"Xiao Wan, didn't you say you weren't coming?"
Kang Hongwen stepped forward to greet Wan Yunting. He had called Wan Yunting earlier that afternoon, inviting him to the party, but Wan Yunting had declined.
"No, I'm just passing by to pick up my second brother and sister-in-law."
Wan Yunting threw the cigarette on the ground and crushed it with his foot, smiling as he spoke to Kang Hongwen.
He nodded, then turned his cold gaze to the hotel server, who had been scared stiff. "You dog, who do you think you can stop? Don't you know our business exchange party is open to everyone?"
The server's face turned pale and his legs trembled at Kang Hongwen's sharp reprimand.
"Get lost, you're both fired."
The hotel manager, sensing trouble, rushed over and berated the two receptionists. He then immediately changed his demeanor and apologized to Kang Hongwen and Wan Yunting with a fawning smile, "My apologies, Director Kang. It was my oversight. Please forgive me."
"Hmph, with your hotel's attitude, the business gala tomorrow will not be held here."
Kang Hongwen snorted at the hotel manager without any politeness, leaving the manager with a bitter expression and unspeakable grievances.
"Brother Wan..."
At this moment, Ling Wei supported Old Master Fu as they walked up. The big shots of Huadu's business community, trailing behind them, were shocked and incredulous to see that Kang Hongwen and Old Master Fu had personally come down to greet Wan Yunting.
Especially Fang Yanxi, who followed behind. Seeing that the person Old Master Fu had come down to welcome was Wan Yunting, her pretty face was completely stunned. She could never have imagined it would be this man.
The crowd that followed was utterly shocked, especially when Old Master Fu addressed Wan Yunting as "Brother Wan!"
"Old Master Fu, please just call me Xiao Wan."
Seeing that Ling Wei was supporting the aged Old Master Fu to personally welcome him, Wan Yunting became curious about their relationship.
"Alright, I'll call you Xiao Wan out of respect for your elder." Old Master Fu nodded with a gentle smile.
This scene made Kang Hongwen even more surprised and curious. Old Master Fu's attitude towards Wan Yunting was extraordinarily special, almost reverent.
Suddenly, Wan Yunting sensed something and his gaze fell upon Fang Yanxi in the crowd inside, wearing a white slip evening gown. She was like an elegant white lotus, so dazzling and eye-catching.
Wan Yunting smiled and nodded towards Fang Yanxi in the distance.
Fang Yanxi, having recovered from her surprise, saw the man wave at her and nodded in response.
"Then let's go up."
Kang Hongwen said, and together with Old Master Fu, they flanked Wan Yunting and returned to the second-floor banquet hall. Wan Dongming and Ling Wei, along with the surrounding crowd, followed suit.
"Who is that?"
At the banquet hall, some people had not followed them down. Now, seeing Old Master Fu and Kang Hongwen flanking Wan Yunting, with Wan Dongming, Ling Wei, and Fang Yanxi's group returning behind them, other general managers present turned their attention to them.
Because Wan Yunting was dressed casually, he stood out like a crane among a flock of chickens. Someone recognized him, "Isn't that Wan Yunting!"
"Wan Yunting? How is he involved with Old Master Fu?"
"I don't know..."
Perhaps this question was on everyone's mind.
"Young Master Han, that kid is not simple. The richest man and Old Master Fu went down to greet him!"
On a sofa in a corner, Han Yuze was drinking with his cronies and some socialites. Seeing Wan Yunting's arrival, he raised an eyebrow, narrowed his eyes, and smirked dismissively, "So what if he's Du Laifu's grandson? If he opposes me, I'll still take him down!"
His cronies nodded in agreement. Han Yuze put his arm around the waist of a beautiful socialite. "Drink up..."
Meanwhile, Wan Yunting, Old Master Fu, and Kang Hongwen returned to their seats. Wan Dongming, Wang Chulin, Ling Wei, and a group of business magnates naturally sat around them.
