“Are you truly not going to apologize?” Lu Fan balled his fists, his gaze filled with killing intent. Lin Ke'er was his absolute limit; no one could cross her.
“This is a colossal joke. Who do you think you are?” Yang Jiaqi showed no signs of backing down. “Everything I said is the truth. For me to apologize, you’d have to be worthy of that.”
Lin Ke’er quickly pulled Lu Fan back. “Brother Lu Fan, let’s just let it go!”
“If he had spoken about me, I wouldn't have bothered. But he spoke about you, so how could I let it slide?” Lu Fan said with a cold laugh.
“What, are you planning to resort to violence?” Yang Jiaqi sneered. “You’re just a brute, relying on sheer force. Don’t think that just because you cured Old Master Bai’s illness, you can become a distinguished guest! A pauper remains a pauper!”
The voices gradually rose, drawing the attention of many in the banquet hall. No one knew what had happened.
At this very moment, by the entrance of the banquet hall, Old Master Bai, supported by Bai Tianchen, entered. Bai Xue followed close behind.
Yang Jiaqi’s voice was loud. Bai Tianchen, having just entered, heard everything clearly and spotted Lu Fan.
“Mr. Lu is a distinguished guest of our Bai family. Does that need to be questioned?”
Bai Tianchen walked over, smiling at Lu Fan. “Mr. Lu, your presence at the Old Master’s birthday banquet is truly an honor for our Bai family!”
“Master Bai, you flatter me!” Lu Fan smiled, his expression indifferent.
Inside the banquet hall, everyone displayed astonishment. They couldn’t fathom Lu Fan’s identity to warrant such treatment from Bai Tianchen. Within Qingzhou, no one possessed such influence.
Yang Jiaqi’s eyes flickered with embarrassment. He hadn’t expected Bai Tianchen to arrive at this moment, nor did he anticipate Bai Tianchen showing such deference to Lu Fan.
That day at the Yang family, Bai Tianchen’s personal invitation was for Old Master Bai’s illness. But now that Old Master Bai had recovered, as the head of the Bai family, he shouldn’t be this courteous to Lu Fan.
“What a grand display of status!” Bai Xue said with a cold laugh. “In our Bai family’s banquet hall, what right does your Yang family have to point fingers?”
Yang Dingtian could no longer sit still. He stood up and smiled at Bai Tianchen. “Master Bai, the Yang family is here to offer birthday wishes. One does not strike a smiling face. We were indeed a bit overly zealous just now; we hope Master Bai can be understanding.”
“I, for one, am indifferent. However, you have offended Mr. Lu. If Mr. Lu is unhappy, how can I possibly be happy?” Bai Tianchen stated directly.
Liu Xuanhao and the others were dumbfounded. He had already thought highly of Lu Fan, considering his status to be no simple matter, but he hadn’t expected him to be *this* influential, to the point where even the esteemed Bai Tianchen was so polite to him.
Yang Dingtian frowned. Lu Fan possessed neither power nor influence, yet he had managed to cling to the Bai family. This was somewhat troubling for the Yang family. “Mr. Lu, we were indeed rude earlier. We hope for your understanding.”
Lu Fan paid them no mind, his gaze growing even more distant. He remembered the humiliation of being publicly jilted at the Yang family. He had never held a good impression of the Yang family members.
“Old Master Yang, today is Grandfather’s birthday. We do not wish for any disruptions!” Bai Xue said with a smile. “Mr. Lu’s medical skills are superb, and his presence guarantees everything will be foolproof. However, as you have a past conflict with Mr. Lu, we kindly request you to withdraw for now!”
“Withdraw for now?” Yang Dingtian frowned. “Miss Yang, are you issuing an eviction notice?”
“One could say that!” Bai Xue replied with a smile. “Apologies for the inconvenience!”
Yang Jiaqi’s face turned ashen. Facing the gazes of everyone present, he felt even more awkward. Their Yang family was, after all, a prominent one. They had specifically come to the Bai family today to celebrate the Old Master’s birthday, yet they were being asked to leave. How would their Yang family establish itself in Qingzhou in the future?
