In the main hall of the Li family's villa, Li Guyi, along with core family members Li Lianyi and Li Qingyuan, were in conversation with distinguished guests like Ye Zheng and Gu Lu. The atmosphere was relaxed.
Except for Li Lianyi, everyone else wore smiles of ease and joy.
However—
When Zhu Mo entered the hall, everyone stopped talking in unison. Even the smiles on their faces stiffened slightly.
All of this was because they understood what Zhu Mo was about to do by entering the hall again. The guests invited by the Li family had all arrived, and the birthday banquet had not yet begun. With Zhu Mo, acting as the butler, entering the hall at this moment, there could only be one possibility.
Another guest had arrived, and an uninvited one at that!
They could even guess the guest's identity—Jiang Wuming!
"Elder Li, Jiang Wuming arrived at the villa entrance in Li Shang's car and was stopped. He claims he wants to wish you a happy birthday."
Under everyone's knowing gazes, Zhu Mo cupped his hands towards Li Guyi and reported, then asked for instructions: "Should we let him in?"
"Shang Lai, what's going on? Why did he bring that brat Jiang Wuming to the villa? That brat is obviously here to cause trouble!"
As soon as Zhu Mo finished speaking, before Li Guyi could give his instructions, Li Qingyuan frowned and said:
"Dad, today is your birthday. Don't let Jiang Wuming spoil the festive mood. I suggest we don't let him enter the villa!"
"A guest is a guest, and besides, he said he wants to wish me a happy birthday. How can I refuse him at the door?"
Li Guyi first glanced at Li Qingyuan, then said to Zhu Mo, "Let him come."
"Yes, Elder Li!"
Zhu Mo took his orders and turned to leave the hall.
As they watched Zhu Mo leave, the guests looked thoughtful. Most of them looked at Li Guyi, pondering his intentions. A few cast their eyes towards Li Lianyi.
Li Lianyi, as before, wore a calm expression, as if Jiang Wuming's arrival had nothing to do with her.
Seeing this, a glint flashed in Ye Zheng's eyes, further solidifying his judgment.
Gu Lu, on the other hand, raised his eyebrows slightly, sensing something was amiss.
A trace of anticipation appeared between Zhu Jian's brows.
His purpose in coming to the Li Manor today was twofold: first, to wish Li Guyi a happy birthday, and second, to finally see the man in person!
For a moment, the villa hall fell into a brief silence, the atmosphere becoming slightly eerie.
Meanwhile, on the lawn outside the main villa, guests who did not have the privilege to chat with Li Guyi and others in the hall also learned of Jiang Wuming's arrival at the villa entrance.
On one hand, many of them represented martial arts forces and possessed hearing far superior to ordinary people, so they had heard Zhu Mo's earlier report.
On the other hand, Li Muzhi, sitting next to Gu Tianlong, was the first to receive the news of Jiang Wuming's arrival.
"I didn't expect Jiang Wuming to actually come!"
"The Li family has already decided to break off the engagement, yet Jiang Wuming still chooses to come here. Is he here to stir up trouble at the birthday banquet?"
"No matter what Jiang Wuming's purpose for coming here today is, one thing is certain: there will be some good entertainment soon!"
Outside the main villa, the guests who learned of Jiang Wuming's arrival were far more excited and thrilled than those in the main hall.
Or rather, they did not hide their true thoughts, while those inside kept their intentions hidden.
Just as everyone was discussing, at the entrance of the Li Manor, Zhu Mo's disciples received the order to let Li Shanglai's car pass.
"According to what you said, many people in the Li family want to break off the engagement. Driving me here means you've offended them. Furthermore, you might not get the result you want—are you sure you want to do this?"
Inside the car, Jiang Wuming sat in the back seat, looking at Li Shanglai, who was driving, and spoke as a reminder.
"We're already here. They all know I brought you to the Li Zhuang. Even if I let you out of the car, it won't cover anything up. Besides, I didn't intend to cover it up. I thought it through last night!"
