Chapter 177: Chapter 176: Why Are You Here?
After the children’s performance ended, the atmosphere of the banquet became even livelier.
The guests were still talking about the song, when the professional performers Li Xinyue invited took the stage. Compared to the children’s warm and sincere performance, the professionals were much more polished. The first group wore flowing blue and white robes, and when the music began, their sleeves moved like water under moonlight. The sound of drums, bells, and strings filled the courtyard, and several floating spirit lamps followed their movements, scattering tiny lights over the stage.
Li Zhang had just finished wiping his eyes and pretending nothing had happened when the performers began turning in graceful circles. He immediately straightened his back and looked carefully.
Li Cheng noticed and asked: "Are you studying their movements?"
Li Zhang nodded seriously. "Of course. If I learn this, I can make my punches look more elegant."
Li Cheng was quiet for a moment, then he said, "Punches do not need to look elegant."
Li Zhang looked at him in disbelief: "How can you say that? If I can defeat someone while looking elegant, won’t that be better than defeating them while looking ordinary? Look, a handsome guy like me needs to look good in everything I do."
Li Cheng thought about it and found that there was no need to argue with him on his birthday. So he only picked up a piece of fruit and continued eating.
At the main guest area, the adults had also begun moving around more freely. Since the formal opening of the banquet had already passed and the children’s performance was done, some guests naturally took the opportunity to speak with Li Jain.
A merchant from the east district approached Li Jain with a cup of wine in hand: "Master Li, I have heard many things about Spiritual Tavern. Although it is not open at the moment, I wonder whether you have plans to expand later."
Li Jain smiled politely: "For now, I only plan to reopen properly first."
"That is understandable," the merchant said. "But if you ever consider opening another branch, please remember my name."
Another guest nearby added, "Master Li’s dishes are not ordinary food. If Spiritual Tavern opens again, it will likely become one of South River City’s most popular places."
Li Xinyue stayed nearby and helped block the more troublesome conversations. Whenever someone tried to push too hard, she would step in with a smile and shift the topic away before Li Jain could be trapped into making a promise.
"Brother Jain is hosting a birthday banquet today," she said gently to one merchant who was insisting on a contact: "If Boss He truly wants to discuss business, you can leave a visiting card. It would be better to speak properly another day."
The merchant immediately understood that he had gone too far and laughed awkwardly: "Miss Xinyue is right. I was too impatient."
Li Jain smiled politely. "There is no harm. Leave the card with my sister."
Hearing that he had not been fully rejected, the merchant’s expression relaxed.
Not far away, Fan Ruyin watched this scene with a dark expression hidden behind her smile.
She had tried several times to move close to Li Jain, but Li Xinyue always seemed to appear in the right place. Liu Xiong also stood nearby from time to time, not saying anything, not doing anything, but his presence alone made Fang Ruyin uncomfortable.
What made her even more unhappy was that several guests had asked Li Xinyue questions about the banquet as if Li Xinyue were the one in charge.
No one asked Fan Ruyin. Even when she smiled and tried to speak, people only politely answered and then turned away. It was as if they all understood she had no real position here.
Fan Ruyin clenched the handkerchief in her hand and forced herself to remain calm. This was only the beginning. As long as she stayed, there would still be chances.
While the adults tested each other with polite words, the children’s side also became lively.
Many guests had brought their own children. Some were relatives, some were direct descendants, business allies. Before coming, many of them had been instructed by their parents to get along with the Li family children.
After all, anyone with eyes could see that Li Jain was not simple. Even if one ignored Spiritual Tavern, the way he raised seven talented sons was enough to make people think carefully.
Several children were pushed forward by their parents with stiff smiles.
"Go greet the young masters of the Li family."
"Do not stand there looking foolish."
"Try to get along with them."
"They are talented and come from a good household now. It is not a bad thing to make friends."
Among them, one boy looked particularly annoyed.
He wore a clean dark green robe and had a calm face that looked much too composed for his age. His eyes were sharp, and although he walked forward obediently, his expression clearly showed that he did not want to be arranged by anyone.
This boy was Chen Liwei. Li Zhang’s "good" friend.
His mother stood behind him with a gentle but firm smile: "Liwei, you are both students around the same age. Go and speak with them properly."
Chen Liwei said: "Mother, making friends should not be forced."
His mother smiled: "Of course. I’m not forcing you. Can’t a mother wish for her son to have actual friends?"
Chen Liwei and his mother look at each other. After a brief silence, Chen Liwei turned around and walked toward the Li brothers.
