SWDnovel Chapter 246 The Banquet Begins
Chapter 246 The Banquet Begins
Chapter 246 The Banquet Begins
Feng Shanshan shushed everyone and waited until everyone had walked away before asking, "Yaoyao, what's wrong with your brother?"
I remember you complaining to me countless times before that Chen Lie's martial arts talent was practically zero, so how did he suddenly become so amazing?
Chen Xingyao's expression changed, and she instantly shook off Feng Shanshan's hand that was pulling at her: "I'm warning you, don't slander me. When did I ever say that I'm inferior to Talent?"
"No—I was just asking a normal question, why are you getting angry?" Feng Shanshan asked, puzzled.
"Just ask a normal question, why talk nonsense?"
"I'm talking nonsense? Dude, I still have your old messages complaining about Chen Lie's green bubble on my communicator!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Xingyao couldn't help but say, "You're so cunning! Didn't we agree to delete it? Why is it still here?"
Feng Shanshan chuckled, "Now you're not saying I'm talking nonsense? Don't worry, I said I deleted it, and I meant it. I was just asking you a question, and you're making a big deal out of it!"
"If you're going to ask a question, just ask it properly. Don't try to sow discord between me and my brother!"
Feng Shanshan sighed and said, "Alright then, I just wanted to ask you, I remember Chen Lie's talent used to be quite average."
"It was unbelievable enough that he joined the genius training camp last time, how did he suddenly become the top martial arts champion in three provinces?"
"Actually—" Chen Xingyao thought for a moment and said, "My brother's martial arts have always been very powerful, but he's just never shown it? He's always been hiding it!"
"Hidden all this time? Not even your aunt and uncle knew?" Feng Shanshan asked.
"Can it still be called hiding something if others know about it?"
"What realm is my cousin at now? Has he entered the advanced martial arts realm?" Feng Shanshan's expression turned serious.
"An advanced martial artist? You'd have to wait until their health and mana reach five digits!"
"Five digits? Are there people in the world who have reached a five-digit Qi and Blood value?"
"You just haven't seen it, not that it doesn't exist."
Feng Shanshan nodded. She had heard her sister complain countless times that the competition in the Genius Training Camp was too fierce, and that there was a points competition every month. Her sister said that her hidden cousin, Chen Lie, was much stronger than her sister, because he had reached the top of the Genius Training Camp.
But to become the top martial arts champion in three provinces directly is such an outrageous advancement, isn't it?
Feng Yuelan led the Feng Mingli and Feng Xueli families to a quiet spot to sit down, and said, "Elder brother..."
Second brother, please sit here for a moment. I'll go check on the other guests.
After speaking, Feng Yuelan turned and left.
At this moment, Feng Shuangshuang's mother called Feng Shuangshuang to her side and instructed her, "Shuangshuang, your cousin is the main character today, why aren't you saying a word to her?"
Feng Shuangshuang blushed: "Mom, I don't know what to say—"
"You're too thin-skinned. What can't cousins say to each other?"
Chen Lie is so skilled in martial arts now, you could ask him for some pointers.
"How could I possibly ask him for martial arts guidance in this situation?" Feng Shuangshuang couldn't help but say.
Feng Shuangshuang's mother shook her head and called out, "Chen Lie!"
Hearing this suddenly, Chen Lie walked over and asked, "Aunt, is there something you need?"
"I'm fine, your cousin just wants to talk to you for a bit!"
"Oh?"
Chen Lie looked at Feng Shuangshuang, then said with some surprise, "Sister Shuangshuang has made great progress recently. Your Qi and Blood value has already exceeded 700 calories?"
Feng Shuangshuang was taken aback, then asked, "You can tell my Qi and Blood value at a glance?"
It should be noted that even the head instructor of the genius training camp, a high-level martial artist, could not discern her blood energy level, yet Chen Lie possessed this ability.
This level of vision is almost equivalent to a blood and qi detector.
"I just happened to have cultivated a technique that allows me to see through a person's vital energy level," Chen Lie said.
He remembered that in his previous life, Feng Shuangshuang stayed at his house for nearly a month at her mother Feng Yuelan's request during this period, to instruct him in martial arts.
However, at that time, Feng Shuangshuang's blood energy value was only 600 calories. During the same period, her blood energy value increased by more than 100 calories compared to the top ten. This change was naturally due to his help.
"Why has your martial arts progressed so quickly?" Feng Shuangshuang asked.
Becoming the top martial arts champion in the province is already astonishing enough, but becoming the top martial arts champion in three provinces is simply unbelievable.
"Fast? I don't think so!"
