0061 68 Engagement Banquet "Part 1"

That's true. As an outsider, Yi Chenling may cause trouble, but he won't interfere with the main business. His father won't help him get rid of Zhou Xiye just because he slept with a woman, let alone use Zhou Pei to threaten Zhou Xiye—how many people would believe that?

Who would have thought that the Achilles' heel of a vicious woman who murdered her own family would be someone she had no blood relation to?

Yi Chenling straightened up. "It's okay. There will always be people who use him to threaten you."

Yi Chenling pushed the door open and left Zhou Xiye's house.

After throwing away the trash, Yi Chenling wiped his hands with a whole pack of tissues in the car, careful not to get anything disgusting on them. Just then, the phone rang from home. Yi Chenling answered, "We're going to the Ling family's place. Where are you?"

"I'm off too. See you at the banquet later."

After watching Yi Chenling leave from his car, Zhou Pei drove into the garage and went upstairs.

Yi Chenling returned home, changed his clothes, and then had his driver pick him up to go to Ling Xingxi's engagement banquet.

Not many people attended Ling Xingxi's engagement banquet; those who were there were either close to the Song family or the Ling family. The Yi family and the Song family had a good relationship. Whether or not the Yi family were supporters of the Ling family's pragmatic approach was another matter, but they certainly had to give face to the Song family.

Inside the banquet hall, the melodious sounds of violins and pianos filled the air. Waiters carried glasses, checking the carpet for debris and ensuring the nameplates on the tables were in their correct positions.

Pale purple roses filled the entire venue, their fragrance permeating the air. Peonies were placed in the center of each round table. Although there wasn't a single "囍" (double happiness) character in the banquet hall, romance and joy permeated every corner.

The engagement banquet was held north of the Xishan Villa, and there were quite a few people coming and going. Luxury cars, understated yet luxurious, drove into the gate one after another, and Ling Xingxi stood by the window and sighed deeply.

Ling Xingzhi keenly caught her sigh, put his phone in his suit pocket, and asked her, "What's wrong?"

Ling Xingxi shook her head, walked back to the sofa, unscrewed the bottle of whiskey, poured herself a little, took a sip, and then stared intently at the tips of her shoes. Ling Xingzhi looked at her tense chin, his Adam's apple bobbing, a smile playing on his lips, "I was like this when I got engaged to your sister-in-law, and it caused quite a few laughs back then."

Ling Xingxi turned to look at her brother, licked her lips, and said, "What? Are you as unfamiliar with the groom as I am?" She then laughed self-deprecatingly, "Brother, you used to be a big shot in the compound. Everyone had heard one or two anecdotes about you. But this young master of the Song family, Song Yunshu, we only had two meals together and went on one date. After that, we had no contact at all."

Ling Xingzhi patted her on the back, "I know Song Yunshu quite well. She is knowledgeable, reasonable, understanding, and gentle, unlike us."

"What's different?"

Ling Xingxi put down her wine glass. "As long as he's a member of the Song family, he can't escape this circle." She pushed away Ling Xingzhi's hand. "Brother, do you really like your sister-in-law? Your relationship is a political marriage. Your present is my future."

Ling Xingzhi narrowed her eyes. "Wouldn't it be better to find a husband whose family can help you control?"

“Is this okay? You can torture yourself, but I…” Ling Xingxi sighed and turned her head away. “I know what I should do. Unlike you, I can’t help the family maintain its position, so I can only help the family through marriage. I was born into this family and have received all the glory from it, so naturally I have to pay the price for it.”

"Xixi, don't say that."

Ling Xingxi smiled bitterly, "Brother, don't try to comfort me. You're in a worse situation than me."

The two exchanged a glance, and Ling Xingxi pouted, stood up, and said, "I have to go put on makeup, brother."

The door was pushed open, and Wei Luochen was startled. She hurriedly hung up the phone. "How's my little sister? Does she need me to do her makeup? I'm pretty good at it," Wei Luochen said as she approached Ling Xingzhi.

"No need, she has her own makeup artist. Let's go to the banquet hall to entertain the guests."

Wei Luochen nodded, took Ling Xingzhi's arm, and walked absentmindedly. Her high heels got caught on her skirt, and she twisted her ankle. Ling Xingzhi caught her.

"What are you thinking about?"

Wei Luochen snapped out of his reverie, shook his head, and smiled.

Ling Xingzhi glanced down at her skirt, then knelt down to straighten it for her. Wei Luochen placed her hand on Ling Xingzhi's shoulder, hesitated for a while, and then said, "Someone just called me, talking about the Imperial Advisor's movie..."

Ling Xingzhi lowered her head and pulled the hem of her skirt off her high heels. "Um, what's wrong?"

Wei Luochen sighed, "Our magazine's cover next month will be a feature on the characters from the National Director's movie, everything is ready..."

Ling Xingzhi stood up, and Wei Luochen's gaze followed him upwards. "I only just found out too. I've been busy with the fashion show..." she smiled at Ling Xingzhi.

"You want me to match the cover of one of your magazines to get this movie re-released?"

Wei Luochen nodded. "Nobody noticed Guan Tong's incident... It must have been an accident. Just have them delete her clips, okay?"

“Luo Chen, I cannot be fickle. Once a decision is made, I cannot go back on it. In politics, I must establish my authority, and in economics, I must maintain the credibility of the government.”

Wei Luochen knew she had crossed the line, but she just wanted to know how much she meant to Ling Xingzhi as his wife, and whether he could do something for her—something that would set aside his principles.

"Okay, I understand... Let's go to the banquet hall..."

