Upon hearing Grandpa Qi's words, Jiang Yangxu was greatly astonished. "Grandpa Qi, are you saying Chairman Zhou is also an honored guest tonight?! Are you sure there's no mistake?"
Grandpa Qi, being questioned like this, couldn't help but feel displeased. "My grandson Qi Huan personally gave me the guest list. Are you suggesting he would falsify it?"
"Grandpa Qi, that's not what I meant..." Jiang Yangxu quickly apologized, realizing his excessive anxiety had led him to offend the Qi family patriarch. Yet, he couldn't help but press Qi Huan further. "So, you're saying Chairman Zhou was invited by you, Young Master Qi?"
Qi Huan knew exactly what was troubling Jiang Yangxu. He replied leisurely with a smile, "Not me. The list of invitees for Chairman Zhou was given to me by Xiao Lier."
Hearing this, Jiang Yangxu's face changed color, and he nearly staggered.
Jiang Xing, standing behind him, immediately steadied his father. In all his years, he had never seen his father look so shaken.
Jiang Yangxu pushed his son Jiang Xing away, trying hard to compose himself, only to meet Jiang Youli's mocking gaze—a look full of derision.
So, not only did Jiang Youli know the sole heir of the Zhou family, but she was also on speaking terms with the true authority of the Zhou family, Chairman Zhou himself!
No, without seeing Chairman Zhou in person, he refused to believe that this little girl Jiang Youli could actually manage to invite Chairman Zhou to her engagement banquet!
It must just be a tactic to scare him! After all, this girl was terribly cunning!
Watching Jiang Yangxu struggling to maintain his composure, Jiang Youli found it rather amusing. "Uncle, why do you look so pale? Since Chairman Zhou is coming to my engagement banquet tonight, you won't have to go through great lengths to meet him. You should be happy."
Listening to Jiang Youli's deliberately pointed sarcasm, anger flashed across Jiang Yangxu's face, but he couldn't afford to lose his temper in front of so many members of the Qi family.
"If Chairman Zhou truly attends your engagement banquet, of course we should thank you, cousin. But let's first confirm that Chairman Zhou will actually be present tonight. I'm just afraid your influence might not be as great as you imagine."
The one who spoke was Jiang Xing. He believed Jiang Youli wouldn't be able to gloat for much longer tonight. Even if she didn't meet her end, she was sure to be severely humbled!
Jiang Youli retorted in a dismissive tone, "I understand. You just won't give up until you see the evidence, right? That's fine. When Chairman Zhou arrives, I'll personally introduce you to him and let him get a good understanding of your... glorious deeds."
At this moment, Jiang Yonghe spoke softly, "Sister Youli, today is your and Brother Qi Huan's engagement banquet. Why speak with such sharp words and harm family harmony? Fortunately, from now on, we and the Qi family will be considered one family. It's fine to vent a few words here, but later in front of the guests, it's better to say less. After all, family ugliness shouldn't be aired in public."
Jiang Youli sneered, "Hah, the fact that you, an adopted daughter swapped with me through your mother's scheming, can swagger around here as a member of the Jiang family is already a family disgrace. What other family ugliness do we have left to fear being exposed?"
Qi An'an couldn't help but let out a soft laugh. She hadn't expected that after watching Jiang Youli put Qi Xiuyuan in his place, she could now see her take down a scheming girl. It was truly satisfying.
Jiang Youli glanced at Qi An'an again. As expected of Qi Xiuhua's daughter from the neutral faction. So far, it seemed only this Qi An'an harbored no hostility towards her and Qi Huan.
For tonight's engagement banquet, as long as this Qi An'an didn't cause trouble, she wouldn't make things difficult for her either.
Jiang Yonghe: "..."
Jiang Xing grabbed Jiang Yonghe's wrist, his tone firm and protective. "To us, Xiao He is family, not a disgrace!"
Jiang Yonghe looked up at Jiang Xing, her eyes filled with gratitude.
