After dinner, Grandpa Sun put down his chopsticks and addressed Sun Lixia, "We should hold a grand banquet to welcome you back. It’s fitting, and I’d like you to legally change your name."

Sun Lixia laughed gently, "A banquet? Isn’t that a bit much?"

Sun Weilong joined in, "No, it’s important! We need the city to know you’re home, part of the Sun family. You’re our princess."

Sun Lixia shook her head, "I’m far too old for such titles."

Grandpa Sun chuckled, "To us, you’ll always be our princess."

Sun Fang chimed in, "A celebration sounds great. It’s been ages since our family gathered joyously. What do you say, Sun Gang?"

Sun Gang, distracted and deep in thought, barely heard his brother. His schemes to eliminate Sun Fang and secure his place had backfired, stirring up greed and resentment. His plans lay shattered before the revelation of new family members.

While they discussed the banquet, Sun Gang wrestled with conflicting emotions, his once-ironclad plans now muddled in the midst of family dynamics and hidden motives.

Grandpa Sun exclaimed, "I can’t wait to announce to the world that I’ve found my daughter!" He promptly called the butler into action, instructing, "Start the arrangements. Make sure all media outlets are aware of this. Invite everyone who’s someone in this city."

The butler, smiling, turned to Sun Lixia, asking, "Is there anything specific you would prefer for the banquet, Miss?"

Sun Lixia, feeling a bit overwhelmed, sighed and said, "Dad, I really don’t think it’s necessary."

Grandpa Sun pleaded, "Please, just allow me this moment. This is the greatest news since your brother here got married. Our family has been clouded with misfortunes for decades."

Sun Lixia looked at Li Chen, seeking his opinion. He simply said, "Whatever makes you happy, Mom."

Touched by his words, Sun Lixia agreed, "Okay, but don’t overdo it."

Sun Weilong chimed in, "Yes." He stood up and said to the butler, "Come, let’s discuss some details. I already have a lot of ideas." Sun Lixia smiled, reassured that she had made the right decision to return home.

Grandpa Sun turned to his three grandsons and suggested, "You guys should spend more time with each other so you can get to know each other well."

Sun Fang remarked, "I don’t think Sun Gang agrees to that." Grandpa Sun then looked at Sun Gang and inquired, "Why is that, Sun Gang?"

Sun Fang quickly interjected, "Oh no, I meant brother here is just too busy with the company and everything."

Grandpa Sun acknowledged, "Yes, you are right about that, but you are free." Li Chen assured, "It’s okay, Grandpa. You don’t have to worry about me."

Grandpa Sun expressed, "You are my grandson, and I have missed so many moments of your life. Of course, I will worry. Maybe you and your mother should move here."

Sun Lixia responded, "It’s okay, Dad. I have a place in Pinnacle Estate, and Li Chen also has his own place." Grandpa Sun said, "I understand, but whenever you need to, this place here is always open for you." Li Chen added, "I will keep that in mind, Grandpa."

Grandpa Sun then asked Li Chen, "How did they treat you at the Gu family?" Li Chen replied, "It was bearable." Grandpa Sun asserted, "If they mistreated you, you can let me know. I will show them the consequences." Li Chen reassured, "That won’t be necessary, Grandpa."

Grandpa Sun stood up and said, "Lixia, come with me. I want to take you two to the ancestral hall." Sun Lixia agreed, "Sure, I will be right behind you." Li Chen stood up and followed Grandpa Sun.

In the spacious living room, only Sun Lixia, Sun Fang, and Sun Gang remained. Sun Lixia’s demeanor changed to a cold one, making the room feel icy. She turned to Sun Gang and warned, "If you ever, for once, try what you did with Sun Fang to Li Chen, you will not like the consequences. Do you understand?" Sun Gang, feigning innocence, said, "What are you talking about, Aunt?" Sun Lixia sternly stated, "You know exactly what I am talking about. Just remember that even your father would not find your remains."

Sun Lixia briskly made her way towards the direction Li Chen and Grandpa Sun had gone, leaving Sun Fang and Sun Gang to exchange tense words in her wake.

Sun Gang, his anger barely contained, demanded, "Where is he, Fang? What did you do to Deng Chenglong?"

