109: Chapter 109 My kidneys aren't good enough to be a player.

At the entrance of the banquet hall, Gu Jingshen pushed the wheelchair, carefully avoiding the crowd. Zhang Fan, sitting in the wheelchair, wore a custom suit with a brace wrapped around his waist. Although his complexion wasn't exactly rosy, he couldn't hide his calm demeanor.

As soon as he appeared, the bustling banquet hall quieted down a bit. Many eyes focused on them, filled with curiosity, admiration, and scrutinizing investigation.

"CEO Zhang, you're really pushing yourself to come and hold down the fort before your injury has even healed!" The first to greet them was Director Li from the university incubator. He held a wine glass, smiling warmly, "I said it long ago, Singularity Technology would definitely succeed. Now it seems, it's more than just succeeding; it's about to take off!"

Zhang Fan nodded slightly, his tone gentle yet measured: "Thank you for your concern, Director Li. It's just a minor injury, it's fine. The smooth hosting of this banquet is also thanks to everyone's support."

Zhou Yurou followed beside them, holding a tablet, and quickly reported to Zhang Fan: "The representatives from the overseas partners have already arrived and are waiting in the lounge over there. The legal department has also done a final check of the contract; there are no issues. Miss Song just said that Chairman Song has already arrived downstairs and will be up soon."

"Good." Zhang Fan nodded, his gaze subconsciously glancing at the entrance. He knew that Song Zhiwei had put a lot of effort into this banquet, especially in convincing Richest Man Song, which had exceeded his expectations.

Just as they were talking, a small commotion suddenly broke out at the entrance of the banquet hall. Everyone's attention was drawn over. They saw Song Zhiwei wearing a champagne-colored long dress, arm-in-arm with a middle-aged man, walking in slowly.

The man was around fifty years old, wearing a dark gray suit. His posture was upright, and although there were a few strands of white hair at his temples, he didn't look old at all; instead, he exuded a sense of authority from having been in a high position for a long time.

He was Song Zhiwei's father, the Richest Man Song in Jiangcheng and a renowned entrepreneur nationwide. In recent years, he had shifted from real estate to deep cultivation of international trade, spending most of his time in Beijing, Shanghai, or abroad. His appearances in Jiangcheng were rare, and even many local entrepreneurs in Jiangcheng had only seen his photo in financial magazines.

"It's Chairman Song! He actually really came!"

"My god, Singularity Technology has such huge influence? Chairman Song doesn't even touch projects under ten billion nowadays, yet he actually came in person for a 50 million investment this time?"

"What do you know? This isn't for the sake of 50 million. Didn't you see Miss Song following him? It must be for his daughter!"

Discussions rose one after another. Many people held their wine glasses and tried to approach, wanting to find an opportunity to greet Richest Man Song, but were intimidated by his aura and didn't dare to get too close.

Seeing this situation, Gu Jingshen couldn't help but lean into Zhang Fan's ear and tease: "The spectacle of your future 'father-in-law' is quite grand."

Zhang Fan didn't take his joke, his gaze falling on Richest Man Song. He could feel that Richest Man Song's gaze was also sizing him up. That look was sharp, carrying scrutiny, as if evaluating an important "asset."

Song Zhiwei walked to Zhang Fan with her father on her arm, introducing him to her father first: "Dad, this is Zhang Fan, the founder of Singularity Technology." She then turned her head and smiled at Zhang Fan, "CEO Zhang, my dad came back specially from abroad."

Richest Man Song extended his hand, his tone unreadable: "CEO Zhang, I've heard much about you."

Zhang Fan shook his hand and could feel that the other party's grip was quite strong, clearly testing him. He returned the grip calmly, his tone steady: "Chairman Song, thank you for gracing us with your presence."

The two shook hands for only two seconds before letting go. Richest Man Song's gaze swept over Zhang Fan's wheelchair and landed back on his face: "I heard that CEO Zhang hurt his waist while helping my daughter?"

"Just a small accident, it's nothing." Zhang Fan answered concisely, without deliberately playing the victim, nor claiming credit.

