DASFAM_64

Shang Qishun and Bai Hui's engagement banquet arrived as scheduled.

When Bai Xu, Shang Yanxiao, and the others arrived at the banquet hall, nearly all the invited guests had already gathered.

Zhang Changning, who had tagged along just to watch the excitement, caught sight of the grand setup of the engagement hall and couldn't hide his shock, "Damn, the first branch really went all out this time, making such a big show of it?"

Shang Queyan replied in a low voice, "I heard the guest list includes every business and political figure worth inviting, anyone who could be invited. Knowing my aunt's competitive nature, appearances are always something she has to keep up."

This engagement banquet felt more like a blatant declaration of power by the first branch to the outside world—

A display of their connections, their future in-laws' influence, meant to sway those who were still sitting on the fence toward their side.

Bai Xu caught a glimpse of the first branch couple in their finery and a faint gleam flickered across his eyes, "Have you ever heard the saying? The higher you climb, the harder you fall."

The grander the engagement banquet, the further word would spread and the worse the humiliation would be if something went wrong.

Shang Queyan and Zhang Changning exchanged a glance, both sensing that Bai Xu's words carried a hidden meaning, "Don't tell me there's actually something interesting to watch today?"

Faced with their curious expressions, Shang Yanxiao answered on his behalf, "Go take your seats. Today isn't our stage, we just need to watch more and say less."

"Alright."

The Shang family's seats had been arranged at the front table on the left side, and Zhang Changning, as a friend of the third branch, made himself right at home at that table without a hint of awkwardness.

Shang Le'er, who was already seated, spotted the newcomers and greeted them proactively, "Third Brother!"

Shang Yanxiao shifted his gaze over.

Shang Le'er drew closer to him and Bai Xu with her wine glass, speaking in a volume only the two of them could hear, "They've already met each other."

Bai Xu glanced around with his peripheral vision, playing dumb while knowing full well, "What? What do you mean?"

Shang Le'er was a smart one, and only said, "Nothing, I just invited my future sister-in-law to go shopping together, and we happened to run into someone by chance."

When Wu Xinyi had approached the second branch for help, Shang Le'er had already guessed that the ones pulling strings behind the scenes were Shang Yanxiao and Bai Xu, and she also understood the 'alliance and allegiance' that this matter represented.

She had taken it upon herself to accept the matter on behalf of the second branch, but didn't want to make it too obvious and arouse suspicion.

So Shang Le'er sought out Bai Hui, inviting her future sister-in-law to go out shopping together.

Shang Le'er was the youngest girl in the family, and the first branch had never been particularly guarded around her. Bai Hui got along just as well with her, and after some back and forth, agreed to it.

Bai Xu took the wine glass from Shang Yanxiao's hand, "Oh? And then?"

Shang Le'er smiled, keeping a card up her sleeve in both words and actions, "That's no longer my concern."

As for what happened after the shopping trip and what the two of them actually said to each other, she wasn't involved and it was none of her business.

"Third Brother, and also..."

Shang Le'er looked toward Bai Xu and switched to a different way of addressing him, "Brother Xu, I've done what I needed to do. As sharp as you both are, you should already be clear on the second branch's sincerity and where we stand."

The mere fact that Shang Le'er had chosen not to inform the first branch or help conceal the matter after Wu Xinyi came to her door was more than enough to prove her sincerity in choosing a side.

Bai Xu smiled and looked toward Shang Yanxiao, "Third Young Master, what do you think?"

Shang Yanxiao took the initiative to clink glasses with his cousin, lowered his eyes toward Shang Queyan at the table and said, "Queyan, Second Uncle has handled quite a few acquisitions similar to the Huawei Motors case before and has more experience."

"......"

The father and son of the second branch at the same table cast their gazes over, making it plain that they had been quietly paying attention to this matter.

Shang Yanxiao deliberately added, "That project we have on hand, you need to learn more from your elders."

The implication being that he was handing the initiative of this project back to the second branch.

Regardless of how the engagement banquet today would unfold, at least for now their common 'enemy' was already very clear.

Shang Queyan understood the underlying meaning and unconditionally went along with his elder brother's decision, "Alright, I understand."

Zhang Changning rolled his round eyes back and forth and muttered under his breath, "I keep feeling like you're all talking about something important, but I can't make sense of any of it."

Faced with his longtime friend, Shang Queyan still couldn't resist the urge to tease him, "See, I call you slow and you still won't admit it?"

"Hmph."

Zhang Changning let out a disgruntled huff, picked up a small pastry from the plate and took a bite, "If my second brother wasn't on duty today and couldn't come, I'd like to see what nerve you'd have showing off in front of me."

Shang Queyan casually teased, "It's always 'second brother' this, 'second brother' that all day long. Can your second brother really protect you for the rest of your life? Sooner or later you'll have a sister-in-law too."

"......"

Zhang Changning's previously puffed-up cheeks suddenly went still. He swallowed the pastry in his mouth with some difficulty, yet couldn't taste a single trace of sweetness.

