"Oh, my heavens…"

Clearly, the most astonished person present was Huang Feng's girlfriend, Yang Cailing.

Originally, she had thought that even if the other party had a significant background, it shouldn't warrant such reverence from her boyfriend, the son of Northern Mountain City's mayor! She felt it was excessive. But now she realized it wasn't that her boyfriend was being overly respectful—it was simply the way things had to be.

One must understand, Director Zhu, Director Gao, and even Mayor Huang were all figures of immense status in Northern Mountain. It was no exaggeration to say they could command the wind and rain… And yet now, all of them were showing such deference to a young man. It was simply unimaginable!

GULP. Many people swallowed hard, never expecting to witness such a scene when they had only come to wish the leader a happy birthday. It was utterly shocking.

"Dad, we can't just stand here at the door. Shouldn't we invite Brother Fei in for some food?" Huang Feng interjected with a smile.

"Right, right." Huang Tao shot his son a stern glance but immediately smiled and invited Chen Fei to the seat of honor. "Mr. Chen, please, come with me. Elder Gao, Elder Zhu, and I have all been waiting for you to take your seat."

Uh…

Hearing this, everyone's expression changed once again, their mouths hanging wide open.

Yang Cailing, in particular, finally understood the profound meaning behind what her boyfriend, Huang Feng, had told her earlier.

He said that as long as Brother Fei says the word, his dad would support him wholeheartedly without a moment's hesitation, no matter the opponent! What does that mean? It means that in front of Chen Fei, Mayor Huang truly regards himself as a subordinate. And who is Huang Tao? He's the mayor of this city, a dignified Earth Level official! The undisputed second-in-command of Northern Mountain City.

"The seat of honor? No, Young Master Feng and I will just find a spot on the side. Otherwise, the way those people are staring is going to burn a hole through me. I can't handle that. Young Master Feng, Cailing, let's go sit over there," Chen Fei said, pulling them away before Huang Tao could react.

Seeing this, the crowd was once again speechless. To think he would forgo such a prestigious position and instead randomly pick a less crowded table on the side—how utterly willful.

"Ah, alright then." Huang Tao was startled for a moment but quickly accepted the situation. He knew this was just Chen Fei's nature; it showed he wasn't treating him like an outsider, so there was no need to insist.

After all, in his eyes, for an urban legend like Chen Fei, a modern-day immortal, to even be willing to come tonight was already giving him, Huang Tao, more than enough face.

What more could he be dissatisfied with?

And so, with Chen Fei declining his seat, the seating arrangement had to be adjusted. Two or three officials from Huang Tao's direct lineage were invited to the main table to fill the spots.

However, at this very moment, the focus of everyone's attention was not on the main table, but on the one filled with the younger crowd.

"Young Master Feng, Sister Cailing… and this, this brother, hello." When Chen Fei led Huang Feng and Yang Cailing to the side table, all the young people there immediately shot to their feet, greeting them with immense respect.

They didn't know Chen Fei's name, not even his surname, so they could only address him as "brother." Regardless, they didn't dare show the slightest disrespect.

There was nothing they could do about it. This man looked as young as they were, but his status and background were likely terrifyingly profound. After all, just being qualified to attend this banquet was a big deal for them. At the very least, their immediate elders were at the vice-director level, but that was just them riding on their elders' coattails; that's the only reason they could act so impressive.

But Chen Fei? He was someone even the city's mayor treated with the utmost deference. The gap between them was simply incomparable.

"Sit down, sit down. Brother Fei doesn't like all this formality. Everyone relax," Huang Feng said, quickly waving for them to sit. He knew Chen Fei preferred a more casual atmosphere.

"That's right. Everyone, please relax. Let me introduce myself. My name is Chen Fei. As for my profession, I used to be a doctor, but I'm currently unemployed," Chen Fei said with a smile as he sat down.

"Hello, Brother Fei!" A resounding chorus of greetings rose from the table, after which everyone eagerly introduced themselves and began toasting Chen Fei.

It had to be said that young people are generally more open than their elders. Since Chen Fei was their age and seemed easygoing, the atmosphere quickly became friendly and harmonious.

As for Chen Fei's "unemployed" self-introduction, they all automatically ignored it. What a joke. For a person of his stature, did having a job even matter?

After three rounds of drinks, Chen Fei suddenly raised his cup with a mischievous smile and turned to Huang Feng and Yang Cailing. "Young Master Feng, Cailing, honestly, I think you two are quite a match. And didn't I hear that Cailing's father is the head of the city's Organization Department? Isn't that a well-matched union?"

"That's right, Cailing's father is indeed the head of the city's Organization Department, and he gets along well with my dad. It's just an unfortunate coincidence that he's in the provincial capital tonight, and we forgot to notify him."

