[Thank you to brothers 'To the Left, To the Right' for your rewarding support. It's Monday today, seeking recommendations, favorites, and rewards. The old three deeply thank everyone!]

All along the way, Qian Guangliang never stopped boasting about his mansion, his luxury car, and even his shampoo, boasting at every opportunity.

Wu Min tried to interrupt Qian Guangliang mid-way, but he had no intention of stopping. In the end, the taxi was filled with only Qian Guangliang's endless boasts.

Wu Min felt utterly embarrassed. She never had a good impression of Qian Guangliang. It was only because he said that he could take her to Lin Qingqing's birthday party tonight that she decided to join him.

"Where are you headed to?" After half an hour, Qian Guangliang looked outside and asked Ding Fan with a puzzled expression.

The taxi was approaching Lake Heart Residence by Qianye Lake, and Ding Fan still showed no sign of getting out. Since today was Lin Qingqing's birthday, Lake Heart Residence was booked for the celebration; anyone heading there was likely going to Lin Qingqing's party.

Qian Guangliang was curious. Could this bumpkin be heading to Lake Heart Residence at Qianye Lake too?

Ding Fan casually said, "Lake Heart Residence at Qianye Lake."

"You're also going to Lake Heart Residence at Qianye Lake?" Qian Guangliang was stunned but then, as if he had realized something, added, "Oh, you must be one of the staff there."

Ding Fan had no interest in continuing the conversation with this conceited person. When you go to Lake Heart Residence, you are attending a party, but when I go to Lake Heart Residence, I'm supposedly a staff member...

Seeing Ding Fan not responding, Zhao Guangliang confirmed his own thoughts. "Xiao Fan, the work over there is quite tough, but don't worry. I happen to know a general manager at Qianye Lake. I can put in a good word for you, give you a little promotion, since you are Wu Min's good friend."

Ding Fan, with arms crossed on his chest, couldn't be bothered to say anything more. He just bowed his head and rested with his eyes closed...

The taxi continued for about ten more minutes and then stopped in a spacious parking lot—this was Lake Heart Residence at Qianye Lake.

Ding Fan opened his eyes and saw that various luxury cars had already filled the parking lot.

Ding Fan had no intention of walking with Qian Guangliang and the others. After paying the fare, he got out of the taxi.

"Head home early, there are too many wolves out there." This was Ding Fan's warning to Wu Min as he got out of the car.

Qian Guangliang was taken aback at first, but then he realized Ding Fan was advising Wu Min to go home early. He felt somewhat annoyed since he had gone to such lengths to bring Wu Min out, intending to spend the night cuddling with a beauty. Yet, this bumpkin had the nerve to meddle after getting out of the car. However, by the time he thought about losing his temper, Ding Fan had already gone far.

Watching Ding Fan's departing figure, Qian Guangliang's gaze flickered with a hint of malice.

By the parking lot, there was a lake. It wasn't dark yet, so one could still see clearly. The water rippled gently, and on one side of the lake stood towering green mountains, framing the scene with picturesque beauty. Paired with the clear water, several small boats glided through the lake, contributing to the picturesque charm.

At a dock near the parking lot, not particularly large, a beautifully carved large dragon boat was moored. The dragon boat, capable of holding fifty to sixty people, was being boarded by the arriving guests.

Ding Fan thought for a moment. The place was called Lake Heart Residence probably because there was something of note in the middle of the lake. Looking up, Ding Fan saw a five-story pavilion shining brightly, standing in the central waters—it appeared Lin Qingqing's birthday party was being held there.

Thereupon, Ding Fan made his way towards the dock. Dressed very simply among the richly attired guests, he stood out conspicuously.

Qian Guangliang saw that after Ding Fan got out of the car, he did not take the staff passage but headed straight for the dock. That area was intended only for guests, and it made Qian Guangliang wonder if this lad could actually be attending Lin Qingqing's party.

Qian Guangliang and Wu Min followed behind Ding Fan, curious to see what tricks the youngster was up to.

"Hello, sir, are you here to attend Miss Qingqing's birthday banquet as well?"

Before Ding Fan could board, he was stopped by a man in a suit. The man's appearance, combined with Ding Fan's striking attire, drew the attention of the surrounding crowd.

Unfazed by the gazes around him, Ding Fan nodded. "Yes, Lin Qingqing invited me here."

As soon as Ding Fan spoke, a burst of snickering broke out from the crowd.

To them, Ding Fan's attire marked him as a country bumpkin. Who would wear such clothes to someone's banquet? Besides, to get an invitation to Lin Qingqing's birthday banquet was something not even businessmen and tycoons could easily obtain, yet this bumpkin claimed to be personally invited by Lin Qingqing.

