"I really like this hairpin!"
Shen Xiaoxiao said innocently, "It's so exquisite, it must have been personally chosen by Mr. Lu!"
Li Qingwen's expression changed, and he felt even more displeased. He had traveled a thousand miles, and how could his limelight be overshadowed?
"Uncle, besides the gift for Xiaoxiao, I've also brought a hundred-year-old ginseng. This is a good thing!" Li Qingwen said with a smile.
"You are indeed thoughtful!"
Shen Guofeng nodded slightly and said to Lu Fan with a smile, "Mr. Lu, please take the main seat!"
Lu Fan did not stand on ceremony and walked towards the main seat, his expression even more indifferent.
Accompanied by Shen Guofeng and Boss Qian, Lu Fan sat in the main seat, making Li Qingwen even more bewildered.
To be able to sit in the main seat, one had to be either rich or noble. Yet, looking at Lu Fan's attire, he seemed like an ordinary person.
"Xiaoxiao, what kind of friend is he?" Li Qingwen smiled and asked, "That he can be treated with such respect by Uncle!"
"Just a friend!" Shen Xiaoxiao chuckled, "Don't overthink it. I really prefer this hairpin!"
Li Qingwen's face turned ashen. He had come with a weighty gift, intending to be the center of attention, but he was outdone by a mere hairpin. How could he not be angry?
"Young Master, I think this person's status is not low!"
An old man beside him said, "You must not offend him rashly!"
"Elder Qin, send someone to inquire about what car he arrived in!" Li Qingwen nodded.
If Shen Guofeng valued him so highly, it was only natural that he had a special identity.
As the future heir of the Li family, Li Qingwen had this much discernment.
On the main seat, Shen Guofeng repeatedly poured wine for Lu Fan, making the atmosphere on the table peculiar.
The main table was filled with prominent figures from Chu Prefecture, but the only one Shen Guofeng treated with such deference was Lu Fan. From this, it could be seen that Lu Fan's background was likely not ordinary.
However, seeing that Lu Fan was unfamiliar, everyone could not figure out who Lu Fan was, and naturally, they dared not question him casually.
After a long while, Elder Qin came to Li Qingwen's side: "Young Master, it has been confirmed that he arrived by taxi!"
"By taxi?" Li Qingwen narrowed his eyes, "If he were truly from a prominent family, even if he didn't drive himself, he would likely have someone pick him up. Arriving by taxi is indeed unheard of!"
"This..."
Old Master Qin was a little surprised. "Under normal circumstances, this should be the case, but given how Boss Shen treats this person, Young Master, you cannot be careless!"
"Of course, I know. You don't need to remind me!"
Li Qingwen stated directly, even more displeased. His family was also a renowned family in Jiangcheng, surpassing the Shen family. To be treated with such disregard now, how could he be reconciled?
"Xiaoxiao, why don't you come and toast Mr. Lu!"
Shen Guofeng's voice rang out, "It is our Shen family's honor that Mr. Lu could attend your birthday banquet!"
Shen Xiaoxiao, dressed in a red dress, walked over with a wine glass. Coupled with the slight consumption of alcohol, she appeared even more ethereal.
"Mr. Lu, I toast you!" Shen Xiaoxiao said respectfully, "Thank you, Mr. Lu, for attending my birthday."
"Today, you are the birthday star, I should be the one to toast you!"
Lu Fan smiled. Although he had a dignified demeanor, in his eyes, Shen Xiaoxiao was his friend, and how could he not indulge her?
After drinking a glass of wine, Shen Xiaoxiao's temperament became even more ethereal, especially with her slightly flushed face, which appeared somewhat alluring.
"Mr. Lu, I'll toast you too!"
Just then, Li Qingwen approached with a glass of wine. "Meeting is destiny. Mr. Lu, you won't refuse to give my Li family face, will you?"
As soon as the words fell, everyone frowned. Li Qingwen's words were laced with aggression, and everyone could hear it.
"This is the young master of the Li family from Jiangcheng!" Elder Qin quickly stepped forward to smooth things over. "He specifically came to celebrate Miss Shen's birthday today!"
Many people present were surprised. The Li family of Jiangcheng was a prestigious family, with businesses even larger than the Shen family. The young master of the Li family personally attending brought honor to the Shen family.
Facing the astonished gazes of many, Li Qingwen looked smug, instantly regaining his lost sense of pride.
"The Li family?" Lu Fan drank a glass of wine and smiled, "I have no dealings with the Li family, so why should I give the Li family face?"
Boss Qian was slightly surprised. He could sense the awkward atmosphere from their conversation and quickly offered an apologetic smile, "Young people are ignorant, please forgive Mr. Lu!"
After speaking, Boss Qian tugged at Li Qingwen's sleeve, signaling him to quickly withdraw. He had some connections with the Li family, otherwise, he wouldn't have acted this way.
"Uncle Qian, what's wrong?" Li Qingwen asked indignantly. "I specifically came to offer a toast, but he belittled the Li family of Jiangcheng. Isn't that inappropriate?"
"If you say one more word, you can get out of here!"
Boss Qian was furious. "Even your father were here, he would have to listen to me!"
Li Qingwen's expression changed drastically. He could not fathom why Uncle Qian, who was friendly with his family, would say such things at a banquet.
"This banquet is not worth attending!"
Li Qingwen waved his hand and left, his heart filled with anger.
Boss Qian paid him no heed and turned to Lu Fan with an apologetic smile, "Mr. Lu, young people are ignorant, please forgive him!"
Lu Fan nodded slightly, but he did not pay much attention. He was merely a minor character and did not warrant Lu Fan's consideration.
Shen Xiaoxiao had observed the entire process clearly and was puzzled. What exactly was Lu Fan's identity that made Boss Qian disregard the Li family's feelings and even offend them?
As soon as he walked out of "Tianxia Mingchu," Li Qingwen said coldly, "Elder Qin, find a few people and deal with this brat. Let him know the consequences of offending my Li family!"
"That won't do!" Elder Qin quickly said, "Boss Qian cares so much, this person's status is very high. If you move against him, the Li family will bear his wrath!"
"Hmph!" Li Qingwen said coldly, "Do it cleanly. Even if he has a powerful force behind him, so what? My Li family is not to be trifled with!"
"Young Master, think twice!" Elder Qin said repeatedly, "Why not inform the family head and let him decide?"
"Elder Qin, don't you forget that your life was saved by me!"
Li Qingwen said coldly, "If you disobey my orders, you are betraying me!"
Elder Qin's body trembled, "This old servant would never dare to betray you!"
"Then do as I say!" Li Qingwen said coldly.
Elder Qin had no choice but to agree.
Inside the banquet hall, everyone had eaten and drunk their fill and gradually began to depart.
Shen Guofeng had wanted to arrange a car to send Lu Fan back, but Lu Fan refused.
After Lu Fan left, Shen Xiaoxiao said, "Dad, who exactly is Mr. Lu?"
"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask!" Shen Guofeng frowned, "You only need to know that Mr. Lu's status is not simple, and the Shen family cannot afford to offend him!"
"But..."
Shen Xiaoxiao felt a little aggrieved. Lu Fan was clearly her friend, yet she knew nothing about him. She couldn't help but feel resentful.
"Silly girl, stop asking!" Boss Qian said with narrowed eyes, "If you find out later, you'll be fortunate!"
With these words, Shen Xiaoxiao became even more curious.
What kind of person could make her father and Boss Qian so devoted?
These were the two giants of Chu Prefecture. When had they ever been so obsequious?