Chapter 3991 — Everyone Presents Their Gifts
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
At this moment the hall was a picture of harmonious delight. Among the many grand figures present, even those bound by irreconcilable feuds could not betray the slightest sign of it now; at least in public view, they had to force a smile for the time being. After all, they could not afford to slight the face of a top-tier titan like Shangguan Tianxia.
A birthday banquet, besides gathering so many grand figures under one roof to exchange pleasantries and cultivate connections, had by long custom another indispensable highlight—and today, under Xu Lingchong's arrangement, was no exception: the presentation of gifts to Shangguan Lan'er, the star of the banquet.
Following the order of rank, strength, and seniority among them, everyone in the hall presented their birthday gifts to Shangguan Lan'er in turn. This was not merely an expression of goodwill but also a prime opportunity to display one's own influence.
Inevitably, the birthday banquet would in the end more or less degenerate into a grand contest of one-upmanship. Whoever produced the rarer, more precious gift demonstrated greater influence, and would naturally command higher standing in the eyes of the grand figures thereafter. As for the somewhat shabbier, more ordinary gifts—those simply could not be shown at all; even if shown, they could only bring disgrace.
And this time, through Xu Lingchong's deliberate arrangement, everyone was required not only to present their gifts before all present, but three appraisal experts had even been specially hired from the major merchant guilds to comment on each gift one by one in public—under the fine name of a birthday appreciation gala.
As a result, the atmosphere of rivalry on the scene was far thicker than in years past. After hearing Xu Lingchong's announcement, the expressions on people's faces—some delighted, some dismayed—were truly a splendid spectacle.
With North Island's top-tier grand figures all gathered in one hall, such an opportunity was rare indeed. Everyone wanted to shine on such an occasion and leave a deep impression on the great ones, and no one wanted to lose face at such a time. Once branded stingy and miserly, one would have no end of grief.
Had they known in advance that such a segment was coming, every person present would doubtless have spared no effort to present the finest rare treasures they possessed. To leave a good impression in the hearts of so many titans, no expense would have been too great.
Unfortunately, when Xu Lingchong sent out the invitations, he had tampered with the process and treated people differently. Those on close terms with the Xu family received a reminder along with their invitation, while those whose relations with the Xu family were ordinary or even hostile remained entirely in the dark.
They were even deliberately misled into believing that this birthday banquet was merely a formality, that there was no need to trouble themselves preparing any valuable gifts.
Thus, those who had been tipped off could shine and bask in the spotlight, while those deliberately misled were now truly in for a tragedy, left to await their transformation into the laughingstock of the hall in anxious torment.
Everything proceeded within Xu Lingchong's control. Members of the Xu family faction all won thunderous applause, while those who opposed the Xu family could only grit their teeth and endure the contemptuous stares of the whole hall. (To be continued) R752