Fang Yanxi, however, did not join them. Instead, she sat with other familiar general managers, but her eyes frequently darted towards Wan Yunting, thinking of finding an opportunity to talk to him later.
"Come, Xiao Wan, Old Master Fu, let's have a drink."
Kang Hongwen raised his wine glass. Wan Yunting and Old Master Fu also raised theirs. The three clinked glasses and downed the wine. Then, Kang Hongwen asked the question everyone was most curious about: "Old Master Fu, Xiao Wan, how do you two know each other?"
"Heh, that's a long story."
Old Master Fu looked at Wan Yunting and smiled. "Xiao Wan's master saved my life. We met in prison a few years ago!"
"Oh."
Kang Hongwen was taken aback. So Old Master Fu had a connection with Wan Yunting's master.
Now, the other general managers around them understood.
After all, when Wan Yunting was imprisoned before, he was just a university student. Even his late father, Wan Tielin, could not have had any interaction with Old Master Fu, who was already at the peak of Huadu's business world at the time.
It was no wonder Old Master Fu was so polite to Wan Yunting; it turned out his master was Old Master Fu's savior, which explained everything.
"Xiao Wan, you've been causing quite a stir recently. Many people have come to me complaining," Old Master Fu then turned to Wan Yunting and said with a smile.
Wan Yunting smiled, knowing he was referring to the night he directly eliminated Old Man Qiao of the Southern City and Du Yuan'an of the Western City, taking over three districts of Huadu. Clearly, they had gone to Old Master Fu, hoping he would intervene.
"I apologize, Old Master Fu. It was an impulsive act, and I was a bit too heavy-handed. I hope you don't mind." Wan Yunting knew that Du Yuan'an and Old Man Qiao were subordinates of Old Master Fu.
"Heh, you don't need to say that."
Old Master Fu waved his hand and smiled, "The rules of the underworld dictate that whoever has the stronger fist is the boss. It's just that their fists weren't as strong as yours, so I don't blame you. On the contrary, I commend you for taking over three districts!"
In fact, Old Master Fu's initial intention was to find Wan Yunting to take over his position after he was released from prison. However, Wan Yunting had now taken over the forces in three districts of Huadu on his own, which made Old Master Fu look at him with newfound respect. He was indeed the successor of his savior's disciple.
Wan Yunting and Old Master Fu chatted with Kang Hongwen for a while. Wan Yunting also kept an eye on Fang Yanxi. Their gazes met from time to time, so Wan Yunting stood up. "Old Master Fu, Director Kang, please chat for a bit. I'm going to say hello to a friend over there."
"Go ahead..."
Old Master Fu and Kang Hongwen nodded. Wan Yunting said hello to his second brother and sister-in-law, then walked directly towards Fang Yanxi. Seeing the man approach, she was delighted. "Why did you suddenly come?"
Wan Yunting shrugged and smiled, "My second brother invited me, so I came to take a look."
Fang Yanxi nodded as she listened, asking curiously, "Then what's your relationship with Old Master Fu?"
"Oh, my master saved him. We met in prison a few years ago, so we know each other," Wan Yunting replied with a smile.
"So that's how it is."
Fang Yanxi nodded. Wan Yunting picked up the wine on the table. "Would you like a drink?"
"Sure."
Fang Yanxi also raised her wine glass, smiled, and clinked hers with Wan Yunting's, taking a slight sip.
Wan Yunting put down his glass, glanced around, and then asked, "What time are you going back?"
Fang Yanxi checked her watch; it was already half-past ten. "Around eleven."
"Well, then let's go out for a late-night snack later. I've thought of another formula and wanted to tell you about it," Wan Yunting said with a smile.
"Okay."
Fang Yanxi readily agreed, her heart anticipating spending time alone with him.
"Then I'll go tell my second brother and them first, and I'll come back to find you at eleven," Wan Yunting said with a smile.
"Alright."
Fang Yanxi nodded, and Wan Yunting left.
Just then, Han Yuze, who was in a corner on the other side, saw this scene. He took out a pill from his pocket, his lips curling into a sinister smile...