Too Popular

"Oh right, I need to go buy myself a new set of clothes," Zhang Zhaohai suddenly muttered.

"No need, Dad." Zhang Yang shook his head and smiled. "Appropriate clothing is fine; it doesn't have to be designer brands."

Even without him saying it, Zhang Zhaohai instantly understood.

Yes.

You build up what you lack.

Do genuinely wealthy people care about proving themselves through superficial appearances? They just do what makes them comfortable.

Moreover, a Maybach S680 already says it all.

"However, we can't be completely without anything." Zhang Yang thought for a moment and took out his Vacheron Constantin, which he hadn't worn for a long time.

Even if this watch can't compare to his current Patek Philippe, it's still a world-renowned watch worth seven hundred thousand. It would certainly make his dad look good wearing it.

"A watch?" Zhang Zhaohai took it with suspicion.

He has some knowledge of quality, so he naturally recognized it as Vacheron Constantin at a glance.

"You even got Vacheron Constantin for your dad, I'll try it on!"

Zhang Zhaohai proudly showed off his wrist, putting on a Vacheron Constantin worth 700,000 yuan. Although he didn't know the exact price of the watch, he knew it certainly wasn't cheap.

After putting on the watch, Zhang Zhaohai stood in front of the mirror and looked at himself.

In the blink of an eye, the image of a middle-aged tycoon wearing a 700,000 yuan watch, driving Maybach, and owning his own restaurant emerges.

To be honest, having wealth around really does have an immediate and noticeable effect on one's demeanor.

Zhang Zhaohai nodded with considerable satisfaction.

Around noon, the family of three went out.

Downstairs, the Maybach and Cullinan parked together naturally attracted a lot of attention, especially in this rather ordinary neighborhood.

When Zhang Yang went downstairs, he could still see several passersby standing and taking pictures in the distance.

"Maybach that costs four million! And the car next to it is even more amazing, Cullinan BB?" Several young people shouted, their eyes almost worshipful and fanatical.

Zhang Yang didn't say anything.

Zhang Zhaohai suddenly stopped, looked back at the house behind him, and said something seemingly out of the blue.

"We've lived in this house for many years."

Zhang Yang knew immediately that his father had something on his mind.

Tell me, who wouldn't have some thoughts in this situation? Driving a luxury car, wearing an expensive watch, yet living in an old-fashioned apartment building? It's just too incongruous.

Luxury homes and luxury cars are inherently intertwined.

At least in upscale residential areas, driving Maybach won't necessarily draw attention.

"Dad, don't worry, everything will be alright," Zhang Yang said meaningfully.

He has already quietly taken care of everything that needed to be done.

With a villa worth tens of millions and renovations worth tens of millions, my parents can live a comfortable and privileged life in the familiar city and hometown of Yinghai.

With his parents settled in, this son naturally felt more and more at ease, whether in Magic City or anywhere else.

Zhang Zhaohai looked at his son Zhang Yang with suspicion, but said nothing or asked anything.

A moment later, the headlights of both cars flashed twice.

Several young onlookers dispersed, but didn't go far, instead standing a short distance away casting longing glances.

Zhang Yang got into his Cullinan, planning to follow behind his father's Maybach later.

Our destination later is a banquet hotel in Yinghai. The hotel is quite large, and the owner behind it is one of my father's former classmates.

"I don't think I've ever heard my dad mention this fellow apprentice before," Zhang Yang muttered to himself as he started the car.

Around 11 a. m., the two cars slowed down and arrived at the entrance of the Prosperity International Banquet Center.

People were coming and going in front of the lobby on the first floor.

Several well-dressed middle-aged men, who had just been exchanging pleasantries and shaking hands with smiles, now all turned to look at each other with shocked and surprised expressions.

There's no way around it; the Maybach and Cullinan have such a powerful presence that no one can ignore them.

"Good heavens, Maybach S680? And Cullinan? Mr. Wang, your hotel actually has guests like this?" a middle-aged man couldn't help but exclaim.

"Wait, I think I saw..." Mr. Wang, the owner of Prosperity International Banquet Center, looked at the middle-aged man who got out of the Maybach in disbelief. He quickly greeted him, temporarily stopped the small talk, and hurried to meet him.

"The ocean, it really is you!"

"Brother Wang, it's been a long time." Zhang Zhaohai got out of the car and smiled slightly.

The person who opened his arms to him was his former fellow apprentice, now the big boss of the hotel. In fact, the two hadn't had any contact for many years.

Unexpectedly, we can still feel the deep bond between fellow disciples today?

