This is a European-style hall, filled with well-dressed guests. Since it's not yet dinner time, the guests are chatting in small groups. Occasionally, waiters carrying wine trays will pass by, and thirsty guests will pick up a glass of red wine, swirl it a couple of times, and then drink it.
Duanmu Ci had just returned to China and then entered university, so he had no time to get to know these people. Therefore, he was truly a stranger in a strange land. Fortunately, Tang Ke was there for him, so he wasn't completely alone.
Tang Ke had obviously noticed this situation as well, so he didn't leave and chatted with Duanmu Ci. "I heard that Brother Duanmu has joined Haishan University as a teacher. What a surprise! I didn't expect that Brother Duanmu is not only wealthy but also talented. He is truly a dragon among men."
Duanmu Ci lowered his eyelashes slightly and asked as if casually, "How did you know about my admission to Haishan University, Brother Tang?"
Tang Ke laughed and said, "Brother Duanmu, please don't misunderstand. I haven't done anything dirty. The reason I know about this is because my sister is studying under you."
"Younger sister?" Duanmu Ci was taken aback. "May I ask her name?"
"It's nothing serious, why would Brother Duanmu need to ask me such a question?" Tang Ke smiled slightly. "My sister's name is Tang Luoluo."
“Tang Luoluo,” Duanmu Ci repeated. “Yes, I know her. She is indeed a student in my class. What a coincidence.” Tang Luoluo was the class monitor, and she was always on the list of students coming up for class. Duanmu Ci naturally remembered her.
Tang Ke also found it quite a coincidence, "Yes, who would have thought that such a fate would happen? Brother Duanmu and I hit it off immediately, and my sister is also studying under Brother Duanmu's tutelage. Our two families should become even closer."
Having said that, we're almost at the point, and it's time to get to the point. Otherwise, given his status as Young Master Tang Ke, how could he possibly have time to chat idly with others on his grandfather's birthday?
Duanmu Ci remained expressionless. "Oh—I'd like to hear more details."
Tang Ke chuckled and leaned closer. "I feel close to Brother Duanmu, so there's no need to hide anything anymore—Brother Duanmu, are you from America?"
This was a very skillful question. He didn't directly state that Duanmu Ci came from the Duanmu family, but rather hinted that he came from America. This left room for maneuver, making it a perfect example of being able to advance or retreat without leaving any loopholes.
Just then, a waiter passed by. Duanmu Ci casually picked up a wine glass, gently swirled the red liquid inside, and then elegantly lowered his head to sniff it, as if kissing a rose. "A 1995 Bordeaux, truly a fine wine of taste. I have many more like this in my cellar. I'll give Brother Tang a bottle sometime."
The truth is also very well said.
As everyone knows, there is only one place in the world that produces Bordeaux wines: the Bordeaux region of France, where there are many wineries. Wineries are the property of nobles, but nobles are not necessarily wealthy. Some impoverished nobles will sell their wineries, and the Tang family had the opportunity to acquire such a winery last year, but the Duanmu family beat them to it.
Now, Duanmu Ci's statement that his family's wine cellar contains many Bordeaux wines is undoubtedly a euphemism for owning a Bordeaux winery, thus hinting at his identity. However, he hasn't explicitly stated it, remaining in a safe position.
Tang Ke suddenly smiled. He realized that Duanmu Ci was truly a person worth getting to know better. From that moment on, he genuinely wanted to make friends, not just as business partners.
Tang Ke and Duanmu Ci's conversation had already attracted the attention of many guests in the hall. They were there to celebrate the Tang family patriarch's 80th birthday, which was highly symbolic, essentially meaning that the patriarch wanted to pass on his position.
The father is already eighty years old, how young will the son be? And how many more years can he work? So the power struggle in the Tang family, on the surface, is a war between the second generation of brothers in the Tang family, but they are not fighting for themselves, but for the future of their sons ten years from now.
Therefore, Tang Ke, who is now standing here as a junior, could very well become the head of the vast Tang family in ten years. His every move will naturally attract a great deal of attention. It's like how in ancient times, even before the crown prince ascended the throne, a large group of ministers would gather in the Eastern Palace, waiting to become meritorious officials who helped him rise to power.
The "crown prince" was standing with an unknown person, chatting happily, and everyone wanted to know what they were talking about. Walking over, one overheard things like "from America," "1995 Bordeaux," and "I have many in my cellar." Were they just discussing some high-society leisure topics?
This wasn't the answer they wanted, but there was nothing they could do about it.
Tang Ke ignored these people; his mind was now only on Duanmu Ci of the Duanmu family. "My family has considerable influence in the country. If Brother Duanmu wants to establish a business here, I am willing to help."
This statement might sound like Tang Ke using his position to secure benefits for his close friend. In reality, Tang Ke was asking Duanmu Ci, representing the Duanmu family, whether they had any intention of cooperating with the Tang family.
Duanmu Ci didn't answer, but pointed to the female companion who was always holding his arm and acting as a backdrop, "Her name is Bu Tongxun, she is my Chinese housekeeper. You can contact her for everything related to this, she will be in charge."
That's another brilliant move.
Instead of personally getting involved and sweating it out, he could simply be a composed spectator, leaving himself options for everything—offense or defense, even the option of feigning indifference. Nothing could be more perfect. Of course, Bu Tongxun was indeed responsible for these things; Duanmu Ci hadn't gone too far with his claims…
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