When the two entered the main hall, there were still ten minutes before the banquet began. Hai Long had time to look around at the hall’s decorations, remembering that Li Jihao had told him that Li Wanhuo had spent over a hundred million yuan to decorate this banquet hall.
Just the seventy-two crystal chandeliers on the ceiling alone cost over ten million yuan. These seventy-two crystal chandeliers were made entirely of natural Brazilian crystals. Li Wanhuo had specially purchased them from Brazil and sent them to the Swarovski headquarters in Italy, where they were cut using the world's most advanced cutting technology. He also hired the famous crystal designer Martin Szekely at a high price to personally design the lighting for the banquet hall. The total cost, including the seventy-two crystal chandeliers, countless auxiliary lights, processing fees, and labor costs, was nearly thirty million yuan.
The main hall had only twenty tables, with ten chairs at each table. Each chair was made of high-quality rosewood, with a frame inlaid with 0.5 kilograms of gold, making it worth over 150,000 yuan. For comfort, the backrests of the chairs were padded with high-quality silk, and the edges of the cushions were adorned with 20 black pearls, each 1.5 centimeters in diameter, each worth 6,000 yuan. The 20 black pearls together cost 120,000 yuan, making the total value of each chair several hundred thousand yuan.
Li Wanhuo was a prominent figure in both politics and business, and every guest in the main hall was of the highest status. After the banquet began, Li Wanhuo started introducing Hai Long to each guest. Hai Long was surprised to find that not only were many influential figures from the business world present, but also the Party Secretary and Deputy Mayor of Donghai City, as well as the heads of banks and the court, among other high-ranking officials of Donghai City.
Li Wanhuo was particularly pleased today, never having expected that his influence would be so great that even the Party Secretary of Donghai City would attend his banquet. Normally, when he invited guests for a meal, the Party Secretary rarely showed up, as it was important to avoid any appearance of favoritism. However, today, so many high officials had come, and Li Wanhuo was truly gratified.
Hai Long was also surprised by Li Wanhuo's influence. When Li Wanhuo introduced him, Hai Long did not show any servility to the various chairmen and officials due to his current low status. Before the toasts, Li Wanhuo had told Hai Long that one should have a broad-minded attitude, regardless of whether one's current status was humble or noble. One should not look down on someone just because they were of lower status or less wealthy, nor should one fawn over someone just because they were of higher status or wealthier. One should always maintain a broad and inclusive mindset.
Hai Long fully agreed with Li Wanhuo's words. Since acquiring the Dragon King's avatar, Hai Long had been influenced by the Dragon King's character. The Dragon King was destined to be the king of the sea from the day he was born, and no creature could defeat him once he reached adulthood. Therefore, no one had the right to make the Dragon King bow. Since the Dragon King had become a part of Hai Long, no one had the right to make Hai Long bow either.
After the banquet began, Li Wanhuo led Hai Long to toast at each table. Every guest Li Wanhuo introduced to Hai Long was of the highest status, but among these guests, a group of special guests were staring with wide eyes and open mouths, pointing and whispering about Hai Long. Although Hai Long and Li Wanhuo had not yet toasted at their table, their unusual behavior had already caught Hai Long's attention.
These people were the wives of the business leaders and high officials. At such banquets, it was rare for couples to sit together and chat with friends. Men usually gathered with other men, and women with their close friends, each discussing their own topics.
However, today, many of the men noticed that these women were gathered together, pointing and whispering about Hai Long and Li Wanhuo as if they had discovered something new and exciting. Their behavior made the men, as husbands, somewhat unhappy, as it was very impolite for women to point and whisper about someone in high society.
Some of the newly rich were already cursing their wives in their hearts, thinking that despite hiring the best etiquette teachers to teach them for three months, they still behaved so disgracefully, tarnishing their reputation.
Li Wanhuo, who was toasting with Hai Long at the table of the Party Secretary, also noticed the situation. He knew that these women would not be pointing and whispering about him.
He thought to himself, "I'm 60 years old, and although I'm still handsome, in such an important setting, no woman would openly point at me. My attire is also very appropriate, and I had a servant specially groom me before leaving."
The only possibility was Hai Long. He glanced at Hai Long and noticed that Hai Long was greeting them, as if he knew them well.
Li Wanhuo leaned over, holding his glass and pointing at the group of women, curiously asking Hai Long, "Brother, what's going on over there? Why are they all pointing and whispering about you?"
Hai Long had already noticed the situation and was initially curious as well. "Why are they all pointing and whispering about me? Is there something wrong with my clothes, or did I forget to wipe my eyes?" He even took the opportunity to wipe his eyes when he was facing away from the crowd, but found nothing wrong. His face was clean, and his clothes were appropriate, with nothing to mock.
Finding no issues with himself, but still seeing the women gathered and pointing at him, and the situation getting worse, Hai Long was quite frustrated. Initially, only three or five women were doing this, but now dozens of women were gathered, pointing and whispering about him. "Why are they all pointing at me? Although I'm a rookie, I'm still a handsome rookie, right?"
While pondering, Hai Long suddenly recognized the woman who seemed to be leading the group. Her high bun, the beauty mark at the corner of her eye, and her familiar gestures, despite her makeup, elegant dress, and numerous jewels, made him realize that she was the woman who had led a group of wealthy ladies to buy crabs from him and have a picnic under the big tree in the small fishing village.
Looking behind her, Hai Long was completely stunned. The large group of women were all the wealthy ladies who had bought crabs from him at the village entrance. Due to the distance, after recognizing them, Hai Long waved his arm to acknowledge them. However, he did not expect that these ladies would be so enthusiastic. Seeing him wave, they all screamed and waved back at him.
Hai Long held his head, thinking, "I never realized how scary a group of women can be. Dozens of women shouting and waving at me is terrifying."