Chapter 15: Harmonizing Both Endeavors

“Big sister, this is Yao Yao’s own choice; we should respect her decision.” Otherwise, she would have been the one attending the old Master Huang’s birthday banquet this time. She had only just managed to secure an engagement with the Jiang family and had no intention of marrying a fool.

“Yanran, you need to hurry up with your marriage to the Liao family as well,” Xu’s mother interrupted, unwilling to let Xu Yanran devote all her energy and attention to Lu Yao. “Liao Chengzhou is already twenty-seven, and you’re twenty-five; it’s time to start a family.” This match had originally been proposed by the Liao parents. Nearly seven or eight years had passed, but the Liao family seemed to have forgotten about it.

“Once things calm down at the company, have your father find a free moment to visit the Liao family and discuss the marriage.” Her daughter was already twenty-five—a milestone not many would witness more than once in a lifetime. Delaying further would only waste her youth. Xu’s mother brought this up suddenly, but Xu Yanran lowered her head and remained silent. She was uncertain how the Liao family and Liao Chengzhou truly viewed her. After seven or eight years without any marriage talks, she suspected the matter was uncertain. Yet, she dared not voice this in front of her mother and others, sitting quietly like a child with her head bowed.

Meanwhile, at the Bronze Villa, Cheng Gang had also received an invitation from the Huang family.

“Young Master Xiang, shall we go?” Normally, they could choose whether or not to attend such an event given their status. However, Cheng Gang had heard that Xu Shenghai intended to bring his adopted daughter along this time. The purpose was obvious, which was why Cheng Gang asked.

Xiang Zhihua took the invitation from Cheng Gang’s hand and glanced at it casually. “Do you think I should go?” He lifted his eyes briefly and threw the question back to him. To Xiang Zhihua, the Huang family was merely a small company; such a banquet was not worthy of his attendance.

“I heard the Xu family will bring that adopted daughter with them,” Cheng Gang added, but even if he hadn’t, Xiang Zhihua would have understood the implications.

“Notify everyone in Gang City that the day after tomorrow, I will hold a jewelry banquet at the Dongping Grand Hotel,” Xiang Zhihua ordered. “Everyone must attend—anyone who doesn’t will be showing disrespect to me!”

Cheng Gang was stunned. The day after tomorrow was the old Master Huang’s sixtieth birthday. Xiang Zhihua was hosting a jewelry banquet on the same day and at the same hotel. Was he deliberately trying to undermine their event?

Ignoring Cheng Gang’s shocked expression, Xiang Zhihua continued with his tasks. Soon, news of his upcoming jewelry banquet at Dongping Hotel spread throughout Gang City. Instead of shock, people’s first thought was whether the Huang family had somehow offended Young Master Xiang. Why else would he hold a banquet on the same day and at the same venue?

“Chairman, what should we do now?” The old Master Huang’s assistant, upon hearing the news, hurried to report it. Invitations to the birthday banquet had already been sent out yesterday, yet today they learned Xiang Zhihua was holding a jewelry banquet on the same day and at the same hotel. Could they have offended him somehow?

The old Master Huang pondered for a moment before speaking slowly, “Move our banquet earlier or arrange it so that if they hold theirs in the morning, we hold ours in the afternoon. If they hold theirs in the afternoon, we hold ours in the morning. That way, there won’t be any conflict.”

“But—” The assistant tried to say more but was cut off.

“No buts,” the old Master said firmly. Back in his youth, he had been a prominent figure in Gang City. If he backed down now, how would he survive in this city?

“Do as I say.” Seeing his resolve, the assistant stopped trying to persuade him.

Over at the Xu family, Xu Shenghai received a call from the old Master Huang, who said the banquet date would not change and that he should bring his daughter as planned, without worrying too much. Although reassured, Xu Shenghai couldn’t help but worry after hanging up. Compared to the Huang family, the Xiang family was a completely different league—like a galaxy apart. And now the Xiang family was announcing a jewelry banquet at this moment.

Could it be that the Huang family had really offended them? If so, the Xu-Huang marriage alliance would need serious reconsideration. What if they got caught in the crossfire? Xu Shenghai didn’t want to stir up bigger troubles while still dealing with company finances. He just wanted a peaceful New Year.

“Shenghai, why don’t we wait and see on the day itself?” Xu’s mother offered advice. “No one in our circle knows about the Huang alliance yet. Even if the Xiang family wants to go after the Huangs, it wouldn’t concern us. We’re only attending a banquet.”

“Yes, Dad,” Xu Yanran chimed in. “You and Yao Yao can attend the Huang family’s birthday banquet, and then we’ll go to the jewelry banquet together.” She was curious to see what treasures would be displayed there. If something caught her eye, she might even buy it to try on.

Unaware of the Xu family’s schemes, Lu Yao, busy in the kitchen, learned from housekeeper Wu about Xiang Zhihua’s jewelry banquet at Dongping Hotel. Her eyes flashed with surprise. Though she didn’t know exactly how the Huang family had offended him, she found his actions satisfying. The Huang family had long disregarded human life. In her previous life, the old Master Huang’s grandson had killed two girls in her presence, yet the family had used money and power to cover it all up. If Xiang Zhihua could take action against the Huang family this time, it would be a blessing—at least saving many girls’ lives.

*

“Have all the necessary people been notified?” At the Bronze Villa, Xiang Zhihua asked as Cheng Gang entered the study.

“What about the Huang family?” He wondered if the invitation had surprised them, if they were already overthinking it.

“The old Master Huang said he will arrive on time,” Cheng Gang replied, head lowered. “But his birthday banquet will still go on as scheduled. If we hold ours in the morning, they’ll hold theirs in the afternoon. If we hold ours in the afternoon, they’ll hold theirs in the morning.”

“Old Master Huang said this way, no one misses out.”