The Lin family's birthday banquet was approaching.
Zhou Yi originally thought that with that calligraphy painting by Yan Zhenqing, everything would be foolproof.
But on this day, upon closer inspection,
Lin Wanru still looked somewhat worried.
Zhou Yi asked her what was wrong.
Lin Wanru sighed and replied, "It's still about the birthday banquet."
Zhou Yi was a little puzzled: "Didn't we prepare a substantial birthday gift beforehand?"
"What's wrong? Did they come up with some vicious scheme?"
Lin Wanru shook her head: "Uncle Zhao sent me another message."
"He said that Lin Guanghach will use all his connections on the day of the birthday banquet to invite influential figures from all sides to stand guard for him."
"If we don't make preparations, even if the birthday celebration is grand and substantial, he'll still overshadow us completely."
"Not to mention, the higher echelons might make other plans because of this."
"At that time, the position of family head's successor will be uncertain..."
Hearing this, Zhou Yi thought for a moment before asking,
"Lin Guanghe has connections, but you don't?"
Lin Wanru replied, "Of course I do, but I heard something."
"Lin Guanghe has enlisted the help of the major families in Dongling, almost every one of them wields considerable power, and some of them are even capable of single-handedly controlling everything!"
"My connections aren't that powerful, that's why I'm so worried."
Hearing this, Zhou Yi couldn't help but laugh.
"Single-handedly controlling everything in Dongling?"
Could the management of Dongling be compared to that of Feng Qian, the chairman of the Qianyuan Merchants Association?
Not to mention, I also have a powerful trump card.
The Li family of the Southern Province!
Not to mention Dongling, their power is immense throughout the entire Southern Province.
With such connections, there's absolutely no need to worry!
With these two cards laid out, Lin Guanghe will probably be blown to pieces!
However, using my connections to help Lin Wanru isn't impossible.
But it can't be for free.
There has to be some compensation.
For example...
So, Zhou Yi smiled and said, "Don't worry."
"I also have some connections! I'll definitely help you make the most of the situation!"
"Your connections?" Lin Wanru was a little suspicious.
This old man, though he has considerable abilities...
But in terms of connections, it seems like there's absolutely no one?
Whose connections could he possibly have?
"Tell me about them?" Lin Wanru asked.
Zhou Yi smiled: "Feng Qian, the chairman of the Qian Yuan Merchant Association, and the Li family of Nan Province!"
"What?!"
After the initial shock, Lin Wanru sighed.
"Do you know who these people are?"
"Even a small family like our Lin family, they probably wouldn't even deign to look at us."
"You, don't brag!"
Lin Wanru thought Zhou Yi was joking and didn't believe him.
Zhou Yi, however, confidently said: "You don't believe me? Then how about we make a bet?"
"If I can get them to come, you'll have to exchange ten times with me! Plus, you'll get some special patterns!"
"There's a pattern I've long wanted to try..."
Hearing this, Lin Wanru didn't take it seriously.
She smiled and said, "Okay, if you can get them to attend the birthday banquet."
"Don't say 10 times, even if it's 100 times, I'll still accompany you! But if you lose, then..."
She suddenly shook her head.
"Alright, if you lose, I won't gain anything, let's leave it at that!"
"If I really lose, I'm afraid I'll lose everything..."
"Saying that makes nothing."
Hearing this, Zhou Yi reassured her, "Don't worry, I'm as steady as... that old man!"
"And even if that happens, I'll protect you!"
"By then, we'll be the Condor Heroes! We'll roam the four corners of the world, living carefree lives!"
Hearing this, Lin Wanru laughed from the bottom of her heart.
In this world, besides her older sister,
only this old man could make her speak her true feelings.
"The Condor Heroes? Then I think you're more like that condor!"
"Haha! You guessed it right! I've identified myself as that divine condor! And a particularly large one at that!"
"...You rotten old man, you're saying such indecent things again!"
"How is it indecent? You know the exact size!"
"You stinking old man! You're despicable! Shameless! Vile!"
The birthday banquet arrived.
On the way to the banquet, Lin Wanru tried her best to appear calm, as if nothing had changed.
However, her slightly trembling hands betrayed her.
But this was understandable.
After all, today was the moment that could decide her future fate.
Seeing this, Zhou Yi couldn't help but feel pity.
So, he proactively took Lin Wanru's hand and said, "Don't be too nervous, Lin girl."
"With me here, I guarantee you'll be fine!"
