<h4>Chapter 1191: Chapter 1198: Hong Family Banquet (2)</h4>


    Among the star-rated hotels domestically, the highest rating is five stars. If it’s an ultra-luxurious hotel exceeding the five-star standard, it will be rated as tinum five-star. In Huaxia, there are no more than ten tinum five-star hotels like Mingquan Hotel.


    Led by the man in the suit, Ling Chen and his twopanions arrived at the banquet hall on the fifth floor of the hotel. Upon entering, they saw a spacious and luxurious banquet hall already filled with nearly a hundred guests, creating a very lively atmosphere. Those qualified to be invited were all societal elites. Ling Chen nced around and recognized many familiar faces, all of whom were public figures frequently appearing on television.


    The arrival of Nanrong Wanqing indeed caused quite a stir. After all, most of the guests attending the banquet were business people, and everyone was familiar with the famous name of Nanrong Wanqing. However, they only pointed and whispered among themselves, and not a single person came forward to greet her. In face of such treatment, Nanrong Wanqing remained veryposed, not taking it to heart at all.


    Only Nanrong Hao felt displeased, grumbling indignantly. It was known that at past banquets like this, whenever Nanrong Wanqing attended, she would surely attract a lot of attention, with everyone hoping to establish a good rtionship with the Hongyu Group.


    Nowadays, although it wasn’t to the point where everyone would kick a man when he was down, everyone knew in their hearts that the decline of the Hongyu Group was only a matter of time. Therefore, they felt there was no need to waste time and energy on someone about to lose power.


    Under the gaze of all, Ling Chen and his twopanions found a sofa against the wall to sit on. Watching theings and goings of guests, Nanrong Wanqing couldn’t help but sigh.


    "What’s wrong?"


    "Nothing, just feeling the harshness of reality." Nanrong Wanqing pointed at a middle-aged man not far away and said, "That man is Chen Yunsheng, the chairman of Earth Real Estate. When his business ran into problems facing bankruptcy, it was my grandfather who helped him, giving him a chance to bounce back. Now his business is growing stronger, and his wealth ranks in the top fifty in the country. Now, knowing our Nanrong Family is in trouble, he not only doesn’t help but wants to disassociate from us to avoid being affected."


    Pausing, Nanrong Wanqing pointed to another man in the crowd, "His name is Hu Zhichun. Thirty years ago, he approached my grandfather with a project hoping for an investment. Having been rejected by dozens ofpanies due to high risks, only my grandfather saw his potential and invested over a billion. He is now a prominent figure in the business world. When I looked for him for help recently, he ignored me. Moreover, he shamelessly demanded that our Nanrong Family withdraw our shares from hispany."


    "Many of the people you see here have benefited from my grandfather’s favors. Now that the Hongyu Group faces a crisis and needs help, every single one keeps to themselves, unwilling to lift a finger. If he knew this oue, grandfather would never have helped these ingrates."


    Sensing Nanrong Wanqing’s emotional turmoil, Ling Chenforted her, "Don’t think too much about it. Everyone looks out for themselves in today’s society. The saying ’repay a drop of water with a gushing spring’ applies to only a few people."


    As they spoke, the banquet hall suddenly fell silent, and all eyes turned to the entrance. Ling Chen looked up to see a middle-aged man in a white suit stride in, nked by several bodyguards.


    This middle-aged man appeared to be around forty, well-maintained with no traces of time, tall and slender with handsome features, exuding a mature masculine aura. Particrly noticeable was his slightly upturned smile, giving an impression of great confidence as if nothing in the world could stump him.


    "Mr. Hong, good evening and thank you for your invitation!"


    In an instant, everyone flocked over, vying to greet him.


    Hong Wei!


    Ling Chen narrowed his eyes and smiled slightly, finally seeing him in person.


    "May I have everyone’s attention, please?" Hong Wei gestured with his hand, and the banquet hall quickly quieted down, with all eyes focused on him. Hong Wei enjoyed this moment of being the center of attention immensely. ncing around the crowd, Hong Wei smiled and said, "First, I want to thank everyone for gracing us with your presence; if you’re here, it shows you’re my friends."


    "Mr. Hong, what’s the purpose of tonight’s banquet?" someone asked from the crowd.


    "Don’t read too much into it. It’s just that I haven’t had a gathering with everyone for a long time, so I hosted this banquet to deepen our connections, no other purpose. So, please feel free." At this point, Hong Wei looked at the crowd and said, "Tonight I specially invited several distinguished guests. One is Miss Nanrong from East Sea City, whom I believe everyone is familiar with. Another is Miss Zhu; most of you are from Beijing, so she should not be a stranger. Additionally, I’m fortunate to have invited the rising music star Miss Tang Shiyun."


    "Miss Nanrong and Miss Zhu are known as the two flowers of Huaxia, talented and beautiful; Miss Tang is seen as the pure goddess in many people’s hearts. Being able to invite these three tonight is indeed my privilege. Oh! I kindly remind everyone that these three beauties are currently single, so... you might want to be proactive; perhaps Fortune might smile upon you tonight."


    Hearing this, everyone present couldn’t help butugh, their eyes filled with eagerness.


    Are Xiaozhu and Shiyun here too?


    Ling Chen was a bit surprised, not expecting Hong Wei to invite them as well. However, what bothered Ling Chen more was Hong Wei’s previous remarks. The implication in Hong Wei’s words seemed to liken the three women to socialites, which was undoubtedly an insult to them.


    Nanrong Wanqing obviously found the remarks harsh as well, with anger shing in her beautiful eyes.


    "Ling, you’re here too? Great! I thought I’d have to return to East Sea City to see you." The voice came, and Ling Chen didn’t need to look to know who it was. Tang Shiyun came running over, hugging Ling Chen’s arm, her exquisite face beaming with a happy smile.


    Besides Tang Shiyun, Zhu Xiaozhu also approached, but her smile was somewhat forced. Both she and Nanrong Wanqing were the type of women with keen minds, and Hong Wei’s words left them quite ufortable.


    Unlike Nanrong Wanqing, though the Zhu Family holds some reputation in Beijing, they pale inparison to Hong Wei. Moreover, the Zhu Family has long been based in Beijing, and they dare not offend Hong Wei unless they wish to quit high society. Thus, even if Zhu Xiaozhu felt displeased, she couldn’t show it, as she didn’t want to create trouble for the Zhu Family because of her own sake.