Chapter 55: The Birthday Banquet and its Discontents

Chapter 55: The Birthday Banquet and its Discontents

"Zi Fei? He's a well-known casual cultivator, at level three of the Spirit Incarnation Realm! He's close to Seventh Uncle," Yuan Ye whispered from the next seat.

As expected, Yuan Ye's seventh uncle rose, beaming. "Oh, Zi Fei! Thank you for coming. It's an honor."

"With our relationship, you're a stranger. How could I miss Master Yuan's birthday?"

"Haha, Zi Fei, please come in."

Yuan Ye's seventh uncle ushered Zi Fei in. Everyone stood, except Master Yuan, Yuan Liuhe, and a few other distinguished guests.

Zi Fei knelt before Master Yuan. "Master Yuan, Zi Fei is here to offer my blessings." He then bowed to Yuan Liuhe. "Mr. Yuan, I'm Zi Fei."

"Thank you for coming," Yuan Liuhe said politely. At his level, he didn't hold level three Spirit Incarnation Realm experts in high regard.

Zi Fei remained smiling, as if it were an honor to speak with Yuan Liuhe.

After Zi Fei, more guests arrived.

"Zhou Yuan of Yunhai City is here!"

"Huang An of Yunhai City is here!"

"Xiao Qing of Fengyu City is here!"

These guests came for Yuan Liuhe, Yuan Qingfeng, and the other elders, not Xiao Chen.

Yuan Ye chuckled. "Today's guests have gathered. The Yuan family is honored. But someone bragged a few days ago. Why is no one here for him?"

Xiao Chen, overhearing, replied calmly, "So what if no one came for me? With me here, even ten thousand wouldn't compare."

"How arrogant!" Yuan Ye scoffed.

Nearby guests exchanged glances, thinking Xiao Chen delusional. Such pronouncements were acceptable from geniuses, but from a "good-for-nothing," they were just shameless.

Just then, a steady voice announced, "Meng Yang of the Meng family has come to pay respects to Master Yuan!"

The room fell silent.

"That's Meng Yang, the head of the Meng family!" someone whispered.

"The Meng family is on par with the Yuan family! I can't believe Mr. Meng came personally!"

"Amazing! The Yuan family's connections are terrifying!"

Yuan Liuhe rose and went out to greet Meng Yang. Everyone knew he had come for Yuan Liuhe.

"Mr. Yuan is unfathomable," someone said. "His connections are unmatched in Yunhai City!"

Yuan Ye puffed out his chest, sneering at Xiao Chen. "Xiao Chen, Mr. Meng is here. What do you think? Who's stronger?"

"He's not worthy," Xiao Chen replied.

The impact of these words was even greater than Meng Yang's arrival. People frowned, displeased. How dare he say that about Mr. Meng?

Even Master Yuan's expression changed. "Xiao Chen, that's enough!" he said, then apologized to the crowd. "My nephew is… straightforward. Please forgive him."

"How embarrassing! Grandpa has to intercede for you!" Yuan Ye sneered.

The other Yuan family members shook their heads. How could the Yuan family have such an ignorant member?

Yuan Mengyao stepped forward, bowing to Master Yuan. "Master Yuan, I have something to say."

"Go ahead."

"I… I am unworthy of Xiao Chen. Please withdraw your order. I'd rather remain unmarried and serve you."

Yuan Ye laughed. "Xiao Chen, did you hear that? Mengyao would rather be unmarried than marry you! How terrible are you?"

Master Yuan was silent.

"Master Yuan, please grant my wish!" Yuan Mengyao pleaded.

She genuinely disliked Xiao Chen. She felt he was trash, unworthy of her. The thought of marrying him was repulsive. But she didn't dare disobey Master Yuan.

Therefore, she had to act now!

Master Yuan sighed. "Alright. Since you're unwilling, I won't force you. Mengyao, I won't mention this again."

"Thank you, Master Yuan!" Yuan Mengyao said, overjoyed.

She was finally free!

She didn't notice Xiao Chen's cold gaze.

"If you don't want to marry me, I won't force you," Xiao Chen said. "But why embarrass Grandpa in public? Do you think I'd beg you?"

Yuan Mengyao's timing was perfect. If Grandpa refused, everyone would laugh at him. If he agreed, it would seem forced. Either way, Grandpa would be embarrassed!

"I… I have no choice!" Yuan Mengyao said.

"No choice? For your happiness, you disregard others," Xiao Chen said. "I don't care about my reputation, but what you did to Grandpa is wrong."

"I…" Yuan Mengyao stammered.

Just then, a loud voice rang out. "Meng Yang of the Meng family has come to pay respects to Master Yuan!"