"Ah! Meiying, why did you choose a construction worker!"

"It's really a case of times changing, just look at Xiaoxue, such a pity to waste such a beautiful girl."

Many classmates at the dinner table were whispering and sighing secretly, looking at Lin Chen with disdainful and contemptuous expressions.

At that moment, Lin Chen finally finished gnawing on a pig's trotter and threw the bone onto the table.

"Actually, I'm not a construction worker!" Lin Chen said, wiping his greasy mouth with a napkin.

Everyone was stirred upon hearing this, watching Lin Chen who looked proud of himself, wondering if he might be a nouveau riche.

Lin Chen coughed, looked around, and said, "While I'm not a construction worker, I am indeed a true farmer, having grown up in the countryside."

"Damn, after such a big buildup, he's just a farmer." Those who had fantasized that Lin Chen was a nouveau riche once again showed disdain in their eyes.

Upon hearing Lin Chen's words, Zhang Xiaoxue breathed a sigh of relief.

"Lin Chen, you should toast Mr. Zhu, ask for his care, even working as a janitor at his company would earn you more than farming!"

"Exactly, Mr. Zhu, please see how pitiful Lin Chen is and help him out, considering he's Meiying's boyfriend after all."

The classmates at the table spoke one after another, seemingly concerned, but anyone with discernment could see they were ridiculing Lin Chen.

Lin Chen, unfazed, lightly said, "What's wrong with farming? The vegetables and rice you eat, aren't they all grown by farmers? I think farming is nothing to be ashamed of, but some people always think they are nobler just because they wear nice clothes and eat good food. Everyone has their own value; the only difference is that some people always think they are better than others."

Lin Chen's words, though mild, struck everyone's faces like a slap.

This statement was clearly a satire directed at those who considered themselves superior.

Zhang Xiaoxue's face darkened, and she snorted coldly, "Hmph, some people are just destined to be poor. If he loves farming so much, he might as well do it for life. I thought of asking my husband to help him, but he's really ungrateful."

The atmosphere at the dinner table became somewhat awkward, and Li Meiying's face also looked displeased.

Just then, Zhu Tao raised his glass and said, "Haha, it's not easy for us all to gather here, let's not talk about these unpleasant things. Meiying, if you encounter any troubles in the future, come find me at Huaxin Company."

Zhu Tao had an arrogant air and seemed very loyal, but his eyes betrayed a hint of showing off.

The others seized the opportunity to flatter him.

"Mr. Zhu really has style."

"Yes, you can tell Mr. Zhu is a sentimental person, he hasn't forgotten us old classmates."

Zhu Tao smiled, "Our Huaxin Company is now acquired by Xingchen Company; our boss is incredible. I heard he's very young but already owns billions in assets—hotels, real estate, cosmetics, spanning numerous sectors. Our company is sure to grow more and more."

"Xingchen Company, I've heard about it, they say it's a rising business titan recently."

"I heard the chairman is very young."

"Speaking of which, the chairman's name is also Lin Chen!"

At this moment, everyone was suddenly startled, their attention turning to Lin Chen.

However, they quickly reassured themselves. How could it be possible? Xingchen Group was a multi-billion-dollar company, not likely led by the plainly dressed guy before them.

Zhu Tao also sighed, "It's a pity our boss is always elusive; I've never seen him, but it's really a coincidence that he shares the same name as Meiying's boyfriend"

"Ah, it's a pity I'll never meet such an impressive person."

"Yes, if I could meet Chairman Lin, I'd even be happy to be his mistress."

The women at the dinner table all had looks of admiration, with a hint of frenzy in their eyes.

Zhang Xiaoxue's face turned even redder; if she could meet that Chairman Lin, she would not hesitate to ditch the man by her side.

"Ah, to have the same name as Lin Chen, yet the difference is so vast!"

"Yeah, one is at the pinnacle of society, while the other is just a farmer bearing the earth."

Seeing Lin Chen gnawing on a chicken leg, people scorned and despised him even more.

As everyone was singing Lin Chen's praises, he sipped a glass of red wine and said indifferently, "I heard that this Director Lin you're all talking about also comes from a farmer's background!"

"What? You dare to compare yourself to Director Lin!"

"That man is a DY business tycoon, what are you? Just a poor farmer."

"Exactly! You're just flattering yourself, shameless!"

The people at the dinner table scoffed and ridiculed Lin Chen further. Director Lin from Starlight Company was the diamond bachelor in their hearts, not someone Lin Chen could dishonor.

"Ah, if only I could marry Director Lin, that kind of life would simply be perfect."

"Don't daydream, how could someone of Director Lin's status mingle with us nobodies?"

A few women shared a bitter laugh; Director Lin had assets worth billions, and they were worlds apart, impossible to even befriend!

Just then, the private room's door burst open and a man adorned with a gold chain charged in with several followers.

Seeing the intruders, everyone was taken aback.

Zhu Tao furrowed his brows and said, "Who are you guys? What do you mean by barging into our private room?"

The man with the gold chain glared with his beady eyes and snorted, "Today is our boss's sixtieth birthday, and we need this room. I'm giving you five minutes to get lost."

"What?" On hearing the man's words, Zhu Tao's face darkened.

"This room is reserved by us, and we've already paid. You say you need it just like that? Is there no law anymore!"

"Law? Haha, I am the law here!" With those words, the thug pulled out a dagger from his waist and stabbed it into the table.

"Are you leaving or not, or shall I force you out and make you bleed," the thug said coldly.

His few followers each brandished their gleaming machetes.

Looking at the ferocious gangsters, Zhu Tao's face went pale, and beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.

"Fellas, let's talk this out, we'll leave, right now," Zhu Tao said with a pained expression.

As he spoke, he stood up and signaled the others with his eyes, ready to leave.

But at that moment, the thug's eyes narrowed, and he sneered, "Hold on."

Zhu Tao trembled, stammering, "What else do you want, sir?"

The thug pointed at Zhang Xiaoxue, Li Meiying, and another attractive girl beside him, "You can go, but these three stay to drink a few rounds with our boss."

"This!" Upon hearing the thug's words, Zhu Tao's face transformed drastically.

"Husband, I don't want to, don't leave me," Zhang Xiaoxue's voice quivered.

Zhu Tao clenched his teeth and, with a forced smile, said, "My good man, I am the general manager of Huaxin company. Perhaps you could let us go as a favor, and I will cover the cost of this banquet."

The thug smirked, "Not a bad proposal, but these three ladies still need to stay."

"But..." Zhu Tao started to say, but the thug had already grown impatient and drew the knife from the table.

"I'll count to three. If you're not gone by then, you won't need to leave today."

"One!"

"Two!"

Zhu Tao's face was ashen; he clenched his teeth and suddenly got up to walk out, with the others quickly following in a panic.

"Husband!" Zhang Xiaoxue tried to stand but was pushed back down into her seat by a thug.

Zhu Tao paused in his steps, sighed, but continued walking out.

Watching the group leave, a cold smile spread across the thug's face. However, his expression suddenly darkened upon seeing Lin Chen, who was still calmly seated, nibbling on a chicken leg.