Chapter 196: The Awkward Banquet

Night fell, and the ornate lamps were just lit.

Jianghai Shi's most luxurious hotel—the Golden Splendor Grand Hotel—was now ablaze with light, dazzling and brilliant.

At the hotel entrance, luxury cars gathered, fragrant attire and swaying hair, and a grand banquet was about to commence.

A black Rolls‑Royce rolled up slowly and stopped at the hotel entrance.

The door opened, and Yu Chengye, in a crisp suit, stepped down with graceful poise.

He briskly walked to the other side, opened the door gentlemanly, and Xia Yurou, in a red evening gown, descended elegantly.

She was tall and lithe, with graceful curves, shoulder‑length hair, delicate makeup, and she captured everyone's gaze the moment she appeared.

Jiangnan followed closely, dressed in simple casual wear that clashed with the surrounding opulence, yet he exuded an aloof elegance.

"General Manager Xia, Mr. Jiang, this way, please,"

Yu Chengye wore a warm smile and led the two of them toward the hotel interior.

The three passed through the Golden Splendor lobby, took the elevator, and arrived at the top‑floor banquet hall.

Inside the banquet hall, crystal chandeliers glittered, illuminating the entire space as bright as day.

Amid the melodious music, guests clinked glasses and chatted merrily.

"General Manager Xia, you're the honored guest tonight. Come, let me introduce you to a few friends,"

Yu Chengye, with Xia Yurou, weaved through the crowd, continuously introducing the city's dignitaries.

Jiangnan stood alone in a corner, quietly observing everything around him.

He noticed that although Yu Chengye appeared outwardly enthusiastic, a faint gloom lingered in his brows, as if burdened by something.

"Yu Shao, you look weary. Have you encountered any troubling matters lately?"

Jiangnan walked to Yu Chengye's side and asked lightly.

Upon hearing this, Yu Chengye's complexion shifted slightly; he hadn't expected Jiangnan to ask so directly.

"Mr. Jiang, why do you say that?"

Yu Chengye forced composure and retorted.

"I examined your features; your forehead is dark, your eyes lifeless—this is a great omen of misfortune,"

Jiangnan's voice was soft, yet in the noisy banquet hall it reached Yu Chengye's ears clearly.

"Did someone in your family die?"

The moment Jiangnan said that, Yu Chengye's face turned ashen,

He spun around sharply, staring intently at Jiangnan, his eyes filled with shock and terror.

"You… how do you know?"

Yu Chengye's voice trembled; he never imagined Jiangnan could pierce his deepest secret with a single sentence.

"I not only know someone in your family died, but also that the deceased was your grandfather, right?"

Jiangnan continued, his tone calm yet bearing undeniable authority.

"Moreover, his death was strange, wasn't it?"

Yu Chengye could no longer stay composed; his body quivered slightly, and fine beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

"You… who exactly are you?"

He asked in terror, his voice tinged with a hint of sobbing.

"Who I am, you need not know,"

Jiangnan said lightly, "I only wish to remind you that some matters are beyond your control."

"If you want to stay alive, it's best you tell me everything about the Feng Family."

"Feng Family?"

Yu Chengye heard this, a flicker of doubt in his eyes, "What are you looking for in the Feng Family?"

"You don't need to say that."

Jiangnan said, "All you need to do is tell me everything you know."

"I… I don't know."

Yu Chengye shook his head, "I've never heard of any Feng Family."

"Is that so?"

Jiangnan's gaze sharpened,

"Are you sure?"

"I… I'm sure."

Yu Chengye's eyes flickered evasively; he dared not look directly at Jiangnan.

"Fine, if you don't know, then let it be."

Jiangnan nodded,

"However, I hope you remember what I said today."

"Some matters are not yours to control."

Having said that, he turned and left, leaving Yu Chengye standing dumbfounded.

Seeing this, Xia Yurou hurried over.

"Jiangnan, what were you two just talking about?"

She asked concernedly.

"Nothing, just casual conversation,"

Jiangnan smiled and said,

"Oh."

Xia Yurou nodded; although she was puzzled inside, she didn't ask further.

"By the way, didn't you say you wanted to ask Yu Chengye about the Feng Family's news? Have you asked?"

"Not yet."

Xia Yurou said,

"I was busy socializing earlier and didn't find a chance."

"Then go ask now."

"I'll wait for you here."

"Alright."

Xia Yurou nodded, turned, and walked toward Yu Chengye.

Jiangnan watched Xia Yurou's back, a flash of complex emotion passing through his eyes.

He knew that tonight's banquet might not be that simple.

Inside the banquet hall, the atmosphere was lively, glasses clinking, fragrant attire and flowing hair, a scene of sheer luxury.

Yu Chengye stood on the stage, holding a microphone, his face beaming with a smug smile.

He cleared his throat and spoke loudly:

"Esteemed guests, dear friends, thank you all for carving out time from your busy schedules to attend tonight's banquet."

"Tonight, I have an important matter to announce."

He paused, his gaze sweeping the room before finally landing on Xia Yurou.

Xia Yurou was conversing with several partners; feeling Yu Chengye's stare, she gave a slight smile and raised her glass in acknowledgment.

A hint of obsession flickered in Yu Chengye's eyes; he took a deep breath and continued:

"I believe everyone knows that our Yu Family and the Xia Family have long been longstanding allies."

"And Xia Yurou and I have been childhood sweethearts, inseparable since youth."

The moment those words were spoken, a ripple of whispered gossip erupted throughout the banquet hall.

Everyone turned their gaze toward Xia Yurou, their eyes filled with curiosity and inquiry.

Xia Yurou's complexion shifted slightly; she hadn't expected Yu Chengye to say such words in a setting like this.

A strong unease rose within her, yet she kept a proper smile on her face.

"Today, I, Yu Chengye, will, in front of everyone, formally propose to Xia Yurou!"

Yu Chengye's voice rose sharply, like a thunderclap, echoing through the banquet hall.

Xia Yurou's smile froze; she stared at Yu Chengye in disbelief, completely stunned.

Yu Chengye pulled a delicate velvet box from his pocket, opened it, and revealed a dazzling diamond ring inside.

He knelt on one knee, gazing at Xia Yurou with deep affection,

"Yurou, marry me! I will make you the happiest woman in the world!"

The banquet hall erupted in a roar; everyone was stunned by this sudden scene.

"My god, Yu Shao actually proposed to General Manager Xia!"

"This is huge news!"

"Xia Yurou, isn't she the Xia family's eldest daughter? My god, if these two great families unite, they'd be terrifyingly powerful!"

"I reckon across the territories of the East Sea Five Provinces, there may be no second entity capable of matching them!"