Chapter 489

Chapter 489: Chapter 488 "Dad, I’m not familiar with these people, and I’m not good at networking either; even if I went, I wouldn’t be much help, right?"

Ye Tianchen was still reluctant. Attending these events meant having to dress up in a suit and tie and act all serious. Especially when many events required bringing a dance partner, it was really quite troublesome.

"No way, you must attend this time. And it would be best if you could bring your girlfriend. Even if you don’t have one, find a way to get one. Since you avoided marriage with the Fan family, we need to give them a way to step down gracefully. I heard that the Old Master Fan is coming personally, and Fan Ruoxuan might come as well!" Ye Hong said with a father’s authority.

"But... hey Dad... that’s coercion..." Ye Tianchen hadn’t finished speaking when Ye Hong had already stood up and walked out of the villa, yelling as he went.

"This is the only time I’m forcing you, just prepare yourself and don’t disgrace the Ye family." Ye Hong said before walking away without looking back.

Watching his father’s retreating figure, Ye Tianchen sighed helplessly. He really didn’t want to attend these gatherings. After all, these important birthdays among major families and influential powers were essentially conventions for forming alliances. Everyone in attendance was a major figure from a big power or family. They would engage in conversations and link up businesses. Ye Tianchen understood his father and grandfather’s intentions.

This time, it was Mr. Ye Yuanshan’s 75th birthday, and the Ye family was going to celebrate in a big way, inviting many influential families and powers. Mr. Ye Yuanshan’s birthday, while important, was secondary to networking with these major families and forces. The Ye family, having declined into a Third-class Family, needed the support of others to rise again, and their resurgence seemed very likely as many visitors sought to establish relations with the resurgent Ye Tianchen.

"Attending grandfather’s big birthday, I don’t even need to bring a girlfriend, right? What a hassle!" Ye Tianchen muttered to himself.

For the next three days, Ye Tianchen didn’t leave the villa, spending his time recuperating from his injuries. During this period, Ling Yuxun called several times to check on him, and Ye Tianchen also inquired about the Ling family’s current situation. Regardless, out of respect for Ling Yuxun, he would help if he could.

Ling Yue and his daughter Ling Yuxun were very safe. The national authorities had sent protection, and with the thirty skilled fighters from the North Star One-Sword Style that had infiltrated and been eliminated by Ye Tianchen, there wasn’t much danger. The main concern was that the M country’s government might shamelessly send more skilled assassins to kill Ling Yue and Ling Yuxun.

The Ling family’s situation now depended mainly on Old Master Ling, Yuxun’s grandfather, and whether he could safely return. The situation seemed difficult, as the Ling family had deep roots in M country over decades, and the entire family’s migration back to develop in their home country was not smooth, except for Ling Yue and his father Old Master Ling, who stood united; the other siblings were opposed.

Three days later, Ye Tianchen dressed in a smart suit and drove a Weilong sports car from the villa to the Ye family estate. When he had just arrived at the entrance, there was an extremely beautiful woman already waiting there. Seeing Ye Tianchen driving over, she sweetly smiled and said, "Your social skills are really low, aren’t they? Every time you set up a date with a girl, you’re late. Be careful, or you might never get married!"

"Sorry, I was putting on some makeup. How do I look in this outfit?" Ye Tianchen got out of the car, smiling as he asked.

"Not bad at all, just a little bit worse than me!"

"How could I compare to you, Miss Su, the young lady from one of the richest families in the country!" Ye Tianchen laughed and said.

"Stop flattering me. This time I’m helping you out, and you owe me a big favor," Su Feifei said playfully.

"Miss Su, what could you possibly lack that makes you need my favor?" Ye Tianchen shook his head and asked.

"You don’t need to worry about that, just remember that you owe me."

It turned out that according to his father’s wishes, Ye Tianchen was to find a beautiful woman to pose as his girlfriend. He had considered everyone but felt that Su Feifei was the most suitable. Firstly, since she was born into a major family and had grown up in such environments, she was very accustomed to handling these situations. Secondly, he had heard that Su Feifei’s dance skills were excellent, which could come in handy if dancing was involved; as a descendant of the Ye family, he couldn’t afford to embarrass himself. Initially, Ye Tianchen had also thought of Qi Ruxue, but since Ruxue’s temper was fiery and she was living in the villa with Xiao Ya, having either of them pose would be highly annoying. Thus, after much consideration, Ye Tianchen had called Su Feifei for help. Today, he left quietly without telling Xiao Ya or Qi Ruxue, thankfully Xiao Ya was at school, or it would have been really complicated.

