Chapter 32

As the guests gathered, the birthday banquet was about to begin.

Lu Fang walked into the hall and glanced at table number ten where Lu Li was standing, slightly surprised.

She saw Lu Li standing in front of the table, a faint smile on his lips, chatting with two middle-aged men. From their postures and expressions, Lu Li appeared at ease, while the other two were formal and serious, seemingly centering around Lu Li.

As the eldest daughter-in-law of the Liu family in Haicheng, Lu Fang naturally recognized the two men: Xue Weiguo, the chairman of Haiblue Group, and Liang Zhenbang, the chairman of Xingyu Group.

These two groups were among the top ten private enterprises in Haicheng, well-known even throughout Liaoning Province, and were on par with the Liu Group. If it weren't for the Liu Group's connections through Liu Desheng, they might have been overshadowed.

Not only them, but all the guests at the nearby tables who recognized Xue Weiguo and Liang Zhenbang were surprised and amazed, with Lu Li at the center.

Perhaps only Lu Li himself felt normal. He hadn't expected to see both of them, and even Liang Jun. If he had known Liang Jun was coming, he wouldn't have needed to send a car to pick him up.

After chatting with the two men for a few moments, he noticed Liu Desheng appearing and smiled, saying, "The birthday boy is here, you should go over early!"

"Alright," Xue Weiguo nodded slightly, somewhat respectfully, "We've collected most of the new herbs, but the hundred-year-old wild ginseng is extremely rare, it might take a few more days."

"No problem, let me know when you've collected them all."

"Then we'll go ahead."

Seeing Lu Li nod, Xue Weiguo and Liang Zhenbang turned and walked towards table number two. Clearly, their status in Haicheng was quite high.

Lu Li sat down, secretly glad he had followed Li Haijian to sit here.

If he had been at the same table as Xue Weiguo and the others, he was sure it wouldn't have been easy. After all, Xue Renzhi had been very strict, leaving them somewhat wary.

When Xue Weiguo and the others left, Li Haijian let out a long breath.

He quickly moved closer to Lu Li, his face full of surprise, and said, "Brother, you're amazing! You actually know these two." Then he glanced at Xia Ming with a strange look and said sarcastically, "Some people are just too full of themselves. A toad wanting to eat a swan, I think it's more like a prince and a princess."

Liang Zhenbang and Li Haijian's father were of the same generation, with similar strength, let alone the more influential Xue Weiguo. In front of them, Li Haijian didn't dare to speak out of turn.

Behind Lu Li, Shen Muching heard Li Haijian's words, her small ears twitched, and her cheeks turned slightly red.

"Humph."

Xia Ming snorted coldly, his expression uncertain.

After a moment, he suddenly stood up and went to another table with his minions.

As soon as Xia Ming left, Liang Jun moved to Lu Li's side and asked curiously, "What's up with that guy?"

"Who knows, maybe he thinks I'm more handsome!" Lu Li shrugged.

"You?!"

"Ha ha, the banquet is about to start, let's talk later."

Lu Li laughed, completely ignoring Liang Jun's disdain.

Only now did Lu Li realize how powerful the Liu family was.

At table number one, all the guests were distinguished elders, with only two middle-aged men. If he wasn't mistaken, those two were the leaders of the Liaoning Provincial Committee.

At table number two, the guests were either billionaires or the mayor and party secretary of Haicheng. The top two figures in Haicheng didn't even have a place at table number one, which gave an idea of the Liu family's influence.

Xue Weiguo and Liang Zhenbang were at table number two, but Xue Weiguo's position was just below the mayor, while Liang Zhenbang was almost at the end.

Lu Li was quite skeptical that if it weren't for Xue Lan's sake, Liang Zhenbang, as a mere businessman, might not even have a seat at table number two.

"Things are really complicated! It's better here."

As the banquet began, watching the guests at the first few tables sit stiffly and formally, Lu Li felt a bit awkward for them. As for himself, sandwiched between Liang Jun and Li Haijian, he felt no restraint at all.

Li Haijian was witty and humorous, Liang Jun kept toasting, and the waiters were constantly serving tea and wine. He didn't have to do anything, just listen to Li Haijian's monologues and drink with Liang Jun, enjoying a god-like experience.

At table number ten, all the guests were young people, with status similar to Liang Jun and Li Haijian. Initially, they were somewhat dismissive of Lu Li, but after Xue Weiguo and the others walked around, they quickly realized their mistake and immediately treated Lu Li as one of their own.

With a group of young people of similar age and wealth, the atmosphere was very harmonious, especially without someone like Xia Ming to spoil it.

"Come, let's toast."

Lu Li raised his glass and toasted, having never drunk so much since recovering his past memories. However, it felt pretty good, which was evident from his expression.

After a few rounds of drinks and a variety of dishes, Liu Zhongtian, representing Liu Desheng, toasted, and the banquet soon drew to a close. Many guests began to leave, and even Xue Weiguo and Liang Zhenbang said their goodbyes to Lu Li.

Although no one at table number ten had left, they had stopped drinking, and it was estimated that after a few more words, they would be ready to go.

Liang Jun clinked glasses with Lu Li, drank it all in one go, his cheeks turning redder, but his eyes remained clear. The others were also very measured; despite drinking a lot, none of them were even slightly tipsy.

"Lu Li, I'll toast you."

Hearing the voice behind him, Lu Li stood up and saw Shen Muching holding a glass of juice, looking shyly at him.

Liang Jun's eyes twinkled, and he teased, "Shen Muching, how can you toast with juice? That's not sincere at all!"

"Exactly, exactly. Lu Li has had a lot, switch to wine," Li Haijian chuckled, looking mischievous.

Shen Muching's face turned red, she glanced at Lu Li, her teeth biting her lip, looking troubled.

"Get lost." Lu Li glared at Liang Jun, raised his glass, "Alright, I'll drink this."

Just as he was about to drink, Shen Muching stopped him, took the glass from his hand, and whispered, "I'll drink one, you drink two."

Liang Jun and Li Haijian exchanged glances, and before the waiter could refill the glasses, they quickly picked up their own and handed them to Lu Li, saying in unison, "Lu Li, what are you waiting for?"

"I—"

Lu Li's lips twitched, but seeing Shen Muching's expectant face, he had no choice but to take both glasses.

"Clank."

The three glasses clinked together, Shen Muching lowered her head and slowly finished her drink, her already rosy face turning even redder.

Lu Li sighed inwardly and drank both glasses in one go.

"Good."

"Again."

Liang Jun and Li Haijian called out simultaneously.

Encouraged by the two, Shen Muching, blushing, hurriedly left.

Lu Li glared at them angrily, "One bottle each, no leaving until you finish."

"Ah!"

Liang Jun and Li Haijian were stunned.

One bottle each, that was like a death sentence!

Fortunately, Lu Fang's arrival saved them from their predicament. She walked up to Lu Li, smiled, and said, "The old man wants to see you."

***

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