Afterlife Department

18:00.

At exactly six in the evening, the wide gates of the royal palace officially opened for their invited guests all over the world. 

Everyone sitting in front of their television and watching the live broadcast for the first-born prince's birthday feast felt they were almost blind when they saw the shining cars entering the wide gates of the royal palace. When the camera shifted to the entrance of the royal palace, their jaw dropped to the floor when they saw the sparkling jewelries and millions of dollars' worth of wristwatches of the guests. 

Their glamourous ball gowns and fashionable black suits paired with their handsome and beautiful visages are heart-stopping. The guests are entering the doors of the royal palace while the royal head butler checked their invitations and verified their identity using a scanning device for everyone's safety, most especially of the royal family's. 

The television audience were still stunned earlier after seeing the handsome face of the first-born prince, Howee Jackson Baurne. After all, it's been years since they last saw the first-born prince's face. Reminded of how good-looking are the members of the royal family, the television audience became more enthusiastic and excitedly waited for the first-born prince to appear. 

18:03..

In the grounds of the royal palace, Hao Baiyun is fidgeting on his seat inside his car driven by Gu Xingfeng. 

Gu Xingfeng's brow twitched in annoyance. A vein popped in his head and, sitting on the driver's seat, he turned his body to face Hao Baiyun who is sitting on the backseat. "Mr. Hao, boss… can't you freaking calm down?!" he asked. His voice is filled with exasperation. "It's been six whole hours you are feeling anxious. You almost got lost in the department store. You have forgotten to pay for our food in the restaurant. And – " he said and took a deep breath. " - you've paced back and forth in the hotel room for two hours!" he reminded him. His face is dark. "Now, we're about to enter the royal palace. If you still want your face, then please calm down!" he told him and almost punched the steering wheel. Fortunately, he didn't. Or else, their car's horn would sound and break the noise in the palace grounds. They'd become conspicuous, which Gu Xingfeng doesn't want to happen. 

After Gu Xingfeng yelled at him, Hao Baiyun really calmed down. He cleared his throat. "What… what do you think happened earlier?" he asked. "What do you think Lu Si and Jonathan found? When will Jonathan call me for an explanation?" he looked at Gu Xingfeng, looking apprehensive. 

Gu Xingfeng finally snapped. With a dark face, he took out a pair of ear buds and placed them on his ears. Then, he turned his body to face forward, then slowly drove their car. 

"Gu Xingfeng?" Hao Baiyun called. But, Gu Xingfeng didn't answer, nor he turned back to look at him, indicating that he heard him. 

Gu Xingfeng, after stuffing his ears with ear buds, finally felt comfortable with the silence in his ears. The irritation he felt towards Hao Baiyun earlier also disappeared. He didn't look back, nor glanced at the rearview mirror to see what is Hao Baiyun doing, or he'd just feel angry again if he saw his anxious expression. 

While waiting for their turn to arrive, his phone suddenly vibrated. He picked it up and saw that he received a message. He opened it and read the content. Then, the corners of his lips pulled up. His family has just finished arresting the audacious TV station that broadcasted Huo Ling's face. 

Before he could savor his good mood, he felt his shoulder tapped, then his ear buds were taken from his ears. "Gu Xingfeng!" he heard Hao Baiyun called. 

His good mood was instantly gone. His brows knitted and he frowned. "What?" he asked, annoyed, before he turned back to Hao Baiyun. 

But, it's as if Hao Baiyun couldn't see his annoyance. "Did something happen?" he asked. 

"Yes." Gu Xingfeng answered. "The TV station was shut down. None of the TV stations dared to broadcast Huo Ling's face again. But, the damage has been done." He told him. 

Hao Baiyun's expression eased. "As long as no one would post xiao Ling's face again." He said. 

Gu Xingfeng nodded. Finally, it was their turn. The royal valet gently knocked on their window. Hao Baiyun opened the window. 

"Good evening, sirs." The royal valet greeted and respectfully bowed. 

Gu Xingfeng's knitted brows immediately eased when he heard the valet's tactful words. The royal valet is smart to include the 'driver' in his greeting. Hao Baiyun also noticed it and he smiled. 

