"Dad, Yu Lian and I will take Jiang Xing and Yonghe to the hospital first..."
Before Jiang Yangxu could finish, Old Master Jiang waved his hand coldly, "Go ahead, don't delay treatment. Girl Li's engagement banquet doesn't need you here anyway."
Jiang Yangxu felt deeply displeased by the old master's indifference but had to suppress his emotions and leave the engagement banquet with his wife and children.
Jiang Yonghe dragged her heavy steps slowly towards the door. Just as she was about to step over the threshold, she heard Qi Huan's sincere and earnest proposal from behind, and an indescribable sense of resentment instantly surged in her heart.
She covered her severely swollen face with both hands and turned her head to stare directly at the stage above.
Under the dazzling chandelier lights, Qi Huan shone like a brilliant star. He held an exquisite ring box in his hands, his gaze fixed intently on Jiang Youli, his overflowing affection almost tangible. His always handsome face now wore an unprecedented look of devotion and anticipation.
Seeing this scene, Jiang Yonghe felt as if her heart were being torn apart.
Once, she thought she was the one who would stand at the center of this stage, receiving Qi Huan's deep affection. Once, she firmly believed she would become the focus of everyone's attention, enjoying the unique favor of heaven's chosen son.
But now? All the glory and happiness seemed to have drifted away from her, leaving her with nothing but endless pain and humiliation.
Why?
Jiang Yonghe bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes. Why had she ended up like this, as wretched as a rat scurrying across the street?
She refused to accept it!
Soon, Jiang Yonghe's eyes turned vicious.
She would never admit defeat so easily!
Those things that should rightfully belong to her—this moment in the spotlight, and Qi Huan's burning love—she would definitely find a way to take them back!
...
Watching Qi Huan solemnly propose to Jiang Youli, the unwilling Duan Jinghan threw the already battered bouquet of roses in his hand and planned to rush onto the stage to snatch her away.
Unexpectedly, he had only taken a couple of steps when someone from behind threw a sack over his head. Then everything went dark before his eyes.
He tried to cry out, but his consciousness grew increasingly fuzzy, and he soon closed his eyes.
...
On the stage.
Facing Qi Huan's sincere proposal, Jiang Youli extended her hand to him without hesitation, her voice firm and powerful: "Of course I will!"
Qi Huan smiled gently, softly took Jiang Youli's outstretched hand, and tenderly placed the ring from the box onto her slender middle finger. Then he lowered his head and gently kissed the ring.
"Tonight, I have one more thing to announce." Qi Huan turned to the stage, holding Jiang Youli's hand, his voice resolute. "Little Li'er and I will officially hold our wedding on New Year's Day. We hope everyone will continue to grace us with your presence then."
The guests below applauded and offered their blessings.
Finally, it was Jiang Youli's turn to speak. She raised her head with a confident and radiant smile:
"As Huanhuan just said, our wedding will be officially held on New Year's Day next year. It symbolizes a new year, a new beginning. Huanhuan will gain a new life, start a brand-new chapter, and both Huanhuan and I will harvest new happiness."
"Good! Girl Li, you must be fiercely happy!" Old Zhou stood up, leading the cheers and applause, and proclaimed loudly, "I imagine many here still recognize this old man and have heard rumors about me. That's right, I am the Chairman of the Zhou family. Everyone should be clear about the Zhou family's standing in Jing City. I'm putting this out here today: if anyone dares to bully Girl Li like that Qi Yue did tonight, they are making an enemy of the Zhou family, and they will have to bear the consequences."
The guests whose family status in Jing City couldn't compare to the Zhou's were terrified into silence.
After Old Zhou sat down, many guests began to discuss among themselves.
"I originally thought that with Young Master Qi being disabled in both legs and abandoned by Jiang Yonghe, he had no choice but to marry into the Jiang family with that so-called village girl brought back from the countryside. It seemed like a fall from the heights straight into the abyss. But now it looks like if Young Master Qi marries the Jiang family's true heiress, it's truly a blessing in disguise."
"Absolutely. Everyone saw just now, the Jiang family's true heiress has such remarkable medical skills. She just casually cured a poison that even that authoritative doctor in our Jing City was helpless against."
"And she actually knows that former influential big shot from Jing City. Her connections are truly impressive."
Hearing this, Boss Lin nearby put down his wine glass and said with an air of mystery, "Heh, this is only what you've seen. This Miss Jiang is far more formidable than you know."
"Oh? Does Boss Lin know something more?" the guests asked curiously.
Boss Lin wagged his finger. "What I know is just the tip of the iceberg. But since Miss Jiang is now marrying Young Master Qi, she'll surely reside in Jing City long-term. You'll find out then just how amazing she is."
The guests were thoroughly intrigued by Boss Lin's words, eager to quickly learn if Jiang Youli was truly so deeply hidden and capable, and what other skills she might possess.
On the Qi family's side.
Qi Feifan glanced at Qi Shaoxiong and reminded him quietly, "Brother Xiong, you saw it. Jiang Youli has the Zhou family backing her. Her marrying Qi Huan is like adding wings to a tiger for him. It seems it won't be easy for you to seize the heir position now."
Qi Shaoxiong sneered dismissively, "So what if she has the Zhou family's backing? At most, the Zhou family can protect Jiang Youli. Can they interfere in our Qi family's internal affairs?"
"It seems Brother Xiong is determined to secure the heir position of our Qi family," Qi Feifan teased again.
Qi Shaoxiong laughed coldly, "Qi Feifan, stop being so sarcastic. Don't think I don't know what's on your mind. You're just hoping I'll deal with Qi Huan first so you can reap the rewards behind the scenes, right? Heh, you really think you're the smartest and everyone else is a fool, don't you?"
Qi Feifan, his thoughts exposed, stopped smiling.
Qi Shaoxiong continued with a cold laugh, "Just keep watching the tigers fight from the mountain. Let's see if you end up reaping the rewards or end up with nothing at all!"
...
After the engagement banquet ended, Jiang Youli and Qi Huan saw the guests off. Remembering something, she asked in surprise, "How did that guy Duan Jinghan suddenly disappear?"
A flicker passed through Qi Huan's dark eyes as he smiled and said, "I notified Duan Jinghan's father. He was probably taken home by him."
Jiang Youli let out an "Oh" and didn't inquire further. Although that guy Duan Jinghan had been somewhat annoying after the breakup, he had principles—he didn't collude with scum like Qi Yue to harm her.
At that moment, Qi Tianjue and his two sons walked over.
"Brother Huan, I never imagined your leg disability was actually caused by your own younger brother. I really feel it's unfair for you," Qi Feifan said with feigned regret. "If Qi Yue hadn't been brought back, your legs wouldn't be disabled. Grandfather was originally going to officially announce you as the heir of our Qi family tonight. What a pity."
Following behind Qi Feifan, Qi Xiuyuan also put on a deliberately apologetic expression and said, "Brother Huan, I'm really sorry about planning to gift you a hundred wheelchairs at your engagement banquet. Had I known you were crippled because your own younger brother plotted against you, I shouldn't have done something so insensitive to add insult to your injury and upset you."
Though the two brothers appeared concerned, their words were meticulously crafted to poke at the fresh wound of Qi Huan's betrayal by his own sibling.
