The sudden sound drew everyone's attention to the villa's entrance.
A middle-aged man appeared, exuding an imposing aura that silently pressured those around him. Behind him stood several men in suits, clearly bodyguards.
"Patriarch Liu!" the crowd respectfully greeted the man, clearing a wide path for him.
"Dad!" Liu Qianze, whose face had been grim, suddenly showed a flicker of joy in his eyes.
The newcomer was none other than the head of the Liu family, Liu Zhijun.
"Useless," Liu Zhijun glared at Liu Qianze with displeasure.
He then turned his gaze to Old Master Qin and Qin Hongguo, "Old Master Qin, Brother Hongguo, we agreed this was a junior's engagement ceremony today, how could such a thing happen? Do you look down on my Liu family?"
Qin Hongguo frowned slightly, surprised that Liu Zhijun, who had been waiting in the banquet hall for the birthday banquet to begin, would suddenly appear in the villa's main hall. He explained, "Patriarch Liu, you've misunderstood. Our two families arranged this engagement between the juniors many years ago. This is merely a matter of young people's emotions, not as serious as you imagine."
"Is that so? Why did I hear that if I hadn't come, my future daughter-in-law would have run off with another man? If the Qin family looks down on my Liu family, you can say so directly, no need to resort to such tactics to insult my Liu family."
A cold glint flashed in Qin Hongguo's eyes. No one had ever dared to question the Qin family so brazenly within their own villa, showing utter disregard for the Qin family's authority.
However, considering the impending marriage alliance, which was crucial for the future development of both families, Qin Hongguo could only endure. "Brother Zhijun, these are all misunderstandings, and you've heard rumors. Engagements are not something these juniors can decide."
"That's good then. Liu Qianze, what are you waiting for? Put the ring on Shuran." Liu Zhijun's gaze fell on Liu Qianze as he commanded.
Liu Qianze looked at Qin Shuran before him, his eyes filled with ardor and excitement. He was about to reach out and take Qin Shuran's soft fingers.
Seeing that Patriarch Liu, Liu Zhijun, had arrived, everyone believed that the alliance between the Qin and Liu families was now a foregone conclusion.
"Wait a moment!"
Almost simultaneously, Chen Fan's voice echoed in the hall. Qin Shuran withdrew her hand and took a step back.
For a moment, everyone in the hall was once again aghast.
"Is this kid crazy? With Liu Zhijun here, he still dares to cause trouble?"
"I think he's tired of living. Who in Huannan Province doesn't know how ruthless Liu Zhijun is? He actually dares to step out at this moment, he's simply courting death!"
"Alas, a hero cannot pass the beauty's test. I truly admire this kid's courage for daring to confront Liu Zhijun face-to-face."
"Hmm?" Liu Zhijun, standing not far from Chen Fan, turned his gaze towards him.
"What stinking brat are you? Is this a place for the likes of you?! Get out immediately!" Liu Zhijun commanded coldly, his tone carrying an irrefutable authority.
Chen Fan also felt intense pressure, especially from the man's imposing presence, which made his expression extremely solemn.
However, Chen Fan retorted, "I have an invitation from the Qin family and am a guest of the Qin family. This is not your Liu family's territory. Are you trying to steal the host's thunder?"
A ripple of shock went through the crowd!
In all these years, this was the first time they had ever seen someone dare to openly oppose Liu Zhijun!
"Qin Shuran is my daughter-in-law, and the Qin family and my Liu family are in-laws, essentially one family. If I tell you to get out, how is that stealing the host's thunder? Am I right, Brother Hongguo?" Liu Zhijun's eyes flashed with a cold light as he glanced at Chen Fan and asked Qin Hongguo.
Qin Hongguo remained silent, implicitly agreeing.
The Qin family had already lost enough face today, and he did not want this farce to continue. The only way to quell this commotion now was to have Chen Fan removed.
But Chen Fan was their guest, possessing a black gold invitation. He couldn't possibly drive him away in front of so many people. It was best for Liu Zhijun to handle this.
"Get this ignorant brat out of here." Seeing Qin Hongguo's silence, Liu Zhijun gave Chen Fan a mocking glance.
The bodyguards who had been following Liu Zhijun sneered and walked towards Chen Fan, intending to forcibly remove him.
From the expressions of these bodyguards, it was clear that their intentions were not merely to escort Chen Fan out.
"Grandpa, Dad, Chen Fan is a distinguished guest of our Qin family. How can you let an outsider drive him away?" Qin Shuran, seeing this, anxiously tried to intervene.
"Outsider? Shuran, how can my father be considered an outsider? After we get married, we'll be one family," Liu Qianze quickly said to appease her.
Neither Old Master Qin nor Qin Hongguo spoke, nor did they look at Qin Shuran.
Chen Fan's brow furrowed as he saw the approaching bodyguards, his expression becoming serious.
Although he was not afraid of these people, if he were to fight here, it would mean a complete rupture with the Qin family and would put Shuran in a difficult position.
But if he left, he would lose Qin Shuran forever. For a moment, Chen Fan found himself in a dilemma.
This was the first time Chen Fan felt so insignificant and powerless in the face of truly powerful figures.
"Liu Zhijun, matters between children should be resolved by children. For an adult like you to interfere so much in their affairs is utterly shameless!" However, just as Chen Fan's expression was solemn and he was contemplating a solution, a middle-aged woman's voice rang out from outside the door.
What?!
Someone dared to call Liu Zhijun shameless?!
Today, the faces of the people present seemed to be twitching, as if they had made all the facial expressions they would for the entire year.
Everyone turned in astonishment towards the villa entrance, eager to know who this woman was that dared to insult the head of the Liu family so brazenly!
Looking outside, the crowd found the woman somewhat unfamiliar; few had seen her before.
But when Old Master Qin, Qin Hongguo, and Liu Zhijun saw her, their brows furrowed, "Long Yinglan?"
Upon hearing her name, the crowd gasped.
"Long Yinglan? She's the Chairwoman of Wanhao Group, Long Yinglan?!"
"I can't believe the mysterious Chairwoman of Wanhao Group has appeared today. This trip was truly worthwhile!"
"I didn't expect the Chairwoman of Wanhao Group to be such a beautiful woman."
"I heard that Wanhao Group has ties to influential families in the capital, which is why it was able to rise so rapidly in Huannan Province in just over a decade. This woman is not simple."
The murmurs of the crowd caused Chen Fan's expression to falter. He looked with surprise at the noble, elegant, and beautiful woman walking towards them.