Sun Fang, with a sly smile, replied, "Who are you talking about, dear brother?"

The tension thickened as Sun Gang, clenching his teeth, clarified, "Deng Chenglong. What did you do to him?"

Casually, Sun Fang continued, "Ah, the man you sent to kill me. Well, you can thank our dearest aunt here. Without her, I’d be a corpse by now."

Fuming, Sun Gang retorted, "You’re here, so stop complaining. Just bring him back alive."

Smirking, Sun Fang playfully suggested, "Maybe you should discuss that with Aunt Lixia."

As Sun Fang sauntered away, whistling softly, Sun Gang was left seething, caught in the intricate web of family secrets and newfound revelations.

Left alone in the living room, Sun Gang seethed with anger, his fists clenched, and his mind racing with thoughts of betrayal and vengeance. The weight of his actions bore down on him, realizing that his schemes had not only failed but also brought his long-lost family members back into his life, altering the dynamics he had carefully manipulated.

His resentment toward Sun Lixia intensified, fueled by the fear that she might expose his dark deeds. The air in the room grew heavy with the weight of secrets, and Sun Gang couldn’t shake the feeling that the walls themselves were closing in on him.

In his frustration, he reached for a nearby vase and hurled it against the wall, the sound of shattering ceramic echoing his inner turmoil. The once pristine living room now bore the marks of his internal chaos.

Sun Gang paced back and forth, contemplating his next move. The unexpected turn of events left him vulnerable, exposed in a way he hadn’t anticipated. The newfound family bonds threatened his carefully constructed façade, and the anger within him intensified as he grappled with the consequences of his actions.

Little did he know that the threads of fate had woven a complicated tapestry, and the intricate knots of family ties would continue tightening, unraveling his carefully spun web of deceit. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

As Sun Lixia, Li Chen, and Grandpa Sun returned from the ancestral hall, a gentle atmosphere enveloped them. The ancestral hall had provided a brief respite from the complexities of family dynamics. Sun Lixia wore a contemplative expression, her eyes reflecting a mix of nostalgia and relief.

Grandpa Sun, walking with a slight hunch, glanced at Sun Lixia with paternal affection. "Lixia, I hope you’ll visit more often," he said, his voice carrying the weight of decades of separation.

Sun Lixia smiled, a mixture of gratitude and melancholy. "I’ll come by, Dad" she replied, her gaze lingering on the familiar surroundings.

Li Chen, ever the silent observer, caught the subtle exchanges between father and daughter. The depth of their connection left an indelible mark on him. As they returned to the living room, Sun Weilong joined them, his face lit up with the enthusiasm of impending celebrations.

"Dad, we’ve got a lot to plan, but it’s going to be memorable. We’ll make sure everyone knows about Lixia’s return," Sun Weilong declared, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

Sun Lixia, always the realist, added, "Just don’t go overboard, Weilong. Simple can be elegant."

Grandpa Sun chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "Your brother has always had a flair for the grand, Lixia. Let him enjoy this."

Sun Weilong grinned, "I promise it’ll be tasteful and memorable."

Sun Weilong turned to Li Chen and remarked. "Give me the names of people you would like to invite, and I’ll make sure they receive special invitations."

As the planning discussions continued, emotions flowed freely—laughter, shared memories, and the unspoken joy of being reunited. Sun Lixia, despite the trials of her past, found solace in the warmth of family. Li Chen sensed the importance of this moment and the intricate ties that connected them all.

As they prepared to leave, Sun Lixia turned to her brother, "Weilong, take care of Dad. And don’t let this celebration overshadow the real reason we’ve come together."

Sun Weilong nodded, a mix of determination and affection in his eyes. "I’ve got it all under control, Lixia. This will be a celebration of family, not just grandeur."

Grandpa Sun, standing with a hand on each of their shoulders, smiled at the unity before him. "I’m grateful to have both my children, and my grandson, here with me. Even if I died tonight, I would die with a smile."

As they departed, the air carried the promise of a momentous celebration—the rekindling of family bonds, the reconciliation of past wounds, and the forging of new connections. The journey ahead held the potential for healing, growth, and the rediscovery of what it truly meant to be a family.