Chapter 145: Master Lin Wanshan has arrived!

"You don't live at home, so what are we supposed to discuss with you?"

Yan Jinsong glanced at the indignant Yan Qingxue: "Qingxue, let me introduce him to you formally again. From now on, Xu Tian is your younger brother."

"I don't acknowledge him!"

Yan Qingxue said, both angry and aggrieved: "You don't know, he is an ingrate. He is clearly the adopted son of the Xu family, yet he doesn't know how to be grateful at all, idling his time away every day..."

"That's impossible!" Yan Jinsong and Su Xiuya shook their heads in unison: "Xiao Tian is not that kind of person."

Seeing that her parents didn't believe her and were even shielding an outsider, Yan Qingxue became even angrier.

"How is it impossible? Do you know what his reputation is like at the Xu Corporation?"

"He is clearly the adopted son of the Xu family, yet he doesn't know how to be grateful. He idles his time away all day, taking the company's salary without ever going to work. I've been working at the Xu Corporation for two months, and I have never seen him, this deputy manager, show up."

"If he really had a conscience, he wouldn't let Big Brother work so hard while he does nothing."

Previously, when Yan Qingxue called Xu Rixin, eight out of ten times she was told he was working overtime and couldn't accompany her. At those times, she felt especially heartbroken for this man who worked so hard every day.

"Sister Qingxue seems to have some misunderstandings about me."

Xu Tian explained patiently: "It's not that I don't go to the company, but that I have already resigned. If I hadn't already started working at Tian Feng Entertainment, how could I have obtained the villa from Godfather and Godmother?"

"You're lying! Rixin clearly said you were absent from work. How dare you quibble!"

Yan Qingxue was relentless: "Xu Tian, I know your background. You might be able to fool my parents, but you absolutely cannot fool me!"

"Alright, alright!"

Yan Jinsong had a headache from Yan Qingxue's bickering: "Qingxue, whatever the matter is, let's talk about it when we get home after the birthday banquet ends. Today is your grandfather's birthday; don't make the old man unhappy."

"Heh, Grandfather won't pay any attention to us anyway."

Yan Qingxue laughed at herself: "We are almost seated outside the banquet hall. Who can hear us talking? Even those minor celebrities have better seats than us. Anyone who doesn't know better would think we had been expelled from the Yan family."

"Qingxue, how can you say that?" Yan Jinsong's expression changed.

"Oh, I misspoke."

Yan Qingxue, however, was not willing to show any weakness: "We are no different from being expelled now..."

"Alright, alright, stop arguing." Seeing Yan Jinsong's ugly expression, Su Xiuya quickly spoke up to persuade them: "Both of you, say less. Drink some soup to cool your tempers."

"Xiao Tian, your sister and your godfather have this kind of temper. Don't take it to heart. We are all one family; any misunderstandings can be cleared up if we just talk about them."

"Hmph, who is one family with him?" Yan Qingxue rolled her eyes impatiently.

Xu Tian felt a bit helpless.

The Yan Qingxue of now and the melancholic, composed Yan Qingxue from a few years later were simply like two different people.

But he still felt that this straightforward and outspoken Yan Qingxue was more adorable and vibrant.

Just as Xu Tian was chatting with Yan Jinsong and the others, a burst of exclamations came from the main table.

Xu Tian looked up and saw Yan Hongyu and a young woman presenting a scroll to the Yan Family Patriarch together.

Xu Tian was slightly startled after seeing that woman. He hadn't paid attention before, but now he recognized that the woman following in front of Yan Hongyu was actually Xu Miaoyin.

"Godmother, who is that?" Xu Tian pointed in the direction of Xu Miaoyin.

"She is, she is the Fourth Miss of the Imperial Capital's Xu family, Xu Miaoyin." Su Xiuya said: "I just heard others say that she is about to get engaged to Yan Hongyu."

"Xu Miaoyin?" Xu Tian frowned slightly.

"This Fourth Miss is an illegitimate daughter. Now that she has been found and brought back by the main family, not only has she become a socialite in the Imperial Capital, but she was even exceptionally entered into the genealogy. She really has good fortune."

Yan Qingxue seemed to dislike Xu Miaoyin; her tone remained sarcastic as she spoke.

Her words reminded Xu Tian of things from his past life.

In his past life, after he divorced Tang Bingyan, Lin Miaoyin had indeed stayed by his side, never leaving, appearing deeply in love with him.

