The four of them discussed until almost noon before the renovation plans were mostly finalized.
The renovation would be managed by personnel dispatched by Luan Jiping, with Long Xiao, Mi Tianfu, and Ming Yue only responsible for supervision.
As the four were discussing where to have lunch, Long Xiao received a call from Lin Xuan.
Lin Xuan reminded Long Xiao that it was his grandmother's birthday today, and the banquet was being held in the East Sea Grand Hotel's banquet hall, urging him to arrive early.
It was nearly eleven o'clock, and there was no time to buy gifts. Long Xiao asked Mi Tianfu to take him back to the Lin family's home to retrieve the sandalwood box given by Li Yizhen. Without even looking inside, he rushed to the East Sea Grand Hotel.
The East Sea Grand Hotel's banquet hall was filled with festive cheer. Red "Shou" characters and birthday peaches were displayed. Guests from all sides arrived one after another, and the tables were laden with birthday gifts for Madam Lin from relatives and friends.
"Grandma, I'm giving you a pair of jade bracelets worth three hundred thousand yuan."
"Grandma, I'm giving you a set of late Qing Dynasty Zisha teapots, worth five hundred thousand yuan."
"The Liu family presents Madam Lin with a birthday gift of one hundred thousand yuan."
"The Zhao family presents Madam Lin with a birthday gift of two hundred thousand yuan."
The announcements of gifts continued, and the presents on the tables piled up like a mountain.
Long Xiao walked to the entrance of the banquet hall and saw Lin Xuan looking around anxiously. He hurried over to her.
Lin Xuan was holding two boxes. Seeing Long Xiao holding a wooden box, she asked curiously, "Did you buy Grandma a gift?"
Long Xiao didn't elaborate, just nodded.
"It's getting late, let's go inside."
As the two entered the banquet hall, Jin Shaohuai spotted them and walked over.
"Lin Xuan, you're here."
Lin Xuan nodded. Long Xiao frowned. He had thought Brother Hu from the West City would have taught Jin Shaohuai a lesson, but he showed no signs of injury.
"Lin Xuan, I just returned from the capital. I heard it was Grandma's birthday, so I rushed over immediately."
Seeing that Lin Xuan didn't say anything, he waved the gift box in his hand and said, "Let's go present it to Grandma."
Long Xiao glanced at Jin Shaohuai and said, "Young Master Jin, what do you mean? Lin Xuan is my wife, and presenting gifts to Grandma is something we do together. It's not your place."
"Long Xiao, don't be ungrateful. I'm doing this for your own good. You're a poor wretch with a mountain of debt. What gift could you possibly buy? I'm worried you'll embarrass yourself by presenting a gift."
"I appreciate Young Master Jin's good intentions, but there's no need for you to worry about it."
With that, Long Xiao took Lin Xuan's arm and walked forward.
Jin Shaohuai quickly took a few steps ahead and approached the person announcing the gifts. He opened his box, revealing its contents: a pair of Yuan Dynasty blue and white porcelain vases.
"Young Master Jin Shaohuai presents the esteemed lady with a pair of Yuan Dynasty blue and white porcelain vases, valued at one million yuan."
As Long Xiao and Lin Xuan walked a few steps, they were stopped by Lin Xin, the son of their uncle Lin.
"Long Xiao, you're a kept son-in-law. You shouldn't be here on such an occasion, lest you cause embarrassment."
Every time Lin Xin saw Long Xiao, he would make sarcastic remarks. On formal occasions, he would even find opportunities to humiliate Long Xiao.
Lin Xuan knew exactly what kind of person this cousin was. His taunts towards Long Xiao were not really aimed at Long Xiao, but at herself.
Lin Xin had long wanted to replace Lin Xuan as the CEO of Lin's Group. However, his ability and character were far inferior to Lin Xuan's, making it impossible for him to control the company. That was why Lin Wei had handed over Lin's Group to Lin Xuan.
"Cousin, congratulating Grandma on her birthday has nothing to do with you. Get lost, don't block our way."
"Lin Xuan, don't mistake my brother's good intentions for malice. You'll be the one embarrassed when Long Xiao presents his gift later."
