The Qin Family Courtyard.
A black Rolls-Royce slowly pulled up at the entrance.
"May I ask who you're looking for?"
Zhou Yucui opened the door and, seeing a young man in a suit, her tone became noticeably more polite.
The young man smiled slightly. "Hello, Madam. Chairman Su sent me to pick up Miss Qin to attend the banquet at Starlight Garden Hotel."
"Starlight Garden Hotel? Chairman Su? The Su family, the wealthiest in Jiangzhou?" Zhou Yucui was startled at first, but upon seeing the young man nod, she was overjoyed.
Over the past few days, news of the banquet at Starlight Garden Hotel had spread throughout Jiangzhou. The invited guests were all local elites, but she never expected the Su family to personally send someone to pick up her daughter.
Zhou Yucui warmly invited the young man inside, handed him over to Qin Dayong for hosting, and then hurried off to her daughter's room.
"The Su family sent someone to take us to the banquet at Starlight Garden Hotel. It must be to announce your engagement to the young master of the Su family," Zhou Yucui said excitedly.
Qin Yi, who had been curled up in bed watching dramas, was equally shocked. "So soon?"
"The person is waiting downstairs. Why are you dawdling?" Zhou Yucui urged.
"Ah—"
Qin Yi let out an excited scream, jumped out from under the covers, and immediately began grooming herself.
"Mommy, when will Daddy come home? I miss him."
In another room, Xiao Xiao fiddled with the small pendant around her neck and suddenly asked pitifully.
It had been three days since Yang Chen brought her home, and he hadn't returned since. Over these days, Qin Xi's heart had been in turmoil. It wasn't until Xiao Xiao mentioned her father that she suddenly realized—the reason for her unease was that man.
She was afraid. Afraid that, just like five years ago, he would leave without a word and disappear for another five years.
"Daddy is busy. He'll come home once he's done," Qin Xi said, hugging Xiao Xiao tightly.
An image flashed through her mind—the man who had carried her away from the Qin family in the rain. She would probably never forget the warmth of his embrace.
"Xi'er, the Su family sent someone to pick us up. We're going to attend Yi'er's engagement banquet with the Su family's young master. Hurry up and get ready. As the bride's family, we can't be late."
Just as mother and daughter were missing Yang Chen, Zhou Yucui burst into the room.
An hour later, the three women—plus a little princess—emerged.
Seeing these exquisitely dressed, stunning figures, the young driver sent to pick them up was momentarily stunned. But he quickly averted his gaze. These were esteemed guests even Chairman Su highly valued. He didn't dare stare.
Today, Starlight Garden Hotel was bustling with activity. All of Jiangzhou's elite had been invited.
The parking lot was filled with luxury cars worth tens of millions.
Old Master Qin stepped out of an Audi worth just over a million. To one side of the Audi was a Rolls-Royce, and to the other, a Bentley.
"Let's go quickly!" Old Master Qin urged, afraid someone might notice his modest vehicle.
"Grandpa, Su Chengwu's car is here!"
Just as the Qin family exited the parking lot, they saw a Rolls-Royce with the license plate "JiangA88888" pull up at the hotel entrance.
Old Master Qin immediately said, "Xiao Fei, come with me to greet Chairman Su."
They approached the car, bending slightly like eager servants, waiting for Su Chengwu to step out.
The next second, the smiles on Old Master Qin and Qin Fei's faces froze.
Qin Xi's family emerged from the car and spotted them. Having been expelled from the family, Zhou Yucui was already seething with resentment. But seeing the grandfather and grandson in such a subservient posture filled her with satisfaction.
"Old Master Qin, thank you for issuing the family decree to expel us from the Qin family. Otherwise, we might have ended up with some useless relatives. You know how troublesome it is for wealthy families to deal with poor relatives," Zhou Yucui said pointedly, her words dripping with sarcasm.
"What do you mean?" Old Master Qin asked coldly.
"Oh, so you didn't know?"
Zhou Yucui smirked triumphantly. "Half a month ago, the Su family personally visited us with lavish betrothal gifts. Oh, and there was also a villa in the Sun-Moon-Stars estate. We're planning to move in soon! As for that old Qin family house—so shabby and outdated—how could it possibly suit my daughter, the future daughter-in-law of the wealthiest family?"
"You—cough, cough—"
"Grandpa!"
Zhou Yucui's sharp tongue struck hard. Old Master Qin nearly fainted from anger, and the Qin family rushed to support him.
Zhou Yucui finally felt like she had vented her anger, as if a weight had been lifted.
Under the guidance of the hotel staff, the family was seated at the very front of the banquet hall.
