Chapter 1661 - 853: With Each Passing Year, May Life Be Extended

In two days, the entire Seven Cities operated amidst a sense of prosperity.

No wind, no rain, no waves, no disturbances. Just two days ago, so many people had died, yet now it was calm as a dead sea, as if frozen by some invisible force.

Everyone's focus was on that one invitation.

A thin invitation stirred countless minds from the shadows. Countless people rushed back and forth, secretly meeting to discuss countermeasures, but in the end, they still couldn't find a way to respond.

No wonder people were scheming like the Ghost Fetus. The routine of entertaining and beheading guests at the Desert Market had been played too often, causing almost PTSD. Please stop it quickly.

But no matter how many calls were made or meetings were held, everyone who was still hesitant knew deep down that the great momentum was gone.

In the past, they were allowed to maneuver in the cracks and run around with those energetic folk organizations just because Mr. Ji was too busy to care.

Now, with Ling Shuo, this mad dog off its leash, within a short week, he made quite a fuss, trying to swallow all the business of Seven Cities in one gulp. Is it because he truly is some unparalleled genius of world-shaking talent?

Stop dreaming!

Ling Shuo could succeed because Mr. Ji wanted him to succeed. If Ling Shuo could be the Dragon Head, it was only because Mr. Ji wanted him to be. It's just that simple.

You're not afraid of the mad dog, but aren't you curious whose hand is holding the leash?

From the moment the invitation was received, the invited had no second choice. No choice at all. Do you ask whether they will come?

Of course, they will!

Everyone claims loyalty, everyone says they want to come.

On the day, either show up or be flushed into the sewers before dawn... it's not that people are afraid to die, mainly because it's Chairman Ling's thirtieth birthday. Such a wonderful event must be celebrated properly.

As for whether this birthday banquet would end with mutual joy or rivers of blood, no one could say for sure.

Facing the storm stirred by the Invisible Hand, countless powerless individuals could only go with the flow, trying to drift more elegantly, hoping for luck and blessings from their ancestors. Meanwhile, those behemoths lurking in the murky waters didn't mind seizing this opportunity to probe the situation or to give a small display to the high and mighty Mr. Ji.

As a result, responses to the birthday banquet invitation poured in like clouds. In just two days, it almost turned into the greatest event of the Seven Cities. The Seven Islands Trade Association, which had been established for less than a week, was already showing signs of prosperity, and its future seemed promising.

The birthday banquet started that evening, but from the morning, the entire neighborhood was almost blocked solid. People coming and going, ceaselessly.

Who knows if it was by accident... The parking garage beneath the Guili Building, with several hundred spaces and multiple levels, suddenly had a small issue and was temporarily closed for use.

"What do you mean?"

At the door, a subordinate who came to inquire was stunned for a moment before turning irate: "Get it straight, okay? We are here to celebrate Chairman Ling's birthday, and now this happens, we can't even park?"

"So sorry, very sorry for the inconvenience we've caused you."

The hotel manager stood at the door, repeatedly bowing and nodding, sweating profusely, his face pale: "We have initiated emergency repairs, but the timing is uncertain. To satisfy guests' parking needs, we have rented an alternative parking lot for your use, although it is... slightly... farther away."

As he said this, for the umpteenth time that day, he pointed.

Toward the end of the street a few hundred meters away, at a marked prominent building left open.

"Just park there and it will be fine," said the manager.

"Are you kidding me? How far would we have to walk?"

The man with a face full of scars was briefly taken aback, then flew into a rage, pointing to another parking entrance where a luxury car had already driven smoothly inside: "Didn't you say it's closed, then..."

"Apologies, I am not too clear about the situation inside." The manager's smile remained warm and apologetic, repeating the same empty words, with his eyes locked onto the man, unwavering.

Until the man's face turned iron blue, fists clenched, unable to restrain himself, he heard a stern shout from behind.

"Ah Shu!"

From behind the rolled-down car window appeared a slightly aged face, glaring at him, "How long are you going to keep embarrassing yourself, get back here!"

"But brother... they, they..."

"Shut up!"

The man in the car coldly glanced at him, his expression twitching for a moment: "Since it's Mr. Ling's arrangement, just park over there."

As for the rest..."

He paused, squeezing out words through clenched teeth, "We walk."

In the silence, a black sedan drove away, and then a new car stopped in front, beginning the same process, leading to the same result.

The big shots who normally never set foot on the ground, now had to bring their followers, carrying their gifts, walking step by step from the parking lot to the Guili Building, registering their names, queuing up to wait.

Meanwhile, under the Guili Building, watching those less fortunate than themselves driving straight into the parking lot, everyone knew this was a special performance arranged by Chairman Ling.

The banquet had not even begun, and classes were already being divided.

The organizations and guilds that turned coat immediately, or even closely aligned before that, naturally became insiders, esteemed guests. As for those hesitant hoping to find a lifeline by coming over, they could only walk there themselves, stand outside eating dust, awaiting their turn.