Song Zeming never expected that an unexpected interloper would appear halfway.
And the worst part was, it was someone like this.
Twenty minutes.
They had finally arrived.
*Hoo!*
Song Zeming leaned back against his chair, finally letting out a sigh of relief.
However, his gaze fell upon the man named Lu Feng in front of him, who was receiving a warm welcome from Ye Ke and her group.
"Lu Feng, what a fitting name."
"Indeed, he knows so much!"
Especially when he heard Ye Ke's praise.
Seeing Lu Feng's composed demeanor.
His eyes seemed to hold centuries of Chinese knowledge, his expression smug and proud.
Song Zeming instantly felt a surge of anger and secretly vowed.
Later, at the banquet, he would make sure this man suffered a major setback.
For someone like Song Zeming, his career wasn't a complete triumph.
But in the eyes of ordinary people, he was already at a level that inspired envy.
Yet, the more successful such people were, the more they cared about saving face and competing.
"Lin Mei, you're out? How was the meeting?"
Song Zeming's thoughts were interrupted.
Seeing Lin Mei approaching.
Ye Ke quickly went over.
"The meeting progressed well."
Lin Mei nodded slightly.
However, she noticed that Lu Feng was already standing with Ye Ke, and they appeared to be old acquaintances.
Lin Mei's brow furrowed.
Feeling perplexed, her heart sank further.
Could it be that Ye Ke had already charmed Lu Feng and successfully extracted his secrets?
"Ye Ke, you..."
Lin Mei was about to speak.
Ye Ke said, "Lin Mei, your judgment is indeed excellent. This young man is truly talented. He knows everything."
Ye Ke then briefly recounted Lu Feng's eloquent explanation of the tea ceremony in the tea room.
Even for someone like Ye Ke, from a prestigious family.
A rich young lady who had received the best education since childhood, there were many things she didn't know.
Yet, Lu Feng was thorough in every aspect.
"Is that so?"
Lin Mei immediately stopped her words and gave an awkward smile.
But looking at Lu Feng's calm eyes, which sparkled with a hint of light.
She was even more astonished in that instant.
Who was this person, really?
He had acted decisively halfway, clearly a martial artist.
And a martial artist with years of training.
Initially, Lin Mei thought this young man was, at best, a kind-hearted, perhaps even naive, country boy.
Now, it was clear he far exceeded her expectations.
This Lu Feng, not only skilled in martial arts, but also in literature.
"Could he truly be this perfect?"
Lin Mei muttered to herself.
At this moment.
From within the doors of the banquet hall, a voice slowly drifted out.
Zhang Ke, the elder, who stood on the stage, bent his back and slowly approached the crowded front.
"Everyone, everyone, it's been a long time since I've seen you all. I, miss you all dearly!"
Song Zeming and Lin Mei's group, upon hearing the voice, immediately followed the crowd into the hall.
"Who is this person?"
"Oh, that's Elder Zhang Ke, a very distinguished businessman from the older generation in Donghai City."
Upon hearing this, Lin Mei glanced at Lu Feng.
These words were not meant as flattery.
Zhang Ke could be considered a legend in Donghai City.
In his youth, he had benefited from the reform and opening-up policies.
At that time, Zhang Ke was already a junior employee.
Resolutely, he moved from a city in northern China directly to Donghai City, which was still poor and underdeveloped.
Here, he started with street stalls, then clothing, later real estate, and finally ventured into finance.
Along the way, the stories he had were probably more numerous than his current immense wealth.
Moreover, this person had virtually no dark history.
He always conducted business with integrity.
Nor had he made any major mistakes.
In Donghai City's business circles, he was considered a respected elder and a role model.
The entire business community, regardless of size, respectfully referred to him as Elder Zhang.
And this time, Zhang Ke had gathered people from the circle in Donghai City.
Firstly, to liven things up. After all, as people age and are no longer lacking in wealth, they enjoy liveliness.
Secondly, he planned to gradually hand over his position to his son.
And this was a gradual process.
As such, Zhang Ke planned to hold ten such business exchange meetings this year.
After a round of pleasantries.
Zhang Ke naturally introduced his son, Zhang Dong, to the stage.
"This is my son, Zhang Dong. I hope everyone will take care of him in the future."
"It's our duty, it's our duty!"
All the attendees, not only gave Zhang Ke face.
Moreover, in such exchange meetings.
It was indeed possible to exchange resources.
Thus, sparking wealth that might not have been conceived elsewhere.
Zhang Ke was very pleased.
"This is a gift from my son. He knows I like this. It's a painting called 'Begonias in Sleep,' by the talented Tang Yin. It's even recorded in 'Dream of the Red Chamber.' This much."
Zhang Ke held up five aged fingers: "Fifty million!"
"I wonder if anyone among you can offer a critique!"
Currently, this segment.
Anyone with discerning eyes could see.
It was merely to boost his son's profile.
As for the critique, it was just to offer some flattering words and be done with it.
"This painting, the brushwork is delicate, the style is freehand. It's clearly a masterpiece. The figures and flowers complement each other, this is top-notch. Elder Zhang's son is truly filial. With such filial piety, even in the business world, this is how it will be."
Saying this, he gave a thumbs-up.
The first person's flattering words quickly ended.
This voice was very pleasing.
Zhang Ke was very satisfied.
"Thank you, I appreciate your kind words!"
"Anyone else?"
...
Those who wanted to seize the opportunity to curry favor with Zhang Ke were like drops of water in the ocean.
Grains of sand in the desert.
Soon, many more people stepped forward.
At one table, Song Zeming couldn't help but say.
"Lu Feng, look at this painting, what's so good about it!"
Song Zeming had to regain some ground.
Coincidentally, he had some knowledge of traditional Chinese painting.
Lu Feng heard him, turned his head, and looked at Song Zeming.
"Do you really want me to say?"
"Of course!"
Song Zeming said calmly.
"Then I'll say it," Lu Feng's brow furrowed slightly. "In my opinion, this painting is actually a replica."
"A replica?"
Song Zeming felt as if his head had been struck by a hammer.
Was that possible?
Firstly, he himself couldn't find anything wrong with it.
Secondly, this was Zhang Ke.
Someone who didn't bat an eye whether money came or went like flowing water.
For such a person, would he bother to pass off a fake for fifty million?
"I think you just don't understand!"
Song Zeming said coldly.