111 is simply incomprehensible.

To Gu Weiwei and the others’ disappointment, none of the three recognized any of the people Chen Xingwen had brought in.

Chen Xingwen led the group inside. They chatted and laughed together, clearly on very familiar terms.

“I don’t recognize a single one of them. Do you know any of them, Weidong?” Gu Weiwei asked.

Zhao Weidong did not recognize them either. He could only shake his head. “Judging by their attire, they’re probably leaders from government institutions or state-owned enterprises. Unfortunately, all I can make is a rough guess. I really don’t know any of them.”

The second wave of guests consisted of Xiao Zhenshan and his colleagues.

Xiao Zhenshan had originally planned to come with his coworkers after work, but Ji Guangrong and his colleagues had been far too enthusiastic. In the end, he had no choice but to leave early with everyone else and arrived shortly after eleven.

The next group of guests did not appear for quite some time. After roughly ten minutes, the third wave finally entered.

Once again, Chen Xingwen led them in. There were an astonishing number of them—more than thirty in all.

Although there were many guests in this group, they were not noisy. Only Chen Xingwen and an imposing old man at the front were chatting and laughing together. Even when the others occasionally whispered among themselves, they kept their voices very low.

The moment the group entered the line of sight of Sang Qingye and the others, Gu Weiwei let out a cry of surprise. Clearly, she had recognized who they were.

Zhao Weidong and He Jiayi were equally stunned. It was obvious that they too knew the identities of these guests.

“Why are all three of you so shocked? Are these guests very important? Come on, Weiwei, explain it to everyone watching the livestream. They’re all waiting for your answer,” Sang Qingye urged.

“This time, I’m truly convinced. Xiao Yao is definitely a genuine tycoon!” Gu Weiwei was still visibly shaken. “The man walking at the front is Ding Songqing, the richest man in our province—the chairman of Double Prosperity Group and the president of the Provincial Chamber of Commerce.”

“It’s only the opening of a restaurant, yet even President Ding has come to show his support. Our tycoon Xiao really has tremendous influence. You simply can’t help but admire him,” Sang Qingye said, equally astonished after learning the man’s identity.

If this had been a major commercial event or a grand celebration, it would have been understandable for them to invite Ding Songqing, a business magnate of the province, to attend.

But the opening of Taste Haven’s new branch was hardly significant enough to attract the attention of someone at his level. Besides, Xiao Yao had kept the event very low-key. There was not even a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the guests, much less the sort of grand spectacle with drums, gongs, and crowds welcoming visitors from every direction.

Yet for the opening of a mere restaurant, even a business giant like Ding Songqing had personally come to offer his congratulations. Xiao Yao’s influence was simply astonishing.

Who exactly was Xiao Yao?

Gu Weiwei and the other two were now even more curious about the answer.

After this shock, another heavyweight guest appeared.

The next group was just as large—at least twenty people, if not thirty.

“The man at the front is Chen Guangzhi, chairman of Hanguang Group. Another business magnate!” After the earlier shock, Gu Weiwei was no longer as excited when she saw Chen Guangzhi.

“I wonder if I’ll get the chance to greet Chairman Chen later. It would be wonderful if I could sit down with him and exchange a few words,” Zhao Weidong said expectantly.

It was no wonder he had such thoughts. Zhao Weidong’s father had built his fortune in construction materials. Although the family business was already substantial, they had never found an opportunity to establish a connection with a major property developer like Hanguang Real Estate.

If their building-materials business could secure a partnership with Hanguang Real Estate, their assets could double within two or three years at most.

Faced with such an enormous temptation, it was only natural that Zhao Weidong would indulge in a somewhat unrealistic fantasy.

The arrival of two successive groups of heavyweight guests had already left Gu Weiwei and the others deeply shaken. Yet, unexpectedly, the distinguished figures who continued to arrive one after another were all major magnates.

Whether it was Guan Yonggang or Lu Yahong, both were renowned multimillionaires in the province. Their fortunes were scarcely inferior to Chen Guangzhi’s.

What surprised Gu Weiwei and the others even more was that the guest who entered immediately after Lu Yahong was Wang Xiaoxian.

“That man should be Wang Xiaoxian, shouldn’t he? He’s from the capital. How did he end up here?” Gu Weiwei sounded uncertain.

“It’s definitely him. Without a doubt, that’s Wang Xiaoxian. I attended the Yiyun Spring Auction this year, and that man is absolutely Wang Xiaoxian. I couldn’t possibly mistake him,” Zhao Weidong said with complete certainty.

Since even Zhao Weidong believed the man was Wang Xiaoxian, there was probably no mistake. It was impossible for both of them to have identified him incorrectly.

“Wang Xiaoxian is the chairman of Yiyun Auction House. His fortune may not compare with Ding Songqing’s and the others’, but he’s by far the most famous. Why would he leave the capital and come all the way here?” He Jiayi wondered aloud.

“You really can’t help but be impressed. Even a famous wealthy man from the capital like Wang Xiaoxian has traveled such a long distance to come here. Our tycoon Xiao’s circle of friends is simply far too extensive!” Gu Weiwei’s voice was filled with envy.

After that, many more guests arrived. Although none of them could compare with Ding Songqing and the others, most were still prominent figures in the city. Gu Weiwei and the others recognized quite a few of them by name.

All of these people were tenants in Taigu Tower. Even if they were not particularly close to Xiao Yao, they had heard that the newly opened restaurant belonged to him. Since they all worked in the same building, they naturally had to show their support by attending the restaurant’s opening celebration.

As noon drew near, Sang Qingye and the others noticed that no more guests seemed to be arriving. They decided to go outside and take a look at the flower baskets the guests had sent.

They were chatting and laughing as they reached the entrance, only to run into Xiao Yao, who happened to be escorting several guests inside.

“Lunch is about to begin. What are you three planning to do?” Xiao Yao called out.

“We’re just going outside for some fresh air. We’ll be back in a moment,” Sang Qingye quickly replied.

Xiao Yao nodded and paid them no further attention. He continued forward with the last few guests, chatting and laughing with them.

Once they had stepped outside, Sang Qingye eagerly asked, “Who were those last guests? The three of you all looked terribly shocked.”

“It’s simply unbelievable. Even Mayor Fan and Director Jiang Shuwei have come! The opening of a restaurant isn’t such a major event. How could our tycoon Xiao possibly have that much influence?” Gu Weiwei was utterly baffled.