this, the crowd was puzzled, further baffled by the ways of the rich. Suddenly, a bright spotlight focused on the side of the stage, and a beautifully dressed young princess, Lan Yu herself, stepped onto the stage with a sweet smile and proud steps. Lin Feng’s heart raced as Lan Yu appeared, instantly becoming the center of attention. She scanned the audience, and without a word, the once noisy crowd fell silent. “Thank you, everyone, thank you to all the teachers and classmates for coming to support Yu’er,” Lan Yu said with composed grace, clearly accustomed to such grand events. Her words immediately relaxed the tense atmosphere. Amidst the commotion, everyone raised their wine glasses in a toast to the birthday girl. The bright crystal glasses filled with deep red wine, under the open sky’s light, looked like everyone held a dazzling, colorful lamp. “Yu’er lost her mother at a young age, and only recently did I learn that this wealthy father of mine,” Lan Yu spoke movingly of her background, not shy about her awkward status as an illegitimate child. Lan Jianren beside her remained calm, showing no signs of embarrassment. After all, the news of Lan Yu’s expulsion from the family due to her status had already caused a stir in Yushan City. How the siblings reconciled was a mystery to all. As everyone was touched by Lan Yu’s words, Lin Feng, lurking at the edge, sensed a hint of conspiracy. “No mother from a young age, huh?” He was suddenly alert, instinctively looking around the stage. But he saw no familiar figures. “Little fox, what are you hinting at by emphasizing this?” Before Lin Feng could voice his suspicion, Lan Yu on stage was reaching the peak of her emotional appeal. Suddenly, she almost maniacally shouted, “But Yu’er is incredibly, incredibly, incredibly lucky because now Yu’er has a mother! Yu’er has a mother now! Yu’er’s mother is here today to celebrate her birthday with her!” The whole audience was in an uproar, bewildered by the sudden turn of events from a birthday party to a family reunion. “Lan Yu has a mother? Wasn’t her mother supposed to have died years ago?” A cloud of smoke rose from the stage, professionally done, and from a circular opening in the stage, a figure in a flowing white dress, full-figured, rose up. “Mom!” Lan Yu excitedly embraced her. “Who is this?” Lin Feng squinted, trying to identify the woman dressed in opulent nobility. There was a vague familiarity in her figure, but she gave off an unapproachable aura, making him doubt his eyes. Then, as the woman spoke, Lin Feng nearly jumped out of his skin. “Be good, Yu’er. That little brat Lin Lin has been missing these past couple of days, probably just scaring people. Don’t be mad, Yu’er. When he comes back, we’ll make him pay. Come on, let’s blow out the candles together.” Her words, though not loud, were like thunder in Lin Feng’s ears. “Mom?! How come you’re dressed so that even your son can’t recognize you?” Lin Feng had been worried about what Lan Yu, that clingy girl, would do to his mother during his disappearance. Previously, she had pestered him for no reason, eventually becoming his “good sister” and moving into his home. Now, with the Lan family throwing such a grand birthday celebration for her, he didn’t expect her to openly play this card.