Returning after 10000 Years Cultivation - Chapter 78

“Linglong, thank you! Let’s drink together!” Zhao Xueqing said happily, taking a small sip of the strong liquor.

She usually stuck to wine during business dinners, as her alcohol tolerance wasn’t great.

The sudden intake of high-proof baijiu made her fair cheeks flush with a delicate pink, adding a touch of enchanting softness to her beauty.

“Qing’er, don’t drink baijiu. Have something softer instead!” Jiang Tian patted her back gently, his voice full of concern.

“Is that appropriate? Even Old Master Tang is drinking baijiu…” Zhao Xueqing hesitated, feeling a little embarrassed.

“It’s fine, it’s fine!”

No one dared to argue. They all quickly assured her it was no problem, though inwardly they marveled at how doting Jiang Tian was toward his wife.

The drinking went on until ten at night before everyone finally dispersed.

Tang Weimin threw up three times, and Old Master Tang—who had abstained from alcohol for years—was completely drunk, swaying and bleary-eyed.

…

The next morning, just as Jiang Tian finished his cultivation, his sister-in-law Zhao Qianru called.

“Brother-in-law, do you know what day it is today?”

“What day?” Jiang Tian chuckled.

“Hmph! You don’t even care about my sister! You deserve a beating!” Qianru huffed angrily.

Then it suddenly hit him. “Is it your sister’s birthday?”

“Exactly! Tonight, a few of her friends and I are throwing her a little party at the Elite Ladies’ Club. You’d better prepare a gift!” Qianru giggled before hanging up.

“Qing’er, you’re celebrating your birthday at the Elite Ladies’ Club today? What would you like as a gift?” Jiang Tian pulled his beloved wife into his arms, a hint of remorse deep in his eyes.

In their past life together, he had never celebrated her birthday—not even once. No gifts, no cake.

Every year, she spent the day alone, quietly, or even working overtime at the office as if it were just another day.

“It doesn’t matter. The thought alone is enough!”

Zhao Xueqing smiled sweetly, her voice soft. “Honestly, I wasn’t even planning to celebrate. I was going to work late, but Qianru insisted on arranging this.”

“Of course we should celebrate! Should I call Zhou Zhenghao and have it at the Imperial Club instead?” Jiang Tian suggested.

She shook her head gently. “No, a small gathering is fine. I just want to be with you—no one else matters. As long as we’re together quietly, I’m happy.”

There was something she didn’t mention: Fu Lanjun, the vice president of the Elite Ladies’ Club, shared the same birthday. If she made too big a deal out of hers, it might overshadow Fu’s celebration, which wouldn’t be polite.

Jiang Tian, unaware of this, simply nodded in agreement.

By evening, Zhao Xueqing had applied delicate makeup and put on an elegant evening gown before leaving Times Mansion with Jiang Tian.

“Master and Madam, where are you headed? Shall I accompany you?” Gui Jiao Ti stepped out from the side room and bowed respectfully.

“Oh, Qing’er is having a birthday party at the Elite Ladies’ Club. We’ll be back soon—no need to come along.”

Jiang Tian glanced at his loyal servant and smiled warmly.

“So it’s the Madam’s birthday…”

Watching the couple drive away, Gui Jiao Ti stroked his chin and muttered to himself, “Zhou Zhenghao, Long Wu, and Third Master Tang have all told me repeatedly to inform them if anyone close to Master Jiang is celebrating anything. Hmm… I should give them a call and see how they respond.”

…

Night fell over the Elite Ladies’ Club.

The luxurious banquet hall buzzed with lively chatter, soft music, and dazzling lights. Balloons spelled out “Happy Birthday” on the wall.

Most of the hall was packed with guests—many of them young elites from prominent Linzhou families.

At the head table, Fu Lanjun sat like a queen, wearing a diamond-studded tiara and an off-the-shoulder white dress, basking in the admiration of the crowd.

“Look! That’s Chairman Liu from Qiduo Group—worth over a hundred million! Even he came to celebrate!”

“Young Master Liu is here too! He’s the future heir of his family!”

“The vice chairman of the Chamber of Commerce is here—a billionaire!”

At a nearby table, executives from Junzilan Fashion whispered enviously, marveling at Fu Lanjun’s social influence.

She was the epitome of a high-society princess, the kind of woman every wealthy heir pursued. With her charm and connections, she was one of Linzhou’s “Five Golden Flowers,” second only to Tang Linglong in prestige.

Tonight, her guests filled over twenty tables—half the hall. The sheer number of powerful figures in attendance spoke volumes about her status in Linzhou.

“President Fu, these are a pair of jadeite earrings I bought in Myanmar!”

“Thank you, Chairman Hu!”

“Miss Fu, this is a painting by Zheng Banqiao I acquired at last year’s Christie’s auction. Please accept it!”

“An authentic piece! So rare and valuable!”

Fu Lanjun accepted the lavish gifts with practiced grace. To ordinary people, these offerings would be unimaginably extravagant, but to her, they were hardly noteworthy.

“Did you see? The gifts Miss Fu received today must be worth at least ten million!”

