This was Chen Yan's first encounter with He Ruifeng.

Facing the wealthiest man of Qin Island, whom he had only seen in the news, Chen Yan's interest was piqued.

After all, He Ruifeng was considered a legend.

If his father, He Mu, was the founder of the He family, then He Ruifeng was the one who single-handedly led the family to its current pinnacle.

It was He Ruifeng who, during a time when Wutong Group could have easily prospered through subcontracting and cheap domestic labor, insisted that the group establish its own R&D department to develop next-generation technologies and register new patents in various countries, allowing Wutong Group to no longer be at the mercy of others, which led to the prominence of the He family today.

It must be said that, in that era, He Ruifeng was indeed a flag-bearer for domestic manufacturing.

For such a prominent figure, Chen Yan was naturally very curious.

While Chen Yan was sizing up He Ruifeng, the long line of cars slowly drove into the estate and stopped at the entrance of the banquet hall.

The circle of second-generation heirs around Chen Yan also began to murmur softly, "They have arrived, the Zhao Family is here."

"Yes, truly dignified. They must arrive exactly on time."

"Well, it's normal for them to have such arrogance since they are indeed one of the top wealthy conglomerates in the country."

While others discussed, Chen Yan didn't realize when Qin Ming had joined him.

He whispered to Chen Yan, "I heard that my uncle and his family are hosting a big boss from Zhao Group later, and my cousin will host the young miss from the Zhao Family."

"Brother Chen, are you interested in meeting them?"

Chen Yan gave Qin Ming a look.

Qin Ming's face was full of smiles, making it hard to discern his true thoughts.

But Chen Yan felt that he was being tested.

So, Chen Yan just shook his head without speaking.

While they talked, the cars stopped one by one, the rear seat of the second car opened, and two middle-aged men in black suits quickly walked to the front of the leading stretch Lincoln, then stood on either side of the car, respectfully opening the doors.

When the car door opened, the first to step down was Zhao Xuan.

Zhao Xuan still had his usual smile, dressed in a formal outfit and shiny leather shoes, but still resembling a harmless Maitreya Buddha.

Immediately after, Zhao Ying stepped down from the other side of the car.

Zhao Ying was dressed beautifully today, wearing an elegant mini-dress that revealed her snowy shoulders. Her face had light makeup, simple yet beautiful, unlike the brutish appearance Chen Yan usually saw her in.

If she normally looked like a boisterous tomboy, then now she appeared like a celestial being fallen to Earth.

However... this celestial being seemed lifeless, with hollow, soulless eyes, as if devoid of spirit.

Chen Yan didn't know what the spirited girl he had met before had gone through these days. But recalling the day he visited her home, where she was continuously boxing in the living room, didn't speak during dinner, and only said "Thank you" before leaving, and even smashed her father's car, he guessed that she... must not be doing well.

Moreover, Yu Qiao Qiao had mentioned that she hadn't been to school for a week, making Chen Yan even more suspicious.

Zhao Xuan, who usually seemed to dote on Zhao Ying, appeared to have drastically altered her condition.

While Chen Yan was lost in thought amid the crowd, the conversations of the surrounding heirs filled his ears.

"Wow. Is that the Zhao Family's young miss?"

"She's very pretty."

"But she looks a bit out of spirits."

"Yes, indeed."

Amid the soft murmuring behind him, Zhao Xuan hooked his daughter's arm, smiling as they walked towards the banquet hall.

When he was just three steps away from the stairs, He Ruifeng also walked down with a hearty laugh, extending his hand and saying, "Brother Zhao, long time no see!"

Zhao Xuan let go of Zhao Ying's hand, smiling as he shook hands with He Ruifeng, "Elder Brother Zhao. Indeed, it has been a long time. Wasn't it the year before last?"

He Ruifeng replied, "Indeed."

He then looked at Zhao Ying and said, "This must be your lovely daughter, Zhao Ying?"

Zhao Xuan replied with a smile, "Yes, my younger daughter."

He then patted Zhao Ying, saying, "Ying Ying, say hello to Uncle He."

Zhao Ying, with a vacant look in her eyes, bowed slightly and said courteously, "Hello, Uncle He."

Her manners were graceful, making her look very pretty.

He Ruifeng laughed heartily, "Good, good."

He then looked toward his side.

Meng Xue, who had been at the forefront, quickly stepped forward and said, "Father."

Then, she also bowed to Zhao Xuan, "Hello, Uncle Zhao."

Zhao Xuan's eyes narrowed into even finer lines as he replied, "Hello."

He Ruifeng turned to his daughter and said, "Meng Xue, why don't you take your sister Ying Ying to join the young people's party? I have some matters to discuss with your Uncle Zhao."

Meng Xue nodded quickly, then went over to Zhao Ying, gesturing, "Sister Ying, this way."

Zhao Ying nodded expressionlessly and followed Meng Xue through the crowd advancing forward.

While Zhao Xuan also walked forward alongside He Ruifeng, laughing and talking.

