135. President Qian Extends a Personal Welcome

It was past four o'clock the following afternoon when Qian Qingping arrived in person to pick up Chen Fengyun. Dressed in sportswear, Chen Fengyun looked just like an ordinary college student; those who didn't know him would have no idea who he was.

"Brother Qian, sorry to trouble you with this trip," Chen Fengyun said with a nod as he got into the car.

"Mr. Chen, my grandfather has been talking about you constantly, urging me to come and get you," Qian Qingping said with a wide grin.

As a member of the Qian family, he would usually have been extremely reluctant to act as a chauffeur for anyone else. But for Chen Fengyun, he was more than happy to do so. Although he wasn't at Chen Fengyun's level, he knew that by maintaining a good relationship with him, he might be able to call upon his help if he ever encountered trouble in the future. It was common knowledge that because he was on good terms with Chen Fengyun, Elder Qian looked at him differently, and even his uncles no longer treated him like a child—a fact that left his cousins green with envy.

"Brother Qian, I imagine there will be quite a crowd at the Elder's birthday celebration?" the two chatted as they drove.

"Yes, people from many families in the capital will attend, along with plenty of the younger generation. For us, these parties are mostly about socializing, while the older generation, like my father, will use the time to discuss business," Qian Qingping replied.

"I have two friends named Geng Chunming and Xu Dalin. Do you happen to know them?" Chen Fengyun suddenly remembered the two college friends he had met in Yunnan.

"Mr. Chen, you know 'The Blockhead' of the Geng family and 'The Brute' of the Xu family? Geng Chunming is the only grandson of the Geng family patriarch in the capital, but because he has such a stubborn temper, everyone calls him 'The Blockhead.' Xu Dalin is the scion of the Xu family; he has practiced martial arts since childhood, but he never mastered them—he only knows how to bully other family members, so people call him 'The Brute.'"

Qian Qingping exclaimed in surprise, then, seeing Chen Fengyun's puzzled expression, he quickly explained that both Geng Chunming and Xu Dalin were from prominent families in the capital, with grandfathers who were heroes of the founding era.

"We met while traveling in Yunnan. They only mentioned being college students in the capital and didn't talk about their families. They seemed like decent people, and we got along well. When they found out I was coming to the capital for school, they told me to look them up," Chen Fengyun recounted.

"My grandfather has a good relationship with Elder Geng, though I hear he is quite ill. Apparently, there is a piece of shrapnel in his brain that was never removed. As for Xu Dalin, that guy is lucky—I heard he recently started seeing a girlfriend who came from Chengdu and is preparing for graduate school here in the capital," Qian Qingping said, feeling a touch of envy for them as he shared their latest news.

Chen Fengyun felt a stir in his heart. Back in Yunnan, he had noticed that Xu Dalin and Zeng Yiyue hit it off quite well; could it be that they had ended up together?

"Do you think they will be coming tonight?" he asked with a smile.

"They should be. Whenever these families hold a gala, they bring the younger generation along to socialize and broaden their horizons," Qian Qingping said with slight uncertainty.

From four o'clock onwards, friends and family of the Qian household began to arrive, followed by guests from the various prominent families of the capital. The Qian estate at the foot of Fragrant Hill suddenly became bustling with activity. By nearly five o'clock, when Qian Qingping returned, the parking lot in front of the estate was already filled with hundreds of luxury cars, the most common being sports cars—the preferred transport of the younger set.

As Qian Qingping parked, several young people nearby were stunned to see him driving the car himself.

"Look over there, the Third Young Master of the Qian family is driving someone himself. I wonder which relative he’s picking up?" one whispered to the others.

"Qian Qingping has always been arrogant; he wouldn't even drive a regular relative himself. Could it be someone from the immediate family?" another speculated.

"Look, isn't that Qian Yuejin, the General Manager? He’s usually inside greeting guests, why is he coming out?" someone else noted as they saw Qian Yuejin emerge from the house.

"It must be an important guest. Usually, the three uncles greet guests at the door. Who could this big shot be?" they guessed.

"How is this possible? Look, the person Qian Qingping picked up is just a young kid! Who on earth is he?" As Chen Fengyun stepped out of the passenger seat, the crowd was bewildered. "It looks like Qian Yuejin came out specifically to greet this young man. Could he be from one of the great clans? But if he were, why would Qian Qingping be driving him, and why would Qian Yuejin come out to meet him?"

"Mr. Chen, you've finally arrived. The Elder has asked for you several times," Qian Yuejin said warmly.

"Uncle Qian, why go to the trouble of coming out to meet me? We’re well-acquainted; please, don't be so formal, just act naturally," Chen Fengyun replied.

After shaking hands, the two chatted as they walked inside, with Qian Qingping following behind, acting entirely like a respectful junior. The onlookers were shocked.

"Did you hear? Qian Qingping personally drove that young man over, and the General Manager came out to greet him. Which family is he from?"

"Could it be Ye Yunfeng of the capital's Ye family? I heard he’s the top talent of the younger generation and a disciple of Ye Bufan. Surely the Qian family would greet him with such fanfare?"

"It can't be Ye Yunfeng. I saw him arrive earlier; he went inside with the rest of the Ye family."

Before long, rumors swirled through the younger circle. Geng Chunming and Xu Dalin were among them, along with another familiar face.

Up on the third floor of the Qian estate, a private gathering was taking place. Only five or six people were allowed to accompany Elder Qian. After bringing Chen Fengyun up, Qian Yuejin left to attend to other guests, and Qian Qingping did not have the status to enter.

Elder Qian was delighted to see Chen Fengyun and pulled him to sit by his side. Chen Fengyun smiled and presented a jade pendant: "Elder Qian, I made this pendant myself. It is a birthday gift for you. Please, remember to wear it at all times."

"Oh, you shouldn't have gone to such trouble! I'm quite embarrassed," Elder Qian said with a hearty laugh.