"It seems your wits aren't all there, Brother Fan," Qian Guangliang murmured from the crowd, then gestured towards his head in a clear indication that he thought there was something wrong with Ding Fan's intellect.

Wu Min rolled her eyes at Qian Guangliang but didn't say anything.

"Then, may I ask if you have an invitation?" the man in the suit still said very politely.

Invitation? Ding Fan didn't remember Lin Qingqing giving him such a thing; he shook his head slightly. "No."

At this moment, the snickering around him grew louder.

"Nowadays, all sorts of people show up. Lin Qingqing's birthday party isn't something you can just waltz into."

"Exactly, even if you really wanted to sneak in, you should at least get yourself a decent set of clothes. Showing up dressed like this, I'd say this guy must be sick!"

...

The man in the suit spoke to Ding Fan. "Sir, I am sorry, but this is a private party. If you don't have an invitation, we definitely won't let you in."

Ding Fan furrowed his brows but then, without further delay, he turned and left. After all, he had come, and he never wanted to attend such a gathering in the first place.

If he ran into Lin Qingqing later, he could just say that the security here wouldn't let him in—Lin Qingqing would then have something to say about that.

"Xiao Fan, if you really want to get in, you could beg me. I could say you are my driver, and then I could take you inside," Qian Guangliang said as he stepped forward.

Ding Fan didn't even spare Qian Guangliang a glance. Although the man was detestable, he hadn't offended him.

Watching Ding Fan's receding back, Qian Guangliang smiled triumphantly and then said to Wu Min, "This guy is just a fraud, trying to sneak into Lin Qingqing's birthday party. He's clearly out of his mind!"

Just as Ding Fan had walked a short distance away, two men in suits chased after him with quick steps. "Sir, please wait a moment."

Qian Guangliang's interest peaked at this scene. In his eyes, Ding Fan was impersonating a guest and crashing Lin Qingqing's party—these people must have come to catch him.

When Ding Fan heard someone calling him, he stopped and turned to look at the newcomers. "Are you looking for me?"

"Sir, excuse us for a moment, may I know if you are Mr. Ding Fan?" One of the men in suits asked Ding Fan very courteously.

Ding Fan glanced at the man, as his name was mentioned; he nodded slightly. "Yes, that's me."

"Mr. Ding, Miss Qingqing said she forgot to give you the invitation card that day, so she sent the two of us here to wait for you. Please don't take the earlier offense to heart," the man continued.

Ding Fan nodded, thinking to himself that he didn't really want to attend this birthday party, especially as Lin Qingqing's dance partner—he couldn't dance, so being turned away earlier was more of a relief than an annoyance.

However, the fact that Lin Qingqing had sent someone to wait for him meant that, this time, there was no way he could avoid it.

"Sir, please follow me this way."

Ding Fan had intended to walk toward the Dragon Boat, but the two men instead pointed to an antique Pavilion boat beside the large dragon boat.

The so-called Pavilion boat, as the name implies, is a boat with a pavilion on it; such boats are also called flower boats.

However, the boat that Ding Fan was to board was even more exquisite. Not to mention the finely crafted exterior, just the interior—it was like a mini living room with antique tables and chairs, surrounded by paintings and calligraphy. Were it not for the rocking of the boat, Ding Fan wouldn't imagine he was on a boat at all.

In his two lifetimes, even in the Cultivation World, he had never been on such a luxurious vessel.

Ding Fan boarded the boat, and the bystanders who had been mocking him now had their eyes wide open. That boat was exclusively for ferrying VIPs, and up to now, only Lin Qingqing had enjoyed the privilege of being transported by the Pavilion boat. And now, that bumpkin was also sitting on it.

Was this bumpkin some sort of important VIP? Perhaps he was the son of a great family or some reclusive expert?

At this moment, Qian Guangliang's face looked terrible. He thought attending Lin Qingqing's birthday party with Wu Min was something incredibly impressive. He believed Ding Fan's presence was to highlight his own stature; he even felt thankful for the appearance of a **** like Ding Fan.

But now, there was Ding Fan, sitting on the Pavilion boat specially prepared for him by Lin Qingqing. Among all the rich and powerful figures in Dancheng, only Ding Fan enjoyed such treatment. If one were to talk about being impressive, Ding Fan was clearly leagues ahead of him.

At this point, Wu Min had a look of envy, while Qian Guangliang didn't have a single retort left. Ding Fan's arrival indeed contrasted with him, Qian Guangliang.

What vexed him, however, was that the contrast made him look even more like a ****!