Chapter 291: Farewell Banquet
Yan Liming quickly spoke up. "Don’t worry, Uncle Xiao. I’ll contact Young Master Mei in a little while. I will definitely help you solve this problem."
Hearing this, the surrounding people immediately started showering him with flattery.
"Liming has really made something of himself! To think he’s on such good terms with Young Master Mei. The Vice Class President really knows how to raise a child!"
"Look at Liming, and then look at our own kids... sigh."
"Old Li, don’t feel too bad. At least we have the Class President’s son, Cheng Yuan, to be at the bottom of the pile."
...
Listening to the crowd’s whispers, Cheng Hongbing and Wu Xiuli looked quite displeased. Cheng Yuan, however, was unbothered. He was currently considering how he could prevent Xiao Yating from falling into this trap.
After thinking it over, Cheng Yuan could only come up with one solution: expose Yan Liming ahead of schedule.
Just as Cheng Yuan was mulling it over, his phone rang. *Bzzzt bzzzt.*
Cheng Yuan took out his phone and saw it was a call from Shen Jiangnan. He gave the elders an apologetic look, then stood up, walked to a corner, and answered.
"Uncle Shen, what’s up?"
"Xiaoyuan, my farewell banquet is tonight. I’ve sent you the address. You should come. Before I leave, I want to pave the way for you here in Luocheng and introduce you to some friends."
"Okay, I’m on my way."
After hanging up, Cheng Yuan once again looked apologetically at the elders.
"Something very important has come up, so I have to leave early. I’ll treat all of you to dinner next time."
Xiao Ziqiang nodded in understanding, gesturing for Cheng Yuan not to worry about it.
The other elders were smiling, but inwardly they were full of scorn. ’An ex-convict, what important business could he possibly have? Isn’t he just leaving because he can’t compare to Yan Liming and is too embarrassed to stay?’
「 」
Shen Jiangnan’s farewell banquet was held at the Lanke Clubhouse.
After Bai Jiangbo’s arrest, the Lanke Clubhouse was seized by the authorities. It had since become an exclusive venue for officials’ dinners and gatherings.
The banquet wasn’t large; Shen Jiangnan had only invited the top figures from various sectors.
Shen Jiangnan’s direct subordinates were there, as were wealthy businessmen from Luocheng.
Shen Jiangnan had even, for the first time ever, invited a kingpin who operated in the city’s gray areas.
This kingpin was slightly more powerful than Bai Jiangbo. Having seen what happened to Bai Jiangbo, he was desperate to get into Shen Jiangnan’s good graces.
By the time Cheng Yuan arrived at the banquet hall, everyone was already seated.
After all, it was the City Lord’s farewell banquet. No one dared to be late.
Well, Cheng Yuan was late. He’d had trouble hailing a cab, and then he got stuck in traffic.
Shen Jiangnan was seated at the head of the table. To his left was his daughter, Shen Manwen, while the seat to his right was empty. The various magnates secretly wondered who this final, yet-to-arrive VIP could possibly be.
’Could it be the next City Lord?’
Amidst the magnates’ hushed discussions, Cheng Yuan walked into the banquet hall and looked apologetically toward Shen Jiangnan. "Uncle Shen, I’m so sorry—"
Shen Jiangnan smiled, stood up, and waved enthusiastically to Cheng Yuan. "Xiaoyuan, come over here! Sit with me!"
The magnates all turned to look, their eyes filled with curiosity. ’Who is this young man?’
’For the City Lord to treat him with such courtesy?’
A few of the magnates who had attended the auction recognized Cheng Yuan, and knowing looks appeared on their faces. This was supposedly a top-tier young master from the Provincial City; the City Lord’s courteous treatment made perfect sense.
Mei Xing’an and Mei Chao gave Cheng Yuan a friendly smile. ’I didn’t expect to see Mr. Cheng today.’
Those who didn’t recognize Cheng Yuan quickly made inquiries. Upon learning of his background, their eyes lit up with eagerness.
The kingpin from the gray area was especially desperate. ’If I can build a relationship with a top-tier young master like him, my future prospects will be much brighter.’
Cheng Yuan didn’t refuse Shen Jiangnan’s kind offer and walked straight to his side.
