Birthday Banquet Turbulence

Grandpa Feng's 80th birthday celebration was a major event for the upper class in Yuncheng.

Before dawn, a long line had already formed on the private road leading to the Feng family's old house on the mountaintop.

One after another, expensive luxury cars, like pilgrims, slowly drove towards the century-old manor that stood atop the mountain, like a sleeping lion.

Sitting in Feng Jinxuan's Rolls-Royce, Yu Jinli looked out the window at the spectacular scene that resembled a top-tier auto show and couldn't help but click her tongue.

"Boss, your family's birthday celebration is like a national conference!" she exclaimed sincerely. "How much money must you be collecting as gifts?"

Feng Jinxuan was resting with his eyes closed, and upon hearing this, he didn't even lift his eyelids.

The Feng family does not accept monetary gifts.

"Not accepting?" Yu Jinli's eyes widened instantly, his face filled with "heartache and indignation." "What a waste! How many billions will we lose! Boss, take my advice, we can put up a QR code at the door right now, and I guarantee it will generate a considerable amount of revenue for the company!"

Feng Jinxuan finally opened his eyes.

Looking at the woman beside him, whose mind seemed to be filled with nothing but money, he felt his temples start throbbing again.

He felt that signing that "partnership" agreement with her was probably... the most unwise decision he had ever made in his life.

The car drove smoothly into the old house.

As soon as Yu Jinli got out of the car, she was stunned by the sight before her.

Although she had already witnessed what "the life of the rich" was like in Feng Jinxuan's mansion.

But compared to this truly historic family manor with a history spanning a century, Feng Jinxuan's "home" was like a newly renovated showroom.

Every blade of grass, every tree, every brick and tile here exudes a low-key, understated, and noble air that money can't buy.

The air was filled with a unique aroma, a blend of ancient sandalwood and precious flowers and herbs.

The guests coming and going were all impeccably dressed and had an extraordinary air about them.

Yu Jinli subconsciously tightened her grip on Feng Jinxuan's arm.

She felt like a newbie player who had accidentally wandered into a high-level dungeon, surrounded by veterans whose levels were... ???

"Don't be afraid." Feng Jinxuan seemed to sense her nervousness and whispered in her ear.

The man's warm breath brushed against her earlobe, sending a slight shiver down her spine.

Her somewhat flustered heart miraculously calmed down.

As soon as the two entered the main hall, they immediately became the focus of attention.

Countless gazes shot towards them.

There was curiosity, exploration, jealousy, and... undisguised hostility.

A wealthy woman dressed in jewels swayed her hips and was the first to come forward.

"Oh my, Jinxuan's back." She put on a high-pitched voice and smiled insincerely. "This is your... little assistant, right? He's quite good-looking."

She looked Yu Jinli up and down, her eyes assessing the value of a commodity waiting to be sold.

Yu Jinli silently rolled her eyes in her mind.

She recognized him from the "Feng family genealogy" that Assistant Wang had given her.

She was Feng Jinxuan's third aunt, a notorious snob.

"Third Aunt," Feng Jinxuan said in a tone as indifferent as a glass of plain water, "this is Yu Jinli, my fiancée."

He emphasized the words "fiancée".

The smile on Auntie's face froze.

"Fiancée...?" She raised her voice, attracting more attention from those around her. "Jin Xuan, you must be joking! Marriage is a serious matter, how can you treat it so lightly? What kind of family does this Miss Yu come from?"

This malicious question instantly made the atmosphere somewhat awkward.

Yu Jinli was about to speak when he said that he came from a "working-class family".

Feng Jinxuan, however, took the initiative and pulled her half a step behind him.

He looked at his third aunt with cold, devoid of any warmth.

"What does my fiancée need to come from?" His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly throughout the corner. "Just standing by my side is the highest form of birth for her. Third Aunt, don't you agree?"

His words left his aunt speechless, her face turning pale and then red.

Several relatives who had originally been ready to watch the show also awkwardly withdrew their gazes.

Yu Jinli stood behind him, looking at the man's broad and upright back, and a certain part of her heart softened completely.

This guy, though usually sharp-tongued, is actually... kind of cool when he's defending his own.

Just then, a gentle voice rescued the embarrassed aunt.

"Alright, alright, it's a joyous occasion, let's all keep quiet."

It was Feng Jinhong.

He walked over with a glass of wine in his hand and a smile, like a perfect peacemaker.

"Third Aunt, you're just concerned about Jinxuan. Jinxuan, don't be angry with your third aunt. Come on, let's all get along peacefully, that's what Grandpa wants to see most."

With just a few words, he defused a potential family conflict.

Her superb social skills drew admiring glances from those around her.

Looking at his gentle and hypocritical face, Yu Jinli felt nauseous.

She instinctively gripped the [Life Protection Talisman] hidden in her handbag... a talisman that she had painstakingly crafted.

Today, she will use this talisman to tear off all the pretense of the man in front of her.

The birthday banquet officially began.

Surrounded by the crowd, Old Master Feng sat down in the main seat of the grand master's chair.

He was dressed in a dark red Tang suit, his hair was gray, and he was in good spirits. Although he was eighty years old, his eyes were still as sharp as an eagle's, as if they could see through everything.

He is the pillar of the Feng family.

The birthday celebration has begun.

The descendants of the Feng family, in order of seniority and rank, stepped forward to present gifts and offer their blessings to the old man.

The scene was peaceful and harmonious, filled with joy.

Finally, it was Feng Jinhong's turn.

He stepped forward, carrying a long, exquisitely carved box made of Phoebe zhennan wood.

“Grandpa,” he said with a smile, his voice booming, “I know you don’t appreciate luxury or antiques. So, I specially requested this treasure from a highly respected monk on Mount Wutai, a treasure that can calm the mind, nourish the spirit, and prolong life.”

As he spoke, he opened the box.

The moment the box was opened, a refreshing and unique fragrance instantly filled the air.

All the guests in the hall felt refreshed.

Inside the box lay a statue of Guanyin, carved from a single piece of mutton-fat jade.

The Guanyin statue was exquisitely carved, with a solemn appearance and radiant light; it was clearly no ordinary object.

Most remarkably, it was surrounded by a visible pale white halo, exuding an auspicious aura.

"My God! This...this must be chalcedony! It even has its own precious light!"

"I feel much better after smelling this fragrance, even though I've had chronic leg pain for years!"

"Young Master Feng is so thoughtful! This is absolutely priceless!"

A chorus of exclamations of admiration rose from the surrounding area.

Yu Jinli's heart sank to the bottom.

Because, within her perspective of destiny.

This so-called "auspicious" Guanyin statue is actually a constantly rotating, frantically absorbing the life force and fortune of everyone around it... a black vortex!

Those so-called "precious lights" and "exotic fragrances" are just its most vicious tricks to disguise itself!

Feng Jinhong, holding this deadly weapon, walked step by step toward the unsuspecting old man.

His face wore the most filial and gentle smile.

“Grandpa,” he said, placing the jade carving steadily on the coffee table next to the old man, less than half a meter away.

"Grandson wishes you well..."

He looked at the old man, a barely perceptible glint of cold killing intent flashing in his eyes.

May your happiness be as boundless as the Eastern Sea and your longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountain.

The words had barely left his mouth.

Yu Jinli clearly saw that the powerful and thick golden aura representing vitality above the old man's head, like a punctured balloon, began to be frantically sucked into the evil jade sculpture at a visible speed!