Chapter 1577

Yan Aohan smiled, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "My father-in-law is a farmer. He taught himself high school subjects and is now auditing university courses. So, it’s normal for his three children to resemble him. You should know, he started the Azure Sovereign Qingdi Group from humble beginnings. It’s famous nationwide now."

The Big Boss nodded in agreement. "It is famous. Our cafeteria sources vegetables from the Azure Sovereign Qingdi Group daily. They are truly superior—tastier and fresher than ordinary produce."

"Enough talk. I’m leaving. Want me to bring you a gift?" Yan Aohan teased, indifferent to the man’s status.

The Big Boss paused, then sighed helplessly. "Fine. Bring a painting to Zhu Zhibin to congratulate him on becoming the National Top Scholar. And bring a jade lock to Taishu Yuanxiang’s son. Is that settled?" He felt quite wronged, wondering how he had ever crossed paths with Yan Aohan.

Yan Aohan accepted the items. "Good. I’ll take them." He stopped at the door but didn’t turn around. "Big Boss, don’t let them get too curious. Curiosity kills the cat."

The warning hung in the air. Cats have nine lives, yet curiosity can end them. It highlighted the danger Yan Aohan implied.

Watching Yan Aohan leave, the Big Boss sighed, sat back in his chair, and returned to his paperwork. Work had to be done.

Yan Aohan headed straight for the Capital Club. Busy as he was, he hadn’t picked up Zhu Yanyi and the others, so he needed to arrive early.

Halfway there, a figure appeared out of thin air, blocking his path.

Yan Aohan’s expression darkened. He pulled over and stared at the intruder. "Old Pan. You don’t usually appear like this."

"Your Majesty, it was an emergency!" Old Pan’s heart skipped a beat. Yan Aohan was not easy to please. His current mild demeanor was reserved only for Zhu Yanyi. In any other world, Old Pan would have no such luck.

"Speak or leave," Yan Aohan said coldly.

She tolerated their presence in this world, but unauthorized appearances were forbidden. This realm lacked spiritual energy; such actions could cause its collapse.

"The Ghost Festival is approaching," Old Pan said urgently. "The evil ghosts are coming to this planet."

Yan Aohan rubbed his temples. "Who arranged this?"

"Zhan Diting made a spinning wheel after his last visit. It landed on this planet." Old Pan sighed.

"Don’t you know this planet is fragile? If the evil ghosts cause trouble, what then?" Yan Aohan glared at him.

"That’s why I rushed to warn you," Old Pan said seriously.

"Place the Red Spider Lily in the hearts of the evil ghosts," Yan Aohan decided after a moment. "Since they are coming, let them carry the Red Spider Lily. It is a karmic connection."

Old Pan blinked. "Is it too early for the Red Spider Lily to enter the mortal realm?"

"Not too early. I planned to keep it hidden this year, but it must enter next year. By year’s end, your mistress will go to the Sage Academy. Since the path is set, we should prepare early." Yan Aohan sighed.

"Very well. I’ll prepare it." Old Pan agreed. "There are five evil ghosts entering this planet. I will place one Red Spider Lily in each."

"Three Red Spider Lilies, two Red Spider Lilies," Yan Aohan corrected.

"No way, Boss. Are you trying to send the mistress to heaven?" Old Pan looked shocked.

"It’s natural. She is my Yan Queen. She should understand the nature of these plants best. Besides, she cultivated them, didn’t she?" Yan Aohan looked at Old Pan. "I am merely returning them to her."

"Fine. I’ll prepare them." Old Pan knew he couldn’t argue. He vanished.

Watching him go, Yan Aohan frowned. Some matters needed to be accelerated, or this planetary realm wouldn’t last long.

Yan Aohan did not tell Zhu Yanyi about Old Pan’s visit. Zhu Yanyi remained unaware. She had escorted Zhu Xinfu and Huang Meiying to a private room. This room was reserved for elders who preferred privacy, including Zhu Xinfu’s couple, Mr. Hua, Mr. Ye, Elder Zhan, Elder Chun, and Elder Li.

The room had three tables, prepared for guests who might not wish to appear in public. It was better to have extra space than not enough. The Yan family members would also gather here.

The Capital Club had been closed for ten days. Taishu Yuanxiang valued this banquet greatly. It was his son’s one-month celebration, and he allowed no errors.

The banquet in the main hall was buffet-style, starting at nine in the morning with afternoon tea and pastries. Guests arrived gradually.

Taishu Yuanxiang was meticulous. The menu rotated from morning tea to lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, evening tea, and late-night snacks. The food varied in style and presentation throughout the day.

Zhu Yanyi and her group were not in the main hall but in the private room. The room had three large round tables and a separate buffet setup. Guests could also order dishes, as some elders preferred traditional service over the "foreign" buffet style.

After settling Zhu Xinfu and Huang Meiying, Zhu Yanyi turned on the TV to show the live feed of the main hall. Then, she went to get them some food.

Zhu Xinfu could not see, but he could hear the TV. Although the hall was not yet full, the sounds conveyed a warm, festive atmosphere.