From the outside, Cen Zhiyuan and Zhou Jinbai appeared to be a perfect match.
They were both exceptionally attractive, possessing an aura of aloofness that made others feel a sense of awe and acceptance when they were together, leaving no room for criticism.
However, only Cen Zhiyuan and Zhou Jinbai knew that, being two of a kind, they felt very little for each other.
They could be allies, or even enemies, but they could never be lovers.
"With Dongfang Junze and Cen Zhiyuan together, it's like having the backing of both the underworld and the righteous path. A powerful union that will lead the entire Yan Capital to another era of glory."
"Look at them, they're so well-matched, a perfect couple. I can't even imagine how grand and magnificent their wedding will be."
"He must be the most outstanding Dongfang Junze of the Dongfang family, right? I remember the previous generation's Dongfang Junze was his father, truly excellent, like father, like son."
"Don't forget, back then, Dongfang Junze was supposed to be Zhou Bingwen's title. But he was too incompetent, ultimately letting his younger brother claim the title and making himself a laughingstock."
...
Although these people were whispering, anyone with a bit more age would know what had happened back then.
These words, naturally, reached Zhou Bingwen's ears.
At this moment, Zhou Bingwen tightly gripped his wine glass. For him, these words had been a constant refrain for over twenty years.
Even though Zhou Nianqing was dead, for Zhou Bingwen, these matters had never ended, nor had he let them go.
The passage of time only fueled the hatred in his heart, twisting his entire being.
Zhou Bingwen cast a venomous gaze at Zhou Jinbai and Cen Zhiyuan. He hadn't expected them to be together.
Zhou Bingwen had once asked Zhou Jinbai if he liked Cen Zhiyuan. At that time, Zhou Jinbai had very seriously and solemnly told him that it was impossible between him and Cen Zhiyuan.
But now, it seemed he had been too trusting of his nephew's words!
Cen Zhiyuan and Zhou Jinbai's powerful alliance would only make things more disadvantageous for him.
If that was the case, he wouldn't be blamed for turning his back on them.
Zhou Bingwen looked at a subordinate beside him. "Go and get that matter done ahead of schedule."
Zhou Bingwen finished speaking, and the subordinate nodded repeatedly before rushing off.
The banquet continued in an orderly fashion, but the more seemingly calm and normal things appeared, the more danger lurked beneath the surface.
As the banquet drew to a close, a gunshot plunged the entire event into panic.
Many people had attended the banquet that evening, and with them came their companions, causing immediate chaos as people scrambled for safety.
As for Zhou Jinbai and Cen Zhiyuan, if not for Xuan Yin and Xuan Zhu protecting them, they might have been shot by a long-range sniper even before the gunshots.
Of course, Zhou Jinbai's suit was not much better off, as it was riddled with several bullet holes.
If Zhou Jinbai hadn't been prepared and wearing a bulletproof vest, he would have been riddled with bullets by now.
"These people clearly came for you. How could so many people cause trouble with such tight security tonight?"
Cen Zhiyuan watched as bullets continued to fall from Zhou Jinbai's body, worried that one wrong move could result in him being shot in the head.
"No one will get in from outside, but it's hard to say about the inside," Zhou Jinbai said with a cold expression. It was clear that someone from within was orchestrating this incident.
Yet, this person was incredibly bold to cause such a disturbance at this critical juncture.
If they wanted him dead, he would definitely find the mastermind.
Soon, Zhou Jinbai and Cen Zhiyuan made their way to a safe location.
Meanwhile, Yun Qingqing, trembling in fear amidst the crowd, could only huddle in a small area.
She was terrified of being hit by stray bullets, but her face was filled with resentment.
Because in Yun Qingqing's line of sight, she saw Helian Diejin and Mallory.
They happened to be without their bodyguards at that moment, presenting her with the perfect opportunity to approach them.
If she missed this chance, she, who had little influence, would never have the opportunity to get close to such people in her lifetime.
No!
She had to change her destiny!
Since Lin Xingwan had chosen 'death,' that woman could only remain dead forever.
With this thought, Yun Qingqing, disregarding the chaos of flying bullets around her, quickly ran towards them.
"Wait... wait... Mr. Mallory, Ms. Helian Diejin, please wait..."
Yun Qingqing didn't know how long she had been running until the people in front of her stopped.
At the same time, the bodyguards protecting Helian Diejin and Mallory noticed Yun Qingqing's approach. They all glared at her menacingly, their guns pointed at her.
It was as if any sudden move from Yun Qingqing would result in her immediate death.
"I'm not a bad person, I have something to tell you..." Yun Qingqing quickly raised her hands, adopting a posture of surrender.
Mallory said nothing, but Helian Diejin spoke, "What do you want to tell us?"
"I want to tell you about Xu Qingdai!" Yun Qingqing knew that any wasted word at this moment could cost her life, so she directly mentioned Xu Qingdai.
As expected, upon hearing the name, Mallory and Helian Diejin couldn't help but look at Yun Qingqing with a more serious expression.
After all, Xu Qingdai was currently their number one enemy. If they didn't deal with her, they would never be able to rest easy.
"Can you capture this woman?" Helian Diejin asked, her gaze immediately fixed on the young girl before her. She looked young, but gave off an impression of having a hidden agenda.
Helian Diejin knew at first glance that she was not to be trifled with.
"I know, and I can even make Xu Qingdai come willingly," Yun Qingqing said, a proud expression on her face.
"How do we know you're not deceiving us or have other motives? Nothing comes for free. What is your purpose?"
