[Second update here, seeking recommendations, favorites, and rewards! Old Third thanks you all]

Li Ming had not expected someone dressed so plainly to ignore him with such indifference. His face turned ugly.

At that moment, Qin Manshu gave Ding Fan a few more glances. In the face of power, Ding Fan remained neither servile nor overbearing. Manshu found that this man indeed possessed integrity, and she began to feel a strong sense of fondness for Ding Fan.

"Brother, thank you for pulling your punches just now. I've truly encountered a master. This is my business card. Brother Fan, if you need anything in Dancheng, give me a call. Just say the word and I'll go through fire and water for you," a tall figure came over at this time.

Ding Fan looked up, and the person approaching was none other than Tang Bi, the man who had just shaken hands with him outside.

At that moment, Tang Bi presented his business card with both hands, showing utmost respect. Unlike Li Ming, who conveyed a sense of superiority when handing over his business card, Tang Bi was expressing admiration for a powerful figure.

When they had shaken hands outside, Ding Fan had casually healed Tang Bi's fracture with a mere touch. Tang Bi sincerely admired such a strong figure.

Although Ding Fan didn't have a particularly good opinion of Tang Bi, he nonetheless appreciated that the young man could recognize and correct his mistakes, a rare quality in a spoiled scion. Ding Fan accepted his business card without further ado.

"Young Master Tang?" Li Ming, sitting aside, almost doubted his own eyes.

In the world of the nobility, how could Li Ming not recognize Tang Bi? That was a man who prided himself above others, and in the circle of nobles, few could catch his eye; even Li Ming himself had likely never mattered to Tang Bi.

Yet this arrogant man was so respectful in front of Ding Fan, even calling him "Brother Fan" with such familiarity.

Li Ming was truly baffled. Who was this kid? Could it be that he had some special background?

"Brother Fan, why are you hiding here? You've made me look so hard for you..." At that moment, a voice as delightful as a silver bell came from the side.

Li Ming looked toward the source of the voice, and he was even more shocked. The person who approached was none other than the birthday party's host, Lin Qingqing.

Following behind Lin Qingqing was Xu Rui.

Ding Fan's seat was in a corner, so it was clear that the two were specifically looking for him. At this moment, Li Ming's head was spinning even more. Who exactly was Ding Fan, that even someone like Lin Qingqing referred to him as Brother Fan?

Ding Fan, however, just smiled a little helplessly. He had wanted to avoid drawing attention, but now it seemed he couldn't escape from becoming the center of attention wherever he went.

"Manshu, you know Brother Fan too?" Lin Qingqing looked at Qin Manshu with some surprise, as she thought there was no reason for Manshu to know Ding Fan.

"We've just met," Qin Manshu said with a light smile, and then she stood up with graceful ease.

"Qingqing, happy birthday. Choosing to celebrate your birthday party in Dancheng is a great honor for our city," said Li Ming as he stood up, a smile on his face.

Lin Qingqing smiled faintly at Li Ming, and Qin Manshu, who was paying close attention, could see clearly that Lin Qingqing's warmth towards Ding Fan was sincere, whereas her kindness to Li Ming seemed friendly on the surface, but Manshu could tell it was just for show.

At that moment, Qin Manshu's interest in Ding Fan deepened.

"Miss Lin, happy birthday," Tang Bi said, as he also hurried to offer his birthday wishes.

"Tang Bi, I heard you greeted one of my distinguished guests outside?" Although Lin Qingqing wore a smile, a sharp glance flickered in her eyes.

Tang Bi glanced at Xu Rui by his side and knew what was going on; he could only give a rueful smile. It wasn't exactly him taking care of Ding Fan, as Ding Fan had spared him from harm. But under Lin Qingqing's questioning gaze, he didn't quite know how to answer.

After all, he did indeed take the initiative against Ding Fan.

"Dagger and I just hit it off and chatted a bit," Ding Fan casually helped Dagger out of the tight spot.

Since Dagger had already shown weakness, there was no need to pursue the matter further. With Ding Fan's current situation, it was better to make fewer enemies, which is why he spoke up for Dagger.

Lin Qingqing nodded her head. She then glanced at Ding Fan's right hand, which was holding juice, apparently unharmed. It seemed in the contest of strength with Tang Bi, Ding Fan had not suffered any loss.

At that moment, Tang Bi sent a look of gratitude Ding Fan's way. With the significant background behind Lin Qingqing, upsetting her would surely affect the relationship between the Lin and Tang families and could have a substantial impact on their future cooperation.