He had only taken a few steps when his eyes landed on Li Zhang. At the same time, Li Zhang also looked over.
The two boys froze, as the air seemed to stop.
Li Zhang’s eyes widened: "You!"
Chen Liwei raised his eyebrows: "So it is you."
Li Zhang stood up at once, his earlier birthday happiness almost turning into battle intent: "Why are you here?"
Chen Liwei looked around the decorated courtyard calmly: "This is a banquet. Naturally, I came as a guest."
Li Zhang pointed at him: "I mean, why do you live in South River City?"
Chen Liwei said: "I never said I did not."
"You should have said it!" Li Zhang stumped his feet.
Chen Liwei’s mouth twitched: "Why should I report where I live to you?"
Li Zhang was immediately angered.
Li Yuhan, who had been speaking to Jingxuan, turned around with interest when he heard the commotion.
"Oh," Li Yuhan said softly: "This is interesting."
Jingxuan leaned closer: "Who is he?"
Li Yuhan smiled. "A person your fourth brother dislikes very much, but can’t get rid of."
Li Zhang glared at Chen Liwei and said: "You shameless bastard, what scheme are you pulling this time?"
Chen Liwei did not look offended at all: "Do I look that terrible in your eyes?"
"And you cheated me more than once. What do you think?"
Chen Liwei smiled faintly. "I did not cheat you. You were simply too easy to mislead."
"Say that again, I dared you!" Li Zhang rushed forward.
Li Cheng caught his sleeve with one hand and reminded him: "Today is your birthday."
"That is exactly why I should settle grudges today," Li Zhang said angrily: "Start the new year clean."
Chen Liwei looked at him from head to toe: "You still speak louder than you think."
Li Zhang pulled his sleeve from Li Cheng’s hand and rolled it up: "Come here. Let me see if your mouth is still faster than your feet."
Chen Liwei did not retreat. Instead, he calmly said: "If we fight here, the stage may be damaged, guests would be disturbed, wouldn’t your father become unhappy, then?"
Li Zhang’s expression changed. He wanted to teach Chen Liwei a lesson, but he did not want his Father to be disappointed.
Chen Liwei looked at him calmly, and there was a faint teasing look in his eyes.
Li Zhang immediately understood: "You are doing it again."
Chen Liwei blinked innocently: "Doing what?"
"Using words to trap me."
Li Yuhan covered his mouth and laughed.
Even Li Cheng’s eyes showed a little amusement.
Li Zhang turned around and saw his brothers watching the fun. He became even more annoyed: "Why are you laughing? He is really shameless."
Li Yuhan said: "I believe you."
Li Zhang pointed at his face: "Your expression does not say that."
Li Yuhan immediately adjusted his face into something more serious. "I believe you very sincerely."
Jingxuan looked at Chen Liwei curiously: "Did you really outshine Brother Zhang during the entrance exam?"
Chen Liwei answered: "The little chick was hesitating, I did what I had to do."
Li Zhang almost exploded: "You made it look like I didn’t do anything. If it wasn’t because you were so scheming, I wouldn’t have been made a fool of."
Chen Liwei said: "That was not my fault."
Li Zhang asked, "Then whose fault was it?"
Chen Liwei looked at him and did not answer. But his silence already sounded like an answer.
Li Zhang took a deep breath: "You are very annoying."
Chen Liwei nodded: "I know."
Li Cheng finally spoke. "If you want to compete, choose a proper time after the banquet."
Chen Liwei looked at Li Cheng. Li Cheng’s expression was calm, but his tone made it clear that he was not asking.
Chen Liwei nodded politely: "That is reasonable."
Li Zhang immediately said: "Fine. After the banquet."
Chen Liwei smiled: "If your father allows it."
Li Zhang choked again. He turned his head and looked toward Li Jain.
Li Jain was speaking with several guests, but as if he sensed something, he glanced toward the children’s side.
Li Zhang immediately lowered his raised fist and smiled brightly. Li Jain looked at him for a moment. Then he looked at Chen Liwei. Then he looked back at Li Zhang. Li Zhang’s smile became even brighter.
Li Jain did not expose him. He turned back to continue speaking with the guests.
Li Zhang let out a breath.
Chen Liwei said quietly: "You are afraid of your father."
Li Zhang immediately turned back: "That’s called respect."
Chen Liwei nodded: "Of course, of course."
The two boys stared at each other for a long moment. In the end, no fight broke out. But everyone around them could tell that this was not the end.
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