Chapter 1723
When Fade saw Quin standing stock-still, he could not help but ask, "Are you alright? What''s the
matter?"
She shook her head and chuckled, "No big deal, it''s just an invitation."
"Invitation?" He was burning with curiosity.
She rified, "It''s from a friend of my father. He''ll be celebrating his 70th birthday. He invited me to
attend the party."
"That old man is Taegan Zhou, who used to be my father''s partner in the Lin family business in
Capital City. When my parents got together, the Lin family did not give their blessings. They were
eventually expelled from the Lin family''s home and had to flee elsewhere."
"At that time, many friends cut ties with my parents. Old Master Zhou was the only one who wasn’t
intimidated by the threats made by the Lin family. He took my parents under his wing for a period of
time. My dad is forever indebted to him."
"After my parents settled down in Bay City, my father continued to visit him on several asions.
We rarely stayed in touch ever since my father passed away though. However, we continued to
extend greetings and exchange gifts with one another during every festive season."
"A few years ago, I delivered some gifts. This year is his 70th birthday. The Zhou family wants to
make some proper arrangements, hence they sent out invitations."
"Where is the Zhou family''s home? Would you like to head over there?" Fade asked.
Quin smiled and replied, "It''s such a coincidence that the Zhou family''s home is in East Stream City.
Now that I''m here and it''s his 70th birthday, I should head over to send him my well wishes."
"Alright then. Let''s get him a gift!" As the both of them were in a leisurely mode and time was not so
much of a constraint, he did not mind staying in East Stream City for a few extra days.
She nodded and replied, "By chance I am here, I want to get Old Master Zhou a well-thought-out
gift. After all, it was he who lent a helping hand kindly to my parents at a time when they hit rock
bottom."
"Absolutely," concurred Fade.
Then, they left the hotel. After having a meal, they went to a few ces in East Stream City in
search of a suitable gift.
However, they did not manage to find a suitable one after going around a few shops.
Although the Zhou family was not incredibly wealthy, the scale of their business was not small. The
market capitalization of the variouspanies they owned was in the region of two to three billion
dors. This had already surpassed the market capitalization of Fei Enterprises Holdings Inc owned
by the Lin family in Bay City. Besides that, the Zhou family was also one of the most powerful
families in East Stream City.
The Zhou family was not in shortage of all kinds of luxury goods, luxury cars or watches. Even then,
these were not the things which Taegan would find useful. As for jade wares, Buddhist statues and
calligraphic artworks, Quin resisted the temptation to purchase them since she did not know much
about his interests.
Just as they were perturbed and could not make up their mind, an idea suddenly popped up in
Fade'' s mind. He looked at Quin and said, "I got it. I got it!"
"What do you mean?" She looked at him.
He beamed as he replied, "The gift, I know what kind of gift will be suitable!"
"What idea have you got?" She gazed at him.
He nodded and grinned as he replied, "As you said just now, it''s Old Master Zhou''s 70th birthday
this year. The Zhou family is well-off and money has never been in shortage. I''d like to think that
good health and longevity are what he will be after. So, let''s get him a health supplement."
"That sounds pretty good. However, when ites to health supplements, there are way too many
scams out there. I''m afraid it''ll be a little difficult to find one that''s truly effective!" She said worriedly.
Fade smiled and patted Quin''s head gently before saying reassuringly, "Honey, it might be difficult
for others, but that''s not quite the case for us. You must have forgotten what your husband does for
a living!"
"I..." She was confused momentarily before getting it. Rolling her eyes at him, she pouted as she
said, "Well if you can do it, just go ahead and prepare."
"Alright, sure thing. As per yourmand, I''ll have it prepared right away," he beamed as he
headed to purchase a variety of medicinal herbs to prepare some longevity pills for Taegan.
By afternoon, he had already prepared the pills.
The next day, the couple made their way to the Zhou family''s home. Although there were two more
days before the actual birthday party, they decided to pay Taegan a visit in advance.
They called for a cab to drive them over to the Zhou family''s home.
The Zhou family truly lived up to its reputation as one of the biggest ns in East Stream City as
they had constructed a mansion sprawling over a thousand square meters in the city centre.
Exquisite and expensive, it exuded an affluent vibe, befitting the abode of a tycoon.
By the time Fade and Quin arrived at the gate of the mansion, many luxury cars were parked by the
entrance. Well-dressed guests carrying gifts could be seening in and out from the mansion,
most likely invitees of the birthday party sending their well-wishes to Taegan.
As the both of them were about to make their way through the gate, a security guard stopped them.
"Hey stop. Where do you think you''re going?"
Upon hearing what the guard said, Fade could not help but subtly furrow his brows..
Immediately, Quin went forward and rified smilingly, "Hi, we''re invited guests for Old Master
Zhou''s birthday party."
"Guests?" The security guard gave them a suspicious look, as if he was doubting what they had
said.
She took out her phone and showed him the electronic invitation card sent by the Zhou family. After
scrutinizing and confirming its authenticity, the security guard let them in.
As they walked into the mansion, Fade could not help but purse his lips and grumble disapprovingly,
"So high- handed of the Zhou family!"
She gently pulled his sleeve andforted him in a soft voice, "Don''t be angry. After all, this is the
first time we’re here. It''s not unusual that they don’ t recognize us."
Taegan was a friend of his father- in-w. Therefore, Fade refrained fromining too much.
Instead, he headed straight to the living hall with Quin.
There were many guests in the living hall. Some members of the Zhou n could be seen
weing guests. They shook hands with them and greeted them with great enthusiasm.
Not all guests received the same level of warmth and enthusiasm. After some observation, Fade
found that some guests were treated to an affectionate reception, while some merely received a
lackluster wee. In all likelihood, the guests that received a warm reception had a high social
position.
After greeting a slew of guests, it was Fade and Quin''s turn.
As the Zhou family members greeted them with a smile, they shook hands with them and said,
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"Hello there, wee."
It was evidently clear that the Zhou family members had no intention of going beyond basic
greetings to exchange pleasantries with them.
Judging from the situation, Quin took the initiative to introduce herself. "I''m Quin Lin from Bay City.
My father Daniel Lin was one of Mr. Zhou''s friends."
"Oh right, President Lin from Bay City. I know him," Aftering to the sudden realization about
Quin'' s identity, the Zhou family members said, "Please take a seat. There are many guests today.
Old Master Zhou is under the weather. You may need to wait a little longer to see him."
"It''s alright. Go ahead and wee other guests!" Quin said politely before searching for a ce to
sit.
In the living hall, guests and hosts alike continued to exchange greetings and make small talks.
Even though the official day of the birthday party had yet toe, some guests could be seen
bringing along theirvish gifts. Those with presumably higher status were invited into the family
room while the rest were merely sipping tea at the living hall.