The crowd buzzed with admiration.

“Ugh, that Zhao Xueqing has no sense at all. Doesn’t she know today is Sister Jun’s birthday? How dare she come here to celebrate? Just one table, barely any friends—how pathetic!”

A girl suddenly pointed mockingly at a corner table where Zhao Qianru sat with a few middle-class girls. They looked nervous and out of place, even hesitating to ask the waitstaff for refills.

The Zhao family was insignificant in Linzhou, and Zhao Xueqing had few high-society connections. The gifts she received were modest, worth barely a few thousand—pale in comparison to Fu Lanjun’s haul.

Fu Lanjun turned to her friend Lu Biyao beside her.

“Biyao, why do you look so distracted? Things not going well with Xue Feiyang? Don’t worry, there are plenty of good men out there. I’ll introduce you to someone better!”

Ever since returning from the Blue Whale Princess cruise a few days ago, Lu Biyao had been in a daze.

Fu Lanjun assumed Xue Feiyang had rejected her and tried to console her.

Lu Biyao’s eyes were hollow as she replied with a strange laugh, “Xue Feiyang? He’s nothing—just a dog!”

“What? You’re rejecting Xue Feiyang? Or is there someone else you’re after?” Fu Lanjun was taken aback, secretly scoffing at her friend’s delusion.

The Lu family wasn’t even in Linzhou’s top 30. How could she possibly think Xue Feiyang wasn’t good enough?

“I want… Jiang Tian!” Lu Biyao declared with startling determination.

The image of Jiang Tian’s commanding presence on the Blue Whale Princess—how he dominated the scene, even forcing Ye Gufeng to submit—had seared itself into her mind.

Since returning, she couldn’t stop thinking about him.

Regret gnawed at her whenever she remembered how she’d missed her chance with him.

Deep down, she knew Jiang Tian’s status now placed him far beyond her reach.

But compared to Zhao Xueqing, she felt she still had a shot.

If Zhao Xueqing could earn Jiang Tian’s devotion, why couldn’t she—someone from a better family and just as beautiful?

“Biyao, are you insane?”

Fu Lanjun’s face darkened with disdain. “Jiang Tian’s a lunatic, a good-for-nothing! And the Jiang family is finished. You know this!”

“When choosing a man, family background comes first, then personal ability. He has neither. Chasing him would be beneath you!”

“You don’t understand what he—”

Lu Biyao almost blurted out what she’d witnessed on the cruise.

But Jiang Tian’s warning flashed in her mind, sending a chill down her spine. She swallowed her words.

“Later, I’ll introduce you to some real gentlemen. You’ll like them!” Fu Lanjun insisted.

“No. There’s no one else I want but him.” Lu Biyao shook her head, her voice distant.

“Speak of the devil! Young Master Liu is here!”

“Come with me to greet him—make a good impression!”

Fu Lanjun suddenly brightened, pulling Lu Biyao up to welcome a tall, handsome young man entering the hall.

“Young Master Liu!”

“It’s Liu Shao!”

The crowd erupted as wealthy guests rushed to greet him.

Liu Tianle, son of Mayor Liu, was one of Linzhou’s top young elites, on par with Tang Jianfeng.

A graduate of an Ivy League business school, he’d returned to China to start a venture capital firm, investing in high-tech projects. By thirty, he’d already amassed a fortune of 100 million, earning respect even from seasoned businessmen.

“Chairman Xu, you’re here too! Your business keeps growing!”

“Boss Wei, good to see you again!”

Liu Tianle shook hands and exchanged pleasantries effortlessly, his charisma and confidence overshadowing even the older tycoons.

His status was such that merely speaking to him was an honor for most.

Tall, handsome, and impeccably dressed, he made even the most aloof socialites’ hearts flutter.

“Lan Jun, I remember you loved the sunflowers in London’s western suburbs during your studies there.”

Liu Tianle presented his gift with a charming smile. “These are sunflower seeds harvested from that very area and flown here specially. Plant them, and you’ll have a piece of London’s countryside at home.”

“Oh my god, seeds flown in from abroad! Liu Shao is so romantic!”

The women around them swooned.

“Thank you, Liu Shao. This is the best gift I’ve received today.” Fu Lanjun smiled graciously.

Given Liu Tianle’s influence, she had to stay on his good side—even if he’d given her a weed, she’d have called it priceless.

“Haha, Liu Shao went to such lengths—does he have feelings for our Sister Jun?” a young socialite teased.

“Don’t say such things!” Fu Lanjun tensed immediately.

Her heart belonged to Tang Jianfeng, and she couldn’t risk rumors reaching him.

“You little troublemaker, trying to set me up?”

Liu Tianle laughed, pointing at the girl. “This was actually entrusted to me by Tang Jianfeng!”

“Really? He asked you to bring this…” Fu Lanjun’s eyes welled up with touched happiness.

“Of course. Tang Shao’s military training and missions keep him too busy to come personally, so…”

Even Liu Tianle’s expression turned respectful at Tang Jianfeng’s mention.

He was a rising star in the military, already a lieutenant with the potential to become a general someday!