eurekapd Chapter 2063 Shocking, Embarrassing Meeting!
Chapter 2063 Shocking, Embarrassing Meeting!
Go to the west wing? To stay with those two bastards, Zong Wangshan and Qian Houjin?
This suggestion completely disrupted all of Liu Wenyuan and his two companions' expectations and plans before they came!
The reason they came together and adopted such a humble posture was to create the appearance that we were just offering normal congratulations without any malice, to lower Li Xiangnan's guard, and at the same time to avoid getting involved with that brute Zong Wangshan and that incompetent Qian Houjin too early, so as not to give others a reason to criticize us!
According to the emergency contingency plan they discussed in private, Li Xiangnan must have noticed something from Qian Houjin and Zong Wangshan. When they arrived, he would naturally treat them separately. Then they could take advantage of the situation and enter different rooms. This way, they could avoid being caught in one fell swoop and observe the Li family from different angles, and even secretly pass on messages.
If Li Xiangnan arranges for them to be in public, that would be best, as they could continue to keep a low profile, interacting as guests and waiting for the right opportunity.
Alternatively, wait until that special gift is sent out, and then plan accordingly!
But to everyone's surprise, Li Xiangnan did not play by the rules at all!
Instead of separating them as originally planned, they invited the three families, along with the Zong and Qian families who had already lost contact, to the same room!
This is hardly hospitality.
This is clearly a trap to lure you into a snare!
It's like gathering the representatives of their "lower five" fakes together in one place, making it easier to monitor them, and even... easier to deal with them!
Liu Wenyuan's eyes behind his glasses flickered rapidly, and his refined smile almost faltered.
In an instant, countless possibilities flashed through his mind: Had Li Xiangnan already learned of their plan? Had it been leaked by Qian Houjin or Zong Wangshan?
Is this a demonstration, or is he trying to lock them up together, force them to fight amongst themselves, and then reap the benefits?
Or perhaps, some kind of trap has been set in that room.
Zong Wangshan and Qian Houjin haven't shown up yet. Have they been subdued?
Hou Wanjin's warm smile, typical of a wealthy man, froze for a moment. His thick eyelids drooped, concealing the fleeting surprise and anger in his eyes.
He subconsciously clenched his fist in his sleeve, cursing Qian Houjin for being such a good-for-nothing. He must have leaked the news beforehand or done something stupid to make Li Xiangnan so alert and resort to such methods!
Yan Qinghe stopped twirling his rat whiskers. His shrewd eyes were full of calculation and vigilance. He quickly exchanged glances with Liu Wenyuan and Hou Wanjin. All three of them saw the same shock and hesitation in each other's eyes.
can not go!
This was a consensus reached instantly by the three of them through tacit understanding.
Going to that room meant completely losing control and becoming fish on Li Xiangnan's chopping board!
Liu Wenyuan was preoccupied with his thoughts and was about to politely decline, making up an excuse such as "the front yard is lively, it's a good time to enjoy it with my friends from the Li family" or "I wouldn't dare disturb the peace of Patriarch Zong and Master Qian."
However, just as his lips moved slightly, before he could utter a sound...
A calm and composed voice, yet carrying an undeniable weight, rang out from beneath a pillar not far from them.
"So it's Patriarch Liu, Patriarch Hou, and Patriarch Yan. Oh dear, the three of you are guests from afar, and my Li family absolutely cannot neglect you! The west wing is quiet and elegant, a perfect place for conversation!"
"The heads of the families and the head of the Zong family, Master Qian, are all old acquaintances. It's truly fate that they've gathered here! Xiang Nan's arrangement is excellent!"
"I, Song Ci, was the head steward of this wedding banquet for the Li family, and I admire Xiao Li's hospitality! Well, please rest for a while, and I will personally come over to have a good chat with you later!"
Song Cijiu slowly stepped out of the shadows, his face still bearing a gentle smile, but when his gaze calmly swept over Liu, Hou, and Yan, it carried an invisible, heavy pressure.
His words sounded unhurried and even somewhat warm, but the meaning behind them was as sharp as a knife.
Li Xiangnan was the host, so this arrangement was very reasonable. By bringing up old acquaintances and past connections, they blocked any excuses the host might have for not wanting to meet. Finally, they even brought up Song Cijiu directly, saying they wanted to invite them for tea.
In other words, if you refuse Li Xiangnan's arrangement, you're going against me, Song Cijiu, and you're dissatisfied with my position as the head steward today!
Upon hearing Song Cijiu's voice, Liu Wenyuan's heart sank even further.
Oh no, Song Cijiu is indeed here!
And they were watching them from nearby the whole time!
His words, though seemingly polite, were actually meant to support Li Xiangnan and force them to make an immediate choice!