Li Shanglai looked at Jiang Wuming sitting calmly in the back seat through the rearview mirror and said this, his resolve unwavering.
Hearing this, Jiang Wuming said no more.
A few minutes later, Li Shanglai drove along the manor's driveway, passing through more than half of the estate, heading towards the front of the main villa in the villa area.
From a distance, Jiang Wuming could see several square tables set up in front of the main villa, with people seated around them. Among them were familiar faces, such as Ye Feng and Gu Tianlong.
"A car is coming!"
"Jiang Wuming is in the car, right?"
At the same time, the guests outside the main villa also saw the Hongqi car driven by Li Shanglai. Someone couldn't help but speak.
As if to respond to the guests, several people stood up.
Outside the main villa, in addition to the guests, most of the Li family members, including Li Muzhi, were also present.
As one of the prominent families in Longguo, the Li family was immense. Li Guyi's generation alone had six siblings, and each of them had several descendants, making for a large family.
At this moment, those who stood up were all Li family members, and like Li Shanglai, they were not core members.
Under everyone's gaze, after standing up, these Li family members walked directly to the roadside in front of the main villa and stood there, waiting for Li Shanglai's car to stop.
Soon, as everyone waited, Li Shanglai stopped the car by the road in front of the main villa and got out first, preparing to open the door for Jiang Wuming.
However—
As soon as Li Shanglai got out of the car, he was surrounded by those Li family members.
"Li Shanglai, what do you mean?"
"The Li family didn't invite Jiang Wuming, yet you brought him here—what are you trying to do?"
Several Li family members surrounded Li Shanglai, pointing at him and reprimanding him fiercely, their spittle flying.
As non-core members of the Li family themselves, they did not fare as well as Li Shanglai.
To be precise, they were all envious and jealous of Li Shanglai's position—Chairman of Longteng Pharmaceutical!
In addition, they dreamt of replacing Li Shanglai and taking charge of Longteng Pharmaceutical. Some had made considerable efforts but had never succeeded.
Now, they all saw an opportunity!
Because they all believed that it was a foregone conclusion that the Li family would break off Jiang Wuming's engagement with Li Lianyi. By bringing Jiang Wuming here, Li Shanglai had defied the Li family's will and was acting against Li Qingyuan and others!
Under such circumstances, they all believed that Li Shanglai would lose his current position due to today's events—giving them hope of taking his place!
"Do I need to report to you about what I do?"
Li Shanglai raised an eyebrow, retorting somewhat irritably.
"Uncle Shanglai, you don't need to report to them, but your actions will cause trouble for Grandpa's birthday banquet and the entire Li family. As members of the Li family, it's understandable for them to question your behavior!"
As soon as Li Shanglai finished speaking, Li Muzhi's voice rang out.
Under the sunlight, Li Muzhi had risen from his seat at some point and was walking towards Li Shanglai's car.
"Master Wuming is here to wish you a happy birthday!"
Li Shanglai gritted his teeth and responded directly to Li Muzhi.
"Wish him a happy birthday? Does he deserve it?"
Li Muzhi sneered and then stood beside the car.
The next moment.
Before Li Shanglai could say anything else, the car door opened, and Jiang Wuming stepped out.
Swish, swish, swish…
Instantly, all eyes outside the main villa fell on Jiang Wuming.
However—
To everyone's surprise, Jiang Wuming did not respond to Li Muzhi, nor did he even look at Li Muzhi. Instead, he asked Li Shanglai, "Mr. Li, is Grandpa Li in the villa?"
"Jiang Wuming, a few days ago, I went to Donghai and specifically looked for your sister to tell her to tell you not to fantasize about a toad wanting to eat swan meat!
As a result, you shamelessly came uninvited to my grandfather's birthday banquet, and you even address my grandfather like that—do you really consider yourself the Li family's grandson-in-law?
Why don't you take a look at yourself in the mirror? Do you deserve it?!"
Seeing that Jiang Wuming was ignoring him and even addressing Li Guyi as Grandpa Li, Li Muzhi pointed at Jiang Wuming with a look of mockery.
…