’That kid, Lin Jiang, he really never disappoints. He always handles things so clearly and capably.’
’Unlike my own silly daughter. There’s just nothing I can do with her.’
After that brief exchange, the evening’s appreciation banquet officially began.
After a brief introduction from the emcee, Lin Jiang learned about the stars of the evening.
The two had met while studying abroad. The groom’s family was from Beijing, so they held the wedding there first, followed by this appreciation banquet in Zhonghai. Both were considered highly skilled professionals.
Since it was an appreciation banquet, the ceremonial part was over once the couple finished their speeches and thanked their family and friends.
What followed was the toasting, a time for guests and hosts to enjoy themselves.
Because all the attendees were important guests, the bride’s parents accompanied the couple during the toasts.
After finishing the toasts at their table, the bride and groom left to make the rounds to other tables.
However, the bride’s mother, Zhang Wenqian, stayed behind.
Everyone at this table was a friend of hers, so she wanted to stay and chat a bit longer.
"Rongmin, is this your son-in-law?" Zhang Wenqian asked curiously.
From her form of address, it was clear she was close with Jiang Rongmin.
Jiang Rongmin smiled and nodded. "Today is a joyous occasion. Of course I’d bring everyone I could to support you."
"Then we’ll have to have another drink." Zhang Wenqian was a straightforward person as well. She poured a small cup and clinked it against Jiang Rongmin’s.
"Wenqian, haven’t you always wanted to get into Berkeley? Now’s your chance. You can chat with President Jiang’s son-in-law," Chen Ling said with a smile.
"Jiang Rong, your son-in-law has connections in that area?"
"The company that owns Berkeley is a wholly-owned subsidiary of his company. If you’re interested, I’ll have him send someone to talk to your people. We’ve known each other for so many years, of course he can help with something like this."
"He’s actually the boss of Berkeley!"
Zhang Wenqian looked at Lin Jiang with a surprised expression. "Is your company called Ignore Risk Investment Co., Ltd.?"
"You’ve heard of us?"
"My husband is in the same industry. Your company is the one he’s mentioned most to me lately. He said you’ve made several investments that were executed beautifully."
Zhang Wenqian looked at Lin Jiang with approval:
"That recent hit movie, *Xia Luote’s Troubles*, you guys funded that, right?"
Lin Jiang smiled and nodded. "Our company funded it."
"That movie was a massive success. You must be raking it in from that investment. You young people are really amazing, you’ve got a good eye."
"You’re too kind."
"Don’t be so modest, young man. Sometimes you need to be a little high-profile."
Zhang Wenqian laughed heartily and patted Lin Jiang’s shoulder like a senior offering encouragement.
"Keep it up, young man. Work hard, and your mother-in-law can retire early."
Since she had to visit other tables, Zhang Wenqian left after a few more words.
Wang Qingyun looked at Lin Jiang. "President Lin, so it turns out your company invested in *Xia Luote’s Troubles*. You really kept that under wraps."
"It’s just a trivial matter, not worth mentioning."
"Didn’t your Aunt Zhang just tell you? When it’s time to be high-profile, you should be high-profile," Wang Qingyun said with a smile:
"A conservative estimate puts the box office for *Xia Luote’s Troubles* at two billion. After deducting taxes and profit-sharing, you’ll net at least seven hundred million. The return on that investment is nothing short of incredible."
That number made everyone present take Lin Jiang even more seriously.
After all, the companies they worked for might not even have an annual revenue of 700 million.
Wang Qingyun filled his glass with alcohol and stood up politely.
"President Lin, I’d like to toast you. I hope we’ll have the opportunity to cooperate in the future."
"Of course, of course."
It wasn’t just Wang Qingyun. After learning that Lin Jiang had also invested in *Xia Luote’s Troubles*, the other people at the table became even more courteous.
Everyone stood up to toast him, respectfully addressing him as President Lin.
His status successfully shifted from "Jiang Rongmin’s son-in-law" to "President Lin." Some people even lowered the rim of their glasses when toasting him.
Throughout this process, Jiang Rongmin was happy to fade into the background, leaving the spotlight for Lin Jiang.
Meanwhile, Li Mingzhao became completely invisible. No one said a word to him.
About an hour later, the appreciation banquet began to wind down.
The guests began to leave one after another. Liu Dongchang and Wang Qingyun flanked Lin Jiang, one on his left and one on his right, eagerly trying to talk to him.