If they insist on not going now, they will not only completely offend Li Xiangnan, but also directly humiliate Song Cijiu!
The Song family is one of the top five red capitalist families, and Song Cijiu is one of the most powerful figures in the Song family this generation. His power and influence are far greater than those of the bottom five families!
They couldn't afford to offend both Li Xiangnan and Song Cijiu for the sake of a potential risk!
Moreover, since Song Cijiu has put it this way, if they were to refuse again, it would only make them seem guilty and confirm their suspicions of having ulterior motives!
Yan Qinghe sighed inwardly, knowing that he had no choice but to go to the west wing today.
He quickly put on a smile again, even with a hint of being flattered: "Second Master Song, you flatter me! How could I dare to say that? It is an honor for us to meet Second Master Song here today, and to be so hospitable to Second Master Song and Doctor Li! I'm just afraid that too many people might disturb the peace of Patriarch Zong and Third Master Qian! Since Second Master Song and Doctor Li have extended such a warm invitation, then we would be impolite to refuse!"
His words were eloquent, both praising Song Cijiu and Li Xiangnan and explaining his earlier hesitation—that he was afraid of disturbing others. He smoothly and graciously agreed without making any mistakes!
That's the skill of the fox spirit!
Liu Wenyuan and Hou Wanjin immediately realized what was happening and forced smiles to agree.
"With Master Song here, I, Liu, will naturally follow his lead!"
"I was just about to ask Brother Zong for some advice, this is perfect, perfect!"
The three of them felt a chill in their hearts, secretly cursing Li Xiangnan for being cunning and hating Qian Houjin even more for being incompetent and making mistakes!
But he had to maintain a smile as he followed Li Xiangnan and Song Cijiu toward the west wing, which was like a den of dragons and tigers.
His steps were unhurried, but each step carried a hint of heaviness and vigilance.
The group soon arrived at the entrance of the west wing.
Li Xiangnan stopped and announced loudly inside, "Patriarch Zong, Third Master Qian, Patriarch Liu, Patriarch Hou, and Patriarch Yan have also arrived. I invite them in for tea!"
After saying that, without waiting for a response from inside, he pushed open the door.
The already tense and oppressive atmosphere in the west wing suddenly became incredibly strange and... awkward as the door opened and Liu Houyan and his two companions filed in!
Zong Wangshan and Qian Houjin had already stood up.
Zong Wangshan's anger had not subsided, but was now tinged with surprise and suspicion. His fierce eyes stared intently at the three people who had entered.
Qian Houjin's face turned ashen, his eyes darting around. He instinctively tried to shrink into a corner, but there was nowhere to hide.
After Liu Wenyuan, Hou Wanjin, and Yan Qinghe entered the room, their eyes immediately swept over Zong and Qian. In particular, when they saw Qian Houjin's frightened appearance and Zong Wangshan's gloomy and ashen face, the smiles on the three of them flickered slightly again.
“Brother Zong, Third Master Qian, it’s been a long time. How have you been?” Liu Wenyuan spoke first, his gentle voice breaking the suffocating silence in the room.
Hou Wanjin also chuckled and said, "Brother Zong is still as energetic as ever, and Master Qian's complexion... is also quite good, quite good!"
Yan Qinghe stroked his beard and said, "I didn't expect Doctor Li to be so thoughtful, bringing us together here. What a coincidence!"
Li Xiangnan stood at the door without going in, a meaningful smile on his face, his gaze calmly sweeping over the five faces with different expressions inside the room.
"You are all distinguished guests, and it's a rare occasion for us to gather. This quiet place is perfect for us to catch up! I won't disturb you any longer; there are other guests outside who need to be attended to. He Shun, please serve these gentlemen some better tea and take good care of them!"
After saying this, he nodded to everyone in the room and actually turned and left.
"Gentlemen, I will definitely come to bother you more often when I have some free time later!" Song Cijiu smiled, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and turned to leave.
"Click!"
The sound of the door closing wasn't loud, but it felt like a heavy hammer blow, striking the hearts of everyone inside!
Inside the west wing, Li Xiangnan invited the representatives of the five lower-ranking families and locked them together in one room.
The air seemed to freeze completely.
Zong Wangshan, Qian Houjin, Liu Wenyuan, Hou Wanjin, and Yan Qinghe looked at each other, none of them speaking first.
Just moments ago, they were plotting how to unite their allies to exert pressure on one side. Now, in this confined, monitored space, they have unexpectedly met up, but the atmosphere is extremely awkward and suspicious!
He Shun lowered his head and began to change the tea set, adding water and brewing tea. The subtle sounds he made were exceptionally clear in the deathly silent room...