Song Cenran also recognized Ding Ancheng. Last time at the Department Store, he only thought that his cousin, who was serving as a rural educated youth, looked a bit outstanding. Upon meeting again, the person turned out to be the recently returned son of the Xu Family. While surprised at how someone raised in the village could be so exceptional, he was more worried, hating Song Yiluo intensely in his heart.

Song Cenran and Song Yiluo forced smiles at each other, respectfully greeting Xu Zongyin, and did the same with Xu Ancheng and Ding Anguo. Ding Anguo knew Song Yiluo, but not Song Cenran. However, seeing his own elder brother didn’t want to make the acquaintance explicit, he didn’t speak up, and greeted him as if he were a stranger.

"Minister Xu is truly blessed to have such an excellent son. I just heard Ancheng graduated from Jing University and is a prized student of Professor Zhou. That’s really impressive. So many children in Jing City yearn to study under Professor Zhou but can’t. Ancheng achieved it through his own efforts, truly surpassing the master," Song Jinfeng’s eyes were almost alight with admiration for Xu Ancheng, wondering why he didn’t have such a son.

It was clear why Xu Zongyin would want to hold a grand banquet for his son; who wouldn’t want to flaunt such an outstanding child they brought home? No one can figure how he turned out so well.

"Anguo is impressive too. At such a young age, he’s already an office clerk at the County Government, highly valued by leaders, truly competent," Song Jinfeng didn’t forget to praise Ding Anguo. Of course, such a small clerk position wouldn’t mean much in Jing City, but if anyone’s child got into such a place on their own, it would still be something to boast about, especially since he hadn’t recognized his kin status with the Xu Family when he got in.

How could the Xu Family have such good luck? It’s one thing to have good genes, but the family that raised their adopted children is also so excellent; they’re all scholars. It’s truly enviable.

Ding Anguo felt a bit helpless listening to Song Jinfeng. Although it was just a formal conversation, upon introducing himself as someone working at a small county government office, this person could imagine so much. He’s truly adept.

After today’s banquet, Ding Ancheng would officially be renamed Xu Ancheng. He didn’t feel much about it; today’s banquet was just his father, Xu Zongyin, wanting to pave some paths and connections for him, making things easier in the future.

Xu Zongyin personally introduced him to some important families, while with others, just being polite was enough. Like the Song Family, the Xu Family hadn’t invited them; they came along with other families. Since they came, they were welcomed, but there was no need to mingle much. Nevertheless, the current head of the Song Family was quite chatty.

"Minister Xu, are Ancheng and Anguo married?" Song Jinfeng asked with a smile.

Xu Zongyin barely perceptibly frowned, thinking the Song Family might be going downhill. A family head talking like a gossiping woman, inquiring about marriages right on first meeting. Even if he had an intention for alliance, his means should have been more sophisticated.

"They are all considerate children. Ancheng is already married, and Anguo also has someone," Xu Zongyin replied, his smile widening as he saw Yi Roujing approaching with two others. "Roujing—"

"Dad." Yi Roujing called out with a smile at Xu Zongyin, quickening her steps, prompting Xu Ancheng to quickly meet her halfway.

"Hey, slow down, slow down. What’s your current condition?" Xu Zongyin nervously walked several steps forward.

The moment Song Jinfeng’s wife saw the scene, she understood immediately; she’s pregnant. Then, once again, everyone congratulated the Xu Family. This time, the congratulations were particularly pleasant to Xu Zongyin’s ears, making his expression look much nicer.

At eleven-thirty, the banquet officially started. Xu Zongyin went on stage and gave a speech, inevitably choking up a bit when touching on the emotional parts, especially when expressing gratitude to Ding Weihuo and Li Hongying, before introducing Xu Ancheng, Yi Roujing, Ding Anguo, and Ding Anmin to all the attendees.

Once the speech concluded, the meal began, accompanied by the inevitable toasts and socializing. Yi Roujing, being pregnant, used water as a substitute, while Xu Ancheng couldn’t avoid drinking. As a man, Ding Anguo also couldn’t escape the toasting, so he drank, while Ding Anmin, taking Xu Zongyin’s direction, used soda instead.

Xu Zongyin led his son, daughter-in-law, godson, and goddaughter table by table toasting. All four children were remarkably good-looking and well-mannered. Xu Ancheng and Yi Roujing were incredibly composed, able to make appropriate conversation with everyone they met. Ding Anguo and Ding Anmin carried themselves with grace, winning great favor, which made Xu Zongyin overjoyed.

After the family banquet, all renowned families in Jing City were aware of the Xu Family’s affairs.

Upon exiting the Jing City Hotel and getting into the car, Song Cenran couldn’t hold back, turning to give Song Yiluo a slap right after she got into the back seat, startling Song Jinfeng and his wife.

"Drive, drive!" Song Jinfeng ordered the driver while getting into the front passenger seat, not forgetting to rebuke, "Cenran, what’s the matter with you? Getting seen by others would ruin our Song Family’s standing in Jing City. Whatever it is, talk about it at home."

"Dad, our Song Family has heavily offended the Xu Family, all because of this wretch!" Song Cenran was more infuriated the more he thought about it, glaring at Song Yiluo, longing to slap her again.

"Talk about it at home." Song Jinfeng’s wife, Shen Qing, glared at her daughter, "You aren’t even engaged; if others see you like this, who would dare to marry you? Are you out of your mind?"

Song Cenran calmed a bit upon hearing this.

Once back at the Song Family, Song Jinfeng and Shen Qing took Song Cenran and Song Yiluo to Song Enping’s study.

Song Enping, with graying hair but looking quite well, was using an old teapot to water the plants in his study. Seeing the four enter, especially noticing the prominent slap mark on Song Yiluo’s face, he furrowed his brows. "Don’t tell me you guys caused a scene at the Xu Family’s banquet."

"Dad, no, no, it was in the car," Song Jinfeng hurriedly explained, noticing his father’s face turning stern, he got a bit frightened.

"What’s the reason for hitting?" Song Enping asked.

"Grandpa, you should ask Song Yiluo what good deeds she’s done. The son and daughter-in-law the Xu Family recognized were previously located where Song Yiluo served as an educated youth. She must have offended them long ago, constantly sowing discord in front of me, today going as far as to offend the Xu Family daughter-in-law," Song Cenran angrily stated, "She’s trying to ruin our Song Family!"

Hearing this, Song Enping’s brow furrowed tightly, his sharp eyes fixed on Song Yiluo, "What’s going on? Explain it clearly, and don’t hold anything back about your interactions with them."

"Great Uncle, can I speak to you privately?" Song Yiluo looked at Song Enping and asked.

"You do things yet fear speaking? What’s there that we can’t hear?" Song Cenran laughed in anger.

"Just tell the truth in front of us. Cenran’s words aren’t wrong. What you’ve done, how can you not say?" Song Enping put down the old teapot, his expression serious.