Chapter 17

"Go with the flow, huh..."

After hearing Qi Xiang's suggestion, Jiang Baiwan pondered for a moment and was immediately overjoyed, laughing heartily: "Brother, your idea is brilliant, simply brilliant, it solves my urgent problem."

"Boss Jiang, do you think it will work?" Qi Xiang was instead hesitant.

"Absolutely, it will definitely work." Jiang Baiwan was resolute, rubbing his hands together: "If they want to play dirty, hmpf, I'll show them what it means to pick up a stone only to drop it on their own feet tomorrow..."

"Good, if it works." Qi Xiang smiled: "Then I'll wish you success and a triumphant return."

"Thanks for your good words." Jiang Baiwan smiled warmly: "Brother, coming to you was the right choice... How about you accompany me to the banquet tomorrow?"

"Ah? Take me?" Qi Xiang was surprised, caught off guard.

"Yes, come with me..." Jiang Baiwan nodded seriously, then smiled: "But you'll have to play the role of my secretary for a bit."

"No problem, no problem, secretary it is." Qi Xiang waved his hands, even though he didn't know Jiang Baiwan's intentions, it was clear that he wanted to take him to see the world and repay his advice and planning.

After all, the banquet hosted by Chen Futu wasn't easy to attend. The Lord of Moling, though just a title, was not an exaggeration. The entire city of Jinling was filled with the Chen family's businesses.

Everyone speculated that with the Chen family's wealth, buying the entire city of Jinling would be effortless.

As expected, the Chen family's banquet would be a gathering of the elite and the wealthy, not only a chance to see the world but also a great opportunity to build connections.

Of course, as a small figure, even if he couldn't build connections, getting to know people would only benefit him, with no drawbacks, truly a win-win situation.

"Brother, go back and prepare. We'll set off early tomorrow morning." Jiang Baiwan waved, full of confidence, with a sharp and dangerous glint in his eyes.

"Alright..."

Qi Xiang went back, bought a suit and a pair of leather shoes on the street. The next day, he immediately changed into his suit and shoes, dressed like a standard office elite, and followed Jiang Baiwan to a small town outside Jinling.

The town was very prosperous, bustling with activity, no less lively than the city of Jinling.

This was Moling Town, where it was said that the entire town was the Chen family's territory. The town's population of tens of thousands were all employees of the Chen family. The title of Lord of Moling came from this.

Qi Xiang, acting as a secretary and driver, slowly drove the car into the heart of the town.

The town was nestled in a gourd-shaped valley, extending from the mouth of the gourd to the end, where a range of undulating mountains lay. Surrounded by mountains on three sides, a clear river flowed around, with lush vegetation and dense forests.

On the hillside, a magnificent building complex was faintly visible.

That was the Chen family's residence, but Qi Xiang stopped the car at the foot of the mountain.

Because today, the place was flooded with guests, and luxury cars were constantly shuttling around. The parking area on the mountain was limited and couldn't accommodate everyone, so they had to park at the foot of the mountain and walk up.

Walking along the lush, shaded path, Qi Xiang was deeply impressed. The air here was as fresh as in a large forest conservation area, pure and refreshing, making one feel at ease.

After about ten minutes, a palace-like building complex appeared before them.

With flying eaves and carved beams, the buildings were layered, resembling the grand courtyards often seen in TV dramas, exuding a refined and classical charm.

At first glance, Qi Xiang thought he had entered a film city. But the sets in a film city were just frameworks, while this complex was a real, luxurious mansion.

The estate-style retro architecture provided a unique visual enjoyment.

At the entrance of the estate, a group of people were welcoming guests. Beautifully dressed young women stood on both sides, and burly, stern-looking bodyguards patrolled nearby.

As soon as a guest arrived, they were warmly welcomed, as if basking in the warmth of spring.

Qi Xiang followed Jiang Baiwan step by step, slowly approaching the entrance. Before they even arrived, a middle-aged man glanced over and quickly came forward.

"Boss Jiang, your presence brings great joy." The middle-aged man smiled broadly, not even checking the invitation, and directly escorted Jiang Baiwan into the estate.

Jiang Baiwan was calm, gesturing for Qi Xiang to follow, and then entered the estate with ease, walking along a pebbled path, eventually reaching a courtyard.

The courtyard was large, with artificial hills, streams, ponds, and pavilions.

Hundreds of elegantly dressed guests were scattered around. Some gathered in the pavilions to drink tea, some chatted in the pavilions by the pond, and others strolled through the courtyard, admiring the flowers and plants...

In short, just this courtyard alone was enough to accommodate all the guests without feeling crowded.

Imagine, this was just one courtyard of the Chen family. One could only imagine how vast the entire complex was.

