On the afternoon of August 20th, at the Royal Capital Grand Hotel.
The Royal Capital Grand Hotel was the most upscale establishment in Wushui County, and by the standards of the time, its prices were far from cheap.
Liu Yutong and Yu Xin were hosting their college admission celebration banquet here, with a total of 28 tables reserved. Liu Yutong’s side took up 16 tables, while Yu Xin’s relatives, being fewer in number, occupied the remaining 12.
Under normal circumstances, neither Liu Yutong nor Yu Xin would have expected so many relatives to attend. But when word got out that the banquet was being held at the county’s most luxurious hotel, everyone wanted to see what the fuss was about.
After all, many folks from the countryside had never even set foot in a three-star hotel.
So, every relative who could make it brought their entire families along—why pass up a free opportunity to enjoy a lavish feast, especially with transportation provided?
Liu Yutong had opted for the highest-tier banquet package, priced at 2,888 yuan per table. Just the food alone for these 28 tables would cost nearly 80,000 yuan, not including alcohol, cigarettes, or party favors.
They served premium Chinese cigarettes, with a whole pack placed on each table. The gift bags for guests included candies and two additional cigarette packs. All in all, the celebration would set them back around 100,000 yuan.
That kind of money might not seem like much in the future, where spending tens of thousands on events was commonplace. But at the time, it was downright extravagant.
Even with the customary monetary gifts from guests, Liu Yutong and Yu Xin’s families would only recoup a little over 10,000 yuan in total—leaving them at a net loss of nearly 90,000.
But the point of the banquet wasn’t about profit. It was about celebration and sharing joy.
Liu Yutong had made it clear: she wanted to give her grandfather face. So, they had to go all out, even if it meant spending extra. As long as her grandfather felt proud, it was worth it.
Truth be told, her grandfather wasn’t just an ordinary farmer—he had once been a village official, a man of some standing in the area.
But his reputation had been tarnished by his good-for-nothing son.
As buses full of relatives began arriving, Liu Yutong and Yu Xin stood waiting at the entrance.
Both were dressed similarly, wearing elegant red dresses that radiated festive cheer.
Once the relatives disembarked, Liu Yutong greeted each of them warmly: "Auntie Liu, hello! Uncle Third, good to see you! Grandpa Seven, welcome!"
She felt like she had smiled more today than in her entire life combined.
The relatives, stepping into the hotel lobby, gasped at the opulent decor.
"This grand hotel is something else—so luxurious!"
"I’ve never eaten at a place like this before!"
"Hey, how much do you think this meal’s gonna cost?"
"Must be tens of thousands, easy."
"Tens of thousands? That’s insane! Back in the village, a few thousand would cover it!"
"That Liu Jianren is such a wastrel, throwing money around like this. What a disgrace."
"Seems like they’re just putting on a show to impress people. Think just because they’ve got a college student now, they’re set for life? Just wait and see."
"Keep it down, don’t let them hear you."
"......"
As the crowd moved to the banquet hall on the second floor, the lively chatter suddenly died down.
Almost everyone froze in their tracks, startled by what they saw.
The entire hallway was lined with two rows of young men in black suits, standing rigidly at attention on either side, all the way to the banquet hall entrance.
Emblazoned on their chests was a bold dragon emblem, and many of them sported dyed blond hair. The whole scene looked like something out of a gangster movie, as if they were awaiting the arrival of some underworld boss.
"What’s going on? There are so many tough-looking guys here… it’s kinda scary."
"I’ve heard this county’s got a lot of gangsters—real vicious ones, too. They’ll cut you down like a melon."
"Seriously? Now I’m nervous."
"Did we go to the wrong place?"
"No, didn’t Yutong say it’s on the second floor?"
"Then who are these guys? Waiters?"
"Maybe…"
Honestly, if it weren’t for the female staff member leading the way, they might have turned back right then.
As the relatives cautiously walked through the human corridor, the black-suited men made no move to stop them, standing motionless with their gazes fixed straight ahead.
Only then did the relatives relax, realizing these men weren’t gangsters—probably just hotel staff.
