"Old Master Liu, why have you summoned us here today? Who is the guest you are hosting?"
"Indeed, we've been waiting for two to three hours, but this guest still hasn't arrived?"
"Old Master Liu, with your esteemed status, for the other party to be so casual about an appointment, we don't mind, but aren't they showing you too little respect?"
"Dad, there's still much to attend to at the company. We can't just waste our time here."
"That's right. Waiting like this isn't a solution. Why don't you give the other party a call to inquire?"
In the Liu family's banquet hall, the guests were growing impatient. Some distinguished guests inquired, and others immediately joined in the complaints.
Although Old Master Liu held immense influence in Rongcheng, everyone present was not idle. If the esteemed guest did not arrive for the entire evening, they couldn't possibly wait here indefinitely.
Old Master Liu also felt a touch awkward. He coughed twice and said,
"The distinguished guest we are hosting today holds an extremely high position. In his presence, our Liu family amounts to nothing. My current status is all thanks to this esteemed guest!"
Upon hearing this, everyone was astonished. In Rongcheng, among the three major families, the Liu family, though ranked last, was still an unshakable presence.
Although Old Master Liu Mingzhi had not fared well in the Sichuan-Chongqing region during his youth, upon arriving in Rongcheng, he turned the tide and achieved smooth sailing. In a mere twenty years, he transformed the two major families of Rongcheng into three, elevating the Liu family, an outsider family, above ordinary powerful figures.
Everyone was curious about how Liu Mingzhi had accomplished this, but no one had ever known the reason.
Now that Old Master Liu had personally admitted that his current success was entirely due to this esteemed guest, everyone immediately became tense and expectant.
What kind of person could elevate a fallen family to become a top-tier one?
Old Master Liu continued, "Among today's guests are the outstanding juniors of my Liu family and the excellent neighbors from Zui Hua Lou. Your attendance at this banquet today is a sign of my intention to support you. If the esteemed guest arrives tonight and can offer you some guidance, your future will undoubtedly be bright, and your prospects limitless!"
With that, all complaints ceased, but the guests' anticipation grew more fervent.
However, Old Master Liu's next words dampened their spirits: "This esteemed guest values fate. When fate is right, he will naturally appear. If fate is not yet right, he might not come tonight. To be honest, I am also unsure if he will come, nor do I have his contact information."
Yan Shouyi might not come, but Old Master Liu had to hold this banquet. Even if Yan Shouyi arrived at dawn, Old Master Liu would be immensely pleased.
However, the juniors and guests present began to feel uneasy.
A true master indeed, his ways were profound and mysterious. But if he didn't appear tonight, how disappointed would everyone be?
Liu Yiren changed into casual attire and quietly entered the banquet hall. After greeting Old Master Liu, she stood obediently behind him.
Old Master Liu asked curiously, "Yiyi, didn't you say you wouldn't attend?"
Liu Yiren smiled, "Grandpa, I'm in a good mood today and suddenly changed my mind."
Old Master Liu then noticed the bracelet on his granddaughter's wrist and asked, "When did you buy your bracelet? It looks to be of very good quality. May I have a look?"
Normally, Liu Yiren never bought gold or silver jewelry; even wearing earrings was a stretch for her. Therefore, her suddenly sporting a bracelet caught Old Master Liu's immediate attention.
Furthermore, Old Master Liu recognized at a glance that this bracelet was of excellent quality, not something from a roadside stall.
Liu Yiren carefully took off the bracelet, showing her great care for it. As she handed it to Old Master Liu, she couldn't help but remind him, "Be careful, Grandpa, don't break it..."
Liu Zong, Liu Yiren's father, couldn't help but reprimand, "Yiyi, how can you speak to your grandfather like that? It's just a bracelet, how much could it be worth?"
"Hey, why get angry at a child? Even if this bracelet isn't worth much, perhaps it holds some special meaning? Am I right, Yiyi?"
Old Master Liu hinted deliberately, causing Liu Yiren's face to flush red. "Grandpa, please don't misunderstand. It's just a small gift from a normal friend."
"A small gift... this is no small gift!"
Suddenly, Old Master Liu's expression changed. He held the bracelet and examined it several times with great care. He then called for a servant to bring his reading glasses and inspected it repeatedly.
Liu Zong asked doubtfully, "Father, is there anything unusual about this bracelet? It looks quite ordinary to me."
"What do you know?"
Old Master Liu removed his reading glasses and exclaimed, "The wooden beads on this bracelet are made from Hainan Huanghuali, also known as Hainan Yellow Dalbergia. It typically grows on slopes of over three hundred meters, making it extremely difficult to collect. Only a few logs are produced annually, and even I couldn't find a way to acquire one for my collection!"
