Ye Zhentian, with a polite smile on his face, quickly stepped forward to greet them.

"Brother Ye, I'm truly sorry for being late," Zhou Feng said, his voice carrying a hint of perfunctory apology.

He turned sideways, revealing Lu Qi behind him.

"It was mainly Qi'er; he specifically took some time to pick a birthday present for Young Miss Ye Xi."

As Zhou Feng spoke, he took a lavishly wrapped gift box from Liu Yuru's hand and personally presented it.

The gift box opened to reveal a shimmering, light purple magic robe.

"This magic robe was specially custom-made by Forging Master Ouyezi for Young Miss Ye Xi at Qi'er's request," Zhou Feng said with a smug smile, "I hope Ye Xi likes it."

"Oh?"

Ye Zhentian took the gift box, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"Nephew Lu Qi truly went to great lengths."

He examined the magic robe, nodding in praise.

"I heard that the equipment crafted by Great Master Ouyezi is highly sought after in the market, many people want to buy it but can't."

Ye Zhentian said, turning his gaze to Lu Qi, intending to offer a few compliments.

However, he found that Lu Qi wasn't listening to them at all.

His slightly dull eyes were staring unblinkingly at the mountain of food piled on the main table, his drool almost dripping.

Liu Yuru's expression changed slightly, and she quickly stepped forward, blocking Ye Zhentian's line of sight.

"Brother Ye, please forgive him; Qi'er has been feeling unwell these past few days, and his spirits aren't good, the doctor advised him not to speak much."

The doubt in Ye Zhentian's eyes flashed and disappeared, and he waved his hand.

"No matter, no matter."

He led the three towards the most distinguished main table.

Although there was some distance, those few lines of dialogue drifted into Zhou Huai's ears, not missing a single word.

Heh heh.

Lu Qi specifically found Ouyezi to craft equipment?

How come I, Ouyezi himself, don't know about this?

It seems from now on, I'll have to set a new rule for all auction houses under the Forging Guild.

The Zhou Family and dogs are not allowed inside.

As soon as the three sat down at the main table, Ye Zhentian turned to greet other guests.

Lu Qi could no longer hold back; he pointed at the golden-roasted suckling pig on the table and asked in a low voice.

"Mom, this looks so delicious, can I eat it?"

Liu Yuru's already irritable mood instantly ignited.

She lowered her voice, squeezing out a few words through clenched teeth.

"Eat, eat, eat! All you know is eating!"

She glared at Lu Qi with icy eyes.

"Tonight, you sit here obediently for me!"

"Don't say a word, don't touch a single bite!"

"If you behave well, I'll let you eat your fill when we get back!"

Lu Qi was frightened by her fierce gaze and immediately lowered his head, looking wronged.

Tears welled up in his eyes.

He dared not speak again, but his hands were not idle, reaching for the plate, quickly pinching a piece of meat, and stuffing it into his mouth, his cheeks bulging as he chewed.

Liu Yuru watched him, her chest heaving with anger, eventually only able to shake her head helplessly.

Zhou Huai took in this scene, almost laughing aloud.

It seems Li Gang was right.

This Lu Qi's Soul is damaged, and his mind is indeed not quite normal.

It was also at this moment that Liu Yuru's gaze at the main table swept over to Zhou Huai in the corner.

She first froze, then frowned tightly, her already somewhat unpleasant expression becoming even more somber.

She patted Zhou Feng's arm beside her and whispered something in his ear.

Zhou Feng followed her gaze, and a look of surprise also appeared on his face.

He hesitated for a moment, but ultimately stood up, walked through the crowd with a complicated expression, and stood before Zhou Huai.

"Zhou Huai... why are you here?"

Zhou Huai lifted his eyelids, looked at this so-called father, and retorted.

"What? Do I need your, Master Zhou's, permission to come here?"

Zhou Feng's expression instantly turned ugly.

He frowned, his tone forceful.

"Today is Ye Xi's birthday banquet, I don't want to argue with you here."

"Now, have your people take you and leave immediately."

