Gradually, the once lively hall slowly quieted down. Those who were still chatting warmly also noticed that the people around them had stopped talking and all looked in one direction. Following their gaze to the hall entrance, they suddenly felt a bit petrified. Then, they sensed the ominous expressions on the Wang Family mbers in the center of the hall.
Those who could enter the hall were generally aware that besides celebrating Elder Xia’s 80th birthday today, another crucial event was the engagent between Fatty Wang and Xia Xue. However, now Xia Xue was sweetly holding the arm of a young man as they walked in, looking quite blissful.
At this mont, not only did the Wang Family notice, but so did the Xia Family, the Qu Family, and everyone in the hall. The servers moving back and forth seed to be frozen in place, not daring to move. The air felt as if it had solidified, cold like a descending snowstorm.
At this mont, the Xia Family seed to rember what Xia Xue said last night: Engagent, I will definitely have it! At that ti, they thought Xia Xue had agreed to get engaged to Fatty Wang from the Wang Family. Unexpectedly, this happened. Elder Xia’s face looked even more displeased, but fortunately, despite his advanced age, his health was always good. Having experienced many ups and downs in life, he was not about to faint from anger at such a scene.
"Elder Xia, what is going on here? Is the Wang Family so easily disrespected?" Wang Zhantian suddenly stood up, staring at Elder Xia and asking in a voice as severe as reprimanding a subordinate.
However, none of the Xia Family mbers, including Xia Yusheng, spoke out, all deeply sensing the murderous aura emanating from Wang Zhantian. Yes, it was a murderous aura.
What kind of presence does the Wang Family have in Yanjing? The Xia Family was rely a second-tier family. How dare they embarrass the Wang Family in front of so many people, even when the head of the Wang Family was personally present? Such disrespect was not taken lightly.
Wang Zhantian, whether it was his na or his aura, was already astonishing, and when he was furious, even more so. Even though he didn’t have the intention to kill at that mont, the dignity he exuded felt chilling to others, as if a murderous aura surrounded him; no one could defy it.
Elder Xia was directly confronted with Wang Zhantian’s anger, indicating the extent of the impact. But Elder Xia was a self-made business tycoon who had seen plenty of ups and downs in his life. Although he felt the strong dissatisfaction and a hint of a murderous aura from Wang Zhantian, Elder Xia rely darkened his expression, calmly saying, "I will give the Wang Family a proper explanation!"
Upon hearing Elder Xia’s steady voice, whether it was the Wang Family, the Qu Family, or others in the hall, they all felt that Elder Xia was extraordinary. Being able to maintain composure under the fury of the Wang Family head was indeed a testant to wisdom that cos with age, having witnessed many storms without losing his composure or diminishing the pride of the Xia Family.
Seeing the Elder remain as calm as always, the Xia Family mbers felt slightly at ease. As long as their pillar of support was steady, the Xia Family wouldn’t disband into chaos.
Elder Xia did not move his feet. Others instinctively stood to the side, allowing Elder Xia to see Xia Xue’s current situation. Xia Xue was still holding onto Xiao Lin’s arm, though now there was a hint of worry and even fear on her face.
Wang Zhantian’s aura was overpowering, affecting everyone present. Xia Xue was inherently resilient and had Xiao Lin by her side, preventing her from feeling as fearful as the others, but even so, Xia Xue no longer had the spirited confidence she displayed when she first entered.
And as for Xiao Lin, faced with Wang Zhantian’s forceful presence, he remained utterly composed, his expression as faint as when he first arrived. The woman next to Xiao Lin, Liu Xuan, was sowhat nervous, slightly leaning toward Xiao Lin, seemingly feeling that Xiao Lin was her pillar of strength, providing more security the closer she stayed.
"Xia Xue, what on earth is going on?" Elder Xia looked at Xia Xue, his eyes nearly blazing with anger, as this really infuriated him. What was initially a harmonious occasion changed completely the mont Xia Xue ca in, leaving only his voice echoing in the now still air.
Xia Xue thought Wang Zhantian’s aura was formidable enough, but when facing her grandfather’s questioning, she still felt a shiver in her heart, almost trembling. Xiao Lin, sensing this, gently patted the back of Xia Xue’s hand, then held it, softly saying, "I’m here, don’t worry!" He then subtly reached into his pocket and pressed the shortcut key on his phone, dialing Wu Shuang’s number.
Seeing Xiao Lin’s composed deanor, Xia Xue gradually regained her calm and began to speak, "He... is the person I’m supposed to get engaged to tonight, nad... Xiao... Lin!" Even with Xiao Lin’s encouragent, when facing her grandfather, Xia Xue’s words were not as fluent as usual; this was the first ti she had seen her grandfather’s face so cold, his tone so icy.