Shen Jiangnan put an arm around Cheng Yuan’s shoulders and introduced him. "This young man’s name is Cheng Yuan, and I think of him as my own son! Everyone here is family. After I’m gone, I hope you’ll all look after Xiaoyuan!"
Everyone laughed.
"Don’t worry, City Lord! We’ll treat Young Master Cheng just like we treat the Young Miss!"
Cheng Yuan picked up his glass and looked around the room.
"To the leaders and presidents here tonight, I was late, so I’ll drink this as a penalty."
GULP. Cheng Yuan drained the glass in one go.
The various officials and presidents all smiled warmly.
"Young Master Cheng, you’re too formal. We’re all friends here."
"Well said, Young Master Cheng! A man like you is a friend worth making!"
...
After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, it was time to mingle. The magnates moved about, networking and strengthening their connections.
The kingpin from the gray area approached, raising his glass to Cheng Yuan with utmost respect.
"Young Master Cheng, my name is Gao Qingyuan. I’m the chairman of Qingyuan Mining."
Cheng Yuan’s pupils constricted slightly. He had spoken with Wu Mengyao before and knew some of the rumors about this man.
In Luocheng, the day belonged to the City Lord, but the night belonged to Qingyuan.
In the mining districts, it was said that the mere mention of Gao Qingyuan’s name could stop a child from crying.
"President Gao, you’re quite the formidable figure. Your reputation precedes you."
Gao Qingyuan gave a wry smile. "Me, formidable? Hardly. I heard that Young Master Cheng had a hand in Bai Jiangbo’s downfall. I’m just asking you to go easy on me. Qingyuan Mining is willing to give you ten percent of our shares, no strings attached."
Qingyuan Mining was worth tens of billions. Ten percent of its shares amounted to billions! It was an absolutely staggering offer.
Cheng Yuan replied calmly, "President Gao, you’re well-informed. But you don’t need to worry. Bai Jiangbo fell because he kidnapped my sister. As long as you don’t harm the lives and property of the people of Luocheng, there won’t be any problems."
Gao Qingyuan quickly gave his assurance. "Young Master Cheng, I, Gao Qingyuan, am a legitimate, law-abiding businessman. I just want to run my business properly. We live in a society governed by the rule of law; no one would dare to commit crimes!"
Cheng Yuan smiled faintly. "Hold on to those shares for now. I have a piece of land that’s currently under development. If it’s convenient for you, President Gao, perhaps you could build a few schools there. Education is of the utmost importance; it’s about the next generation."
"Rest assured, Young Master Cheng. I will certainly build an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school to the highest possible standards. If conditions allow, I’ll even build a university."
"Let’s forget about the university. My plot of land isn’t that large in total. If we fill it all with schools, I’ll lose a fortune."
"Don’t worry, Young Master Cheng. I won’t use your land. The schools I build will be situated around your property. I guarantee I won’t encroach on it in the slightest."
Cheng Yuan nodded in satisfaction. "That would be excellent."
Gao Qingyuan asked with a smile, "Young Master Cheng, both of our names have ’Yuan’ in them. Why don’t we use it to name the schools? We could call them the ’Yuanxi’ schools—Yuanxi Elementary, Yuanxi Middle, and Yuanxi High. What do you think?"
The corners of Cheng Yuan’s mouth tilted up slightly. ’This Gao Qingyuan is quite thoughtful.’
"That works. Let’s do as you suggest, President Gao."
"Young Master Cheng, could we exchange numbers?"
"Sure. It’s 185-XXXX-XXXX. Same number for WeChat."
Gao Qingyuan quickly saved Cheng Yuan’s number and added him on WeChat.
Cheng Yuan leaned back slightly.
Gao Qingyuan took the hint and quickly took his leave. "Young Master Cheng, I’ll treat you to dinner some other time. I insist you do me the honor of coming."
"Mm."
After Gao Qingyuan left, Mei Chao found an opportunity to approach. "Brother Yuan, long time no see! We have to have a few drinks tonight."
Cheng Yuan happened to have something to discuss with Mei Chao, so he raised his glass with a smile. "Alright. I definitely owe Xiaochao a few drinks."
Cheng Yuan drained his glass. Just as he was about to bring up Self-Improvement Decoration with Mei Chao, Mei Chao’s phone suddenly rang.
Mei Chao glanced at the caller ID. ’Yan Liming?’