"What gift made you all laugh so happily? I’d like to see it too."
Suddenly, a very magnetic voice came from outside the door.
Everyone instinctively turned their heads.
They saw an elegant, noble-looking middle-aged woman, who appeared to be in her fifties, slowly walking in, surrounded by a group of members from the Jiang family.
The people present were momentarily stunned.
Once they recognized who it was, they all stood up abruptly, their expressions turning extremely respectful.
"Greetings, Madam!"
"Madam has arrived!"
"......"
Liu Yutong was also taken aback.
Though she had never been one to fear much of anything, facing someone of Madam’s stature instinctively made her feel a sense of pressure.
Beyond that, there was also a deep, heartfelt respect.
She had only ever seen this person on television news before. She never expected the real figure to appear at such an occasion.
She knew full well what Madam represented behind the scenes.
To put it simply, even if Uncle Li were here, he would have to greet her respectfully.
Old Madam Jiang saw Madam arriving and quickly rose, excitedly stepping forward to welcome her.
"Madam, why did you come in person? This... this is too much of an honor."
Though she had known in advance that Madam would come, actually seeing her in the flesh still left her flustered with excitement.
Madam smiled and gently supported Old Madam Jiang’s hand, speaking warmly: "Aunt Jiang, what are you saying? It’s your eightieth birthday—how could I not come? Back in the day, if it weren’t for you looking after me, I wouldn’t have been able to study and work so peacefully."
Hearing this, Old Madam Jiang’s eyes reddened: "Madam still remembers those old stories. I... I really don’t know what to say anymore."
Everyone listening suddenly understood.
So this was the bond between Madam and Old Madam Jiang.
No wonder Madam had come personally to celebrate the birthday.
After Madam helped Old Madam Jiang to the seat of honor, her gaze fell on the calligraphy piece that everyone had been mocking.
"Whose gift is this? May I take a look?"
Liu Yutong was about to say it was hers, but before she could get the words out, Zhou Yun sprang forward like she had been injected with adrenaline. She darted out from the crowd and rushed up to Madam in a few quick steps, moving so fast that no one had time to react.
"Madam, I know! It’s her gift!" she said, pointing at Liu Yutong.
The moment Zhou Liren saw his granddaughter jump out, his face instantly darkened.
This foolish girl, what did she think she was doing!
This was the Jiang residence, and Madam was present. You jump out to point fingers—are you trying to court death!
He was just about to call his granddaughter back, but Zhou Yun had already lost all restraint. Pointing at Liu Yutong, she launched into a tirade of humiliation.
"Madam, her gift to Grandma Jiang clearly shows she has no respect for her at all. Just look at the writing—all crooked and sloppy, like something a kindergartner would do. And she dares to offer this to Grandma Jiang!"
"A person like her doesn't even deserve to be at an occasion like this. She's dragging down the whole standard!"
At these words, the guests were all stunned.
Was this girl out of her mind, publicly tearing down someone in such a setting?
Causing trouble earlier was one thing—since Old Madam Jiang wasn’t present, everyone just laughed it off as a joke.
But now?
Madam was here, and you still dare to make such a scene!
For the Zhou family to have such a granddaughter—that was a disaster for the entire household!
Some of those who had grudges against the Zhou family started sneering quietly, waiting to see how the Zhou family would clean up this mess.
Old Madam Jiang’s expression also turned visibly displeased.
Though she had a good relationship with Zhou Yun’s grandfather, Zhou Yun causing trouble like this in the Jiang residence reflected badly on her as the host.
And with Madam present, it was an even greater insult to her face.
She was about to speak up to stop it, but her granddaughter Jiang Lan stepped forward first.
"Miss Zhou, please be mindful of the occasion!"
"This is the Jiang family’s birthday banquet, and Madam is here. Do not speak irresponsibly!"
Jiang Chao also spoke coldly: "Miss Zhou, Miss Liu is a guest of the Jiang family. Please show her some respect!"