"Are you trying to drag the Xia Family into ruin?" Elder Xia’s voice suddenly intensified upon hearing the words, like a thunderclap on a clear day, extraordinarily loud and furious.
"That’s just what you all think. From the very beginning, I said I wouldn’t marry Fatty Wang. It’s you who assud I would be engaged to him. Last night, I did ntion engagent, but it was definitely not with him!" Facing Elder Xia’s aggressive words, Xia Xue finally erupted a bit, as her inner grievances slowly ignited.
"Born as a mber of the Xia Family, die as a ghost of the Xia Family! Every mber of the Xia Family should contribute to the family, but what are you doing now? You’re trying to destroy the Xia Family!" Elder Xia shouted sternly, and if looks could kill, Xia Xue would be dead by now.
At this mont, not only Elder Xia, but also other mbers of the Xia Family, except for Xia Yusheng, looked at Xia Xue with hostility, most of them showing anger. The most furious among them was Xia Yunong. If Xia Xue had agreed to the engagent with the Wang Family, his daughter Xia Shuang would also be engaged to Qu Haobo from the Qu Family, resulting in a triple celebration. Now, Xia Xue had thrown everything into confusion.
Moreover, Xia Yunong was not foolish, but rather very clever. He slowly started to piece things together. Qu Haobo claid to like Xia Shuang and wanted to marry her, probably because of his father’s influence. The actions of Xia Yongbo were likely intended to gain the support of the Wang Family. If the Wang Family and the Xia Family turned against each other, the engagent with the Qu Family would also fall through. What he imagined earlier would beco nothing but an illusion. Worse still, they would have to endure the boundless wrath of the Wang Family. The Xia Family, already amidst challenges, might end up shattered by tomorrow.
anwhile, in another scene, Liu Zhixuan was making an effort to signal his daughter Liu Xuan to move away from Xia Xue and Xiao Lin. Liu Xuan saw her father’s hint but rely glanced at him, moving even closer to Xiao Lin, possibly out of fear of breaking the atmosphere or leaving a bad impression on Xiao Lin by distancing herself.
Upon hearing Elder Xia’s words, Xia Xue’s resentnt suddenly erupted, and just as she was about to argue with Elder Xia, a commotion of hurried footsteps ca from outside, accompanied by Xia Liang’s loud scolding: "Do you know what you’re doing? You can’t just barge in like this!"
Yet, as soon as Xia Liang’s voice fell, the doorway was filled with five police officers — to be precise, five mbers of the special police unit, all with guns at their waist. Leading them was a young female officer, around twenty-six or twenty-seven, whose well-fitted uniform perfectly outlined her body, emphasizing her impressive figure. Her flawlessly beautiful face held a serious expression, adding to her supre presence.
The one who arrived was indeed Wu Shuang, who rushed over imdiately upon Xiao Lin’s hint. With her status, it was impossible for Xia Liang and others to stop her. Although the Xia Family deployed a strong security force today, they dared not use forceful ans to stop Wu Shuang, the deputy captain of the special police team, resorting only to verbal attempts, which naturally couldn’t hinder Wu Shuang.
As Wu Shuang entered, the atmosphere in the hall beca even more delicate. No one understood why special police were present at such a ti. Had the Xia Family done sothing to fall into the hands of the police? However, the Xia Family had always operated lawfully; no one had heard of them doing anything atrocious.
Elder Xia frowned, his temper flaring further. Were it not for years of self-restraint, today’s series of events would have already overwheld him. Anyone with weaker health might have been angered to death by now. Seeing Wu Shuang enter, Elder Xia spoke with a displeased tone: "Officers, you are not here to celebrate my birthday, are you?"
Wu Shuang politely said to Elder Xia, "Elder Xia, I truly apologize for disturbing you on your birthday, but it’s a matter of duty. Please understand!"
"Oh, does Officer Wu have any business here?" Elder Xia felt a bit appeased by Wu Shuang’s respectful attitude toward him, but his tone remained sowhat commanding.
"We have just traced a hit-and-run driver involved in an accident, confird the fugitive driver’s identity, and unfortunately, that driver is present here!" Wu Shuang scanned the hall and, upon seeing Qu Yongbo present, paused for a mont, but quickly focused on Qu Haobo.
"A hit-and-run driver? Since when is that the concern of the special police?" Elder Xia asked in a low voice, knowing that allowing the special police to arrest soone among their guests would mark the Xia Family’s downfall.
Wu Shuang, however, did not respond to Elder Xia. Instead, she pointed at Qu Haobo and said, "Suspect in deliberate homicide, Qu Haobo, confird. Please cooperate with the police. Thank you!" Then she signaled the four special police team mbers beside her to proceed with the arrest. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit qidian to vote for recomndations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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