"Alright, if there’s anything I can help with, just let me know. Can we go in now?" Ye Tianchen asked with a smile, shaking his head.

"You big dummy, just going in like that?" Su Feifei looked at Ye Tianchen speechlessly and took his left arm with her right hand.

Ye Tianchen grinned. He really didn’t understand these things. He could only smile and walk towards the grand entrance of the Ye family with Su Feifei. They had just taken a couple of steps forward when a Ferrari pulled up next to Ye Tianchen’s Aston Martin. A woman in a red cheongsam with dragon patterns, who was quite tall and appeared to be around twenty, got out. Her figure was explosive, and with her height, she looked like a supermodel. Her beauty was no less than Su Feifei’s. After all, a cheongsam looks beautiful, but it only works if the person wearing it is beautiful; otherwise, it would just ruin their image.

"Excuse me, is this the Ye family?" the woman in the cheongsam asked as she approached Ye Tianchen and took off her black sunglasses.

"That’s right," Ye Tianchen replied indifferently.

"Thank you!"

After finishing her words, the beautiful woman in the red cheongsam with dragon patterns entered the Ye family’s old mansion first. Ye Tianchen was stunned for a moment but then followed her in with Su Feifei.

Inside the Ye family’s old mansion, the place was decked out in celebration, with red lanterns and carpets everywhere, and an open-air dining area, all very luxurious and richly decorated. When Ye Tianchen and Su Feifei entered, many people had already arrived. All members of the Ye family were out to welcome the guests. Ye Yuanshan was naturally talking with some influential figures from prestigious families and powers, while Ye Mubai and Ye Heguo were also busy greeting others. It was common sense to treat guests well since they had come.

"Quite a lot of people have come, many of them are elderly figures from big families and powerful factions. Your Ye family still commands a lot of respect!" Su Feifei remarked with a smile after observing the crowd.

"I don’t know a single one of them. I really don’t know why I’m here at this birthday banquet. It’s so boring!" Ye Tianchen sighed and shook his head.

Su Feifei glanced at Ye Tianchen and couldn’t help but smile slightly, thinking that this guy really was clueless about social etiquette. It was impressive how unconcerned with fame and fortune he was.

You see, this lavish arrangement by the Ye family was for the seventieth birthday of Ye Yuanshan, the old master. They wanted to pave the way for the Ye family’s rise by hosting people from other big families and powerful forces. Many people from these influential circles had come, including many elders, which showed that they recognized the rise of the Ye family and were giving them due respect. If only a few had come, it would have meant that the Ye family was in decline and these big families and powerful forces wouldn’t need to show them respect.

This time, for Ye Yuanshan’s seventy-fifth birthday, so many important people had come. This indirectly indicated that the rise of the Ye family was unstoppable. These families and forces were here to curry favor with the Ye family or at least to foster good relations and not become enemies.

"I’m getting a bit hungry. How about we grab something to eat?" Ye Tianchen asked Su Feifei with a smile.

"Sure, there’s western food over there. Let’s check it out," Su Feifei responded with a nod.

When Ye Tianchen and Su Feifei walked towards the area serving western food, they found that a group of young people were already there discussing matters spiritedly. From their attire, it was clear they were rich or noble, surely from prestigious families, and their conversation and demeanor were filled with pride.

"I heard that Ye Tianchen has been causing quite a stir in the Capital City lately, quite impressive indeed."

"I’ve heard too. He definitely has some skill, it seems the Ye family is set for a rise."

"This seventieth birthday of the old master of the Ye family seems to be all about laying the groundwork for their rise by introducing their grandson Ye Tianchen to all the guests for future cooperation."

"Hmph, just a Ye Tianchen wanting the Ye family to rise? The guy hasn’t even shown up yet, I don’t think he’s all that," amid the discussions, a disdainful and discordant voice emerged. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it at qidian.com, and your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please read at m.qidian.com.)