The next day, as the sun rose, ordinary people continued their lives as usual, noticing no difference in Yan Jing from the day before.
However, those in Yan Jing's upper circles subtly felt that the situation in Yan Jing had completely changed.
This was because a legendary figure had emerged in Yan Jing, someone who did not belong to any of the prominent families there, yet possessed the power to influence the city's dynamics. This left the minds of Yan Jing's elite feeling rather unsettled.
Nanshan Villa, located in Yongqing District, Yan Jing, was more than fifty kilometers from the city center, considered a more remote suburban area with sparse population and infrequent traffic.
The Nanshan Villa complex had been built over thirty years ago. Its buildings, compared to those in Yan Jing's urban areas, appeared somewhat dilapidated. Yet, no one dared to underestimate this slightly worn-down neighborhood.
This was because anyone with a bit of insight knew that many influential figures resided within Nanshan Villa, including some retired high-ranking officials.
Although Yongqing County was a place of hidden talents, it was ultimately far from the city center, and thus, its popularity was vastly different from Yan Jing's.
But today, people were surprised to see the usually empty roads filled with various luxury cars.
The ordinarily quiet parking lot of Nanshan Villa was already full before dawn, and latecomers could not even find parking spaces, forced to park along the roadside.
Bentley Mulsanne, Porsche Panamera, Audi A8, and other luxury cars, rarely seen in Nanshan Villa, were everywhere today, a dazzling array of automotive wealth.
However, the local residents were no longer surprised; this scene occurred once or twice a year in this area.
This was not for any other reason than the fact that a family surnamed Qin lived in Nanshan Villa.
Today was the sixtieth birthday of Mr. Qin, the patriarch of the Qin family.
Villa No. 7 in Nanshan was considered the old residence of the Qin family. After retiring, Mr. Qin had lived here permanently. Although somewhat remote, it was far from the hustle and bustle of the city, with a beautiful environment and air that was much cleaner and purer than in the urban areas.
Every morning, one could hear the chirping of birds foraging. Taking a deep breath of the fresh air was invigorating, making it a truly pleasant place to live.
Because of Mr. Qin's sixtieth birthday, the usually quiet Nanshan Villa had become exceptionally lively.
Mr. Qin's given name was Qin Tuyi. He had three sons and one daughter. His eldest son, Qin Zhengming, Qin Mo's father, was the current head of the Qin family, managing all major affairs. Today's birthday banquet for Mr. Qin was meticulously organized by Qin Zhengming.
The second son, Qin Zhengwen, Qin Luoshui's father, although he did not enter officialdom like his elder brother, possessed considerable talent in business.
After reaching adulthood, Qin Zhengwen naturally joined the family business. Currently, he managed seven listed companies, more than half of the Qin family's listed enterprises. His assets exceeded one hundred billion yuan, comparable to the former Fang Group.
Controlling the Qin family's economic lifeline, Qin Zhengwen's status within the family was no less than that of his elder brother, and he held significant influence.
As for the third son, Qin Shuming, he lagged far behind his two elder brothers. Due to excessive pampering in his youth, Qin Shuming developed a rather rebellious personality.
Despite being a direct descendant of the Yan Jing Qin family, he consorted with various disreputable characters daily, somewhat embarrassing the Qin family.
However, Qin Shuming did possess certain capabilities; after years of mingling, he had managed to make a name for himself.
In his youth, he was constantly compared to his two brothers, which greatly displeased Qin Shuming. In a fit of pique, he used the seed money his father had given him for starting a business to establish a construction company.
Leveraging his connections in society, he had successfully grown a small construction company into a major one in Yan Jing.
Mr. Qin's youngest daughter, Qin Zimo, was also Mr. Qin's only daughter, and she gave him the most headaches.
Despite numerous suitors with excellent backgrounds, character, and education, Qin Zimo, who was nearing thirty, had no intention of getting married, leaving Mr. Qin feeling helpless.
It was worth noting that Qin Zimo's brothers, even the youngest, Qin Shuming, had sons nearing twenty years old, while Qin Zimo did not even have a boyfriend. Living in a prominent family, such circumstances naturally invited gossip.
...
When Zhang Fan, Qin Luoshui, and Yi Xiaoxiao drove to the vicinity of Nanshan Villa, it was almost eleven o'clock. If it weren't for Qin Luoshui's mother, Li Songlan, constantly urging them, they might have arrived even later.
At this moment, there were no empty parking spaces in the villa complex; they had to find a spot along the roadside and walk up the mountain.
However, there were very few guests heading towards Nanshan Villa at this time. After all, who would dare to be late for Mr. Qin's birthday banquet?
Ever since learning of Zhang Fan's other identity, Yi Xiaoxiao seemed particularly excited, with endless questions. Initially, Zhang Fan would respond to a few, but eventually, even he lost patience and simply stopped answering.
"Sigh, if only I had been there yesterday. I heard they say Zhang Fan Gege was incredibly heroic yesterday, like a god descending from heaven. With just one palm strike, he made Wei Xiaowen, who could emit electric waves, spit blood," Yi Xiaoxiao said with a hint of regret.
"That was a supreme technique from Dalong Temple, not some electric wave," Zhang Fan stated expressionlessly.
"It wasn't electric waves? I heard that when Wei Xiaowen struck, the entire hall was bathed in golden light, almost blinding everyone. I thought it was electric waves," Yi Xiaoxiao replied.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Fan found it futile to explain further. Qin Luoshui, standing beside him, covered her mouth and chuckled.
"Heh heh, I wonder what Auntie will react when she sees Zhang Fan. I still remember you telling me that your mother was determined to break you two up," Yi Xiaoxiao said smilingly to Qin Luoshui, glancing at Zhang Fan.
Qin Luoshui gave Yi Xiaoxiao a helpless look. Back then, when her mother Li Songlan was set on making her break up with Zhang Fan, she had no recourse but to confide in her good friend Yi Xiaoxiao. Now, Yi Xiaoxiao was using it to tease her.
Qin Luoshui remained silent. Yi Xiaoxiao pouted and, unable to shift the topic back to Zhang Fan, playfully asked, "Zhang Fan Gege, you've transformed from a despised poor boy into the revered Master Zhang. Are you looking forward to seeing your future mother-in-law's expression again?"
Zhang Fan shook his head and uttered two words faintly: "Immature."
...