Chapter 180: Chapter 172: Sky-High Betrothal Gift
Not only do the younger generation of the Xia Family view the newly arrived QQ car this way, but even the guests beside them are all looking at that silver-white QQ car. It’s not that the Xia Family doesn’t have any poor relatives; it’s just that most of them have arrived by around five o’clock. Those arriving at this time are basically the Xia Family’s business partners or notable figures from Yanjing.
Moreover, they don’t recognize this particular QQ car at all, which is why they find it strange.
Many people are stopping to see who the owner of this car really is, coming at such a time and driving such a car, indeed not afraid of losing face.
Xiao Lin’s original intention was actually to be low-key. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have modified his car to look like a regular QQ car. Xiao Lin is afraid of trouble and people accusing him of flaunting wealth, but he forgot something very important. Although the Xia Family isn’t as prominent as the Four Great Families of Yanjing, they are also well-known in Yanjing’s high society, especially with Elder Xia reaching the venerable age of eighty. In Huaxia tradition, an eighty-year-old birthday celebration is quite grand, with many old friends and acquaintances coming from home and abroad to congratulate him.
In such an occasion, especially with people arriving at this time, they are all notable figures from Yanjing, driving cars that aren’t below a million. So, as soon as Xiao Lin arrived in front of the Xia Family villa, he couldn’t be low-profile even if he wanted to.
"Looks like I made a huge mistake!" Xiao Lin realized just how wrong he was as soon as he got out of the car. Typically, his low-key demeanor wouldn’t attract attention, but now he forgot the context. The Xia Family, despite everything, is also a prominent family in Yanjing. How could the specifications and level of the celebration for Elder Xia’s eightieth birthday be low? Especially the guests arriving at this time are either rich or noble.
As Xiao Lin stepped out of the car, he could feel the eyes of people around, able to see him from here, almost all focused on him. Some were even excessively taking out their phones to take pictures of him, practically treating him like a major celebrity.
Luckily, Xiao Lin isn’t thin-skinned; with only a slight loss of composure, he walked towards the villa’s entrance with his head held high and chest out. And wherever Xiao Lin passed, many people quickly made way for him; they wouldn’t dare to mock him like this.
Xiao Lin’s attire matched his QQ car quite well. Despite the clothing’s brand being world-famous, anyone who can afford an outfit worth tens of thousands would definitely not drive a QQ car worth a few thousand. Hence, they concluded his clothes were cheap flea market goods, costing two to three hundred at most.
As Xiao Lin stepped out of the car, the younger generation of the Xia Family welcoming guests at the door looked over here. No one recognized Xiao Lin. A thirty-something young man was the leading figure among the Xia Family younger generation here. Seeing Xiao Lin getting out of the car, although he didn’t show any expression of dislike, he still frowned slightly and asked other young members: "Do you know him? Who invited him?"
Normally, the people coming to wish Elder Xia birthday greetings might include young people, but they are mostly from Yanjing’s young aristocrat circle, somewhat familiar faces. However, no one has seen Xiao Lin before, and looking at his attire, who on earth would recognize this rarity?
"So handsome!" Two other Xia Family ladies didn’t answer the young man’s question. When looking at Xiao Lin, they automatically ignored his taste in clothing, only thinking this young man was too handsome.
Xiao Lin, walking over, basically attracted all the attention from outside, no matter whether male or female. Of course, many girls, upon seeing Xiao Lin this way, were staring at him intently. It’s rare to see such a handsome, yet very masculine man.
Originally, there were still about ten people outside the villa who hadn’t gone in. Seeing Xiao Lin getting out of the car and walking over, they backed away or stood and watched to see what background this young man has.
Xiao Lin quickly got his mindset right, directly walking to the villa entrance, smilingly nodding to the Xia Family younger generation welcoming guests. Although Xia Liang and the others didn’t know Xiao Lin’s background, since he came to the Xia Family at this time, he should have an invitation card. They also bowed slightly to Xiao Lin, expressing their thanks. As Xiao Lin was about to go in, the lead figure among the Xia Family younger generation, Xia Liang, suddenly spoke: "Sir, good day, may I ask for your invitation card?"
Usually, Xia Liang wouldn’t ask others for their invitation card; they’re all notable figures, and showing up is face-giving to the Xia Family. But Xiao Lin was different; no one knew where Xiao Lin came from. Without an invitation card and not bringing any gift money, Xia Liang couldn’t help but stop him.
Xiao Lin was stunned. Just now, in the car, he saw several people going in with only a slight nod to the greeters and exchanging a few niceties could enter.
As for the invitation card, he truly didn’t have one.
"Invitation card?" Xiao Lin was flabbergasted, having not considered this matter at all. Of course, Xiao Lin knew what an invitation card was; these past few days have been so busy that he forgot. Initially, he planned to return to the Xia Family with Xia Xue, so he never thought about the invitation card issue.