These seemingly ordinary wooden beads were actually rare treasures with market prices but no supply. This startled both Liu Zong and Liu Yiren.
How could Liu Yiren have imagined that Yan Shouyi, who appeared to be a country bumpkin, would present such a valuable gift?
Moreover, for him to give such a gift to a woman he had only known for a few hours, was Yan Shouyi extravagant, or simply ignorant of its value?
Or perhaps, he harbored special feelings for Liu Yiren, which prompted him to give such a gift?
Old Master Liu then added, "Look at the three jade stones on this bracelet. They are of the finest mutton-fat jade. Observe the texture, the translucency, the luster... all are top-tier choices. At first glance, they resemble freshly cut lamb fat, warm and delicate, naturally formed... Just one of these three jade stones alone would fetch over three million yuan in the market. While not exceptionally expensive, like the Hainan Huanghuali, they are treasures that are difficult to obtain even with great wealth!"
Liu Zong gasped and asked Liu Yiren, "What kind of friend are you making? What is his background, and why is he so generous with you?"
Liu Yiren replied flusteredly, "He's just a normal friend. He dresses like a country bumpkin and doesn't look like a wealthy person. If this bracelet is truly worth so much, perhaps he found it somewhere as a treasure."
"Yiyi, your father doesn't know if you're telling the truth, but I must still advise you to be cautious. Don't be easily deceived. If you are not yet very familiar with this friend, perhaps you should return the gift to him. We Liu family members do not easily incur favors." Liu Zong cautioned her seriously.
Liu Yiren lowered her head and agreed, though her tone clearly conveyed reluctance.
After all, this was a gift from Yan Shouyi, and she liked it herself. Returning it would feel rather strange.
If it really came down to it, she could always pay him back at its market price!
Old Master Liu, enamored with the bracelet, suddenly noticed a detail. A smile then appeared on his face. As he returned the bracelet to Liu Yiren, he said,
"There's no need to return it. This bracelet was likely made specifically for Yiyi, and it's unlikely he'll give it to anyone else. Yiyi, if you like it, you can simply pay him for it at its price. If there's an opportunity, you can also invite your friend to visit our home."
Old Master Liu had seen that the wooden beads were carved into the shape of excrement. How could he not understand that this was Liu Yiren's favorite prank pattern? Thus, Old Master Liu immediately guessed what was happening and felt that the day he would hold his great-grandchild was drawing nearer, a smile involuntarily appearing on his face.
Liu Yiren took back the bracelet and immediately put it on. After all this commotion, she wouldn't agree to take it off for anyone from now on.
Just then, Steward Zhong Shu suddenly ran into the banquet hall and shouted to Old Master Liu,
"Master, the esteemed guest has arrived!"
"He's here?!"
Old Master Liu couldn't help but stand up. The other guests also rose, craning their necks, looking expectantly towards the entrance.
Was this esteemed guest young or old, male or female, fat or thin?
Everyone's mind was filled with fantasies about what the person who had brought Liu Mingzhi to his current status would look like.
Amidst the eager anticipation, a man with long golden hair strode into the banquet hall.
Upon seeing his appearance, everyone couldn't help but freeze. Liu Yiren, in particular, asked in confusion, "Sun Zhipeng?"
Sun Zhipeng, having changed his clothes, had rushed to the Liu family. He was also wondering why everyone was staring at him with such expectant eyes.
Could it be...
Old Master Liu had just announced that he would arrange an engagement between Yiyi and me?
Although Sun Zhipeng found it incredible himself, seeing their gazes, he suddenly felt an inexplicable confidence.
He stood at the entrance, clasped his hands, and shouted to Old Master Liu, "Thank you for your favor, Old Master Liu. I will certainly not disappoint Yiyi!"
Old Master Liu: "..."
Liu Zong frowned, "What is this kid talking about?"
Sun Zhipeng's father, Sun Hao, kept giving him signals, unaware of what had gotten into his son.
Sun Zhipeng straightened his back and, noticing everyone still staring at him with peculiar expressions, he paused.
Shouldn't they be congratulating me now?
Why are they looking at me with such strange eyes?
Why is Dad blinking at me so much?
Sun Zhipeng asked, "Dad, is your eye bothering you?"
Sun Hao silently turned his head away.
If he could disown his son, he would do it right now!
Old Master Liu said with a indifferent expression, "Sun Zhipeng, stand aside. Don't obstruct the esteemed guest's entrance."
"Ah...?"
Sun Zhipeng was still in a daze when Sun Hao sent someone to pull him aside.
Upon learning the truth, Sun Zhipeng was overwhelmed with shame, wishing he could disappear into a hole.
Bad luck, bad luck indeed!
He should have consulted the almanac when he left home today. Now he was utterly embarrassed!
