News of Miss Li’s engagent ceremony had been causing a stir in Macau’s high society for days.
The daughter of the Gambling King, Li Juncheng.
The son of the Shipping Magnate, Huo Rufeng.
This union between two such prominent families not only enthralled the social elite but was known by nearly every commoner, thanks to the endless stream of headlines that stord the news.
「That evening.」
Beneath a bright moon and a sparse scattering of stars, a mix of hearty and gentle laughter resounded incessantly from the pier that exclusively served the ultra-wealthy. A colossal luxury yacht, valued at over five hundred million, rested majestically on the water.
Just before nine o’clock, all the invited socialites had boarded the opulent yacht, where even the deck was plated in gold.
At nine o’clock sharp, on a deck spacious enough to accommodate hundreds without feeling crowded, the rhythmic lody of several violinists filled the air. The lavishly dressed guests raised their glasses of champagne and red wine, chatting and laughing as they toasted one another.
Amidst the crowd, a young man in a custom-tailored Armani suit beca the shining center of attention. Bathed in a sea of adoring flattery, the magnificent and confident Huo Shaojie bead with a brilliant smile.
The daughter of the Gambling King.
An international supermodel.
A beauty hailed by the people of Macau as their foremost goddess.
Crowned with such halos of glory, she was unmistakably a favored daughter of the heavens, one in a million.
Such a woman is about to beco my fiancée. How could I not be beaming?
"Shaojie, a man’s greatest success isn’t how much fa or fortune he accumulates, but marrying a woman who makes all other n envious. Clearly, you’ve achieved that, haha!"
"That’s right! Who else in all of Xiangjiang and Macau could be a match for Shaojie, if not Miss Li?"
"A perfect match of talent and beauty. He is a favored son of heaven who drives thousands of won wild, and she is a heavenly maiden coveted by all n—truly a match made in heaven!"
"You’ve hit the nail on the head. Young Master Huo is destined to beco an iconic figure in the Macau Earth Realm. After today, it seems he’ll beco the man all other n admire!"
Such shaless flattery flowed effortlessly from the mouths of those surrounding Huo Shaojie. Yet it was clear he thoroughly enjoyed it, his radiant smile growing even wider. Forgoing any pretense of modesty, he raised his glass of champagne. "Co, thank you all for being here. I’ll empty my glass as a token of respect!"
"Haha, Young Master Huo, you’re too kind! It is our honor to attend this ceremony for a match made in heaven. To that! Congratulations, Young Master Huo!"
CLINK! CLINK! CLINK!
Amidst the clinking of glasses, insincere but tacitly understood complints effortlessly beca the main the. Beneath the moonlight, it was a truly grand spectacle.
Amidst the interwoven sounds of joy and laughter, Huo Rufeng, wearing gold-rimd glasses, and Li Juncheng, leaning on a cane and appearing slightly frail, walked out together from the yacht’s interior entrance.
At their appearance, everyone on deck fell silent, their eyes imdiately turning to these two legendary figures.
"Dad, Uncle Li!" Setting down his champagne flute, Huo Shaojie quickly strode forward. Without needing a glance from Huo Rufeng, he showed remarkable perceptiveness and reached out to support the cane-wielding Li Juncheng.
"It’s alright, no need to support . I’m fine! Besides, from now on, you can change how you address ," Li Juncheng said with a sonorous laugh, looking at Huo Shaojie with approval.
"Dad!" At Li Juncheng’s words, an elated Huo Shaojie didn’t need a mont to adapt, calling out with a radiant smile.
"Good, good, good! Haha, after tonight, we can truly call ourselves one family! Shaojie, let be blunt: if you ever do anything to wrong Wenxuan, don’t bla for being harsh!" Li Juncheng laughed, patting Huo Shaojie’s shoulder with feigned severity.
"You can rest assured about that, Brother Sheng," Huo Rufeng chid in with a laugh. "As long as I draw breath, if Shaojie ever dares to treat Wenxuan even slightly amiss, you won’t need to lift a finger. I, his own father, will make sure he regrets it!"
"Haha, enough of that. Let’s go!" Overflowing with smiles, Li Juncheng walked steadily onto the deck despite his cane. He looked up at the watching socialites and announced, "Thank you all for attending my daughter’s engagent ceremony with Shaojie. I hope that after the formalities, you will all thoroughly enjoy this happy ti!"
"Mr. Li, you’re too kind, haha!"
"It is an honor to be aboard your yacht, Mr. Li. We will certainly enjoy ourselves, you don’t even have to ask, hehe!"
A cascade of insincere smiles and pleasantries followed. Huo Rufeng then stepped forward to give his own formal remarks.
Amidst thunderous applause, Li Juncheng declared heartily, "Alright, we elders have said our piece. Now, let’s have Wenxuan co out!"
As his laughter subsided, Li Wenxuan appeared at the entrance. Dressed in a pure white gown and wearing a floral crown, she looked like an ethereal fairy who had descended to the mortal world. Her face glowed with a happy smile as she erged, flanked by her entourage of wealthy and distinguished friends.
"Dad, Uncle Huo!" After nodding to the admiring crowd, Li Wenxuan smiled and greeted the two patriarchs.
"Wenxuan," the ever-elegant Huo Rufeng said, smiling at his future daughter-in-law. "Your father just told Shaojie to change how he addresses him. You should do the sa."
With blushing cheeks, Li Wenxuan shyly uttered, "Dad!"
"Ah, good, good! Alright, the stage is now yours! We elders won’t get in your way. Go on and complete your ceremony, haha!" Huo Rufeng replied with several satisfied acknowledgnts. After exchanging a knowing look with Li Juncheng, he let out a hearty laugh.
With that, the female emcee stepped to the center of the deck.
She called out, "Now, would the talented groom-to-be, Young Master Huo Shaojie, and the beautiful bride-to-be, Miss Li Wenxuan, please co forward!"
To thunderous applause, Li Wenxuan and Huo Shaojie shared a sweet, affectionate glance and slowly made their way to the emcee’s side.
After so routine remarks, the emcee announced, "And now, would the couple please exchange engagent rings!"
As she spoke, the attendants standing by their sides opened the ring boxes in unison. The brilliant, flawless diamond rings dazzled under the moonlight.
At the very mont they took the rings and were about to place them on each other’s fingers, a discordant voice suddenly cut through the air.
"Miss Li, don’t be in such a rush to put on that ring. Have you forgotten you still owe sothing?"
Hearing this sudden, mocking voice, Li Wenxuan’s hands shook.
The color drained from her face.
She snapped her head around, searching for the source of the voice.
At the sa ti, everyone on the yacht—from the illustrious guests to Li Juncheng, Huo Rufeng, and Huo Shaojie—turned to look.
From the other side of the yacht, they saw Qin Fan strolling slowly onto the deck, his hands in his pockets, with the elder Zhuge following close behind. The pair, one young and one old, advanced leisurely toward the crowd.
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