Chapter 181: Banquet Preparations
The Sun mansion buzzed with activity as workers hurriedly adorned the expansive hall for the upcoming night’s celebration. Sun Weilong’s authoritative voice resonated throughout the day, meticulously overseeing every detail and ensuring perfection in the arrangements. His keen eye never missed a flaw, prompting him to address any perceived imperfections with passionate insistence.
Amidst the hustle and bustle, Grandpa Sun found himself grappling with a swirl of emotions. The festivities stirred memories of his late wife, and he couldn’t help but yearn for her presence on this significant day. Observing Sun Weilong’s dynamic involvement, he couldn’t escape the realization that his son mirrored his mother’s penchant for perfectionism.
As Sun Weilong tirelessly worked to uphold the family’s standards, Grandpa Sun’s thoughts lingered on the past, wishing for a shared celebration with his departed wife. Witnessing Sun Weilong’s commitment, he acknowledged the familiar traits inherited from his mother.
Meanwhile, Li Chen received a message from Chen Yunlong and promptly went to his place. There, Chen Yunlong handed him something intended for his cousin, Li Xinjie. The exchange carried a weight of hope, a glimmer that this might be a solution to help Li Xinjie regain control.
Li Chen, grappling with concern for his cousin, asked, "Will it help him?"
Chen Yunlong, offering a potential remedy, replied, "This will keep him in control for a few hours."
A sense of gratitude filled Li Chen as he expressed his thanks. On his return to the villa, Li Chen found Li Yanyan, Li Xinjie, and Sun Lixia. The atmosphere was tense with worry as they prepared to confront Sun Fang’s unpredictable state.
Li Chen suggested, "Let’s go to him."
In the basement, they discovered Sun Fang, visibly distressed, rocking back and forth. The situation took an unexpected turn when, upon trying to bring him out, Sun Fang launched into an attack on the guard. Confusion and concern permeated the air as Sun Lixia questioned, "What’s happening?" The unpredictability of the moment added a layer of tension, leaving everyone on edge.
The guard, navigating the chaotic situation, attempted to subdue Sun Fang without causing harm. Sun Fang, resembling a unleashed beast, fought fiercely, driven by an unseen force. Li Chen approached cautiously, and Sun Lixia warned, "Be careful." Li Chen swiftly retrieved the small bottle Chen Yunlong provided, moving with such speed that even those nearby struggled to follow his actions.
As Sun Fang continued his rampage, Li Chen, aided by the guard, managed to pin him to the ground. Sun Fang’s growls echoed like a predatory beast. In a swift motion, Li Chen sprinkled the liquid from the bottle on Sun Fang’s face. The effect was almost immediate – Sun Fang’s aggression subsided, and his eyes returned to normal.
Li Chen stepped away as Sun Fang, now confused, looked around and questioned, "Li Chen, what’s going on? Why am I here?" Sun Lixia sighed with relief as she witnessed Sun Fang’s return to his usual self. Li Chen explained the situation, revealing the mind control spell and the danger it posed.
Sun Fang, still recovering, expressed a heavy sensation in his head. Li Chen, concerned yet relieved, advised, "Someone cast a mind control spell on you, and you almost killed me."
Sun Fang, still processing the revelation, uttered a shocked "What?" Li Chen reassured him and urged, "I’ll explain later. For now, go and get ready for the banquet." The urgency of the upcoming event shifted their focus, and Li Chen, Sun Lixia, and Sun Fang left the tense scene to prepare for the celebratory night ahead.
Sun Lixia offered a warm smile to Sun Fang and said, "Come, let me make you something to eat, okay?" Sun Fang, feeling grateful, nodded and replied, "Thanks, Aunt Lixia. I’m starving." Despite the confusion surrounding recent events, he decided to set aside his questions for the moment, focusing on the immediate need for food. Sun Lixia quickly prepared a sandwich for him.
