As soon as these words were spoken, the entire venue erupted in a chaotic uproar.
Cheng Ran's statement was likely born out of pique.
Unwilling to be a mere tool of her family, she had chosen this method to resist.
However, despite her stubbornness, no one doubted the sincerity of her words.
Cheng Ran might truly have intended it.
But even so, who could possibly defeat Guo Shanhai?
That was the question.
Guo Shanhai's current achievements were not solely due to his backing by the Guo family.
It was his terrifying, almost omniscient discernment, like seeing the dust on a mustard seed.
To beat him in his own domain was simply wishful thinking!
After much discussion, the crowd shook their heads repeatedly.
"Let's forget it, there's no possibility of that."
"To beat Guo Shanhai? Hmph! If I had that kind of skill, would I still be stuck like this?"
"..."
Cheng Dong, who had been on pins and needles with anxiety, felt a sense of relief upon hearing his daughter's words.
He even began to feel he had misunderstood her.
Perhaps his daughter didn't want to marry Guo Shanhai, but was merely being ostentatious in front of everyone.
Showing off how impressive her future husband was.
Guo Shanhai almost burst out laughing.
Confident in his abilities, he straightened his expression and announced loudly to the audience below.
"As Miss Cheng has suggested!"
"If anyone today can defeat me, I, Guo Shanhai, shall voluntarily withdraw!"
With that, Guo Shanhai pulled over a chair, sat down, and smiled at the crowd.
"Now then, if anyone wishes to challenge me, please step onto the stage!"
As his voice faded, Guo Shanhai looked down at the audience with keen interest, an expression of disdain on his face.
He then gently closed his eyes, no longer looking at them, exhibiting an extreme level of arrogance!
The implication was clear: I'm not targeting anyone, I'm just saying everyone present is beneath me!
Below the stage, the crowd had fallen silent.
After all, for them, the outcome of this matter was already obvious.
Even though Cheng Ran had caused this farce, there was genuinely no one in the audience who could defeat Guo Shanhai.
Her fate was sealed, and the alliance between the Cheng and Guo families was a foregone conclusion!
Sensing this, Tao Jie's face contorted with worry.
"No! We must stop them!"
Saying this, Tao Jie was about to step onto the stage to challenge Guo Shanhai.
His objective was not Cheng Ran, but rather to prevent the Cheng and Guo families from becoming even more closely related.
Otherwise, with Cheng Dong's status as Deputy Helmsman, his own position would become unshakeable.
And the Tao family would be gradually devoured by him!
Thus, despite the Tao family not being skilled in appraisal, they still wanted to try their luck on stage.
Jiang Rou quickly pulled him back, asking, "What are you doing?"
"This isn't a competition of courage; the goal is to defeat Guo Shanhai."
"If you go up and can't win, you won't change anything!"
Tao Jie understood this perfectly but remained firm and serious.
"But I can't just do nothing and watch the Cheng family grow stronger and completely take over the branch?"
"Sister Jiang Rou, please don't try to dissuade me. Even if I lose on stage, at least I'll have resisted, just like Cheng Ran!"
Tao Jie's words touched Jiang Rou. The hand holding his arm slowly loosened.
This was a battle of destiny for the Tao family. Forcing Tao Jie to watch it unfold from the sidelines would indeed be too cruel for him.
Tao Jie, knowing he would lose, still wanted to try and prevent it.
No one had the right to stop Tao Jie, who possessed such determination.
Unless they could prove they were more suited for this task and make him step aside!
"Get out of my way!"
Hearing this, Tao Jie instinctively moved aside in a hurry.
It was Song Qiao who had spoken.
"Mr. Song, you...?" Tao Jie looked at Song Qiao in surprise, confused.
Song Qiao grinned, wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth, and said lecherously.
"Ranran is mine, no one can snatch her!"
What the...
The three of them stared at Song Qiao blankly, completely taken aback by the lack of composure shown by the esteemed leader of the Tongmen.
Tao Jie and Li Chong covered their faces, unable to bear the sight, while Jiang Rou said exasperatedly.
"Leader! Please don't joke around at a time like this!"
Ahem...
Song Qiao coughed lightly and began to speak earnestly.
"As the leader, I cannot stand by and watch the Tao family face trouble."
"At a time like this, of course, I must help!"
"So leave this to me, I'll help you guys crush Guo Shanhai!"
Although Song Qiao stepped forward, Tao Jie remained worried.
If the competition were about combat prowess, Tao Jie would readily believe that no one at this gathering could match Song Qiao.
But this was about appraisal!
With his position as leader of the Tongmen, Song Qiao had even more to lose than himself!
"Leader, perhaps I should do it?"
"Don't worry, my goal is to prevent the alliance between the Cheng and Guo families. I won't compete with you for Miss Cheng."
Hmph!
Song Qiao snorted dismissively.
"Get lost!"
"Back when Guo Shanhai and I were risking our lives, you couldn't even tell the difference between the King and the Ace!"
"What? Risking lives?" Tao Jie's eyes widened in shock.
He glanced at Guo Shanhai sitting on the stage, then back at the unharmed Song Qiao.
He instantly realized Song Qiao was bluffing.
If both of them were here and unharmed, whose lives were they risking?
Without showing doubt towards Song Qiao, Tao Jie simply advised with concern.
"Leader, but your identity makes it difficult to step forward. What if..."
"I mean, what if you lose? It would be embarrassing!"
Heh heh...
"I will not lose!"
Song Qiao chuckled confidently and pushed aside Tao Jie, who was still trying to dissuade him.
He then shouted loudly towards the stage, "Let me!"