Chapter 341 Facing the Pressure
As Liu Mingtian's words fell, the Liu family members at the table all sneered and immediately started to talk amongst themselves, accusing and criticizing.
"Exactly, exactly! Can't you, Liu Ran, find a man? You have to find a man that Liu Xin kicked out of the house. What kind of etiquette is that?"
"I thought it was inappropriate back then, but Liu Ran insisted on being with Chen Yang, that good-for-nothing. It's practically making us Liu family members a laughingstock to other families!"
"What's so good about Chen Yang? You can find men like him on every street corner. After our Liu family finally managed to kick him out, Liu Ran picks him back up. What bad luck! Our family is cursed!"
A group of people on the table chattered incessantly, and Liu Mingtian turned to Liu Ran with a cold smile.
Liu Mingtian said, "Little Ran, don't you think your uncle is right? Let's call off your engagement with Chen Yang. He doesn't even deserve to sit at this table."
Liu Ran had been clenching her fists. Upon hearing Liu Mingtian's words, she suddenly stood up with a rustle. Frowning deeply, she looked at Liu Mingtian and said, "Uncle, I tolerated your nonsense before because you are an elder, but that doesn't mean I will tolerate it forever."
"Chen Yang and I are already married. And it's me marrying Chen Yang, not Chen Yang becoming a live-in son-in-law. Remember that."
"Furthermore, Chen Yang's marriage with Cousin Liu Xin has already ended. He is a free man. If I want to marry him, I will marry him. This matter has nothing to do with you. Today's banquet is to welcome you, not for you to spout nonsense."
As soon as Liu Ran spoke, the entire table fell silent. Everyone was surprised that the usually well-behaved and obedient Liu Ran dared to say such a thing. Most importantly, the person she was speaking to was Liu Mingtian!
Liu Mingtian, a high-ranking official in Yunnan, a lofty figure. He had been the most central figure in the entire Liu family since childhood. His aura of authority made everyone feel pressured.
And now, Liu Ran dared to confront and scold such a person directly.
Liu Jianghu was also startled. He quickly stood up and pulled Liu Ran, stopping her from continuing.
Liu Mingtian's face turned purple then white. He slammed the table and pointed at Liu Ran, shouting, "You good-for-nothing Liu Ran! Disrespectful, insubordinate, reckless, and ungrateful! If you were my daughter, I would have beaten you into disability with a single slap."
Liu Jianghu, standing nearby, quickly said, "Little Ran, Little Ran, don't say anything more. Fifth Brother, please calm down. For my sake, let's not bring this up again."
Liu Mingtian suddenly glared at Liu Jianghu and shouted, "Shut up! For your sake? What face do you have? What kind of face do you have? Look at the daughter you've raised. A woman like this! Look how utterly you've failed."
Liu Jianghu's expression changed as he listened to Liu Mingtian. He never expected that his younger brother, who used to follow him around like a puppy, had now completely changed his demeanor.
This face was so unfamiliar, so distant. All familial affection had vanished, as if there was only a superior-subordinate relationship between them.
Liu Jianghu's lips trembled, but he ultimately couldn't speak. He just felt a wave of sorrow, realizing that family ties were gone just like that!
Liu Ran's face was cold. She grabbed her father's shoulder and said, "Mom, Dad, let's go. Since this banquet doesn't welcome us, why should we grovel to attend? It's pointless to try and please people who are indifferent to us."
Cao Meihua was indecisive and always timid. Hearing her daughter suggest leaving, she quickly stood up, lowered her head, and hastily prepared to depart.
Chen Yang had been standing behind his wife. Seeing his wife's demeanor at this moment, Chen Yang couldn't help but smile.
He realized that, unknowingly, his wife had grown. She had become resolute and no longer feared so-called powerful figures or elders.
She could now bear her responsibilities. In fact, she was even daring to shield him with her own shoulders. This feeling was truly warm.
Chen Yang raised his eyebrows, a heartfelt joy surging through him.
Liu Mingtian was furious. He hadn't expected Liu Ran to react so strongly after he had only scolded her a few words. He felt his face had been completely disgraced by Liu Ran.
At this moment, Liu Xin, who was sitting nearby, quickly stood up. Liu Xin pretended to be a peacemaker and smiled, saying, "Oh dear, we're all family. Why are things getting so tense?"
"Cousin Liu Ran, don't be angry. Sit down, sit down. Let me say it. Chen Yang and I divorced a long time ago, and we were married for only a year. We have no relationship whatsoever."
"My marriage to Chen Yang back then was also forced by Grandpa. I guess Grandpa was senile before he died and insisted I marry Chen Yang. My business with Chen Yang is over, so if Cousin Liu Ran wants to pick up scraps and marry Chen Yang, no one can stop her."
"Anyway, let's not concern ourselves with this marriage anymore. Even if Cousin Liu Ran regrets it in the future, it won't be our fault, right? Sit, sit, Third Uncle, Third Aunt, please sit down."
Liu Xin pressed Liu Jianghu and Cao Meihua back into their seats. Then, she brought a stool and offered it to Chen Yang, huffing, "Chen Yang, you sit down too!"
"Look at your cowardly appearance. Look at how much disaster you've brought to the Liu family. Liu Ran and Uncle are arguing now."
"But you, you useless good-for-nothing, are hiding behind and actually smiling. What a heartless, useless thing. Hurry up and sit down."
Liu Xin impatiently threw the stool next to Chen Yang.
Chen Yang glanced at Liu Xin and chuckled, ignoring her.
At this moment, Chen Yang's heart was filled with more mischievous thoughts. He was determined to make Liu Xin deeply regret her words and understand how right Liu Ran was to choose him.
After settling Liu Ran's family, Liu Xin returned to her own seat.
Of course, Liu Xin did all this not out of kindness, nor to help everyone save face. It was because Liu Xin understood that the important matters hadn't been discussed yet!
At such a time, Liu Ran's family absolutely could not leave. If Liu Ran left, she would get nothing. Therefore, Liu Ran's family had to stay.
After Liu Xin sat down, she turned to Liu Mingtian and said, "Uncle, please calm down. Women are always blinded by love. In the face of love, they become like fools, losing their reason and all sense of proportion."
"Any well-intentioned advice to them appears as malicious obstruction."
"Liu Ran is in this situation now. She is blinded by love and has become a foolish woman. So, let's not bring this up for now, okay, Uncle?"
Liu Mingtian nodded, snorted, and then said, "Fine, let's not bring it up. Look, look at how my elder brother's daughter, look at Liu Xin's demeanor, she is truly a lady of noble birth."
"Forget it, let's not talk about it. Next, I will discuss matters concerning our Liu family."