BPIFC -Volume 1 – Chapter 55 The Banquet

Ten minutes earlier, Huang Ran had already arrived at the resort. There were no records of him purchasing plane or train tickets. Sun Desheng’s contact had even checked highway facial-recognition records, but found no evidence of Huang Ran entering Guangzhou.

Apparently, he had arrived several days ago and simply chosen not to reveal himself.

After hanging up, Sun Desheng explained the situation and then said to Yang Xiao:

“Old Yang, it looks like we’ve underestimated this one. Nowadays, Old Huang doesn’t personally take every job. Last year’s Thai Ghost Child incident was huge—even the royal family approached him and offered a hefty price. In the end, he only sent Zhang Zhiyan and another subordinate while directing everything remotely. Anything that makes him come in person is definitely no ordinary case.”

“If it were only Huang Ran, that’d be one thing. But there’s that Big Monk behind him…” Remembering the eminent monk, Yang Xiao wore a troubled expression.

Then he changed the subject.

“By the way, didn’t the Big Monk cure Zhang Zhiyan’s stuttering with a slap? Why did I hear him stuttering again just now over the phone?”

Thinking about the stammering Zhang Zhiyan, Sun Desheng chuckled.

“Normally he’s perfectly fine—more eloquent than I am. But in the last couple of years, the old problem came back. Strange thing is, whenever Miss Meng is around, he gets nervous, and once he’s nervous, he can’t speak properly. Last year, Old Huang hosted a banquet at the Wangfu Hotel. Before Miss Meng arrived, Zhang Zhiyan was talking smoothly. But as soon as she showed up, he started sweating and stammering so badly he couldn’t finish a sentence.”

After saying this, Sun Desheng told the driver:

“Alright, no need to wait here. Let’s head back to the resort.”

The resort was located on the outskirts of Guangzhou.

By the time they arrived, it was nearly midnight.

The three weary men walked into the lobby, expecting it to be empty.

Instead, Ma Xiaolin, who had apparently been waiting for some time, emerged with the resort owner to greet them.

“Director Sun, I’m terribly sorry. I had to trouble you gentlemen to come overnight. I told my secretary tomorrow would have been fine… My subordinates don’t know how to handle things. Please forgive the inconvenience.”

Sun Desheng laughed.

“Your secretary sure knows how to care about people. She even told me you wanted to give me your private jet. I practically had to argue to turn it down. Old Ma, we’re all family here. If you do something like that again, I might really accept it.”

Having already heard from his secretary about Fatty Sun’s shamelessness, Ma Xiaolin gave an awkward laugh.

“That plane’s already five years old. It’s too outdated to be worthy of a gift. Next time I buy a new model, Director Sun must accept it. It’s only a means of transportation, after all.”

Che Qianzi chimed in:

“You call an airplane a means of transportation? That’s taking a mighty big step. Easy to pull something important.”

Knowing Che Qianzi’s identity, Ma Xiaolin had completely changed his attitude toward him.

Smiling, he said:

“A plane, a car, a train—aren’t they all just ways to get around? Anyway, let me introduce this place’s owner, Chairman Wan Changluo of the XXX Resort.”

Turning to the other man, he continued:

“Chairman Wan, this is the Director Sun I often tell you about—the head of the Miniao Bureau.”

Chairman Wan looked like a typical businessman. After exchanging polite greetings, he said:

“One of my partners also arrived today. He’s handling some business upstairs and will be down shortly…”

Before he could finish speaking, the elevator doors opened.

A well-dressed, suit-wearing fat man stepped out.

The moment he saw Sun Desheng, both fat men burst into laughter and warmly embraced.

While hugging, Sun cast an odd glance toward Ma Xiaolin.

He knew this Mr. Huang very well. Why hadn’t Ma warned him beforehand so he could prepare?

Afraid of offending Sun Desheng, Ma Xiaolin quickly explained:

“Mr. Huang only arrived recently. I just learned that he’s Chairman Wan’s partner. He wanted to surprise you and insisted I not inform you in advance. Director Sun, surely you won’t blame me?”

The taller fat man was none other than the Huang Ran they had been discussing all evening.

Though somewhat older now, his eyes still sparkled with intelligence.

Like Sun Desheng, he constantly wore a smile.

After embracing, Huang Ran laughed and said:

“Great Sage, I only learned after arriving that you were coming today as well. What a coincidence. We were just talking about having dinner together recently. Old Yang is an old friend, of course. But who is this young friend?”

His gaze shifted to Che Qianzi.

Sun Desheng grinned.

“Seeing you made me so happy I forgot introductions. This is the younger brother I recently adopted. He’s actually a Taoist priest, Dharma name Che Qianzi. He came to seek refuge with me, so we’ve been sticking together lately.”

Then he pointed toward Huang Ran and said to the young Taoist:

“Brother, this is Boss Huang Ran, whom I always tell you about. A few years ago, we even partnered up in business. Who would’ve thought Yang Shuji would revive the Miniao Bureau? I had no choice but to go back and become a civil servant serving the people.”

Huang Ran laughed heartily.

“If you’re Great Sage Sun’s brother, then you’re my brother too.”

Turning to Wan Changluo, he said:

“Chairman Wan, since we’re all friends, let’s borrow your fine establishment and have a gathering.”

These supernatural incidents had already ruined Wan Changluo’s appetite and sleep. All his hopes rested on Sun Desheng and his companions.

Forcing a smile, he replied:

“President Huang is too polite. As host, I should be doing my part. Everything has already been prepared. Just some local specialties to cleanse everyone’s palate.”

Chairman Wan personally led the group to an extravagant private dining room.

Soon, one exquisite dish after another arrived.

Considering it was already past midnight, it was impressive they had managed to prepare such a feast.

After everyone took their seats and exchanged a few toasts, the meal officially began.

Sun Desheng raised his glass toward Huang Ran.

“Old Huang, you’ve really made it. This resort cost over ten billion yuan. You must hold a huge share in it… Pass that bowl of crab roe shark fin over here. Let my brother have a taste.”

Huang Ran glanced at Che Qianzi, who was busy devouring food, and smiled.

“You flatter me, Great Sage. Where would I get that kind of money? My good friend, Mr. Joseph from the Zurich Bank, purchased ten percent of Chairman Wan’s shares. I’m only representing him.”

“Representing more than a billion yuan. I never get lucky like that.”

After clinking glasses with Huang Ran, Sun personally peeled a crab and handed it to Che Qianzi.

“Brother, try this. Seasonal butter crab—the roe has seeped into the meat. And this honey-glazed ham—it’s made from pigs fed on honey. Ah, the lobster’s here. Put it in front of my brother.”

Ignoring everyone else, Sun Desheng kept piling delicacies in front of Che Qianzi.

The young Taoist accepted everything without ceremony.

Whatever Fatty Sun offered, he ate.

Soon, he was sweating profusely from stuffing himself.

At that moment, the door to the private room opened.

A man and a woman entered.

It was none other than Meng Qiqi and Zhang Zhiyan, whose bag had been stolen by Che Qianzi earlier.

Ignoring everyone else, the pair headed straight for Huang Ran.

Meng Qiqi leaned close to Fatty Huang, about to tell him what had happened.

But suddenly, Zhang Zhiyan elbowed her repeatedly.

Just as she was about to get angry, she looked up—

And there, sitting directly opposite them, wrestling with a lobster claw, was Che Qianzi.