These people all shared a common title.
Socialites!
The reason these people gathered was primarily for profit.
On the surface, they acted like close sisters, calling out to each other.
But in their hearts, they were all secretly competing.
Controlled by a perverse desire to one-up each other,
their vanity was truly explosive.
Ye Ke glanced at Lin Mei, feigning surprise.
"Lin Mei, your taste has really become quite bold lately, liking someone like this. He's so naturally rustic!"
"Lin Mei, he's so refined, could he be from the countryside?"
As she spoke, a woman standing near Ye Ke revealed a look of disdain.
The "refined" she spoke of was far from meaning fresh and delicate.
Hearing this, Lü Feng's heart remained unmoved.
He was as calm as still water.
Was there anything shameful about being from the countryside?
City dwellers still needed supplies from the countryside.
Lü Feng was oblivious to the source of the contempt and arrogance of these people who consumed what the countryside provided.
And what exactly gave them their courage.
However, with just these few words, Lin Mei's face instantly turned crimson.
Her expression faltered for a moment.
"This isn't..." she suddenly thought, "This is a friend of mine, also a master. Isn't the host of this party Elder Zhang? He likes calligraphy and paintings, and this friend is in that line of work."
"Oh, I see. I thought you had changed your taste, Lin Mei!"
Ye Ke smiled.
"Alright, I'm going to the meeting first. You all relax!"
With that, Lin Mei headed straight for a luxuriously decorated conference room.
The banquet was scheduled after the meeting.
In the hallway, Ye Ke and the group led by Song Zeming were bored.
Waiting was always a long affair.
The attention of this group was entirely focused on Lü Feng.
"Young brother, there's a tea room on this floor. If you are Miss Lin's friend, you are also everyone's friend. How about we have a cup of tea while we wait?"
Song Zeming's voice was gentle, seemingly trying to win Lü Feng over.
However, Lü Feng could not fail to understand that this man had ulterior motives!
But at this moment, Lü Feng had no intention of refusing outright.
Refuse?
Why should Lü Feng refuse?
Didn't these people just want him to embarrass Lin Mei?
These people's petty schemes.
Lü Feng was happy to oblige!
But whether he could embarrass her.
Lü Feng scanned the vulgar men and women before him.
"That depends on the skills of these individuals!"
"Alright!"
Lü Feng nodded slightly.
Upon hearing this, Song Zeming seemed to find some amusement.
"Then please, this way!"
In the quiet and elegant tea room,
a faint fragrance wafted through the air.
"Please,"
Song Zeming deliberately held back, letting Lü Feng make the first move.
This young man before him was clearly a monkey who had crawled out from some unknown wild place.
And he claimed to be an expert.
Generally, those who appreciate calligraphy and paintings have a good understanding of traditional Chinese culture.
And tea culture is a very important part of traditional Chinese culture.
Song Zeming was certain this young man knew nothing about it.
He could then get his revenge.
And curb Lin Mei's arrogance.
"Then I'll go first!?"
"You first! You first!"
On this matter, Song Zeming was exceedingly polite.
Seeing Lü Feng about to make a move, Song Zeming quietly reminded him, "These tea sets are at least tens of thousands, young brother. You should be careful!"
Lü Feng said nothing.
Only the corners of his mouth twitched a few times.
Compared to what Lü Feng had learned on the mountain, these little tricks were merely a drop in the bucket.
Lü Feng skillfully washed the cups.
Rinsed the tea leaves.
Then, when the tea had just reached the right flavor,
he carefully picked up the cup.
And took a small sip.
The entire sequence of movements was fluid and seamless.
Unless one was extremely experienced.
They would surely fumble.
But with Lü Feng, there was no fumbling at all.
"High-grade Yunwu Maojian! Fresh and smooth!"
Lü Feng not only performed the rituals flawlessly but also identified the tea by name.
"Mr. Song, would you like to try some?"
Song Zeming, standing nearby, stared with wide eyes, dumbfounded.
Could it be that this young man was truly an expert?
Song Zeming was put in an awkward position, but after all, the other socialites were present.
He maintained a smile on his face.
And said in a low voice, "Good, good, young brother, you have excellent skills!"
"This is really nothing."
Lü Feng smiled.
"Actually, when it comes to tea, one must mention Lu Yu. This person, in the 'Cha Jing'..."
Once Lü Feng began to speak, it was like a surging flood, ceaseless.
These were words that belonged to Song Zeming.
Now, all of them were snatched away by Lü Feng.
The feeling of having one's spotlight stolen was not pleasant.
But Song Zeming couldn't leave immediately.
There were still twenty minutes left until the half-hour meeting ended.
Song Zeming could only nod in agreement from the side.
This feeling of being overshadowed was a great torment for Song Zeming.
His chance to show off his sharp intellect to Ye Ke, in front of all the socialites, had been snatched away by someone else.
Song Zeming could only wish for time to pass more quickly.
Ye Ke and the others began to see the humble young man, who was now speaking so volubly, in a new light.
"This young man truly has some skills. Lin Mei's taste is indeed good. She knew to cater to the preferences of the day. No wonder the Lin family's business is so envied!"
Ye Ke's mind was constantly churning.
The look in her eyes towards Lü Feng was no longer one of disdain, but of genuine admiration from the bottom of her heart.
People like Ye Ke,
although born with a silver spoon in their mouths,
having never lacked money since childhood.
However, culture was something they were quite lacking in.
What one lacks is often considered more precious.
This is why many small business owners, once they have a little capital, start hanging calligraphy and paintings in their offices to appear cultured, for the same reason.
At this moment, the admiration in Ye Ke's eyes towards Lü Feng became even more evident.
Song Zeming grew increasingly annoyed.
He knew Ye Ke would be here today and had planned to impress her and gain her favor.
Now, it seemed his efforts were in vain.