The scenes at the other tables were quite similar.
All were photographs, only the subjects in them were different.
The Du family kept mistresses on the side.
The Zhou family had an illegitimate child hidden away.
The Qian family's second master abused his first wife...
Everyone's faces changed color. This, this was clearly a banquet set as a trap!
Only then did these people understand that the Sheng family would never let the matter rest so easily. If they didn't adopt the correct attitude, these scandals would undoubtedly hit the media immediately...
Lu Rui, sitting beside Lu Jiaojiao, trembled all over.
He had also joined Du Mian in bullying Sheng Qingyan, but happened to be absent yesterday. The Sheng family's invitation was a warning to him.
He kept his head down, trying to minimize his presence.
Lu Jiaojiao gave a light laugh.
That good-for-nothing Du Mian was truly finished now.
The head of the Du family was a military man, and it was said he had once been a subordinate of the late Sheng family patriarch—a man of particularly upright character.
His own grandson bullying the family of his former superior? Old Mr. Du would never let this slide lightly. Du Mian would absolutely not be able to stay in the capital.
"Smack!"
Mr. Du, without a word, backhanded a slap across Du Mian's face.
He was well aware of his own father's stance. Even though the old Sheng patriarch had passed away many years ago, his own father still treated the Sheng family with deference.
If the Sheng matriarch insisted on pursuing this matter, his father would undoubtedly support it wholeheartedly.
He looked towards the unshakably poised Sheng matriarch and said, "Du Mian's actions have brought disgrace upon our Du family. I will arrange for him to go abroad. Unless it is for his grandfather's funeral, Du Mian is not to set foot back in the country."
Du Mian's eyes widened. "On what grounds? I..."
He was the eldest son of the Du family, the future heir. To be exiled abroad over such a trivial matter? On what grounds?
Mr. Du delivered another slap.
On the grounds that if Du Mian didn't go abroad, the scandal of him keeping a mistress would become common knowledge.
"Madam, my son is unruly. I shall take him home for discipline first." He glanced sideways at the photos on the dining table. "These..."
The Sheng matriarch smiled. "Consider them a parting gift. Please take them with you, Mr. Du."
Mr. Du hastily gathered the photos, dragged Du Mian, and quickly departed from the Sheng residence.
With the Du family setting the precedent.
The other families immediately followed suit.
"Madam, I will strip my son of his president position and send him to Africa for experience."
"Madam, our Qian family will publish a notice in the papers severing ties with this unfilial son..."
About a third of the guests from the seven or eight tables left.
Those remaining dared not even breathe too loudly.
Lu Rui was drenched in sweat, his clothes clinging to his skin like a shroud.
Lu Jiaojiao's voice sounded by his ear. "Do I still need to curry favor with Du Mian for a marriage alliance?"
Lu Rui gritted his teeth. "Shut up."
"It seems the earlier dishes were served by mistake," the Sheng matriarch said cheerfully. "Steward, bring fresh dishes and wine. Everyone, please eat and drink heartily. Don't stand on ceremony."
Among those present were many of Du Mian's lackeys who, having fortuitously been absent yesterday and lacking recorded evidence, had narrowly escaped. This meal was exceptionally difficult for them to swallow, as if they were gulping down stones. When they left, it was almost a frantic escape.
After the meal concluded, Rong Yu and Ji Mohan also rose to take their leave.
Sheng Qingyan stuck close to Rong Yu, looking as if he intended to follow her.
"Yan'er, come here." The Sheng matriarch beckoned affectionately. "Miss Rong is about to leave. Come to your grandmother's side, and we'll see Miss Rong off together. That's what a polite, well-behaved child does."
Upon hearing the word "polite," Sheng Qingyan immediately took several steps away from Rong Yu and stood beside the matriarch.
The Sheng family members escorted Rong Yu and Ji Mohan to the gate.
At the entrance, Sheng Dian turned to Ji Mohan and said, "Our Sheng family has business dealings with the Ji family as well. Another day, I will certainly pay a visit to Old Mr. Ji."
Ji Mohan was very awkward with such formal social interactions. Scratching the back of his head, he said, "Alright, I'll let my grandfather know when I get back."
The group chatted at the main gate.
Standing under a tree by the gate, Lu Jiaojiao was utterly astonished.
She had waited here hoping to catch Ji Mohan as he left, to speak with him and minimize the fallout from the academic plagiarism incident...
She never expected to overhear such a conversation.
Ji Mohan, was from the Ji family?
The Ji family of the Ji Group in Haicheng?
Though not part of business circles, she often heard her family mention the Ji family.
In Haicheng, the Ji family held a position comparable to the Sheng family in the capital—both were top-tier, powerful families, far beyond the reach of the Lu family.
She had been associating with such a top-tier heir all this time, and she had never known...
"It's fine to see us off here," Rong Yu said with a smile. "We'll take our leave now."
She looked at Sheng Qingyan.
Sheng Qingyan had been staring at her.
She reached out and patted his shoulder. "Goodbye."
She turned and left with Ji Mohan.
Sheng Qingyan continued to stare fixedly at her retreating figure.
"Alright, that's enough looking," the Sheng matriarch shook her head. "It's cold. Let's go inside."
Madam Sheng pulled Sheng Dian aside and whispered, "Yan'er acts so differently towards that Miss Rong. I have an idea. Why not arrange for Yan'er to marry Miss Rong? That way, Yan'er might quickly become normal..."
"What nonsense are you talking?" Sheng Dian frowned. "Miss Rong is a national talent. How is Yan'er worthy of her?"
Madam Sheng's eyes reddened. "Do you think so little of Yan'er?"
"He can stay sheltered within the Sheng family for life. Don't think about ruining some other girl's life." Sheng Dian pinched the bridge of his nose. "The old lady mentioned taking Yan'er to visit some master. Pay attention to that; don't let us get swindled."
The Sheng family members chatted as they went inside.
Just as Rong Yu and Ji Mohan reached their car, a figure appeared.
"Moham." Lu Jiaojiao stepped forward. "We attended the same banquet, yet you didn't say a word to me. Are we strangers now?"
Seeing her made Ji Mohan's scalp prickle. "What do you want me to say?"
Lu Jiaojiao glanced at Rong Yu. "Let's talk over there."
"What can't be said in front of me?" Rong Yu crossed her arms. "Are you afraid your schemes will be exposed, Miss Lu?"
Lu Jiaojiao felt a pang of irritation.
She bit her lip and asked softly, "Moham, is Rong Yu your girlfriend?"
Ji Mohan's eyes widened. "Don't talk nonsense! Rong Yu isn't my girlfriend. Our relationship isn't what you think!"
Lu Jiaojiao lifted her gaze. "Before, you helped my career. That settled the debt for saving your life. But now, my career is completely ruined. So, you need to repay the life-saving favor again."
Ji Mohan was taken aback. "How do you want me to repay it?"
As long as it didn't involve anything like academic plagiarism, he could agree to other conditions.
Better to settle it early and be free from the moral blackmail.
Lu Jiaojiao enunciated each word clearly. "I want you to marry me."