“Miss Bai, you must be joking with us,” Yang Dingtian said quickly with a smile. “We are here to offer birthday wishes; how could the Bai family possibly issue an eviction notice?”
“Our Bai family has always treated guests with courtesy, but we will not tolerate anyone causing trouble in the banquet hall,” Bai Tianchen stated directly. “Mr. Lu is our Old Master’s chief physician. We will have to trouble you, Old Master Yang, today!”
Yang Dingtian’s face turned green. He was, after all, the head of a family. Bai Tianchen showing him such blatant disrespect would likely make it impossible for him to gain a foothold in Qingzhou henceforth.
“Very well, very well. I hope the head of the Bai family does not regret this!” Yang Dingtian, leaning on his cane, walked towards the exit, looking quite dejected.
Yang Jiaqi snorted and quickly followed him. He hadn’t expected things to turn out this way. In her eyes, Lu Fan was insignificant, yet he always managed to annoy her immensely.
“Mr. Lu, are you satisfied?” Bai Tianchen asked with a cupped-hand salute and a smile. “I apologize for my lack of hospitality today!”
“Boss Bai, you jest. To issue an eviction notice on my behalf, I don’t carry that much weight,” Lu Fan said with an awkward smile.
“Within Qingzhou, if even Mr. Lu lacks influence, then who else would have it?” Bai Tianchen smiled slightly, taking Lu Fan’s arm and guiding him towards the main seat. “Mr. Lu’s attendance is an honor for our Bai family. You must sit at the head table today.”
“There’s no need. Those are seats for elders,” Lu Fan said with a smile. “I’ll just sit anywhere!”
“That won’t do!” Bai Xue stepped forward, smiling. “You are Grandfather’s savior; you rightfully deserve a seat at the head table!”
Lu Fan looked resigned and couldn’t say much more. He was then arranged to sit at the head table. Lin Ke’er sat beside him, appearing extremely uneasy.
Those seated at the head table were no ordinary individuals. Lin Ke’er had never witnessed such a scene and felt an involuntary nervousness.
“Don’t be nervous, it’s alright!” Lu Fan held Lin Ke’er’s hand. “I’m here.”
Lin Ke’er nodded, finally letting out a sigh of relief. With Lu Fan’s hand holding hers, she felt more at ease.
Outside the Seven Stars Hotel, Yang Dingtian was furious, almost to the point of fainting. He slumped into a chair, gasping for breath.
“Grandfather, are you alright?” Yang Jiaqi stepped forward to help him.
“How could I be alright? I’m almost angered to death. It’s all because you were unreliable. Breaking the engagement back then has led to us being trampled underfoot now.”
“Grandfather, why is this necessary?” Yang Jiaqi smiled. “The Bai family is treating him with such courtesy merely because of the Old Master’s illness. Once Old Master Bai passes away, he won’t be so arrogant. By then, I will personally deal with him!”
“Can you truly deal with him?” Yang Dingtian gave her a sidelong glance. “If you hadn’t broken the engagement, none of this would have happened. Today, I was expelled from the banquet hall, and it will be difficult for the Yang family to establish itself in Qingzhou in the future.”
“Why is that?” Yang Jiaqi asked, puzzled.
“Within Qingzhou, being unwelcome by the Bai family is not a good omen. It’s likely that before long, business partners cooperating with the Yang family will find excuses to curb their orders,” Yang Dingtian stated directly. “At that point, I will have to personally visit the Bai family. After all, regardless of anything, the Bai family is the true giant in the business world.”
Yang Jiaqi felt a sense of unwillingness but didn’t know what else to say. Just as Yang Dingtian had said, this matter was probably not that simple. The Yang family and the Bai family were, after all, not on the same level.
Meanwhile, inside the banquet hall, the guests were singing and dancing, starting to eat and drink.
Lu Fan sat at the head table, appearing quite relaxed.