Chapter 340: Must have borrowed Qin Mu's influence
A line of luxury cars slowly drove into the circular driveway at the entrance of the villa, the low roar of the engines intertwined with the crisp sound of copper bells.
The security guard, wearing white gloves, respectfully opened the car door. Business tycoons in suits and jeweled socialites exited the car one after another, exchanging pleasantries with reserved yet familiar smiles.
"Boss An's villa is even more magnificent than the one she owns in Beijing."
"I heard that the obsidian hot spring pool alone costs as much as a villa."
"It seems that Ms. An has invested a lot of money. Could this be her last investment project?"
"Don't make wild guesses. Mr. An is not short of money. His investments span a wide range of industries. Building a hot spring resort is probably just for fun."
A long crimson carpet was laid in front of the main building, with reception ladies in cheongsams standing on both sides, holding golden nanmu trays filled with warm welcome tea.
Media reporters had already set up their cameras and flashes of light were flashing one after another.
The villa's public relations director, holding a walkie-talkie, responded with a smile, "Dear media friends, the opening ceremony will officially begin at 10 o'clock, and President An will personally deliver a speech."
At the same time, the junior high school students were guided by the waiters to the rest area in the side hall.
Chen Xiwen stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the scene outside with elegant clothes and ladylike figures, his nails digging deeply into his palms.
"Didn't An Ran say she was hosting us today?" She deliberately raised her voice. "Why are all these irrelevant people here?"
Fang Yu awkwardly tried to smooth things over: "With the opening of the villa, there must be many important customers..."
"Important client?" Chen Xiwen sneered, "Then what are we? Just making up the numbers?"
Her voice attracted the attention of several celebrities nearby. Some of them covered their lips and chuckled, with undisguised contempt in their eyes.
Fang Yu quietly pulled her sleeve: "Xiwen, don't be like this..."
Chen Xiwen shook off her hand, took out his phone and took a selfie, deliberately framing a noblewoman wearing a jade necklace in the background: "Post it on WeChat Moments, so some people can see what true high society is like."
Just then, there was a commotion outside.
Three pure black Maybachs slowly drove in, all with consecutive license plates containing the number 8.
The security captain immediately trotted forward and opened the door of the first car himself.
"Mr. Xu from Huanglong Group has arrived!" a waiter exclaimed in a low voice.
The middle-aged man who emerged from the car was wearing a custom-made suit, his Patek Philippe watch gleaming coldly in the sunlight. He glanced around and, meeting Chen Xiwen's gaze in the side hall window, frowned imperceptibly.
"Mr. Xu." Meng Anran's voice came from the corridor.
Today she wore a moon-white cheongsam and a snow-white mink shawl. A single mutton-fat jade hairpin in her hair was more eye-catching than any jewel in the room.
Director Xu immediately relaxed his brows, "An Ran, your villa is even more exquisite than the one in the brochure."
"You're too kind." Meng Anran smiled and nodded. "It just so happens that Mr. Wu is here today. After the opening ceremony, let's try the newly arrived Wuyishan Dahongpao together."
Director Xu raised his eyebrows in surprise, "Mr. Wu is here too?"
"Yes, but he doesn't like socializing and is resting in his room." Meng Anran gestured to invite him in and led Director Xu into the main building, saying, "I've also borrowed Mr. Wu's best-kept masterpiece, 'Distant Mountain Misty Rain.' I'll take you to see it later."
"Great!" Director Xu clapped his hands. "If we talk about the entire business world, you have more good things than anyone else!"
Chen Xiwen dug her nails deep into her palms. She recognized this Mr. Xu - the founder of Huanglong Group, the cover character of last week's financial magazine, and a mining tycoon with a net worth of tens of billions.
You should know that Huanglong Group is a high-tech industrial group dominated by the new generation of electronic information and new materials complete industrial chain. It is committed to the research and development, manufacturing, sales and services of new materials required in many high-tech fields such as aerospace, national defense and military industry, transportation, and the Internet.
