Many people had already arrived in the banquet hall.
Aside from some businessmen, most were prominent figures in the current medical community.
Among them, Lin Xiao Tian saw a familiar face.
"Elder Su!"
Lin Xiao Tian bowed respectfully to the old man before him.
As a titan of the medical field, Su Qing Lan had naturally been invited to the Xia family's banquet.
Su Qing Lan had no so-called family, was a loner, and had no descendants. However, no major medical family dared to look down on him, as his prowess was undeniable.
As for how Su Qing Lan acquired such medical skills, it remained a mystery. Rumor had it that his skills were learned from a reclusive master, but who that master was, no one knew.
Lin Xiao Tian had also inquired about Su Qing Lan, but the information he obtained was largely useless. He knew more about Su Qing Lan from meeting him once than from any compiled data.
Especially regarding Su Qing Lan's internal energy, the information provided absolutely no mention of it, completely portraying him as a frail intellectual. This made Lin Xiao Tian even more curious about Su Qing Lan.
However, just as Lin Xiao Tian was curious about Su Qing Lan, Su Qing Lan was equally curious about Lin Xiao Tian.
Young, possessing medical skills not inferior to his own, and with no family background to speak of, such a person was bound to pique anyone's curiosity.
The reason Su Qing Lan dared to speak highly of Lin Xiao Tian to the Xia family head without reservation was, in no small part, due to his curiosity about Lin Xiao Tian's background.
"Xiao Tian, you've indeed come."
"Uncle Su, you only look at Xiao Tian and not me. Is Qing Ling so unimportant now?"
Xia Qing Ling's voice came from the side.
"Haha, you little girl, still so sharp-tongued." Su Qing Lan chuckled kindly.
The atmosphere between the three was cordial and harmonious, which made many present pay even more attention to Lin Xiao Tian.
"Elder Su knows him? Who is he?"
"So young, he must be some rich heir, right?"
"Could he be that person from the Dong family?"
Questions arose from the crowd.
There was curiosity, as well as envy, jealousy, and resentment.
But at this very moment, in a certain corner of the hall, a young man listening to the murmurs of the crowd found it incredibly grating.
This person was none other than Dong Lin.
Many people speculated that the person beside Xia Qing Ling was Dong Lin, but Dong Lin wished it were himself.
Alas, that person was Lin Xiao Tian, whom he despised!
"Oh, isn't this Young Master Dong? Long time no see!" A young man walked over with a smile.
Dong Lin glanced at the youth, seeing that he wasn't someone of consequence. Coupled with his bad mood, he replied curtly,
"Are we that familiar?"
"Young Master Dong has a great memory. We met at Aole not long ago, didn't we?"
Dong Lin did recognize this person.
He had gone to the casino for a good time with this person before. Both were young masters, but their status was worlds apart.
The Dong Lin family was a medical dynasty, whose business extended beyond running clinics to include drug research and development and the manufacturing of medical equipment. The person before him came from a family that manufactured generic drugs. Although they had a certain scale, their business was ultimately not presentable, which Dong Lin disdained.
"Oh, oh, I remember now. Is there something you need?" Dong Lin didn't even bother to look at him properly.
Seeing Dong Lin's rudeness, the youth didn't get angry. Instead, he looked at Lin Xiao Tian and Xia Qing Ling in the hall and casually remarked,
"Huh? Who is that person? I've never seen him before. He seems quite familiar with Miss Xia!"
Hearing the youth's words, Dong Lin's already depressed mood was cast with an additional layer of gloom.
"If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute!"
"Haha, Young Master Dong, don't be angry. I just feel that you are so devoted to Miss Xia, yet she not only doesn't appreciate it but is also with an ordinary doctor. Honestly, in what way is he better than you?"
"Hmph! Qing Ling is just momentarily confused. I believe she will make the right choice!"
Seeing Dong Lin change his attitude so quickly, the youth's lips curled into a slight smile.
He hadn't expected Dong Lin's thoughts to be so transparent. With just a few words, he had managed to ascertain Dong Lin's inner feelings.
One had to realize that no matter how insignificant Lin Xiao Tian might seem, being invited to this family banquet indicated the Xia family's tacit approval of his presence.
Dong Lin's statement was undoubtedly immature.
But this was precisely the situation the youth hoped to see.
"Young Master Dong, you're not just going to give up like this, are you?" the youth continued.
"Give up?"
Dong Lin chuckled.
"How could I possibly give up? Qing Ling is mine, and no one can take her away!"
"However, given the current situation, Miss Xia is unlikely to change her mind anytime soon," the youth said.
"Hmph! She will change her mind sooner or later. What can he, Lin Xiao Tian, offer her? For the Xia family, only the Dong family can provide assistance," Dong Lin said confidently.
Dong Lin wasn't speaking idly. This was one of the reasons he remained confident even after learning that Lin Xiao Tian was Xia Qing Ling's boyfriend.
The Xia family had been on the decline since the generation of the old patriarch. Previously, due to a wrong decision by the eldest son of the Xia family, the family suffered a severe blow.
Even worse, the eldest son of the Xia family was crippled, not only paralyzed in the lower limbs but also mentally incapacitated, making him clearly incapable of managing family affairs any longer.
With the sole heir to the family suffering an accident and the family business in decline, the Xia family's current status was maintained only through the support of the Dong family, allowing them to barely stay afloat.
Therefore, Dong Lin was very confident that, for the sake of the bigger picture, the Xia family would agree to Xia Qing Ling marrying him, even if Xia Qing Ling was unwilling.
But just as Dong Lin was basking in his self-satisfaction, the youth suddenly said,
"It's just that if this person can be invited to this family banquet, his background must also be considerable, right?"
Dong Lin was immediately somewhat disheartened.
The information he had previously obtained only indicated that Lin Xiao Tian was very capable, but it couldn't be said that he could contend with the Dong family. However, the most troublesome aspect wasn't this, but the forces behind Lin Xiao Tian.
Lin Xiao Tian was so young, yet he not only had numerous connections in the business world but also possessed exceptional medical skills. Such a person inevitably led people to suspect that he had some powerful backing!
"Hmph! It's too early to say who will win!" Dong Lin clenched his fists tightly.
Seeing Dong Lin's reaction, the youth was quite pleased.
"Young Master Dong, based on my experience, if you continue to be so passive, you will only lose Miss Xia in vain."
Dong Lin's eyes immediately flared with anger.
"Who the hell do you think you are? How dare you meddle in my affairs?"
"Hehe, Young Master Dong, don't get angry. Aren't I just trying to help you?" the youth replied with an air of honesty.
Dong Lin was taken aback. "You want to help me? How can you help me?"
"Young Master Dong, women are actually easy to deal with. Since you can't win her heart, then find a way to win her person. In time, she will naturally submit to you..."