Two days passed in a flash since Li Yan’s fuss and tomorrow was the birthday celebration. Li Shili and Li Shizhong looked over the guest list with a scowl.
“No one from Lin, Su, and Bai clans came?”
“No one.”
“What about the Qin clan?”
“No one.”
“Ning clan?”
“The Ning clan just arrived. Many have come and Baihe is now taking them to rest.”
Li Shili looked at the list then slammed it on the table.
To make this birthday celebration as proper as possible, they started ten days ago to prepare while the invitations were sent much earlier.
At Li Xuanyu’s 80th birthday of ten years ago, all the important clans and famous people attended. It was a grand and respectful event.
But over the years, when Li Shili took the helm, it all went downhill – business plummeted, relations soured. In Li Xuanyu’s time, the Li clan was among the best four clans in Shenjing. Now, they were getting farther and farther away from them.
Li Shili knew their connections were shaky, so he sent the invitations much earlier while lowering the bar. All were welcomed as long as they came to celebrate grand-sir’s birthday. This led to the endless stream of guests coming daily, although not many of them were of renown.
Not one of the great clans of Shenjing Province came.
“Secretary Zhang called yesterday, saying official Yang could not attend. Out on a business trip. “
“There’s secretary Wang who said he had a meeting in the capital.”
“Mayor Lu, section chief Zhao, director Qi, they all could not come.”
“Regarding celebrities, Lin Jing refused, as well as the Fire Dance band. Only the almost washed-up Zhang Ming agreed to come alone. She will only come tomorrow to sing one song then leave.”
Li Shizhong’s voice was softer and softer.
Li Shili’s face was darker and darker. ‘If none came, what kind of respect is this?’
Just then, Li Zeng ran over, “Master, the second master of the Su clan, Su Mingqi arrived!”
“Greet him, quick!” Li Shili’s eyes shined and hurried over.
Li Shizhong frowned. Li and Su clans had never been on good terms. Nowadays was also the case. If the two clans met, they would never greet each other.
Li Shili guided Su Mingqi to a guesthouse to rest. What disappointed Li Shili so was that he came alone.
The more that came the better it looked, and the more respect they received. One Su Mingqi was far from enough.
“Shizhong, even if it costs us, get some celebrities. Regardless of how respected is grand-sir, the Li clan needs to throw a big celebration. If this party goes south, we can kiss getting back among the four great clans goodbye. We might not even be able to go out in public.”
“I’ll get on it right away.”
“Chuan Province’s Tang Group’s son in law, Hu Dezhi arrived!”
The shout caught Li Shili still frowning at the entrance.
Chuan Province’s Hu Dezhi?
Who was he?
Li Shili didn’t know Hu Dezhi, but Chuan Province’s Tang Group was famous throughout the country. Tang Group enjoyed a thousand-year-long history, while all of Li clan’s members were still very much alive.
Hu Dezhi came with 20 more people in seven expensive cars.
“Director Hu, welcome! Welcome!” Li Shili went to greet him.
“Congratulations, boss Li. I wish grand-sir a long-lasting life and all the happiness in the world!”
“Thank you, please come in!”
Li Shili could already feel the extra face plastered on him by welcoming Hu Dezhi.
Those seven expensive business class cars were placed good, so good that anyone could see them.
Hu Dezhi’s arrival kindled hope in Li Shili. He was now standing at the door with great expectations for the important guests that were to come.
A pity that his wait from noon till evening was met with plenty of nobodies and no one of particular importance. He even faked not having seen them and didn’t even greet.
“Presenting capital’s Mo clan’s head, Mo Zhendong, his brother Mo Zhennan, and children, Mo Ziyang and Mo Ziwei, arrived!”
The startling shout left Li Shili shocked.
“W-who?”
“Master, it’s the capital’s Mo clan.”
“That Mo clan? One of the capital’s top three clans, Mo clan?”
“Yes, his entire family has come.”
Li Shili ran to greet them.
Li Shili didn’t know Hu Dezhi but he knew of Chuan Province’s Tang Group. Li Shili didn’t know any of the capital’s Mo clan people but knew even more about it than of Tang Group.
The Li clan was known in Shenjing, the Tang Group in Chuan Province. But Mo clan was one of the three greatest clans in the capital and famous across the nation. It was a super clan that affected even the world.
That was a clan with boundless prestige. There were scores of people wanting to curry favor but were shot down at the gates.
Li Shili heard the entire family came and was over the moon.
Mo Zhendong was in his sixties but he was still standing strong and exuding an imposing presence and a frank demeanor. Standing within ten feet of him, his aura would overwhelm anyone in finding it hard to breathe.
His younger brother, Mo Zhennan, his son Mo Ziyang, his daughter Mo Ziwei, were all giants among men with imposing auras and lofty presences.
“Welcome, welcome, boss Mo!”
Li Shili suddenly lacked confidence and didn’t even dare meet his eyes. Mo Zhendong’s aura was too strong.
“Are you Li Shili?” Mo Zhendong eyes him.
“Indeed.”
Mo Ziwei blinked her black eyes, “Why are you called that? Is it out of self-interest?”
“I…” Li Shili(T/N: lit. world interest) was lost for words.
Mo Zhendong was frank, “Lead us.”
“Please, after you!”
Li Shili brought them to the best guesthouse. Then called for the servants to make the most lavish meals for them.
“I never thought the Mo clan would be coming. Now even if other famous people don’t come, the ceremony won’t be a disaster!”
With the Mo clan’s people settled in, Li Shili returned to the entrance excited and grinning as he clapped.
Li Shili saw someone was approaching and his mood slumped.
It was Li Mo.
“You are not one of us. The Li household is not a place for you to wander. This is the guest area and you have no right to be here. Scram!”
Li Mo walked passed him as if he was air.
“Little bastard, listen when you’re spoken to!”
Li Shili was about to strike but guests were passing by. He left with simmering rage.
