Each dining table was set with a large platter of pistachios, candies, and melon seeds for people to snack on as they passed the time.
Everyone cracked melon seeds, sipped tea, and chatted merrily.
"Little brother!"
A voice came from behind him.
At the same time, Qin Tian felt a gentle pat on his shoulder and turned his head in confusion.
The man, whom his future father-in-law called Old Zhou, was looking at him with a beaming smile.
"Hello, is there something I can help you with?"
Qin Tian asked with a smile.
The man shook his head, pointed at himself with a smile, and said, "Zhou Hong, that's my name!"
"Qin Tian."
Qin Tian introduced himself as well.
"You already said that in the elevator!"
Zhou Hong smiled and asked curiously, "Xiao Qin, are you dating Old Xia's daughter?"
Qin Tian was taken aback for a moment, then readily nodded in acknowledgment.
"Then you're really something. Old Xia, that doting father, didn't cause you any trouble?"
Zhou Hong looked at him with surprise.
A hint of an awkward smile appeared on Qin Tian's face as he replied, "No, Uncle Xia is actually a very nice person."
"Old Xia is a good guy, but when it comes to his precious daughter, he's not easy to deal with."
Zhou Hong leaned in slightly, lowering his voice to spill the beans, "You don't know, a few years ago, some business friends and I were drinking together, and one of them wanted to set up his son with Old Xia's daughter. Guess what happened!"
"What happened?"
Qin Tian looked at him seriously, his curiosity piqued.
The woman sitting next to Zhou Hong also stopped playing with her phone and tilted her ear to eavesdrop.
"Old Xia slammed the table and flew into a rage on the spot, without any regard for appearances! Cough, cough!"
As he said this, Zhou Hong cleared his throat.
Then, imitating Old Xia's expression and tone from back then, he spoke in a low, angry growl, "Old Cheng, you son of a bitch! My daughter is only thirteen years old! What the hell are you thinking? Your lazy, gluttonous fat lump of a son is worthy of my daughter? Piss off! Don't ever mention it to me again, or we're not friends anymore."
Upon hearing this, Qin Tian's expression became somewhat subtle.
However, he wasn't too surprised; it was indeed in line with his future father-in-law's character.
"It's a shame Old Cheng can't make it this time. Otherwise, seeing you, his expression would surely be priceless."
Zhou Hong said with a regretful smile.
"Have you known Uncle Xia for many years?"
Qin Tian changed the subject.
Zhou Hong nodded with a smile, "Almost twenty years. We met when we first started our businesses. Now, I'm considered his top general. I manage the market in Guangzhou."
"I see!"
Qin Tian understood immediately.
They chatted casually for a few more minutes. After ending the conversation, the man turned to talk to his female companion.
"Tian Ge, what were you talking about with that uncle?"
Zhang Peng asked curiously.
"Nothing much, just a casual chat!"
Qin Tian picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then grabbed a handful of melon seeds.
Zhang Peng glanced over, cupped his hand over his mouth, and said in a low voice, "I just looked him up on my phone. Her name is Yan Yuan, and she's acted in several TV dramas, though only in supporting roles."
Qin Tian gave him a sideways glance, frowning with annoyance, "Why are you, a grown man, so gossipy?"
"I..."
Zhang Peng was momentarily speechless, then mumbled, "I'm just curious!"
"What does it have to do with you? What's so curious about it?"
Qin Tian rolled his eyes.
"Okay, okay, my bad, alright!"
Zhang Peng admitted defeat with a helpless expression.
Qin Tian's current physical condition granted him senses far superior to those of ordinary people.
Unintentionally, he clearly heard the conversation between Zhou Hong and his female companion, Yan Yuan, behind him.
"No wonder he didn't pay me any mind. So he's your boss. If that's the case, why hold this graduation banquet in such a small place?"
"He is my boss, and we also have a business partnership. And what do you mean by 'small place'? Old Xia worked hard with us outside for years, and his home has always been here. He returned a few years ago to manage the Jiangcheng market. Where else would we hold it?"
"Then why didn't your boss transfer his daughter to school in Jiangcheng? The conditions there are better!"
"What's wrong with a small city? It's only you who dislikes this and dislikes that!"
"People strive for higher places, and water flows to lower places. What's wrong with that?"
"Yes, yes, you're right!"
"Don't be sarcastic with me. I'm already annoyed enough being dragged to this lousy graduation banquet."
Qin Tian didn't think much of it until the woman said the following.
"I won't even mention your friend Old Xia. None of these young people recognized me. Don't they watch TV? They really are from a small place."
"What are you saying? Don't talk like that, it's annoying. They're high school students, their studies are heavy, it's normal they don't have time for TV."
"High school students don't watch TV? Then how come people recognize me everywhere in Guangdong province?"
"Maybe they're not fans. Otherwise, how could their grades be so good? Look, Old Xia's daughter got into Jiang University!"
"What's the point of being good at studying? You and that Old Xia never went to college, and look at you now?"
"You can't say that!"
"And this girl holding the graduation banquet, her family is so wealthy, why work so hard to get into Jiang University? With her father around, what path isn't open to her?"
Yan Yuan said dismissively.
Hearing this, Qin Tian found it difficult to tolerate. He turned his head and said, "Excuse me, please don't mistake your ignorance for knowledge."
Zhou Hong, who was frowning and about to say something, was interrupted and looked at him with surprise.
The woman also turned around with a grim expression and said angrily, "Did I say something to you? What do you mean by that?"
"Exactly what it means! You're ignorant, but that doesn't mean everyone else has to be like you. Just because a family is wealthy, they can't study hard? What kind of logic is that? Who taught you?"
Qin Tian questioned her with a cold face.
At the dining table, Zhang Peng and the others, who had been looking on with confusion, guessed what was happening and their gazes towards Yan Yuan became peculiar.
Li Yanwang, recovering his senses, showed a hint of pleased satisfaction on his face.
"You were eavesdropping on our conversation?"
Yan Yuan glared at him furiously.
"It's because you were speaking so offensively. My hearing is naturally good, I can't just block my ears!"
Qin Tian said with composure.
"You..." Yan Yuan's face turned green with anger.
Zhou Hong beside her also looked extremely displeased.
He wasn't angry at Qin Tian but felt that the woman next to him was brainless and embarrassing him.