Reborn as a Noble's Son

Subsequently, Li Guohua also started laughing, extending his thumb and saying: “Mr. Nie the Third, you indeed live up to your reputation. I believe we will have the opportunity to meet again in the future. Chen, let’s go.”

Li Guohua’s laughter felt natural. From the incident to now, Li Guohua always gave off an open and straightforward vibe. This kind of person acts with great confidence.

Even when causing trouble, they operated openly and honorably. This in contrast won some admiration from the onlooking crowd. At this moment, Nie Zhenbang also smiled and said, “If Mr. Hua is interested, I will gladly accompany you.”

The two gave off the impression of mutual appreciation. This is a respected adversary, both an enemy and a friend. This concept is entirely different from the hostility between Nie Zhenbang and Zhou Chen. Zhou Chen was indeed an enemy. But for Li Guohua, he is merely a competitor along the road of politics, a competitor in their careers. Privately, both knew that the other would be the biggest hurdle to their own success. Yet, that did not deny the potential for collaboration between them.

From Nie Zhenbang’s perspective, his advantages were quite clear. However, there were also disadvantages. His advantage lay in being six years younger than Li Guohua, but they were on the same administrative level. Once the regulations for party and governmental leadership positions come out next year, it’s clear that under the same age restriction, Nie Zhenbang will have an even greater advantage than Li Guohua.

The disadvantage still lies in Nie Zhenbang’s age. At this moment, it is unrealistic to think he could advance any further. After all, a 24-year-old deputy department-level official, who also holds a party and government leadership position, has already broken national records. Rapid promotions similar to a rocket’s ascent are definitely impossible now.

Apart from spending New Year’s Eve with the family at Grandfather’s side, the rest of the time was spent by Nie Zhenbang at the Dynasty Club. This time, the issue brought up by the old man put Nie Zhenbang in a tough position. He wasn’t sure how to handle it. Thus, at this moment, Nie Zhenbang could only choose to escape.

In a blink of an eye, two or three days passed. On the night of the third day of the lunar new year, the courtyard of the Nie family had already been specially rearranged. As the eldest son and legitimate grandson of the Nie family, it was inevitable that Nie Jialei’s wedding would be held in the family courtyard.

Even for the children of prestigious families, when it comes to this life-changing event of marriage, they could not defy the convention. The courtyard was already adorned with big red lanterns and the word “Happiness” in big red was pasted on the windows.

At this moment, all the Nie brothers had returned. The eldest, Nie Guoping, was currently chatting with the grandmothers in the room.

Unlike the other women in the Nie family, Nie Guoping seldom spent time with them. Families like the Nie’s valued status and position. Even though Nie Guoping and her husband were both minor generals, they were, after all, civil servants and technical staff. Their positions were given little regard within the family.

Huang Yuerong, one of the leading ladies of today, was attended by Ye Shuxian and Nie Guorong. Nie Guorong, at this moment, was also smiling and saying: “Eldest sister-in-law, you can finally relax. Now that Jialei has married a family as good as this, all that’s left is to enjoy a peaceful life…”

Hearing this, Huang Yuerong couldn’t help but break into a smile of pride. However, turning to look at Ye Shuxian, Huang Yuerong managed a laugh and said: “Guorong, what are you still worrying about? Aren’t Xiao Yali and Yang’s second son together? What is there to fear? The Wal-Mart Group is now the leading retailer in our country. You will be the one to enjoy the good life.”

The elders of the family were also busy, Nie Jialei, however, was dragged by Nie Zhenbang, Yang Anbang and a few others to the Dynasty Club.

On the ninth floor of the club, it was Nie Jialei’s first visit. Looking at all the lavish decorations, Nie Jialei was stunned on the spot.

At that moment, Yang Anbang was smiling and said: “Big brother, did you know? This is the place where the third brother harbors his beloved. How is it? Isn’t the decor palatial? Since it’s your wedding, we should definitely make the third decorate something for you. Just let it be as lavish and high-profile as it can be.”

Yang Anbang was just making a joke. After all, people like them, scions of esteemed families, and those still outside the system, can still talk freely, as there are fewer restrictions. However, those within the system always pay attention to their image and impact. Being overly high-profile might cause negative effects.

However, what Yang Anbang hadn’t expected was that Nie Zhenbang, after pondering for a moment, also laughed and said: “Well, I think it’s possible. There are three great joyful things in life: the wedding night, passing the imperial examination, and meeting old friends in a foreign place. The wedding is the biggest one, and on the premise that they won’t divorce, it only happens once in a lifetime. It indeed needs to be grand.”

After pondering for a moment, Nie Zhenbang continued: “Regarding the banquet, Uncle has already booked the VIP banquet hall of Capital Restaurant for you, big brother. I will not interfere there. As for the wedding cars and other plans, let me handle it. However, boss Yang, you are going to marry our sister Xiao. Shouldn’t us, your future brothers-in-law, get some kind of token on your part?”