The wealthy heirs and magnates instinctively split into two groups; one prepared to follow Meng Xue and Zhao Ying toward the banquet hall, the other prepared to accompany He Ruifeng and Zhao Xuan upstairs.

Chen Yan also moved with the crowd towards the banquet hall, hoping to find an opportunity to speak with Zhao Ying.

As he tried to seize the opportunity.

Zhao Ying, who had been walking forward with a vacant look, inadvertently caught a glimpse of him in the crowd.

The soulless Zhao Ying seemed suddenly reinvigorated upon spotting him and couldn't help but softly call out, "Chen Yan?"

Although Zhao Ying's voice was soft, there was silence around, and so everyone present clearly heard her words.

The crowd suddenly stopped, turning to look in the direction Zhao Ying was looking.

At a distance, Zhao Xuan too heard Zhao Ying's voice and then halted.

Seeing that both major figures had stopped, everyone also paused and looked over.

After Zhao Ying accidentally let his name slip, she realized it was inappropriate given today's critical meeting between her father and the Qin Island magnates.

So, she quickly bowed her head, not daring to speak.

If Chen Yan was just an ordinary person, maybe she could have hidden it, but Chen Yan was the only outsider present today besides Zhao Ying and her father.

And the other heirs already knew his name.

So even though she tried to cover it up, their gazes naturally settled on him.

At that moment, Zhao Xuan also spotted Chen Yan in the crowd.

His gaze briefly hardened, then returned to his usual smile.

He nodded to He Ruifeng as an apology, then smilingly called out, "Little Yan, you're here too?"

With Zhao Xuan's words, everyone's attention instinctively turned to Chen Yan.

The heirs were somewhat unsure, wondering why an ordinary civilian like Chen Yan would have relations with the prestigious Zhao family, while the magnates who were unaware of Chen Yan's identity exchanged glances, seeing the confusion in each other's eyes—they did not know Chen Yan and were unaware of who he was.

Among them, only Qin Ming who had stayed close to Chen Yan, bore a smile: indeed... his Brother Chen was no ordinary person.

Seeing that the guests did not recognize Chen Yan and acting as the host, He Ruifeng also took the initiative to inquire, "Brother Zhao? Who is this?"

Zhao Xuan waved at Chen Yan.

From the beginning, feeling the situation slipping out of control, Chen Yan could only gather his courage to walk towards him. Qin Ming also followed closely behind him.

Zhao Xuan draped an arm around Chen Yan's shoulders, patted him, and cheerfully introduced him to He Ruifeng, "This is a youngster related to me. He's good friends with Ying Ying."

He Ruifeng nodded then looked at Qin Ming who had followed.

Qin Ming also introduced himself, "Uncle, Chen Yan is my friend; he's been feeling a bit bored recently, so I invited him to join our banquet."

Zhao Xuan chuckled and then said to Chen Yan, "Lil' Yan, if I had known you were interested in the banquet, I would have invited you."

Chen Yan awkwardly laughed.

With Zhao Xuan affirming his identity and Qin Ming's explanation, He Ruifeng smiled and said, "I see. Then he's one of our own, good to know, good to know."

Zhao Xuan also laughed heartily, then patted Chen Yan on the back, "Then Lil' Yan, why don't you keep Ying Ying company? I'm going to walk around with your Uncle He."

What could Chen Yan say?

Although he didn't understand why Zhao Xuan had given him this layer of identity, in such a situation, Chen Yan could only comply, "Okay, Uncle Zhao."

The event passed, but the ripple effects continued....

As the magnates departed, the group of heirs who were initially lukewarm towards Chen Yan before, completely changed their attitude, crowding around and striking up friendships with Chen Yan...

With Zhao Xuan affirming his identity, and Qin Ming's explanation, He Ruifeng smiled and said, "I see. Then he's one of our own, good to know, good to know."

Zhao Xuan also laughed heartily, then patted Chen Yan on the back, "Then Lil' Yan, why don't you keep Ying Ying company? I'm going to walk around with your Uncle He."

What could Chen Yan say?

Although he didn't understand why Zhao Xuan had given him this layer of identity, in such a situation, Chen Yan could only comply, "Okay, Uncle Zhao."

The event passed, but the ripple effects continued....

As the magnates departed, the group of heirs who were initially lukewarm towards Chen Yan before, completely changed their attitude, crowding around and striking up friendships with Chen Yan...

With Zhao Xuan affirming his identity, and Qin Ming's explanation, He Ruifeng smiled and said, "I see. Then he's one of our own, good to know, good to know."

Zhao Xuan also laughed heartily, then patted Chen Yan on the back, "Then Lil' Yan, why don't you keep Ying Ying company? I'm going to walk around with your Uncle He."

What could Chen Yan say?

Although he didn't understand why Zhao Xuan had given him this layer of identity, in such a situation, Chen Yan could only comply, "Okay, Uncle Zhao."

The event passed, but the ripple effects continued....

As the magnates departed, the group of heirs who were initially lukewarm towards Chen Yan before, completely changed their attitude, crowding around and striking up friendships with Chen Yan...

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