188: You are also someone important.

The "Old Mr. Feng" Sun Binghe spoke of was none other than Feng Yueshan's biological grandfather.

The Ming Family and Feng Family were once long-time family friends. During those years when Chu Changqi had a hold over Chu Yilan, the Ming Family didn't dare say a word, but Old Master Feng exerted a lot of effort in secret. He couldn't stand by and watch his best friend's grandson be completely ruined. Therefore, Chu Yilan took extra care of Feng Yueshan, not only because of their childhood friendship but also because of Old Master Feng.

Chu Yilan never forgot even a drop of kindness and held Old Master Feng in high respect.

In previous years, Chu Yilan would attend the birthday banquet whenever possible; even if he couldn't make it, he would carefully prepare a congratulatory gift.

When Chu Changqi fled to Country C and Chu Yilan was supporting Hengtai on his own, Old Master Feng saw his detached nature and lack of interest in anything. Feeling anxious, he wanted someone to accompany him, but how could Chu Yilan agree?

Now, Chu Yilan bringing Shen Lian to the birthday banquet openly and honorably fulfilled a major regret in Old Master Feng's heart.

Feng Yueshan was very well-behaved on the day of the banquet. He had been like a mischievous monkey since childhood, and Old Master Feng was his "protective umbrella." He didn't mind skipping his own birthday, but his grandfather's could not be neglected.

At dawn, the Feng family's old residence became busy inside and out. By noon, luxury cars began to arrive one after another.

Shen Lian wore a light gray suit, looking proper from head to toe. He restrained his flamboyant side, showing a transparent sense of calm and propriety amidst his beautiful and exquisite appearance.

Chu Yilan helped him out of the passenger seat. Feng Yueshan happened to be welcoming guests at the door, and his eyes widened at the sight.

Heavens! He actually saw a hint of obedience in Shen Lian.

"Oh, Teacher Shen," Feng Yueshan teased. "What a rare sight!"

Chu Yilan: "Don't know how to talk?"

"Alright, alright," Feng Yueshan beamed. "Come on, let's go sit inside. My grandfather was just mentioning you this morning."

The Feng family's old residence was a century-old manor with meticulous garden layouts and feng shui scenery. Entering from the main gate, it was a ten-minute walk to the main building. Most guests were chatting in the hall. Feng Yueshan planned to take them to the second floor, but Shen Lian stopped at the stairs and shook his head at Chu Yilan: "It's our first meeting, so it's really not appropriate for me to go up like this. You two must have a lot of heart-to-heart things to say; I'll wait for you downstairs."

Chu Yilan felt it was fine, but Shen Lian firmly refused; one must maintain a sense of propriety.

Seeing this, Chu Yilan didn't push further. He told Feng Yueshan to take good care of Shen Lian and headed upstairs to the study with familiarity.

Worried that Shen Lian would be bored, Feng Yueshan took him to see the alpacas he had carefully raised.

There were two white ones in a large open space surrounded by shrubs, looking quite cute.

At first, Feng Yueshan could still brag and chat with Shen Lian, but after a certain point, he began to check his phone frequently.

"Who are you waiting for?" Shen Lian asked.

"No one. Just checking the next arrangements. After all, my dad gave me this task. If I mess it up, my head will roll."

Shen Lian nodded.

"Young Master, there's a package for you outside," a servant stepped forward.

Feng Yueshan's expression changed slightly upon hearing this. "Shen Lian, you play for a bit; I'm going out for a moment."

"Sure, go ahead."

Ordinary couriers couldn't deliver here. Without a pass from the owner, they would be stopped by security at the gate.

Feng Yueshan walked quickly at first, then unconsciously started jogging. The servant had placed the package on the table—a square box, neither too big nor too small, in a festive red wrapping. A plain, elegant card was tucked into the silk ribbon, with the words "To be personally received by Young Master Feng" written in beautiful small regular script.

He didn't come. Feng Yueshan sighed in his heart.

Actually, he had expected it. Given that person's temperament, he definitely wouldn't attend such an occasion unless it was for work.

Feng Yueshan scratched his hair irritably. God knows what he was thinking, inviting Chen Mu to his grandfather's birthday. He still remembered Chen Mu's surprised and confused look at the time.

"I invited a lot of friends!" Feng Yueshan tried to justify himself.

"That's still inappropriate," Chen Mu said calmly. "Young Master Feng, among the friends you invited, is there anyone like me?"

The words were few, but the meaning was clear.

The same background, the same social class. Even in the entertainment industry, Chen Mu was now practically a nobody.

No matter what, attending Old Master Feng's birthday banquet with such a status was inappropriate.

Feng Yueshan felt regretful afterward. He had been too impatient. It was just that he rarely saw Chen Mu that day, and after some small talk, his brain had become heated and uncontrollable, ignoring the fact that any oversight on such an occasion would make Chen Mu very embarrassed.

What Feng Yueshan didn't know was that certain human emotions are like the wind under the eaves—seemingly quiet, but the trees can sense them.

Feng Yueshan stepped forward and opened the gift box.

Chen Mu couldn't afford anything too expensive. Besides, what he considered precious was nothing to the Feng family. However, having heard once by chance that Old Master Feng liked plants, he had managed to get a pot of purple-stamened christmas cactus within his means.

Placed in a palm-sized flowerpot, it was quietly budding.

"Young Master, do you need me to put it away?" the servant asked.

"No need," Feng Yueshan replied.

The melancholy in the young man's eyes vanished in an instant. When he reappeared before everyone, he was once again that idle, noble, and proud self.

By then, Chu Yilan had finished chatting with Old Master Feng, and they came downstairs together.

Old Master Feng was dressed in a red Tai Chi suit embroidered with the ancient character "Fu" in gold thread. Nearly ninety years old, his pupils were slightly cloudy, but a glint of sharpness remained. He was quite long-lived.

Feng Yueshan leaned into Shen Lian's ear and whispered, "My grandfather has envied it many times, wishing our family could produce a character like my Brother Chu."

Shen Lian: "Young Master Feng, you don't need to belittle yourself. You are also quite a character."

"Really?" Feng Yueshan was happy.

"Really," Shen Lian said. "After all, you're the only one who can sell out your brothers while simultaneously making Assistant Sun lose his composure."

Feng Yueshan: "..."

"By the way, don't be surprised when you see Zhou Tangsi in a bit."

Shen Lian expressed surprise right then: "He can get in too?"

"He originally couldn't, but Old Madam Zhou can. She's an old acquaintance of my grandfather," Feng Yueshan said. "After all, he was once the grandson she cherished most. Although she's satisfied enough with Zhou Tangru now, the old lady can't bear to truly cast Zhou Tangsi aside."

Shen Lian nodded; it had nothing to do with him.

When the Zhou Family was in Old Madam Zhou's hands, it was also at its peak. In fact, according to the plot, Zhou Tangsi would have annexed Hengtai and turned the Zhou Corporation into the largest leader in Qudu, but now the so-called plot had strayed ten thousand miles off course.

Old Madam Zhou wore a ginger-colored qipao with budding peonies embroidered on one side. Her silver hair was pinned up, and she was slightly hunched, but her overall temperament was elegant and magnanimous. Looking at her features, she must have been a beauty in her youth.

But no matter how she groomed herself, she couldn't hide the weariness and hardships in her eyes.

When Zhou Tangsi saw Chu Yilan, he barely managed to stabilize his emotions, but when he saw Shen Lian, a sharp light flashed deep in his eyes.