The Nanshan Villa No. 7, covering an area of over a thousand square meters, was the largest villa in the entire Nanshan Villa complex.
This was primarily due to a surrounding manor, nearly a thousand square meters in size, resembling a small garden.
It was also why the Qin family was hosting their banquet here. Such a manor was sufficient to accommodate hundreds of guests.
Currently, numerous guests were gathered in the Qin family villa's manor, conversing and enjoying themselves. However, only a select few guests were granted entry into the Qin villa itself.
Those who could enter were invariably the pillars of their respective influential families.
As the Qin family's most beloved eldest daughter, Qin Luoshui was naturally permitted entry into the villa at any time.
When Zhang Fan and the other two arrived before the Qin family villa's manor, Lin Xiao was already waiting. Thanks to the spiritual pills bestowed by Zhang Fan, Lin Xiao's strength had advanced remarkably quickly, despite his less-than-stellar innate talent, reaching the late stage of the Xiantian Grandmaster realm.
"Mr. Zhang, Eldest Miss." Upon seeing Zhang Fan and Qin Luoshui, Lin Xiao hurried forward, his demeanor exceedingly respectful.
Even though his status within the Qin family had risen, he dared not harbor any arrogance in the presence of Zhang Fan and Qin Luoshui, acting like a loyal, humble old servant.
Yi Xiaoxiao, standing beside them, was completely ignored by Lin Xiao.
Yi Xiaoxiao was not angered by this. While the old man appeared amiable towards Zhang Fan and Qin Luoshui, she knew that even her father, the current head of the Yi family, would not dare to act presumptuously in front of Lin Xiao.
"Uncle Lin," Qin Luoshui called out. Zhang Fan nodded slightly, remaining silent, his gaze sweeping over the Qin family's manor.
From Zhang Fan's perspective, the manor, though not vast, was exquisitely designed, clearly the work of a professional landscape architect. Lush greenery covered the grounds, with various precious flora planted throughout. The arrangement was meticulous, offering a picturesque view at every turn, a feast for the eyes.
"Second Master instructed me to wait here and to escort the Eldest Miss directly to him upon arrival. The Old Master is also here," Lin Xiao reminded them.
"Let's go," Qin Luoshui nodded, taking Zhang Fan's arm as they walked towards the villa.
Qin Luoshui understood that their primary intention was likely to meet Zhang Fan.
However, she was extremely confident in the man she had chosen, feeling no nervousness but rather a sense of anticipation, her steps becoming noticeably lighter.
For any ordinary person, hearing that they were to meet the Qin family's Second Master and Old Master, regardless of the reason, would likely induce some anxiety.
After all, these were the Qin family's Second Master and Old Master, individuals of such high standing that even ordinary people rarely had the opportunity to meet them.
Yet, Zhang Fan felt no such apprehension.
Lin Xiao followed closely behind the pair, his eyes fixed on Zhang Fan, who walked as if strolling through a leisurely garden. A sense of profound emotion washed over him.
When Zhang Fan had bestowed upon him the spiritual pill, enabling him to reach the Xiantian realm, his original intention was for Lin Xiao to protect Qin Luoshui's safety. He never imagined that in little over a year, Qin Luoshui's strength would completely surpass his, rendering his protection unnecessary.
The moment Zhang Fan and Qin Luoshui arrived at the villa's manor, they became the center of attention. The surrounding manor, previously filled with the murmur of conversations, quieted considerably upon their arrival.
Numerous gazes turned towards them, filled with curiosity. Those who had witnessed Zhang Fan's capabilities regarded him with reverence and excitement – he was the legend of the Chinese martial arts world, Master Zhang!
Only after the pair entered the villa did a somewhat noisy clamor of conversation resume in the manor, with the majority of the discussions revolving around Zhang Fan.
"Is this the Master Zhang who defeated Wei Xiaowen, rumored to be the number one in the Chinese martial arts world today?"
"How can he be so young? Isn't martial arts mastery tied to age and experience?"
Many had only heard about him and were seeing Zhang Fan in person for the first time, expressing considerable surprise. If this news hadn't already spread through Yan Jing's upper circles, most would have found it hard to believe that the seemingly unremarkable young man before them was a peerless expert.
Yi Xiaoxiao did not follow Zhang Fan and Qin Luoshui into the villa. Given her background, she indeed did not yet possess the qualifications for entry. However, the Yi family was considered a prominent family in Yan Jing, and she soon spotted many of her friends, quickly joining their gossip.
Upon crossing the threshold of the villa, they entered a spacious hall. A considerable number of people were already seated within. As Lin Xiao led Zhang Fan and Qin Luoshui inside, all eyes in the hall turned towards them.
There was curiosity, complexity, and even some fear and awe.
Zhang Fan scanned the room. Seated at the head of the table was an elder with a head of jet-black hair. His face was somewhat gaunt, his hands resting on the armrests, his eyes narrowed as he calmly appraised Zhang Fan. His gaze was as profound as the sea, unfathomable and unruffled, making it impossible to discern his thoughts.
Zhang Fan knew this elder was the focus of today's event – Qin Luoshui's grandfather, Qin Tuyi.
"En?" Zhang Fan's gaze lingered on Qin Tuyi for a moment, a flicker of doubt crossing his mind, though he didn't dwell on it.
"Li Songlan." Finally, Zhang Fan spotted a familiar face in the hall – Li Songlan, Qin Luoshui's mother.
At this moment, Li Songlan's gaze was tinged with complexity. Seeing the young man brought back memories of the scene atop Kunlong Mountain two years ago.
Thinking back now, how short-sighted her own perspective had been.
"Grandfather," Qin Luoshui greeted the elder seated at the head of the table after entering.
"Grandfather, this is a birthday gift from Zhang Fan-ge and me. Wishing you longevity as vast as the East Sea and as enduring as the heavens."
As Qin Luoshui spoke, she took out an exquisitely wrapped red gift box from her bag. Just as she was about to present it, Qin Tuyi raised his hand to stop her.
"Luoshui, it brings me joy and naturally I accept your birthday gift. But the person by your side?" Qin Tuyi spoke, his voice clear and resonant, possessing a vitality completely uncharacteristic of a sixty-year-old.
Hearing this, Qin Luoshui was slightly taken aback. In her mind, everyone in the Qin family should have known about her relationship with Zhang Fan. But her grandfather's current demeanor caused her heart to skip a beat.
"Grandfather, this is my boyfriend, Zhang Fan," despite a sense of foreboding, Qin Luoshui smiled sweetly and said to Qin Tuyi.
"So, it is Mr. Zhang. Your reputation precedes you. To meet you today, you are indeed a hero among youths, extraordinary!" Qin Tuyi nodded at Zhang Fan, offering a smiling compliment.
"Old Master Qin flatters me," Zhang Fan replied indifferently.
"Mr. Zhang is too modest. With your current achievements, you deserve any praise," Qin Tuyi said with a眯眼 smile, then addressed the Qin family members seated on either side. "The guests have mostly arrived. Let us head out and prepare for the banquet."
Qin Luoshui's outstretched hand holding the birthday gift was halted, and she did not present it.
She looked up at Zhang Fan, her eyes filled with apology and confusion as to why her usually doting grandfather was behaving this way today.
Zhang Fan gently stroked Qin Luoshui's hair, offering her a reassuring smile.
With Qin Old Master's words, the Qin family members seated on either side also rose, preparing to walk towards the manor outside the villa.
...