Zhong Shu also had a look of embarrassment. To make Yan Shouyi's entrance more grand, he had asked Yan Shouyi to wait in the reception room. Unexpectedly, Sun Zhipeng had walked in first.
Zhong Shu wiped his sweat and then loudly called towards the entrance of the banquet hall:
"Mr. Yan, everyone is eagerly awaiting your presence. Please come in quickly!"
Outside the banquet hall, a figure appeared, approaching slowly from a distance.
The crowd was tense with anticipation, but the person walked at a leisurely pace, making everyone wish they could rush out to see his face immediately.
Finally, the person entered the banquet hall. The bright lights illuminated his slightly immature face and his clear eyes.
"It's him?!"
In the banquet hall, two people were particularly surprised. One of them was Liu Yiren.
She could never have imagined that the country bumpkin she called "him" was the esteemed guest her grandfather was hosting today!
But upon reflection, it seemed Yan Shouyi had told her from the beginning that he was visiting Zui Hua Lou today.
Even so, Liu Yiren still found it incredible...
The other surprised person was Sun Zhipeng.
Before entering the Liu family, Sun Zhipeng had called his subordinates to ask if they had spotted Yan Shouyi. The answer was no. He had even thought Yan Shouyi had taken a detour down the mountain.
But he had appeared at the Liu family, and so openly!
Bang!
Sun Zhipeng immediately slammed his hand on the table, "Brat, how dare you barge into the Liu family! Where are the security guards? Quickly catch him, he's a thief!"
In Sun Zhipeng's eyes, Yan Shouyi at this moment was clearly a petty thief who had accidentally stolen into the Liu family's banquet hall.
He would make sure Yan Shouyi paid once they caught him!
However, as soon as Sun Zhipeng finished speaking, Old Master Liu immediately shouted, "Who dares to lay a hand on my Liu family's esteemed guest?!"
With that pronouncement, the vast banquet hall fell silent. Sun Zhipeng stood alone, becoming the focus of everyone's attention. He neither knew whether to stand or sit. Looking down, he braced himself for his father Sun Hao's murderous glare.
Sun Zhipeng couldn't help but take two steps back: "He... how can he be the Liu family's esteemed guest? It's impossible, he's just a country bumpkin..."
"Sit down immediately!" Sun Hao, unable to bear it any longer, yelled at Sun Zhipeng.
Although Yan Shouyi was much younger than they had expected, Sun Hao would not doubt Liu Mingzhi's words.
If this young man named Yan Shouyi could help Liu Mingzhi achieve his current status, then he certainly had the ability to cause their Sun family to plummet!
Therefore, Sun Hao felt his scalp tingling, unsure of what to do next. At the same time, he wished he could twist his foolish son's head off.
He was useless for making things happen but excellent at ruining them!
Yan Shouyi smiled, nodded at the guests, and then strode into the banquet hall, saying as he walked,
"Everyone, my apologies. There was a minor incident on the way, so I am late and have kept you all waiting."
As he spoke, he raised his injured hand.
Upon seeing that Yan Shouyi was injured, Old Master Liu immediately asked with concern, "What happened? Is it serious?"
"It's just a superficial wound. It was treated by a less-than-professional doctor. It's nothing major."
As soon as he finished speaking, Yan Shouyi's steps suddenly halted.
Because he noticed at that moment that Liu Yiren was standing behind Old Master Liu.
And she was glaring at him, gnashing her teeth.
The situation suddenly became awkward.
It was as if two people who had just said goodbye met again in a bar.
Or as if two people who had just said goodnight were immediately reunited in the King's Canyon.
Or perhaps...
In any case, Yan Shouyi's mood was not much better than Sun Zhipeng's. He didn't know whether to move forward or backward, and for a moment, he stood in the center of the banquet hall, unsure of where to go.
Old Master Liu called out, "Shouyi, come sit by my side. I'll introduce you to today's guests!"
"Okay..."
Yan Shouyi swallowed and slowly walked to Old Master Liu's side, sitting next to him. Liu Yiren stood directly behind him, making Yan Shouyi feel a chill down his spine.
"Let me see your injury. If it's serious, it's best to have a professional doctor examine it!"
Old Master Liu unceremoniously took Yan Shouyi's arm and then saw the strange patterns drawn on the bandage with a watercolor pen.
In an instant, Old Master Liu Mingzhi, seasoned with age, understood what had happened.
He casually let go of the hand, then glanced at Liu Yiren, who was standing behind Yan Shouyi, gnashing her teeth, and a smile couldn't help but appear at the corner of his mouth:
"This unprofessional doctor's skill in treating wounds seems to be alright. It looks like we don't need to find another doctor, but Shouyi, you must remember to have regular follow-ups with this doctor to ensure your wound heals quickly!"