Fearing the atmosphere was awkward, Song Zhiwei quickly smoothed things over: "Dad, it was already very difficult for CEO Zhang to come this time. Let's not stand here and chat. Shall I take you to meet the representatives of the overseas partners?"

Richest Man Song nodded but didn't leave immediately. Instead, he said to Zhang Fan: "After you're done, I'd like to have a private chat with CEO Zhang."

"No problem." Zhang Fan agreed, knowing clearly—this was the real purpose of Richest Man Song's visit. He wanted to personally examine him to see if this young man, who could help his daughter get rid of the Pei family and dared to accept the Song family's investment, was truly a "good match," and whether he would be like Pei Yunxiao, only after the Song family's money.

After Song Zhiwei accompanied her father away, Gu Jingshen finally breathed a sigh of relief: "You didn't see it just now, Director Li wanted to come over to greet Chairman Song but was blocked by the bodyguards next to him. Your 'father-in-law' has such an imposing aura."

"Big brother, don't mess with me!" Zhang Fan frowned instantly, his voice lowered even further, and he even subconsciously glanced around. The banquet hall was crowded, and many people were pricking up their ears, paying attention to the movement here. "If this were to be heard by someone, especially Chairman Song or someone else, would I even be able to live?"

"Tch! What are you afraid of?" Gu Jingshen raised his eyebrows and smiled evilly, deliberately lowering his voice so that the waiter passing by could vaguely hear, "Better to die under the peony flower, even as a ghost one is romantic! To have Chairman Song as a father-in-law, what's a little loss of face?"

"Big brother, do you think everyone is like you, a reincarnated Teddy dog who flirts with everyone they see?" Zhang Fan rolled his eyes, his tone filled with helpless self-deprecation, "I don't have that energy. Besides, my waist is still injured, and my kidneys can't handle the tossing. I can't be your kind of player."

As the two were bickering, they saw Zhou Yurou walking over quickly. She had just finished chatting with old friends in the investment circle, holding a sticky note with key points in her hand.

Seeing this, Gu Jingshen immediately stopped the joke and cleared his throat, his tone sounding as serious as if he were a different person: "Sister Zhou, finished chatting over there? Did it delay anything?"

Zhou Yurou didn't notice the teasing between the two just now, walked straight to Zhang Fan, handed him the sticky note, and said in a professional tone: "Just confirmed the follow-up cooperation intentions with several investors, no problems. By the way, CEO Tang (Tang Wanqing) came looking for you just now but didn't see you. She asked me to tell you that Gu Corporation is recently pushing a European real estate project and wants to take advantage of today to meet with Chairman Song to talk about cooperative development, and asked if you could help arrange it."

Zhang Fan took the sticky note and glanced at it, then looked up and smiled at Zhou Yurou, "You help me entertain Aunt Tang first, let her have something to drink and wait for a while. After I finish signing the contract with the overseas partners, I will mention it to Chairman Song. I definitely won't let her make a wasted trip."

He paused, then looked at Gu Jingshen: "You help me push the chair over. The representatives of the overseas partners should be waiting at the signing desk. Don't keep them waiting too long and delay important business."

Gu Jingshen immediately agreed, reaching out to hold the wheelchair handles: "Okay, going now. By the way, the legal team at the signing desk has already organized the contract, just waiting for your signature."

Zhou Yurou also nodded and added: "I just confirmed with the assistant of the overseas representative, they have no objections to the contract terms, just waiting for both parties to sign."

Zhang Fan said "Mm," his gaze turning to the signing desk not far away. A number of media reporters were already gathered there, and camera lenses were aimed at the empty signing seats, obviously waiting to record this key signing.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the panic caused by Gu Jingshen's teasing just now. His gaze returned to the main line of "advancing Singularity," and his tone was firm: "Let's go, don't keep everyone waiting too long."

Gu Jingshen pushed the wheelchair toward the signing desk, with Zhou Yurou following beside them. The three figures soon merged into the flow of people in the banquet hall, leaving only the laughter that hadn't dispersed, quietly falling onto the passing champagne tower, splashing up tiny bubbles.