Lunch had just ended when Yang Zimo received a call from her best friend and left.
It was her birthday today, and she naturally wouldn't go to work in the afternoon. There were many things that required her attention as the guest of honor.
After Teacher Yang left, Qin Chuan also walked out of the restaurant, got into his Tiger Head Benz, and disappeared into the streets.
This trip to the provincial capital was not only to celebrate Teacher Yang's birthday, but Qin Chuan also had many things to attend to.
With the New Year approaching, in China, a country that highly values personal connections, it was crucial to maintain relationships.
Qin Chuan had quite a few connections in the provincial capital.
For example, his elder brother-in-law, Huang Qi, some factories that cooperated with Yaohui Real Estate, and Chen Jinyu's parents… all these required visits.
Qin Chuan purchased a large pile of New Year's gifts and some items he needed himself. He spent the entire afternoon on the road, busy visiting one place after another.
The bosses whom Qin Chuan visited were all pleased, and their impression of this young boss grew increasingly favorable, laying a solid foundation for future cooperation.
Busy as he was, the afternoon passed in a flash, and nightfall arrived in the blink of an eye.
The entire provincial capital was ablaze with lights, and fireworks were already being set off in many places.
Whiz, whiz, whiz, whiz!!!
Boom! Boom, boom!!!
Colorful fireworks ascended and bloomed, creating a spectacular scene!
Qin Chuan was driving across a bridge when he was captivated by the brilliant fireworks. Such a sight was becoming increasingly rare twenty years later, evoking a wave of nostalgia. His heart stirred.
If he remembered correctly, women were visually driven, attracted to beautiful things, and fireworks were precisely one of them.
This was one of the ultimate moves for romance, and at a lower cost!
The trunk of his car was already stocked with the necessary items, but perhaps one more could be added…
As it neared eight o'clock in the evening, Qin Chuan, following the directions given by Teacher Yang, arrived at a beautiful villa complex in his Tiger Head Benz.
It was called beautiful because it had already entered the festive spirit of the New Year.
Red lanterns adorned every corner, exuding an atmosphere of joy, and each villa was decorated with colorful lights, creating a dazzling spectacle!
A European-style villa among them was brightly lit, shining like the most dazzling pearl.
This was where Teacher Yang was hosting her birthday party.
From a distance, he could see a long row of cars parked along the roadside outside the villa.
Qin Chuan parked his car and took out his phone to make a call.
"Brother Huang Qi, I've arrived. Are you here yet?"
"I'll be there in five minutes!" Huang Qi replied.
In the afternoon, Qin Chuan had already paid a visit to Huang Qi and delivered many New Year's gifts. They had arranged to attend Teacher Yang's birthday party together.
As for his elder brother-in-law, he hadn't seen him; he was currently on his way back to the provincial capital from out of town.
Five minutes later, a Porsche appeared, and Huang Qi arrived.
After parking their cars, the two of them, carrying gifts, entered the villa.
Inside, it was already bustling with people, lively and vibrant.
The entire villa hall was beautifully decorated, resembling a grand cocktail party.
Qin Chuan saw many familiar faces, such as Lü Xiaoshu, the son of a shareholder of Taiyuan Iron and Steel Group, Ma Wenbo, whose family owned a copper mine, Fang Rumei, who had started her own business, and his elder brother-in-law, Yang Conglong, who was playing the role of the host.
However, Teacher Yang and her best friend An Nuo were nowhere to be seen.
Upon seeing Qin Chuan and Huang Qi, his elder brother-in-law enthusiastically greeted them.
"Brother Long, my luck is truly extraordinary!"
"Last time I came to the provincial capital, I happened to be there for An Nuo's birthday, and this time, it's Zimo's birthday!" Qin Chuan said.
"Who could say otherwise? Your luck is unparalleled, kid. You always manage to stumble upon such good fortune and come to freeload." Yang Conglong said, jesting, of course.
