"Grandpa Ye, has Zhitong returned from the Lushān Sect yet?"
Yan Shouyi alighted from the car by West Lake, asking Ye Chengfu, the Lin family's old butler, who was waiting there.
Ye Chengfu shook his head. "The young lady has been frequenting the Lushān Sect these past few days, supposedly meditating with Sect Leader Lu Jing to cultivate her mind. But by calculation, she should be returning around this time."
Yan Shouyi had been busy handling matters related to the Zhao family these days, and since Lin Zhitong also went to the Lushān Sect to meditate daily, they hadn't had much interaction.
As soon as Ye Chengfu finished speaking, Lin Zhitong's exclusive Bentley pulled up behind Yan Shouyi.
Lin Zhitong alighted from the car, smiling. "Big idiot, I'm not late, am I!"
Seeing the clearly brighter smile on Lin Zhitong's face, Yan Shouyi was a bit puzzled. "Why do I feel you're much happier today than usual? Did something good happen?"
Lin Zhitong came to Yan Shouyi's side, tiptoed, and whispered something into his ear.
"What?! Sect Leader Lu Jing is going to pass the position of Lushān Sect Leader to you?" Yan Shouyi was stunned.
Lin Zhitong quickly covered his mouth. "It's not finalized yet, don't let too many people know!"
However, Ye Chengfu had already heard. He smiled kindly. "Congratulations, young lady. The master would be extremely pleased if he knew about this."
Lin Zhitong forced a smile. She had some things she kept hidden in her heart, but since everyone was so happy, there was no need to say them.
Yan Shouyi hugged Lin Zhitong and said proudly, "When we go to the Luotian Grand Ceremony, I guarantee you'll shine, and everyone in the Xuanmen will see how outstanding the new Lushān Sect Leader is!"
"Oh no, Xiao Long and the others are coming. Quickly put me down!" Lin Zhitong playfully hit Yan Shouyi's back, her face flushed with shyness.
In the distance, Xiao Long, A Gong, Luo Ning, Old Jin, and others were walking towards Yan Shouyi and the others.
Besides them, another person had also arrived: the赊刀人 Wang Jiwang.
Wang Jiwang had gone to his birth mother's city and observed her quietly for several days. Seeing that his mother was living happily with a new family, he decided not to disturb her and quietly returned to Rongcheng.
Wang Jiwang understood in his heart that even though his mother had a new family, it didn't mean he was alone and without support. He still had his younger brother, Wang Zhirai, and friends like Yan Shouyi.
"Brother Yan, what's making you so happy!" Long Feicheng arrived in front of them and asked teasingly, "Is Sister-in-law pregnant?"
Lin Zhitong blinked in surprise, while Yan Shouyi had already kicked Long Feicheng's backside.
Long Feicheng quickly admitted defeat, and Yan Shouyi then got down to business:
"Grandpa Ye has already prepared the banquet by West Lake. The Zhao family has also arrived at Rongcheng Airport. According to the schedule, they should be here in less than half an hour."
Mentioning this, everyone's expressions turned serious. Wang Jiwang asked, "Do you have confidence in dealing with them? That's the Zhao family from the Northeast."
"Don't worry, I've invited two uncles to help, and besides... it might not even come to a fight," Yan Shouyi said confidently.
Luo Ning looked surprised. "You killed Zhao Zhenghao's son and kidnapped his daughter, plus the old grudges between your father and their Zhao family... and it might not come to a fight?"
Old Jin also said, "Yeah, if it were me, I'd definitely be pulling hair and slapping faces!"
Yan Shouyi explained, "Fukada Ichiro wasn't killed by us, and Zhao Yiyao came to us herself. To be frank, none of this is my fault."
It was almost time. Yan Shouyi asked everyone to take their seats at the banquet. Regardless, they needed to put on a show when the Zhao family arrived.
If they lost face upon meeting, half the banquet would be lost.
Ye Chengfu, as the butler, guarded the entrance, waiting for the Zhao family's arrival on behalf of Yan Shouyi and the others.
Ten minutes later, the entrance to West Lake was opened, and a fleet of BMWs drove neatly into the non-scenic area.
Ye Chengfu saw the Zhao family's convoy arrive, straightened his back, and mustered his spirits to receive them.
More than twenty cars completely filled the private parking lot. Over a hundred people alighted from the cars, all speaking with a Northeast accent. It was indeed the Zhao family.
These more than a hundred members of the Zhao family were all led by a middle-aged man with a signature handlebar mustache. He did not alight, and no one took a step forward.
Having served the Lin family for many years and received many important figures, Ye Chengfu had keen eyes. He recognized the middle-aged man with the handlebar mustache as Zhao Zhenghao, the head of the Zhao family, at a glance.
Therefore, Ye Chengfu clasped his hands and said loudly:
"I am Ye Chengfu, the butler of the Lin family in Licheng. Our son-in-law Yan Shouyi and young lady Lin Zhitong are waiting inside. Please step in, Mr. Zhao, for a detailed discussion!"
However, Zhao Zhenghao completely ignored Ye Chengfu. He remained in the car, put on a sour face, and refused to move.
After a moment of silence, a young member of the Zhao family walked up to Ye Chengfu and said coldly:
"Our entire Zhao family has come, and it's understandable that the surname Yan doesn't come out to greet us personally. But why are you, this old man, standing at the door? What do you mean by this?"
Ye Chengfu, being of advanced age, naturally did not argue with a junior. He said calmly:
"No matter how important you are, when visiting someone's home, you must observe the etiquette of that home. This is our family's rule. If you wish to enter West Lake, I will lead the way. If you do not wish to enter West Lake, I will go in and inform our son-in-law to cancel tonight's banquet."
"You!!"
The young Zhao family member was furious. "You old fool, what kind of etiquette is this? Jianzhou is merely a southern barbarian land; how dare it talk about etiquette with our Zhao family?"
Ye Chengfu remained unfazed. "Do you wish to enter West Lake or not?"
"Damn it, can't you understand human language?" The young Zhao family member raised his hand, intending to slap Ye Chengfu!
However, a strong hand grabbed the junior's arm, and no matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't move it even an inch!
"Grandpa Ye, I heard the commotion but saw no one for a long time. When I came out, I saw trouble brewing. These Zhao family members truly have no shame, daring to lay hands on an elder?" Yan Shouyi said coldly, holding the junior's hand. "It's a good thing I came out."
The young Zhao family member struggled. "You scoundrel, who are you? Who asked you to meddle!"
"You traveled all this way to Rongcheng, isn't it to kill me? How come you can't recognize me when I'm standing right in front of you?" Yan Shouyi sneered. "It seems your Zhao family doesn't hate me that much. I thought you hated me to the bone!"