Even after being warned by the Jiang family, Zhou Yun still refused to back down. "I’m... I’m just telling the truth! And she’s a female thug! She beat up my brother, and she beat me too. Look at my face—it’s still swollen!"
She pointed at the red marks on her own face, looking as if she had suffered a great injustice.
Zhou Liren could finally take it no longer. He stepped forward and barked: "Enough! Shut your mouth!"
But Zhou Yun was already too far gone. She wouldn’t listen to anyone. In her mind, Madam’s arrival was a perfect opportunity to humiliate Liu Yutong, even to make her lose face completely.
What she failed to realize was that she was the one truly embarrassing herself.
Of course, she couldn’t see that. Some people are not just foolish but also stubbornly single-minded.
"Grandfather, why are you defending her? She hit me! She—"
"Shut up!"
Zhou Liren’s beard trembled with rage. He wanted nothing more than to slap his stupid granddaughter right then and there.
First, he was furious at her lack of brains, disgracing the Zhou family.
Second, he was angry that her impulsiveness had ruined the Zhou family’s image in front of Madam.
And third, he and Jiang Yuan had set a trap for Liu Yutong. With his granddaughter’s scene, everything might collapse.
Zhou Liren turned to face Madam and bowed deeply.
"Madam, this old man has failed in discipline. My granddaughter has offended you. I will have her removed immediately and punish her harshly at home."
With that, he ordered the younger members of the Zhou family to drag her away, not giving her any chance to speak further.
Jiang Yuan stood in a corner, watching, and inwardly cursed the Zhou family to hell.
The Zhou family was utterly unreliable. How could they jump out and ruin things at this critical moment? It was pure stupidity.
Useless troublemakers!
He began recalculating in his mind, considering whether to just give up.
After all, he hadn’t expected Madam to show up. If she sensed anything amiss, he would be in real trouble—unable to escape blame.
But just as he was pondering whether to expose Liu Yutong’s identity, his phone vibrated in his pocket.
He discreetly pulled it out and glanced at the text message. His face instantly changed.
The message was from an unknown number.
The content was a single short line:
[Over a dozen unidentified vehicles have appeared on the outskirts of the Jiang residence, suspected to be from the Wanlong Society. It is recommended to leave early.]
After reading the message, Jiang Yuan raised his head and looked at the girl who, even when being accused by Zhou Yun, remained calm and composed.
That girl surnamed Liu—what exactly was she planning?
She had actually stationed over a dozen vehicles outside the Jiang residence!
Could it be that he had misjudged her? Was she really coming for him?
He didn’t believe in coincidences, and he didn’t dare gamble that Liu Yutong would dare to start something at the Jiang residence.
But he also couldn’t take the risk.
Leave now.
He had to leave immediately!
Once he was away from this dangerous place, he could think things through.
But as soon as he took two steps back, a younger member of the Jiang family blocked his way.
"Uncle Jiang Yuan, where are you going? You still need to toast later."
Jiang Yuan barely kept the smile on his face: "I... I need to go to the restroom. My stomach’s a bit uncomfortable. I’ll be right back."
With that, he walked around the younger family member and quickened his pace toward the side door.
But just as he reached the doorway, he spotted Zhou Yun arguing with her own family.
Clearly, she refused to let the matter slide and was unwilling to leave.
Jiang Yuan had no intention of having any further dealings with her and was about to leave.
Just as he was about to go, Zhou Yun caught sight of him and rushed over, grabbing his sleeve.
“Grandpa Jiang, you can’t leave.”
“You said before that you had a way for me to avenge my brother and ruin Liu Yutong’s reputation.”
Jiang Yuan had discussed and planned this matter with the Zhou family, and Zhou Yun was aware of it—it was just that she couldn’t keep her composure and messed everything up.
Yet she had no self-awareness and continued to speak.
“That Liu Yutong isn’t a legitimate businesswoman at all—she’s a shady character!”
“Didn’t you say the truth had to come out? Now Madam is still inside. This is the perfect chance to expose her!”
