Chapter 182: Sun Family Banquet
Li Chen proceeded to the jewellery store, collected the ordered pieces, and returned to the car. Ren Zirui drove them back, and as they arrived, darkness had already settled. The banquet was scheduled for 8 PM, and preparations were in full swing. Li Chen headed to Zhang Mei’s room and knocked gently. Zhang Mei, engrossed with her phone, welcomed him, saying, "Come in."
Li Chen pushed the door open, and as Zhang Mei noticed him, she sat up and asked, "Hey, Li Chen, need anything?" Li Chen, hesitating a bit, eventually said, "Well, I was wondering... would you be my date at the banquet tonight?" Zhang Mei was taken aback; his proposition was unexpected. She replied, "But, Li Chen, I don’t even have a gown, and everyone there will be at their best."
Li Chen, with a smile, insisted, "Is that a yes, though?" Zhang Mei attempted to express her concerns, but Li Chen interrupted, "Wait a moment; I have something for you." He hurried out of the room and swiftly returned with bags in hand, stating, "I wasn’t sure of the size, but I think I measured you well." Zhang Mei eyed the bags and remarked, "You bought a gown without even knowing if I would agree?" Li Chen chuckled and admitted, "I was hopeful you would agree." Zhang Mei, unable to crush his hopes, conceded, "I can’t deny your thoughtfulness. That would be very cruel of me." Li Chen laughed and thanked her for considering his feelings, leaving Zhang Mei blushing. Having already showered, she now only needed to prepare the rest for the upcoming event.
In the bustling villa, everyone was engaged in preparing for the upcoming night. Li Chen had taken measures to ensure Zhang Mei’s safety, especially after two previous kidnapping incidents. He asked Xu Zonghao to stay close to Zhang Mei to prevent any distractions. Tightened security surrounded her, emphasizing Li Chen’s concern for her well-being.
Ding Chengxi pulled up the limo that would transport them to the banquet. Sun Lixia and Li Yanyan had organized numerous secret bodyguards to ensure a smooth and secure evening. The group gathered in the living room, awaiting the final preparations of Sun Lixia and Zhang Mei. Sun Weilong had arranged a suit for Li Xinjie, matching Li Chen’s design, and it was delivered in the morning.
Sun Lixia soon arrived, and Zhang Mei followed behind her. Zhang Mei’s dress, adorned with real diamonds around its v-shaped neckline, sparkled in elegance. Li Chen, captivated by her beauty, was shocked by the goddess-like appearance the dress bestowed upon Zhang Mei. She walked towards them, and Li Chen, mesmerized, stammered, "I am surprised you measured me so well."
Sun Lixia nudged Li Chen, urging him to speak. After collecting himself, he complimented Zhang Mei, "You look gorgeous, Zhang Mei." Blushing, she responded with a thankful smile. Sun Lixia chimed in, "Let’s go before Sun Weilong calls," and they headed to the waiting car. Ding Chengxi drove them to the Sun family villa for the highly anticipated banquet.
Upon arrival, Zhang Mei, unaccustomed to such opulence, marveled at the grandeur of the Sun villa, which seemed like three separate villas combined. The expansive estate boasted an impressive collection of expensive cars parked meticulously, resembling a high-end car dealership. Elegantly dressed individuals approached the entrance, presenting their invitations to the guards before entering the hall.
Exiting the limo, Li Xinjie and Sun Weilong walked side by side, Li Yanyan accompanied Ding Chengxi, while Zhang Mei and Li Chen strolled together. As they approached the entrance, they noticed the Gu family heading their way. Madame Gu, casting a disdainful glance at Li Chen, sneered, "What are you doing here?" Gu Hua added sarcastically, "Mom, he has a rich sugar mama; I’m sure he’s here with her." Li Chen chose to ignore their remarks, continuing to walk forward.
The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as the guests entered the hall, setting the stage for an evening filled with secrets, confrontations, and revelations.
Li Yanyan, who had been walking a bit ahead of Li Chen, turned around upon hearing Madame Gu’s voice. Madame Gu spotted her and gulped nervously, sweat forming on her back. Gu Hua, oblivious to his surroundings, continued his sarcastic comments, stating, "Hey Li Chen, you’re lucky to even enter this kind of place. Someone like you belongs in the streets, sleeping under a bridge or something." The guests turned their attention to Li Chen, who responded with a calm smile, saying, "I hope you don’t regret your words, Gu Hua." Gu Hua dismissed Li Chen, declaring him a nobody.
Li Xinjie, hearing the insults, felt his anger rise. Sun Lixia, noticing his reaction, patted his shoulder and advised, "He’s not worth it, just a dog barking without teeth." Gu Liang arrived with the Shan family, walking hand in hand with Shan Zitong. Seeing Li Chen irritated her, and she commented, "Really, Li Chen? Do you have to be everywhere I go?" Zhang Mei, unable to tolerate the tension, spoke up, asking, "What makes you think you’re so special?" Before Gu Liang could respond, a guard intervened, warning against arguing and threatening to remove those causing chaos.
As the clock struck 8 PM, everyone with invitations was inside the beautifully decorated hall, marking the beginning of a night filled with potential confrontations and revelations.
Sun Weilong took the stage and addressed the attendees, saying, "Everyone, please be seated. The banquet is beginning." Soft music played in the background as invited reporters eagerly captured each moment, not wanting to miss a single detail. Sun Fang approached Li Chen, expressing an apology for his earlier actions. Li Chen reassured him, saying, "Don’t worry about it. If you ever feel like you’re losing yourself, come and see me." Sun Fang agreed and mentioned his duty to entertain the guests before walking away. In the distance, Sun Gang observed with seething anger. He had hoped that on this day, both Li Chen and Sun Lixia would be eliminated, but the hired assassins had failed to carry out their job.
Sun Weilong meticulously arranged a table for Sun Lixia and her sons, discreetly positioned at the back to avoid drawing undue attention. The empty table at the front became a subject of speculation among the guests, leading many to assume it was reserved for special attendees. As Hu Yunxuan made her entrance with Jiang Xiaofeng and Jiang Xiaolin, her eyes honed in on Zhang Mei, who happened to be wearing the very dress Yunxuan coveted. Frustration welled up within her, and her fists involuntarily clenched.
On the other hand, Jiang Xiaolin’s attention was captivated by Li Chen’s presence. That evening, Li Chen exuded an extraordinary handsomeness, prompting an indescribable feeling within her. Her heart raced, and to quell the sudden surge of emotions, she swiftly reached for a glass of wine, downing it in a bid to regain composure. Recalling her previous encounter with Li Chen during Gu Liang’s engagement, she couldn’t fathom how Gu Liang had failed to appreciate the man’s undeniable allure. Jiang Xiaofeng, sensing his sister’s fixation on Li Chen, inquired with concern, "Are you okay, sis?" In response, Jiang Xiaolin reassured him, "Yes, I’m fine. Let’s find our seats."