In the blink of an eye, the two shared a tight hug, and anyone who didn't know them well would really think they were best friends.

"This must be... your sister-in-law?" Boss Wang looked at Song Wenqin beside him and greeted her warmly.

Song Wenqin nodded politely.

She didn't know this Mr. Wang in front of her, but she had heard of him. He was a remarkable person who had built such a large business from scratch.

"Dad." Zhang Yang arrived late, clutching the Cullinan car keys in his hand.

"This... this..." Boss Wang stammered for a moment. He looked at Zhang Yang, who had just gotten off the Cullinan, and was a little speechless.

"Oh, let me introduce you, this is my son." Zhang Zhaohai smiled and put his arm around Zhang Yang, introducing him. "Zhang Yang, you can call him Uncle Wang."

"Hello, Uncle Wang." Zhang Yang nodded in greeting.

"Excellent, truly a handsome man." Boss Wang said eagerly, his enthusiasm reaching its peak—it was like adding fuel to the fire. "Upstairs, please, upstairs. The old man is in the Four Seasons Hall; I'll take you up."

A short while later, Zhang Yang and his family of three, led by this Mr. Wang, went upstairs.

Incidentally, we chatted and exchanged pleasantries along the way.

Zhang Yang and his mother stood behind, looking at Boss Wang standing in front of them, chatting warmly with his father as if they were brothers, and they found it amusing.

"Da Hai, after all these years, we, as fellow disciples, should have gotten closer long ago."

"By the way, is your nephew married yet? Does he have a girlfriend? My daughter just returned from abroad, how about we play matchmaker for the two young people?"

Zhang Yang listened to these words that inevitably reached his ears, and felt the almost scorching gaze that Boss Wang in front of him was casting at him from time to time, feeling somewhat helpless.

Being too popular isn't always a good thing.

Take him for example. He gets noticed wherever he goes. It's not enough that girls are interested in him; he's also noticed by all sorts of people who like to play the role of in-laws.

It's too difficult.

Four Seasons Hall, Zhang Zhaohai and Boss Wang entered together.

Facing his former mentor, now with white hair and beard, who had taught him how to make a living, Zhang Zhaohai solemnly took out a large red envelope and presented it to him.

"Good, good, Dahai, so many years have passed in the blink of an eye. Is everything alright?" the energetic birthday celebrant asked with a smile.

Zhang Zhaohai naturally went up and exchanged pleasantries.

Among those present were strangers and former fellow apprentices. At their age, everyone was shrewd and perceptive. Upon seeing Zhang Zhaohai, whom even Boss Wang treated with such seriousness, they immediately came up to exchange pleasantries.

Everyone was very polite.

Coupled with the bits and pieces of information deliberately revealed by Boss Wang, the crowd became even more enthusiastic.

Zhang Yang watched clearly from behind. In the blink of an eye, his father had collected a lot of business cards and exchanged many WeChat, making it a very fruitful haul.

"Nephew, come and see my daughter."

Zhang Yang was sitting idly, watching Zhang Zhaohai talk at length from afar. Boss Wang had somehow plopped down next to him.

"Uncle Wang, isn't this inappropriate?"

"What's wrong with that?" Boss Wang said with a big smile, pushing his phone in front of Zhang Yang.

Zhang Yang glanced at it quickly; it was a girl with a very cheerful smile.

"Uncle Wang, I have a girlfriend." He said righteously.

"It's alright, just consider it making a friend. I'm very open-minded." Mr. Wang wasn't surprised at all and kept promoting and praising his daughter.

Graduated from a prestigious university, a blank slate, virtuous and kind, etc.

"Uncle, um... I need to go to the restroom." Seeing that Mr. Wang was going on and on without stopping, Zhang Yang quickly stopped and excused himself to leave his seat.

Four Seasons Hall, the adjacent halls were all packed to capacity.

Zhang Yang strolled by leisurely, taking in the scale of the banquet hotel.

Such a large hotel may not belong to just one boss, Mr. Wang. However, even if it's a joint venture, it's still quite impressive.

He made a mental comment as he passed by a couple.

He didn't notice that behind him, a girl suddenly stopped and stared at him intently.

"Pei Xue, what are you looking at?" The tall boy followed Pei Xue's gaze and saw only a very handsome back view. He immediately asked with a hint of jealousy.

"Luo Hui, that's him!" Pei Xue held out her wrist.

Suddenly, the boy named Luo Hui realized, "The person you were talking about yesterday, that's him! What a coincidence! You wait, I'll go and get revenge for you."

