"My distant cousin is here for my dad's birthday today and will leave after dinner. We don't need to bother with him."
Seeing that Chen Xingsheng's gaze towards Xiao Xun was a bit off, Liu Shaoyu deliberately downplayed their relationship.
"Enemies often meet. You brat, I didn't expect to see you here." Hearing that Xiao Xun was Liu Shaoyu's cousin, Chen Xingsheng's lips curved into a playful smile.
He secretly thought that with so many people here today, he wouldn't dare to lay a hand on me.
"Young Master Chen knows him?" Liu Shaoyu frowned, sensing some conflict in his tone.
"Heh, I know him more than just that."
Chen Xingsheng constantly calculated. If this kid was Liu Shaoyu's cousin, wouldn't Liu Wenbin be his uncle?
An idea struck him, "Xiao Xun, if you return my money today, I can let bygones be bygones, and perhaps we can even be friends in the future."
Liu Shaoyu, standing beside them, looked surprised. This brat actually dared to take Young Master Chen's money. He was truly audacious. He immediately reprimanded, "Good for you, Xiao Xun. You don't learn anything good, but you've learned to steal. Hurry up and apologize to Young Master Chen."
Uncle Liu Wencheng was nearby. Seeing an opportunity to mock, he said coldly, "No wonder he could afford such expensive clothes. It turns out his hands are not clean."
Because of Chen Xingsheng's presence, most people's attention was drawn to this family dispute.
"Look at him dressed in designer brands. I thought he was a good young man, but I didn't expect his character to be so vile. I really misjudged him."
"I heard he's also Liu Wenbin's nephew. How can there be such a big difference within this family? Look at Liu Shaoyu, he's already helping his father build connections with influential people at such a young age."
"Indeed. He's not much younger than his cousin, and the difference is quite significant."
Hearing most people praise his son, Liu Wenbin was quite proud and happy. When he reached Xiao Xun, his face instantly turned cold, and he scolded, "You little beast, if you need anything, you can come to your uncle. You're my nephew, wouldn't I help you? Why would you do something like stealing? Hurry up and return Young Master Chen's money and kowtow an apology!"
At the banquet, all eyes were on the young man before them, some with pity, some with ridicule, some with scorn, and some with schadenfreude.
Only Liu Shijia nonchalantly ate the food in front of her, as if she didn't know Xiao Xun.
"Apologize? Chen Xingsheng, do you think you deserve it?"
For a moment, everyone exchanged glances.
"Is this Xiao Xun crazy? He actually dared to slap Young Master Chen's face in front of so many people. Doesn't he want to stay in this society?"
Chen Xingsheng hadn't expected Xiao Xun to defy his uncle. He felt a bit uneasy. If he really angered him and got beaten in front of everyone, wouldn't that be even more humiliating for him?
After much deliberation, he finally spoke, "Liu Wenbin, I don't want to harm my relationship with Liu Shaoyu over such a small matter. Handle this yourselves, and I won't say anything more."
Liu Wenbin's mouth twitched. He was so easily appeased by his nephew.
And then he shifted the blame onto himself, what a good plan.
In front of so many people, Liu Wenbin was in a difficult position. If he were to be intimidated by a junior, he would truly lose face in society. He put on a stern face and said, "You little beast, are you determined to humiliate me here today? Hurry up and return the money to Young Master Chen!"
Facing such an uncle, Xiao Xun completely ignored Liu Wenbin's words. "Chen Xingsheng, you smashed my shop and made me sign that damn contract, and now you're saying I took your money? You're truly shameless."
Mentioning this made Chen Xingsheng angry. "Your little shop? Cooperating with you was a compliment. Go ask around, any of my businesses is enough for you to live on for several lifetimes."
Xiao Xun smiled and looked at the crowd, "Were all your so-called businesses acquired this way?"
As soon as he spoke, Chen Xingsheng regretted it. Everyone had a look of realization.
"No wonder this kid is so tough. Being wrongly accused like that, anyone would feel bad."
Liu Wenbin's expression grew increasingly displeased. He glared at Xiao Xun fiercely, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly said, "This is all a misunderstanding. Apologies for the amusement. The banquet will begin soon, please be seated. Young Master Chen, please come inside."
Even knowing it was a misunderstanding, Liu Wenbin made no move to apologize.
After Chen Xingsheng arrogantly entered the hall, Liu Wenbin instead blamed Xiao Xun, "Our Shaoyu finally managed to get acquainted with a big shot like Young Master Chen. Xiao Xun, can't you just lower your head and admit fault for the sake of the bigger picture? Is it that difficult?"
These words chilled Xiao Xun to the bone. He said coldly, "Big shot? I think he's just a petty hooligan. If I'm not wrong, why should I admit it? Uncle, if your family tries to please that Chen Xingsheng, will I get half of the family fortune?"
Liu Wenbin's face stiffened. He stood in place, silent for a minute, then turned and left: "Ignorance. I can't be bothered to talk to you anymore. You're like mud that can't be plastered on a wall."
A black Bentley stopped at the entrance at some unknown time, surprising everyone present.
"Isn't that the General Manager of Yilong Group? Why is he here?"
"My heavens, Liu Wenbin's connections are too vast, even General Manager Lu and the group's young lady are attending his birthday banquet."
"The Chu family is known as Chu Half-City, the 'Living God of Wealth' of our city. I can't imagine Liu Wenbin having such great influence to invite such important figures in person."
The crowd whispered, even more shocked than when Chen Xingsheng arrived.
Liu Wenbin turned and saw them, his eyes immediately lit up, and his fawning expression reappeared. He rushed to greet them, "A rare visitor, a rare visitor. It's truly my honor to have you grace my humble abode. General Manager Lu, please come inside, please. The order your company placed last month will be ready this week, and we guarantee it won't delay your company's schedule."
"No, I'm not here for business today. Our young lady saw an acquaintance here and wanted to come over to say hello," General Manager Lu waved his hand.
Acquaintance?
Liu Wenbin knew that the Chu family's young lady was young and beautiful, delicate and lovely. If it was an acquaintance, besides Chen Xingsheng, only his son could barely exchange a few words with the Chu family's young lady.
The Chen family and the Chu family had always been at odds. The Chu family's young lady couldn't possibly have any dealings with Chen Xingsheng, so that meant... she was looking for his son?
With this thought, he immediately smiled gleefully, "Miss Chu, please wait, I'll call Liu Shaoyu out right away."
"No need. I wasn't referring to him. I've already found her."
General Manager Lu walked slowly towards Xiao Xun, "It's him!"
Liu Wenbin's face froze, and he stood stunned.
The crowd exclaimed in surprise. Xiao Xun actually knew the Chu family's young lady, which was almost unbelievable.
"Mr. Xiao, our young lady wishes to invite you out for a chat."
"What is her status? If she wants to see me, she can come herself."
General Manager Lu's expression became troubled, "I'm just a small figure. Please don't make things difficult for me."
"Just relay my message."
General Manager Lu nodded and was about to leave. Liu Wenbin said awkwardly, "Xiao Xun, General Manager Lu has rarely come. Why don't you invite him in for a meal before he leaves?"
He hadn't expected Xiao Xun to have such a background and now regretted it deeply.
Uncle Liu Wenzheng stood there helplessly. Thinking of his earlier cutting remarks, he wished he could find a hole to crawl into.
"Whether General Manager Lu stays or goes is not something I can control. However, I suddenly remembered something important at home, so I won't delay Uncle's banquet." Xiao Xun said, then grabbed his cousin Liu Shijia and turned to leave.