Spanning several mountain ridges, with a building every five steps and a pavilion every ten, the corridors wound around, and the eaves soared high. Qi Xiang was skeptical that he wouldn't get lost without a guide.

Jiang Baiwan chuckled softly: "Surprised?"

"Yes." Qi Xiang nodded heavily.

"Normal..." Jiang Baiwan sighed: "The first time I came, I was almost dumbfounded. It took me half a day to walk around the entire Moling Mountain Villa, and my legs were numb."

Qi Xiang was amazed: "Such a large place, wouldn't it be tiring to live here?"

"Tiring?" Jiang Baiwan laughed heartily, whispering: "Brother, do you think the emperor would be tired living in the Forbidden City?"

Qi Xiang fell silent, understanding Jiang Baiwan's meaning.

No matter how large the Forbidden City was, the emperor wouldn't be tired. With enough power and wealth, everything would be well-organized, and the emperor wouldn't have to worry.

"Let's go inside and have a cup of tea." Jiang Baiwan gestured: "The host has too many things to attend to and won't come to greet us soon. So, self-reliance is the key."

A clear stream wound around the corridors, and on the side of the corridors were elegant halls.

Some halls were filled with guests, laughing and chatting; others were empty and quiet.

Jiang Baiwan, who didn't seem to like the crowd, chose an empty hall and led Qi Xiang inside to sit down. Not long after they sat down, two graceful young women entered, carrying fragrant tea and pastries on their delicate white hands.

The tea and pastries were steaming hot, fragrant, and very tempting.

After placing the items, the two young women didn't leave but stood gracefully beside them.

"Thank you..."

With people around, Qi Xiang felt a bit uncomfortable.

Jiang Baiwan noticed and smiled: "Brother, we're guests, not thieves. Don't be too stiff, relax, be at ease..."

Qi Xiang smiled, not because he was stiff, but because he was simply not used to it.

Just drinking tea, with someone serving, was not something he was used to. But to be honest, the tea was really good. The tea broth was clear, and a sip brought a burst of fragrance, leaving a lingering aroma in the mouth.

As he sipped his tea, more and more guests arrived.

Soon, the empty hall was gradually filled with people.

As soon as they entered, they chatted for a few minutes, exchanged business cards, and considered themselves acquainted. Talking about various topics, sharing a few not-so-fresh jokes, and laughing together, this was how connections were built.

Regardless of whether these connections were useful, everyone knew that those invited to the Chen family's banquet were either well-connected or powerful, and no one dared to look down on anyone.

Making a few more friends was never a bad thing.

If they met someone in business who didn't directly compete with them and could complement each other, it would be a pleasant surprise.

Qi Xiang listened from the side, watching as a few people, once they figured out each other's backgrounds, immediately became enthusiastic, eager to form a brotherhood.

The upper class seemed to follow this pattern, just more subtle and restrained.

While Qi Xiang was lost in thought, a commotion suddenly erupted outside. The noise drowned out the laughter and chatter, clearly reaching everyone's ears.

"What's going on?"

The people in the hall were puzzled and stretched their necks to look.

At that moment, the noise drew closer, and everyone saw a young man in his early twenties, with a cold expression, walking briskly, surrounded by a group of people.

Qi Xiang, with his sharp eyesight, recognized him from a distance and was somewhat surprised.

Mainly because the young man's attire was completely different from the others.

Everyone at the banquet was dressed in suits, with shiny shoes, waxed hair, and a polished appearance. Everyone was dressed formally, with no one in unusual attire.

But the young man was clearly different. He wore a long green robe, like an ancient Taoist's clothing, with a pair of cloth shoes and a silver-colored duster in his hand.

If it weren't for his short hair, Qi Xiang would have suspected he was a Taoist.

Or, was he really a Taoist?

Qi Xiang couldn't be sure, but he had to admit that the young man was very handsome. With a face like a jade crown, sharp eyebrows, and star-like eyes, he exuded a graceful and composed demeanor, with a hint of otherworldly charm.

However, Qi Xiang could also see that the young man seemed rather cold. A group of people surrounded him, smiling and flattering him, but he remained aloof, keeping them at a distance.

"That's..."

"The second son of the Chen family!"

"Oh, it's him."

Some people whispered, and with his keen hearing, Qi Xiang caught a few words and immediately knew the identity of the newcomer.

The second son of the Chen family, the second son of Chen Futu, Chen Bixue!

Chen Bixue had a cold demeanor. After a quick scan, he locked onto his target. He walked straight to this hall and, upon entering, said indifferently: "Third Brother Jiang, my father needs to see you, come with me..."

......

During the Dragon Boat Festival, while eating zongzi, don't forget to vote and support. Wishing everyone a happy Dragon Boat Festival.