Chapter 098: Social Mastery

It was clear that Li Lekang wouldn't make rash comments in fields he didn't understand, so he judged women from the perspective he knew best: car models and configurations! Either a sizzling, curvaceous luxury car, or a supercar like Kendall, tall with long legs—his standards for beauty were impressively broad.

Victoria's Secret models, though often criticized by the high fashion world for being too voluptuous or walking too awkwardly, were, in Li Lekang's view, far more appealing than the overly thin types. He truly had no interest in those. After all, he wasn’t an artist, merely a driver.

As a seasoned driver, he naturally considered practicality first, evaluating the car’s appearance and performance. Li Lekang quickly scanned Kendall; she had plenty of impressive features. He thought it was high time to get acquainted, for he wanted to test drive a supercar.

Li Lekang never hid that bit of desire that comes with being a man. Young, vigorous, and possessing extraordinary abilities—don’t tell him he was here just for the art!

Nonsense!

He was here to find a car to drive, honest and straightforward.

After the radiant Kendall walked by, Li Lekang—always letting ladies go first—finally took his turn. Smiling, one hand in his pocket, his mirror-polished shoes glided over the red carpet.

The flashes focused on him, the glare making him squint, but he still waved to the cameras with poise. People called out his name.

Being recognized as an Asian face, Li Lekang felt these photographers were pretty decent. After striking a few cool poses, he laughed and stepped up the stairs into the venue.

Inside was the banquet hall for the event, where celebrities and socialites gathered in small groups, chatting, laughing, occasionally embracing.

The venue was ready, with the buffet set off to the side, though hardly anyone touched it. The actresses would rather go hungry than ruin their elegant figures by eating at such moments.

The men were more inclined to take champagne from circulating trays, clinking glasses and sipping as they mingled. Li Lekang glanced around, seeing mostly unfamiliar faces.

“Lekang! Hey! Brother!”

Just as he was feeling a bit lost, someone called his name.

Li Lekang turned, breaking into a smile.

It was Malone, the singer with arms covered in tattoos. They’d crossed paths many times in Los Angeles, and to meet again in New York—naturally, they embraced warmly.

After exchanging greetings, Malone regretted missing Lekang’s big New York show due to work, prompting Lekang to joke, “Then next time you shoot a music video, you’d better give me a role!”

“To have you in it would be a huge win!” Malone grinned. “Come on! Let’s meet some friends. I know you’d get bored in New York!”

“OK!” Li Lekang was eager for that.

“Here, though different from California, you, with both fame and status, shouldn’t hide in the corner forgotten. You deserve applause, you deserve everyone’s compliments!”

“Hey, folks, let me introduce a superstar!”

“You must have heard of him—the genius who made our moon disappear in ‘New York Night,’ the grand magician—Lekang Li! I swear, there’s no one more magical in the world—no, this isn’t paid promotion!”

“Hahaha!”

This was social prowess personified—Malone thrived in crowds.

He had the credentials, too: several songs from his new album had charted on Billboard, quickly capturing the audience's attention. He was at the peak of his fame.

The world is always realistic: those with ability have the privilege to speak loudly. And when Malone brings in someone even more capable—

Forbes had vividly depicted Li Lekang’s power in numbers: a single performance could draw over eighty thousand people! His income per show was rumored to reach forty million (the rumors grew more outrageous by the day)!

As a performer whose earnings per show placed him among the top ten male actors, and as a figure whose arrival made news across Europe, Asia—even Africa—Li Lekang was born to draw the spotlight.

With Malone’s exuberant announcement, those who hadn’t recognized him before, or had only heard his name but not seen his face, now reacted:

“Wow, I never thought he’d be right here!”

“I love your magic!”

Greetings and compliments poured in. Though everyone here was a somebody, there were levels among them, and Li Lekang’s explosive popularity had proved he wasn’t just a fleeting star.

Many now sought friendship with him—this was the reality of the times: attention and heat ruled all, and without them, who cared?

Li Lekang met a whole group this way, learning their backgrounds, exchanging mutual compliments, and engaging in witty banter with those he clicked with, building rapport amid laughter.

After circulating through the crowd, perhaps keeping someone in mind, he found himself—deliberately or not—approaching Kendall Jenner, who was chatting and laughing with friends.

After Malone’s enthusiastic introduction, Kendall was well aware of Li Lekang’s background. When he came over, she smiled and greeted him, “Hi!”

“Hello, ladies!” Li Lekang strode over, beaming. “If I said I wandered over by accident, you wouldn’t believe me. Honestly, I was drawn here by Kendall’s beauty!”

“Wow! Hahahaha!”

“He’s so direct!”

“But I like it!”

Kendall’s friends laughed aloud; Kendall herself couldn’t stop grinning behind her hand.

Li Lekang’s candor piqued her curiosity. As someone born under a lucky star, attractive and swiftly successful, most men lacked confidence around her!

Famous from a young age, earning top-model income year after year—this kind of woman could easily make many men lose their confidence.

When confronted by a woman richer and more capable than themselves, men’s financial self-esteem plummeted, leaving them without even the courage to initiate conversation!

It was a fascinating social phenomenon—but it didn’t apply to Li Lekang!

He, too, had social bravado. His extraordinary confidence was almost biological—a devil lord among mortals, always detached and above.

Of course, he wouldn’t flaunt it excessively; that would tip into arrogance. But even when he kept it restrained, to the ladies, he still shone with a distinct charm, so different from men who concealed their intentions.

That made him immediately unique, especially after that bold remark—Kendall felt thoroughly captivated, not sure how to respond.

Li Lekang smiled, met her gaze, and extended his hand. “Let’s get properly acquainted. I’m Lekang Li, a magician—some people call me a sorcerer. In any case, it’s a pleasure to meet you!”

Taking his hand, Kendall flashed a bright smile. “Kendall Jenner. Well, I’m a muggle, but I know you! I watched your show on TV!”

“How was it?” Li Lekang smiled, asking her.

“More than just good—you were incredible!” Kendall gave a glowing review. “I honestly didn’t expect to meet you here. Oh, sorry, I’m a bit excited.”

Li Lekang joked, “Haha, don’t worry, girl—I promise I won’t make you disappear!”

Everyone laughed and cheered again. Kendall, teased in public, was amused and a little shy.

Seeing her reaction, Li Lekang’s smile grew. “But right now, I can’t make any guarantees!”