After the divorce, the aloof CEO begged me not to withdraw my investment.

He never expected that Ye Feng would dare to hit him in front of so many people. Enraged, he pointed at Ye Feng and shouted at several security guards in black not far away.

"Security! Security! There's trouble here! He must have sneaked in, get him out of here!"

Several security guards rushed over upon hearing the commotion and surrounded Ye Feng with serious expressions.

The head security guard glanced at Ye Feng and said in a businesslike manner.

"Sir, please show your invitation or membership card."

Ye Feng frowned. He followed Xiang Qiang in without an invitation.

He subconsciously looked around, hoping to find Xiang Qiang, but found that the other party had already disappeared.

Seeing this, the surrounding guests began to whisper and point.

"I knew it. He was dressed so plainly, he couldn't be a decent person."

"To come to a banquet without an invitation is incredibly audacious."

"I guess they're trying to sneak in and freeload."

The various mocking voices pierced Ye Feng's eardrums like needles, making him feel irritated.

He pressed his lips together, suppressing his anger and trying to remain calm.

At this moment, Xiang Qiang squeezed through the crowd, walked impatiently to Ye Feng, and said, "What's going on? What are you doing here? Get out of here right now, don't embarrass me!"

Xiang Qiang's tone was full of disgust and contempt, as if Ye Feng were some kind of filthy thing.

Ye Feng's heart sank, and a chill ran from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.

He never expected that he would be treated this way by someone he had once helped.

Just then, a commotion broke out at the entrance of the banquet hall.

The crowd parted automatically, and a woman in a red dress walked gracefully towards them.

The woman was tall and beautiful, with long, jet-black hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall.

Every gesture she makes exudes an elegant and noble air, drawing people in effortlessly.

It was Qi Xue.

The light from the crystal chandelier shone on her, as if gilding her with a golden glow.

The surrounding guests greeted her with great respect.

"Miss Qi, you've arrived."

"Miss Qi, you look absolutely radiant tonight."

"Miss Qi..."

Qi Xue nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping across the crowd before finally settling on Ye Feng.

She saw Ye Feng surrounded by several security guards, her brows furrowed slightly, and a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes.

She walked straight up to Ye Feng and asked with concern, "Ye Feng, what happened?"

Looking at Qi Xue, Ye Feng felt a surge of warmth in his heart. In this place filled with hypocrisy and indifference, only she genuinely cared about him.

He briefly told Qi Xue what had just happened.

Upon hearing this, Qi Xue's face immediately darkened, and she looked coldly at Qian Yu and Xiang Qiang.

“Qian Yu, Xiang Qiang,” she said coldly, without a trace of emotion, “I’m here tonight to discuss cooperation with you all, but I will not allow my partners to be insulted like this. I hereby announce that the Qian Group will be excluded from this cooperation.”

Qi Xue's words were resounding and echoed throughout the banquet hall.

The surrounding guests immediately erupted in an uproar, speculating about the relationship between Qi Xue and Ye Feng.

Qian Yu's face was deathly pale, his lips trembling, but he couldn't utter a single word. He never imagined that his impulsive act would cause such serious consequences.

Xiang Qiang was so frightened that his face turned pale. He regretted his actions, but it was too late.

Ye Feng looked at Qi Xue, his heart filled with gratitude and emotion. He knew that Qi Xue had made this decision for his sake.

A strange flutter of emotion stirred within him, bringing him a sense of warmth.

The bitterness of champagne even seemed to turn sweet.

Qian Yu got up from the ground, his face burning and his lips throbbing.

The crystal chandelier in the banquet hall swayed in his eyes like countless sharp knives, dazzling him.

The whispers around him surged like a tide, each word like a pebble hitting his already festering pride.

He stared intently at Ye Feng, his eyes burning with fury, as if he wanted to devour him alive.

"Qi Xue, why...why did you do this?" Ye Feng looked at Qi Xue, who was blocking his way, and felt a mix of emotions.

The sweetness of the champagne turned bitter in his mouth, and he could feel the probing gazes of the guests around him, like needles pricking him.

“That will cause rumors to spread…” His voice was low, but it trembled slightly.

Qi Xue turned her head, her gaze fixed firmly on Ye Feng's face. The light danced on her long, black hair, outlining her delicate profile.

She gently shook her head, her tone resolute and unwavering: "I don't care." Her voice wasn't loud, but it was enough for those around her to hear.

"Everything I have is given to me by you, Ye Feng. Even if I have to quit the entertainment industry tomorrow, I won't hesitate. I won't allow anyone to bully you!" She spoke each word clearly, each one like a nail driven into the hearts of Qian Yu and Xiang Qiang.

Ye Feng's heart trembled suddenly. Qi Xue's words were like a warm current flowing into his cold heart.

He couldn't help but think of Liu Qingyi. If only she could have protected him like Qi Xue did...

A bitter feeling spread from the bottom of his heart. He blinked hard to force back the soreness in his eyes.

The air around them seemed to freeze, and everyone's eyes were focused on Ye Feng and Qi Xue.

Some investors who had originally planned to cooperate with the Qian Group are now reassessing the current situation. Qi Xue's attitude is so resolute that no one dares to easily offend this queen of the entertainment industry.

Xiang Qiang, standing in the crowd, had a livid face. He had originally intended to use this opportunity to suppress Ye Feng, but he hadn't expected Qi Xue to defend him so much.

He looked at Ye Feng and Qi Xue, a burning flame of jealousy raging in his heart. He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his flesh, yet he felt no pain.

Xiang Qiang forced a fake smile and walked up to Qi Xue, his tone slightly ingratiating: "Miss Qi, since Ye Feng is your... friend, why don't we have a meal together? We can sit at the same table and take care of each other."

He emphasized the word "good friend" and his tone carried a subtle hint of sarcasm.

Qi Xue glanced at Xiang Qiang, a hint of disgust flashing in her eyes, but she didn't show it.

She nodded slightly and said, "That's what I think too." She turned to look at Ye Feng, her eyes questioning.

Ye Feng had no intention of disturbing Qi Xue's banquet, but seeing the determination in Qi Xue's eyes, he finally nodded.

He didn't want to disappoint Qi Xue's kindness, and he didn't want her to worry about him.

The light from the crystal chandelier spilled like shattered diamonds onto the mahogany round table in the private room, illuminating the exquisite tableware and delicacies.