Chapter 1419: Chapter 1419: Aggrieved Puppy Eyes
Jin City, arrival. Ye Fan and his group walked out of the station exit.
Outside, someone had long been waiting. Lu Binwang personally led a group, standing in front of several luxury cars, greeting important figures, bodyguards lined up everywhere.
Because of Lu Binwang’s status, and the deterrence of those bodyguards, the area around him had become forbidden ground.
"That’s the boss of the Northeast Business Community, the real emperor of the business world. Is he here to pick someone up?"
"Such a huge lineup, this is way too scary, isn’t it?"
"Big shot welcoming another big shot. But who could possibly have the qualifications to make Lu Binwang come in person?"
"Looking across all of Huaxia, there’s no one with that much face, right?"
"Weird, this is one hell of a strange thing."
All around, many people whispered to each other. The passersby who recognized Lu Binwang’s identity were all shocked and speculating wildly.
Finally, Lu Binwang saw the figures of Ye Fan and President Chu, and he walked up with a broad smile on his face.
That’s right, Lu Binwang making such a big show of it was precisely to welcome Ye Fan and Chu Mengyao.
"Dad!" A graceful figure rushed toward Lu Binwang, passing right by Ye Fan and Chu Mengyao and the others, lunging straight into Lu Binwang’s arms.
This figure was none other than Lu Qianqian, Lu Binwang’s precious daughter.
"Dad, you’re here to pick me up? Why such a huge scene? I love you to death. But how did you know I was getting off the train now, and why would you come specially to pick me up? Dad, you really didn’t have to come just for me. I didn’t even tell you I was arriving today, why bother coming to get me? You’re totally making a mountain out of a molehill." Lu Qianqian threw herself against Lu Binwang, affectionately clutching his arm.
"Don’t fool around. How would I know where you’ve gone crazy this time, or that you were coming? Besides, to pick you up, would I need to make such a big fuss?" Lu Binwang looked at his daughter, a pampering look flashing in his expression. But this wasn’t the time to reminisce with her. He pushed Lu Qianqian to the side and reminded her, "Don’t mess around. Your dad has important guests to receive, don’t come stir things up."
Lu Qianqian running wild everywhere drove Lu Binwang both headache-ridden and helpless.
In front of him, his daughter often vanished into thin air, just because she didn’t like being bothered by the people he sent to protect her.
Her doing this gave Lu Binwang a huge headache, but he had absolutely no way to deal with her.
Lu Binwang only knew that his daughter had just come back from abroad and was still in Dongfang City goofing around with her friends. He never expected that she’d already arrived in Jin City and would happen to run into the scene of him welcoming Ye Fan and Chu Mengyao.
He was really afraid his daughter would throw a tantrum, get upset, or deliberately cause trouble and turn this welcoming ceremony into a farce.
Lu Qianqian was capable of doing anything. With Lu Binwang spoiling her, she was basically lawless.
To be safe, he gave the bodyguards a look. Two of them immediately understood, came over, and pinned Lu Qianqian by the arms from left and right.
"Dad, what are you doing?" Lu Qianqian almost burst into tears, her aggrieved puppy eyes making Lu Binwang feel very conflicted.
"This is for your own good, and for mine." Lu Binwang gave her a warning, then finally turned around.
By this time, Ye Fan and the others were already close.
"Uncle Lu, who are you here to pick up? Don’t tell me you’re here for Mr. Ye and President Chu?" Qi Sixue was dumbfounded.
"I’ve never seen the mighty Lu Binwang come to personally welcome anyone, let alone standing at the station entrance to pick someone up." Qi Haomin was utterly stunned.
"Is Mr. Ye and President Chu’s prestige really that incredible?" Zhou Qiuyan’s eyes widened in shock. Thinking back to the Guan Shaoqiu incident, where Lu Binwang had also played a role, she vaguely understood something. According to what Chu Biyao had said—that there were countless people proactively currying favor and trying to win over Ye Fan and Chu Mengyao—she suddenly realized the power Ye Fan and Chu Mengyao held was downright terrifying.
Then, seeing Lu Qianqian’s aggrieved little eyes, Zhou Qiuyan was dumbstruck. She finally understood why Lu Qianqian looked so wronged.
She’d just thrown herself into her dad’s arms in high spirits, only to run into this kind of situation. It really left people speechless, both crying and laughing.
Qi Haomin, Qi Sixue, and Zhou Qiuyan looked at the utterly wronged Lu Qianqian, whose freedom of movement had been restricted, then looked at Ye Fan and Chu Mengyao. Their emotions were truly hard to calm down.
"Mr. Ye, President Chu, long time no see. Since we parted in Jiangnan last time, it’s already been a few months. This time, you’ve finally come to Jin City. As the host, I have to do my duty and show some hospitality. I hope you won’t turn me down." Lu Binwang laughed heartily, looking extremely bold and forthright.
"Patriarch Lu, you’re too polite. As they say, it’s hard to refuse such kind hospitality, so we’ll just accept." Chu Mengyao said.
"Patriarch Lu, you’ve put us in a tough spot. We originally planned to keep a low profile. Never thought you’d make such a big scene; it’s made us rather passive." Ye Fan said calmly.
"Now that’s not fair. The moment Mr. Ye and President Chu arrive in Jin City, all the powers from every walk of life will know. For the two of you, ’low profile’ is a luxury, something money can’t buy anymore." Lu Binwang said enthusiastically.
"It is indeed a luxury. Patriarch Lu, you do have a sense of humor." Ye Fan nodded.
"Patriarch Lu, you’ve even got a clear grasp on our movements. Does that mean someone leaked the news?" Chu Mengyao asked.
"President Chu, you’re joking. I count as knowing Qi Haomin, and I knew when he went to Dongfang City. Right now, my situation is the same as his—everyone’s taking shots at us. All sorts of forces are scrambling to show their faces, all aiming at that Ancient Painting. As the host, and one of the people in charge of the underground auction house, I’m naturally involved." Lu Binwang said bitterly, "Although your itinerary was kept secret, I’ve got insiders. Zhang Lu and the others are old acquaintances of you two and have been in contact with me for a while. Seeing how eager I was to meet you, they told me the news."
"So that’s how it is." Chu Mengyao nodded.
"I’ve already arranged a place for you to stay. I hope you won’t turn it down." Lu Binwang, ever the familiar type, said, "There are still a few days before the auction starts. These days, if you want to look around, eat, drink, or have fun, just leave it all to me. Don’t you dare be polite with me."
"Then we won’t be polite. We’ll remember this favor, Patriarch Lu." Ye Fan said.
"It’s my blessing." Lu Binwang was overjoyed. To earn this friendship from Ye Fan and Chu Mengyao was a priceless treasure, something others couldn’t get even if they begged for it.
"Patriarch Lu, Lu Qianqian is your daughter, right?" Ye Fan glanced at Lu Qianqian and said with a smile, "Hurry and have your men let her go. Those aggrieved little eyes of hers are about to solidify into something tangible."
"Ah?" Lu Binwang was slightly surprised and said dumbfounded, "You know each other?"
"We just met on the train." Ye Fan explained.
"My little girl didn’t cause you any trouble, did she? If she offended you in any way, please forgive her." Lu Binwang suddenly became more reserved.
Chu Mengyao reassured him, "Patriarch Lu, you’re much too polite."
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