"Don't you think this kind of progress is fast?"
Feng Shuangshuang was at a loss for words. If her martial arts progress could catch up with half of Chen Lie's, she would be laughing in her dreams.
"Chen Lie, your martial arts achievements should now be the best among your peers. Find some time to give Shuangshuang some pointers."
Feng Shuangshuang's mother said.
Chen Lie nodded and said, "I will."
"Shuangshuang went to the Northwest front for military training. She should be in the same batch as you, right? You have to take good care of her. The beasts are extremely ferocious. Even a second-tier martial artist would have a hard time dealing with a first-tier beast."
Chen Lie nodded and said, "Aunt, you don't need to tell me that."
After saying that, Chen Lie left.
This time, Chen Lie's banquet had less than half the number of guests as Chen Ying's martial arts banquet, mainly because his uncle Chen Chaoqun had many superiors and colleagues, so he was even busier in hosting them.
In contrast, Chen Gequn invited relatives, friends, and neighbors, so the banquet was quickly completed.
At this moment, the person in charge of the Chuandu Hotel said, "Mr. Chen, how many guests have arrived for your banquet?"
If the first floor isn't enough, we can make room for the second floor as well.
"No need, no need. Our guests are almost all here, and the lobby on the first floor is more than enough," Chen Gequn said.
"Okay, feel free to contact me anytime if you need anything!"
After the hotel manager finished speaking, he added, "Provincial Governor Luo mentioned that he could provide a host for this banquet. Would you like one?"
"Governor Luo? Could it be—" Chen Gequn was taken aback, then his heart skipped a beat.
"Okay, then I'll trouble you!"
"You're welcome, I'll contact them for you right away." The hotel manager nodded.
Seeing his son Chen Lie approaching, Chen Gequn quickly asked, "Son, do you know anything about that classmate of yours surnamed Luo?"
Chen Lie said, "I only know that her father is the governor of Dongchuan Province, but I don't know his specific background."
"It's really not easy for the daughter of the provincial governor, a true power and influence figure in Dongchuan Province, to be so approachable."
Recalling how Luo Zhixun addressed them as "uncle" and "aunt" for two meals at their house, Chen Gequn couldn't help but sigh.
At that moment, a group of teenagers suddenly walked into the entrance of the Chuandu Hotel and went straight into the lobby.
"Wang Hui, Chen Lie must be busy right now, right?"
A strikingly beautiful girl in the crowd asked.
"What could he be busy with? I'll find him and ask him later!"
The speaker was Wang Hui, and the group of people he brought were his junior and senior high school classmates.
Chen Lie saw Wang Hui and his group enter the hotel and immediately came over.
When Wang Hui saw Chen Lie arrive, he quickly said, "Chen Lie, these six are all classmates from our junior high and senior high regular classes. You must know them all well, so I don't need to introduce them, right?"
Chen Lie had no recollection of these classmates, so he nodded and greeted them one by one.
When it was the last person's turn, before Chen Lie could speak, the other person smiled and said, "Chen Lie, we just met when you won the provincial martial arts championship. Don't be so formal, okay?"
The speaker was Qin Siyu, the one who had just been messaging Chen Lie.
"That's right, no need to be so formal!" Chen Lie nodded.
Qin Siyu smiled and said softly, "Congratulations on becoming the only martial arts champion from three provinces in Dongchuan Province."
Chen Lie said "thank you," and then said, "Just find a seat, the meal will start soon."
O
"I think the one next door looks nice, let's sit here."
Wang Hui pointed to a spot and led a few classmates over to sit down.
Seeing that Qin Siyu was still motionless, Chen Lie said, "Qin, why don't you go and sit down too?"
Qin Siyu suddenly took out a box and handed it to Chen Lie.
"This is a specially made crystal necklace from outer space. I specially found it as a banquet gift to wish Chen Lie all the best in his future martial arts career."
Chen Lie glanced at the box. He knew that this was a very precious luxury item for an ordinary family, so he said, "Didn't I tell Wang Hui that the students who came shouldn't bring any gifts or anything? Didn't he say that?"
He said that this gift was just a token of his appreciation.
You don't know, but Wang Hui actually invited more than twenty of his junior and senior high school classmates to the banquet. Many of these classmates didn't have much of a connection with you; they just came to Wang Hui's name.
I thought, wouldn't Wang Hui be causing you trouble? So, after my persuasion, Wang Hui only brought these few people.
Chen Lie said "Oh," and then added, "That does sound like something Wang Hui would do."
Qin Siyu covered her mouth and chuckled, saying, "Just accept the gift I gave you. Okay, I won't bother you anymore, bye-bye~"
Following Qin Siyu's instructions, she went to the table and sat down.
