The music stopped, and the roaring waves before everyone's eyes instantly vanished.
The guests present finally snapped back to reality, though the awe in their eyes hadn’t completely faded.
"Absolutely breathtaking! This piece is truly extraordinary! The performance was so vivid, it felt like we were right there!"
"Was this really improvised? You’re a genius—an absolute genius!"
"If you had lived during the Renaissance, your musical achievements would have rivaled Chopin and Beethoven!"
Grandpa Qi stood up, trembling with excitement.
For someone of Grandpa Qi’s stature to lose composure and lavish such high praise on a younger generation member, it spoke volumes about how remarkable Jiang Youli’s self-composed and self-performed piece truly was.
Jiang Youli rose to her feet and gave a slight nod to Grandpa Qi. "It was indeed an improvised piece. I hope it wasn’t too embarrassing, Old Master Qi."
After his unrestrained praise, Grandpa Qi stomped his foot in frustration. "I almost wish I could adopt you as my granddaughter instead of just a granddaughter-in-law!"
At these words, Qi Huan’s hand, holding his phone, froze mid-air. He looked at his grandfather and chuckled helplessly. "Grandpa, that’s not happening."
The guests burst into laughter at the exchange between the grandfather and grandson.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yangxu’s family looked utterly miserable.
The more outstanding Jiang Youli proved to be, the harder it slapped them in the face. After all, everyone knew they had abandoned their biological daughter, Jiang Youli, in favor of their adopted daughter, Jiang Yonghe.
Jiang Youli giggled. "It’s fine. I can still call you Grandpa Qi now."
"Good, good, good!" Grandpa Qi beamed at being addressed so affectionately.
Qi Tianxiang’s expression darkened. He had never seen the old man praise any young person so highly—except for his son, Qi Huan.
This newly reclaimed Jiang Family heiress was far more impressive than anyone had anticipated!
And now, she was set to marry his son, Qi Huan!
What incredible luck!
Was this the so-called "fortune after surviving disaster"?
If this Jiang Family’s true heiress really had such talent, then his son Qi Yue’s plans to replace Qi Huan would face even greater obstacles!
In the end, it all came down to their failure to eliminate Qi Huan back then.
Jiang Yonghe’s face was deathly pale. She had lost—utterly and completely.
No matter how skilled her performance had been, it couldn’t compare to Jiang Youli’s live improvisation and playing.
Jiang Zhao and Jiang Xing were equally stunned into silence, their faces twisting with discomfort.
Their expressions were a mix of regret, frustration, pain, and embarrassment.
What Jiang Yonghe had hoped would be her triumphant moment had instead left her utterly defeated.
Jiang Youli addressed the guests. "It’s getting late. Thank you all once again for attending tonight. I hope my homecoming banquet didn’t leave anyone feeling neglected. If it did, please forgive me."
After the polite formalities, she walked over to Zhang Susu and Jiang Yehan.
"Dad, Mom, I didn’t embarrass you tonight, did I?"
"Embarrass us? You brought us nothing but pride!" Zhang Susu was already tearing up.
Jiang Yehan teased, "Look how emotional your mom is."
Watching this heartwarming mother-daughter moment, Qin Yulian clutched her chest and slumped in her chair, looking as if she could barely breathe.
How could she not feel miserable? Her biological daughter had shone brilliantly at her own homecoming banquet, yet all the praise went to someone else—not her, the birth mother!
Such an outstanding daughter, yet she called another woman "Mom"!
If she had known this would happen, she would have endured the temporary discomfort of keeping Jiang Yonghe at bay and found a way to reclaim her real daughter first!
"Alright, I should head back and prepare for next week’s engagement banquet for my grandson Qi Huan and your granddaughter. This event must be flawless," Grandpa Qi said to Old Master Jiang as he stood up.
Seeing him rise, Old Master Jiang quickly said, "Youli, see Old Master Qi out."
Jiang Youli nodded. "Of course. Please wait a moment, Grandpa Qi. I need to fetch something."
Under the puzzled gazes of the Qi and Jiang Families, Jiang Youli left the banquet hall.
Qin Yulian couldn’t resist commenting, "Youli really has no sense of timing. She’s supposed to be seeing Old Master Qi off, yet she disappears to do who-knows-what."
Grandpa Qi, however, waved it off. "A short wait is no trouble."
A moment later, Jiang Youli returned, holding a wooden box. No one knew what was inside.
Qin Yulian eyed the box and asked in a deliberately sweet tone, "Youli, what’s in that box? Was it so important you made Old Master Qi wait?"
Her tone carried an unmistakable hint of forced familiarity.
Zhang Susu felt a pang of discomfort.
Jiang Youli glanced at Qin Yulian. "What I’m holding is none of your business, Aunt Qin."
The term "Aunt Qin" made Qin Yulian’s chest tighten. She forced a smile. "Oh, come now, dear. No need to be so distant with me."
Jiang Youli replied coolly, "Since I’m not your daughter, distance is only natural." Then, turning to Grandpa Qi, she said, "Grandpa Qi, let me escort you."
Grandpa Qi nodded.
Jiang Yangxu and Qin Yulian also hurried to their feet. "Old Master Qi, we’ll see you out as well."
At the entrance, Grandpa Qi turned back, his eyes filled with satisfaction as he looked at Jiang Youli. "That rascal Qi Huan wasn’t exaggerating. His taste is excellent—far better than mine."
Then, glancing at Jiang Yonghe, who stood beside Jiang Xing and Jiang Zhao, he added, "Jiang Yonghe was the candidate I selected for Qi Huan after considering all factors. But you—you were his own choice."
Jiang Yonghe, who had just approached, paled at his words.
Qi Huan coughed lightly and smiled. "Alright, Grandpa, no need to dwell on that. Being able to choose her is my fortune, not hers."
Grandpa Qi laughed heartily. "Look at him, already shielding his future wife! Fine, I’ll say no more. You young people understand each other better without my meddling."
Jiang Youli handed the wooden box to Grandpa Qi. "Thank you for attending tonight, Grandpa Qi. This is my gift of gratitude. I hope you like it."
Every guest at the homecoming banquet had brought gifts, but the most lavish had been from Grandpa Qi—a "Beauty Pearl," said to preserve one’s youthful appearance.
Of course, that was an exaggeration, but its unique properties did have genuine skincare benefits.
"Oh?" Grandpa Qi accepted the box and opened it. Inside was a rare medicinal herb his grandson Qi Huan had acquired for him at an auction half a year ago.
Even the well-traveled Grandpa Qi was stunned.
"This…"
Seeing the herb, Jiang Xing frowned, recalling the first time he had confronted Jiang Youli—when he had trampled two similar plants.
Jiang Youli had claimed those herbs were priceless.
He hadn’t believed her then, but judging by Grandpa Qi’s reaction now, they must have been worth a fortune.
