Return of the Celestial King

Chapter 193: Chapter 193: Seeing the World

But with so many people showering him with praise, he couldn’t very well deny it. He could only clear his throat and say pretentiously:

"I’ve had a few meals with Master Long in the past. He probably heard I was here today and decided to do me a favor!"

He said this with an air of casual indifference, which only made everyone admire him more. They began showering him with praise, lauding Fang Hao to the skies.

Qin Jun couldn’t help but say excitedly:

"Brother-in-law, you’re so incredible! From now on, I’ll be able to do whatever I want in Ming City."

Fang Hao clapped Qin Jun on the shoulder and said magnanimously:

"Don’t worry. If you ever get into trouble, just drop your brother-in-law’s name."

"Haha, then I’ll thank you in advance, Brother-in-law!"

Qin Jun laughed with brazen arrogance. He was an ignorant good-for-nothing to begin with, and now with Fang Hao as his Protective Talisman, he would surely act with even more impunity.

Seeing their son-in-law being so impressive, Qin Hongjian and his wife couldn’t help but shoot a provocative glance at Qin Hongguo and his wife.

Meanwhile, Qin Hongguo and Luo Xianglan were filled with envy.

Luo Xianglan, in particular, didn’t notice the family’s mocking gazes. She was too busy sighing with emotion.

"Sigh, when will our Qin Tuo ever be this successful? So successful that even such a major figure has to show him respect."

Only Qin Tuo, sitting beside them, paid no mind to any of it.

His mind was once again on the secret Qin Hongjian had unintentionally let slip earlier, and he felt a knot of confusion tighten in his heart.

Qin Tuo even recalled the time in prison when the old madman had taken his pulse...

The old madman had said gravely that Qin Tuo possessed the bloodline of a dragon and that his birth was by no means ordinary!

Back then, Qin Tuo had only just met the old madman and had paid no attention to his "crazy ramblings."

But thinking back on it now, the whole thing felt deeply strange.

’Am I really not a member of the Qin Family? If not, then who am I?’

A wave of uncertainty washed over Qin Tuo.

Just then, a chorus of amazed sighs jolted Qin Tuo from his thoughts.

He looked up, and his expression changed slightly!

He saw Qin Hongjian’s family sharing two bottles of collector’s edition Maotai, praising how good the liquor was as they drank.

"Wow, this is delicious! I’ve always considered myself a connoisseur, but I’ve never tasted such a top-tier liquor in my life!"

Qin Hongjian poured himself glass after glass, drinking with immense pleasure.

Even though his face was flushed and he was clearly a bit drunk, he showed no signs of stopping.

The liquor was so expensive and delicious that he probably wouldn’t have stopped even if he drank himself to death right then and there!

As for Zhang Caixia, she didn’t normally drink, but she forced herself to gulp down several glasses.

But while their family was enjoying themselves, they completely ignored Qin Hongguo.

Qin Hongguo opened his mouth to speak several times, but Qin Hongjian’s family paid him no mind, clinking their glasses and drinking amongst themselves.

The two bottles were finished in no time, yet Qin Hongguo hadn’t had a single drop. He could only watch, his mouth watering with longing.

Qin Tuo couldn’t help but sneer:

"Were you reincarnated from starving ghosts? Have you never had good liquor in your lives?"

Qin Hongjian’s face immediately darkened as he snapped:

"Qin Tuo, what kind of way is that for a little brat like you to talk?"

Zhang Caixia also chimed in angrily.

"Master Long sent this liquor for my son-in-law to drink! There was never any for your family, so what are you getting jealous about?"

But Qin Hongguo quickly waved his hand, trying to smooth things over.

"Son, stop talking. It’s not a big deal if I drink a little less!"

Seeing that his father, Qin Hongguo, had spoken, Qin Tuo held his tongue.

At that moment, Zhang Caixia let out a belch and asked:

"Oh, right, my dear son-in-law, has Lord Prefect arrived yet?"

Even though they were slightly drunk, they still hadn’t forgotten that Xu Zhigang was supposed to be dining here today.

In their eyes, if they were lucky enough to offer a toast to Xu Zhigang, it would be a tremendous honor.

Fang Hao, who had just checked his phone, nodded and said:

"The Prefect and his party have arrived. My dad is with them now, eating in the Emperor’s Hall!"

"Oh, he’s already here? And eating in the Emperor’s Hall?"

Qin Hongjian’s eyes lit up.

His son-in-law’s father, Fang Zhengliang, the director of the Food Bureau, was with Xu Zhigang at that very moment.

Qin Hongjian instantly realized this was a golden opportunity.

Perhaps he could get to know Xu Zhigang through Fang Zhengliang, gaining a huge network of connections and achieving a meteoric rise.

At this point, Fang Hao stood up and checked the time.

"Okay, it’s time. I have to go over and propose a toast!"

An idea immediately struck Zhang Caixia, and she pleaded:

"Dearest son-in-law, could you take your little brother-in-law with you? Let him see the world a bit, what do you say?"

Qin Hongjian quickly added his own suggestion:

"How about this? Our whole family can go over and toast the Prefect. Maybe we could even get a picture with him?"

Qin Jun and Qin Wenwen nodded enthusiastically, clearly thrilled at the prospect of such a precious opportunity.

Fang Hao’s face first showed a hint of reluctance, but in the end, he couldn’t help but nod and agree.

"Alright, fine. I’ll take you all with me to meet our Prefect Xu!"

Hearing his agreement, Qin Hongjian’s family beamed with delight.

But just as they were about to leave, Fang Hao suddenly turned and looked down condescendingly at Qin Tuo.

"Hey, kid. Didn’t you say you’ve been to the Prefect’s house? Want to come with us and offer a toast?"

But Qin Tuo remained seated and replied casually:

"If anyone’s offering a toast, it’ll be him toasting me."

His words were met with a wave of ridicule.

"Qin Tuo, is something wrong with your head? Have you lost your mind?"

"Heh, don’t waste your breath on him. People like that deserve to live in their own fantasy world forever!"

Laughing heartily, the group swaggered out of the private room.

Qin Hongguo and his wife looked crestfallen. They were just ordinary people; to them, the Prefect was a figure from another world, completely untouchable.

Before leaving, Qin Wenwen suddenly turned back and said:

"We’re going to go eat in the Emperor’s Hall now, so we won’t be eating here anymore. If your family doesn’t have enough money for the bill, just leave it. I’ll come back and settle it later."

As she spoke, a look of contempt filled her eyes.

Luo Xianglan’s face flushed with embarrassment, and she was about to offer an explanation.

But Qin Wenwen just sneered again:

"Oh, and by the way, a little tip for you: those empty liquor bottles are probably worth a few thousand yuan. If you sell them, that should cover your food and drink for a few months."

With that, she turned on her heel, leaving behind nothing but the sight of her arrogant back.

After Qin Hongjian’s family left, Luo Xianglan looked at the table full of food and felt a wave of distress.

"Sigh, how much is this meal going to cost!"

Beside her, Qin Hongguo was also deeply troubled, chain-smoking one cigarette after another.