The atmosphere in the hall grew considerably more lively after the VIPs departed.
When the VIPs were in the small lounge, many outside couldn't help but temper their behavior, afraid to speak too loudly lest they disturb the heavenly beings.
"Daddy!"
Lin Chen walked toward Lin Xiaoqian, who called out to him joyfully.
Xu Mengyao and their group were still eating. The VIPs, pressed for time, had finished quickly, while the guests in the main hall ate at a more leisurely pace. After all, the portions were generous, and deals might be struck right at the dinner table.
"Honey," Lin Chen said as he approached Xu Mengyao.
"Honey, has Qianqian finished eating?"
"I'm done. I'll take her. You finish your meal slowly."
Lin Chen smiled.
Xu Mengyao nodded. "She's done. But I'm afraid you won't have time to take her right now, dear."
At that moment, Song Qingquan approached.
He chuckled. "Young Master Lin, I know you have a bottomless capacity for drink. You haven't had enough, have you? On behalf of everyone at our table, I've been asked to invite you for a few more rounds."
Lin Chen patted Lin Xiaoqian's little head. "Qianqian, how about Daddy plays with you later?"
"Daddy, don't get too drunk," Lin Xiaoqian said in her soft, childish voice.
"No problem," Lin Chen replied with a smile. "Honey, President Song is being so hospitable. I'll have a few more drinks with them."
"Okay," Xu Mengyao nodded.
As Lin Chen and the others walked over to Song Qingquan's table, someone at Xu Mengyao's table asked curiously, "President Xu, did your husband meet a benefactor?"
"Perhaps," Xu Mengyao answered vaguely.
Another person added, "President Liu, you'd better not pry. If this involves top-tier figures, President Xu probably can't say anything."
"I was just asking casually," President Liu said.
"Let's change the subject and talk business instead," the curious woman quickly interjected.
At another table, Pan Jia frowned deeply.
She had assumed Lin Chen was insignificant, but now she saw him seated at the same table as powerful figures like Old Song.
The women at Xu Mengyao's table all carried far greater weight than those at Pan Jia's.
It was clear that in the eyes of the Song Family, Lin Chen and his group held far greater importance.
Her attempt to take Xu Mengyao abroad and introduce her to another man had deeply offended Lin Chen.
Cooperation between her and the Song Family was now likely impossible.
*What incredible luck!* Pan Jia thought to herself. *Lin Chen is only good at basketball. Did he somehow catch the eye of some powerful figure?*
Lin Chen raised his glass with the rest of the group at his table.
"Young Master Lin, allow me to propose a toast," Song Qingquan said with a smile, raising his glass.
"President Song, I'm younger than you. It should be me proposing the toast. Isn't it inappropriate for you to toast me?" Lin Chen replied.
Song Qingquan chuckled. "Ability matters more than age. You're more capable than I am, so it's perfectly appropriate for me to toast you."
"I'll drink first," Song Qingquan said, draining his glass in one gulp.
Lin Chen naturally finished his own glass.
The scene was witnessed by everyone at their table, and even by some at other tables.
Whispers began to ripple through the crowd: *Who exactly is Lin Chen?*
"Young Master Lin, I'd like to propose a toast to you."
A prominent figure to Lin Chen's left spoke up. While wealthy, his assets paled in comparison to the Song Family's, and even Song Qingquan was being so courteous to Lin Chen.
"Young Master Lin, I'd like to toast you."
"Young Master Lin—"
The others at the table joined in, raising their glasses one after another.
After they had finished, Song Shize approached with his own glass. "Young Master Lin, would you care to join our table? The others there would love to meet you."
Lin Chen shared a drink with Song Shize.
He excused himself and moved to Song Shize's table.
"Dad, are you alright?" Lin Chen sat down next to Xu Guofeng.
Xu Guofeng was already somewhat intoxicated. He rubbed his forehead and said, "I've had a bit too much. President Song and the others are relentless with their toasts."
"You rest while I handle them."
Lin Chen was invited to continue drinking in a smaller lounge. The men at Xu Guofeng's table were all shrewd operators, and they would undoubtedly want to make Xu Guofeng feel their warmth.
"Take it easy, Dad," Lin Chen said with a smile.
Time passed, and on Lin Chen's table, Song Shize and several others had been downed by Lin Chen's drinking.
Of course, none of them were completely drunk.
Would he really make a fool of himself in front of so many people?
"Young Master Lin, you're a true titan of drink."
"We surrender. Let's call it a night."
A prominent figure pleaded for mercy.
He was a veteran of alcohol-fueled battles himself, but Lin Chen drank like water. There was no way he could compete.
Lin Chen chuckled. "Alright, let's end it here. If you kept going, I'd probably be drunk too."
Song Shize and the others watched Lin Chen.
He showed no signs of intoxication.
The group rose to leave. Song Shize glanced at his second brother, a flicker of suspicion in his heart. Song Shikang hadn't even taken a single drink with Lin Chen.
Could his brother hold a grudge against Lin Chen?
It was Song Shikang who had first proposed helping the Wu Family. As his younger brother, Song Shize had naturally agreed.
Later, when things took a turn for the worse, it was normal for him to withdraw his support.
"Old Song, we'll take our leave now."
"Please take care of yourself."
Lin Chen and Xu Mengyao arrived at Old Song's courtyard. Lin Xiaoqian followed shortly after, coming to play at the old man's place.
"Xiao Lin, I have something I need to ask you," Old Song said.
Lin Chen and Old Song went to his study.
Old Song sat down, his expression deeply weary.
"Xiao Lin, please sit down. Tell me the truth, is my condition really as bad as I fear?" Old Song asked.
Lin Chen replied, "Old Song, don't worry. You must have had a check-up. There's nothing seriously wrong with your body."
Old Song shook his head. "Machines can be unreliable. A person is a whole. Even if each part is fine, that doesn't mean they function properly together."
"Just tell me. I want to know."
"Our Song Family is so large. If I were to disappear suddenly, the entire clan could be thrown into chaos."
Lin Chen remained silent.
Old Song stared at him. "Xiao Lin, I'm prepared. Don't worry, I can handle it."
Lin Chen sighed. "Old Song, within a month, your life force will be completely depleted."
Old Song's expression changed. He hadn't realized death was so close.
"Xiao Lin, is there no cure?" Old Song asked, taking a deep breath.
Lin Chen shook his head. "There's no treatment for a condition like this. I'm afraid there's nothing I can do for you, Old Song."
"What if I take some tonic to strengthen myself?"
"You can't absorb tonics right now," Lin Chen said. "Taking them would just drain your body's vital energy. Your body won't replenish much vital energy anymore."
Old Song fell silent for a moment before replying, "I understand."
"Xiao Lin, thank you."
Lin Chen hesitated. "Old Song, there's something I'm not sure whether I should tell you."
Old Song forced a faint smile. "I'm practically on death's door. What could I possibly not accept?"
"Tell me."
"Old Song, Second Master Song plans to join forces with Patriarch Song to oust Third Master Song after you're gone. Then, they'll compete for the position of Patriarch themselves."
He hadn't originally intended to reveal this yet.
But Old Song had asked him to drink with the powerful figures, entrusting them with his care—a clear sign that he had placed a heavy bet on him.
Old Song's trust in him was immense.
"Xiao Lin, are you certain?" Old Song's expression turned grave.
"Yes," Lin Chen replied. "Spreading rumors about Second Master Song to cause internal strife within the Song Family would bring me no benefit. A strong Song Family serves my interests."
-----------------------
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(End of Chapter)