However, if he knew that his most cherished sister had already been "ruined" by this seemingly harmless fellow, he probably wouldn't be smiling.
"Heh heh, what can I say? I'm just that fated protagonist, blessed with good luck by heaven itself. Good things happen wherever I go."
Qin Chuan grinned, then immediately asked, "Why haven't I seen Zimo? And An Nuo is also nowhere to be seen!"
Yang Conglong replied, "They're upstairs, getting dressed up. They'll be here soon!"
"Huang Qi, Qin Chuan, come sit over here!" someone called out from not far away; it was Lü Xiaoshu, Ma Wenbo, Fang Rumei, and the others.
Qin Chuan and Huang Qi waved in response, indicating they would be right over.
"Brother Long, I have some New Year's gifts in my car for you. I'll bring them out for you after the birthday party ends," Qin Chuan said.
"Oh my, Qin Chuan, you're too polite. We're brothers, why would you still give gifts!" Yang Conglong said courteously.
"Where are the gifts? Let's go get them now!"
Qin Chuan: "..."
Huang Qi, seeing Qin Chuan's astonished and bewildered expression, burst into laughter.
Qin Chuan also smiled, telling Huang Qi to go and sit with Lü Xiaoshu, Ma Wenbo, and the others first, and he would join them after he finished what he was doing.
The two of them went outside, Qin Chuan opened his car door, and took out many gifts, all of them quite expensive: ginseng, deer antler, tea, and two cases of Maotai liquor, along with a carton of Chunghwa cigarettes.
"Holy cow, you bought so much stuff!" Upon seeing the boxes of valuable gifts Qin Chuan laid out, Yang Conglong's eyes widened in surprise.
"Just a small token of my appreciation, nothing significant!" Qin Chuan said with a smile.
"This ginseng and deer antler are not ordinary market grade. I specifically paid a large sum to acquire them from hunters who often venture deep into the mountains from my hometown."
"When you go back, you can give these two items to your uncle and aunt to help them recuperate." Qin Chuan specifically emphasized these two gifts.
Yang Conglong's eyes immediately lit up, "These are truly precious items! Let's go, let's quickly move them to my car!"
The two of them grunted, each carrying two large boxes, to Yang Conglong's car.
"Qin Chuan, since you've given me so many things, I can't possibly take advantage of you, brother."
Yang Conglong opened the trunk of his Range Rover, which was already packed to the brim with valuable gifts, none of which were cheap.
"These are all gifts from others, and I don't even know what's inside."
"Here, take these four boxes down, consider them my return gifts to you!"
Qin Chuan quickly waved his hands to refuse, "Brother Long, how can this be? These are gifts others gave you..."
"If others gave them to me, then they are mine. Take them if I tell you to!" Yang Conglong's attitude was resolute.
Qin Chuan thought about it and did not refuse. Given Yang Conglong's status and position, he likely wouldn't lack such things during the New Year. How many people would be vying to give him gifts?
Recalling how enthusiastically Yang Conglong had wanted to receive the gifts earlier, it was clear he truly considered Qin Chuan a close friend!
Looking at his elder brother-in-law who was helping him move things, Qin Chuan's lips curved into a smile.
After they finished arranging the gifts, the two of them returned to the villa hall. Yang Conglong, as one of the hosts, immediately went to attend to matters, while Qin Chuan joined Huang Qi's table.
This table was filled with familiar faces whom he had seen at An Nuo's birthday party.
As Qin Chuan approached, he warmly greeted everyone and sat down.
At this moment, they were continuing their previous conversation.
Qin Chuan had initially paid little attention, as he didn't belong to their social circle. However, a remark from Fang Rumei made him perk up his ears.
"That Han Taiqing is not to be underestimated. Since he's back, he'll definitely attend Zimo's birthday party!"
"After all, Zimo has always been his goddess!"
"These years, I've heard that Han Taiqing hasn't taken a girlfriend, clearly he has ulterior motives towards Zimo!"