Reunion

"Xie Tian, I finally understand why Old Master Xie always wants to beat you up. You're practically begging for it." Seeing Xie Tian's expression, Chen Jiayao could not help teasing him.

"Get lost, get lost. What do you mean by that? A handsome, dashing man like me exudes an endearing charm from head to toe. How am I anything like what you said?" As Xie Tian spoke, he swung his fist at Chen Jiayao.

Chen Jiayao hurriedly dodged, shouting as he did, "There, there, there! Look at that face of yours. All you do all day is brag about yourself."

"Oh, stop arguing, you two," Fang Jisheng said. "Old Xue, I think you should go see him. Old Master Xie is a truly learned man. Aren't you planning to invest? You could ask him for advice."

"Don't be fooled by how unreliable Xie Tian is. The Xie Household's connections are still extensive. Since Old Master Xie personally named you, he probably wants to befriend you as well," Qin Zhou advised from the side.

"Don't underestimate yourself either. You came out of this stock market storm unscathed and made a huge profit. There's no way to keep something like that hidden." A mysterious smile appeared on Fang Jisheng's face.

"All right. By the way, A-Tian, does he like anything? I can't exactly go empty-handed, can I?" After speaking, Xue Chen seemed to think of something and asked.

That question stumped Xie Tian. "Other than liking to beat me up, my old man has no other hobbies."

Xue Chen: "..."

Fang Jisheng burst into laughter. "Old Xue, don't listen to his nonsense. Old Master Xie is a very learned man. I heard from my dad that his greatest pleasure is tea. Just get him some decent tea leaves and give them to the old man."

"Uh... that's true. The old man usually likes drinking tea, but he's always wanted to try some tea from Wuyi Mountain. But you know how tense the relationship between Fragrant Island and the mainland is right now," Xie Tian said helplessly.

"Hehe, I happen to know a tea estate. I heard their tea is shipped in from the mainland, and the quality is quite good. Hasn't your old man asked about it?" Fang Jisheng asked.

"He did, but things haven't been very stable lately. The old man doesn't want to cause them any trouble." Xie Tian shrugged.

"I happen to have what your old man wants." Xue Chen's words shocked everyone.

"You do?" everyone cried in unison. They truly had not expected Xue Chen to possess the fine tea Old Master Xie wanted.

"It was one of my father's treasured collections." Xue Chen nodded.

"Would your dad agree?" Xie Tian asked.

"My dad passed away some time ago. He and my mother died in a car accident." Xue Chen's mood dimmed as he spoke. "If they were still alive, I don't think I would have come to Macau."

"Old Xue, you should keep that tea. It doesn't matter what my old man drinks," Xie Tian tried to persuade him.

"It's fine. My dad still had several boxes of it. Giving it to Old Master Xie can be considered finding a kindred spirit for my father." Xue Chen spoke firmly. In truth, when he found his father's collected belongings, he had also learned that many of his parents' possessions had been taken away by people from the Xue Household. He was no longer as attached to them as before.

"All right, thank you." Xie Tian said no more, silently accepting Xue Chen's favor. Though he and the old man always went against each other on the surface, he would generally find a way to obtain anything the old man liked.

Xue Chen smiled and shook his head. "No need to be polite."

"All right, we're all friends. Old Xue, does that tea need packaging? I know a few craftsmen who make gift boxes," Chen Jiayao asked.

"No need. Don't waste money on that. The old man only likes the tea's flavor. He actually dislikes overly elaborate packaging. I'm afraid once he drinks it, he'll start grumbling about some damn packaging. More importantly, he'll think it was my idea," Xie Tian said.

Thus, when Xue Chen entered the Xie Household carrying his gift, he received an enthusiastic welcome from everyone in the Xie Household. Compared with the scheming and intrigue of other Lineages, the Xie Household was full of harmony.

"Xiao Chen, thank you so much for setting my unfilial son straight." A middle-aged woman in a cheongsam smiled as she held Xue Chen's hand. Then, upon seeing Xie Tian standing behind him, her face darkened. "Why aren't you going to pour the tea?"

Xie Tian: "..."

Reunion

"This is Mr. Huo. You must have heard of his reputation. He is extremely famous on Hong Kong Island," Old Master Xie introduced.

"Hello, Mr. Huo." Xue Chen smiled and nodded, indicating that he knew of him, though inwardly he was surprised. From news reports in his previous life, he knew the influence this Mr. Huo held on Hong Kong Island. Though he kept a lower profile than other wealthy men, countless tycoons and important figures on Hong Kong Island treated the Huo Household with more than mere courtesy—with genuine respect.

Mr. Huo saw that Xue Chen was respectful without appearing servile. Instead, he carried himself with an air of noble elegance and steadiness. A smile appeared on his face as well, and he extended his hand. "I've heard much about you. Your exploits in the stock market were still being talked about some time ago."

Xue Chen politely shook his hand. "You flatter me, Mr. Huo. Compared to you, my little achievements are nothing."

Seeing Xue Chen shake hands with Mr. Huo and observing his natural demeanor, Old Master Xie nodded in satisfaction.

Though the Huo Household kept a low profile on Hong Kong Island, its influence was immense. They were no ordinary wealthy family; their wealth and influence were beyond what ordinary people could imagine. They truly held the reins of the global economy.

The reason he had invited Xue Chen to this banquet was, first, because he had a close relationship with the Huo Household, and second, because he wanted to use this opportunity to help Xue Chen establish a good relationship with them.

"Old Xue, come over here. I'll introduce you to a few friends." Xie Tian appeared from nowhere and directly grabbed Xue Chen's hand. Ignoring his old man's expression, he pulled him away.

Old Master Xie watched Xue Chen's departing back for a few moments before turning to Mr. Huo. "Why did only you come to the banquet today? Does your father look down on my banquet?"

Hearing this, Mr. Huo smiled slightly. "Of course not. Please don't misunderstand. It's just that my father wanted this unfilial son of his to come out first tonight and hold the fort, so I arrived ahead of him. Please don't take it to heart and throw me out."