Zhang Hong's birthday was held at one of the local upscale restaurants, Letianju.
There weren't many elders present, but there were quite a few relatives from the same generation. When Tang Yanran and Chen Wanli entered, whispers immediately arose.
Tang Yanran knew they were discussing her marriage to someone with mental issues, but Chen Wanli remained calm.
"Cousin, happy birthday!" Tang Yanran handed over a gift, a high-grade ginseng and Cordyceps picked from Huang Wuye's collection.
Zhang Hong took the gift, glanced at it casually, and muttered, "I've always said women shouldn't marry down! Look, now even gifts are medicines, could it be the herbs from your family?" She placed the gift displeasingly in the corner.
Tang Yanran frowned slightly, wanting to explain that ginseng and Cordyceps were tonics, and they were from Huang Wuye, even Tang Dapeng said they were fine quality. But she chose to stay silent.
Zhang Hong gestured casually to a corner, indicating for them to sit down. Tang Yanran initially intended to greet and leave, but Chen Wanli pulled her to sit.
"Don't rush! Uncle hasn't arrived yet!" Chen Wanli said with a smile.
Just then, another acquaintance came in, Chen Huanrui, with a bruised face.
Chen Huanrui was Zhang Hong's university classmate, and they were in an ambiguous relationship.
"Huanrui, welcome welcome! What happened to you?" Zhang Hong's tone carried a hint of concern.
Chen Huanrui explained, "I bumped into a thug bullying a girl on my way here, I stepped in to help, and ended up in a fight!"
"You're so brave! But next time, don't be impulsive, you could've called the police!" Zhang Hong advised.
"Haha!" Chen Wanli burst into laughter, Tang Yanran couldn't help but smile.
Chen Huanrui felt uncomfortable hearing their laughter, especially when he saw Chen Wanli. His face reddened even more, but he didn't speak.
Zhang Hong felt irritated and pulled Chen Huanrui over, saying impatiently, "What are you laughing at? Mind your own business!"
Chen Wanli laughed even louder, and Zhang Hong angrily said, "I forgot, you have mental issues! Why am I bothering to argue with you?"
"What are you laughing at?" She turned to Tang Yanran, "Huanrui's new company got a three million investment from Mr. Zhou. His father is a hotel tycoon, and his mother is an official. He's brave enough to intervene in matters, what's there to laugh about? He's my boyfriend now!"
"And what about Chen Wanli? He's just a lunatic. He advised against your marriage from the start! Even if you married him, now what? Does mental illness spread?" Zhang Hong said aggressively.
Obviously, she still didn't know that Chen Huanrui was related to Chen Wanli.
Chen Wanli couldn't be bothered to explain, just sneered, "Mental illness probably doesn't spread, but stupidity definitely does!"
Zhang Hong flushed with anger, and Chen Huanrui was also angry. He could tell they were calling him and Zhang Hong stupid.
"I heard you got into trouble, and it was Zhang Hong's father who helped you out. It's not appropriate for you to speak like this at her birthday party, right?" Chen Huanrui looked down at Chen Wanli.
Chen Wanli smiled, "So what?"
"So you should apologize to Honghong!" Chen Huanrui said.
Chen Wanli gestured with his finger, "Didn't hear? Come closer and say it!"
Chen Huanrui recalled the scene where Chen Wanli almost choked him to death, feeling a bit scared to approach.
"Aren't you brave enough?" "What are you pretending to be tough for?" Chen Wanli sneered.
Chen Huanrui, a proud person, was provoked, so he approached Chen Wanli and said word by word, "You have the ability to cause trouble, but not to resolve it. Don't pretend to be something you're not!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Wanli slapped him across the face.
"Are you daring to hit someone?" Zhang Hong was furious.
Tang Yanran hesitated for a moment, but ultimately remained silent. She knew that Chen Huanrui's words today were hurtful, and Zhang Zhili wouldn't listen to reason. Zhang Zhili looked calmly at Zhang Hong, who was fuming with anger, "Am I wrong to teach my cousin a lesson and show him how to speak to his elder brother? Is there a problem with that?" Zhang Hong looked at Chen Huanrui in astonishment. Chen Huanrui clenched his fists, his face alternating between red and purple. "Oh, right, you mentioned that mental illness isn't contagious. Let me respond to that. Mental illness isn't contagious, but mine might be hereditary. Who knows, maybe my cousin has the same genes?" "Hmm, from the looks of you two, you seem ready to tie the knot, don't you?" Zhang Zhili's casual remarks rubbed salt in the wounds of both Zhang Hong and Chen Huanrui. "Congratulations, soon you'll both be marrying someone with a mental illness! Don't use this against Tang Yanran anymore, after all, you two are no better than her." Zhang Hong and Chen Huanrui had to admit that they couldn't outtalk Zhang Zhili's sharp tongue when combined. "Alright, that's it! How dare you treat me like this? I'll make sure my dad stops interfering with your affairs!" "Without my dad's protection, let's see how your family handles it!" As they were speaking, the banquet hall suddenly opened from the outside. Yang He, the manager of the restaurant, entered with several glamorous women. Behind them, staff pushed a small cart laden with bottles of five-year-aged Feitian Maotai. Chen Huanrui and Zhang Hong were too preoccupied to continue their argument. Zhang Hong, recognizing Yang He, hurriedly went to greet him, "Manager Yang, what brings you here?" Yang He smiled, "I'm here to deliver alcohol on behalf of Boss Wu." With that, Yang He scanned the room and headed straight for Zhang Zhili's table. Perplexed, Zhang Hong could only follow along. Yang He casually pushed Chen Huanrui aside, "Make some room." Then he gestured for one of the beautiful women to pour him a drink. Yang He raised his glass courteously, "I offer a toast to our distinguished guests for gracing our establishment." However, there was no response from the table. Most of the guests seated with Zhang Zhili were just ordinary juniors, none of whom felt entitled enough to expect Yang He to toast to them. Zhang Zhili's reaction remained calm; he probably guessed that Huang Wu had seen his arrival and sent someone to deliver the alcohol. But he was in a bad mood at the moment and couldn't be bothered. Yang He felt a bit embarrassed. But he recalled the fearful expression of Huang Wu's henchman when he saw Zhang Zhili at the door earlier. After reporting to Huang Wu, he had promptly instructed them to show respect and deliver the alcohol. Such a figure's status was not something Yang He could aspire to. Yang He was experienced in socializing and realized he couldn't cling to someone of that status. Today, just leaving a good impression on Zhang Zhili would be sufficient. So, after the toast, Yang He left quietly. With him gone, the table erupted into chatter, praising Zhang Zhili: "Our uncle has really made it big, impressive! For Hong Hong's birthday, a big shot sent such good liquor." "Seriously, our uncle is the deputy director! People only send five-year-aged Maotai to him!" Not long after, Zhang Haimin and his wife He Shuya, who had just finished their socializing elsewhere, arrived. Upon entering the private room, they were greeted warmly by several well-connected relatives. "Big brother, you're really something! People are sending five-year-old Maotai!" "That's right, sixth uncle! I've been working in engineering in Jingzhou for many years, dealing with bosses of earth-moving companies. I've never seen Boss Wu be so courteous to anyone. Are you getting promoted?" The warmth and politeness of the relatives left Zhang Haimin a little bewildered. Who was he to have Huang Wu send him liquor? If he were to send liquor to Huang Wu, the latter might not even take a sip to show gratitude!