To build momentum for the engagement ceremony of Huangfu Weixia and Wei Qianyuan, the Huangfu and Wei families jointly extended invitations, reaching out to prominent figures from nearly the entire Dragon Triangle, spanning various sectors.
Even Qin Linhai, the head of the Eastern Sea branch of the Martial Department's Eastern Army Corps, and Ye Wentao of the Military Department's Eastern Theater were among the invitees!
Regarding the invitation to Ye Wentao, in addition to Old Master Wei personally extending the invitation, Wei Qianyuan also invited him through Ye Rui.
Since Ye Rui took office in Donghai, Wang Zhisheng had been guiding Ye Rui in connecting with the elite youths of Donghai. Among them, Wei Qianyuan and Huangfu Yingjun had grown increasingly close to Ye Rui.
On one hand, the Wei and Huangfu families were the pillars of Donghai's political and business circles respectively. On the other hand, Wei Qianyuan and Huangfu Yingjun were both capable and promising young individuals.
The former, at just over thirty, was governing a district in Donghai and was hailed as a rising star in the Southern Hemisphere's political arena. The latter was recognized as one of the leading figures among the younger generation in Donghai and even the Southern Hemisphere's business world.
They were worthy of friendship.
This was Ye Rui's belief.
Two days later, on the evening before the engagement ceremony of Huangfu Weixia and Wei Qianyuan, Wei Qianyuan hosted a gathering at a top-tier private club in Donghai for Ye Rui, Huangfu Yingjun, and Wang Zhisheng.
The club was located on the Bund, Donghai's most prosperous area, on the top floor of a sky-scraping building. From the club, guests could overlook the entire nightscape of Donghai.
At seven o'clock, the small banquet officially commenced.
"Qianyuan, congratulations!"
Ye Rui raised his glass, proposing a toast to Wei Qianyuan.
"Thank you, Brother Ye. It's a great honor for our Wei family to have Uncle Ye grace us with his presence!"
Wei Qianyuan immediately raised his glass in thanks, his words carrying a double meaning.
Ye Wentao currently held the third position in the Eastern Theater Command and was one of the most favored candidates to be the future leader of the Ye family.
Such a status made him a true magnate, even in Yanjing, far surpassing the status of Wei Qianyuan's elders.
To have such a significant figure attend Wei Qianyuan's engagement was naturally a great honor for Wei Qianyuan.
"You're too kind, Qianyuan."
Ye Rui smiled slightly, enjoying Wei Qianyuan's flattery. However, he understood that Ye Wentao's willingness to come to Donghai for Wei Qianyuan's engagement ceremony was primarily because the Ye family wished to court the Wei family. Secondly, they aimed to poach talent from the Martial Department – to recruit Huangfu Weixia into the military after her graduation!
Huangfu Weixia's talent and achievements in the martial arts domain made her an absolute standout among the younger generation of martial artists.
With the reforms in recent years, special departments like the military and police forces could recruit martial artists, and these two departments had repeatedly tried to poach talent from the Martial Department.
"Qianyuan, from now on, we are truly family!" Huangfu Yingjun also raised his wine glass, saying with a smile.
"Haha, brother-in-law."
Wei Qianyuan, uncharacteristically relaxed, laughed heartily and clinked glasses with Huangfu Yingjun.
"Qianyuan, your engagement ceremony with my sister tomorrow can be said to be the most spectacular engagement in Donghai and even the Dragon Triangle in recent years. But there's one regrettable thing." Huangfu Yingjun finished his drink and spoke again.
"What's regrettable?"
Wei Qianyuan asked, a hint of confusion in his voice.
Ye Rui and Wang Zhisheng also looked at Huangfu Yingjun with surprise.
"My father originally intended to invite that Jiang Wuming to your engagement ceremony, but he refused. Otherwise, I would have loved to humiliate him in person!" Huangfu Yingjun explained, a look of regret on his face.
He had a previous conflict with Jiang Wuming at Huangfu Weixia's birthday banquet, where he had spoken disrespectfully of Jiang Wuming's parents and was slapped by Jiang Wuming.