Chen Lie turned around and went to his parents' side.
When he reached a quiet spot, he suddenly heard a clear, cold voice.
"Chen Lie!"
Chen Lie stopped and looked back, only to find that it was Chen Ying who had called out to him.
"Oh, it's Sister Chen Ying. Is there something you need?"
Chen Ying glanced at Chen Lie, her emotions a mix of feelings, and said, "Congratulations on your great achievements in martial arts."
"It's truly rare to hear such a thing from you."
"Do you think I'm jealous of your martial arts talent?" Chen Ying questioned.
"I didn't think that way."
"Whatever you want to do is up to you, I don't care. The first two times, it was indeed my attitude that was bad."
I wanted to remind you that your second aunt's purpose in bringing your grandfather to the banquet today is not pure.
I think you should have a good idea of your specific purpose.
"Okay, thank you for letting me know, Sister Chen Ying."
Upon hearing this, Chen Ying immediately turned and left.
At this time, Chen Gequn and Feng Yuelan had finished entertaining the guests.
"There shouldn't be many people coming. Shall we announce the start?"
"It's almost time, but that classmate surnamed Luo from my son's genius group said he would organize the members of the genius group to attend the banquet, but he hasn't arrived yet."
"Shall we wait a little longer?"
"Let's wait a little longer. The hotel manager just contacted a banquet emcee, but they haven't arrived yet!"
Just as Feng Yuelan and Chen Gequn were waiting, a beautiful woman of about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old walked over.
"Hello, Mr. Chen and Ms. Feng."
My name is Li Shumin, and I am a reporter from the provincial television station. I have been invited to be the host of this banquet.
"A reporter from the provincial television station?"
Chen Gequn and Feng Yuelan were both surprised. This Li Shumin was a celebrity in Dongchuan Province. In the past three years, she was always present at any special event in Dongchuan Province. She was the top female host of the provincial TV station.
For example, when the genius team held a provincial martial arts competition, Li Shumin was invited to be the host of the competition.
"Thank you so much, Reporter Li, for taking time out of your busy schedule to host this small banquet. I am truly grateful."
Li Shumin said with a smile, "Please don't say that. Chen Lie is the first martial arts champion in Dongchuan Province to be awarded the title of champion in three provinces. This banquet is called a college entrance banquet, but it is regarded as a champion banquet."
It is my honor to preside over the champion's seat for Dongchuan Province's first martial arts champion from three provinces.
Li Shumin saw Chen Lie walking up behind her and waved to him, saying, "Hello, Chen Lie, we meet again!"
"Hello, Reporter Li!" Chen Lie responded to Li Shumin.
Li Shumin glanced at the time and said, "Mr. Chen, Ms. Feng, I think it's almost time. Shall we begin the banquet?"
Feng Yuelan, thinking that there was still no news from the members of Luo Zhixun's genius group, was about to suggest waiting a little longer, but Chen Lie said directly, "Let's begin!"
"OK!"
Li Shumin smiled slightly, took the microphone from the staff member, and walked onto the stage.
The hotel lobby was noisy and chaotic. The moment Li Shumin stepped onto the stage, the lights in the lobby suddenly dimmed.
All the lights instantly focused on the stage.
"Please be quiet, everyone. Our banquet will begin shortly."
A pleasant broadcast came from all directions of the hall, and everyone was surprised and quieted down, looking at the stage.
"Good morning, everyone. First of all, please allow me to introduce myself."
My name is Li Shumin, and I am a reporter for Dongchuan Provincial Television Station.
I am honored to be here today, invited by yours truly, to stand on this stage and host the graduation banquet for the only martial arts master from three provinces in Dongchuan Province.
On stage, Li Shumin was graceful and charming, leaving the guests below somewhat mesmerized.
"Why would a reporter from the provincial television station condescend to host such a small banquet?"
"Is this because the Chen family has become wealthy, or does this martial arts champion from three provinces really have such a high profile?"
Feng Shanshan was surprised at a spot near the stage.
Even a reporter from the provincial TV station was invited? How come a college admission banquet is being made so grand?
She knew her aunt's family's wealth and power, and it was impossible for them to invite such a famous person from Dongchuan. The only possibility was that her cousin was too powerful in martial arts, and the person came because of him.
The martial arts champion from three provinces—that's truly terrifying!
Feng Shanshan shook her head.
On stage, Li Shumin spoke again.
"Before the banquet begins, I would like to first explain to our guests the martial arts achievements of the main character of this banquet. Please listen carefully—"