"Come on, let's welcome Chen Luo, who is attending our family banquet for the first time!"
As Wen Shao spoke, everyone's attention turned to Chen Luo.
This was actually Wen Shao deliberately trying to embarrass Chen Luo. In Wen Shao's mind, no matter how outstanding Chen Luo was, it could never hide the fact that he came from humble beginnings.
This suggests that he most likely has not received systematic etiquette training, making him prone to making mistakes in such situations.
Wen Shao is now trying every means to lower Chen Luo's impression score, so that the elders and younger siblings in the family will have a lower opinion of Chen Luo.
"Hello everyone, I am Chen Luo, Wan'er's boyfriend. It's a pleasure to meet Uncle, Third Uncle, brothers, and sisters."
Without any hesitation, Chen Luo stood up, bowed slightly to everyone, and greeted them in a generous manner.
When looking at Wen Tao and Wen Xun, he bowed even lower to show respect.
This brief yet profound greeting was delivered without any stage fright or stuttering, and it effectively distinguished between elders and peers, taking into account everyone's feelings.
"Alright, sit down. We're all family, no need to be so formal."
Wen Tao waved his hand, gesturing for Chen Luo to sit down.
Wen Shao paused for a moment, then subconsciously looked at Wen Wan.
Wen Wan tilted her head slightly, a mocking look in her eyes.
Did you really think I didn't expect you to embarrass Chen Luo during the family dinner? I was prepared for this.
It seems that Wen Wan has made some preparations, but it's unlikely that she will be able to embarrass Chen Luo through external factors at the family banquet.
Wen Shao made a basic judgment and abandoned his original plan.
"Alright, now that everyone knows each other, as Father instructed, I will host today's family dinner."
As he spoke, Wen Shao walked to the side, opened the rice cooker, and began serving rice.
Chen Luo was a little confused. Wasn't he supposed to be hosting a family dinner? Why were they already serving rice? Wen Wan leaned close to Chen Luo's ear and whispered something.
"This is a family tradition where the eldest son serves food to everyone. It's mainly a symbol that everyone in the family has enough to eat and wear and is well-off."
Chen Luo nodded, watching as Wen Shao served rice to everyone and placed it in front of them.
However, one person was missing from the table: Wen Xiu.
Logically speaking, Wenxiu should have returned for such a big event as a family banquet, no matter how busy she was.
Even if she wasn't coming back, she should have at least called back. But now there's not a single word. Even when Wen Wan called Hong Ye to ask, Hong Ye only said that Wen Xiu was on a business trip and couldn't be contacted for the time being.
Chen Luo had a vague feeling that something was wrong.
"The rice is full, but the cup is empty!"
At this moment, Wen Shaolang shouted and picked up a jar of wine from the side, filling everyone's cups to the brim.
"Dear members of the Wen family, you've worked hard!"
With each cup poured, Wen Shao would call out.
The atmosphere of the family dinner gradually became more solemn.
Wen Wan continued to explain softly in Chen Luo's ear.
"According to tradition, the direct descendants of the Wen family should kneel down to toast the head of the family. However, this was abolished in the generation of my great-grandfather due to the influence of Western thought, and the current practice of pouring wine has been changed."
Chen Luo nodded to himself. The Wen family's traditions were constantly changing, only the form was changing, but the bloody essence of the struggle for the throne still continued to this day.
"Alright, Shao'er, you've worked hard. Sit down."
Wen Tao slowly stood up, raised his wine glass, and everyone else followed suit.
"This year, you all belong to different fields and are scattered in various places, working hard and diligently for the Wen family's industries and development."
"As a father, I am very gratified."
"Come, drink this cup to the brim to reward you for your hard work this year."
After speaking, Wen Tao downed his drink in one gulp, and everyone else followed suit, finishing their drinks but not taking a seat.
Everyone's eyes were still on Wen Tao, because after finishing his drink, Wen Tao glanced around at everyone, clearly indicating that he still had something to say.
"Ahem, I have something important to announce, Third Brother, you can say it."
Wen Tao looked at Wen Xun, who nodded, while Wen Shao and the others beside him were somewhat surprised.
The family dinner was always cold and unwelcoming, but my usually taciturn third uncle actually spoke up today.
"Okay, big brother."
Upon hearing the word "Big Brother," everyone present, except for Chen Luo and Wen Wan who already knew the situation, widened their eyes in surprise.
What? Father and Third Uncle's relationship has improved? What's going on?
At least in their memory, since their father became the head of the family, this third uncle had never called them "elder brother".
Wen Shao, who was among the crowd, suddenly felt a pang of unease.
What does this mean? Have my father and my third uncle reached a reconciliation?
Why? Even the old man Wen Qingyang couldn't ease their tensions, so who could?
Could it be?
Wen Shao instinctively looked at Chen Luo.
Impossible! It can't be him, he's only been at the Wen family for a few days!
"Alright, my dear nephews and nieces, I have an announcement to make."
Because of Wen Xun's status, Wen Shao had to quickly stop his wild thoughts and look at Wen Xun.
Wen Xun glanced at everyone and slowly spoke.
“My dear nephews and nieces, our current head of the Wen family, Wen Tao, knows that he is old and frail and will soon be entering his twilight years. I am afraid that in a few years he will no longer be able to steer the Wen family.”
According to the Wen family’s old custom, after the head of the family requests to abdicate, a successor must be chosen within three years.
"Therefore, I have been entrusted by the head of the family to preside over and supervise this election for the head of the family. Do you have any objections?"
Wen Xun looked at everyone, releasing a terrifying aura of authority, and everyone answered in unison.
"We have no objection."
Just kidding, who dares to object?
The power in Third Uncle's hands was enough to crush any one of them effortlessly, or even exterminate them all.
"Alright, if you have no objections, I will take charge."
Wen Xun glanced at Wen Tao, who nodded.
"Alright, in that case, I will consider each of you over the next three years. Those of you who are interested in running for office can do your best to achieve something during these three years. The one with the highest ability and prestige will win."
"However, I want to emphasize one point."
"This was something the old man specifically instructed me to do."
"That is, from now on, in every competition for the position of family head, if there is fratricide and the person who kills his or her siblings, he or she will not only lose his or her position as family head, but will also be severely punished by the family."
"Even, execute them!"
Wen Xun emphasized the word "execution" with extreme force, his murderous intent so intense that everyone present, including Chen Luo, felt a chill run down their spines.
"Yes, we dare not."
After announcing all the matters at hand, Wen Tao slowly stood up.
"Alright, if there are no problems, let's start eating."
Everyone sat down and began to eat.
Because the news was so shocking, everyone was thinking about it while eating.
At that moment, Wen Wan and Chen Luo's phones vibrated simultaneously.
Chen Luo frowned. Who would message him at this hour?
The two of them opened their phones together and found that they were both messages sent by Mo Ye, and the content of the messages was exactly the same.
[General Manager Wen/General Manager Chen: We have been attacked by unidentified assassins. Several members of our team have sustained various injuries, and Hongye is critically wounded and is currently in the ICU! Please send reinforcements immediately.]
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