This scene shocked many of Jiangzhou's elite, who began inquiring about the family's identity.
At an event of this caliber, the front seats were reserved for the most distinguished guests.
"Excuse me, where are our seats?"
Seeing that no one was attending to them, Qin Fei stopped a hostess to ask.
The hostess glanced at their invitation and replied coldly, "The table number is written on the invitation. Can't you read?"
Starlight Hotel was owned by the Su family. Even the hostesses were beyond the Qin family's reproach, so they could only swallow their anger.
The Qin family easily found their seats—right by the entrance, noticeably smaller than the other tables, with simple wooden chairs.
But the Qin family didn't seem to notice. Instead, they felt honored just to be inside the hotel. Many guests looked at them as if they were fools.
At exactly 8 p.m., the banquet officially began.
Amidst melodious music, the host took the stage.
After a welcoming speech, the host smiled and said, "Everyone has been invited here today to announce three major events."
Since the invitations had been sent anonymously, no one knew who the host of the event was.
The crowd perked up at the host's words.
"The first matter is that the Jiangzhou branch of Yan Chen Group officially begins operations today. We have already established a long-term partnership with Sanhe Group and hope for your continued support!"
This announcement sent waves through the crowd.
Everyone knew about Sanhe Group because the most beautiful woman in Jiangzhou had once been its chairwoman.
But now, the company was controlled by the Qin family. How could such a small family be worthy of partnering with Yan Chen Group?
If Yan Chen Group was on good terms with the Qin family, why were they seated at the very back?
As the crowd buzzed with confusion, the Qin family's expressions darkened.
Only now did they realize they hadn't been invited because some powerful figure saw potential in them—but to humiliate them.
"Grandpa, this is too much!" Qin Fei growled, his eyes red with anger.
"Silence!"
Old Master Qin's face was stormy. "Even if this is an insult, since we're here, we must endure it. If you dare cause a scene tonight, the Qin family will cease to exist in Jiangzhou."
"Our Su family also hopes to collaborate with Sanhe Group."
Before the crowd could recover from the first announcement, Su Chengwu's voice rang out.
"The Wang family wishes to partner with Sanhe Group!"
"The Zhang family is willing to work with Sanhe Group!"
"The Li family also seeks cooperation with Sanhe Group!"
One after another, influential figures stood to declare their intentions.
The Qin family's faces twisted in dismay. Just three days ago, they had handed over Sanhe Group as compensation. Now, with so many elite families vying to collaborate, its value would multiply overnight.
"Everyone, discussions about partnerships can continue after the banquet. Now, let's move on to the second announcement," the hostess interjected, calming the surge of interest.
"Today marks the wedding anniversary of a couple. Due to certain circumstances back then, they were forced into marriage. The husband, feeling unworthy of his wife, left without a word—for five years."
"Three days ago, at the Night City Club auction, a mysterious man used overwhelming means to bid on most of the treasured jewelry, including a pink diamond ring worth 500 million. He was that husband!"
"Whoosh!"
At that moment, the curtains behind the host parted automatically. Under everyone's gaze, over a dozen glass display cases were revealed.
Each case held an exquisite piece of jewelry.
"Those are the pieces auctioned off three days ago!" someone exclaimed.
"The 'Tears of the Stars' necklace, the pink diamond ring..."
Every item auctioned at Night City Club that night was now on display—each one priceless.
Jiangzhou had no shortage of billionaires, but none would spend billions on such luxuries.
Countless elite women gazed at the dazzling jewelry with envy. Owning even one piece would be a lifetime bragging right, let alone the entire collection.
Qin Xi, seated at the front, couldn't help but feel a twinge of longing. "That wife is so lucky," she murmured.
"Wait, isn't today your anniversary with him too?"
Qin Yi suddenly asked, then grinned. "Sis, don't tell me that husband is Yang Chen? And all these things are for you?"
Qin Xi smiled bitterly and shook her head without replying.
"You silly girl, what nonsense are you spouting? If Yang Chen could afford even one of these, I'd chop off my head and let him use it as a stool!" Zhou Yucui snapped, glaring at Qin Yi.
"Mom, you said it! No take-backs!" Qin Yi teased.
"Now you're pushing it!" Zhou Yucui scolded playfully.
Meanwhile, the host's impassioned voice rose again.
"Five years ago, this husband couldn't afford a single gift for his wife. To make up for that regret, every piece here will be given to her. Now, let us all witness this moment of happiness!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Several beams of light suddenly converged.
The spotlight fell on the most beautiful woman in the room—seated at the very front.