Chapter 607

Soon, a young man dressed in flashy clothes walked in, surrounded by members of the Song family.

Song Rongyu and his father, Song Tianming, followed closely on either side of the young man, appearing extremely obsequious.

Old Master Song and Song Wanting also followed along the side, though Song Wanting's expression was slightly cold.

Ye Chen looked at the young man; he was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, and his expression was very arrogant.

Chen Zekai, standing to the side, said indifferently, "I think this Third Young Master of the Kong family feels like a dragon that has arrived in a fish pond. He certainly wouldn't imagine that you, Young Master, a true dragon, are residing in this small fish pond of Jin Ling."

Ye Chen smiled slightly, neither confirming nor denying his words.

In truth, Ye Chen did not care about others putting on airs in front of him.

No matter how big of an act others put on, that is their own business; as long as they don't provoke him, he couldn't be bothered to care how they show off.

Exclamations of surprise erupted from the crowd; no one had expected that the Third Young Master of the Kong family would actually come.

Among them were quite a few low-status families who wanted to build a connection with the Kong family; the way they looked at the Third Young Master of the Kong family was like a greedy cat seeing meat.

The Song family accompanied the Third Young Master of the Kong family into the banquet hall. Old Master Song took the lead in bringing him before Ye Chen and introduced Ye Chen respectfully, saying, "Third Young Master, this is the famous Master Ye Chen of Jin Ling. He is my savior and, like you, is a young talent and a dragon among men."

The Third Young Master of the Kong family sized Ye Chen up and felt that this kid didn't look like anything special, and his attire was nothing more than that of an ordinary person.

The Third Young Master of the Kong family was just about to mock Ye Chen with contempt, but unexpectedly, a glance out of the corner of his eye caught sight of Chen Zekai.

The Third Young Master of the Kong family naturally recognized Chen Zekai; after all, Chen Zekai was a member of the Ye family.

Moreover, the Ye family's influence was far, far stronger than the Kong family's. Even the Kong family was desperate to curry favor with the Ye family, so he was startled to see Chen Zekai here.

Afterward, he looked at Ye Chen again and suddenly felt that since Chen Zekai was here and this kid was also surnamed Ye, could he be a young master of the Ye family?

Thinking of this, the Third Young Master of the Kong family said politely to Ye Chen, "Oh, so it is Young Master Ye. I have long admired you. Some time ago, I wanted to visit the Ye family, but I was unable to do so. I didn't expect to see you here."

Ye Chen smiled indifferently and said, "This gentleman must have mistaken me for someone else. I am not a young master of the Ye family; I just happen to have the surname Ye."

The Third Young Master of the Kong family hurriedly looked at Chen Zekai and asked with some respect, "Mr. Chen, you are a member of the Ye family. Is this not a young master of the Ye family?"

Chen Zekai smiled and said, "You heard Master Ye; he just happens to have the surname Ye."

The Third Young Master of the Kong family nodded, and when he looked at Ye Chen, his eyes were already filled with a bit of disdain.

A so-called Master Ye of no consequence dares to be mentioned in the same breath as him? What is he worth?

Thinking of this, he couldn't be bothered to pay attention to Ye Chen anymore. He cupped his hands toward Chen Zekai and smiled, "I didn't expect to see Mr. Chen here today. I was actually planning to visit the Buckingham Palace tomorrow."

Chen Zekai said indifferently, "Third Young Master is too kind. I wonder how you found the time to come to Jin Ling?"

The Third Young Master of the Kong family glanced at Song Wanting and said with a smile, "My younger sister and Miss Wanting were classmates abroad. This time, I came to Jin Ling originally to discuss some cooperation with Old Master Song. I had planned to come in a couple of days, but I heard today was Miss Wanting's birthday, so I came early."

As he spoke, he took a very exquisite gift box from his pocket. After opening it, a sparkling ruby necklace was revealed. He said to Song Wanting, "Miss Wanting, I personally selected this necklace for you. It is inlaid with a natural ruby from Africa."

Everyone looked into the box one after another, only to see an incredibly exquisite necklace inside, inlaid with a crystal-clear ruby about the size of an egg.

Many people present could not help but exclaim in surprise.

Everyone there was knowledgeable and knew that this kind of ruby was priceless.

Seeing that everyone was stunned by his ruby necklace, the Third Young Master of the Kong family smiled triumphantly and said, "Miss Wanting should know that rubies are the most expensive of all gemstones. The international public price is tens of thousands of dollars per carat. Especially for a ruby as pure as this one—and it is a full 26 carats—I even found the best chief jewelry master at Tiffany to personally polish this stone and complete the setting. This piece alone is worth over 20 million dollars. I hope Miss Wanting likes it."

Many people were so envious their eyeballs were about to fall out.

Receiving a 20-million-dollar gift for a birthday is simply inconceivable.

However, Song Wanting seemed completely uninterested in the necklace. She said with a calm expression, "Third Young Master, this necklace is truly too valuable; I cannot accept it."

"Why can't you accept it?" the Third Young Master of the Kong family said with a smile. "It's just a necklace. To our Kong family, it's nothing more than a drop in the bucket. I also felt that this necklace really matches Miss Wanting's temperament, which is why I specifically bought it for you. So, Miss Wanting, you don't need to be polite with me; just accept it."

Song Wanting declined earnestly, "Young Master, you are too kind. As the saying goes, one should not accept a reward without merit. How can I accept such a valuable gift from you for no reason? I appreciate your kind intentions, but please take the necklace back."

The Third Young Master of the Kong family's expression turned somewhat gloomy, and he asked her, "Miss Song, why must you and I be so polite? My visit this time is not only for your birthday but also to engage in deep cooperation with your Song family. If you are this polite from the start, how can this cooperation proceed?"

Song Rongyu, standing to the side, hurriedly said, "Wanting, what are you thinking? The Third Young Master gave you such a wonderful gift; how can you slight the Third Young Master's painstaking efforts? Hurry up and accept it!"

Song Rongyu's father, Song Tianming, also nodded repeatedly, "Wanting, look at who else would give such a generous gift for a birthday? Only the Third Young Master would be this generous."

Song Wanting said stubbornly, "I know the Third Young Master's gift is very generous, and I am very grateful, but I truly cannot accept such a valuable gift. Please forgive me, Third Young Master; this is a matter of my personal principles, not because I have any issues with you or the necklace. Please, Third Young Master, do not misunderstand."

Old Master Song also stepped in to smooth things over at this moment, saying, "Third Young Master, your gift is indeed a bit too valuable. It is normal that Wanting feels embarrassed to accept it. Please forgive her."

The Third Young Master of the Kong family frowned and asked, "Old Master Song, are you and Miss Wanting looking down on me, or are you looking down on our Kong family?"