Yang Anbang paused for a moment, then broke out into laughter. The Wal-Mart Group and the Nation now have a complete coverage across the country. They have already established their presence in all prefecture-level cities. Arguably, the company that has the largest cash flow in the country right now is the Wal-Mart Group. What Yang Anbang is least short of is funding.

At this time, Yang Anbang turned his head and glanced at Xiao Yali, their eyes meeting for a moment. Immediately after, Yang Anbang also laughed and said: “In that case, I will gift to my big brother and future sister-in-law a new house. It will be at the outskirts of Jingcheng city, close to Dongcheng district. Recently, our Wal-Mart Group has started getting involved in real estate. Here, we have a new luxury property. It will be an 800 square meter house, along with a BMW 740, as our small token of affection.”

Nie Jialei was taken aback at the moment, how did these young men become so wealthy over just a few years? As he was about to refuse, Nie Zhenbang nodded and said, “Alright, it is settled then.”

With that, Nie Zhenbang turned to Nie Jialei and said, “Big brother, you should quit making excuses. I know the wealth of Young Master Yang better than you do. This little expense is but a drop in the bucket for him. If you don’t believe me, ask my second sister.”

By his side, Xiao Yali was also somewhat embarrassed as she said, “Big brother, what Zhenbang said is true. Just accept it with ease. I actually think he should have given more.”

Nie Zhenbang was more experienced than anyone in the room when it came to arranging weddings. After all, he had a decade more experience than the rest. He was now adept at orchestrating startling displays that were a sensation in his later life.

On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, at eight in the morning, a vast parking lot outside the Dynasty Club was already full of various luxurious cars.

At the very front, a red Ferrari had been decorated as a floral car, adorned with a heart-shaped pattern of bright roses.

It symbolised that Nie Jialei’s wedding would be prosperous and lucky. Following the Ferrari was a Rolls-Royce, and behind it were two Bentleys. The rest were BMWs and Mercedes, and the entire fleet comprised ninety-nine cars, symbolizing the longevity and perpetuity of marriage.

The moment the fleet appeared, the whole city of Jingcheng was abuzz. Many pedestrians stopped to watch. Fortunately, Nie Zhenbang had not asked the traffic police to control or block the traffic, which maintained the massive display’s decorum.

Meanwhile, across from the Dynasty Club, the entire tenth floor of a building had been rented and designed with traditional classical Chinese motifs.

At the entrance, a small sign hung on a carved wooden panel, reading, “Jingcheng City Ivy Club.”

“Brother Hua, what does Nie Zhenbang mean by this? Why a grand spectacle, so luxurious and solemn? Isn’t he afraid of bringing the leaders’ criticism on himself?” Zhou Chen, standing by the window, was somewhat puzzled by Nie Zhenbang’s intent. This enormous motorcade, this grand spectacle, contrasted to Nie Zhenbang’s usually low-profile style, leaving Zhou Chen confused.

The tenth floor was a one personally designated by Li Guohua. To put it in common words, after all, wasn’t the Dynasty Club only nine floors high? Hence, his placement on the tenth floor clearly meant he wanted to surpass Nie Zhenbang.

After pondering for a bit, Li Guohua started to admire Nie Zhenbang. Such strategic prowess, a skill only understood after some thought.

On one hand, the changing of acting heads in the Nie family, where the eldest, Nie Jialei, gave his position to Nie Zhenbang, was undoubtedly due to ability. But, as outsiders wouldn’t know, Nie Zhenbang’s grand arrangement of the Nie Jialei’s wedding demonstrated the Nie family’s unity.

On another note, Nie Zhenbang’s actions were a warning to the other nobles of Jingcheng, encouraging hesitation when choosing their alliances.

Thirdly, Nie Zhenbang was providing cover for himself. Everyone in Jingcheng knew that upon Nie Zhenbang’s return, his own marriage was an issue too. By directing everyone’s attention to Nie Jialei’s wedding, Nie Zhenbang created a chance for his own discreet departure.

Having thought this through, Li Guohua smiled as well. Such an opponent was indeed interesting. Though, he would not share these thoughts with Zhou Chen. Zhou Chen, high-minded but frail, wouldn’t understand. It would just be foolish if he took this information to heart when he was unable to do anything with it.

Then, Li Guohua seriously said, “Chen, don’t bother with other people’s affairs. He’s got his own troubles. You should consider your position in Bazhou City. This time, your old man had good intentions, but you failed to achieve any results. Now, I want to send you to Xinli City to be the mayor. It depends if you have the confidence and the ability to work with Zhenbang.”

Upon hearing Li Guohua’s words, Zhou Chen was taken aback. To be the mayor of Xinli City and work with Nie Zhenbang would be like walking into the tiger’s mouth, wouldn’t it?

However, Zhou Chen knew Li Guohua’s character well, a man who meant what he said. If Zhou Chen challenged him, it would be difficult for Li Guohua to guide him in the future.