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Chapter 681: Chapter 585: All are Big Shots (Please Subscribe!)_1
Unafraid of Chai Guoqiang’s sharp gaze, Tang Qing stands his ground.
He jokes casually about the proverb, ’if looks could kill.’
It’s something he would know a thing or two about. With his mental telekinesis at its current stage, his abilities have undergone extensive improvement. To be honest, his strength is such that numbers no longer carry meaning.
What more for a ’mere mortal’s’ gaze?
If he were to truly let loose, he may not be able to guarantee pregnancies just by staring, but the deep-rooted fear ingrained into genes would enough to scare the piss out of anyone.
"Nice to meet you, Uncle Chai," Tang Qing greets politely with a nod of his head.
He recognises Chai Guoqiang’s face from frequently seeing him on TV in his former life. Although he is not yet one of the elders, he soon will be. If he recalls correctly, Chai is slated to hold the position in the next term.
On such an occasion, it’s best to keep things short.
Chai Guoqiang hums an acknowledgment, smiling admirably, "Likewise, Little Tang. An impressive young gentleman you are. Sit down first. We can chat at length later."
Tang Qing understands Chai’s motion and replies, "Okay, carry on with your work. Young Master Chai, Sister Zhan, we will head in first."
"Alright, Xiao Chun, guide Boss Tang’s party to table nineteen," orders Chai Ren. A young man in his twenties who belongs to a collateral lineage of their family stands to lead the way. All of today has been set aside for fist-hand experience.
Shortly thereafter,
Under Xiao Chun’s guidance, they arrive at Table 19.
At large gatherings such as this, the seating arrangements are very particular. Dignitaries and businessmen are segregated on both sides of the hallway. As for those of different status, there is no question of sitting at the same table.
When they arrive at their table, it was already partially occupied. When Tang Qing and his companions join, the table is filled up. Since Tang Qing doesn’t know anyone there, he busies himself with peeling melon seeds for Lin Jiaxue, one after another, which she has to eat.
A waiter promptly pours tea for them. A smile remains plastered on her face, careful not to offend the esteemed guests with an unattractive smile.
Although Tang Qing seems uninterested,
Liu Qian, being a businessman, is aware of the significance of the attendees. Therefore, he enthusiastically exchanges business cards with his fellow table occupants, who entertain the same idea.
More friends mean more opportunities.
The Chai family is hosting a grand wedding.
Those who can attend are bound to have significant connections. Regardless of their influence in the outside world, everyone maintains their composure in the reception.
Looking at the stack of business cards he’s received, Chai Ren is stunned.
Wow.
They are the big shots from central enterprises, wielding important resources. They are top leaders or deputy leaders. They differ from the businessmen he had initially thought they were.
Liu Qian warms up to them immediately. Although these big shots are working in public institutions, they hold an administrative ranking equal to that of provincial leaders in certain aspects. Not to be looked down upon.
However, Tang Kai isn’t as enthusiastic.
He just maintains a polite smile, glancing at Tang Qing and Lin Jiaxue’s affectionate display. His eyes reflect the concern of an elder for the younger generation. He even starts to consider what wedding gift would be appropriate for Tang Qing.
Observing Tang Qing and Tang Kai’s indifferent demeanor, the central enterprise big shots are taken aback. They’d thought that the men held high positions and didn’t bother to interact with the rest. Therefore, they handed out their business cards attentively.
Tang Kai reciprocates the gesture with a gracious smile, offering his business card in return.
Tang Kai’s business card isn’t necessarily anything special - merely made from a unique Thai timber. But when combined with a variety of adjusted rubber and certain metal powders through a particular process, it becomes a rare item generally found only in Southeast Asia - and not in abundance, at that.
Sensing a fragrant smell of the timber,
And seeing the partial gilding, one could easily estimate the cost of a single card to be no less than three hundred RMB.
"Thailand’s Kaihua Jewelry Group’s Chairman?"
Brows furrowed with confusion, the central enterprise leaders don’t recognize the name. After all, the world is so big and they’re not from the jewelry industry. Thus, they don’t comprehend its significance. They decide to stow the cards away for future investigation.
However, anyone privileged enough to sit here is far from simple. Chai Ren’s seating adjustments are most certainly deliberate. With the likes of Chai Guoqiang and the Zhan family’s members present, misallocation could result in a slight to important guests. Those allowed to sit here are verified as equal in status, endorsed by both families.
As a result,
In a short while,
Close to noon,
The waiters start to serve dishes.
The hall is now completely occupied. Engrossed in their fruitful conversations, they seem to thoroughly enjoy each other’s company. Tang Qing observes Chai Ren and the others entering a side hall. It seems the ceremony is about to begin.
As predicted,
Very soon.
A host walked onto the stage. Tang Qing took a look, and wow, it was really the professional host Wan’er from CCTV, Yan Song. Tang Qing enjoyed listening to his news broadcasts.
It was time.
The wedding finally began.
