Chapter 40: Does Yang City Have This Spendthrift?

Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Does Yang City Have This Spendthrift?

The guests had already gathered in the banquet hall.

The only one missing was Yin Ruxue.

Chen Feng brought his grandson over to Yin Mountain’s side, an awkward smile on his face as he looked at him. "I say, Old Mountain, why isn’t that granddaughter of yours here yet?"

"She’s not planning on skipping out today, is she?"

"I was hoping to let these two kids get to know each other better."

Yin Mountain swirled the red wine in his glass and took a sip. "Don’t worry. My granddaughter said she would definitely be here today."

"Besides, some of the more important guests haven’t returned to the hall yet. They’re probably still touring the estate."

"Let’s just wait a bit longer."

"Mm." Having received a firm reply, Chen Feng shot his grandson, Chen Xuan, a meaningful look.

The meaning was obvious: the rest was up to him.

Before long, more people arrived bearing congratulatory gifts.

"A gift from Western Airlines—a pair of Jade Marrow Sculpture Ruyi scepters, valued at twenty million."

"A gift from the Lu Family of the Northwest—one three-hundred-year-old Ginseng King, valued at three million."

"A gift from Dongnan Pharmaceutical Factory—ten of the newly developed ’Immortality Tech’ capsules, valued at twenty-five million."

"The Yin Family’s influence is truly immense. Even Western Airlines came to present a gift."

"Everyone here knows how significant Western Airlines is."

"If you partner with them, your shipping costs will drop dramatically."

"No wonder the Yin Family has been thriving so much these past few years."

"It’s most likely related to their shipping arrangements with Western Airlines."

"The Lu Family from the Northwest has a military and political background. Their power cannot be underestimated."

"Every time the Lu Family makes a move, it causes a huge stir."

"I wonder who they sent this time." When they saw the old man, they were clearly taken aback.

Wasn’t that the old Patriarch of the Lu Family?

What was he doing here?

Had the Yin Family’s prestige grown to such an extent?

"And what about that other biotech company?"

"They don’t seem to have any dealings with the Yin Family."

"They’re not a small company, but Dongnan is a long way from Yang City. It’s rather strange for them to be here."

One of the businessmen spoke up, "Perhaps they’re here to sell their medicine."

"Dongnan Pharmaceutical Factory has formidable research and development capabilities."

"It’s the largest pharmaceutical factory in the Southeast."

"The ’elixir of youth’ they produce can, in a sense, slow down cellular aging and make people more youthful."

"Using their new drug as a birthday gift is clearly a promotional tactic."

"And only people like us can afford these drugs."

The crowd buzzed with discussion.

The corners of Chen Xuan’s mouth turned up slightly. ’It seems my gift is still the most expensive and the best.’

However, the very next second, a voice rang out from the entrance.

"An out-of-province merchant, Jiang Fan, presents an authentic masterpiece by Tang Bohu—the Tiger Roar in the Forest Painting!"

"Valued at three hundred million!"

"What?! What kind of spendthrift comes to a birthday banquet and gives away a Tang Bohu masterpiece worth three hundred million?!"

"Jiang Fan? Does Yang City have a spendthrift like that?"

"None of the eight great families are named Jiang, are they?"

"No."

"Then where did this Jiang Fan pop up from?"

Confused, the crowd looked toward the source of the voice.

They saw a man and a woman walk in, arm in arm.

The woman was noble and elegant, her figure full and upright. She exuded a cold and aloof air, her long, jade-like legs radiating a fatal allure.

She wore a pink dress paired with a simple blouse, and her fair hands were covered in white silk gloves, creating an image of ultimate, refined elegance.

The man was tall and well-built, his 1.8-meter frame towering over Yin Ruxue. His gaze was calm as he ambled in with his head held high, naturally radiating an aura of righteousness.

"Jiang Fan? An out-of-province merchant? A gift of three hundred million, the Tiger Roar in the Forest Painting? How is that possible?" Yang Lian’an’s head felt like it was about to explode.

"And... I’m not seeing things, am I? Jiang Fan is walking arm in arm with Yang City’s number one goddess."

"What’s their relationship?"

"A hero saving the damsel in distress? She’s repaying him with her body? Or maybe she’s pregnant out of wedlock? Or could it be that Yin Ruxue has a thing for virgins?"

In an instant, all sorts of ideas flooded his mind.

In a flash, the wife beside him slapped him across the face.

"Damn it, you useless piece of trash! Why are you screaming like a banshee at an event like this?"

"Honey, I was wrong."

Everyone at the scene looked at Yang Lian’an with pity.

Yang Lian’an was already used to it; he had long since lost any sense of shame regarding others’ stares.

He simply lowered his head, still pondering his earlier questions.

"Youyou, it seems he already has someone he likes. You’ve lost your chance, little one," the Lu Family elder chuckled softly.

Lu Youyou huffed. "Grandfather, stop teasing me."

"Look at those people up there. They don’t seem very happy."

Lu Youyou pointed toward Chen Xuan and Chen Feng of the Chen Family, Elder Yin Mountain of the Yin Family, and the young master from Dongnan Pharmaceutical Factory across the way.

The young master from Western Airlines, who had been composed until now, looked rather amused.

"Heh heh, this is getting more and more interesting."

After he said this, his older sister frowned. "Are you looking to die?"

She twisted his ear sharply. "We’re here for a marriage alliance with the Yin Family."

"You now have three public love rivals, and you still have the nerve to laugh."

"Heh heh."

"Sis, the woman is certainly beautiful, but seeing as she’s a total ice queen, I’m really not interested."

"Just let me go back to playing my video games. Who knows, in a few years, I might ride the wave and start a few media companies."

"In your dreams!"

Jiang Fan and Yin Ruxue walked in from the back, step by step.

All these people were staring at him and Yin Ruxue.

He overheard every one of their conversations.

’One million was a little too cheap.’ His aura was now restrained, but a domineering presence brewed within him.

Even though these people were all regional tycoons, Jiang Fan felt not the slightest bit of pressure.

After they stopped walking, the two of them arrived before the host.

Yin Ruxue was the first to speak. "Your granddaughter, Xue, and her boyfriend have come to wish you a happy birthday, Grandfather. May you have a long and healthy life, as boundless as the eastern sea and as enduring as the southern mountains, and may you remain as vigorous as ever."

Yin Mountain was not a reckless man. Although he had already internally chosen Chen Xuan as his son-in-law and was displeased by Jiang Fan’s sudden appearance, he knew how to act.

But if Jiang Fan truly came from a major family, showing him no courtesy at all would only invite trouble.

Yin Mountain spoke. "Young friend."

"Are you from the out-of-province Jiang Family?"

Jiang Fan grunted in affirmation.

’How should I answer that? Whatever, I’ll just have to bite the bullet.’

"What is the Jiang Family’s main line of business?"

"The jade trade."

"This old man has rarely left Yang City, so I’m not very familiar with other provinces."

"So I asked a few too many questions. I hope you don’t mind, young friend."

Any discerning person could see that he was trying to fish for information from Jiang Fan.

Meanwhile, Yin Ruxue apparently hadn’t thought things through.

The background information she had prepared for Jiang Fan wasn’t thorough enough.

"What is your relationship with the Jiang Family of the Imperial Capital?"

Jiang Fan smiled faintly. If he let this old man keep questioning him, his cover would be blown.

"I say, Elder Yin, if you’re so concerned about my background, why don’t you investigate it yourself? Then everything would be crystal clear."

"Besides, if you don’t like me standing here, then I can just leave."

As Jiang Fan stood there, he projected an invisible, domineering aura. With just a few words, he had completely seized the initiative.