Xia Qing Tian was dressed in a flamboyant fiery red, her long hair cascading over her shoulders, exuding a lazy sultriness with every smile and glance, striking and beautiful.
Xia Qing Yu was in a modest and elegant white, her long hair tied up, revealing her fair neck. A shy, sweet smile graced her face, exuding elegance and freshness.
The two sisters walking together evoked an image of a red rose beside a white rose.
Upon arriving at the banquet, Xia Qing Tian had been diligently introducing Xia Qing Yu to the various esteemed ladies and socialites, engaging them in conversation.
Having grown up in this circle, she was well-versed in the art of social interaction, and within a few words, she garnered significant favor for Xia Qing Yu from everyone present.
Aunt Liu watched the sisters from afar, feeling immensely pleased.
She herself was unaccustomed to such social gatherings, finding it challenging enough to avoid making any mistakes, let alone attending to Xia Qing Yu's emotions.
Now, with Xia Qing Tian by her side, Xia Qing Yu felt for the first time that such a banquet wasn't so detestable or unbearable.
As Xia Qing Yu became the talk of the town, receiving many admiring glances, the three spoiled daughters who had caused trouble earlier were consumed by extreme displeasure. However, they dared not erupt in public and could only suppress their anger.
Xia Qing Tian noticed this and whispered a reminder in Xia Qing Yu's ear. Xia Qing Yu glanced back, a slight smile playing on her lips.
Seeing this, the three women's faces turned even redder. As they turned to leave, they bumped into a waiter delivering champagne, splashing the alcohol all over themselves in a rather unseemly manner.
"Pfft." Xia Qing Tian and Xia Qing Yu exchanged a look, then couldn't help but cover their mouths and chuckle.
After this minor interlude, the anniversary celebration formally moved to the speech portion.
As the helmsman of the Xia Corporation, Father Xia naturally had to take the stage to deliver his remarks.
Having weathered the ups and downs of the business world, Father Xia was quite emotional in such a setting.
While Father Xia was still addressing the audience, the host found Song Jun Han. "Jun Han, weren't you going to express your gratitude for the eldest lady's life-saving grace? It's your turn next, so get ready."
Song Jun Han froze for a moment, then managed a dry nod.
After the host left, the smile gradually faded from Song Jun Han's face.
Did that wretched Xia Qing Tian actually expect a lengthy thank-you essay from him?
She would never get it in this lifetime!
With that thought, Song Jun Han's gaze turned cold. He walked to a corner, took out his phone, and said to the person on the other end, "Bring them in."
The Xia Corporation's glory ends today!
"Thank you all once again for gracing us with your presence," Father Xia said with deep gratitude. Then, amidst thunderous applause, he handed the microphone back to the host.
The host, with a plastered smile, said, "We are extremely grateful for President Xia's speech. We can feel President Xia's passion and..."
Before the host could finish, a commotion erupted from the audience, interrupting his words.
"Xia Hong Lang trampled on human lives! Give me back my husband!" a disheveled woman in mourning attire cried out hoarsely.
"Daddy!" Beside the woman, a child of about five or six years old, also dressed in mourning clothes, wailed at the top of his lungs, "I want Daddy!"
Everyone was stunned by the scene. Only the reporters, smelling a headline, instinctively pressed their camera shutters.
The flash of the cameras jolted everyone back to reality, and they turned to look at the mother and child with astonishment.
The woman appeared to be in her early forties, slightly plump, with narrow, triangular eyes brimming with tears. She looked ready to fight anyone, her demeanor aggressive.
The little boy sobbed uncontrollably, his chubby cheeks flushed red from crying, a white mourning band tied around his head.
Seeing the pair, Song Jun Han sneered and looked towards the Xia family.
He had dreamt of this moment many times!
"Who are these troublemakers trying to extort money? Quickly, escort them out!" someone immediately reacted and shouted.
The stunned hotel security guards snapped back to attention and moved to escort them out.
"Don't touch me! Anyone who dares to touch me! I'll die right here!" the woman shrieked, pulling out a knife and holding it to her throat. "Xia Hong Lang! You get out here! You owe me for my husband's life!"
Seeing her like this, none of the security guards dared to approach. Meanwhile, the child cried even louder, "Mommy! Mommy, don't die! I want Daddy! I want Daddy!"
"Let's talk properly. What exactly is going on?" Father Xia asked, his brow furrowed, looking at the woman. "I am Xia Hong Lang. If you have something to say, please put down the knife and speak calmly."
"Xia Hong Lang!" Upon seeing Father Xia, the woman's expression turned even more furious. "Your Xia Corporation built that resort illegally and caused two deaths! My husband was killed by you, yet you not only refused to give us an explanation but also broke into our home and ransacked it several times!"
"You won't let us, a widow and orphan, live, and you've done all sorts of evil deeds! Fine! Then I will die right in front of you!"
"Mom! Mommy, don't die! Little Bao doesn't want Mommy to die!" The little boy clung tightly to the woman's leg, crying his heart out.
The woman and child wept together.
Witnessing this scene, those with lower thresholds for tears also teared up, their noses stinging.
Many people looked at Xia Hong Lang as if daggers were aimed at him. Recalling his speech on stage earlier, their gazes became even more complex.
"Let's talk properly. Please put down the knife first," Xia Hong Lang said, more concerned about the woman accidentally harming herself or the child with the knife.
After all, there were two lives involved.
"Xia Hong Lang! You must give us, a widow and orphan, an explanation today! Otherwise, we will die here!" the woman snarled, her eyes red.
"President Xia, your Xia Corporation is so vast and powerful. It's not good to bully a widow and orphan like this..."
"Yes, President Xia. You should pay compensation, do whatever is necessary!"
"If your Xia Corporation continues to behave like this, we won't dare to cooperate with you in the future."
"Exactly! Those who do too much injustice will surely bring about their own demise!"
Scoffs and sarcastic remarks arose, and Xia Hong Lang's expression grew increasingly grim. "If this matter is indeed the responsibility of the Xia Corporation, I will naturally take responsibility, but..."
"President Xia, what do you mean by that? Could it be that they've brought their family and are using their lives to threaten you, deliberately smearing your name?"
"Yes, President Xia, your attitude is a bit excessive..."
"Could there be some misunderstanding here?"
"Yes, perhaps we should call the police first. Let's settle it after the police arrive."
"President Xia is not that kind of person. Everyone, please calm down. Madam, please put down the knife and calm yourself."
Amidst the chorus of taunts, there were also voices that believed in Xia Hong Lang's character.
"They have so much money to throw such a lavish party, yet a human life is so carelessly discarded. Lives are truly worthless these days..." someone lamented. "Is the Xia Corporation really planning to force them to their deaths and then be done with it!"
"Your Xia Corporation is trying to force us, mother and child, to our deaths!" the woman wailed. "You people want me dead! Fine! I'll die for you to see!"
"Lin Qi Dong! Open your eyes and see how these cruel people heartlessly killed you and how they are now forcing us, mother and child, to our deaths!"
"Then go ahead and die!"