Zhou Feng glanced at Xu Lai and finally chose to recount what had happened.

When the full story was revealed, Liu Nanwei's expression soured. "Liu Qing," she said in a frigid tone, "you are a member of the Liu Family. Do you want to see us destroyed?"

Liu Qing stammered, "Nan Wei, I..."

"Get lost!"

After uttering that one word, Liu Nanwei turned and began bowing repeatedly to Xu Lai. "Director Xu, Liu Qing is a distant cousin of mine. Though we're not closely related by blood, I sincerely apologize on his behalf..."

Her apology was utterly sincere. If not for the large crowd and her family's reputation, the frantic, teary-eyed Liu Nanwei might have kneeled right then and there. To her, Xu Lai was an undeniable, great benefactor.

"There's no need for that between us," Xu Lai said, exasperated. "Please, take your seat. Don't disrupt your brother's wedding."

He couldn't dare to cause a disturbance. If he disrupted the wedding, Ruan Tang would get angry. Having to kneel on a washboard when he got home would be a minor punishment, but being banished to the couch... The thought of not being able to cuddle his soft, fragrant wife was simply unbearable!

"Thank you, Director Xu." Liu Nanwei nodded repeatedly and sat at the second table. She was not originally supposed to sit there, but she did so mainly to continue apologizing to Qian Song and Zhou Feng.

At best, this incident was a misunderstanding. At worst, it could destroy the Liu Family's three-hundred-year reputation. Kicking a benefactor out of their home? What kind of person does that? It was the sort of shameful act that would have people pointing and cursing for years.

He doesn't even understand the simple principle of being a decent human being before conducting business, yet Father wanted to promote him. Was he trying to let this fool and his wife ruin the Liu Family?!

Fortunately, Qian Song did not press the issue, and the wedding proceeded smoothly.

On stage, Liu Beiming recounted how he had met, gotten to know, and fallen in love with the bride, Xu Yaoyao. He became so emotional that he choked up, his eyes filling with tears. Xu Yiyi and Qian Xiao dutifully scattered rose petals into the air. Amidst the fluttering petals, Xu Yaoyao threw herself into Liu Beiming's arms, whispering something softly to him.

Then, Liu Beiming wailed even louder, "Honey, I love you!"

Liu Nanwei watched in stunned silence. Her stoic, emotionless brother... was crying?

She glanced over at her husband, Li Mi. As the host of the fifth table, he seemed to have been moved by the scene. He began to think about his own rocky courtship with Liu Nanwei and, to her dismay, also started tearing up.

Liu Nanwei was speechless.

She was so annoyed. Why wasn't there a single real man in the Liu Family?!

Meanwhile, Liu Qing and Jiang Yuanxi remained seated at the fourth table. Many guests had witnessed the earlier scene, and if they were to actually leave now... it would likely result in catastrophic losses in the eyes of their business partners.

Even so, Liu Qing's heart ached. He complained, "What's wrong with you? The groom's sister-in-law was your old university classmate. That was such a valuable connection, and you... Ugh!"

Jiang Yuanxi hadn't expected the world to be so small either. Though she felt regret, her words remained defiant. "What's the big deal? Our company will do just fine without the Liu Family. It might just take a few more years, that's all!"

Liu Qing let out a long, troubled breath. That was the only way to look at it now. Although they had relied on the Liu Family's connections, they still had partnerships with several major hospitals in both Hangcheng and East Sea.

At that moment, the announcer's voice carried in from the outer courtyard. "Miss Su Daiyi from the Su Family of Hangcheng has arrived to offer her congratulations! She brings a pair of jadeite corals to wish the bride and groom a sweet and happy life together!"

"The Su Family!?" A stir went through the hall. With the annihilation of the formerly prominent Ye Family of the Martial Dao, the Su Family was poised to become the dominant force in Hangcheng. The family's Pearl, Su Daiyi, was the most dazzling flower in the city, a goddess who appeared in the dreams of countless men.

Her arrival prompted Liu Beiming and his father to rise hastily and offer their greetings. Even for a family of medical prestige, connections were crucial.

"Eighth Master, Head of the Jiang Family from Liu City, has arrived to offer his congratulations! He presents a pair of thousand-year-old ginseng to wish the couple a beautiful and full life!"

Eighth Master from Liu City!? Many of the guests' scalps tingled. Why was this magnate, who was famous for profiting from the dead, here as well?

Liu Beiming and his father exchanged puzzled glances. They had almost no dealings with Eighth Master, having met him only a few times... But since the man had done them the honor of coming to congratulate them, they had to go out and greet him.

However, the announcer's trembling voice continued, one announcement after another:

"The Head of the Dong Family from Hangcheng has arrived to congratulate..."

"The Head of the Bai Family from Hangcheng..."

"The Head of the Liu Family from Liu City..."

...

In succession, more than a dozen wealthy families arrived to offer their congratulations. And these weren't mere representatives, drivers, or secretaries sent as a formality—these were the Family Heads themselves, attending in person. Each one was a billionaire, and their collective presence was so imposing that it made the guests at the dozens of tables grow tense.

The Liu family members were completely dumbfounded. They had a connection to Su Daiyi through the Fang Family of Hangcheng and were slightly acquainted with Eighth Master, but the other Family Heads were people they had never even met, yet here they were, in person...

The guests, all elites from the medical field or other notable social circles, frowned. They all began to suspect the Liu Family had offended someone powerful. Could these magnates be feigning congratulations? Were they really here to hold the family accountable? Their stern faces seemed to prove it! Otherwise, no matter how influential the Liu Family was, it was impossible for all the top Family Heads from Hangcheng and Liu City to show up. Not even a provincial governor or a top official from the capital could command such a presence.

A flicker of malicious glee ignited in Liu Qing's heart. The Liu Family? What's so great about them? It'd be best if they were ruined!

Among the dozen or so powerful family heads was a white-haired elder named Cai Jue, the chairman of the Medical Association. He had deep ties with Liu Qing and could be considered his major backer in the business world.

Seeing Cai Jue's ragged breathing and grave expression, Liu Qing was certain. Today, the Liu Family is truly going to fall. Cai Jue's temper is rumored to be even more ruthless than Eighth Master's.

Jiang Yuanxi gloated, "Honey, it looks like your family has offended someone. They might be finished after today."

Liu Qing couldn't help but raise his voice deliberately. "What 'our family'? I, Liu Qing, have nothing to do with the Liu Family! Family Head Cai, I hope our cooperation can continue, leaving the Liu Family out of it!"

Liu Nanwei heard him. Her expression shifted, and she shot a furious glare at Liu Qing.

What a treacherous, ungrateful viper. The main family had poured resources into his branch for nothing. He couldn't even offer a helping hand in a crisis; instead, he was kicking them while they were down!

Hearing Liu Qing's words, Cai Jue was stunned. He glanced at Xu Lai, who was sitting at the second table, and began silently cursing Liu Qing's ancestors back eighteen generations.

The Su Family's rapid growth these past few months had made the rest of them green with envy. They had pleaded with Su Daiyi and Eighth Master to introduce them to the backer responsible for their success—the mysterious Martial Artist who had annihilated the Ye Family, Hangcheng's number one wealthy family. Then, they learned that this patron's wife's best friend was getting married today. Good heavens. An opportunity like this couldn't be missed! It was the perfect chance to build a relationship with him! They had scrambled to prepare gifts overnight, planning to make an appearance at the wedding to get noticed. But after presenting their gifts, they stood frozen in place, utterly terrified of making a single misstep that might offend Xu Lai. And now that no-good Liu Qing had actually called him out by name in public... That bastard must be trying to get me killed!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.