People in Jianghu often find themselves helpless.

At noon, despite not being very enthusiastic, Shen Qiang still arranged for the many business owners visiting Antiques Street to congratulate him, including Xu Nan, Bai Jiao, their entourages, the store staff, and the appraisers, to join him at Datong River.

After all, not celebrating the opening of Xiduobao was not an option.

Eighteen courses symbolizing abundant wealth, at the Chinese restaurant on the Datong River.

Everyone had just arrived.

Shen Qiang immediately spotted the energetic old man, Zhong Jixiang, dressed in small cloth shoes, and the smiling Zhong Yongxi.

Shen Qiang was still quite polite to the grandfather and grandson pair.

Although there had been some unpleasant experiences in the past, now that Zhong Jixiang called Shen Qiang "Shishu" and Zhong Yongxi called him "Shishu Zu," both had been quite helpful to Shen Qiang, so he naturally treated them with courtesy.

Just as said among the six virtues of a gentleman.

Respectful to those above, humble to those below, that is what courtesy dictates.

Though not a sage, Shen Qiang knew how to be polite.

After warmly inviting the Zhong family upstairs, Shen Qiang just turned around and saw Xu Nan and Bai Jiao and their two personal assistants.

After greeting them and sending them upstairs as well,

Wu Zhaoyang, Lan Yong, Bianyi, Hao Deben, and the security chief of Xiduobao with Yang God Realm Cultivation, Kong Richeng, arrived. They were all Cultivators and insiders, so Shen Qiang directly told Bianyi to arrange a table for them.

But Bianyi was singled out by Shen Qiang, assigning him the task of arranging the guests.

Later, after arranging most of the people, the last wave of visitors left Shen Qiang momentarily speechless.

Ji Liangchuan.

Moreover, he came alone.

"Congratulations, Mr. Shen," said the tall and handsome Ji Liangchuan as he approached Shen Qiang, "Although you didn't invite me, I felt that as a friend, I should be at your opening ceremony. I did go to your store, but the crowded conditions made it somewhat uncomfortable for me."

Hearing this, Shen Qiang laughed, "We are friends? I wasn't aware."

Ji Liangchuan's face turned slightly red, admitting somewhat awkwardly, "That's how I see it." Saying this, he stuffed a red envelope into Shen Qiang's hand, saying, "This is a small token of my appreciation, please accept it."

Shen Qiang smiled, paying no attention to the red envelope but looking at Ji Liangchuan, "I don't quite understand what you really think. Actually, what I said was just casual. If you don't mess with me, I won't threaten you, nor will I unnecessarily talk behind your back. So, there's no need for a red envelope."

Ji Liangchuan laughed, "As a friend, it's customary to show some gesture on the opening of a new store, so don't be shy. If you feel embarrassed about it, just keep it in mind and find a chance to return the favor later."

Shen Qiang laughed, "I don't like being in anyone's debt."

Ji Liangchuan smiled, "It's just a small gesture. There are many guests here, and I've expressed my intentions, so I won't disturb you any longer, goodbye."

Seeing Ji Liangchuan turning to leave, Shen Qiang hesitated slightly.

In fact, Shen Qiang didn't like Ji Liangchuan, whose only assets, aside from showing off and pretending, were nothing Shen Qiang deemed worthy of respect; however, setting that aside, today was the opening of Xiduobao, and he had shown up and brought a gift.

Just at the entrance of the Datong River restaurant, if he had just let him walk away like that,

It would have been Shen Qiang who was at fault.

After all, grievances were grievances.

His attendance today showed goodwill.

"Let's head upstairs for a meal before you leave," Shen Qiang said.

Ji Liangchuan was startled, then his eyes lit up with excitement, "Are you treating me to a meal?"

Watching him metaphorically wag his tail and puff out his chest, as if he was something special, Shen Qiang gave him a helpless eye roll, "Stop dawdling, follow me upstairs if you're eating, or get lost if you're not."

Watching Shen Qiang turn around, Ji Liangchuan laughed, his eyes excited as he followed behind Shen Qiang, saying, "I'd never accept others' invitations to meals, but since it's you who's asking, I definitely have to honor that."

Shen Qiang rolled his eyes.

What kind of person was this, he had only been polite, yet this guy took any slight offer and ran with it.

Once they were upstairs, the guests had mostly taken their seats.

Merrily reminding both Mr. Ma and Sun Kaiping to take good care of everyone present, Shen Qiang then called over Bianyi to play the role of the host and look after the guests before he and Ji Liangchuan entered the private room.

The room wasn't crowded.

Yet without exception, everyone was a cultivator.

Beautiful Demon Fox Chu Qing, Dark Department Xiu Ju, Xu Nan, Bai Jiao, along with their two assistants, Zhong Jixiang, Zhong Yongxi, as well as Wu Zhaoyang, Lan Yong, Hao Deben, and Kong Richeng in charge of security at Kido Bao, including Shen Qiang and Ji Liangchuan — fourteen people in total.

Xu Nan, Bai Jiao, and Zhong Yongxi were surprised to see Ji Liangchuan. Zhong Yongxi even whispered something to Elder Zhong, after which Elder Zhong appeared somewhat uneasy.

Meanwhile, the table in the private room, though large, had indeed only twelve chairs. Naturally, Bai Jiao and Xu Nan wouldn't let their assistants sit.

Seeing this amused Shen Qiang who promptly got up, dragged over three chairs from next door, shoved them next to the table, then chuckled, "It's not that I'm stingy with a table of feasts; I just feel it's more lively when we all sit together."

"Sit down, everyone sit down. Since Kido Bao's opening wasn't a formal invitation and all of you who came are my friends, let's not stand on ceremony."

With a smile to the impeccably dressed young man and Bai Jiao's sturdy female assistant behind her, Shen Qiang said, "Don't look at Xu Nan and Bai Jiao, if I say sit, you sit. If they give you attitude, just quit and come work with me."

Hearing this, everyone in the room laughed.

Soon after, everyone took their seats, and the servers began bringing out the dishes.

Looking at the empty chair.

Xu Nan said thoughtfully, "What about it, Shen Qiang, do you still have another guest coming?"

Shen Qiang laughed, "No, that chair is saved for Shen Bian. He's my right-hand man and the actual head of Shen's Holding, also currently my only partner. He'll be here soon, and I will introduce him to all of you."

Hearing this, Bai Jiao's eyes brightened, then she chuckled, "Is it that guy who blocks us for money?"

Shen Qiang's eyes crinkled as he laughed, "Yes, and believe it or not, I must tell you that charging an entry fee was entirely his doing; I had no clue about it beforehand."

Xu Nan's eyes also crinkled with amusement, "Without your consent, I don't think he'd dare do such a thing, so when you say that, it makes me think you're protesting too much."

This made Shen Qiang a bit embarrassed and he felt it was indeed hard to clarify, being one of those situations likely to get murkier the more one explained. So, instinctively shifting the topic, he chuckled and said, "Let me introduce, the person sitting across is Ji Liangchuan, and next to me, this beautiful lady is Xu Nan, she..."

Watching Xu Nan smile, Ji Liangchuan interrupted in a deep voice, "No need to introduce this barbaric tomboy; I know her."

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