The crowd heard these words and sniffed the air carefully, indeed detecting a fragrance they had never encountered before.
"I didn't expect this to truly be the Five-Fragrance Stone!"
Liu Hong's face was filled with excitement.
"I think Jiang Yi is clearly lying!"
Liang Yu snorted coldly and said, "None of us here have ever seen a Five-Fragrance Stone. Jiang Yi just picked up a broken necklace and called it a Five-Fragrance Stone. We have no way to confirm if it's real. It's all up to Jiang Yi."
The crowd nodded, finding Liang Yu's words reasonable.
"Think about it carefully, how could Jiang Yi, a mere nobody, possibly possess a gem like the Five-Fragrance Stone?" Liang Yu spoke.
"That's right, Jiang Yi can't have such a gem!"
Liang Ming also chimed in.
"I am familiar with the Five-Fragrance Stone. Let me see the necklace, and I'll know if it's real!" a stout boss said.
"Alright, Boss Zhu, please take a look for me!"
Liu Hong handed the necklace to Boss Zhu.
Boss Zhu took the necklace and began to examine it.
"Boss Zhu is a renowned gem appraiser from Huaxia. He has never made a mistake. Everyone will believe the results of Boss Zhu's appraisal, so you don't need to worry!" Dongfang Mei said to Jiang Yi.
Jiang Yi smiled slightly.
"Why should I worry?"
Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow. "It is indeed the real Five-Fragrance Stone, not a fake."
Hearing this, Dongfang Mei also smiled.
Liang Yu, watching Jiang Yi and Dongfang Mei chatting and laughing from not far away, was filled with anger, wishing he could beat Jiang Yi up right now.
At this moment, everyone's gaze was fixed on Boss Zhu.
A few minutes passed!
Boss Zhu was still continuing his examination.
After a few more minutes, Boss Zhu's face suddenly showed an expression of excitement, and his hand holding the necklace began to tremble.
"Boss Zhu, what's wrong?"
Liang Ming asked.
"This... this is the real Five-Fragrance Stone!"
Boss Zhu said excitedly, "I can't be wrong. Over ten years ago, I saw a piece of Five-Fragrance Stone as big as a little finger. But the Five-Fragrance Stone on this necklace is larger, of better quality, and its fragrance is even more intense. This is simply a treasure of incalculable value!"
Hearing this, everyone was stunned!
No one had expected it to be real.
Liang Yu's face flushed, as if he had been slapped hard.
After recovering from their shock, everyone hurried over, staring at the necklace.
"My goodness, I never thought I'd see a real Five-Fragrance Stone today!"
"The Five-Fragrance Stone is a treasure of incalculable value; even money can't buy it."
"Jiang Yi's generosity is too much. All the birthday gifts today probably don't amount to this necklace."
...
Everyone was astonished.
"This is my treasure, don't damage it!"
Liu Hong quickly walked over, carefully placed the necklace back into its box, and then had a servant put the box into the safe.
Seeing Liu Hong's excited demeanor, it was clear she greatly favored the necklace.
"Hmph! Grandstanding!"
Liang Yu snorted coldly. "To please Aunt Liu, he's willing to spend such a large sum."
Liang Yu was clearly unhappy.
"Jiang Yi, thank you for giving me such a precious birthday gift!" Liu Hong said gratefully to Jiang Yi.
"Aunt Liu, you treated me well before. This small token of appreciation is nothing," Jiang Yi said with a slight smile.
Liu Hong nodded with satisfaction.
"Jiang Yi is your potential son-in-law, so it's only fitting that he gives you such a valuable treasure," Dongfang Mei said with a smile.
Liu Hong smiled and said nothing.
Liu Hong knew that Dongfang Mei's words were deliberately aimed at Liang Yu, with the intention of making him give up.
The banquet officially began, and everyone started eating and drinking.
Dongfang Mei stayed by Jiang Yi's side, afraid he might sneak away.
Dongfang Mei knew that Jiang Yi did not enjoy such occasions.
"Shall I take you to the backyard?"
Dongfang Mei said to Jiang Yi.
Jiang Yi nodded, stood up, and followed Dongfang Mei out of the hall to the backyard.
Seeing Jiang Yi and Dongfang Mei leave, Liang Yu's brows furrowed tightly, and a hint of killing intent flashed across his face.
"Don't do anything rash!" Liang Ming whispered to Liang Yu.
"I know!"
Liang Yu replied, "I will definitely win Dongfang Mei back in a fair fight. I refuse to believe I'm worse than a wimp."
With that, Liang Yu also left the hall.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yi and Dongfang Mei had already arrived at the backyard.
"Don't worry about Liang Yu. My heart is only for you; I will never fall for anyone else!" Dongfang Mei said gently to Jiang Yi.
"What would you do if Liang Yu attacked me?" Jiang Yi asked.
"If he dares to lay a hand on you, I won't let him off!"
Dongfang Mei's brows furrowed, and she said to Jiang Yi, "Although I grew up with Liang Yu, I have no feelings for him. Moreover, I know his character very well. He's someone who stops at nothing to achieve his goals, and he's also a playboy. How could I possibly fall for someone like that?"
Dongfang Mei's continuous explanations were meant to prevent Jiang Yi from misunderstanding.
Jiang Yi smiled and said nothing.
In fact, Dongfang Mei didn't need to explain; he had already seen it. Although Dongfang Mei didn't say it out loud, she was somewhat disgusted by Liang Yu.
"Beep beep..."
Dongfang Mei's phone suddenly rang.
"I'm going to take a call!"
Dongfang Mei said, picked up her phone, and went into the back room.
Jiang Yi felt a bit helpless.
She even had to hide to take a phone call, so secretive.
He wondered what she was hiding from him.
He guessed it probably had something to do with Xiao Xin.
Xiao Xin, like Dongfang Mei, was also very secretive.
Jiang Yi sat alone in the courtyard, feeling bored.
Suddenly, a masked figure walked in from outside the courtyard, his sharp gaze fixed on Jiang Yi.
Jiang Yi was taken aback!
It was Liu Hong's birthday, and yet someone was sneakily entering the backyard wearing a mask.
"What? Are you looking for trouble with me?"
Jiang Yi looked at the masked man and smiled slightly.
"That's right, I'm here to cause trouble for you. I'm going to cripple you! Because you've angered me!" the masked man said coldly.
"Are you mistaken!"
Jiang Yi said, "I am an honest and upright person."
He had already guessed who this person was!
It must be Liang Yu!
Liang Yu appeared to be a smart person, but in reality, he was a fool.
He thought I wouldn't recognize him just because he wore a mask!
It was obvious who it was without even guessing.
In the Xiao family courtyard today, only Liang Yu and Dongfang Xun had a grudge against him.
Dongfang Xun definitely wouldn't make a move now, because it was Liu Hong's birthday, and although he was only Liu Hong's adopted son, he would never do something so foolish at a time like this.
So, only Liang Yu was left!