Unusually, Lin Wanru didn't pull away from Zhou Yi's hand, but still turned her head away.
"Who's nervous?"
Her tone sounded somewhat dismissive.
But her grip tightened, as if she didn't want to let go.
Zhou Yi smiled, thinking to himself.
This girl's thoughts remained consistently the same, making her easy to guess.
Only when they were about to reach the banquet hall did Lin Wanru finally relax, leaving only a lingering scent and gentle warmth.
Entering the banquet hall.
The hall was packed with distinguished guests.
According to the prior arrangement, Lin Wanru took her seat at the head table of the table.
Those seated were all members of the Lin family's core hierarchy.
At the same time, there was another person.
Lin Guanghe.
At this moment, he was chatting happily with several high-ranking officials, seemingly oblivious to Lin Wanru.
Only the patriarch and Uncle Zhao and a few others showed smiles towards her.
This showed the general attitude of the upper echelons.
After a while, Lin Guanghe seemed to notice Lin Wanru, turning his head and smiling, "Oh! Cousin Wanru has arrived!"
"It's been a while since we last met, why the sudden seriousness?"
"Today is the patriarch's birthday banquet, and also my auspicious day as the heir to the patriarch's position. I should be happy!"
Lin Wanru didn't even look at him, her tone disdainful.
"Hmph, you seem to have calculated everything beforehand, huh?"
"I wonder who was the one who last time moved a rock and shot themselves in the foot, giving me that one-year order!"
"You!" Lin Guanghach was struck where it hurt, immediately losing his composure.
However, this was at the birthday banquet, and he was at the head table.
Lin Guanghach couldn't show his displeasure, and finally suppressed it.
"Fine, let's see how you make a fool of yourself in front of everyone later!"
A moment later, Lin Guanghach, unable to wait any longer, stood up and greeted the old patriarch with a smiling face.
"Grandfather, your grandson has prepared a special birthday gift for you today!"
"I hope you will like it!"
Then he waved his hand, signaling the servants to bring the item forward.
Soon, a book of calligraphy was presented.
He opened it and looked.
The calligraphy flowed like dragons and snakes, dragons and phoenixes dancing.
It looked unrestrained and free, yet possessed a certain inner grace.
It could be said to be a masterpiece of calligraphy!
Those seated upon seeing this piece of calligraphy couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
Then, someone asked, "May I ask whose work this piece of calligraphy is?"
Lin Guanghach smiled and said, "It's just a work by Zhang Xizhi!"
Zhang Xizhi?!
Those familiar with the work immediately recognized it.
"You mean, it's Zhang Xizhi, the great calligrapher of the Southern Song Dynasty?"
"That's right!"
Hearing this, some were even more startled.
"I remember there was an auction where a fragmented copy of Zhang Xizhi's Avatamsaka Sutra was sold."
"The entire work contains approximately 1400 characters, and the final price was 63.25 million, averaging 45,000 per character! It's practically worth a thousand gold coins per character!"
"Wow, even a fragmented copy is so valuable, what about his complete work...?"
"Its value must be in the hundreds of millions!"
Wow!
The crowd couldn't help but exclaim in awe.
This birthday gift is truly a rare treasure!
Even the old patriarch looked overjoyed, weighing it down repeatedly.
Lin Guanghe immediately felt smug.
He frowned, looking at Lin Wanru, then opened his mouth: "Wanru cousin, is this gift I'm giving to Grandpa acceptable?"
"I wonder what birthday gift you've prepared? Why don't you show it to us so we can assess it?"
For a moment, all eyes focused on her.
At this point, Lin Wanru felt a sense of certainty in her heart.
She deliberately sighed: "Ah, cousin's birthday gift is indeed very good, my expectations are far inferior!"
Lin Guanghach smiled and said: "Don't worry, bring it out for everyone to see!"
"Anyway, as long as it's from the heart, that's enough!"
Lin Wanru nodded in agreement: "Okay, then I'll have someone present my birthday gift!"
Then, a piece of calligraphy was presented.
She opened the calligraphy, a smile appearing on her face: "Grandpa, this is the birthday gift your granddaughter has prepared."
"The calligraphy of the great master calligrapher, Yan Zhenqing, is authentic!"
What?!
A calligraphy that can be called a national treasure, the authentic calligraphy of Yan Zhenqing?
Lin Guanghach, who was about to mock him, instantly froze.
How is this possible!