Without saying a word, Luo Hui was ready to avenge Pei Xue.

Pei Xue didn't stop him, and just watched her boyfriend walk away into the distance.

The restroom was empty.

Zhang Yang came out and was washing his hands at the sink.

"Hey buddy, it's you, right?" A burly guy suddenly appeared from the side.

Zhang Yang stopped in his tracks, looking around in surprise.

There's no one else here.

"Are you... talking to me?"

"It was you, the one who laid a hand on my girlfriend yesterday, right?" Luo Hui said coldly. "What do you mean? A grown man laying a hand on a girl, trying to make yourself look good, huh? You try laying a hand on me and see what happens?"

Zhang Yang suddenly realized.

Understanding the other party's intentions, he didn't pay any attention to it or take it seriously. He simply glanced at the boy in front of him and then turned to leave.

"Hey, did I say you could leave?" Luo Hui blocked his way, glanced at the empty bathroom, and his eyes began to flash with a malicious intent.

"Excuse me." Zhang Yang glanced back, following his gaze.

"Let your mom..." Luo Hui began, reaching out to grab Zhang Yang's collar and shoving him into the bathroom.

Zhang Yang looked up at the hand and instinctively grasped it.

"Then let's shake hands."

Zhang Yang clasped his hands together and, without thinking, began to tighten his grip.

Creak, creak!

"Ouch... ouch!" Instantly, Luo Hui's expression changed drastically. He felt as if his hand was being squeezed by some kind of machine, and a huge sense of panic washed over him.

It's as if if he doesn't stop, his hand might really turn into a lump of mud.

"No, are you crispy? I didn't even use any force, okay?"

Zhang Yang released his grip and glanced at the other person's limp, bright red palm, which seemed a little strange.

In all honesty, he was only using a very slight amount of force.

The other person didn't reply; instead, they crossed their arms, squatted down abruptly, their back heaving as they screamed in pain.

Zhang Yang shook his head and left.

Inside the restroom, guests came and went in a steady stream.

They saw this grown young man squatting on the ground, his eyes filled with tears, and they had no idea what had happened.

He wouldn't answer when asked, he just kept shaking his head.

After an unknown amount of time, the figure slowly stood up, shakily took out his phone, and painstakingly dialed a number.

"Hey bro, are you free at noon? Call a few guys from the boxing gym for me. Yeah, I got messed up, come help me get revenge."

After a long while, he put down his phone and went to the pool to wash his teary eyes thoroughly.

Until... nothing unusual is visible.

At noon, the banquet began. Zhang Yang sat down with his parents and glanced at the Maybach car keys that his father had casually placed on the table.

"Come, come, let's all, fellow disciples and our families, come together to pay our respects to the old man. May his happiness be as boundless as the Eastern Sea and his longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountains."

Everyone at the table stood up, raised their glasses, and toasted the old man.

The old man raised his glass with a happy smile, his eyes full of satisfaction.

Not long after they sat down, the fellow apprentices started drinking and boasting.

Although they hadn't seen each other for many years, Zhang Zhaohai integrated into the group much faster than Zhang Yang had expected. For a moment, he couldn't tell if it was truly a deep bond between fellow disciples or something else entirely.

"Come on, Dahai, let me toast you. Let's keep in touch more often in the future."

"Hey Dahai, I was wondering why you've been so quiet and low-key all these years. Turns out you've made a fortune, haven't you? You're even driving Maybach now. Wow, let me see, your Vacheron Constantin must be worth seven or eight hundred thousand, right?"

"Huh...?" Zhang Zhaohai quickly gave Zhang Yang a shocked and questioning look.

Zhang Yang nodded slightly.

Zhang Zhaohai's wrist twitched almost imperceptibly, but immediately afterwards, his posture became even more upright, and his expression became even more radiant.

"Yes, more or less."

"I'm ashamed to say, this watch I'm wearing is completely unpresentable," Mr. Wang sighed, noticing Zhang Yang's watch from afar.

"Hey, nephew, your watch is quite nice too. May I borrow it from your Uncle Wang?"

"Sure, take a look." Zhang Yang casually took off his Patek Philippe watch and handed it to Boss Wang.

"Wow, Patek Philippe?" Mr. Wang didn't know the specific model, but he recognized Patek Philippe. He praised it highly and took several short videos of it.

He had just mentioned this to his daughter on WeChat, and she was still a little skeptical.

Perfect timing, I'll take a picture of this watch and show it to my daughter.

After all, they've lived abroad, so their experience is definitely much better than theirs.