Dong Chen gave Dong Lin no chance to speak, which made Dong Lin even more frustrated.
His father clearly intended to swallow his pride. If this continued, Xia Qingling would eventually be out of his reach.
This was something Dong Lin could not accept.
Although he indulged in a decadent lifestyle and had dated many girlfriends, Xia Qingling was the only woman he truly desired.
No!
He couldn't just let it go!
With this thought, a flash of inspiration struck Dong Lin.
He suddenly remembered what the young man from the Xu family had said.
At this moment, the dance was drawing to a close.
Xia Qingling walked off the stage, her arm linked with Lin Xiao Tian's, their intimacy evident.
"Lin Xiao Tian, you're getting a bargain," Xia Qingling whispered to him.
Lin Xiao Tian was speechless and didn't reply.
As they returned to their previous seats, many people soon gathered around.
As the prominent figure of the banquet, Lin Xiao Tian naturally attracted much attention. Many seized this opportunity to get acquainted with him.
Fortunately, Lin Xiao Tian was not new to such events and handled the situation with experience, quickly and naturally blending into the crowd.
Xia Qingling followed Lin Xiao Tian, paying respects to various families.
"Mr. Lin, hello, I am Xu Jia Hui. It's an honor to meet you."
A young man around thirty approached Lin Xiao Tian.
This was the same young man who had been chatting with Dong Lin earlier.
The moment Lin Xiao Tian saw the young man, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.
This was... internal energy?
Lin Xiao Tian was surprised that after Su Qing Lan, he had met another person with internal energy.
Although Xu Jia Hui's internal energy was not as profound as Su Qing Lan's, possessing so much at his age was remarkable.
However, compared to Lin Xiao Tian, he was still far behind.
"Hello, my name is Lin Xiao Tian."
"Mr. Lin, I've never heard of someone of your caliber before. This is truly my oversight!" Xu Jia Hui said with a smile.
Xu Jia Hui's implied meaning was a suspicion about Lin Xiao Tian's identity, which Lin Xiao Tian understood perfectly.
But Lin Xiao Tian had no intention of revealing anything, so he replied:
"Just an unknown nobody."
"An unknown nobody?" Xu Jia Hui chuckled. "Mr. Lin, you are too humble. An unknown nobody couldn't refine elixirs like these."
Lin Xiao Tian's eyes narrowed slightly.
Since Xu Jia Hui knew about his elixirs, he had clearly investigated him.
For most of the prominent families, this was Lin Xiao Tian's first public appearance, aside from the Dong and Xia families.
Yet, on his first appearance, Xu Jia Hui knew about his elixir refining. It seemed the families had their informants amongst each other.
"I merely know a little bit," Lin Xiao Tian maintained his low profile.
"Coincidentally, Mr. Lin, I also only know a little about the art of elixir refining. I wonder if Mr. Lin could offer some guidance?"
"It's not guidance, but if you have any doubts, we can exchange ideas," Lin Xiao Tian replied calmly.
Observing Lin Xiao Tian's demeanor, Xu Jia Hui looked at him more intently.
He had to admit that compared to Dong Lin, Lin Xiao Tian was immensely superior.
Moreover, Lin Xiao Tian was adept at concealing himself, a trait Xu Jia Hui greatly admired.
"Then I shall speak. Please don't laugh at me, Mr. Lin."
Lin Xiao Tian smiled faintly and did not respond.
Xu Jia Hui continued:
"I have an elixir formula. Could Mr. Lin take a look?"
"Epimedium, Angelica sinensis, Honeysuckle..."
Lin Xiao Tian remained composed for the first few ingredients, but then his thoughts shifted.
Lin Xiao Tian suddenly realized that the formula Xu Jia Hui was reciting was for the Gu Yuan Dan!
Although Gu Yuan Dan was a low-level elixir in the Shen Nong Medicine Canon, its formula was absolutely not something that could be found on the market.
Yet, this man in front of him could recite the formula for Gu Yuan Dan flawlessly!
This was definitely not something that could be achieved by some organization taking Lin Xiao Tian's Gu Yuan Dan and studying it.
Because pure research could only identify the chemical components, but it would be impossible to accurately determine the corresponding medicinal ingredients!
"Mr. Lin, do you think there's any problem with this formula?" Xu Jia Hui asked, looking into Lin Xiao Tian's eyes.
"Alas! I'm not sure!" Lin Xiao Tian replied calmly.
But Xu Jia Hui seemed to have expected Lin Xiao Tian's response.
"Mr. Lin, you're not sure? Then why are you able to refine this elixir?"
Lin Xiao Tian's brow furrowed.
It seemed Xu Jia Hui knew a great deal.
Could he also know about the Shen Nong Medicine Canon?
He remembered that the Shen Nong Medicine Canon was incomplete. Could Xu Jia Hui possess the remaining parts?
"Mr. Lin, would you mind? Shall we talk privately?"
"Certainly!" Lin Xiao Tian nodded.
Then, Lin Xiao Tian walked towards Xia Qing Ling.
"I need to step out for something."
Xia Qing Ling immediately became flustered. "Hey! You haven't even met my parents yet! You're not going to run off now, are you? You're such a disloyal friend!"
"Don't worry, I'll be back soon."
"Then remember to come back!"
After receiving Lin Xiao Tian's assurance, Xia Qing Ling reluctantly let him leave.
Not long after Lin Xiao Tian departed, Dong Lin suddenly approached Xia Qing Ling.
Xia Qing Ling's brow furrowed.
She regretted letting Lin Xiao Tian leave.
"Qing Ling... I have something I want to discuss with you privately."
"What can't be discussed now?" Xia Qing Ling rejected him outright.
"I..."
Seeing Xia Qing Ling show him no respect, Dong Lin felt an immense surge of anger.
But for the sake of his plan, Dong Lin suppressed it.
"I need to tell you something important, and it's not convenient to talk here."
Seeing the wronged expression on Dong Lin's face, Xia Qing Ling felt a pang of sympathy.
"Alright, let's go outside!"
Soon, Dong Lin led Xia Qing Ling out of the venue.
Dong Lin found a private room and invited Xia Qing Ling to sit down.
"You can tell me what you want to say now."
"Qing Ling, I wronged you before. I knew you didn't like me, yet I pestered you and even did that to Lin Xiao Tian. I am truly irredeemable!" Dong Lin exclaimed, then slapped himself.
Xia Qing Ling was stunned by this display and quickly stopped him.
"What are you doing? I don't blame you. If you truly understand me, you should move on quickly and choose your own happiness, not apologize to me here." Xia Qing Ling said gently.
"Qing Ling, you're so kind!" Dong Lin's eyes welled up with tears.
Xia Qing Ling sighed.
"Actually, Dong Lin, you are a decent person, but we are not a good match."
"Then... Qing Ling, have you ever liked me?" Dong Lin suddenly asked very seriously.
Looking at Dong Lin's earnest face, Xia Qing Ling truly wanted to lie to him, but she knew that giving him false hope would only harm him.
"No!"
"Alright! I knew it would be this outcome," Dong Lin sighed.
"It seems I can never win your heart, no matter what. I'm so jealous of Lin Xiao Tian. Qing Ling, tell me, what must I do to win your heart?"