Chapter 328: Chapter 328: Strong Will to Survive (4th Update)
Hearing this sentence, the room suddenly quieted down.
Jingjing, who had been somewhat silent, trembled slightly, and the mutton she was picking up with her chopsticks fell onto the table.
Next to her, Xuan’Er sighed softly and silently picked up the mutton for her.
Mr. Xue and Auntie Pang then exclaimed with joy, “Really? That’s wonderful! The two of you never had a wedding ceremony, so this time it indeed should be made up for!”
Mr. Xue even patted his chest, promising, “When the time comes, I’ll be your chef. It’ll save money and taste good!”
Xue An smiled, “We won’t need a chef, you two are the witnesses of those hard times An Yan and I went through, so I want to invite you to be the officiants at the wedding!”
Just as Mr. Xue was about to readily agree, Auntie Pang hesitated a bit.
“Xiao An, I know you’re a good kid, and you’ve always been kind to me and Mr. Xue, but we’re just small business owners running a restaurant, being your officiants… I’m afraid we’re not qualified!”
Auntie Pang had her own worries.
Xue An’s status now was not what it once was, the guests coming were either powerful magnates or major figures from all sides.
For her and Mr. Xue to be officiants, they simply wouldn’t be able to hold their own in such a setting.
Xue An smiled, “Auntie Pang, in my eyes, you are the best choice, if you’re not qualified, who is?”
“Besides, it’s not just the two of you who will be officiants this time, I plan to invite a few more!”
Only then did Auntie Pang relax and nodded gratefully, “That’s a good idea, then naturally we agree one hundred percent!”
At this moment, Mr. Xue lifted his cup, “Let’s all toast to Xiao An. The journey they’ve been on hasn’t been easy!”
“Right!” Auntie Pang responded resoundingly.
Everyone raised their glasses together, and even Jingjing showed a sincere smile at this moment, lifting a glass of juice and saying, “Xiao An, my best wishes to you!”
Xue An and An Yan exchanged a smile, raised their cups, and said, “Thank you, everyone! Cheers”
Everyone drained their glasses, and the atmosphere became even warmer.
Meanwhile, outside.
Although the rain had stopped, the chill autumn wind was freezing.
Even so, Du Fan, who had rushed over, insisted on not waiting in the car but stood by the entrance of Mr. Xue’s restaurant, his arms at his sides, in a very respectful manner.
“Big brother, how about I wait here? You go back to the car and rest a moment! Who knows when Mr. Xue will finish drinking?” Xu Jiu suggested.
Du Fan shook his head, “No need, this little wind is nothing. I’ll wait.”
In fact, Du Fan was well aware that although Xue An was inside, he would definitely know everything happening outside.
So it was better to be as respectful as possible.
To leave a better impression in Mr. Xue’s mind.
These days, Du Fan’s strength had grown more formidable, and he had even started to enter some legitimate industries.
In response, everyone remained silent.
Before, had Du Fan dared to encroach on someone else’s territory, it would have certainly led to conflict.
But now, all was quiet!
Du Fan understood that this was all because of Xue An.
The more this was the case, the more he felt a chilling awe.
An awe of Xue An’s power.
So compared to the benefits received, what was a bit of cold wind at the doorway?
He stood outside, respectfully braving the breeze.
The restaurant’s door opened, and Xue Xiang poked her head out, her large eyes rolling around curiously.
“Who is Uncle Du Fan?”
Du Fan briskly took a couple of steps forward, smiling almost obsequiously, “Miss, I am. But please don’t call me uncle, just Du Fan is fine!”
Even facing a child of four or five, Du Fan showed unsurpassed respect.
Because he knew that these two little girls were Mr. Xue’s precious daughters and were extremely doted on.
Let alone causing trouble, if he even broke a single strand of their hair, he estimated that Mr. Xue would flay him alive.
Xue Xiang giggled, covering her mouth, “I’m not any miss, I’m Xiang Xiang! And my daddy is calling you in!”
“Yes, yes, yes! Thank you, Miss Xiang Xiang!” Du Fan said with a look of joy, nodding and bowing.
At the same time, he felt a twinge of regret. If only he had known he should have bought some snacks and toys that children like on his way here.
If he could win over these two little girls, it would be greatly beneficial to his future development!
With these thoughts in mind, Du Fan walked respectfully into the dining room.
“Mr. Xue! Madam Xue! Miss Tang, and everyone!” Du Fan greeted repeatedly, his demeanor rather comical.
At least, Tang Xuan’er couldn’t help but let out a snort of laughter.
The breathtaking beauty of her smile made Du Fan freeze for a moment, and then he quickly lowered his head deeply, no longer daring to look.
“Sit!” An Yan said indifferently.
Only then did Du Fan dare to take a seat.
“You seem to have quite the timely news. You knew the moment I returned to Beijiang?”
Du Fan shuddered with fear, worried that he had upset An Yan. He quickly explained, “It’s not that I had timely news, but one of my men just happened to be guarding the entrance of Uncle Xie’s restaurant and happened to see you!”
An Yan nodded, as old Xie had just reported everything that had happened before.
As for Du Fan, An Yan wasn’t particularly disgusted by him, but he didn’t particularly admire him either.
However, the man knew how to seize opportunities and was quite competent at handling matters.
The old Xie’s restaurant was one example.
“Well done!”
Those words from An Yan made Du Fan feel elated, as he repeatedly said, “It’s my duty, Uncle Xie is also my elder. When lowlifes cause trouble, it’s my responsibility to address it!”
“You are the first one, aside from my family, to know of my return to Beijiang,” An Yan said blandly.
Du Fan felt a surge of joy. Did this mean he knew about Mr. Xue’s return before anyone else?
“As it happens, I’ve lost my cell phone, so I’ll have you notify everyone else,” An Yan said.
Overjoyed by this chance, Du Fan nodded vigorously, thumping his chest so loudly that it echoed, “No problem, rest assured, Mr. Xue!”
“But… what shall I say?” Du Fan asked cautiously.
An Yan smiled faintly, “Just say… I’m preparing to get married!”
Get married?
With whom?
Du Fan stole a glance at the unrivaled beauty, An Yan, and suddenly understood something, a resolute light shining in his eyes.
“Rest assured, sir, I will inform everyone.”
With that, he stood up to leave.
“Aren’t you going to have a bite to eat?” An Yan asked indifferently.
Indeed, Du Fan was a little hungry, but upon seeing who was seated at the table—all close to An Yan.
He knew his place, realizing he was only comparable to a dog under the master’s roof, so how could he qualify for the table?
Therefore, he shook his head, “I’ve already eaten, it’s more important to take care of Mr. Xue’s business first!”
Having said that, he respectfully left Uncle Xie’s restaurant.
After he left, Auntie Pang asked curiously, “Xiao An, that guy seemed quite decent, why does he seem so frightened of you?”
An Yan smiled, “Seems quite decent? Auntie Pang, do you know his background?”
“What background?”
“He used to call the shots in Beijiang’s underworld!”
Hiss.
This revelation about Du Fan’s identity made Auntie Pang gasp in surprise, as she had been unaware.
“As for why he’s so afraid of me?” An Yan smiled, “Perhaps it’s because of his strong desire to survive!”
When An Yan had first returned, reborn, he had a minor conflict with Du Fan during a class reunion.
That was why Du Fan was now so conspicuously silent and reserved.
If it weren’t for the fact that he had performed well, An Yan could have easily wiped him out with a snap of his fingers!