221: Chapter 221 The Engagement Banquet of the Century

Chen Fan held Su Wanqing's hand and sat in the back seat of the bulletproof Hongqi sedan. The motorcade drove out of Longwan No. 1 and headed straight for the Imperial Capital State Banquet Hall.

The scenery outside the car window sped past. Chen Fan looked at the system panel at the edge of his vision.

[Ultimate Main Quest Triggered.]

Red characters floated in mid-air, flickering incessantly.

"Hubby, what are you thinking about?" Su Wanqing leaned against Chen Fan's shoulder, smoothing the lapels of his suit.

"Thinking about when we first met." Chen Fan grasped his wife's hand. "Back then, I didn't even have the money to treat you to a good meal."

Su Wanqing's eyes reddened slightly as she buried her head deeper into him.

The motorcade stopped at the main entrance of the State Banquet Hall.

A red carpet was laid out, stretching for a hundred meters. Security personnel with live ammunition stood on both sides. Behind the outer perimeter line, reporters from thousands of media outlets worldwide held their cameras, their flashes lighting up the area like daylight.

Lin Wanqiu's parents stood in the reception area, looking lost and helpless.

Father Lin was wearing a custom-made suit, his palms drenched in sweat as he constantly tugged at his tie. Mother Lin gripped her handbag tightly, her body stiff. Not long ago, they had been driven to a dead end by the Wu Family of Jiangnan and were prepared to commit suicide by jumping off a building. Now, they stood in this hall of power representing the highest standards of Huaxia, welcoming the world's top elites.

"In-laws, please come inside." Chen Fan stepped forward and proactively reached out with both hands to grasp Father Lin's hand.

Father Lin's voice trembled as he nodded repeatedly. "Chairman Chen... no, in-law, we've caused you trouble."

"We're family now; no need for such formalities." Chen Fan stepped aside and made a welcoming gesture. "Today is the children's big day, and you two are the main guests."

The banquet hall was magnificent and resplendent.

A massive crystal chandelier hung from the dome, shining brilliantly. The long dining tables were covered with top-tier white truffles, caviar, and vintage Romanee-Conti.

Global political and business celebrities were arranged according to their seating order.

Middle Eastern royalty in traditional attire whispered among themselves. The helmsmen of top Wall Street financial groups held wine glasses with respectful expressions. Domestic internet giants were gathered in full force.

Old Ross sat in a wheelchair, pushed by bodyguards. Seeing Chen Fan enter, Old Ross braced himself against the armrests, forced himself to stand up, and bowed slightly in greeting.

Chen Fan nodded in response and led his family toward the main table.

The grand engagement ceremony was being broadcast live on large screens.

In a dilapidated rental house in a "village within a city" in Jiangnan City.

Wu Zhen stared at the mottled television screen, his whole body trembling. The wall paint was peeling, and the room smelled of mold. He held a bottle of cheap liquor, his knuckles turning white from the force of his grip.

On the screen, Lin Wanqiu wore a custom-made dress encrusted with tens of thousands of diamond fragments, looking breathtakingly beautiful.

Wu Tian huddled on a broken sofa in the corner, his teeth chattering. They had once attempted to force Lin Wanqiu to submit using a three-billion-yuan usury loan. Now, their hundred-billion-yuan family fortune, which they had been so proud of, had vanished into thin air, leaving them to linger on in a rat hole.

"Bang!" Wu Zhen smashed the wine bottle in his hand, glass shards flying everywhere. He covered his face and wailed loudly.

Inside the State Banquet Hall, the symphony orchestra played a melodious tune.

Chen Muyang, dressed in a pure white tuxedo, led Lin Wanqiu onto the main stage.

Spotlights shone on the two of them.

Chen Muyang took the ring from the hostess's tray.

The ten-carat "Deep Sea Blue" natural blue diamond refracted soul-stirring blue light under the lamps. This piece of jewelry had once fetched a sky-high price of one billion at Sotheby's and was taken by a mysterious buyer; now, it appeared here.

Chen Muyang knelt on one knee and looked up at Lin Wanqiu.

"Wanqiu, from now on, I will protect you with my life."

Tears streamed down Lin Wanqiu's face. She covered her mouth and nodded heavily.

Chen Muyang slid the diamond ring onto Lin Wanqiu's ring finger. The two embraced and kissed passionately.

Thunderous applause erupted from the audience, lasting for a long time.

The host stepped to the front of the stage and announced in a high-pitched voice, "Next, please welcome the Chairman of Huihuang Group, Mr. Chen Fan, to deliver a speech!"

The entire venue fell silent.

Chen Fan adjusted his suit buttons and stepped onto the rostrum.

The super-rich in the audience all sat up straight and held their breath. Countless eyes stared at the man on the stage.

Chen Fan stood before the microphone without any speech notes.

"A few years ago, I was still wearing a yellow uniform, delivering food in the pouring rain," Chen Fan began, his voice steady and carrying throughout the hall.

There was dead silence in the audience.

"The roads were slippery on rainy days. My electric scooter slipped, and the food spilled. I knelt in the muddy water, picking up the food and bowing desperately to apologize to the customer, all just to keep a few yuan in delivery fees." Chen Fan's gaze swept over the tycoon bosses in the front row. "Once, at the bottom of this world, I didn't even have the ability to protect my family. I was trampled and bullied by anyone."

Cold sweat broke out on Old Ross's forehead, and he took out a handkerchief to wipe it.

"But today, I stand here."

Chen Fan pointed to the stage beneath his feet.

"I built the empire of Huihuang Group with my own two hands. I stand at the top of the world not to prove to anyone how strong I am."

Chen Fan's voice suddenly rose, exuding an intense sense of pressure.

"I only want to tell everyone that the rules of Huihuang Group are my, Chen Fan's, rules."

He stared at the international giants in the audience who had once tried to strike him in the dark.

"Whoever touches my family dies. Whoever crosses my bottom line perishes. If you're not convinced, feel free to try me."

His words were powerful and resonant.

The entire State Banquet Hall echoed with Chen Fan's declaration.

No diplomatic rhetoric, no commercial flattery. This was the most direct form of deterrent.

Thunderous applause broke out. No one dared to raise an objection. Old Ross followed the crowd and clapped desperately, fearing he would be singled out if he were even half a beat slower.

Chen Fan stepped down from the stage and returned to the main table.

Su Wanqing handed him some red wine.

Chen Fan raised his glass, preparing to toast his in-laws at the same table.

A long "beep" sounded deep in his mind.

The system panel in the upper right corner of his vision underwent a massive change. Data streams scrolled like a waterfall.

The original [god-level investment system] interface shattered inch by inch, turning into a sky full of light specks.

A red warning box popped up.

[Host has achieved the "World's Richest Person" achievement.]

[Luck convergence complete.]

[System beginning final evolution. Progress: 10%... 50%... 100%!]

Chen Fan's movements stopped. The wine glass hung in mid-air, the red wine sloshing against the glass.

Brand-new modules unfolded frantically on the panel, and a massive flow of information surged into his brain.

Su Wanqing noticed something was wrong and leaned close to Chen Fan's ear to ask, "Hubby, what's wrong?"

Chen Fan set down his glass, his gaze piercing through the void as he looked at the newly reorganized system interface. He turned his head and looked at Su Wanqing.

"Wanqing, are you ready to come with me and flip the table of this world?"