"That's right, I really like this hairpin!"
Shen Xiaoxiao said with a look of innocence, "It's so exquisite, it must have been personally selected by Mr. Lu!"
Li Qingwen's expression changed, and he felt a bit displeased. He had traveled a thousand miles to be here, and his limelight couldn't be overshadowed by someone else.
"Uncle, besides the gift for Xiaoxiao, I've also brought a hundred-year-old ginseng. This is a good thing!" Li Qingwen said with a smile.
"You've certainly put in the effort!"
Shen Guofeng slightly nodded, and at the same time said to Lu Fan, "Mr. Lu, please take the honored seat!"
Lu Fan was not one to stand on ceremony and walked towards the main seat, his expression even more indifferent.
Accompanied by Shen Guofeng and Boss Qian, Lu Fan sat in the main seat, which made Li Qingwen even more bewildered.
To be able to sit in the main seat, one had to be either rich or noble. However, looking at Lu Fan's attire, he seemed like an ordinary person.
"Xiaoxiao, what kind of friend is he?" Li Qingwen asked with a smile, "To be treated so by Uncle!"
"Just a casual friend!" Shen Xiaoxiao chuckled, "Don't overthink it. I truly prefer this hairpin!"
Li Qingwen's face turned ashen. He had come with a weighty gift, intending to be the center of attention, but he was outdone by a broken hairpin. How could he not be furious?
"Young Master, I think this person's status is not low!"
An elder beside him spoke, "You must not offend him rashly!"
"Old Qin, send someone to inquire about what car he arrived in!" Li Qingwen nodded.
If someone could be treated with such importance by Shen Guofeng, it wouldn't make sense if he didn't have a special identity.
As the future heir of the Li family, Li Qingwen had this much discernment.
Meanwhile, in the main seat, Shen Guofeng repeatedly poured wine for Lu Fan, creating a peculiar atmosphere at the table.
The people at the head table were all prominent figures in Chuzhou, but only Lu Fan was treated with such deference by Shen Guofeng. From this, it was evident that Lu Fan likely had a significant background.
However, as Lu Fan looked unfamiliar, everyone couldn't figure out who Lu Fan was, and naturally, they didn't dare to inquire casually.
After a long while, Old Qin came to Li Qingwen's side, "Young Master, it has been confirmed that he arrived by taxi!"
"By taxi?" Li Qingwen narrowed his eyes, "If he were truly from a prominent wealthy family, even if he didn't drive himself, he would surely have someone pick him up. It's the first time I've heard of someone taking a taxi!"
"This..."
Old Master Qin was somewhat surprised, "Under normal circumstances, it should be like this. But since Boss Shen treats this person with such regard, Young Master, you cannot be careless!"
"Of course, I know. You don't need to remind me!"
Li Qingwen said directly, even more displeased. His family was also a prominent clan in Jiangcheng, even surpassing the Shen family. To be treated with such indifference now, how could he be content?
"Xiaoxiao, why haven't you come to toast Mr. Lu yet!"
Shen Guofeng's voice rang out, "It is the fortune of our Shen family that Mr. Lu could attend your birthday banquet!"
Shen Xiaoxiao, dressed in a red dress, walked over with a wine glass. Coupled with having had a little wine, she appeared even more ethereal.
"Mr. Lu, I'll toast you!" Shen Xiaoxiao said respectfully, "Thank you, Mr. Lu, for attending my birthday!"
"Today you are the birthday star, I should be the one to toast you!"
Lu Fan smiled. Although he had a certain demeanor, in his eyes, Shen Xiaoxiao was his friend, so why wouldn't he accommodate her?
After drinking a glass of wine, Shen Xiaoxiao's demeanor became even more refined, especially with a slight blush on her face, making her look somewhat alluring.
"Mr. Lu, I'll toast you too!"
Just then, Li Qingwen approached with a glass of wine, "Meeting is destiny. Mr. Lu won't refuse to give my Li family face, will you?"
