25: Charity Gala

Zhao Chengqiang's heart was already churning like a stormy sea.

This wasn't just an olive branch; it was clearly a ladder to the heavens.

As a rickshaw puller, he knew full well that those who could live in Feixia Manor were at the very pinnacle of Shanghai's social pyramid.

Joining his ranks was like a great roc rising with the wind, soaring ninety thousand miles into the sky.

How much ancestral merit must one have accumulated to achieve this?

It wasn't as simple as smoke rising from the ancestral graves; the graves would have to be on fire for such luck.

"I'm willing! As long as the boss is willing to teach me, I will definitely learn well and work hard!"

Zhao Chengqiang came to his senses, straightened his back, and replied without a second thought.

"First, go change your outfit and rent a place nearby." Lu Fan raised his hand and set down a thousand silver dollars. "Take the money.

By tomorrow, find a way to settle your family's identity issues and move into the Concession."

What seemed like a routine instruction was actually a comprehensive test set by Lu Fan.

For a businessman, making money is important, but knowing how to spend it—specifically, how to spend it where it counts—is even more so.

Facing the test, Zhao Chengqiang took a deep breath and replied with a firm gaze, "Understood!"

With that, he picked up the silver dollars from the table without hesitation and turned to leave with long strides.

Lu Fan watched the departing Zhao Chengqiang dazed; that resilient and decisive silhouette vaguely resembled his own younger self.

Zhao Chengqiang was good material, but he didn't have the time to teach him hand-in-hand, nor did he intend to.

Because in this Shanghai, which seemed paved with gold but was built upon a foundation of white bones...

...if one wanted to mature quickly and stand on their own...

...the only way was through the most realistic and brutal methods of social practice.

After arranging things for Zhao Chengqiang, the car sent by Wang Tianxi arrived at the door.

Lu Fan freshened up, changed into a dark, slim-fit suit, and walked out of the villa into the setting sun.

Before long, the car entered The Bund, and the Peace Hotel came into view.

Cars queued up in a long line in front of the Peace Hotel like a flowing stream.

With this kind of spectacle, it was estimated that more than half of the cars in Shanghai were gathered here tonight.

Within a kilometer of the Peace Hotel...

...on both sides of the road, men in uniform black attire were dutifully maintaining order.

After a good while, the car finally pulled up to the hotel entrance.

The first thing that caught the eye was a striking banner: "Magic City Charity Relief Gala."

At this time, reporters from newspapers large and small across Shanghai had gathered at the entrance of the Peace Hotel.

They were scrambling to interview influential figures from all walks of life in Shanghai.

The prestige of the charity gala was turned up to the maximum.

As the car door opened, nearby photographers carrying large flashbulbs immediately found their positions, ready and waiting.

But the moment Lu Fan stepped onto the red carpet, the surrounding flashes did not light up as expected.

After the reporters saw clearly who it was, they looked at each other in confusion, casting questioning glances.

"Who is this guy? Never seen him!"

They were clearly uninterested in Lu Fan's unfamiliar face.

He certainly wasn't worth wasting their film on.

Lu Fan slowly lowered the hand he had prepared to shield his face and walked calmly along the red carpet.

No photos and no interviews actually saved him a lot of trouble.

It was true he wanted his reputation to soar, but given his special status, he still needed to keep a low profile when necessary.

Just as he was pondering how to act once inside, a familiar voice sounded from behind.

"Brother Fan~~"

Tang Jifeng approached, arm around a stunningly beautiful woman. "When did you get back? You didn't even give me a call."

Lu Fan smiled without speaking, his gaze shifting from Tang Jifeng to scan the beauty beside him.

He sent an inquiring look toward Tang Jifeng.

Having caught the look, Tang Jifeng understood and hurried to introduce her. "Brother Fan, this is my wife, Xu Lai.

Xiao Feng, this is the good brother I mentioned to you, Lu Fan!"

Xu Lai stepped forward gracefully and extended a slender hand with poise. "Mr. Lu, I've heard much about you. It's a pleasure to meet you~~"

Seeing this, Lu Fan stepped forward, took Xu Lai's hand, and responded politely.

"Miss Xu's temperament is as graceful as a gentle breeze; it's like being bathed in the air of spring.

A gentle breeze slowly comes—you truly live up to your name! It's a pleasure."

His words made no secret of his admiration for Xu Lai.

After the introductions, Tang Jifeng asked point-blank, "Brother Fan, you've only been back for a short while and you've already received an invitation to the relief gala.

You've been hiding your light under a bushel, haven't you?"

Lu Fan gave a wry smile and confessed honestly, "Sigh... to be honest, I got my spot at this gala from Wang Tianxi.

I thought that since I'm going to put down roots in Shanghai, I should see the necessary social scenes.

Tonight, I'm just planning to get my bearings."

Hearing this, Tang Jifeng straightened up and gave his word. "Then you've certainly come to the right place.

Almost everyone with a name in Shanghai will be here tonight. I'll introduce you around! Let's go~~"

The three of them walked slowly into the banquet hall. The thick carpets were soft and comfortable, and the dazzling crystal chandeliers bathed the entire hall in a warm, luxurious glow.

Many people had already arrived, forming small circles of two or three.

It was evident that the people in these small circles seemed very familiar with one another.

They wore smiles, conversing in low voices, occasionally letting out soft laughter.

In stark contrast to these small circles, there was almost no one wandering alone in the entire banquet hall.

The scene was clearly demarcated.

Tang Jifeng's appearance was like a bolt of lightning breaking through the originally dull atmosphere.

Like a brilliant star, he led Lu Fan through the various circles.

In this setting, it seemed no one didn't know Tang Jifeng, and no one was on bad terms with him.

His network was astonishingly vast; no matter which circle he entered, he could converse with people like a fish in water.

Tang Jifeng's social skills were truly peerless.

He could always skillfully blend into different groups, finding common ground with everyone and chatting merrily.

He had elevated the art of being all things to all people to a level of fine art.

Listening to him was like a spring breeze on the face, making one feel comfortable and pleased.

Watching Tang Jifeng handle various situations with such ease, Lu Fan couldn't help but admire him immensely.

He sighed inwardly; Tang Jifeng was popular everywhere, no wonder his life seemed to be on easy mode.

After a round of introductions, Lu Fan had become a somewhat familiar face, but he hadn't seen any of the major figures he expected.

Not one of The Three Tycoons, the Jiangbei Tycoon, the Shipping King, or the powerful families.

He hadn't seen a single one, and he couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.

Just then, a slightly older man holding a wine glass stepped forward to greet Tang Jifeng first.

"Little Tang! When did you get here? Where's your brother?"

"Third Brother, I've been here for a while. You know my brother; how could he possibly get away?"

Tang Jifeng chuckled and turned to introduce him. "Third Brother, this is my brother Lu Fan, just back from England!

Brother Fan, this is my good older brother, Lin Tianrong of Liuhe Dyeing!"

"A pleasure to meet you!"

Just as Lu Fan and Lin Tianrong exchanged business cards, the entrance suddenly became bustling.

Every gaze in the room focused on the door.