Su Nanzhi beamed with joy after hanging up the phone.
Su Changli, however, said with displeasure, “Honey, you need to stop defending Yang Yi!
Look at his pathetic attitude!”
Lin Gengfang felt guilty, so she simply looked crestfallen and didn’t dare to argue back.
Su Nanzhi couldn’t help but say, “Dad, don’t blame Mom.
It’s just that Yang Yi is too insecure, that’s why he’s like this.”
Su Changli scoffed.
“If he’s insecure, he should earn back his own dignity.
What’s all this nonsense he babbles on about all day?”
Su Nanzhi shook her head, sighing to herself.
Lin Gengfang, on the other hand, felt sad and conflicted.
The next evening, Lin Gengfang knocked on Yang Yi’s door.
“Aunt Lin?”
Lin Gengfang looked apologetic.
“Xiaoyi, Aunt Lin made you dinner.
You can just eat it here at home.”
They were going to attend Shen Wanqian’s banquet, which meant they weren’t taking him with them.
Yang Yi smiled.
‘Looks like Aunt Lin is in a difficult position.’
“Okay!”
After Su Nanzhi’s family of three left, Yang Yi prepared to eat.
Suddenly, his phone rang.
Sure enough, it was a call from Qiao Haishan.
“Xiaoyang, have you left yet?
It won’t be appropriate for me to be in the main hall later, so come find me in a private room upstairs!”
Yang Yi replied, “Uncle Qiao, I didn’t go.”
Qiao Haishan asked in surprise, “What’s wrong?
Didn’t Old Shen have an invitation sent over?”
Yang Yi said helplessly, “Uncle Su and his family went, but I didn’t.”
Qiao Haishan immediately grew furious.
“What does Su Changli think he’s doing?
Going to the Shen Family business banquet and not taking you?”
“Without you, Yang Yi, do they really think they’d be qualified to receive an invitation from Shen Wanqian?
This is outrageous!”
“Go wait at the entrance to your neighborhood.
I’ll have that girl Youwei come and pick you up!”
Yang Yi didn’t even have a chance to get a word in; Qiao Haishan had already made all the arrangements for him.
“Xiaoyang, that’s all for now.
See you in a bit!
You absolutely have to come tonight!”
“You’re one of the guests of honor at tonight’s banquet!”
Yang Yi was stunned.
Before he could ask for clarification, Qiao Haishan had already hung up.
A moment later, Shen Youwei called, saying she would arrive in half an hour.
Yang Yi had no choice but to set aside the noodles Aunt Lin had made, change into something a little more formal, and go to the entrance of his neighborhood to wait.
A little over twenty minutes later, a blue BMW sedan pulled up in front of him.
“Divine Doctor Yang!”
It really was Shen Youwei, driving personally to pick him up.
Tonight, Shen Youwei wore a touch of makeup and a gorgeous long gown, which accentuated her temperament and beauty to the highest degree.
“Just call me Yang Yi.”
Shen Youwei’s beautiful eyes lit up with joy.
She smiled brightly and said, “In that case, I won’t be so formal, Yang Yi!”
Yang Yi nodded and got into the passenger seat.
Shen Youwei started the car and drove toward the banquet hall.
On the way, Yang Yi asked, “Uncle Qiao said I’m one of the guests of honor at the banquet tonight.
What does that mean?”
Shen Youwei laughed.
“Uncle Qiao really can’t keep his mouth shut…”
“It’s nothing much.
My dad just wanted to introduce you to some of his business partners.”
Yang Yi thought for a moment before saying, “Mr.
Shen is too kind.”
“But I don’t really like being in the spotlight.
Is it possible to cancel that part of the event?”
‘His enemies are still out there; he can’t afford to be too conspicuous.’
‘He didn’t mind for himself, but Aunt Lin and her family could easily be put in danger.’
‘Until he found out the truth behind his parents’ murder, it was better to keep a low profile.’
Shen Youwei was taken aback for a moment, then said, “Of course we can.