Shang Queyan noticed his friend's mood instantly drop, "What's wrong?"

Bai Xu heard it too and looked over, "Changning?"

Zhang Changning downed a mouthful of champagne and instinctively rose to his feet, "While the engagement banquet hasn't started yet, I- I need to use the restroom."

Bai Xu shoved the wine glass back into Shang Yanxiao's hand and smiled at his friend, "Perfect timing, I was just thinking of going to wash my hands. Let's go together."

Shang Yanxiao seemed to sense something and gave a quiet nod.

The faucet turned on automatically as the sensor detected movement.

Bai Xu casually squeezed out a bit of hand soap, glancing at Zhang Changning who was still standing beside him in a daze, "Not going inside to use the restroom?"

"Huh? No- no need."

Zhang Changning hadn't actually had any urge to use the restroom to begin with, it was just a randomly made-up excuse, "I just got my hands dirty from the pastry just now, I came to wash them."

Bai Xu could tell he was making things up, but didn't call it out.

Zhang Changning squeezed out a bit of hand soap and began lathering his hands in perfectly textbook circles.

Bai Xu caught sight of his actions and laughed inwardly, "Your handwashing technique is quite by the book."

Zhang Changning blurted out, "My second brother taught me, he..."

The words stopped dead halfway through.

"......"

Bai Xu's eyes flickered slightly, "Changning, you seem to rely on Dr. Zhang quite a lot?"

At the same moment, Zhang Changning also asked, "Bai Xu, will you and Third Brother get married?"

"......"

"......"

The two spoke at the same time, then both stopped at the same time.

Bai Xu broke the silence first, "Me and Shang Yanxiao?"

"Yeah."

Zhang Changning nodded, "Aren't you two together? You'll get married eventually, right?"

"......"

He couldn't even bring himself to say the words 'being together' to Shang Yanxiao's face, let alone think about something like marriage.

Bai Xu had no answer, and could only reach for a paper towel nearby to dry his hands.

Seeing Bai Xu go quiet, Zhang Changning didn't press further, "I was just asking casually. You and Third Brother are both still young, there's no rush."

Bai Xu let out a soft laugh, "What about you then?"

Zhang Changning felt a pang of guilt under his stare, "What?"

Bai Xu chose his words carefully, "I've always felt that your relationship with Dr. Zhang goes beyond that of ordinary brothers."

Even Shang Yanxiao and Shang Queyan, who were around the same age, didn't have the same dynamic as the Zhang brothers.

These two didn't seem like brothers, but rather more like...

"Bai Xu!"

Zhang Changning instinctively cried out, not sure what he was trying to cover up, "What- what are you talking about?"

Bai Xu felt he had been somewhat out of line, "Sorry, I didn't mean it like that."

"It's fine."

Zhang Changning knew he had overreacted. A flicker of conflict stirred in his bright eyes, "Bai Xu, actually I..."

But before he could finish, the sound of footsteps at the restroom entrance cut him off.

In no more than three seconds, Shang Qishun walked in dressed in a tailored black suit. Their eyes met, and an invisible, hostile silence spread between them.

Zhang Changning naturally sided with Bai Xu, and spoke up on his behalf in a show of 'friendliness', "Brother Qishun, congratulations."

Shang Qishun adjusted his glasses, "Thank you. There are so many guests here today, I didn't even notice you'd arrived while I was in the hall. Please forgive us if anything has been lacking in the hospitality."

All surface-level pleasantries, executed with precision.

Zhang Changning replied, "Not at all, everything has been great."

Bai Xu met Shang Qishun's gaze with an unhurried expression, "Congratulations."

Ever since learning of Wu Xinyi's existence, his impression of Shang Qishun had only gotten worse.

Shang Qishun smiled, "Young Master Bai doesn't quite look like he's here to congratulate me?"

"How could that be? Isn't this exactly what the Eldest Young Master wanted?" Bai Xu had no desire to waste any more words on Shang Qishun, "Changning and I will head back in first."

Shang Qishun smiled and stepped aside, "Go right ahead."

Bai Xu walked out quickly, with Zhang Changning following close behind.

Only after the two figures had completely disappeared from view did the curve of Shang Qishun's lips drop, his eyes revealing the cold malice beneath.

So what if he hadn't secured the position of acting chairman, so what if the third branch had joined forces against him? What did any of it matter? As long as this engagement banquet could proceed smoothly, he would be the Bai family's son-in-law fair and square!

For large-scale projects requiring connections down the line, he would simply have one more shortcut than the third branch! One more chance at landing major projects!

As long as he held enough project chips in his hands, those profit-driven senior shareholders would naturally fall in line on the right side!

Whether it was Shang Yanxiao or Shang Queyan, they were destined to be nothing more than defeated enemies beneath his feet!

...

At one o'clock in the afternoon, the engagement banquet officially began.

The Old Madam Shang arrived at the banquet hall right on time, accompanied by Shang Keshu, and took her place at the head seat as a matter of course.