Zhou Huai found these words somewhat amusing.

"Master Zhou, you don't seem to understand the situation."

"Ye Xi invited me to this birthday banquet."

"If anyone is to drive me away, it's the Ye Family's business."

"What right do you have?"

Zhou Feng clenched his fist, and anger surged in his chest.

"Because I am your father!"

Zhou Huai's tone was indifferent, simple and direct as he interrupted him. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"Not anymore."

"You... you unfilial son!"

Zhou Feng was completely enraged, he took a sudden step forward and raised his hand.

However, he hadn't even had time to make his next move.

A mountain-like figure had already blocked Zhou Huai's front.

"Get lost!"

Xiang Yu's voice, like a clap of thunder, resounded through the noisy banquet hall.

This roar instantly attracted the attention of all the guests.

The music seemed to pause for a moment.

Countless gazes, in unison, turned towards this corner.

"Isn't that Zhou Feng of the Zhou Family? Who is he arguing with?"

"The one in the wheelchair in front of him seems to be his useless son who was kicked out of the family."

"My heavens, is this a father and son turning against each other, ready to tear off all pretenses right here?"

"Today was truly worth it; there's even this kind of gossip to be had."

The whispers buzzed like mosquitoes.

Zhou Feng's face turned beet red, looking extremely displeased.

In his eyes, the former Zhou Huai, though stubborn, was very obedient to him.

The current Zhou Huai, however, seemed like a completely different person.

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the urge to act out in public.

Pointing at Zhou Huai, his voice was full of warning.

"At tonight's banquet, you'd best behave yourself."

"If you dare to cause trouble, don't blame me for disregarding our father-son relationship!"

With that, he snorted coldly, turned, and quickly left.

This greatly disappointed the guests who were ready to watch a good show.

Zhou Huai watched Zhou Feng's retreating back, remaining silent.

The bad premonition in his heart grew stronger.

Just then, the lights in the banquet hall dimmed again.

The music became melodious and sacred.

A soft spotlight shone on the spiral staircase on the second floor.

A figure slowly appeared in the light.

The entire hall instantly fell into a dead silence.

Everyone's gaze was firmly drawn to that figure, unable to move away.

Ye Xi had changed into the Embrace of the Stars that Zhou Huai had given her.

If before, she was a beautiful and dignified noble Young Miss.

Then at this moment, she was like a holy angel who had walked out of the moonlight and ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ descended upon the human world.

The moon-white long dress flowed with sacred radiance, and the scattered crystals adorning the hem shimmered with starlight.

Every move she made tugged at everyone's heartstrings.

Amidst the melodious music, the young girl held her skirt, bare-footed, and walked down the stairs.

She came to the center of the dance floor and danced gracefully to the rhythm of the music.

Her dance was light and elegant, every spin, every leap, was like composing a poem about holiness and beauty.

Her skirt flew, and light flowed.

At that moment, she was the only light in the entire hall.

Even Lu Qi, who was constantly stuffing food into his mouth at the main table, was stunned.

He stopped his actions, pointed at Ye Xi in the center of the dance floor, and mumbled to Liu Yuru.

"Mom, that big sister is so beautiful."

Liu Yuru looked at Ye Xi on the dance floor, a hint of admiration also flashing in her eyes.

She smiled and patted Lu Qi's head.

"How about letting her be your wife?"

Lu Qi blinked innocently.

"What's a wife? Can you eat it?"

Liu Yuru: ......

After the dance, Ye Xi performed an elegant curtsy to the crowd in the center of the dance floor.

Thunderous applause erupted.

It lasted for a long time.

Ye Zhentian walked onto the stage with a smile, picking up the microphone.

"Thank you all for taking the time out of your busy schedules to attend my daughter Ye Xi's eighteenth birthday banquet."

"Taking advantage of this auspicious day, I also have a joyous announcement to make!"

He paused, his smile growing even wider, and his voice rising a few octaves.

"In fact, today is not just my daughter's birthday banquet."

"It is also the engagement day of my daughter and Zhou Family's virtuous nephew Lu Qi!"