Ye Longlin could see that the Third Elder was playing the bad cop, while Elder Murong was playing the good cop.
They were both subtly probing him, one with a stern demeanor, the other with a gentler one.
"Qinglong, bring out what I brought," Ye Longlin said slowly. Qinglong turned and walked over with two plastic bags. The contents weren't anything particularly extravagant, but they were difficult to obtain and not available on the market.
A pack of Blue Panda cigarettes appeared before everyone, along with a bottle of wine in packaging that wasn't fancy, even a bit crude.
These were what he had brought.
Upon seeing the pack of cigarettes and the bottle of wine, the Third Elder let out a cold sneer. "Heh, I thought it was something high-class. Just these two items, as if anyone couldn't get them. I say, Ye Longlin, even if you want to get our attention, you don't need to bring such shabby things.
Indeed, we've seen too many high-end items. If you want to catch our eye, this isn't how you do it. Give these two things to a dog, and it wouldn't even sniff them. Do you really think of us as a rundown motel?"
The Second Elder nodded in agreement, looking at the items on the table with disdain. "Murong Yuhan, is this the boyfriend you found? Can't you find someone who at least looks presentable? With him like this, it's really embarrassing. To think he'd present something that costs less than a hundred yuan."
Mu Hanqi's smiling face instantly turned grim upon hearing the two elders' taunts. She cast a cold glance at them and spoke sternly,
"Am I the princess, or are you? Is Murong Yuhan a name you can call? Should I, as your princess, deal with you according to family rules? If it weren't for Grandpa asking you to join us at the table, what right would you have to blabber on here?
And you dare to mock my boyfriend? What are you people? I am the main lineage, and you are all branches! Do you think becoming an elder makes you untouchable? Do you believe I won't investigate what you've been up to over the years and submit it to the Dragon Investigation Bureau and the Town Martial Division tomorrow?"
Within the Murong family, the main lineage held absolute control over the family!
Just as Mu Hanqi said, if Grandpa hadn't asked them to sit at the table, they wouldn't have been qualified to do so!
So why were they here now, spewing nonsense?
Mu Hanqi was generally good-tempered, but even the best-tempered person has their limits. Though she appeared gentle and meek in front of Ye Longlin, she was capable of shouldering great responsibilities when the situation demanded it.
In a relationship, a dynamic of need and being needed is what endures forever.
When the woman is weak, the man feels the need to protect her, and it's under this concept that the relationship can last longer.
This was also what Zhao Qian had taught her.
Murong Renjing looked at Mu Hanqi with a helpless expression. He was quite perplexed, perhaps not expecting Mu Hanqi to defend Ye Longlin so fiercely.
"Dad, this is a treasure."
Murong Hongjun's breathing quickened as he looked at the pack of cigarettes and the bottle of wine, swallowing hard.
"Even when I was in the capital, I drank this wine no more than three times, and smoked this cigarette no more than three sticks. These are truly priceless items, beyond market value."
He then looked at Ye Longlin expectantly, his eyes even showing a hint of pleading. "Can I open it?"
Ye Longlin chuckled, "Of course."
It was precisely because he knew Murong Hongjun was back that he had brought these items. With his experience in the capital, he would surely recognize what these two things were.
Elder Murong was also curious, his interest piqued as he watched Murong Hongjun eagerly unpack the cigarettes.
"Very precious?"
Murong Hongjun paused his movements, a helpless smile on his face. "More than precious. In the capital's wealthy and powerful circles, people have secretly driven up the price of a pack of these cigarettes to fifty million yuan. Even so, not a single pack of Panda cigarettes has ever been leaked.
I remember in the first half of this year, a single cigarette from this pack circulated in the playboy circles, costing ten million yuan per puff... People who smoke these aren't doing it for money, but to buy face with their money."
"You speak so highly of it, it has certainly piqued my interest. What's the origin of this cigarette and wine?" Murong Renjing asked, quite curious.
The fact that people in the capital were like this had indeed sparked his curiosity.
"High-level special supply."
"..."
Seeing that Murong Hongjun still had more to say, Elder Murong raised his eyebrows and turned to Mu Hanqi, "Take young friend Ye around the house."
It was clear that Elder Murong and Murong Hongjun had something to discuss.
No one present was foolish; they all rose to leave.
Mu Hanqi finally had time to be with Ye Longlin, and she appeared very happy.
As they left the table, Mu Hanqi directly took Ye Longlin's hand and walked through the family estate.
Murong Renjing watched their retreating backs, a twitch at the corner of his mouth. You're holding hands right in front of me, do you really think I don't see it!
But that wasn't important right now. What was important was what Murong Hongjun knew.
"What do you mean? Does this Ye Longlin have a significant background? Does he hold some weight even in the capital?"
Recalling his gaze, Murong Renjing turned to his son, who had surpassed him, and asked.
Murong Hongjun shook his head, "Dad, if you listen to me, don't interfere with Murong Yuhan's matters. Let them develop freely. I know Ye Longlin's true identity. I can say this, if you say you like this cigarette and this wine, he can get you several boxes of them in minutes."
"..."
Murong Hongjun fell silent. With his status in the capital, he could say such a thing, which clearly indicated that the matter was not that simple.
"What exactly is his identity?"
At this moment, Murong Renjing finally realized that Ye Longlin's identity might not be simple. If it were that simple, he wouldn't have said such a thing.
Murong Hongjun paused, his expression complex. "Dad, his identity is truly not simple. Let me put it this way, even in the capital, his identity is enough for him to wield immense power. Even in the capital, he stands at the top of the food chain."
"I cannot tell you his specific identity, but I want to say that if we can form a marital relationship with him, it could even lead to further advancement for the Murong family!
He is still so young, and his future path is long. Who knows what position he will reach? Moreover, who do you think the true power elite in the capital is? Him! In this country, he is unparalleled!"
Murong Renjing fell silent.
At this moment, the butler rushed in again, his face looking very displeased.
"My Lord, the Hongmen are launching a massive attack and have pushed to the banks of the Jinling River. They are about to reach our doorstep!"