“Brother, are you serious…”
Zhou Fan dared not move. She was already scared by the slaps Zhou Wen had just given her, unsure if Zhou Wen was sincere or not.
“Silly girl, I’m your brother, why are you so afraid of me? I had no choice but to hit you just now.”
Zhou Wen said with a helpless expression, “I’ve already explained the reasoning to you. Today is Grandpa’s birthday. If you cause trouble, no matter who is right or wrong, Grandpa will be angry with you.”
Zhou Fan pouted and mumbled, “I know, Brother…”
Zhou Wen continued, “Today’s banquet is of great importance. Grandpa will choose the family successor between Dad and Second Uncle, so our performance is crucial. Even if we can’t add points for Dad, we absolutely cannot deduct points.”
Seeing Zhou Wen’s extremely serious expression, Zhou Fan couldn’t help but ask, “Brother, is this matter really that important?”
“Of course!”
Zhou Wen’s eyes suddenly became a little dim, “We must help Dad get the inheritance. Otherwise, the entire Zhou family might collapse, and I, your brother, would have no choice but to die to atone…”
“What? Is it that serious? Brother, what’s wrong? What exactly is going on?”
Zhou Wen’s words had greatly frightened Zhou Fan. Wasn’t it just an inheritance issue? How could it escalate to life and death?
“You don’t need to ask about this.”
Zhou Wen clearly didn’t want to explain too much to his sister, “In short, you must behave tonight and not cause any trouble.”
“As for Li Ziqing, hmph, we’ll have plenty of opportunities to deal with such a minor character later!”
…
At the same time, the extremely luxurious banquet hall was brightly lit.
When Chen Xiao and the other two walked in, many people had already arrived. They were all dressed luxuriously, elegantly, and possessed distinguished气质. They were gathered in twos and threes, chatting and laughing.
This was indeed true to the saying that the friends of the rich are also all rich.
As soon as Zhou Yuanyuan appeared, many people came to greet her. Among them were elegant gentlemen with refined demeanor, their gazes filled with admiration for Zhou Yuanyuan.
Zhou Yuanyuan was graceful and conversed familiarly with everyone, acting like a social butterfly.
Zhou Yuanyuan’s status as an aunt made Chen Xiao overlook the fact that she was a very beautiful woman, and also a very beautiful single woman.
Chen Xiao whispered to Li Ziqing, “Auntie is quite popular…”
Li Ziqing said proudly, “Of course. Twenty years ago, Auntie was the renowned Rose of Weicheng. Not only was she beautiful, but she was also full of thorns!”
As soon as Li Ziqing finished speaking, Chen Xiao said softly, “You’re not bad either, surpassing the master.”
The men around were constantly glancing at Li Ziqing. If Chen Xiao hadn’t been there, they would have already come to strike up a conversation.
Li Ziqing chuckled and said, “What, are you jealous?”
“Jealous?”
Chen Xiao would naturally not admit it. He snorted disdainfully and said, “Do they even deserve to make me jealous?”
Li Ziqing smiled sweetly and deliberately leaned her mouth close to Chen Xiao’s ear, whispering, “Husband, don’t be jealous. I belong only to you…”
This scene made the men around extremely jealous, and they all cast angry glances at Chen Xiao.
The warm breath exhaled by Li Ziqing on Chen Xiao’s ear made Chen Xiao instantly not want to stay at the banquet.
He now only wanted to take Li Ziqing home and throw her onto that soft, plush bed…
However, now was clearly not the time for such things. Chen Xiao could feel that Li Ziqing was hiding something from him.
And something was bound to happen at this banquet.
Li Ziqing didn’t say anything, and Chen Xiao didn’t ask. This was a form of respect and a tacit understanding.
However, Li Ziqing also seemed unwilling to attract attention. While her aunt was socializing with others, she pulled Chen Xiao to a quiet corner to sit down.
“Husband, what if someone bullies me later?”
After sitting down, Li Ziqing suddenly asked.
Chen Xiao said proudly, “My woman, besides myself, no one can bully!”
“Tsk~ You’re not allowed to bully me either!”
Li Ziqing looked displeased, but her heart was filled with joy. She asked again, “So, no matter what happens today, you will stand by my side, right?”
“Of course, you are my wife. If I don’t stand by you, who else can I stand by?”
Chen Xiao’s answer was without any hesitation, because such questions didn’t require any thought.
Li Ziqing still pressed on, “What if I go too far?”
Chen Xiao smiled and said lightly, “Even if you break the sky, I will help you hold it up!”
Li Ziqing was stunned. She felt as if she was enveloped by a great warmth, moved beyond words.
From childhood to adulthood, she had long been accustomed to facing everything alone. It was only after meeting Chen Xiao that she felt she was no longer fighting alone.
Just then, there was a commotion at the entrance, and then the banquet hall erupted in warm applause.
Amidst the applause, an elder in a red, luxurious robe slowly walked in.
The elder had a amiable smile, his face ruddy, and his white hair neatly combed back. He was waving to everyone with a smile.
Without Li Ziqing’s introduction, Chen Xiao could guess that this elder was the helmsman of the Zhou family, Zhou Zhishan.
Zhou Zhishan had the appearance of a formidable figure. Even with his amiable smile, he exuded an aura that made people feel distant.
Chen Xiao also noticed that when Li Ziqing saw the elder, there was no joy of a junior seeing an elder in her eyes.
There was only hatred!
Zhou Zhishan entered the banquet hall surrounded by people, with two individuals closest to him.
One of them looked around sixty years old, extremely well-maintained, with a pale, beardless face and many similarities in his eyebrows and eyes to Zhou Zhishan.
Needless to say, this must be Zhou Zhishan’s eldest son, Zhou Weiguo, who was Zhou Wen and Zhou Fan’s father.
On Zhou Zhishan’s other side was an elder with a red nose. His age was similar to Zhou Zhishan’s, but his spirit was several times better than Zhou Zhishan’s.
Especially his eyes, sharp as a falcon’s, revealing his edge without any concealment.
To be so sharp and unyielding at this age, one could imagine that this must be a formidable character!
Chen Xiao narrowed his eyes slightly. He could feel a dangerous aura from this elder, and it was likely the one referred to as ‘Uncle Luo’ whom his aunt had mentioned.
Supported by Zhou Weiguo and Uncle Luo on either side, Zhou Zhishan arrived at the grand armchair in the center of the banquet hall and sat down.
Zhou Weiguo raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet, and the entire venue fell silent.
This meant that Zhou Zhishan’s 80th birthday banquet had officially begun…