Chapter 588: Fruitful Banquet
Chapter 588: Fruitful Banquet
"Brother Xuan Qi, you must drink and eat as much as you can." Sima Long said when he gestured for Lin Xuan Qi to sit beside him.
Lin Xuan Qi had arrived at the Sima Family mansion to attend the banquet set up to celebrate the success of the Sima Family at the tournament.
All of the eyes of the Sima Family members were on Lin Xuan Qi and Sima Long.
With the success, their attention had focused on them.
Many of the Sima Family members hesitated over whether they should go over to the table where Lin Xuan Qi was to have a toast with him.
They wanted to get to know him and maybe be able to get some benefits from working with him.
While they were hesitating, the family head, Sima Yu, did so instead.
"Master Lin, it’s an honor to have you here with us.
"Here’s a toast to you for helping out the Sima Family." Sima Yu came over to Lin Xuan Qi’s table, raised his hand with a wine cup in it, and said.
The other Sima Family members quickly stood up and raised their wine cups too.
"Thanks, it was nothing much." Lin Xuan Qi stood up with a wine cup in his hand and downed the wine to acknowledge the toast from Sima Yu.
Sima Long, who was beside him, was proud of his buddy and had his head held high.
Especially when Sima Yu gave him a nod and patted him on his shoulder, "Make sure you work hard together with our treasured friend here.
"I’ll have them send some gifts and Spirit Herbs for your wife and daughter later."
"Thank you, family head." Sima Long cupped his hands and bowed at Sima Yu; it was the first time the family head had taken the initiative to send his family gifts.
He gave Lin Xuan Qi a side-eye while his head was down, thanking Lin Xuan Qi for what he had done for him so far.
Lin Xuan Qi was also pleased to see his buddy finally get some recognition from the family head.
He knew how it was for Sima Long ever since he got to know him.
It was bittersweet for him to witness how he had helped to improve the circumstances for Sima Long.
The toast and recognition for Sima Long weren’t all.
Sima Yu glanced back at Lin Xuan Qi and said, "I’ve asked the best Artifact cultivator to forge the Natal Puppet you want.
"And the Sima Family would be shameless if we were to charge anything for it, after what you’ve done for us."
Lin Xuan Qi was pleasantly surprised by it.
He wouldn’t mind getting it at no charge for now.
It wasn’t the same as before, and with his cultivation level at Core Formation, he had less fear of gaining favors from the Sima Family now.
"My friend would be very delighted by it." Lin Xuan Qi cupped his hands at Sima Yu and said.
"We will get it delivered to you when it’s completed within the next few days." Sima Yu said and gestured at the other Sima Family members with his hands.
"We have many other businesses like the Artifact trade, food trade, and security escort trade that you can partner with us on.
"Don’t worry, we are willing to give you favorable terms if you are interested."
Lin Xuan Qi gave Sima Yu a smile and said, "Thanks, but I’m already too busy with what I have on hand."
Compared to getting free things, he wasn’t interested in going into a deeper partnership with the Sima Family.
He wanted total control of the businesses and especially the properties that he would run the businesses from.
If it was them getting into his franchise business as franchisees, then he wouldn’t mind as much.
Sima Yu sighed and nodded his head at Lin Xuan Qi’s reply, "I understand, do keep us in mind when you are ready to start something new.
"I shall not intrude on you anymore, enjoy your food and drinks at the banquet."
Lin Xuan Qi sat back onto his seat and patted Sima Long on the shoulder, "Looks like things would be different for you now."
"Stop teasing me. Here, have another drink, I will not let you off without getting drunk tonight." Sima Long held up his wine cup and said.
Lin Xuan Qi sighed and took up the challenge.
The wine wouldn’t affect him anymore with his cultivation level, but since Sima Long wanted to challenge him, he was happy to indulge Sima Long with it.
They had one cup of wine after another.
And soon, Sima Long’s face was flushed and his speech began to slur.
The chatter in the surroundings began to be muted, and before he knew it, Sima Long’s eyelids couldn’t remain open anymore.
Lin Xuan Qi quickly held Sima Long up before he hit the table.
He smirked and shook his head at him, "Bring your master back to his room."
"Thank you, Master Lin." The servant girls of Sima Long quickly stepped forward to help Sima Long get back to his room.
Lin Xuan Qi also took the opportunity to stand up and go visit Lao Er and Ling Er.
He wanted to check on them to make sure they were safe.
"Master Lin, I am Sima Ji from the direct descendants of Sima Liang, would you be interested to..."
"I am Sima Wu with a business deal that you might be interested in."
"Wait, I think my security escort business would be a perfect match for you..."
The Sima Family members swarmed around him when they saw him stand up.
All of them jostled to have a chance to speak with him.
But Lin Xuan Qi wasn’t interested at all.
He cupped his hands at them and thanked them for their confidence in him.
"Thank you for your interest but right now I’m only comfortable working by myself for my future endeavors.
"If you are interested you can join my franchise food business as franchisees like what Sima Long did.
"We can expand the franchise food business to other cities if you are interested."
Lin Xuan Qi gave them a hint on what to do next before he left the Sima Family mansion.
"Franchisee?" The other Sima Family members stood around and glanced at each other, mumbling the word in their mouths.