Chapter 145
In the original story, Jiang Han was Jiang Yifeng’s senior sister—a formidable woman with great ability and tactics.
She seized complete control of the entire Jiang family in less than three months, expanding the family’s influence further. Even with his foreknowledge, facing a woman like this, Lin Tian knew he had to take her seriously.
Whether Jiang Han became the female lead later in the story, Lin Tian wasn’t sure. By the time she appeared, he was too frustrated with the plot to continue reading.
With Jiang Han appearing so early in the timeline now, Lin Tian had no idea what this woman might do.
Based on the earlier plot changes, it seemed that Jiang Han had come to “clean up Jiang Yifeng’s mess.” However, Lin Tian was not very familiar with Jiang Han’s personality. Since Jiang Han was entirely absent from the original story at the Xuan Yuan family’s event, Lin Tian had no way to predict how Jiang Han might alter the plot.
I just hope Jiang Han doesn’t stir up any trouble…
Lin Tian sighed softly, pushed open the banquet hall doors, and stepped inside with Ji Xin.
The moment Lin Tian entered, four or five women—including Shang Chan, Zhao Mengmeng, Xuan Yuan Qingya, and Bai Bing’er—immediately turned to look at him.
At that moment, Lin Tian wondered if he had somehow become the center of attention in the entire banquet hall.
This wasn’t the first time he’d felt this way. At previous banquets and in the hospital ward, his only thought had always been the same: I just hope these women stay quiet and don’t cause me any trouble.
If there was something to discuss, wouldn’t it be better to talk about it privately in a room?
Fortunately, Shang Chan, Zhao Mengmeng, and Xuan Yuan Qingya knew that Lin Tian didn’t want to draw attention, so they merely watched without taking action.
However, the moment Xuan Yuan Qingya saw that Lin Tian had walked in with Ji Xin, her eyes narrowed instantly.
Not confronting Ji Xin earlier was one thing, but trusting Lin Tian was another. Seeing the two of them walk in together still left a bitter taste in Xuan Yuan Qingya’s heart.
In a way, human emotions truly were beyond one’s control.
Although the women were already highly conspicuous and their simultaneous gaze toward the banquet hall entrance attracted some attention,
Fortunately, Lin Tian had Ji Xin by his side…
…
As the only daughter of the Ji family, Ji Xin was on the same level as Jiang Han by every measure.
Compared to most people in the banquet hall, Ji Xin’s status was undeniably more exalted, meaning that Lin Tian went almost entirely unnoticed while walking beside her.
Jiang Han, who had just entered the banquet hall through a side door, also fixed his gaze on Ji Xin.
Relieved, Lin Tian lowered his voice and said to Ji Xin, “Why don’t you mingle with the others? I’m hungry and will find a place to get some food.”
Inwardly, he thought,
[It’s a good thing Ji Xin is here with me. Otherwise, with Shang Chan, Zhao Mengmeng, Bai Bing’er, and Xuan Yuan Qingya all staring at me, there’s no way I wouldn’t attract attention. Ugh! Why have there been so many chaotic banquets lately? I can’t skip the ones that heavily impact the plot, but showing up almost guarantees that I’ll be noticed.]
[Speaking of which, is Ji Xin the type to stir up trouble?]
Ji Xin heard Lin Tian’s voice. Just as doubt flickered in her eyes, his inner voice echoed in her ears.
She smiled faintly, understanding his desire to avoid drawing attention.
She gave a gentle nod and said,
“Go ahead. I’ll come find you when I get the chance.”
“Alright.”
The banquet reached its peak when Jiang Han, Ji Xin, and the elderly patriarch, who was pushed in a wheelchair by Xuan Yuan Xing, made their appearance.
Xuan Yuan Xing stood at the front of the stage and raised her hand with a smile. The banquet hall instantly fell silent.
“Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend my uncle’s birthday celebration. My grand-uncle has reached the venerable age of ninety-two this year, and I’m sure he’s delighted to see you all here. Now, please enjoy the meal and each other’s company. If you need anything, please speak with any member of the Star Group.”
After Xuan Yuan Xing finished her brief opening remarks, the elderly gentleman, Xuan Yuan Shang Yi, raised his hand and said with a smile,
“Seeing so many people come to celebrate my birthday before I pass on is enough for me in this lifetime. Please, everyone, make yourselves at home.”
Feng Jiu stepped forward from the front and chuckled softly as he spoke.
“Great-grandfather’s blessings and longevity are boundless. You should naturally live to be one hundred and fifty. My father couldn’t make it due to other matters, so he asked me to deliver this birthday gift on his behalf. Please, Elder, accept it with a smile.”
It was a common custom among powerful clans to present birthday gifts, which often symbolized a family’s sincerity, heritage, and strength.
Of course, only those with close ties would offer truly precious gifts.
Feng Jiu brought a jade carving of a longevity pine as a birthday gift. While the material itself wasn’t rare, the carving’s size was a true testament to the craftsmanship that went into it. Clearly, this was a sincere gift.
The old patriarch accepted it with a smile and a nod.
Next came the gifts from Zhao Dongyun, Bai Ze, Li Siyi, and others.
Although Xuan Yuan Xing had mentioned in the invitations that gifts were unnecessary, it was only natural to observe such courtesies since they were guests in someone else’s home.
The heads of several prominent Licheng families all presented birthday gifts of considerable value.