Gradually, their rural bravado returned, and some even started admiring how impressive the hotel was. Truly the best in the county, with waiters who carried such presence!
What they didn’t know was that these men weren’t hotel staff at all.
Liu Yutong had arranged for them personally.
She hadn’t originally planned for such a dramatic display, but after Niu Ben suddenly went missing, she wasn’t taking any chances. She stationed these men here to keep troublemakers out.
If her grandfather asked, she’d just say it was a special hotel service—all part of the staff.
With the staff guiding them, the relatives filed into the banquet hall and took their seats.
Meanwhile, Liu Yutong led her grandparents to a private room she had booked long-term, where they could change clothes.
She had specially prepared a set of equally festive red traditional Chinese outfits for the elderly couple today.
After entering the room, Grandpa took in the luxurious suite and couldn’t help but ask again, "Yutong, do you usually live here?"
Liu Yutong nodded with a smile and replied, "Yes, just temporarily. I’ll move out once the semester starts."
Grandma asked with concern, "This must cost a fortune, right?"
"Not much. Your granddaughter really isn’t short on money now," Liu Yutong said.
Only then did the grandparents slowly come to accept that their granddaughter seemed to have truly struck it rich.
From the beginning, the elderly couple had been uneasy—after all, the expenses were extravagant, and it all felt surreal.
But seeing was believing, and they had no choice but to admit that their eldest granddaughter had really made something of herself.
A college student was still a college student—her mind was sharp.
This way, they wouldn’t have to worry about her future anymore.
After all, their eldest granddaughter was clearly capable. The lingering gloom that had weighed on their hearts for years now began to dissipate.
Once the grandparents had changed into their outfits, Liu Yutong led them out of the room and toward the elevator.
Just then, a middle-aged man with slicked-back hair and a suit, clutching a briefcase, hurried over to the elevator.
When he saw the three of them dressed in festive red, he froze for a moment before exclaiming in surprise, "Dad? Mom? Yutong? What are you doing here?"
Hearing the voice, Liu Yutong turned and was equally taken aback, but she still greeted him politely, "Uncle Jianren, what a coincidence. Why are you here?"
Liu Jianren carried himself like a successful businessman, a hint of pride in his tone. "A big client of mine is hosting a banquet at the hotel today and invited me. What about you all…?"
Grandpa’s face hardened as he snapped, "What we’re doing here is none of your business!"
Liu Yutong’s father’s generation had three siblings: the eldest uncle, Liu Jianren; her father, Liu Jianyi; and an aunt.
Liu Jianren had moved to the city long ago—more accurately, he had married into his wife’s family.
Because his wife was so domineering, he had rarely returned home to visit his parents over the years and had almost completely cut ties with the family.
Grandpa was a traditional man. Back then, he had vehemently opposed his eldest son marrying into another family, but Liu Jianren had stubbornly refused to listen and gone through with it.
What made it even harder for Grandpa to accept was that Liu Jianren’s two children later took their mother’s surname—neither carried the Liu name.
Enraged, Grandpa had essentially disowned this son.
Honestly, sometimes Liu Yutong couldn’t help but feel sorry for her grandparents.
They had raised three children. Putting the aunt aside, both sons were disappointments—one had married into another family and neglected his parents, while the other was a gambling addict. Neither gave them peace of mind.
Now, with father and son crossing paths here, the tension between them instantly flared.
Though Grandma wanted to say something to her son, seeing Grandpa’s anger, she swallowed her words.
Liu Jianren, noticing his father’s cold demeanor, felt a pang of guilt.
After all, he really had failed his parents over the years, never coming home to fulfill his filial duties.
But what could he do? The shrew at home was just too overbearing.
Just as he was about to speak up to ease the tension, the elevator doors behind him slid open.
A shrill, caustic voice rang out from inside: "Liu Jianren, what’s taking you so long? Mr. Jin is already here!"
Before the words even finished, a lavishly dressed, heavyset middle-aged woman stepped out of the elevator.
The moment she saw the three standing at the elevator, her face darkened.
"Oh, great! Liu Jianren, you sneaky bastard—you actually brought these two old relics here? Do you even know what kind of occasion this is?!"
