Chapter 648: Chapter 648

Just as a few people were chatting, a graceful figure walked in from outside.

Almost instantly, all eyes gathered on the beautiful woman.

This beauty was of Eurasian descent, her features combining the best of both Eurasian traits—tall nose, large eyes, all encased in a long white dress that showcased her statuesque and curvaceous figure to perfection.

The beauty slowly entered the party, her eyes scanning the room, a trace of coldness in her gaze.

Although she was the center of attention, she appeared indifferent, her queenly presence exuding grace and opulence.

Lin Chen's lips curled up slightly; this woman ticked all the boxes for him, although her aura was strong and somewhat cold, he relished the challenge of an ice queen.

However, Lin Chen also knew this beauty was definitely the type who was arrogant and hard to approach, so winning her over wouldn't be easy.

Seeing Sophina walk in, Kuri's eyes lit up, and just as he was about to greet her, someone else reached Sophina first.

"Wife, I had no idea you were this beautiful. Had I known, I would have come back to meet you sooner," Lin Chen said with a grin.

Hearing Lin Chen's words, Sophina's pretty face became colder, "Who are you? I don't know you."

"I am your husband. Have you forgotten that our grandfathers fixed our marriage when we were children?" Lin Chen said earnestly.

Ekas in the crowd was almost faint with anger. She had hoped Lin Chen would use this opportunity to get to know Sophina and then find a chance to get closer, but to her shock, he bluntly cut to their prearranged childhood engagement.

Sophina coldly surveyed Lin Chen, "Sorry, I don't understand what you are saying. Please step aside."

Upon hearing Sophina's words, a burst of laughter erupted from the crowd.

"This guy is totally overestimating himself. The Emon family has been wiped out, and yet he still dares to claim a childhood engagement."

"Exactly, he's just embarrassing himself. Doesn't he consider who Sophina is? Is she someone that a down-and-out like him could match?"

Everyone knew about the childhood betrothal agreement between the Emon family and the Sophina family and how the Emon family had been exterminated. Lin Chen was merely an illegitimate child, and how could someone like him be a match for Sophina?

Unperturbed by the surrounding jeers, Lin Chen said, "Sophina, even though I'm down on my luck now, I am handsome. Haven't you heard that a man 'with looks can rule the world'?"

Hearing Lin Chen's words, Sophina looked even more disgusted, "The thing I despise most is someone who has no real talent and tries to get by on his looks alone."

Saying this, she walked directly past Lin Chen, not sparing him any face.

For a moment, everyone in the hall looked at Lin Chen with a mocking expression, their eyes filled with ridicule and scorn.

Then Kuri, along with the other wealthy heirs around him, said smugly, "Some people just don't know their place. There's a saying in Huaxia about the toad wanting to eat swan meat—that must be what they're talking about."

Hearing Kuri's words, a wave of laughter rang out around him

Just then, an elderly man in luxurious clothing walked in from outside.

Seeing the elder, the entire venue immediately quieted down, everyone's eyes on him filled with reverence.

Xia Ruoyu and Xia Qingqing quickly moved to stand behind the elder. At that moment, Xia Ruoyu whispered something to the elder, who nodded and then walked directly towards Lin Chen.

Sophina saw the elderly man walking toward her, her eyes filled with a hint of surprise, and she walked over to him with a smile.

"A beauty is indeed a beauty, even Mr. Xia goes out of his way to greet her!"

"Of course, Sophina is not only beautiful but also the president of the Sophia Group. It's said that she doubled the market value of Sophia Group within a year of taking office!"

Sophina approached Xia Qingtian, bowed slightly and said, "Hello, Mr. Xia."

Xia Qingtian glanced at Sophia and nodded, then, unexpectedly, he didn't stop but continued walking toward Lin Chen.

"What!" Everyone was stunned by this scene.

Xia Qingtian came up to Lin Chen, and took the initiative to extend his hand: "Mr. Lin Chen, I can't thank you enough for saving my daughter on the train the other day."

Lin Chen smiled lightly: "It was nothing."

Xia Qingtian nodded, "I'd like to invite you over for tea sometime. I'm quite interested in traditional Chinese medicine and have many questions I'd like to discuss with you."

Upon hearing Xia Qingtian's words, everyone was dumbfounded. Who was Xia Qingtian? The chairman of the Huaxia Business Association, controlling 80 percent of the Huaxia commerce's financial power in T country, and given the commerce's weight in T country is a staggering 70 percent, getting on good terms with Xia Qingtian was like boarding a giant ship, the prospects unlimited.

However, Xia Qingtian was known for his pride and ordinary people could hardly catch his eye; getting to know him was an opportunity of a lifetime.

Seeing this, those who had just mocked Lin Chen suddenly shut their mouths, and Sophina's face turned red.

The one she looked down upon had gained Xia Qingtian's favor, which only proved her lack of judgment.

Cory's face turned even paler: "Dammit, how does Lin Chen know Mr. Xia?"

Xia Qingtian and Lin Chen exchanged a few more words before moving toward the reception desk. He smiled and said, "Today, I am hosting this banquet to enhance cooperation and mutual understanding among us all, and to better integrate Huaxia and T country's business sectors. For this gathering, we have invited several Huaxia calligraphers to perform for everyone, and of course, anyone with such skills is also welcome to demonstrate."

At that moment, the staff brought in several tables, on which various calligraphy works were displayed, and several master painters were painting on the spot.

Some guests knowledgeable in painting and calligraphy also demonstrated their skills briefly.

Near one of the tables, a crowd of young heirs gathered, and cheers could be heard coming from there intermittently.

About forty minutes later, Cory picked up a painting he had finished and brought it over to Sophina.

"Miss Sophina, I offer you this 'Jiangnan Misty Rain' painting, I hope you like it," Cory said proudly.

Looking at Cory's landscape painting, Sophina was momentarily stunned. She didn't expect Cory, whom she saw as just a rich wastrel, to have such a talent.

"Thank you, I had no idea Mr. Cory could create landscape paintings," Sophina smiled, feeling a newfound respect for Cory.

Cory beamed proudly, "I studied traditional Chinese painting under Master Mu Yun for two years while studying in Huaxia, haha, just an amateur's attempt."

"Well, the painting is indeed quite ugly. If Master Mu Yun knew you were impersonating his disciple and deceiving others, he would surely cry with frustration, and you dare to give away such rubbish?" Lin Chen looked at the painting and said with a laugh.

"What did you say?" Cory's face suddenly changed upon hearing Lin Chen's words.