Their words were filled with pleasantries.
"Mom, look at their attitude. They’re not even treating Brother Jiang like a junior."
"This is a world of fame and fortune. Everyone is focused on benefits. They see an opportunity in your Brother Jiang, so of course they’re going to cozy up to him and chat."
"Hehe..."
Qin Youyou beamed, her eyes curving into crescents. Her delighted expression practically spilled from the corners of her mouth.
Jiang Rongmin didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. ’The girl hasn’t inherited a single one of her father’s or my good qualities.’
’If I hadn’t been the only one giving birth in the hospital at that time, I’d suspect she was swapped at birth.’
’But Lin Jiang’s performance today really exceeded my expectations. I doubt even Yangyang could have achieved this effect.’
Meanwhile, the sight of Lin Jiang being surrounded and fawned over also fell upon the eyes of Liu Shuli and Li Mingzhao.
"What’s he so smug about."
"Mom, don’t pay him any mind. So what if he opened a shopping center? He only got this far by copying Donglai Supermarket. And that movie he funded? He just got lucky. It’s all based on luck, it won’t last," Li Mingzhao said:
"I just got back to the country. Give me two years, and I’ll surpass him."
"I believe you. He’s so high-profile and not at all steady. Sooner or later, he’ll be on the decline."
"I think so too."
The mother and son wanted to find other faults with him, but after sizing him up, they found the man seemed to have no obvious flaws.
He was young and accomplished, his looks were several notches above her own son, and he had someone like Jiang Rongmin backing him. After thinking it over, this was the only angle they could attack him from.
Soon, the group arrived on the ground floor.
Lin Jiang saw Feng Shusong not far away, and Feng Shusong saw him too.
Since he was surrounded by people, Lin Jiang just gave a nod, signaling for him not to come over.
Zhang Wenqian and her husband, along with the newlywed couple, were in the lobby seeing off the guests.
"If our hospitality was lacking in any way, please forgive us."
"It was wonderful," Liu Shuli said. "Next month, the old man of our family is celebrating his 80th birthday, and we’re planning to hold it here too."
As she spoke, Liu Shuli turned to several familiar guests from their table and said with a beaming smile:
"President Liu, President Wang, President Chen... Next month is our old man’s birthday celebration. You all must come."
Liu Shuli went through everyone at their table, deliberately leaving out Jiang Rongmin. Her intention was self-evident.
"You’re holding it here?" Lin Jiang suddenly spoke up.
Liu Shuli sized up Lin Jiang, surprised that he would suddenly interject.
"Do you want to come too? I can send you an invitation. It’s just a matter of adding a seat, no big deal."
Beside them, Jiang Rongmin glanced at Lin Jiang, her expression unreadable.
She hadn’t expected him to speak up at this moment.
"I have a lot going on at the company, so I won’t have time to attend an event like this. But I can make some arrangements for you, get you a discount or something. It could save you a bit."
With that, Lin Jiang waved at Feng Shusong, who perceptively jogged over.
"President Lin."
"President Liu wants to hold a birthday banquet here next month. You arrange it. Reserve the space in advance, and give them a discount where you can. The national economy is in a downturn right now, so don’t charge so much."
Feng Shusong: ???
’What does President Lin mean?’
’He wants to give a discount to his friends?’
’But his tone doesn’t sound like it. It seems like there’s a hidden meaning in his words.’
’This is too fucking confusing.’
"Understood, President Lin."
Everyone present looked at Lin Jiang. None of them had expected him to have connections in this area as well.
"President Lin, that won’t be necessary. The Li Family has never been fond of discounted things."
"Oh, look at that. It seems I overstepped."
Lin Jiang smiled at Feng Shusong. "Forget what I just said. Just proceed as normal. The Li Family is a prominent and prestigious family in Zhonghai. Do everything according to the highest standards. We can’t let the Li Family lose face."
’HOLY SHIT!’
Feng Shusong screamed internally.
’So President Lin’s grasp of human nature is already this precise.’
"Understood, President Lin."
"President Jiang..."
Liu Shuli looked at Jiang Rongmin with a smile and said:
"I really didn’t expect your son-in-law to be such a warm-hearted person. If I didn’t know better, I’d have thought he was the owner of the Gulf Hotel."
Jiang Rongmin just smiled and said nothing.
AHEM AHEM AHEM...
Feng Shusong cleared his throat a few times.
"President Lin... is the owner of our Gulf Hotel."

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