Chapter 444: Chapter 444

Old Man Zhang's 66th birthday banquet was a blaze with Liu Zhizhong.

The entire banquet, with ninety-nine tables set up at the Zhang Family estate, was a grand affair.

There were professional hosts invited from the provincial station, traditional birthday celebration scenes, all very lively.

Of course, due to the prevailing customs about propriety, no monetary gifts were accepted, which could be considered keeping a low profile.

As a result, many guests at the meal, during the moments when Liu Zhizhong was particularly impassioned, picked up their phones/tablets and scrolled through videos.

That added to the excitement, as Liu Zhizhong's voice had great appeal and infectivity, truly sparking heated discussion. Moreover, it rapidly shot to the top of trending searches on multiple platforms before being forcefully suppressed.

Many were moved to tears, touched by a father's love, and the whole internet experienced an emotional elevation. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹✶𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲✶𝗻𝗲𝘁

Of course, Liu Zhizhong's ability to drive sales was also impressive, as turnover reached over ninety billion that very evening, in less than four hours!

If you really think about it, within 24 hours, Mr. Billionaire created another hundred-billion milestone. It's worth noting that in the past two years, even the major e-commerce platforms have had a hard time breaking this number during large sales events.

Even at Luo Tianlin's table, he took the initiative to let Zhang Tianbao, who was sitting with him, search and listen to it.

His table was the strongest one in officialdom present at the scene and was also the main table at the banquet. It included himself, his former secretary and now Yangzhou City Organization Department Secretary Zhang Tianbao, old leader Mr. Zhang (88 years old), including the birthday boy Old Man Zhang, as well as Yangzhou City Secretary Du Yuesheng, Mayor Zhang Yuxing, Zhang Family's business heavyweight Zhang Zhenglong, Zhang Hongyang, Zhang Qixiang, and Zhao Han.

Their table was also in the best private room within the estate's grand hall. After all, hehe... since Luo Tianlin's arrival from the Provincial City, a provincial department-level big shot attending such a lavish banquet was indeed too conspicuous, so Minister Luo also kept a low profile.

If he were to make a grand entrance, well, how many retired and current deputy division, full division, and deputy department-level officials from Yangzhou City that came to the scene could there be? Moreover, the vast majority were promoted under his aegis, giving face to the direct descendants of the Zhang Family. Some were promoted during his time as the head of the Yangzhou Organization Department and mayor, while others during his time as deputy minister and minister in the provincial organization department.

According to the rules of officialdom, when such a benefactor visits a locality, those promoted and taken care of locally must come to offer a toast and express gratitude, right? Then Luo Tianlin wouldn't need to dine with the host's old leaders all evening.

So he came inconspicuously, eating quietly.

It was only because Liu Zhizhong had once again made a splash that Luo Tianlin suggested that everyone listen.

Among those present, aside from Old Man Zhang and Zhang Hongyang feeling somewhat displeased, there were no objections. This included Zhang Zhenglong, who, despite not winning over Liu Zhizhong's mother-in-law, still admitted that the guy was truly talented. It was just a pity he wasn't there tonight.

Speaking of Liu Zhizhong not coming, Luo Tianlin couldn't help but smile silently to himself.

Zhang Yuxing felt somewhat guilty and directly called out her third brother, asking why he brought it up.

Indeed, Liu Zhizhong really didn't want to come. Plus, Zhang Yuxing's slap had been hard, and his injury was slow to heal! No amount of makeup could have hidden that, so he simply didn't attend, to avoid drawing attention and feeling awkward.

Strangely enough, for the 66th birthday of the well-known former Yangzhou City Secretary, most people aware of Liu Zhizhong understood his absence. After all, having his face slapped to look like a pig's head by the birthday star's sister would likely require some time to recover. At other tables, there were guests specifically discussing this, inadvertently enhancing Zhang Yuxing's reputation and garnering group sympathy for Liu Zhizhong.

Of course, Old Man Zhang was not pleased, feeling that Liu Zhizhong's absence was a slight to his own face; Liu didn't show him the respect he felt he deserved. However, Luo Tianlin mentioned that he had heard about the incident and hoped it wouldn't happen again in the future. This made Zhang Yuxing flush with embarrassment, admitting to Brother Luo that she wouldn't be so impulsive in the future.

Yes, she always addressed Luo Tianlin as Brother Luo, without any issue. After all, he was a big shot nurtured by her father.

Zhang Hongyang was secretly annoyed because Liu Zhizhong was set to steal the show again, casting him in the shadows. Sigh...

But what could he do? As Luo Tianlin was the highest-ranked official present at the scene and he suggested everyone listen, they listened.

Anyway, at the outside tables, many started listening and discussing, and a wave of emotion spread—Liu Zhizhong's talent was widely recognized, strengthening his influence in Yangzhou. Even if it was denied it was him, people knew it was!

Zhang Hongyang inwardly thought, "Damn you, Liu Zhizhong, you really know how to steal the limelight. It's my dad's birthday, and even if you didn't show, you still overshadow him. It makes me have to listen to your soppy educational spiel. How the hell are you so capable? I curse you!"

However, he still had to listen! Little did he know that his own father, at that moment, was sitting to the left of Master Zhang! His nurturing father, Old Man Zhang, was to the right.

And as they listened... Wow, the production power of Xinghai Film and Television Media was remarkable, perfecting Liu Zhizhong's work. Luo Tianlin and Zhang Tianbao were still deeply moved upon listening again.

Zhang Family members, men and women alike, including Zhang Hongyang and Zhao Han, were moved to tears, either fighting back the tears or letting them fall freely.

Especially Zhang Hongyang, who bowed his head and covered his eyes, even getting a bit closer to Old Man Zhang. He was displeased with Liu Zhizhong, but couldn't help being affected, his tears flowing while dreading the loss of face, he had no choice.

Zhao Han, Zhang Yuxing, and Zhang Qixiang also cried, but deep down they cheered for their man, so outstanding that he couldn't help but move people with his persuasive voice.

Even Grand Master Zhang, whose hearing was a bit poor, listened attentively up close and also shed old tears.

After listening, the 88-year-old Master Zhang, trembling, raised his hand to tap Luo Tianlin on the shoulder and said excitedly in his aged voice, "Tianlin... I must excuse myself; suddenly, I long for my father... In those days... Nevermind, I would like to go back and lie down... Feeling tired, very tired..."

When the old leader wanted to rest, Luo Tianlin quickly stood up along with Old Man Zhang; the two of them, truly filial, escorted Master Zhang back to his room. The Zhang Family's dedicated servants were not needed—these two showed their utmost filial respect.

After making sure the old leader was comfortably lying down and closing his eyes, with tear streaks still visible, Luo Tianlin even helped to wipe them away. Then, like close brothers, he and Old Man Zhang went back out to continue dining and have a little drink.

Once the banquet was over, Luo Tianlin immediately got into a designated car that came and went exclusively for him, heading back to the Provincial City. Tomorrow morning, the City Committee had an important meeting to convene.

After Luo Tianlin left, however, a big incident occured within the Zhang Family...