"Qiu Shui, many guests have arrived, why haven't you gone in yet!" Old Man Han walked over. "It's cold outside. When your master arrives, I'll have someone notify you!"
"Then I'll go in and entertain the guests first!" Han Qiu Shui nodded. "I wonder if my master will come!"
"Since he promised, he naturally won't be absent!"
Old Man Han smiled and also stepped towards the Jing Xuan Hotel. Today was Han Qiu Shui's birthday, and many guests had come. As the head of the Han family, he couldn't be negligent.
"Old Zhou, you stay outside and guard. If Mr. Lu arrives, bring him in!"
"Patriarch, rest assured, this old servant knows!" Old Zhou nodded. He was the oldest butler of the Han family. Besides the Han family members, Old Zhou was probably the most powerful person in the Han family.
Generally, when important figures arrived, the Han family head would have Old Zhou wait outside to show respect to the visitor.
Just as Old Man Han left, the man next to Old Zhou spoke, "Old Zhou, who exactly is it that requires your personal waiting?"
"If it were an ordinary person, would the Patriarch be so solemn!" Old Zhou said coldly. "Do your job well. It's best not to ask what you shouldn't."
The man smiled awkwardly and dared not say more.
A car drove over, and Lin Hai Tao and Lin Ya Lan arrived at the entrance of the Jing Xuan Hotel, bringing gifts with them.
"Isn't that Old Zhou?" Lin Hai Tao stepped forward and offered a cigarette. "Could it be that some big shot is coming, requiring Old Zhou to wait personally!"
"So it's the young master Lin!" Old Zhou took the cigarette. "Indeed, there is a distinguished guest who should arrive soon. You are here today representing the Lin family of Jiangbei, aren't you?"
"That's natural!" Lin Hai Tao nodded. "Miss Han's birthday banquet, how could the Lin family dare not come!"
"Please come in!" Old Zhou made a gesture, not taking Lin Hai Tao seriously.
Let alone the younger generation of the Lin family, even if Lin Guo Li or Lin Ao Tian appeared, Old Zhou wouldn't take them seriously.
There was a significant difference between martial arts families and commercial families.
Although many people in Jiangbei knew about the Lin family, in high society, everyone was well aware that the Han family of Jiangbei was the true behemoth of Jiangbei.
Entering the Jing Xuan Hotel, Lin Hai Tao and Lin Ya Lan deliberately found seats. Those who could attend the Han family's birthday banquet were all from unusual families. Even if they were present, they dared not be too ostentatious.
"No wonder Father asked us to come!" Lin Ya Lan said. "Everyone here is a prominent figure in Jiangbei. It's a pity I've already caught the eye of Lord Lu from Jiangnan. Otherwise, I could have met many talented young men here."
"Be content!" Lin Hai Tao chuckled. "Lord Lu of Jiangnan has a noble status, even not lower than the Han family of Jiangbei. When the Lin family forms an alliance with Lord Lu, the Lin family will likely have a seat at the head table!"
At this point, Lin Hai Tao looked towards the head table, where several figures were already seated, all of whom were dignitaries.
Outside the taxi, as Lu Fan and Lin Ke got out of the car, Old Zhou hurried forward. "You must be Mr. Lu!"
"Who are you?" Lu Fan asked in surprise, looking at Old Zhou.
"I am the Han family's butler, waiting here specifically!" Old Zhou said repeatedly. "The young lady is already in the banquet hall!"
Lu Fan nodded slightly and followed Old Zhou towards the banquet hall. Lin Ke, however, was surprised. She had thought Lu Fan was taking her somewhere else, but unexpectedly, it was to attend a birthday banquet.
Upon entering the hall, Old Zhou was about to head to the head table but found that Han Qiu Shui and the Han family head were not there.
"Mr. Lu, the Patriarch and the young lady must have gone to change their formal attire. Please wait here." Old Zhou said obsequiously. "When the young lady comes out, I will inform her!"
"That's not necessary!" Lu Fan chuckled. "We'll just make ourselves comfortable. You should go attend to your matters!"
Lu Fan's expression was indifferent, but Old Zhou shook his head. "Mr. Lu is a distinguished guest. How can I dare to be negligent!"
"Old Zhou, it seems someone is causing trouble outside!"
Just then, a man ran over, looking out of breath.
Old Zhou was startled. He had intended to accompany Lu Fan and the other guest. Now that the security outside had an issue, if he didn't go and check, it would be troublesome if the matter escalated.
"If there's something to do, go handle it!" Lu Fan said directly. "We'll be fine here!"
"Since that's the case, I'll be right back!" Old Zhou cupped his fists, showing a hint of guilt.
Old Man Han had instructed that Lu Fan was a distinguished guest and must be treated well. If it weren't for the incident, he wouldn't have dared to leave rashly.
After Old Zhou left, Lu Fan picked up a pastry from the table. "This tastes good. Do you want to try some!"
Lin Ke nodded seriously and started eating. It seemed to taste good, making Lin Ke give a thumbs up.
"Why are you two here!"
Lin Hai Tao walked over, his arms crossed. "This is the Jing Xuan Hotel. I have the Lin family's invitation. Did you sneak in!"
"What a coincidence!"
Lu Fan chuckled. "I didn't expect to run into you here. We're here to attend the birthday banquet!"
"You?" Lin Hai Tao was disdainful. "Miss Han's birthday banquet, you are not worthy of attending!"
"Lin Hai Tao, don't be too excessive with your words!" Lin Ke said angrily. "We were openly invited through the main entrance!"
"A poor loser, an illegitimate daughter!" Lin Hai Tao sneered. "With just the two of you, you expect to be personally invited? Even if your father were here, he wouldn't receive such treatment!"
"Whether you believe it or not is your business!" Lu Fan shrugged. "Since we can't stand each other, it's best to stay away from us!"
"Ridiculous, you two snuck into the birthday banquet, and I can't manage it?" Lin Hai Tao's voice was loud, attracting the attention of many in the banquet hall, who looked on with curiosity.
"Brother... he's also from the Lin family, don't make a big fuss!" Lin Ya Lan reminded him. "It would be troublesome if the Han family took their anger out on the Lin family!"
Lin Hai Tao looked disdainful. "I've never considered him a member of the Lin family!"
Lin Ke's face turned ashen. Lin Hai Tao's words showed he didn't take her seriously at all.
"What's going on?"
The hotel manager walked over and smiled apologetically at Lin Hai Tao. "So it's young master Lin. What seems to be the matter?"
"These people came to the banquet without invitations. If the Han family finds out, the Jing Xuan Hotel might not be able to bear the responsibility!" Lin Hai Tao said coldly.
The manager was slightly surprised and looked at Lu Fan. "Sir, do you have an invitation!"
"Indeed, we don't have an invitation!"
Lu Fan stood up. "However, we were invited. You can go and ask Old Master Han!"
"The Han family head is busy with business and doesn't have time to deal with such matters!" Lin Hai Tao said coldly. "Moreover, what is your status that you deserve to be personally invited by Old Master Han!"
The hotel manager frowned. Lin Hai Tao was right. In all of Jiangbei, only a handful of people could be personally invited by Old Master Han. Lu Fan looked ordinary, as if he were crashing the party.
"Brother..." Lin Ya Lan wanted to say something but didn't know how to persuade him.