But when he was squeezed of all utility value by the Xu family and became penniless, Lin Miaoyin left him without the slightest hesitation.

Xu Tian later heard that she went to the Imperial Capital to develop, and after that, there was no news of her.

He didn't expect that Lin Miaoyin was actually an illegitimate daughter of the Xu family.

Perhaps, in his past life, Lin Miaoyin was found by people from the Xu family and taken back to the Imperial Capital after he fell into ruin.

"Xiao Tian, what's wrong with you?" Seeing a flash of ferocity in Xu Tian's originally clear eyes, Su Xiuya asked with some concern.

"Nothing."

Xu Tian came back to his senses and coughed lightly: "Maybe I'm just a bit tired."

But as he spoke, his eyes still flickered with a hint of confusion.

There were so many men in Jiang City; why would Lin Miaoyin choose Yan Hongyu?

He only knew that Yan Hongyu had pursued Lin Miaoyin back in university. As for whether it was true love or simply enjoying the thrill of competing with him, Xu Tian did not know.

Lin Miaoyin had had no interest in Yan Hongyu at the time.

Now that the two had come together, Xu Tian didn't believe they were truly a match made in heaven.

But regardless, as long as they didn't jump around in front of him, Xu Tian couldn't be bothered to pay attention.

At this moment, Yan Hongyu and Xu Miaoyin had already unfolded the scroll in front of the Yan Family Patriarch. On the scroll were four magnificent characters: "Gold and Jade Fill the Hall."

This calligraphy was vigorous, powerful, and magnificent, immediately drawing praise from the guests.

"This is the ink treasure of calligraphy master Lin Wanshan!"

Song Lao was the first to see the signature at the bottom of the scroll, excitedly putting on his reading glasses and leaning in.

Hearing this, the crowd looked toward the signature position one after another. Sure enough, at the very bottom, there was indeed Lin Wanshan's personal seal.

"This is actually Master Lin's handwriting!"

Yan Jinsong was a bit excited, his gaze fixed firmly on that calligraphy work.

He usually liked to study calligraphy and paintings, and in his spare time, he would write a couple of pieces himself. Unfortunately, ever since the company went bankrupt, he had been busy making a living and no longer had the heart to persist in those elegant hobbies.

The calligraphy master he admired most was Lin Wanshan.

Lin Wanshan was low-key, and his ink treasures were always hard to come by in the calligraphy and painting market.

Every guest present who had some research into calligraphy and painting was very excited.

"Grandfather, this ink treasure from Master Lin Wanshan is my birthday gift to you."

"I know you have always greatly appreciated Master Lin's work. This time, I specifically used my connections to request a 'Gold and Jade Fill the Hall' from Master Lin."

In fact, Yan Hongyu had originally intended to use the connections of Xu Miaoyin's father to invite Master Lin Wanshan to attend the Yan Family Patriarch's birthday banquet, but Master Lin never attended such occasions and had never replied.

In the end, Yan Hongyu could only settle for second best and requested a piece of work as a birthday gift for his grandfather.

Before the banquet started today, Xu Miaoyin and Yan Hongyu still held a glimmer of hope in their hearts, but as the banquet passed the halfway point, their hope was dashed.

"Hongyu has a heart." The Yan Family Patriarch looked at Yan Hongyu with gratification, his tone gentle and loving: "I like this gift very much."

"As long as Grandfather likes it, then no matter how much effort I spent, it was worth it!" Yan Hongyu replied submissively.

"Like it, I like it very much."

A rare smile appeared on the Yan Family Patriarch's wrinkled face.

And just in this warm and harmonious atmosphere, Xiao Guanjia hurried to Yan Hongyu's side and whispered a few words to him.

"What did you say?" A look of joy immediately appeared on Yan Hongyu's face.

"It's absolutely true!" Xiao Guanjia replied affirmatively.

"Miaoyin, Master Lin has arrived!" Yan Hongyu tugged at Xu Miaoyin's sleeve.

Xu Miaoyin was stunned: "Is it Master Lin Wanshan?"

"Yes!" Yan Hongyu said very affirmatively: "The security department at the entrance just sent someone to report that Master Lin has already entered the courtyard and will be here soon."

Hearing this, Xu Miaoyin immediately laughed coquettishly: "I told you, my father's face is still useful."