Chapter 542: Chapter 542

Dongheng Bank holds a certain status in An City; although Xi Group has never collaborated with them, Dongheng Bank did extend an olive branch to Xi Group in the past. However, back then, Xi Group was already collaborating with another bank.

Moreover, unlike the CK Group, Xi Group’s main development is not in An City but rather in Lin City next door. There, there are also considerable banks on par with Dongheng, and the reason for not choosing Dongheng is that one of Lin City’s banks has already been in collaboration with Xi Group for decades. Thɪs chapter is updated by 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹✶𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲✶𝗻𝗲𝘁

Xi Group monopolized the development in Lin City and not An City. That is why CK Group can dominate three-fifths of the economic development in An City. If Xi Group’s main development hub were also in An City, Xi Mohan does not believe that more than half of An City’s economic growth would still be dominated by CK Group.

Fortunately, he did not harbor feelings of contention against Lu Jingchen.

Observing Tan Shuyang who occasionally glanced at Lu Jingchen using her peripheral vision, Xi Mohan frowned subtly, yet he did not say or do anything.

The intention of Elder Lu was all too clear. Being an outsider, it was not proper for him to intervene, even though Lu Jingchen was his close friend. But, since today was Elder Lu’s sixtieth grand birthday, getting involved too much as a younger generation would give others a reason to criticize.

Lu Jingchen’s face remained expressionless, even radiating a hint of chill. He glanced briefly at Tan Shuyang then swiftly averted his gaze, with no intention of greeting Elder Tan and Tan Shuyang. How could he not see through what Elder Lu was up to? After all, they were father and son.

Tan Shuyang felt her heartbeat accelerate for a moment when she sensed Lu Jingchen’s gaze on her. She was thrilled yet surprised for that brief instant, a feeling spreading throughout her body. However, as soon as Lu Jingchen’s gaze shifted away, she felt a sense of loss.

Without waiting for others around to speak, Tan Shuyang took the initiative and extended her hand to Lu Jingchen, "Hello Young Master Lu, my name is Tan Shuyang. You can call me Shuyang or Shuya. I am also a graduate of Columbia University, so technically, you are my senior. I’ve heard some legends about you during my school days, and I’ve always wanted to get to know you. It was only after returning home that I realized that my dad and Uncle Lu are good friends, so I came to this banquet to get to know you."

Tan Shuyang did not directly call Lu Jingchen ’Brother Jingchen’ again, but chose a more appropriate albeit somewhat distant form of address.

Even Xi Mohan, standing next to Lu Jingchen and looking at Tan Shuyang, couldn’t help but be moved internally. It proves that Tan Shuyang is a very clever woman. She probably noticed how Lu Jingchen frowned when she previously called him ’Brother Jingchen’ directly in front of Elder Lu, which is presumably why she changed the way she addressed him to prevent any disdain for her familiarity.

Lu Jingchen’s expression remained unchanged, only his gaze landed briefly on Tan Shuyang again, showing no particular displeasure. He extended his hand and shook hers briefly, then quickly separated and simply said two words, "Hello."

Lu Jingchen had no doubt about what Tan Shuyang said, as indeed he and Xi Mohan were quite renowned during their time studying at Columbia.

Lu Jingchen withdrew his gaze from Tan Shuyang and then turned to Elder Lu, saying, "If there’s nothing else, I’ll go see mom first."

Lu Tianming’s expression looked a bit unsatisfied, to be precise, somewhat displeased.

Today, he was the main character, the one celebrating his sixtieth grand birthday, yet his own son made him feel an urge to burst into anger.

However, considering the timing and location were not right, he forcefully suppressed the anger in his heart. After a cool hum, he spoke indifferently, "Go ahead, and take Shuyang with you. It’ll be good for them to get to know each other."

Upon hearing Lu Tianming’s words, Lu Jingchen’s expression suddenly turned a bit ugly, but eventually, he didn’t say anything and directly called Xi Mohan, heading towards the area where his mother was resting.

Tan Shuya was only stunned for a few seconds before she reacted and said to her father and Grandfather Lu, "Then Dad, Uncle Lu, I’ll go ahead with Brother Jingchen and the others."

Old Tan and Grandfather Lu nodded, and Tan Shuya in her high heels quickly caught up with Lu Jingchen and Xi Mohan.

After Tan Shuya and the others left, Old Tan turned to Grandfather Lu and said, "Grandfather Lu, if our Shuyang and your Jingchen get married, Dongheng Bank will eventually be handed over to Jingchen. Shuyang really has no intention of managing Dongheng Bank."

Grandfather Lu, hearing Old Tan’s words, finally showed a smile and responded, "If the two children can marry, it would be the best outcome not only for our Lu Family but for the Tan Family as well. I am also very fond of Shuyang."

Old Tan nodded in satisfaction, "I also like your Jingchen quite a bit. If it had not been for Shuyang being too young a few years back, I would have let her meet Jingchen to see if they could get along."

"It’s not too late to do so now."

"Indeed, Shuyang is only twenty-four now, and Jingchen is also at the prime age. It remains to be seen whether the two children can end up together."

Lu Jingchen and Xi Mohan are not only tall, but also have long legs, so their strides are quite large.

Tan Shuya, standing at 1.67 meters, is neither tall nor short among women, but at this moment, she felt not only short but also couldn’t keep pace with Lu Jingchen and Xi Mohan. Just as she was about to catch up with the two men ahead, the distance suddenly increased again.

The lobby was crowded with many guests, nearly 200 if not 300, comprising almost all the well-known and influential figures of An City, not to mention some partners cooperating with the CK Group.

As Lu Jingchen and Xi Mohan walked by, many acquaintances came forward to greet them. After Lu Jingchen and Xi Mohan had passed, these people immediately stood behind and to the side of them, whispering to each other, and inadvertently blocked Tan Shuya’s path.

Tan Shuya, holding back her impatience, politely asked those blocking her way to move aside. Normally, people would courteously make way, but today she encountered two people from An City with very bad reputations – both notorious playboys.

It is said that these two playboys are quite lecherous!