Qi Feixue looked at Jiang Youli with a smirk and said, "Miss Jiang's performance just now was quite commendable. However, once you marry into our Qi family and become Qi Huan's wife, you'll need to keep up the effort and strive even harder!"
Hearing this, a meaningful smile appeared on Jiang Youli's face. "That was a piece of cake. What I'm truly worried about is if all the challenges ahead are so childish—wouldn't that be too boring? Hardly worth spending much thought or energy on!"
Upon hearing Jiang Youli's words, Qi Feixue couldn't help but let out a cold laugh, saying mockingly, "Heh, Miss Jiang is quite confident in her own abilities. I just hope you're not all talk. If you can't deliver when the time comes, you'll become a laughingstock!"
After speaking, she turned away with a forced smile and followed Qi Shaoxiong as they left.
Qi Tianjue also left the hall with his two sons. Passing by Jiang Youli and Qi Huan, he couldn't resist sneering, "Qi Huan, it seems your grandfather really did pick you a fine wife."
Qi Huan smiled and replied, "Fourth Uncle, Xiao Li'er is my own choice."
Qi Tianjue said with insinuation, "Oh? So she's the apple of your eye. You'd better keep a close watch on her then, don't let any accidents befall her."
Qi Huan, equally veiling his threat with a smile, responded, "Thank you for the reminder, Fourth Uncle. I will certainly extinguish any potential 'accidents' around Xiao Li'er."
"Pity that plans often can't keep up with changes in this world. No matter how thorough your plans are, there's always room for oversight," Qi Tianjue said before striding out of the hall.
Qi Feifan followed behind him without a sideways glance, while Qi Xiuyuan glared resentfully at Jiang Youli, mouthing a silent warning: You're dead!
After that, Qi Xiuyuan stomped off angrily behind Qi Feifan.
With the Qi family members gone, the hall fell silent, as if a mute button had been pressed.
Grandpa Qi turned his gaze to Jiang Youli. "Xiao Li, you've now seen the situation in the Qi family with your own eyes. I can give Qi Huan at most three months. If you can't cure my grandson's legs, this old man who's on his last legs won't be able to hold back those ambitious wolves among my children and grandchildren."
After listening to Grandpa Qi, Jiang Youli turned to look at Qi Huan sitting in the wheelchair beside her.
Their eyes met, and a gleam of trust and understanding shone in both.
"Don't worry, Grandpa Qi," Jiang Youli's clear, pleasant voice was exceptionally firm and resolute. "Three months is more than enough time. I promise you, I will definitely make sure Qi Huan stands up again!"
...
The engagement banquet venue.
Luxurious chandeliers hung from the ceiling like stars. The tables were laden with exquisite delicacies and drinks, and the buffet area was a dazzling array of mouth-watering gourmet dishes.
Just as he arrived at the engagement banquet, Jiang Yangxu saw Jiang Li and her husband, Second Master Long, accompanying Old Master Jiang over as well.
After finding their seats, Jiang Yangxu quietly asked Second Master Long beside him, "Third Sister said you could help me arrange a meeting with Chairman Zhou..."
Second Master Long looked up and interrupted, "No hurry."
It wasn't that he wasn't in a hurry. He had tried contacting Chairman Zhou but couldn't reach him. Yet, he had already boasted to his wife Jiang Li. He couldn't very well admit he hadn't managed to secure the meeting and lose face!
Better to stall for now.
Out of respect for Second Master Long's status, Jiang Yangxu didn't dare press, but tentatively said, "I heard Chairman Zhou will also be attending this engagement banquet as an invited guest..."
Hearing this, Second Master Long's eyes flickered.
What?! Heaven helps him! By sheer coincidence, Chairman Zhou was also attending! Then he could pretend to be doing a favor!
Thinking this, Second Master Long said with a serious expression, "Mm, that's precisely why I specifically came with your sister Jiang Li tonight—to make an appearance at the banquet. It's to let Chairman Zhou know your connection with my Long family. Otherwise, with how busy I am, why would I specifically come tonight?"
So that was it! Jiang Yangxu breathed a sigh of relief.
Second Master Long patted Jiang Yangxu's shoulder. "Later, when you see Chairman Zhou, you go over and greet him first. Tell him you're related by marriage to the Long family, and ask if he's free for a meal tomorrow."
Jiang Yangxu was somewhat surprised. "Second Master Long won't come with me?"
Second Master Long said with gravity, "The cooperation is your matter. I can only help you this far."
Jiang Yangxu looked at Jiang Li and finally couldn't help saying, "But I also heard Chairman Zhou was invited by Jiang Youli. I'm afraid..."
Jiang Li said dismissively, "Second Brother, how could you be intimidated by that little brat? Chairman Zhou was definitely invited by the Qi family's side. Does a girl like Jiang Youli have that much clout? Just do as my husband said and approach Chairman Zhou yourself. Chairman Zhou will surely give the Long family face."
Chastised by Jiang Li, Jiang Yangxu felt somewhat embarrassed for having been intimidated by Jiang Youli. He nodded, "Alright. I'm already immensely grateful that Second Master Long is willing to do me the favor of making an appearance. I won't trouble you further with arranging the meeting with Chairman Zhou."
...
Approaching seven o'clock, almost all the invited guests had arrived in their finery.
Among them were new business elites in tailored suits, exuding confidence; political figures whose every gesture commanded authority; and dashing military officers whose upright postures were particularly eye-catching.
The gathering of so many distinguished individuals made the scene extraordinarily grand and spectacular.
Amidst the lively atmosphere, Jiang Yangxu kept glancing towards the entrance, waiting for Chairman Zhou's appearance.
Suddenly—
Murmurs arose from the crowd.
"Isn't that Zhou Wang, the once-renowned head of the prestigious Zhou family in the capital! I heard after his wife passed away, he became despondent, handed over his vast business empire to his son, and disappeared!"
"And that's Academician Qin Lang, a former top figure in the medical field! He performed several impossible surgeries that shook the world! He also mysteriously vanished at the peak of his fame!"
"That elderly lady is Ms. Meng Yao, who led her team to develop the miraculous anti-cancer drug!"
"To think after disappearing for years, they would also come to attend the engagement banquet of the Qi family's eldest young master and the Jiang family's true heiress! Indeed, the Qi family's eldest young master still carries enough weight!"
After Zhang Susu and Jiang Yehan led Old Zhou, Academician Qin, and Ms. Meng Yao into the banquet venue, they immediately caused quite a stir.
Jiang Yangxu's eyes lit up. "Chairman Zhou really is here!"
Second Master Long calmly replied, "Mm."
"Then I'll go greet him." Jiang Yangxu stood up, straightened his clothes, and walked towards Chairman Zhou with full confidence.
Walking up to Chairman Zhou, he completely ignored Jiang Yehan and Zhang Susu, his face wearing an obsequious smile as he greeted, "Chairman Zhou, hello, I am Jiang Yangxu, the second master of the Jiang family. My sister is the second wife of the Long family. Hearing that you've returned to the capital, I was hoping to invite you tomorrow..."
Before Jiang Yangxu could finish, Old Zhou frowned with displeasure and coldly interrupted, "So you're Jiang Yangxu? The one who refused to acknowledge his own daughter Jiang Youli, got himself demoted to being her second uncle, and was then cast aside by her? Hmph, what a man with eyes but no sight!"
