Chapter 363: Chapter 363 Invitation
Shouting like this at a cocktail party was extremely impolite, and Wen Yonglin involuntarily furrowed his brows.
But when he turned his head and saw the person calling him, his expression immediately softened, and he quickly strode toward the caller.
Wang Hao also glanced over there. The man looked to be about fifty years old, not very tall, but with a smile on his face, he seemed extremely amiable and friendly.
"Housekeeper Yang, what brings you here today?"
Wen Yonglin hurried up and asked.
Housekeeper Yang?
Everyone’s gaze shifted in unison toward this middle-aged man because he was the housekeeper of Elder Wei and also Elder Wei’s trusted confidant.
Since he was Elder Wei’s confidant, his reason for approaching Wen Yonglin must be related to Elder Wei.
Everyone wanted to know what he was there for.
"This is for you!"
Housekeeper Yang said with a smile, handing Wen Yonglin a golden card. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
"What is this?"
Wen Yonglin didn’t rush to open it but asked Housekeeper Yang with a puzzled face.
"This is an invitation. Elder Wei would like you to come to his house for tea tomorrow morning!"
Housekeeper Yang said casually.
On hearing Housekeeper Yang’s words, everyone looked at Wen Yonglin with eyes full of envy, thinking that Wen Yonglin indeed had such prestige.
At that moment, Cheng Yin’s expression turned sour, but considering that he had just returned to Zao City, and Wen Yonglin had always been in Zao City, it was understandable that Elder Wei treated them differently.
Anyway, Cheng Yin had decided to stay and develop his career in Zao City, and after spending a year or half there, with his connections to the military, he thought it would be easy to surpass Wen Yonglin.
"Housekeeper Yang, would you like to stay for a drink?"
Wen Yonglin quickly offered.
"Thank you, but I’ll pass today. I still have another invitation to deliver!"
Housekeeper Yang’s eyes were nearly squeezed into slits with his smile.
What? Another invitation?
Suddenly, all eyes were fixed on the remaining card in Housekeeper Yang’s hand.
Who was this other invitation for?
On hearing there was another invitation, Cheng Yin’s body shook, thinking could this one be for him?
Wen Yonglin was now the head of one of the three major families and held a pivotal economic position in Zao City.
Thinking back on when he, Cheng Yin, had visited Elder Wei, although he had ultimately not met the old man, he thought that the news about establishing the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association must have reached Elder Wei’s ears.
So, this time inviting Wen Yonglin over must be to discuss the Association, and from this perspective, the other invitation was certainly for Cheng Yin.
The several Chinese herbal medicine merchants thought the same, their faces breaking into excited smiles, expectantly looking at Cheng Yin.
Cheng Yin immediately straightened his attire, standing proudly in place, just waiting for Housekeeper Yang to announce that the remaining invitation was for him.
He was even beginning to imagine how unsightly Wang Hao’s face would be when he heard this news.
Wang Hao, seeing Cheng Yin’s smug demeanor, couldn’t help but frown deeply. However, with Wen Yonglin there, even if the remaining invitation was for Cheng Yin, Wang Hao wasn’t too worried, confident that Wen Yonglin would indeed put in a good word for him.
But Wen Yonglin wasn’t so optimistic, because he knew Elder Wei all too well. Even in front of Elder Wei, he wouldn’t dare to casually speak on someone else’s behalf.
"Housekeeper Yang, why don’t you stay here for a couple of drinks, and let me deliver the remaining invitation for you?"
Wen Yonglin said with a smile.
"That won’t do! But I appreciate your kind offer."
To his surprise, Housekeeper Yang repeatedly waved his hand in decline.
"This invitation is very important; Master Wei insisted that I must deliver it personally into the recipient’s hands!"
Steward Yang said with absolute certainty.
Upon hearing Steward Yang’s words, Cheng Yin’s heart surged with ecstasy. Master Wei actually said he was very important, which suggested that Master Wei also approved of the matter with the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association.
With Master Wei’s support, even if Wang Hao had great abilities, he would be no match for Cheng Yin in Zao City.
Several Traditional Chinese Medicine suppliers were even more excited. Master Wei’s high regard for Cheng Yin meant that they had not sided with the wrong person this time; following Cheng Yin would ensure them good days ahead.
The onlookers were filled with curiosity, knowing that the person Master Wei wanted to invite was definitely not an ordinary individual. They all wanted to find out who this remaining person was, to whom Master Wei would have Steward Yang personally deliver an invitation.
"Steward Yang, may I know to whom this other invitation is addressed that has caused Master Wei to hold them in such high esteem?"
Wen Yonglin, taking advantage of his personal relationship with Steward Yang, presumptuously asked.
"He is called..."
Steward Yang had barely started speaking when the entire banquet hall suddenly fell silent as a grave; everyone held their breath and concentrated, waiting for Steward Yang to reveal who this person was.
Cheng Yin grew even more impatient, his spirit lifted in anticipation of Steward Yang approaching him.
Now all he was waiting for was for Steward Yang to call out his name, then he would enjoy everyone’s envious glances.
Steward Yang had said from the beginning that Master Wei held this person in high regard, which was a great opportunity for Cheng Yin to outshine Wen Yonglin.
The Traditional Chinese Medicine suppliers stood behind Cheng Yin, waiting to bask in his reflected glory.
After all, it was Master Wei—to be connected to Master Wei in Zao City was something everyone desired, even if it was just to stand beside someone he esteemed.
"Wang Hao!"
...
Everyone in the room was stunned, their eyes wide with amazement.
What?
This must be a joke, right?
Those present just couldn’t believe it; Wang Hao was just a newcomer with neither fame nor status in Zao City. Why would Master Wei send him an invitation?
Cheng Yin was even more shocked, his face turning ashen in an instant—he simply couldn’t believe his ears.
Even Wen Yonglin standing to the side found it somewhat inconceivable, his eyes wide open; he stood there without reacting.
However, it didn’t take him long to regain his senses and display an expression of sudden realization.
Wang Hao himself was also surprised. The plot twist was too abrupt; Wang Hao didn’t even know Master Wei, so why would Master Wei give him such a big surprise?
"Um, Steward Yang, who did you say this remaining invitation was for just now?"
Wen Yonglin, seeking to ensure he hadn’t misheard, asked Steward Yang again.
"It’s for Wang Hao; I didn’t misread it!"
Seeing everyone around him dumbfounded, even Steward Yang doubted for a moment whether he had misspoken, and he specifically opened the invitation again to confirm, pointing at the name and assuring Wen Yonglin.
"Look, I didn’t make a mistake; it’s Wang Hao!"
Steward Yang had already triple-checked; the person Master Wei wanted to invite was indeed Wang Hao. How could there be a mistake? Besides, Wen Yonglin had also seen the name on the invitation, so this time there could be no error!
"How... how is this possible!"
The Traditional Chinese Medicine suppliers looked at Cheng Yin with puzzled expressions.
The ultimate goal of Cheng Yin’s establishment of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association was to suppress, and one might even say, thoroughly eradicate Wang Hao.
At the inception of the association, Cheng Yin had made it clear that his target was Wang Hao.
Back then, Cheng Yin had confidently assured that Wang Hao definitely would not meet Master Wei, but he certainly would; that’s why these people had followed Cheng Yin so unswervingly. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
Now, Wang Hao hadn’t visited Master Wei, yet Master Wei had personally sent him an invitation, even treating Wang Hao as the most important person to receive and having his trusted aide personally deliver the invitation.
Their status in Master Wei’s heart was now clear to everyone, without need for words.