As Sun Fang made his way to the living room to eat, he encountered two unfamiliar faces. Li Chen introduced them, saying, "Sun Fang, meet my aunt, Li Yanyan, and my twin brother, Li Xinjie." Sun Fang was taken aback, realizing Li Chen had a twin. Seeing Sun Fang’s confusion, Sun Lixia intervened, acknowledging the complexity of the situation with a simple, "It’s a long story."
Turning her attention to Li Yanyan and Li Xinjie, Sun Lixia continued the introductions, saying, "This is Sun Weilong’s second son, Sun Fang." Both Li Yanyan and Li Xinjie nodded in greeting. Sun Fang, realizing he had other obligations for the night, expressed, "Aunt Lixia, I have to go. My dad and grandpa would kill me if I’m late tonight. See you all tonight."
Sun Lixia assured him, "Sure, your car is in the garage." Sun Fang was momentarily surprised, realizing he had driven there, although the details seemed elusive in his memory.
Li Chen, feeling a sense of urgency, announced, "I have to rush somewhere. I’ll be back very soon." Li Yanyan, displaying concern for safety, suggested, "Take Ren Zirui with you. We don’t want to give Agent 19 an opening." Li Chen agreed, nodding, "Okay." The importance of caution in the face of potential threats was evident, and Li Chen acknowledged the need for additional protection.
Ren Zirui drove Li Chen to the mall, the atmosphere inside the car tense with anticipation. Li Chen had ordered a gown and jewelry for Zhang Mei a few days earlier, intending to surprise her with an invitation to the upcoming banquet. As they arrived at the store, Li Chen quickly exited the vehicle, determined to pick up the items and arrange everything for the evening.
Inside the store, Li Chen approached the counter, where a sales assistant greeted him, "Afternoon, sir. What can I help you with today?" Li Chen replied, "I’m here to collect an order." The sales assistant smiled, "Please come to the counter."
While Li Chen waited, he overheard the voice of Hu Yunxuan behind him. Hu Yunxuan urgently told the sales assistant attending to her, "I need that dress tonight." The assistant explained, "Sorry, miss, that dress was only available online as it’s a limited edition." Undeterred, Hu Yunxuan pressed, "Name your price." The sales assistant calmly responded, "Someone has already paid for this dress, so we can’t give it to you."
Meanwhile, the sales assistant handling Li Chen’s order walked towards the dress, carefully preparing it for collection. Hu Yunxuan, growing more desperate, demanded, "Hey, where are you taking my dress?" The assistant clarified, "The customer has come to pick it up." Hu Yunxuan, puzzled, questioned, "Where is she? I’ll give her double what she paid."
The sales assistant clarified, "Is that gentleman over there?" Hu Yunxuan looked at Li Chen, noting his well-toned physique. She adjusted her dress, put on a smile, and confidently approached him. When Li Chen turned around, Hu Yunxuan was taken aback. She exclaimed, "Li Chen, you’re the one here for the dress?" Li Chen calmly responded, "I believe so, yes."
Unfazed, Hu Yunxuan scoffed and provocatively asked, "How can a good-for-nothing like you afford a million-yuan dress? Are you collecting it for your sugar mama?" Li Chen chose to ignore her and addressed the sales agent, "Please hurry up; I have to go somewhere else." The sales assistant requested Li Chen’s ID, and he handed it over.
Not willing to be dismissed, Hu Yunxuan taunted, "Hey, don’t you dare ignore me, you bastard. Give that dress to me, and I’ll pay double the price. You can keep the other million for yourself. Your sugar mama doesn’t have to know." Li Chen shook his head, growing tired of the assumptions about Sun Lixia being his sugar mama. He decided not to correct her, knowing that everything would be revealed at the banquet later that night.
Li Chen firmly stated, "No, I’m not giving you this dress; it’s for someone special." With that, he took the dress and walked out, leaving behind a furious Hu Yunxuan.