Upon arriving at the banquet hall, it was already quite crowded. Song Yun Shen stood in the middle of the crowd, greeting the arriving guests, while Ling Xing Zhi and Wei Luo Chen each took a glass of champagne.

"Should we go say hello?" Wei Luochen asked from the side, but Ling Xingzhi shook his head.

An uninvited guest suddenly appeared, "Uncle Ling, it's been a long time. Madam Ling, hello."

It is Yi Chenling.

The two looked up.

"Xiao Yi? You're here?" Ling Xingzhi gave him a forced smile, looking at him and inexplicably recalling what he had said about going to a hotel with his girlfriend in the dimly lit corridor last time. "Why didn't you bring your girlfriend? Is she busy?"

Yi Chenling pursed his lips and obediently shook his head. "She's with her brother. I don't know. How can she cherish a brother who isn't related to her by blood like that..." As he spoke, a smile appeared on his lips. "Uncle Ling, she reported you. Aren't you going to get revenge?"

Wei Luochen's eyes widened upon hearing this. "She reported you?!" His voice was a bit loud, attracting the attention of those around him. Ling Xingzhi's face remained expressionless.

Returning his gaze to Ling Xingzhi's face, Yi Chenling looked at her with a defiant look in his eyes. Wei Luochen, who had been startled, was now much calmer. Judging from Ling Xingzhi's expression, he wasn't surprised at all; he had known all along.

"Her brother was sent to prison and her parents left her. There's no need to kick her when she's down."

Ling Xingzhi smiled and said something, then picked up the champagne and took a sip.

Yi Chenling nodded, exchanged a few pleasantries with Wei Luochen, and then left. Wei Luochen was still shocked. She didn't know whether to thank Zhou Xiye for helping her get rid of Kong Lingqi, or to resent her for causing chaos in the Ling and Kong families and exposing her family scandal.

How could she treat you like this?

"Conflicts are normal."

Hearing this, she felt like an outsider. "You should teach me how to conduct myself and handle things. This whole movie thing is so awkward... I don't even know how to say no..."

"You have me, so you can do whatever you want. Don't worry about interpersonal relationships; your greatest asset is me."

Wei Luocheng opened his mouth and smiled. Yes, she is your wife.

Ling Xingzhi turned to look at her, "Just remember, don't accept any bribes, in any form. If you want anything, just tell me."

Wei Luochen looked at him and nodded seriously. She liked this way of working together. "Okay, I understand. After being Mrs. Ling for so many years, I have experience."

Ling Xingzhi smiled.

Suddenly, the entrance to the banquet hall became lively. Ling Xingzhi looked over and saw that Song Yunshu had arrived. Song Yunshu was wearing a dark blue suit and walked slowly out of the crowd. He walked gracefully with steady steps and a calm expression, as if none of the noise surrounding him could disturb him.

Song Yunshu caught Ling Xingzhi's gaze, and smiled slightly at him, his eyes clear and bright. Fine strands of hair partially obscured his brows, and his expression was full of tenderness.

"Hello, Secretary Ling."

Song Yunshu walked over and nodded.

Ling Xingzhi quite admired his brother-in-law; he could tell from his eyes that he was a good person, but that was all. An ordinary painter with no fame or fortune, he would likely be looked down upon in this circle.

But, well, he has a good mother.

"Xingxi is upstairs, do you want to go up and take a look?" Ling Xingzhi reminded him.

Song Yunshu smiled politely and said, "Okay."

Watching Ling Xingzhi and Wei Luochen go to their social engagements, Yi Chenling wasn't very happy. Ling Xingzhi had actually let Zhou Xiye off the hook like that? His words made him seem overly petty. Yi Chenling took his wine glass and walked to the table with his name on it, then sat down.

Suddenly, a crucial question occurred to him: Why did Zhou Xiye report Ling Xingzhi?

The simplest and most direct conclusion about their relationship is that they're having an affair. However... Yi Chenling thought about it more deeply, and it might be due to political infighting. After all, their positions are different, and it's common for them to sabotage each other.

But... how could Zhou Xiye, a mere liaison office in Beijing, or rather, a small-time military theory teacher, possibly stand up to Ling Xingzhi?

Isn't this a blow from a higher level? Yi Chenling doesn't believe that the two have no connection whatsoever.

Just then, a voice came from beside me, "You're the guy who stole my girlfriend?"

Yi Chenling raised an eyebrow, turned his head to look, and saw that it was Ye Rouxin.

He opened his mouth, then chuckled softly, "Yes, it's me."

Ye Rouxin sat down. His name wasn't on the table. Yi Chenling looked at him, puzzled. "Your relationship with her is just in name only. I'm just fulfilling my duties as your boyfriend."

"Zhou Xiye only treats you as a plaything, there's no need to label yourself as his boyfriend."

Yi Chenling frowned, put down his wine glass, and turned around. "You..."

Ye Rouxin maintained a calm and unhurried smile throughout, seemingly unconcerned about Zhou Xiye's infidelity.

"……what are you up to?"

Ye Rouxin stood up. "Let's go outside and talk."

This is a matter of a man's dignity.

Yi Chenling stood up and followed him outside, passing through the crowd, through the garden, across the stream, and finally stopping in the forest.

"What do you want with me here?"

Ye Rouxin, with one hand in her pocket, turned to look at him. "It's not that I want to do anything to you, it's that he wants to do something to you," she said, pointing to the distance with the finger that was sticking out of her pocket.

Yi Chenling followed the hand's gaze and saw a dark figure emerge from the shadows of the trees.

Upon seeing the newcomer, Yi Chenling smiled, a strange glint in his eyes. "Perfect timing. I was just about to ask you, is it really enjoyable to have sex with your own sister?"