As all the guests instantly quieted down and turned their gazes towards Ying Baolin, he then said with a light laugh, "They say a man should establish his family before his career."
"But I, Ying, am the opposite! I first built a career, and only then did I remember that I'm getting old and need to settle down quickly! It's a pity..."
"The young girls in society nowadays all call me 'Uncle, Uncle,' which makes me too embarrassed to make a move on them!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the spacious living room erupted in uproarious laughter.
Without signaling for silence, Ying Baolin waited for the laughter to subside before taking Yun Jin's hand and continuing, "Allow me to formally introduce the lady beside me to everyone."
"She is the best birthday gift Heaven has bestowed upon me – Yun Jin!"
"As I approach the age of knowing my destiny, it is my honor to meet Yun Jin, a woman willing to walk the rest of my life with me!"
"Taking advantage of today's birthday celebration, I am here to officially announce that Yun Jin and I will be holding our engagement ceremony on the eighth of next month!"
"At that time, you are all cordially invited to attend my engagement banquet!"
After speaking, Ying Baolin and Yun Jin bowed together to thank the surrounding guests.
Among the guests present, apart from those involved in the underworld, most were unaware of Yun Jin's true identity, and how she managed to capture the favor of a prominent figure like Ying Baolin.
However, upon hearing Ying Baolin's solemn announcement of his engagement to Yun Jin on the eighth of next month, the guests were all surprised.
Because this was no laughing matter.
Formally introducing Yun Jin at his birthday banquet indicated that Ying Baolin was serious.
After the initial surprise, thunderous applause filled the living room.
The poor in the bustling city are ignored, while the rich in the deep mountains have distant relatives!
When a person becomes wealthy to a certain extent, no matter what they do or say, they will never be short of sycophants around them.
Take, for example, the guests surrounding me.
Without knowing the extent of the past grievances between Yun Jin and Ying Baolin, they mindlessly began to flatter him.
At this moment, I noticed Yu Shuang, who was seated at the main table, had an unusual expression.
Although she was clapping along with the crowd and had a smile on her face, I could tell at a glance that it was a forced smile.
Clearly, Yu Shuang was not offering her genuine congratulations.
To be fair, Yun Jin's strategy of feigning an attack on the open, while secretly advancing on a different path, was executed brilliantly!
Especially today's appearance, which was designed to be disgusting, inflicted unprecedented humiliation upon Yu Shuang.
However, in such a setting, she could neither stand up nor dare to provoke.
Moreover, Yu Shuang still had strong personal objectives regarding Yun Jin that had not been met.
Therefore, she could only suppress her anger.
After concisely stating the evening's main theme, Ying Baolin wasted no further words and directly announced the commencement of the feast.
Half an hour later.
As one exquisite dish after another was served, Ying Baolin and Yun Jin stood up with their wine glasses, beginning to toast each table and fulfilling all the necessary courtesies.
The atmosphere of the birthday banquet at this moment appeared very harmonious.
But I knew that all of this was an illusion.
And the sudden change in the weather outside seemed to corroborate my view.
Rumble...
Just as everyone was engaged in toasting and lively conversation, a deafening clap of thunder suddenly echoed from outside.
"The weather has changed outside! It's getting windy and it's going to rain!"
Among the guests at the table, someone uttered a remark that perfectly fit the moment.
At this time, Ying Baolin and Yun Jin, holding their wine glasses, happened to arrive at my table.
As a guest, I stood up calmly but without holding a wine glass.
Seeing this, Ying Baolin immediately smiled.
"Chen Xiang, how do you feel seeing your two former employers finally come together?"
Upon hearing this, my expression immediately turned grim.
The guests at my table, however, looked very surprised.
No one present was unaware of Ying Baolin's profession, and he had just mentioned that I had previously worked for him and Yun Jin.
In an instant, Yun Jin's identity was revealed.
Seeing my silence, Yun Jin, standing to Ying Baolin's right, suddenly asked, "Why are you speechless?"
In response, I coldly replied, "A thousand cups are not too many for a true friend, but half a word is too much for someone you don't connect with!"
"We are not of the same path, so I have nothing to say."
"Moreover, you know very well why I am here today!"
"Heh heh~" Yun Jin chuckled noncommittally and then said in a deep voice, "Since you are in a hurry to get things done, then..."
"Come! Bring the person here!"
At Yun Jin's command, Shen Lingyu and others, who had been waiting outside the door, immediately escorted two people in.
They were Xu Peiyu and Shen Mengqing!
The two women were dressed like prisoners, their hands bound tightly behind their backs, and were escorted through the entrance.
Contrary to my expectations, Shen Mengqing and Xu Peiyu had bruised and swollen faces, looking very disheveled.
It was evident that both women had been beaten.
This sudden turn of events immediately drew the attention of countless guests.
Shen Mengqing, who had some martial arts background, appeared to be in relatively good spirits, apart from looking a bit listless.
However, Xu Peiyu, upon being brought in, immediately looked at me with tears in her eyes, her face filled with helplessness and grievance.
Seeing Xu Peiyu's expression, an inexplicable rage surged within me.
My eyes turned red, and I clenched my fists, my teeth grinding audibly.
At this moment, I truly wanted to emulate the character Crow from the East Star gang and flip the table in anger.
But in the end, this increasingly intense thought was forcefully suppressed.
Taking a deep breath, my emotions gradually returned to calm.
Calm down, calm down, don't be impulsive.
This was a phrase constantly appearing in my mind, urging me to regain my composure.
After an unknown period of time.
Seeing that I could endure and refrain from losing my temper, a subtle flicker of surprise crossed Ying Baolin's eyes.
However, he was clearly prepared.
"Everyone..."
He then turned his face serious and loudly addressed the guests in the living room, "I believe everyone is very curious about who these two women are?"
"Do they have a grudge against me? On such a joyous occasion, why have I brought them here?"
"Before I explain these matters, please allow me to formally introduce someone else to you all once again."
Pausing for a moment, Ying Baolin held his wine glass in one hand and pointed at me with the other, smiling as he said, "Friends who know me well should know that the young brother beside me is named Chen Xiang."
"However, what you don't know is that before joining my ranks, Chen Xiang also spent some time working in Yun Jin's establishment."