After arranging lodgings for Li Xinge and the others, Zheng Lingjun excused himself and went to greet the other guests.
At noon, an elder of the Zheng Family came to invite Li Xinge to the VIP Hall for the luncheon.
Everyone who could dine in the VIP Hall was a powerful figure from Baihe County.
And Li Xinge was undoubtedly among the very top tier.
Seeing him arrive, everyone rose to greet him, and Li Xinge responded to each of them in turn.
Only one person remained sprawled sideways in his chair, narrowing his eyes at Li Xinge without the slightest reaction.
Li Xinge naturally knew this person. He was an old "acquaintance" of the Li Family—the head of the Baibo Song Clan, Song Tianbo.
The Baibo Song Clan was the family that had joined forces with the Mangshan Su Clan at the very beginning to kick the Li Family while it was down.
Later, when he had fallen out with the Su Family, the Song Family had not made the slightest move.
Li Xinge guessed that the Song Family wanted to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight, waiting for the Su and Li Families to suffer mutual losses so that the Song Family could reap the benefits as the fisherman.
He simply had not expected the Su Family to lose so quickly...
Since Song Tianbo was unwilling to show him any respect, Li Xinge naturally would not give him a pleasant look either.
He directly ignored Song Tianbo's cold, sinister gaze and walked straight to the seat that belonged to him.
The Zheng Family's seating arrangement was rather interesting. His seat was at the upper position on the left.
Li Xinge did not hesitate and took his seat.
Seeing Li Xinge sit down, everyone's expressions began to turn somewhat strange.
As for Song Tianbo, his face grew as black as charcoal.
Seeing everyone's reactions, Song Tianbo felt as though their silence was a voiceless mockery.
He could not hold back any longer. With a cold snort, he sneered, "The younger generation these days really doesn't understand the rules. Relying on a little strength, they actually want to climb above our heads."
He had expected everyone to echo him and condemn Li Xinge, but instead, the hall fell utterly silent.
Song Tianbo could not help feeling awkward, and his face instantly flushed crimson.
The people present were no fools. Song Tianbo was plainly trying to drag them into the water and make them offend Li Xinge. But they had no deep enmity with the Li Family, so they certainly would not fall into Song Tianbo's trap.
To offend someone over something that brought no benefit was nothing but stupidity.
Everyone who could sit here was a shrewd old fox.
Li Xinge shot him a glance. Under ordinary circumstances, if anyone dared provoke him, even if that person were the head of the Baibo Song Clan, he would not be polite.
But today was Zheng Lingjun's birthday feast, and Li Xinge had to give him face.
However, if Song Tianbo pushed his luck, then he could not blame Li Xinge for what followed.
At this moment, Song Tianbo was already in an awkward predicament.
He had originally wanted to borrow the strength of everyone present to embarrass Li Xinge.
He had not expected all these old fellows to be afraid of this brat from the Li Family.
Just as he was caught between a rock and a hard place...
The timely appearance of the host gave Song Tianbo a way out.
"The family head has arrived!"
Everyone present rose to their feet.
Surrounded by a group of Zheng Family elders, Zheng Lingjun walked in from the rear of the hall.
"We pay our respects to the Zheng Family Head. May your fortune be as vast as the Eastern Sea and your longevity as great as the Southern Mountains!"
Zheng Lingjun smiled and returned their salute.
"Distinguished guests, please sit."
Everyone took their seats.
Zheng Lingjun sat in the place of honor and lifted a cup of wine.
With a radiant smile, he said, "The fact that all of you distinguished guests could come to attend my birthday feast is an honor for me, Zheng Lingjun. I'll toast everyone first."
"Everyone, drain your cups."
With that, he cheerfully drained the fine wine in his cup.
Everyone raised their cups and drank heartily.
After finishing his cup, Zheng Lingjun filled another. "As for this second cup of wine, I want to dedicate it to one of my friends who is much younger than me."
"A friend who is much younger?"
Everyone was puzzled at first.
But soon, Zheng Lingjun cleared up their confusion.
Holding his wine cup, he rose to his feet.
Looking at Li Xinge, he said with a smile, "This 'friend who is much younger than me' is the new family head of the Green Maple Li Clan, Li Xinge."
"I believe all of you have long since heard my young friend's great name until it rings in your ears."
Everyone burst into laughter and chimed in one after another.
"The Li Family's Kirin Child—who in Baihe County doesn't know his name? He is a prodigy the likes of which Baihe County sees only once in a century."
"Family Head Lu is right. Ever since I was young, I have lamented that such a Kirin Child was not born into my Yuan Family."
"Family Head Li has shown that the waves behind drive on those before, and we old fellows are deeply impressed."
In this instant, it seemed as if Li Xinge were the true protagonist of today's birthday feast.
"To have met this worthy younger brother is an honor for me, Zheng Lingjun."
The moment he said this, everyone present could not help drawing a sharp breath.
This Zheng Family Head, whose power towered over Baihe County, actually thought so highly of Li Xinge that he was willing to lower himself so far to befriend him.
After today, I'm afraid...
The fact that the Li Family had formed a good relationship with the Dongjiang Zheng Clan would spread throughout Baihe County.
With the Dongjiang Zheng Clan supporting Li Xinge, the Li Family would indisputably become Baihe County's second-greatest family.
For a moment, everyone's gazes toward Song Tianbo held a hint of schadenfreude.
At this moment, Song Tianbo's face was flushed crimson, and the qi-blood within his body was already churning violently.
Unfortunately, Zheng Lingjun was someone he could not afford to offend.
At the same time, he cursed Zheng Lingjun inwardly. To befriend a young prodigy, he had thrown away all dignity and was practically licking his boots.
Could he not understand that once Li Xinge matured, the first thing he would threaten was the status of the Zheng Family?
Unable to offend the Zheng Family, Song Tianbo pinned this humiliation on Li Xinge instead.
One day, he would repay today's humiliation to Li Xinge, principal and interest alike.
"Worthy younger brother, please drain this cup."
Zheng Lingjun raised the wine cup in his hand toward Li Xinge.
Li Xinge truly could not understand Zheng Lingjun's attitude.
He and Zheng Lingjun had met only once. Why was this Zheng Family Head, whose power towered over Baihe County, being so enthusiastic toward him?
When something abnormal happened, there was surely a demon behind it.
A trace of wariness quietly arose in Li Xinge's heart.
Still, one did not strike a smiling face, and Li Xinge naturally would not reject goodwill outright.
Besides, befriending the Zheng Family would bring the Li Family only benefits and no harm in its current situation.
Thinking this, a smile also bloomed across Li Xinge's face.
He lifted his wine cup. "Elder brother, please!"
"Worthy younger brother, please!"
The two exchanged a smile and drained the fine wine in their cups.
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