Bai Hengyuan had arrived early. The main guest hadn't appeared yet, but he stood holding a wine glass, striking a pose he believed was suave as he greeted and mingled with those around him, acting as if he were the host.
Unintentionally, he spotted a familiar figure.
"Excuse me for a moment."
With an apologetic smile, he walked towards the familiar figure, wine glass in hand.
As soon as he left, those behind him began to chatter.
"Who is that? I've never seen anyone like that in the Qiao family."
"You're just out of the loop. That's Bai Hengyuan, the illegitimate son of the Bai family. He's quite capable; I heard he's about to inherit the Bai Corporation."
"Oh, so it's him. But this is the Qiao family's event. Why is he acting like he's the host?"
"From what he just said, it seems Chairman Qiao admires him greatly, and the two families are planning a marriage alliance."
"The Qiao family only has one daughter. Doesn't that mean both Qiao Corporation and Bai Corporation will fall into his hands eventually? He's truly accomplished at such a young age."
"Indeed."
Bai Hengyuan walked smugly towards Bai Xingyan, who was obediently sitting in a corner, looking down at him. "Brother, why are you sitting alone in the corner? You should have told me when you arrived so I could make arrangements."
Bai Xingyan had come with Qiao Ci. As soon as they reached the entrance, someone called her away, asking him to wait inside for her.
The moment he entered, he saw Bai Hengyuan chattering with a group of people like a social butterfly. He smirked dismissively and found a corner to sit.
Aci had told him to wait for her obediently inside and not to wander off.
Facing Bai Hengyuan's provocation, he treated it as the barking of a dog. Since their relationship had already soured, there was no need for pleasantries. He simply looked at the wine glass in his hand, his long fingers toying with it.
Some people who had accompanied Bai Hengyuan saw Bai Xingyan's lack of respect and began to condemn him with disapproving glances.
Bai Hengyuan smiled helplessly and explained to those beside him, "My brother is spoiled by the old man and is a bit ill-mannered. It's also my fault; I returned too late and couldn't teach my brother properly. Please excuse his behavior."
After speaking, he put on a senior demeanor towards Bai Xingyan. "Little Xing, tell me when you're done playing, and I'll send someone to take you back."
Those who wanted to curry favor with the new power, Bai Hengyuan, could clearly see his displeasure with his half-brother. They stepped forward to reprimand the young man, saying, "Your brother is being kind; why haven't you even responded? These young people nowadays, after spending a few years abroad, have forgotten the ancestral virtues of propriety and shame."
"Indeed. They think they're so sophisticated after drinking foreign wine, but they've lost basic fraternal respect."
Bai Xingyan looked up with a cold expression. "Who are you gentlemen? I don't recall having a brother. Please don't claim kinship so readily in the future."
"Heh, Bai Xingyan, do you really think you're still the crown prince of the Bai family? Everyone knows Old Man Bai is nearing his end, and you're no longer the sole heir! President Bai is speaking to you out of brotherly affection; don't be ungrateful!"
Bai Xingyan's fingers tightened on the rim of the glass, revealing slightly bulging veins on his hand.
Seeing his silence, the man became even more aggressive. "Fortunately, the Bai family has Brother Hengyuan. If it fell into your hands, it would likely decline soon. Brother Hengyuan, on the other hand, is not only talented but also quickly built extensive connections upon entering the Bai Corporation. Now, he's about to marry the Qiao family's daughter, which will surely elevate the Bai Corporation to new heights."
Bai Xingyan's gaze turned slightly cold. He didn't want to listen to these people's incessant barking anymore and stood up to walk away.
A middle-aged man with a large belly and shifty eyes leered at the sharp-browed youth, blocking his path. He handed over his business card. "I'm Mr. Li from Xin Hao. If you ever run into trouble, you can come to me. I'll take good care of you."
Bai Xingyan frowned, clenched his fist, and was about to punch the pig-like head when a clear, cold voice cut through the air.
"Mr. Li of Xin Hao, how exactly do you plan to 'take care' of my little cub?"
Hearing Qiao Ci's voice, Bai Xingyan's expression gradually softened, and his clenched fist slowly relaxed. Realizing that "my little cub" referred to him, he couldn't help but curve his lips slightly.
He walked up to Qiao Ci, his face beaming. "Aci, are you done?"
"Yes, I'm done. Be good, my little cub, I'll play with you later." Qiao Ci was too angry and had accidentally used her affectionate term for Bai Xingyan.
Seeing her cub being bullied, she only wanted to defend him and couldn't think of much else.
Qiao Ci's cold eyes swept over the fat man before her. She took the business card from his hand. "So, you're in the building materials business. Instead of building a beautiful motherland, you're here bringing warmth to others. Truly touching. I wonder if your wife knows about Mr. Li's exceptional hospitality."
Li Fei Wu certainly recognized Qiao Ci. Seeing her show him such disrespect, he sneered, "Do you really think you're a person just because you're an actress? Aren't you just selling yourself? For a good price, you'll do anything, right? Tell me, how much for a night? I'll consider it..."
Unable to take it any longer, Bai Xingyan stepped forward and landed a punch on him. Grabbing his collar, he started to pummel him. "You dirty scum with a foul mouth! How dare you even think of coveting Aci!"
Qiao Ci, wearing high heels, feared she might kill the man if she kicked him, but she hadn't expected her cub to make the first move.
She didn't stop him. Her cub had wanted to hit this pig-head earlier, and venting his anger would be good for his physical and mental health.
Seeing this, Bai Hengyuan quickly gestured to the Qiao family's security guards, but none of them paid him any attention.
Thinking that he was here today to meet the Qiao family's eldest daughter, he couldn't help but frown.
Fearing that Bai Xingyan might jeopardize his plans, he had to step forward to break them up. "Little Xing, let go! What kind of behavior is this? This isn't your home; control yourself. It's not worth it for some actress!"
The implication was that Bai Xingyan was an unruly, violent youth even at home.
As a result, Bai Xingyan took the opportunity to kick him, causing him to stumble backward.
When Bai Hengyuan tried to advance again, at Qiao Ci's signal, several security guards quickly stepped forward to restrain him.
"What are you doing? I am Bai Hengyuan of the Bai Corporation! I was personally invited by Chairman Qiao! Let me go!" Bai Hengyuan struggled but was firmly held down, his face flushed and his neck bulging as he became somewhat ferocious.
Qiao Ci looked at him with her arms crossed and her red lips parted slightly. "I heard you're marrying the Qiao family's daughter?"
Bai Hengyuan looked at Qiao Ci angrily. "What business is it of yours? Do you really think you've become an upper-class person just by being a common actress who can't even get on stage?"
"Heh, throw him out. The Qiao family will have no further dealings with Bai Hengyuan from now on. An illegitimate son who can't even get on stage, and here he is, a toad dreaming of eating swan meat." Too lazy to look at him any longer, Qiao Ci instructed someone to throw him out.
"Who do you think you are! How dare you..."
"Yes, Miss Qiao."
The security guards, hearing the order, grabbed Bai Hengyuan and dragged him towards the door.
Miss Qiao?
Qiao Ci?
Qiao?
Bai Hengyuan's eyes widened.
Qiao Ci, the Qiao family... she was the Qiao family's daughter, who never showed herself in public?
How could this be?
Even as he was thrown out of the villa's gate, his face was still filled with disbelief.