The whole venue suddenly fell silent.
"Honored guests, esteemed leaders..."
The introduction was turned into a leadership welcome meeting, it was a long spiel that wasn’t particularly outstanding, but was formal enough. Tang Qing listened, while considering who he should hire as a host for his future events, should he invite Yan Song?
He was torn.
But there was still plenty of time to think about it.
The proceedings weren’t particularly lively, many of the older generation were present, and it was already quite impressive that they could accept a Western-style wedding. Many traditional elements of Western weddings had been omitted, and this was the standard procedure for weddings of this caliber.
Too many big shots.
The mindset of the older generation had to be taken into account, it wasn’t appropriate to be too trendy.
After the exchange of rings was the lengthy process of toasting each table. The guests started eating, and Tang Qing promptly gave Lin Jiaxue a piece of purple potato cake. They started eating it, oblivious to the others around them.
Liu Qian really envied the casual way Tang Qing and his nephew were acting. Unfortunately, he couldn’t afford to be so relaxed. His business was primarily in the domestic market, and he had to engage with these people; the more friends, the more paths you have.
He was helpless. Despite his age, he still had to go around being obsequious, sigh...
Quickly.
The toasting queue came to Tang Qing’s table.
Oh boy, a sea of people. So many people. No, so many people blocking the drinks.
Upon seeing Tang Qing and his group.
Chai Ren out of character, filled up a whole cup with Baijiu. Luckily it was a small cup; otherwise, he couldn’t handle it.
"I’ll take this cup." Chai Ren told the big shot next to him.
His big brother looked astonished; Chai Ren only had a full drink at a few tables, those with senior members and top executives from different provinces. He only sipped a little at the others’ tables and let them substitute for him.
Looking over the guests, he recognized several big shots from state-owned enterprises, but he didn’t have any special relationships with them. Could it be those new faces at Tang Qing’s table? Yes, it must be.
Chai Ren’s action.
Put Tang Qing and his group in the spotlight.
"Congratulations..."
"Happy marriage..."
"..."
Several big shots from state-owned enterprises were very enthusiastic, full of sloppy greetings. Tang Qing didn’t join in the chaos, only raising his glass with a smile after they had finished: "Chai Ren, congratulations. Baijiu does not taste good. Just take a sip for the sentiment... besides, you can always drink the fruit wine."
Seeing Chai Ren ready to down his drink in one go, Tang Qing kindly advised.
Baijiu.
Tang Qing truly didn’t think it was good to drink.
Tang Qing’s casualness caused the surrounding people to look at him with new eyes. Those who could speak like this must be close friends.
"Haha, Little Tang has a point, but everyone else is drinking Baijiu, it wouldn’t be right for me to drink fruit wine. Unless everyone drank fruit wine, but I’m afraid that’s too much to ask. I wouldn’t want to impose on your uncle." Chai Ren laughed heartily.
Fruit wine had indeed become a luxury product, more expensive than vintage Baijiu, not because it was unaffordable, but because it was hard to come by.
Tang Qing was silent.
Chai Ren wanted to extort some fruit wine.
"If only you’d told me earlier, I could’ve made arrangements. But for now, you should stick to Baijiu." Tang Qing played innocent.
Chai Ren was slightly disappointed. If Tang Qing had agreed, he would have a chance to secure some stock. So, he said, "Alright, Baijiu it is. But you have to promise me, when it’s your wedding, I want to drink enough of that fruit wine. Don’t be stingy."
"No problem, it’s unlimited," Tang Qing immediately promised. How much ever he wanted, he could get. At this moment, many people started guessing that this man must be the distributor of the fruit wine.
Their eyes were shining.
There were too many guests, Chai Ren couldn’t stay for long. After his father had entertained a few big shots from state-owned enterprises, Chai Ren raised his glass, said a few words, then drank it all.
After the toast. 𝔫𝖔𝔳𝔭𝔲𝔟.𝖈𝔬𝔪
The large group of people moved onto the next table. Members from both the Chai and Zhan families were eyeing Tang Qing’s table curiously. Being able to receive such attention from Chai Ren was not simple. They made a note to ask around.
"Tang Tang, have you finished the wine at your villa? Do you want me to send over some more?" Tang Kai whispered as he approached.
"No need, I still have so much. It’s enough to last me until the end of the year." Tang Qing shook his head. He wasn’t drinking it like water; there’s no way he would be able to finish the dozens of boxes that quickly.
"Alright then, just let me know if you ever run low," Tang Kai said.
"Yes."
Tang Qing felt like he was constantly being asked if he was warm enough when he went out. But since it was a sign of affection, he felt warmth.
The following banquet became lively. One after another, big shots from state-owned enterprises came to exchange business cards. There were also some domestic business leaders at the next table over, and Tang Kai received quite a few invites. Tang Qing himself received quite a few too.
But he didn’t have a business card. They only knew his name.
They were all planning to investigate what kind of family the Tangs were when they returned home.