Long Xiao waved the box in his hand and said, "Don't worry, wife. What's inside can't be too cheap, and it won't embarrass you."
Lin Xuan had full confidence in Long Xiao. Although his words had been a bit unreliable recently, he had been honest and never lied in the past.
The two stepped forward and presented their gifts with both hands. Lin Xuan did not reveal what she had brought, but declared loudly, "Wishing Grandma a life as boundless as the East Sea and as long as the Southern Mountains."
Long Xiao also held his gift with both hands and said, "Wishing Grandma happiness, health, and longevity."
Madam Lin's face was stern as she looked at Long Xiao and Lin Xuan. She had always disliked her second son, who was a doctor, considering him a failure. Consequently, Lin Xuan and Nangong Yue were not favored by Madam Lin.
As Lin Xuan and Long Xiao were about to place the gift down, Lin Huan, the daughter of their eldest uncle Lin Shiren, stepped forward, snatched the box from Long Xiao's hand, and said, "Let me see what gift a pauper like you could give Grandma."
The Lin family members gathered around. Lin Shiren's family waited for Long Xiao to make a fool of himself. Lin Shijie and Nangong Yue's faces turned grim upon seeing Long Xiao holding a wooden box.
The box was opened, revealing an amber specimen, about the size of a fist, containing a nearly transparent insect. The red insect in the center had a peculiar appearance. Its spread wings seemed to be about to spew forth flames, and its body was a brilliant red, shining like it was crafted from red metal.
"Hahaha, a child's toy." Upon seeing the insect amber, Lin Huan burst into laughter.
Madam Lin's expression changed drastically. She snorted coldly and said, "Long Xiao, you dare to bring a child's toy to humiliate me."
The moment the box was opened, Long Xiao felt a wave of heat. His body involuntarily trembled. The energy was too potent; he could sense a red aura confined within the red insect.
"Grandma, this is not a child's toy. This is a rare insect amber."
Lin Xin stepped forward, laughing heartily, and took the insect amber from his sister's hand. He said, "Where in the world can you find such pure insect amber, or such a strange insect? Anyone with a bit of sense can tell this is clearly made from gelatin and a fake insect."
The guests and relatives began to whisper amongst themselves, pointing at Long Xiao. Most of them believed the insect amber was fake.
Lin Xuan's expression also turned grim, but she said nothing. Whether the insect amber was real or fake, she had to defend Long Xiao, otherwise, she would be the one losing face.
"Whether the insect amber is real or fake is not for you to decide. This is a gift for Grandma."
Lin Xuan snatched the insect amber back, put it in the box, and handed it to Madam Lin.
She hoped her grandmother would give her some face and accept it as real, regardless of its authenticity.
Madam Lin took the box with one hand, snorted coldly, and threw it away.
Lin Xuan's face turned beet red. She stood there, trembling with anger, unable to say a word.
"Long Xiao, I believe I have never offended you. Today is my birthday, yet you bring a toy to humiliate me. Guards, escort Long Xiao out!"
Lin Shijie and Nangong Yue felt their faces burning. This was a complete disgrace, all because of Long Xiao, the useless son-in-law.
Nangong Yue secretly resolved that as soon as they returned home, she would force Lin Xuan to divorce him and marry Young Master Jin.
Lin Shiren's family rejoiced secretly. Before Long Xiao could leave on his own, Lin Xin and Lin Huan stepped forward and pushed Long Xiao out of the banquet hall.
Amidst the mocking laughter of the crowd, Long Xiao silently walked out of the banquet hall. He knew the insect amber was a rare treasure, but none of these people understood it. No matter how much he explained, they would never believe it was real.
Long Xiao reached the elevator lobby, about to go downstairs, when Lin Xuan hurried over.
"Why are you out here? If you leave Grandma's birthday banquet, they'll use it as an excuse to remove you as CEO."
"It's better if they do. I earn money for the Lin family to support them, yet they scheme behind my back and cause trouble for me. I haven't wanted to be CEO for a long time," Lin Xuan said indignantly.
Long Xiao's heart warmed. Lin Xuan was defending him.