He paused for a moment, then couldn't help but add with a sudden smile, "However, Uncle Yang seems quite satisfied with me. So, if nothing unexpected happens, I should be sending you an invitation in a few days, Brother Fei. I hope you'll have the time to grace us with your presence."

"Pah, what nonsense are you spouting? Who's satisfied with you?" Yang Cailing retorted, her face flushing with shyness as she reached out and pinched Huang Feng's waist hard, causing him to hiss in pain.

Seeing this, Chen Fei chuckled and replied cheerfully, "Since Young Master Feng is personally inviting me, of course, I have to give you face. Just contact me when the time comes."

"Thank you, Brother Fei!" Huang Feng couldn't help but smile with excitement and gratitude. It was no joke; having Brother Fei attend his engagement or wedding banquet would bring him an incredible amount of prestige. It was no wonder he was so thrilled.

At this, while Yang Cailing was too shy to speak, a hint of joy was visible on her face when she heard Chen Fei's promise.

"Nothing to thank me for. You all eat first. I'm going to go toast Uncle Huang," Chen Fei said with a wave of his hand, standing up from the table with his cup.

"Uncle Huang, a toast to you. I wish you a long, healthy life and a boundless future," Chen Fei said, walking over to the main table to toast Huang Tao.

"Thank you, Mr. Chen, thank you so much…"

Seeing Chen Fei proactively come over to toast him, Huang Tao, despite being a man of stature, was visibly moved. He filled a large cup to the brim, clinked it against Chen Fei's, and drained it in one go. "Having you grace us with your presence today, Mr. Chen, is truly an honor. A great honor."

Witnessing this, those members of Huang Tao's direct lineage who had been invited to the table exchanged glances, their eyes filled with profound shock and disbelief.

"Alright, Uncle Huang, if you keep being so formal, I'm going to have to leave," Chen Fei said, feigning displeasure. He then raised his glass again. "Director Zhu, Director Gao, let's have a drink as well. To your health and success in all your endeavors."

The two men were overjoyed and, like Huang Tao, drained their large cups in a single gulp. Following them were the several officials from Huang Tao's inner circle.

They, however, would never dare let Chen Fei toast them. Instead, they all stood up and enthusiastically proposed toasts to him.

With that perfunctory round of toasts complete, Chen Fei returned to the side table with a smile and began to dig in. He was actually quite hungry and couldn't be bothered with anything else. First, eat.

「Meanwhile, inside a certain leader's car in Northern Mountain City.」

Zhuo Qun, a second-generation member of the Capital City's Zhuo Family and the old master's third son, had originally held a post in the Ministry of Land and Resources. However, at Elder Xunn's suggestion, he had relocated to Northern Mountain to become the current Secretary of the Municipal Committee.

He had just finished a phone call, and his face was filled with emotion and contemplation. Chen Fei, Chen Fei… So that's how it is. No wonder Elder Xunn hinted for me to come to Northern Mountain. There was indeed a deeper meaning to it.

Old Master Xuu was coming to Northern Mountain City personally for medical treatment. This was a massive event and precisely the opportunity Zhuo Qun had been waiting for. If he handled this matter well, he would undoubtedly earn the favor of the Xuu Family, and especially of Old Master Xuu himself. At that point, who would dare forget the sacrifices and contributions he, Zhuo Qun, had made?

Please, the old man's mind was as clear as a mirror; how could he possibly forget?

He had truly made the right bet this time!

Hahahahaha!

No, I must act immediately. Didn't Elder Xunn just say that young man named Chen is currently at Huang Tao's birthday banquet? he muttered to himself. He immediately took out his phone and personally dialed Huang Tao's number.

Frankly, given his past status and career, Zhuo Qun wouldn't have paid any mind to a mere mayor of an Earth Level city. But things were different now. This Huang Tao seemed to have some connection to that young man named Chen. This had to be treated with importance.

"Secretary Zhuo?" Huang Tao's secretary, Qian Xiangrong, answered the phone. He almost jumped when he saw the caller ID.

It was a call from that powerhouse. Without a moment's hesitation, he scurried over to Huang Tao's side and whispered, "Mayor Huang, it's Secretary Zhuo. A call from Secretary Zhuo."

"Secretary Zhuo?" Huang Tao, who had been slightly tipsy, sobered up instantly. He was quite surprised. Strange. Hasn't that fellow who was parachuted in from the Capital City always looked down on me, a local official? Why is he suddenly calling me? Could it be he knows about tonight's matter? No, that can't be right. Even if he knew it was my birthday, given our relationship, there's no reason for him to call.

Despite his reservations, and the alcohol, he promptly took the call and spoke clearly, "Secretary Zhuo, this is Huang Tao. Do you have any instructions?" Some matters were black and white; he couldn't afford to get sloppy just because he had been drinking.

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