Whatever you want.”
「Meanwhile, inside the banquet hall.」
Su Nanzhi’s family of three entered the resplendent hall, unable to contain their excitement.
Every single person at this banquet was someone Su Changli had to look up to.
“Uncle Su!
Nanzhi!”
Hong Juntao, dressed in a suit and holding a glass of wine, walked over.
Su Changli beamed.
“Juntao, I was looking for you the moment I came in!”
Hong Juntao smiled.
“I’ve been waiting for you since I got here.”
Su Nanzhi was wearing a deep red strapless gown, exuding an air of noble elegance.
Hong Juntao couldn’t help but let his eyes linger on her for a few extra moments.
Su Changli said, “Juntao, are you free tomorrow?
I’d like to treat you to a meal.
We can have a good drink!”
“If Uncle Su is inviting me, then I definitely have time!”
“Great, it’s a deal then!”
As he spoke, Su Changli looked around and asked, “Has Divine Doctor Xu not arrived?”
Hong Juntao wasn’t sure either, as he had also come with a friend.
“Grandpa Xu has probably arrived, but an esteemed man like him is surely with Chairman Shen!”
Hong Juntao’s eyes darted around, and he asked with deliberate provocation, “Nanzhi, how come that Yang kid didn’t come?”
Su Nanzhi sighed.
“It wouldn’t be appropriate to bring him to an event like this.”
Su Changli snorted.
“What’s the point of bringing a country bumpkin like him to such a high-class banquet?”
“Would he even know how to appreciate the fine food and wine here?
He’d just end up embarrassing himself!”
Hong Juntao smiled faintly.
“Isn’t that all the more reason to bring him along, so he can see a bit of the world?”
Su Changli said dismissively, “He doesn’t belong in this kind of setting.
Forcing him into it wouldn’t necessarily be a good thing for him.”
Seeing how much Su Changli looked down on Yang Yi, Hong Juntao felt much more at ease.
‘What a shame.
That kid didn’t come tonight.
Otherwise, I could have thoroughly humiliated him!’
‘I could’ve gotten my revenge for what happened at the herb market.’
Su Nanzhi didn’t want to talk about Yang Yi, so she changed the subject.
“Brother Hong, should we go find Chairman Shen right after the banquet ends?”
Hong Juntao said nonchalantly, “Of course.
When the time comes, I’ll take you to see Chairman Shen.”
Just as he finished speaking, the surrounding speakers suddenly crackled to life for a sound check.
“Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please.
Chairman Shen has a few words to say.”
The hall quickly fell silent.
Shen Wanqian, dressed in formal wear, walked onto the stage with a gentle smile, showing no hint of arrogance.
“First of all, I’d like to thank all of you for taking time out of your busy schedules to be here.”
“I won’t waste time with formalities.
We’re all old friends here; there’s no need for all that.”
“Tonight, just focus on eating and drinking well.
Talk business, exchange cards, do whatever you need to do!”
Many people laughed.
When Shen Wanqian needed to put on airs, his presence was truly imposing.
But when he didn’t, he was just like an ordinary person, not at all like the wealthiest man in the region.
Shen Wanqian continued, “However, there is one person I would like to specially introduce to all of you tonight.”
“His medical skills are even greater than those of Xu Renfeng.
Just yesterday, he saved my life!”
Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked!
‘More skilled than Xu Renfeng?
Since when did Nanzhou have someone like that?’
Su Changli exclaimed in amazement, “Nanzhou has someone like that?
How have I never heard of him before?”
Su Nanzhi also said in admiration, “Dad, it sounds like this person is about to become famous overnight.
I wonder if we’ll get the chance to meet him!”
Everyone’s curiosity was thoroughly piqued.
“Chairman Shen, bring such an incredible person up here and let us all meet him!”
“Yes, Chairman Shen, don’t keep us in suspense!”
Shen Wanqian laughed heartily, then called toward the entrance to the stage, “Youwei, bring Divine Doctor Yang up here!”