The royal valet opened the car's door and Hao Baiyun went out. Gu Xingfeng also came out on his own, then circled their car to walk beside Hao Baiyun. Then, he gave the key to the royal valet before he and Hao Baiyun walked to the main doors of the royal palace where the head butler is waiting. 

The head butler respectfully bowed and opened his hand. Hao Baiyun placed the invitation on the head butler's hand. The head butler stood upright and gave a quick glance to the invitation before he gave them his standard smile. 

"Good evening, Mr. Hao and Mr. Gu." He greeted after a servant holding the scanning device scanned the invitation, Hao Baiyun and Gu Xingfeng. 

Hao Baiyun and Gu Xingfeng nodded at the head butler. 

The head butler's smile became more genuine. Jason Baurne already told him when he, Maxwell and Justin returned to the royal palace that Gu Xingfeng is accompanying Hao Baiyun, so the head butler was composed when he greeted the two men. He also confirmed that Hao Baiyun and Gu Xingfeng have a good character after they greeted him back, in which all the guests before him did not and put airs around him. 

"You table is at the front, and in the middle." The head butler spoke. Before Hao Baiyun and Gu Xingfeng could react, he spoke again. "His Royal Highness Howee's friends are the royal family's friends. Please, join them in their table for a chat over a heartwarming meal." He told them. 

Hao Baiyun and Gu Xingfeng were stunned. They didn't expect to be seated in the same table with the royal family. But, they immediately regained their composure when they remembered that there are still guests waiting behind them. 

"T-Thank you…" Hao Baiyun said and coughed before he pulled Gu Xingfeng with him. 

The head butler smiled before he bowed. Then, he turned to the incoming guest. 

Hao Baiyun and Gu Xingfeng entered the ballroom. After a few minutes and Gu Xingfeng finally found his voice. 

He looked at Hao Baiyun who, although looked calm, but inwardly still shocked. "Why are we seated with the royal family?" he asked him in a low voice. 

Hao Baiyun turned to him. "You wouldn't want the honor?" he asked back. 

Gu Xingfeng's eyes narrowed. "Don't kid me. You were also surprised, right?" he asked. 

Hao Baiyun nodded, then made a small smile. "Actually, after I've thought about it, it's reasonable." He said. 

"Huh?" Gu Xingfeng stared at him, puzzled. 

Hao Baiyun pulled him toward the side so that they won't block the way. They didn't immediately sit on their seats, or they'll definitely stick out like sore thumbs. There are already other guests sitting on their seats, but the royal family's table is just very conspicuous. Hao Baiyun and Gu Xingfeng don't want to be stared at like animals in the zoo if they seated now. 

"Xiao Ling only has one friend – " Hao Baiyun said. " – me." He pointed himself. 

"You?" Gu Xingfeng snickered. "Aren't you narcissistic?" he asked. "He's a prince! Definitely, he has many friends since he has connections…" his voice trailed off when he saw Hao Baiyun's serious face and Hao Baiyun is staring at him intently. "… are you kidding me?" he muttered, his eyes widened in disbelief. 

Hao Baiyun smiled, an obvious fake smile as he patted Gu Xingfeng's shoulder while he looked at Gu Xingfeng with a tender gaze. "Now, you have the honor of being one of His Royal Highness Howee Jackson Baurne's only two friends!" he told him. When he saw Gu Xingfeng's face turned green, he laughed. 

"This honor is too heavy for me to bear. I sincerely apologize, but I want to return it." Gu Xingfeng spoke. 

"Pft!" Hao Baiyun finally can't help but laugh. 

18:11.

At the entrance of the royal palace, the head butler received the invitation and his expression stilled when he saw the name in the invitation. But, it was only for half a second. "Good evening, Mr. Kong." He greeted and slightly bowed. 

Kong Chuan was immersed in his happiness since he can finally capture Huo Ling so he didn't see the head butler's unnatural expression for a second. The head butler also immediately recovered his expression. Kong Chuan didn't even spare a glance at the head butler and strode inside the royal palace after his identity and invitation was verified.