"Dad, what are you talking about? Jiaojiao came with good intentions to celebrate your birthday, nothing else." Mrs. Sang showed an awkward look, feeling sorry for Jiaojiao at the same time.
"Shut up! If you can behave, then stay; if not, get out. Don't scheme to introduce a counterfeit to me!"
Mr. Sang Senior heavily slammed his wine glass on the table, his attitude very clear, not only telling the Sang Family but also everyone present.
In the Sang Family, there's only one cherished daughter, and that is Sang Qiao.
Sang Jiao and Mrs. Sang turned pale with embarrassment.
Amidst the heavy atmosphere, suddenly, two young girls came over, breaking the silence, "Grandpa, we're late. Grandpa Sang won't be mad at us, right?"
"Why would he be? Come, sit down. This must be Qixu, you've grown even more beautiful." Mr. Sang Senior's change of face was swift; none of the sternness he had shown moments earlier remained.
"Who is this?" Old Man Li looked at the girl with green hair next to his granddaughter, his eyebrows tightly knit.
"The Su Family's daughter, my classmate!" Li Qixu finished the introduction, and her eyes lit up when she saw the elder sister sitting next to Mr. Sang Senior.
"Hey, aren't you the sister who was in a car accident last time? You are...from the Sang Family?"
"Yes, thank you for that day," Sang Qiao was also sizing her up, recognizing her as the one who had arranged the ambulance for herself and accompanied her all the way.
"You're too polite." Li Qixu pulled Su Nuanying to sit down and looked at Mr. Sang Senior with mixed feelings.
The three Sang brothers present heard this and had complicated expressions. A car accident... was it as they thought? Then...did Sang Qiao not fake it but actually get into an accident?
Then the thought occurred to them that Sang Qiao had always been cunning, so it could also be possible she arranged for Li Family's granddaughter to act in this play.
Sang Nanfeng spoke evenly, neither cold nor hot, "Can even the granddaughter of the Li Family be bought off? Why were you the one informing us about the car accident, not a doctor? What is your intention in saying these things here?"
"Brother Sang, what do you mean? Are you saying that I'm colluding with Sang Qiao and making up a story? Do I need to do that?"
Li Qixu suddenly became angry; she had already been furious when she called the Sang brothers on Sang Qiao's behalf that day, and now he even suspected her of lying?
"Only you would know whether it's true or not." Sang Nanfeng's indifferent words nearly infuriated Li Qixu to death.
"Drink some beverage, you don't need to explain too much to outsiders." Sang Qiao handed her a glass of Sprite.
"Sister Qiao, you're right. Why should I explain to outsiders? If I need to explain, I'll do it privately to Grandpa Sang." Li Qixu took the beverage and took a big gulp.
What the hell, she still felt aggrieved and looked at the three dimwitted Sang brothers, "If you don't believe me, you can go check for yourselves, instead of behaving like disabled people who can only ask questions."
"Qixu, you can't be so unreasonable." Mr. Li Senior glared at his granddaughter with feigned fierceness, the kid really dared to say anything.
Li Qixu humphed unhappily and took Su Nuanying's hand, directly heading to sit with Sang Qiao.
"Qixu is just spoiled."
"No matter, she's not wrong. My grandsons indeed deserve a scolding!" Mr. Sang Senior smiled nonchalantly.
"How come the third one didn't come today?"
"Ah, he has a life-saving surgery at the hospital and can't leave. My birthday celebration is nothing major; human life is more important." Mr. Sang Senior said this with barely concealed pride.
At least one frustrating grandson always managed to do something pleasing.
"That's true."
The meal was eaten with everyone harboring their own thoughts.
The banquet ended, and the guests at the table rose to entertain themselves.
Sang Qiao checked her phone for the time, 7:32 PM. Was Lu Anchi really such an unreliable person?
Her gaze shifted toward the entrance, which was utterly empty; not a soul in sight.
Just as Sang Qiao was about to find a corner to sit down, a figure hurried over, looking dusty and travel-worn. Lu Anchi's suit was marked with several slashes, and his face bore a number of cuts as well.
"Sang Qiao, I'm sorry, I... I'm late because something held me up on the way."
"Spill it," Sang Qiao glanced at him but did not let him off easily. If he couldn't even be punctual, she had to doubt his other abilities.
"Can I... can I not say it? I really didn't mean to pull rank by being late." Lu Anchi hung his head, desperately trying to explain himself.
"You, a newcomer, pulling rank?" Sang Qiao couldn't help but laugh, but seeing his sincere attitude, she didn't press him further for the reason.
"I'll give you one chance, don't let it happen again. Follow me."
"Okay, thank you, Sang Qiao."
Sang Qiao led him straight to Mr. Li Senior.
This scene also caught the eye of the Sang Family. Mr. Sang couldn't even bring himself to drink his wine, slamming the table in anger, "Who is that ragged-looking person just now? That girl from the Su Family was bad enough, and now this? Can't Sang Qiao make some decent acquaintances?"
"She's wild now, completely uncontrollable. I'm guessing she'll only mix with these questionable characters from now on."
Mrs. Sang secretly felt relieved that Sang Qiao had left the Sang Family; otherwise, just as the Master had predicted, Sang Qiao would bring disaster upon them!
"I'll go have a look." Sang Nanfeng watched this unfold with complicated emotions and stood up to head over to them.
The words Li Qixu had said earlier kept echoing in his ears, while the previously always defensive Sang Qiao now remained silent, even saying they were strangers.
This made him feel extremely uncomfortable.
As he strode over, what he heard was Sang Qiao talking to Mr. Li Senior.
"Grandpa Li, take a look at him, doesn't he look like a perfect villain? My artist has the talent to play the antagonist in your script, please give him an audition opportunity."
"Since you've asked, naturally I'll agree. Come directly tomorrow," Mr. Li Senior said, although he wasn't very optimistic about the man who was dirty and expressionless.
But he relented for the sake of Sang Qiao.
"Thank you, Grandpa Li!"
"Thank you, Director Li," Lu Anchi was ecstatic, hardly believing he had actually gotten an audition opportunity with Director Li.
"I'll be waiting for you at the company tomorrow," Mr. Li Senior said with a genial smile and then turned to go upstairs.
"Director Li, I will not let down the hope you've given me!" Lu Anchi watched his retreating figure, his eyes resolute, and he felt extremely grateful to Sang Qiao.
"Sang Qiao, do you know who is competing for the major roles in Mr. Li Senior's work? With such a newcomer, do you think he has a chance?"
Sang Nanfeng stood by their side with a sarcastic expression. He had been surprised to discover that the Rose Entertainment that overshadowed his own artist's song on that day was Sang Qiao's.
What was unexpected was that such a new company was hiding an ace like Fu Xing.
But bringing a newcomer to compete for a role with Director Li seemed like an exercise in futility!
"What are you trying to say?" Sang Qiao turned her head to look at him, her expression cold, as if her patience was impeccable, waiting for him to continue.