Compared with the Huanglong Group, the Ruiming Group can only be regarded as a small Karami.
A big shot like this was actually talking and laughing with Meng Anran?
He must have borrowed Qin Mu's power.
Chen Xiwen snorted disdainfully. If it weren't for Qin Mu's support, how could Meng Anran become a new upstart in the business world?
"Since it's an opening ceremony, can we attend it too?" She suddenly turned her head and looked at the waiter who came to serve tea.
"Of course." The waiter stood by respectfully, his eyes narrowed into slits as he smiled. "You are the boss's guests. You can walk around the villa freely."
Chen Xiwen raised the corner of his lips proudly, "Let's go, An Ran's new store is opening, and as old classmates, shouldn't we go over and support her?"
Fang Yu grabbed Chen Xiwen's wrist and said, "Xiwen, today is an important occasion. The guests are all wealthy and important people. Let's not cause trouble for An Ran."
"What do you mean by making things worse?" Chen Xiwen shook Fang Yu off, her tone suddenly rising. "We're old classmates, and I'm also her best friend. No matter how important a business partnership is, can it compare to friendship?"
She ignored Fang Yu's dissuasion and walked out with big strides.
On the way, she tugged at her skirt and walked into the lobby of the main building with her head held high in her high heels.
The waiter was walking around with a tray made of golden nanmu wood. The snacks on the tray were as exquisite as works of art.
"Miss, please show me your invitation." The black-clad security guard at the door reached out to stop her.
"I'm Meng Anran's old classmate! What invitation do you need?" Her voice suddenly rose, drawing unpleasant glances from several nearby business tycoons.
The security guard looked embarrassed: "Sorry, the main building area needs..."
"Xiwen?" Meng Anran's voice came closer from afar. She walked slowly towards him, the dark patterns on her moon-white cheongsam appearing and disappearing with her steps. "Why didn't you tell me in advance?"
"I have a surprise for you." Chen Xiwen raised his chin and looked around deliberately. "It seems that we old classmates are indeed not as important as these 'distinguished guests'."
Meng Anran raised the corners of her lips slightly and winked at the security guard: "This is my junior high school classmate, let her in."
The security guard stepped aside respectfully.
Chen Xiwen glanced at the security guard with contempt and walked in with a condescending attitude.
"I still have social engagements to attend, so please do as you please." Meng Anran said softly with a smile, then turned and left.
Chen Xiwen didn't care at all. After all, he didn't sneak in to see Meng Anran.
In the tea break area on the east side, celadon cups and purple clay teapots are neatly arranged on an ebony tea table. A tea artist is demonstrating the Song Dynasty tea-making technique.
"This tea cake is so exquisite." Director Xu glanced at the table. The osmanthus jelly was carved into the shape of a palace lantern, with candied kumquats embedded inside. "Speaking of dim sum, our traditional Chinese pastries are even more complex than Western desserts."
"Yes." Meng Anran picked up a cup of hot tea, the aroma of Longjing tea after the rain wafting slowly. "When we created this resort, the idea was to incorporate thousands of years of Chinese cultural heritage, from the macro to the architecture to the micro to the refreshments."
"Your ideas are always so innovative." Director Xu laughed, tasted the osmanthus jelly called "Glass Palace Lantern", and nodded in appreciation.
Suddenly, a shrill scream came from not far away.
A few people looked over and saw Lu Yi casually putting his hands in his pockets with a wicked smile on his face: "Sorry, my hand slipped."
There was a noticeable black sesame filling on Chen Xiwen's Miu coat.
The surprise in Meng Anran's eyes turned into helplessness, and she lowered her eyes and smiled silently.
Qin Mu placed his big hand on her lower back and asked in a low voice, "Do you want to take care of it?"
"Let him." She glanced at Chen Xiwen wiping hurriedly, "Anyway... that set is a replica."
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