Shang Keyi, wearing a rare smile, sat down on the matriarch's other side, "Mother, it was my fault the other day, all the fault lies with me. But Qishun is someone you've watched grow up since he was little."

"He has always been a well-behaved and dutiful child. When it comes to the group's affairs, he has always followed only father's arrangements and absolutely has no such crooked intentions."

"Today is a happy day for Qishun and Xiao Hui. For the sake of the children, please let go of your anger and stop holding things against our family, alright?"

As she spoke, she offered up a cup of hot tea.

Shang Keshu, having heard every word from the side, remarked, "Big Sister, did the sun rise from the west today? It's rare to see you putting on such a humble smile."

Shang Keyi's smile stiffened.

The Old Madam spoke up in time, "Keshu, you are not to speak to your elder sister like that."

Shang Keshu smiled and held her tongue.

Shang Keyi swallowed her irritation and offered the hot tea forward once more, "Mother."

The Old Madam swept her gaze across the family members at the head table and accepted it warmly, "Alright, today is the engagement banquet for the two children. It's a joyous occasion, let's not speak of other matters."

"Understood."

The lights in the banquet hall dimmed at just the right moment.

The emcee smoothly set the banquet proceedings in motion, inviting one of the stars of the engagement banquet, Shang Qishun, up to the stage.

The guests around them couldn't help but break into various discussions at the sight of Shang Qishun's handsome appearance.

"I'm telling you, only the first branch of the Shang family could pull off this kind of grandeur! The engagement banquet alone is already this lavish, just how extravagant is the wedding going to be?"

"Exactly! I heard just this engagement banquet alone cost forty to fifty million."

"Well, the guests on the bride's side are all figures from political circles, each one a notable name in their own right. As long as you go all out and spare no expense, this future merger of business and politics will pave a smooth road ahead for Shang Qishun. Who could possibly compete?"

"Speaking of which, didn't he and Miss Bai meet because of that cross-sea bridge project? I remember it was originally Shang Yanxiao who was in charge of it?"

"Why bring that up now? Haven't you noticed the third branch and that person from the Bai family are all tangled up together?"

"If you ask me, when it comes to inheriting a powerful family, it really does come down to a proper marriage between old money families. A man and a woman, with the next generation to carry on, that's when you can really talk about asset distribution."

"Don't talk nonsense."

"How am I talking nonsense? Shang Qishun is well known for keeping himself clean, and Miss Bai is equally accomplished. A pairing like that, with both looks and talent, is how it should be."

"I think the group should just be handed to the first branch. With a union like this, the Shang family might just climb even higher."

Perhaps because the dim surroundings gave people the illusion of privacy, the voices around them grew louder and louder.

Zhang Changning had heard enough. His round eyes went wide in the darkness as he turned his head and asked, "Have you no manners? Why do you all love croaking like frogs at someone else's engagement banquet? Ribbit ribbit ribbit, on and on without stopping."

"......"

The chatter dropped sharply.

Bai Xu and Shang Yanxiao exchanged a glance and let out a quiet laugh, "Changning, don't mind them."

Zhang Changning huffed, "I just can't stand listening to it."

Shang Keyi noticed what was happening across the way, but deliberately said nothing. She was more than happy for everyone to know it—

Her son was simply more outstanding than the two from the third branch!

The partner he had found, and that partner's family background, were equally exceptional!

The emcee on stage spoke up right on cue, "And now, let us welcome the leading lady of this engagement banquet, Bai Hui, Miss Bai!"

The applause was thunderous. Every spotlight in the banquet hall converged on the main entrance, and the heavy doors were pulled open by staff members working together. But to everyone's surprise—

The doorway was completely empty, with absolutely no sign of Bai Hui!

"......"

Shang Keyi's smile stiffened slightly. She quickly nudged her husband beside her, "What's going on? Where is Xiao Hui?"

Wu Wei shook his head, "I don't know either. The engagement banquet arrangements were all handled by the children themselves. Wasn't the morning rehearsal going smoothly enough?"

As he spoke, his gaze shifted toward Shang Qishun up on stage.

Shang Qishun standing at the center of the stage furrowed his brow slightly, equally at a loss as to what had happened.

Just before taking the stage, he had specifically gone to the dressing room to check on Bai Hui, and she had been in great spirits, hugging him and saying how much she was looking forward to the engagement banquet.

"Where is she?"

"Did something go wrong with the program?"

"That shouldn't be possible, how could the program for an occasion like this go wrong?"

Questions erupted one after another.

Just as everyone in the hall was left completely bewildered, Bai Hui's voice suddenly rang out through the speakers and filled every corner of the banquet hall.

"Shang Qishun, let everyone get a good look at your true colors!"

The moment her voice fell, the large screens all around blazed to life, and a heap of deeply unsavory content appeared before everyone's eyes without warning!

In an instant, the entire hall erupted into an uproar!

–

TL: Muji

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