As soon as he spoke, everyone frowned. Li Qingwen's words carried a hint of hostility, which everyone could hear.
"This is the young master of the Li family from Jiangcheng!" Old Qin quickly stepped forward to smooth things over, "He specifically came today to celebrate Miss Shen's birthday!"
Many people present were surprised. The Li family of Jiangcheng was a wealthy and powerful family, with industries even larger than the Shen family's. With the young master of the Li family personally attending, the Shen family had indeed gained prestige.
Facing the astonished gazes of many, Li Qingwen looked smug. The previous sense of loss was instantly recovered.
"The Li family?" Lu Fan took a sip of wine and smiled, "I have no acquaintance with the Li family, so why should I give the Li family face?"
Boss Qian was slightly startled. He sensed the wrong atmosphere from their conversation and quickly said with a smile, "Young people don't know any better. Mr. Lu, please forgive him!"
After speaking, Boss Qian pulled at Li Qingwen's sleeve, signaling him to retreat quickly. He had some acquaintance with the Li family, otherwise, he wouldn't have acted this way.
"Uncle Qian, what's going on?" Li Qingwen asked indignantly, "I specifically came to toast him, but he belittled the Li family of Jiangcheng. Isn't that inappropriate?"
"If you say one more word, you can get out of here!"
Boss Qian was furious, "Even if your father were here, he would have to listen to me!"
Li Qingwen's expression changed drastically. He couldn't understand how Uncle Qian, who was friendly with his family, would say such a thing at a banquet.
"It's better not to come to this banquet!"
Li Qingwen waved his hand and left, filled with anger.
Boss Qian paid him no mind and turned to apologize to Lu Fan with a smile, "Mr. Lu, the young man doesn't know any better. Please forgive him!"
Lu Fan nodded slightly but didn't pay it any mind. He was just a minor character, not worth Lu Fan's attention.
Shen Xiaoxiao had seen the entire process clearly and was puzzled in her heart. What exactly was Lu Fan's identity that made Boss Qian disregard the Li family's feelings and even offend them?
As soon as he walked out of "Tianxia Mingchu," Li Qingwen said coldly, "Old Qin, find a few people and deal with this brat. Let him know the consequences of offending my Li family!"
"That won't do!" Old Qin quickly said, "Boss Qian cares so much, this person's status must be very high. If you move against him, the Li family will surely bear his wrath!"
"Hmph!" Li Qingwen said coldly, "Do it cleanly. Even if he has a powerful force behind him, so what? My Li family is not to be trifled with!"
"Young Master, think twice!" Old Qin said repeatedly, "Why not inform the family head and let him decide!"
"Old Qin, don't forget, your life was saved by me!"
Li Qingwen said coldly, "If you don't obey my orders, you are a traitor!"
Old Qin's body trembled, "This old servant would never dare to betray you!"
"Then do as I say!" Li Qingwen said coldly.
Old Qin had no choice but to agree.
Meanwhile, inside the banquet hall, everyone had eaten and drunk their fill and began to leave.
Shen Guofeng wanted to send a car to take Lu Fan back, but Lu Fan refused.
After Lu Fan left, Shen Xiaoxiao said, "Dad, who exactly is Mr. Lu?"
"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask!" Shen Guofeng frowned, "You just need to know that Mr. Lu's identity is not simple, and the Shen family cannot afford to offend him!"
"But..."
Shen Xiaoxiao felt a little wronged. Lu Fan was clearly her friend, yet she knew nothing about him. She couldn't help but feel a sense of unwillingness.
"Silly girl, stop asking!" Boss Qian said with narrowed eyes, "If you know in the future, you'll be fortunate!"
With these words, Shen Xiaoxiao became even more curious.
What kind of person could make her father and Boss Qian so infatuated?
These were the two giants of Chuzhou. When had they ever been so subservient?