Villa Number Seven, South Mountain, occupied an area of over one thousand square meters, making it the largest villa in the entire South Mountain villa complex.
The reason for this was the nearly thousand-square-meter estate surrounding the villa, akin to a small garden.
This was also why the Qin family was hosting another banquet. Such an estate was more than enough to accommodate hundreds of guests for a gathering.
At this moment, a large number of guests were gathered in the Qin family villa's estate, conversing and enjoying themselves. As for the villa itself, only a select few guests were deemed worthy of entering.
Those who could enter the Qin family villa were invariably the pillars of their respective prominent families.
As Qin Luoshui, the most beloved eldest daughter of the Qin family, she naturally had the privilege of entering the villa at any time.
When Zhang Fan and the other two arrived at the Qin family villa's estate, Lin Xiao was already waiting. With the spiritual elixir bestowed by Zhang Fan, despite Lin Xiao's less-than-stellar aptitude, his strength had grown remarkably fast. He had now reached the late stage of the Xiantian Grandmaster realm.
"Mr. Zhang, Eldest Miss." Upon seeing Zhang Fan, Qin Luoshui, and the others, Lin Xiao hurried forward, his attitude extremely respectful.
Even though his status within the Qin family was now higher, he dared not harbor any arrogance when facing Zhang Fan and Qin Luoshui. He behaved like a loyal and honest old servant.
As for Yi Xiaoxiao, standing beside them, Lin Xiao completely ignored her.
Yi Xiaoxiao, however, was not angered by this. Although the old man appeared cordial when facing Zhang Fan and Qin Luoshui, she knew that even her father, the current head of the Yi family, would not dare to act presumptuously in front of Lin Xiao.
"Uncle Lin," Qin Luoshui called out. Zhang Fan gave a slight nod, remaining silent, and instead, looked at the Qin family's estate.
From Zhang Fan's perspective, the estate was not large but was meticulously designed. It was clearly the work of a professional landscape master, covered in greenery, with various precious flowers and trees planted within. The arrangement was exquisite, offering a new vista at every step, a truly pleasing sight.
"Second Master sent me to wait here and asked that the Eldest Miss come to see him directly upon arrival. The Old Master is also here," Lin Xiao reminded them.
"Let's go," Qin Luoshui nodded and, linking arms with Zhang Fan, walked towards the villa.
Qin Luoshui knew that their primary intention was likely to meet Zhang Fan.
However, regarding the man she had chosen, Qin Luoshui was extremely confident, so she felt no nervousness. Instead, she was quite expectant, her steps becoming lighter.
For ordinary people, hearing that they were to meet the Qin family's Second Master and Old Master, regardless of the reason, would likely cause some anxiety.
After all, they were the Qin family's Second Master and Old Master, figures of such high status that it was rare for even ordinary people to get an audience.
But for Zhang Fan, there was no unusual feeling whatsoever.
Lin Xiao followed closely behind the two, observing Zhang Fan, who walked as if strolling in his garden, and couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.
Back then, Zhang Fan had given him a spiritual elixir to help him enter the Xiantian realm, with the intention of him protecting Qin Luoshui. He hadn't expected that in just over a year, Qin Luoshui's strength would completely surpass his. How could she possibly still need his protection?
The moment Zhang Fan and Qin Luoshui entered the villa's estate, they became the focus of everyone's attention. The guests, who had been conversing and chatting, quieted down significantly upon their arrival.
Numerous gazes turned towards them, filled with curiosity. Those who had witnessed Zhang Fan's capabilities looked on with awe and excitement. This was the legend of the Chinese martial arts world, Master Zhang.
Only after the two entered the villa did the estate erupt in a somewhat noisy buzz of conversation, most of which revolved around Zhang Fan.
"Is this the Master Zhang who defeated Wei Xiaowen, rumored to be the foremost figure in the Chinese martial arts world today?"
"How can he be so young? Isn't martial arts cultivation supposed to improve with age?"
Many had only heard of him and were seeing Zhang Fan in person for the first time, expressing great surprise. If this news hadn't already spread throughout Yan Jing's high society, most people would have found it hard to believe that the seemingly unremarkable young man before them was a peerless master.
Yi Xiaoxiao did not follow Zhang Fan and Qin Luoshui into the villa. After all, given her background, she was indeed not qualified to enter. However, the Yi family was considered a prominent family in Yan Jing, and she saw many friends, quickly joining their gossip.
Upon crossing the threshold of the villa, one entered a spacious hall. Several people were already seated. As Lin Xiao led Zhang Fan and Qin Luoshui inside, all eyes in the hall turned towards them.
There was curiosity, complexity, and also a hint of fear and reverence.
Zhang Fan scanned the room. Seated at the head of the table was an elder with a head of glossy black hair. His face was somewhat thin, his hands resting on the armrests, his eyes half-closed as he calmly observed Zhang Fan. His gaze was as deep as the sea, serene and unruffled, making it impossible to fathom his thoughts.
Zhang Fan knew this elder was the protagonist of the day, Qin Luoshui's grandfather, Qin Tuyi.
"En?" Zhang Fan's gaze lingered on Qin Tuyi for a moment, a flicker of doubt crossing his mind, but he didn't dwell on it.
"Li Songlan." Finally, Zhang Fan spotted someone he knew in the hall – Qin Luoshui's mother, Li Songlan.
At this moment, Li Songlan's gaze was tinged with complexity. Seeing this young man brought back memories of the scene atop Kunlong Mountain two years ago.
Thinking back now, how shortsighted her gaze had been.
"Grandfather,"
Upon entering, Qin Luoshui greeted the elder seated at the head of the table.
"Grandfather, this is the birthday gift from Zhang Fan-fan brother and me. May you have boundless fortune as vast as the East Sea and a life as long as heaven."
As Qin Luoshui spoke, she took out a beautifully wrapped red gift box from her bag. Just as she was about to hand it over, Qin Tuyi waved his hand to stop her.
"Luoshui, it is my birthday, and you are giving me a gift. Of course, Grandpa is very happy and gladly accepts it. But the person next to you?" Qin Tuyi spoke, his voice clear and full of vigor, not at all like that of a sixty-year-old man.
Hearing this, Qin Luoshui was slightly taken aback. In her opinion, everyone in the Qin family should know about her relationship with Zhang Fan. But her grandfather's current demeanor made Qin Luoshui's heart skip a beat.
"Grandfather, this is my boyfriend, Zhang Fan." Despite a foreboding feeling, Qin Luoshui smiled sweetly at Qin Tuyi and said.
"So it is Mr. Zhang. I have heard your name for a long time. To see you today, you truly are a hero emerging from youth, extraordinary!" Qin Tuyi nodded at Zhang Fan, praising him with a smile.
"Old Master Qin is too kind," Zhang Fan replied indifferently.
"Mr. Zhang is too modest. With your current achievements, you deserve any praise," Qin Tuyi said with a smile, his eyes narrowed. Then, addressing the Qin family members seated on both sides below, he said, "The guests have mostly arrived. Let's go out and prepare for the banquet."
Qin Luoshui's outstretched hand holding the birthday gift was abruptly halted, and she did not present it.
She looked up at Zhang Fan, her eyes filled with apology and also puzzlement as to why her usually doting grandfather had such an attitude today.
Zhang Fan gently stroked Qin Luoshui's hair, offering her a comforting smile.
As Old Master Qin spoke, the Qin family members seated on the sides also stood up, preparing to head out to the estate beyond the villa.