Afterward, Chu Wansong strongly supported Jiang Wuming and sold a 30% stake in a lithium mine in the southwest to the Huangfu family, resulting in substantial profits for them. However, Chu Weiyang remained resentful about the incident and had been looking for an opportunity to retaliate.
"There's something like that? That's truly regrettable. Otherwise, we could have seen that scumbag Jiang Wuming looking so miserable!"
Wang Zhisheng was stunned at first, then also felt a sense of regret.
Compared to Huangfu Yingjun, his hatred for Jiang Wuming was even more intense – Jiang Wuming had crippled one of his hands at the Longlan Hotel!
Driven by that hatred, he had traveled thousands of miles to witness the fight between Jiang Wuming and Tiger, hoping to see Jiang Wuming severely injured or even killed by Tiger. Instead, he witnessed Jiang Wuming creating a new legend in the global martial arts world!
"Heh… At least he has some self-awareness this time, knowing he's not worthy of appearing at such an occasion."
Ye Rui sneered.
He had been very displeased with Jiang Wuming's visit to his father, Ye Wentao, back then. The incident at the Longlan Hotel had escalated his dislike and aversion towards Jiang Wuming into outright animosity!
"A wise man knows when to act. He seems to have quickly grasped the four-character maxim I gave him." Wei Qianyuan also sneered.
"What four-character maxim?"
Huangfu Yingjun and Wang Zhisheng both asked in unison.
Ye Rui also looked at Wei Qianyuan with confusion.
"When Weixia was undergoing her final day of treatment in Renguo, I, along with Uncle Huangfu, went to Renguo to bring Weixia out of the hospital, and we both met with Jiang Wuming."
Wei Qianyuan said with a smile, "I introduced myself to Jiang Wuming and gave him four words: 'Bao Guang Yang Hui' (conceal one's brilliance and bide one's time)."
"So that's it!"
Ye Rui, Huangfu Yingjun, and Wang Zhisheng all smiled.
"Not only that, Uncle Huangfu told Jiang Wuming that day to stay away from Weixia from now on. And according to Uncle Huangfu, Jiang Wuming has been deliberately avoiding Weixia since returning from Renguo."
Wei Qianyuan said this, then glanced at Ye Rui with a smile, "Just as you said, Brother Ye, he has some self-awareness!"
"Hahaha..."
As Wei Qianyuan finished speaking, laughter filled the private room, laced with mockery!
It was their ridicule of Jiang Wuming, and the condescension of the privileged towards the low-born.
...
At the same time.
In another private club in Donghai, catering more to women.
Huangfu Weixia and Chu Weiyang also met privately.
To be precise, Chu Weiyang had specifically returned from Yanjing to attend Huangfu Weixia's engagement ceremony.
"Weixia, I heard your father also invited Brother Wuming to your engagement ceremony with Wei Qianyuan tomorrow. Is that true?"
Chu Weiyang asked, taking a sip of red wine.
She had learned this news from Chu Feng after returning home and was quite shocked. She had wanted to ask Huangfu Weixia immediately but decided to wait until they met.
"What?!"
Huangfu Weixia was unaware of this. Upon hearing Chu Weiyang, her face was filled with shock.
"You… you don't know about this?" Chu Weiyang was taken aback.
"He used Teacher Wuming once, and now he wants to use him again? He's utterly despicable!"
Huangfu Weixia replied, not directly answering the question.
Outsiders did not know Huangfu Qing's intentions, but Huangfu Weixia was crystal clear.
As soon as she finished speaking, Huangfu Weixia, without waiting for Chu Weiyang's reply, picked up her phone and dialed Jiang Wuming's number.
"Teacher Wuming, did my father invite you to the engagement ceremony tomorrow?"
As soon as the call connected, Huangfu Weixia asked directly.
"Mm."
Jiang Wuming first confirmed, then added, "However, I refused."
"Teacher Wuming, please go tomorrow." Huangfu Weixia's words were astonishing.
"Why?" Jiang Wuming sounded surprised.
"I want them to regret it to their guts in front of you!"
Huangfu Weixia was furious, wishing the engagement ceremony would commence immediately.
...
ps: First update, more to come tonight.