"Manshu, I didn't know what you like, so I asked a friend to specially buy a pair of pure silver earrings handcrafted by Master Odum from Denmark. I hope you will like them," Qin Manshu said, while taking out an exquisite box from her handbag.

Without even looking at the craftsmanship of the earrings, the box alone exuded high-end sophistication.

As Qin Manshu opened the gift box, the earrings inside shone so bright that the box couldn't contain their luster. The glow enveloped Qin Manshu's surroundings.

The onlookers flocked over when they saw this scene, all eager to glimpse what treasure was so dazzling.

"Manshu, these earrings are simply gorgeous. Thank you," Lin Qingqing gratefully received the earrings and then gently embraced Qin Manshu.

"Tch, no matter how pretty these earrings are, what use do they really have?" Xu Rui snorted disdainfully before directly pulling out a set of motorcycle keys from her pocket.

"Sister Qingqing, this is the latest model of the Meteor concept motorcycle, and there are only four in the whole world."

As Xu Rui spoke, she handed the motorcycle keys to Lin Qingqing.

Lin Qingqing glanced at Xu Rui, signaling her not to talk nonsense, then she accepted Xu Rui's keys.

The attendees at Lin Qingqing's banquet were all either rich or noble, but the gifts from Qin Manshu and Xu Rui still made everyone gasp with amazement.

Odem from Denmark is a silver expert, and the earrings he handcrafted cost millions and are not easily obtained. And the concept motorcycle that Xu Rui bought, with only four in the whole world, is even more priceless.

Ding Fan looked on at Xu Rui in speechless disbelief. Xu Rui was rash; she thought everyone had the same fiery personality as hers. Lin Qingqing, at first glance, appeared soft and fragile, yet Xu Rui gave her a motorcycle outright.

"Miss Qingqing, my gift can't compare to those from Miss Xu and Miss Qin, but it's a small token, and I hope you like it."

Just as Ding Fan was lost in his thoughts, Li Ming also took out a box which was quite well-made.

With the box in his hand, the surrounding crowd tuned their attention to this scene, speculating about what unique gift Li Ming might present.

After a smug glance at the crowd, Li Ming slowly opened the box to reveal a pearl the size of a grape.

Once the pearl appeared, the onlookers exclaimed in awe, as they were wealthy and cultured, accustomed to seeing luxurious items.

Considering the pearl's luster and size, it was top-notch and would cost no less than a million.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Li, we are merely acquaintances; I can't accept such an expensive gift," Lin Qingqing said aside.

What concerned the attendees most was the Lin Family's business investments on the mainland; many major families were eager to collaborate with them. The Lin Family was renowned in Yahuan State, and securing their investment was like finding the God of Wealth.

At this juncture, Lin Qingqing definitely couldn't accept such a heavy gift from a mere acquaintance. Moreover, even without this matter, Lin Qingqing was always measured in her actions. Accepting valuable gifts would imply indebtedness, so no matter what, she would refuse them.

However, Qin Manshu and Xu Rui were different; their relationship with her was already very close.

Li Ming looked somewhat embarrassed. He admittedly came for his family's interest; otherwise, he wouldn't have given such an expensive pearl for a mere birthday.

Being rejected in front of so many people left him feeling very awkward. He had intended the pearl to ingratiate himself with the Lin Family, but they wouldn't accept it.

"Brother Fan, I'm really looking forward to your gift," said Lin Qingqing, possibly trying to ease the awkwardness by talking to Ding Fan, her beautiful eyes filled with anticipation.

Ding Fan mentally sighed.

Although the pendant Ding Fan made was a bit rough, he believed that not even Qin Manshu's sterling silver earrings or Xu Rui's concept motorcycle was as valuable as his gift.

But of all the gifts presented there, Ding Fan's was the roughest, and he hadn't even prepared a proper gift box for it.

Nevertheless, he took out the jade pendant he had made from his chest and presented it.

"I made this jade pendant for you, happy birthday."

The crowd, upon seeing Ding Fan hand over such a plain and even crude gift, immediately started whispering among themselves.

"Who is this guy, bringing such an ugly thing to Lin Qingqing's birthday party—are they trying to ruin the occasion?"

"Even if you aren't wealthy, you could buy some other craft, but this... what even is this..."

At that moment, Qin Manshu was also taken aback; she hadn't expected Ding Fan to give such a gift. She was even somewhat worried that Lin Qingqing would jump up in anger.

But to the surprise of Qin Manshu and the others, Lin Qingqing happily took the pendant from Ding Fan's hands and threaded it onto her necklace.

"Thank you, Brother Fan, I really like your gift..."