"Yes, please show your invitation card!" Xia Liang suddenly became a bit vigilant, knowing that although in such a scenario, no one would dare to harm the Xia Family, prevention is necessary. Who knows if opponents of the Xia Family might use this opportunity to cause trouble for Elder Xia’s big birthday?
Xiao Lin couldn’t be thick-skinned to this extent; his face turned slightly red with embarrassment. He smiled awkwardly and said, "Well, Xia Xue invited me over. Maybe she forgot to give me an invitation!"
"Xia Xue?" Xia Liang looked at Xiao Lin, and then said indifferently, "My friend, I’m really sorry, but without an invitation, I’m afraid I can’t let you in!" Xia Xue is supposed to get engaged to Fatty Wang today, so why would she invite such a young and handsome man to Grandfather’s birthday? Xia Liang had heard enough about Xia Xue’s past reputation to assume that Xiao Lin was an ex-boyfriend or similar, so naturally, he wouldn’t let him in.
"You really do meet people of your own kind!" a woman standing slightly behind said coldly, noting that he didn’t even bring a gift to the celebration.
Just then, a dazzling red Lamborghini sports car stopped, and a young man got out. He walked leisurely toward the villa entrance. Xia Liang, upon seeing him, enthusiastically rushed up to greet him, "Young Master Qi, you’re so late, you’ll have to drink a few extra cups later!" He paid no further attention to Xiao Lin.
Xiao Lin found himself in an awkward situation, unable to either enter or retreat. Watching Xia Liang warmly greet the man, with no request for an invitation, but seeing the man produce a large red envelope from his pocket just before entering, he politely said, "Just a small token, nothing much!"
Xiao Lin felt deeply embarrassed at this point, realizing that it was because he hadn’t prepared a gift that he was asked for an invitation.
Once the young man went inside, Xiao Lin felt even more embarrassed, understanding why they had stopped him. Without an invitation or a gift, and with no one knowing him, allowing him entry would indeed be strange.
Reflecting on it, Xiao Lin realized it was his oversight and couldn’t blame anyone. Yet, on him was hardly any cash, maybe just two or three hundred bucks. Today was not only Elder Xia’s eightieth birthday but also his own engagement ceremony with Xia Xue. He couldn’t afford to let others look down on him.
At this moment, people around looked at Xiao Lin differently. Initially, they thought he was pretending to be humble. Seeing Xia Liang stopping him from entering and realizing he hadn’t offered any gift, they understood this wasn’t an act; he was genuinely "humble" to the extent that the host wouldn’t even let him in.
As soon as Young Master Qi had taken a few steps inside, an emcee behind the Xia family’s juniors announced loudly, "Qi Yuanqing, gift amount eighty-eight thousand, eight hundred and eighty-eight!"
Xiao Lin followed the voice, only to see a computer and a payment machine at the gift table, operated by professional staff. Whether delivering checks or cards, they could quickly announce the gift amounts.
Reassured by this, Xiao Lin thought it was fine since cards could be used. More people exchanged pleasantries with Xia Liang and entered, none giving less than ten thousand, the lowest being sixteen thousand, eight hundred and eighty-eight.
Xiao Lin took out the Huaxia Bank Purple Gold Card from his pocket and approached Xia Liang again. Just as he was about to speak, Xia Liang spotted a woman accompanying a couple over and went to greet them, saying, "Uncle Liu, you’re here!" He then looked at Liu Xuan beside them.
This woman was Liu Xuan, whom Xiao Lin had met briefly when she was with Xia Xue one evening. She wore a stunning black long dress with flowing long hair.
Beside Liu Xuan stood a middle-aged couple. The man was tall and handsome with a dignified presence, and the woman looked just barely over forty, slightly shorter than Liu Xuan but equally elegant.
The Liu couple weren’t quite wealthy, but Liu Xuan’s mother was the sister of Hua Qingyi’s mother. Liu Xuanzhi had, through this connection and his own abilities, become the Deputy Mayor of Yanjing City four years ago, a position significant enough for the Xia family to pay attention. Soon an over-fifty middle-aged man, who resembled Xia Yusheng, came out to greet them; he was Xia Liang’s father.
After some pleasantries, Xia Liang’s father led Liu Xuanzhi’s family inside. At this moment, Liu Xuan heard her name being called, "Miss Liu!" Strangely, others seemed not to hear and continued on.
Liu Xuan looked back and saw a very handsome and charming man standing five or six meters away, smiling at her. He seemed familiar, but after a moment of searching her memory, she realized he looked only vaguely familiar. Such a handsome man would’ve left an impression if they had met, but Liu Xuan couldn’t recall, so she pointed at herself confusedly.
This man was none other than the extremely embarrassed Xiao Lin, who, seeing Liu Xuan’s reaction, finally felt relieved. (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)