The center of the hall featured a raised platform where a middle-aged man in a suit and tie stepped up. "Welcome everyone for gracing us with your presence at my daughter's engagement banquet today, to witness my daughter's happiness..."
On the other side, a young woman in a white dress, exquisitely and beautifully made up, stood beside a man in a suit and tie. They appeared to be a perfect match.
Glasses were raised throughout the hall, offering blessings: "Congratulations to the engaged couple."
"After today, the Bai and Zhou families will undoubtedly march towards brilliance together."
"Congratulations, congratulations."
"..."
Bai Lian looked at the tall and handsome Zhou Wen beside her, a sweet smile gracing her lips. "Brother Wen, does this mean I am officially your fiancée starting today?"
Zhou Wen gazed at the sweet and shy young woman. The figure before him blurred with past memories, as if another girl's image appeared for a moment before vanishing.
He nodded heavily. "Since we have already... Don't worry, I will take good care of you from now on."
As soon as he finished speaking, a woman in a pale blue dress suddenly stepped forward and hurled a bottle of red wine onto the brightly lit stage. It smashed at Bai Lian's feet.
Her face was flushed, and a faint scent of alcohol clung to her, yet her eyes showed no signs of drunkenness. "You are truly shameless! Occupying our position is one thing, but now you're even snatching Xi'er's engagement, all of you are disgusting trash, you bunch of bastards..."
"Zhou Wen, you are also a beast! When you were pursuing Xi'er, you swore to love her only, for all your life. I even helped you back then. This woman is most likely the main culprit who caused Xi'er's death, and yet you're colluding with her and now intend to marry her. You are a living, breathing human-shaped teddy bear..."
Zhou Wen's face paled slightly.
Yes, he had liked Bai Xi since childhood. He had spent a great deal of time and effort pursuing her. Finally, after his persistent pleas and even some coercion, his father had exerted pressure on the Bai family to secure the engagement with Bai Xi. However, before he could win his beloved, Bai Xi had eloped with another man.
This had left him both disgusted and dejected, even leading to a period of lethargy. It wasn't until Lian'er appeared, comforting and caring for him, that he, under the influence of alcohol six months ago, had...
The sudden accusations caused a stir and murmurs among the guests.
On the high platform, Bai Qian, Bai Lian's father, wore a cold glint in his eyes. He boomed, "Someone escort Miss Tong home, she's had too much to drink!"
If the woman before him were not the eldest daughter of the Tong family, he would have had her dealt with on the spot!
Tong Yao, seeing the black-clad bodyguards surging towards her, waved her hands to fend off those trying to approach her. She gritted her teeth and shouted, "Get lost! I can walk myself, all of you, get out!"
After her outburst, she adjusted her dress, and in that instant, finally resembled the young lady of a prominent family. She looked at those on the stage and said coldly, "Heh, heaven has eyes. You ungrateful, heartless garbage will all face retribution in the future!"
Bai Lian glanced at two men standing not far from her. The two men understood her unspoken command and quietly moved towards Tong Yao.
She couldn't act openly, but what about after she left the Bai residence? She had ways to make this young lady, who lived in a fairytale, wish she were dead!
"Tong Xiaoxiao, it's been so many years, and your thoughts are still so naive."
A clear voice rang out, tinged with a hint of teasing and familiarity.
Tong Yao's eyes widened in an instant. Her beautiful almond-shaped eyes held a spark of surprise.
This... this was Xi'er's voice!
With that thought, she looked up and saw a person who was both familiar and strange.
The face was not much different from her memories, but the composure and clarity in her eyes were something she had never seen before. "Xi'er!"
It was really her. The Bai family said she had disappeared, and she had searched for her through many people without success. She had thought she might have already died... but now she was back, it was wonderful!
Bai Xi offered Tong Yao a smile, giving her a reassuring look. Then, she turned her gaze to the Bai family on the platform, who looked as if they had seen a ghost, her eyes filled with a bloodthirsty sharpness.
She had returned now, and there was plenty of time for catching up. The debts owed to her, and the grievances against her brother today, it was the best time to settle them.