"Qiu Shui, many guests have arrived. Why haven't you gone in yet!" Old Man Han walked over. "It's cold outside. I'll send someone to notify you when your master arrives!"
"Then I'll go in to entertain the guests first!" Han Qiushui 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 Jingxuan Hotel. Today was Han Qiushui's birthday, and many guests had come. As the head of the Han family, he couldn't be negligent.
"Old Zhou, you stay outside. If Mr. Lu arrives, bring him in!"
"Don't worry, Patriarch. This old servant understands!" Old Zhou nodded. He was the oldest butler of the Han family. Apart from the Han family members, Old Zhou was probably the most powerful person in the Han family.
Generally, when important people arrived, the Patriarch of the Han family would have Old Zhou wait outside to show respect to the visitor.
As soon as Old Man Han left, the man next to Old Zhou spoke, "Old Zhou, who exactly is it that requires you to personally wait?"
"If it were an ordinary person, why 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 Haitao and Lin Yalan arrived at the entrance of Jingxuan Hotel, bringing gifts with them.
"Isn't that Old Zhou?" Lin Haitao stepped forward and lit a cigarette. "Could it be that some big shot is coming, requiring Old Zhou to personally wait!"
"So it's Young Master Lin!" Old Zhou took the cigarette. "Indeed, there's a distinguished guest who should be arriving soon. You've come today representing the Lin family of Jiangbei, haven't you?"
"Naturally!" Lin Haitao nodded. "How could the Lin family dare not attend Miss Han's birthday banquet!"
"Please come in!" Old Zhou gestured, not taking Lin Haitao seriously.
Let alone the younger generation of the Lin family, even if Lin Guoli or Lin Aotian himself appeared, Old Zhou would not take them seriously.
There was a significant difference between martial arts families and commercial families.
Although many people in Jiangbei knew of the Lin family, in upper society, everyone was well aware that the Han family of Jiangbei was the true behemoth of Jiangbei.
Entering Jingxuan Hotel, Lin Haitao and Lin Yalan deliberately found a spot. Those who could attend the Han family's birthday banquet were no ordinary families. Even if they were here, they didn't dare to be too ostentatious.
"No wonder Dad asked us to come!" Lin Yalan spoke. "Everyone who appears here is a prominent figure in Jiangbei. It's a pity that I've already caught the eye of Master Lu from Jiangnan, otherwise, I could get to know many talented young men here."
"Be content!" Lin Haitao chuckled. "Master Lu from Jiangnan is of noble status, perhaps no less than the Han family of Jiangbei. Once the Lin family is allied with Master Lu, the Lin family might even have a seat at the head table!"
Speaking of which, Lin Haitao looked towards the head table. Several figures were already seated there, all of whom were officials and dignitaries.
Outside the taxi, as Lu Fan and Lin Ke got out of the car, Old Zhou hurried forward. "This must be Mr. Lu!"
"Who are you?" Lu Fan was surprised and looked 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 astonished. He had thought Lu Fan was taking her somewhere else, but he didn't expect it to be a birthday banquet.
As they entered the hall, Old Zhou was about to head for the head table, only to find that Han Qiushui and the head of the Han family were not there.
"Mr. Lu, the Patriarch and the young lady must have gone to change their formal wear. Please wait here." Old Zhou said obsequiously. "I'll notify the young lady once she comes out!"
"That won't be 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 taken aback. He had intended to accompany Lu Fan and the other, but now that there was a security issue outside, it would be troublesome if he didn't go to check.
"If there's something to attend to, then go handle it!" Lu Fan said directly. "We'll be fine here!"
"In that case, I'll be back shortly!" Old Zhou cupped his fists, a hint of guilt in his expression.
Old Man Han had instructed him to treat Lu Fan as a distinguished guest and entertain him well. If it weren't for this 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. Would you like to try some!"
Lin Ke nodded earnestly and started eating, seeming to find the taste good, giving Lu Fan a thumbs-up.
"Why are you two here!"
Lin Haitao walked over, hands clasped in front of his chest. "This is Jingxuan 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 Haitao said dismissively. "You're not fit to attend Miss Han's birthday banquet!"
"Lin Haitao, don't be too excessive with your words!" Lin Ke said angrily. "We were openly invited in through the main entrance!"
"A poor nobody, and an illegitimate daughter!" Lin Haitao sneered. "With just the two of you, you expect to be personally invited? Even if your father were here, he wouldn't have this treatment!"
"Whether you believe it or not is up to you!" Lu Fan shrugged. "Since we can't stand each other, it's best to stay away from us!"
"Ridiculous. Are you two sneaking into the birthday banquet and I can't interfere?" Lin Haitao'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 escalate the situation!" Lin Yalan reminded him. "It would be troublesome if the Han family took their anger out on the Lin family later!"
Lin Haitao looked disdainful. "I've never considered him a member of the Lin family!"
Lin Ke's face turned ashen. Lin Haitao's words showed that he didn't take him seriously at all.
"What's going on?"
The hotel supervisor walked over and smiled apologetically at Lin Haitao. "So it's Young Master Lin. What seems to be the matter?"
"These few people came to the banquet without an invitation. If the Han family finds out, Jingxuan Hotel might not be able to bear the consequences!" Lin Aotian said coldly.
The supervisor was startled and looked at Lu Fan. "Sir, do you have an invitation!"
"We don't have an invitation!"
Lu Fan stood up. "However, we were invited. You can go and ask Old Master Han!"
"Patriarch Han is busy with business and has no time to deal with such matters!" Lin Haitao said coldly. "Besides, what is your status that you deserve to be personally invited by Old Master Han!"
The hotel supervisor frowned. Lin Haitao was right. In all of Jiangbei, there were very few people who could be personally invited by Old Master Han. Lu Fan looked ordinary, appearing more like someone crashing the party.
"Brother..." Lin Yalan wanted to say something but didn't know how to advise him.