Jiang Yangxu didn't want to continue to entangle with Jiang Youli here any longer. He just wanted to quickly call Jiang Li to ask about the situation. So he said, "Grandpa Qi, we'll go to the banquet venue first to see if there's anything we can help with."
"Alright." After Grandpa Qi instructed a servant to show them the way, he scanned his descendants in the hall. "Alright, all of you, if there's nothing else, go with the Jiang family to the main banquet hall to receive the honored guests."
"Okay, Grandpa!" Qi An'an was the first to stand up, eagerly running to Jiang Youli's side. "Sister-in-law, is there anything I can help you with?"
She had decided: from now on, she would follow Jiang Youli!
In response to Qi An'an's proactive friendliness, Jiang Youli also showed a friendly attitude and smiled. "Just not causing trouble like Qi Xiuyuan did would be the biggest help."
Qi An'an patted her chest and promised, "Then you can rest assured, Sister-in-law! I will absolutely not cause any trouble for you and Brother Huan!"
Regarding her daughter's choice, Qi Xiuhua did not intervene. She believed that after raising her daughter for so long, her daughter had her own judgment.
Qi Feixue and Qi Shaoxiong felt nothing but contempt for Qi An'an's act of currying favor with Jiang Youli. As a young lady of the Qi family, to flatter a young lady from the far less influential Jiang family—it truly shamed the Qi family name!
The third uncle, Qi Tianhuai, said, "Shaoxiong, Feixue, let's go. As your grandfather said, we'll go to the main banquet hall first to see if there's anything we can help with."
"Alright, Dad." Qi Shaoxiong and Qi Feixue stood up and followed.
As they passed by the brothers Qi Xiuyuan and Qi Feifan, Qi Shaoxiong sneered, "Didn't I tell you? It's not yet decided who will emerge victorious."
Qi Feixue also mocked in a low voice, "Qi Xiuyuan, watching you drop a stone on your own foot is really amusing. If you're foolish, it's better to play fewer clever tricks."
Qi Feifan's expression turned ugly.
Qi Xiuyuan guiltily glanced at his elder brother Qi Feifan.
When Qi Shaoxiong walked past Qi Huan, he suddenly stopped. He then lowered his head, his gaze falling upon Qi Huan sitting in the wheelchair.
At this moment, Qi Huan sat there quietly, not a trace of emotion visible on his face.
The corner of Qi Shaoxiong's mouth lifted into a slightly sarcastic smile. He spoke, "Brother Huan, although your arranged marriage with Jiang Yonghe didn't work out, this true Jiang family heiress seems no less impressive than Jiang Yonghe. Brother Huan really has good fortune. I wish you and sister-in-law mutual respect, eternal union, and... to be inseparable in life and death."
He emphasized the last four words, "inseparable in life and death."
His implication was crystal clear.
The meaning couldn't be more obvious: if he ever decided to move against Qi Huan in the future, he would inevitably target Jiang Youli as well.
And even in death, he would find a way to make sure they died together!
Faced with Qi Shaoxiong's words, which were so straightforward and filled with a sense of threat, Qi Huan's eyes, already deep and dark like pools, instantly took on a layer of icy coldness.
Yet, he merely responded calmly, "I accept this blessing."
Simple words, yet they carried an intangible pressure emanating from him.
What Qi Shaoxiong hated most was Qi Huan's unflappable composure, his ability to keep his emotions hidden, as if nothing could trouble him, no danger could defeat him!
And yet, frustratingly, that seemed to be the truth!
Ever since Qi Huan took over a small branch company from Grandpa Qi and built it into a formidable enterprise, becoming a thorn in many people's sides, he had managed to deftly handle every scheme and crisis thrown his way!
Except for this time. While rescuing Qi Yu, his adopted sister with no blood relation, he suffered an accident and had both his legs broken by kidnappers.
But was it truly an accident?
No, Qi Shaoxiong knew that Qi Huan must have been betrayed by his closest family!
With that in mind, Qi Huan was now utterly isolated. Apart from Grandpa Qi's favor, he had no family left to back him up—what a pitiful wretch! Dealing with him now would be as easy as taking candy from a baby!