While Helian Diejin was agitated, Mallory quickly regained his composure.
The more tempting something was, the easier it was to lose one's reason.
And once reason was lost, it meant danger was imminent.
"Of course, I have a purpose, but it's not convenient to talk about it here." Yun Qingqing cautiously glanced around. Although she didn't see any familiar faces, because of the heinous act she was about to commit, she didn't want to linger here.
Thus, Helian Diejin and Mallory took Yun Qingqing with them.
This internal conflict lasted until past one in the morning.
All members of the Dongfang family gathered in a large hall.
Even the guests who couldn't escape were in this hall.
Lin Xingwan and Duan Muxing had also arrived. Lin Xingwan's gaze was fixed on Zhou Jinbai's tattered suit.
He also had a wound on his forehead. She had avoided the danger of that moment because she was with Duan Muxing in a room, but Zhou Jinbai and the others were outside.
Even the air seemed to be filled with the smell of blood.
"He's wearing a bulletproof vest, he'll be fine," Duan Muxing sensed the anxiety of the woman beside him. Although he didn't want to explain, he did so to calm her down.
Lin Xingwan's high-strung heart finally relaxed a little.
"How did a perfectly normal banquet turn into this? Didn't you say the Dongfang family's security was extremely tight? I felt very safe when I arrived, but looking at tonight's events, I don't think this place is safe at all."
After Lin Xingwan spoke, Duan Muxing gave a wry smile. "I said outsiders couldn't get in, I didn't say there wouldn't be internal strife. You've lived here for a while, you know that the Dongfang family, despite its outward tranquility, has severe internal conflicts. Look at Zhou Jinbai, don't you understand their intentions?"
Duan Muxing's words instantly brought a person to Lin Xingwan's mind.
"Zhou Bingwen!" Lin Xingwan said to Duan Muxing. Her voice wasn't particularly loud, so the surrounding people turned their attention to them.
Fortunately, Lin Xingwan and Zhou Jinbai were still some distance apart, so this small commotion didn't cause any major disturbance.
Duan Muxing ignored the gazes of those around them and said calmly, "Do you have any evidence to suggest he did it?"
A rhetorical question instantly left Lin Xingwan speechless.
Right!
It was precisely because there was no evidence that Zhou Bingwen was so brazen.
Zhou Bingwen even knew that even if everyone suspected him, Zhou Jinbai would never suspect him.
Zhou Jinbai's blind trust in Zhou Bingwen had emboldened him to act so arrogantly within the Dongfang family.
"The one who tied the bell must untie it. We can't stop this. Even if you have those diaries, will Zhou Jinbai truly believe what's written in them?"
Lin Xingwan: ...
In the end, Lin Xingwan remained silent, saying nothing more.
She simply turned her gaze back to Zhou Jinbai. At the same time, the guests who were still angry about the recent events vented all their fury on Zhou Jinbai.
"Tonight, we came to attend a banquet happily, but such a thing happened. My child is gone, you must give us an explanation. My child died in your home, and you must give us an account."
"And my arm was shot through. What will happen to me if my arm is ruined for life? I'm a pianist."
"The reason we came here without any precautions was because the Dongfang family is trustworthy. But after what happened here tonight, are you treating us like fools? None of your family members were injured, but we guests are dead or wounded. It seems you clearly intended to wipe us all out tonight."
"Yes! No matter how arrogant the Dongfang family is, they can't treat our lives as a joke!"
...
Faced with this aggressive crowd, even the usually strong and decisive old lady was bewildered.
She hadn't recovered from the night's events and was now being pointed at by everyone.
"Everyone, Jinbai is young and inexperienced. I am his uncle. I will give you a satisfactory answer regarding tonight's events."
Zhou Bingwen quickly stepped forward and said this to everyone beside Zhou Jinbai, but his words immediately ignited the guests' emotions.
"A satisfactory answer? Will you bring the dead back to life? We originally had bodyguards for our outings, but your Dongfang family's people were too arrogant and overbearing, forcing our bodyguards to wait outside. If our bodyguards had been present tonight, this wouldn't have happened."
"This kind of good-for-nothing wants to become the new head of the Dongfang family. I heard there was fratricide not long ago. Tonight, it's because of this scoundrel that we suffered such hardship."
"We have always followed the Dongfang family's lead, but the examples set by the Dongfang family over the years have become increasingly disappointing. Someone like Zhou Jinbai is simply not fit to be the head of the Dongfang family. I strongly suggest that someone more capable take over."
"Yes, let someone more capable take over."
These people spoke one after another, and the speakers themselves had no visible wounds.
On the other hand, those who were injured had their thoughts completely swayed by these people.
They even felt that these people were right.
As for Zhou Jinbai, he finally understood why someone had orchestrated this entire scene tonight: it was to completely undermine his authority.
To achieve their goal, they had caused the deaths of so many innocent people. How cruel and vicious!
"Then who do you think is more suitable to be the head of the Dongfang family?" Zhou Jinbai swept his gaze across the crowd, and his words stunned them all.
They had initially thought Zhou Jinbai might apologize, but he would never give up the position of family head. However, looking at him now, it seemed he wasn't joking but was seriously considering the feasibility of this matter.
These people exchanged glances, genuinely surprised by Zhou Jinbai's cooperation.
They didn't even know what to say now.
On the contrary, Zhou Bingwen, standing beside Zhou Jinbai, immediately became anxious. "Jinbai, we can investigate tonight's events and give these people an explanation, but you can't say such nonsense! If you're not the head of the Dongfang family, who will be?"