No reconciliation, no forgiveness! Mr. Pei leaves with nothing.

The Huo family's butler personally stepped forward and opened the car door. Jiang Hua bent down and got out of the car, followed by two older maids with graying temples, the same maids who had done Jiang Hua's hair and makeup at Jinsha Shallow Bay.

When Jiang Hua saw the two unfamiliar faces, she assumed it was her grandfather who had come looking for her, so she didn't take it seriously. "We're here. You don't need to follow me. I'll go in by myself."

The two people behind her nodded to Jiang Hua, "Yes, Madam."

"Madam, just remember what we said. Once you go in, you don't need to say anything or do anything. Someone will help you with whatever you need. If you need anything, just let us know."

"Alright, alright, I got it. You guys aren't annoyed by this all the way, but I'm tired of hearing it."

Jiang Hua's words were unintentional, but the two people behind her turned pale and panicked instantly. "I'm sorry, Madam, we talked too much."

Jiang Hua looked at them strangely, "Why are you all so afraid of me? I'm not going to eat you." After saying this, Jiang Hua walked inside on her own.

As soon as she stepped onto the stairs, the Huo family's butler immediately came forward, bowing and scraping respectfully before Jiang Hua, "You've arrived?"

"This way please, watch your step. Third Master and many others are waiting for you."

you?

Are all the Huo family members so hospitable?

The outer hall of the Huo family house was filled with traditional round tables. The spacious courtyard was packed with people chatting, but Jiang Hua could only hear the noise and not quite make it out clearly. However, she could immediately see dozens of servants from the entire Huo family, all dressed in festive red cheongsams, bustling about.

The servants nearby hurriedly ran to the inner room to report…

Sitting in the main seat was none other than Third Master Huo, with his first wife beside him. Beside her were the offspring of a collateral branch of the Huo family. Upon hearing the steward's report, Third Master Huo's already stern gaze became even more imposing. He stood up, and then everyone in the hall immediately stood up as well. "Come with me to greet them."

Third Master Huo was assassinated years ago, leaving him with a leg injury and a disability. He could only use a cane and refused assistance from those around him. Dressed in a formal Zhongshan suit, he walked out of the hall. Dozens of tables were set up outside, and all those seated there were members of the collateral branches of the Huo family. Those who came today had been selected, with a smaller number of people present. Not everyone could attend such a birthday banquet.

Moreover, with the head of the family present today, the collateral branches have no choice but to take this seriously.

Jiang Hua stepped across the threshold, her gaze sweeping over the crowd as she searched for her father and grandfather at the same table. Then she heard Bao'er's voice from the crowd. Bao'er stood up and waved, "Hua Hua is here."

Shen Bulu, who was standing to the side, immediately covered Bao'er's mouth and pressed him down. He leaned down and whispered in Bao'er's ear, "Grandma, please be mindful of the occasion today and keep your voice down."

Jiang Hua was about to walk over when she was stopped by the butler, who said, "Your seat isn't there!"

Jiang Hua glanced in that direction, "But my dad and grandpa..."

At that table, Jiang Hua saw Shen Yebai. Today, he was wearing a white, modern Chinese-style suit with bamboo leaf embroidery on the shoulders and three gold plates in front of him. At a distance, when their eyes met, Jiang Hua's eyes were unreadable. Shen Yebai moved his lips slightly and silently uttered two words: "Don't be afraid."

Jiang Hua's unease lessened somewhat.

"This way, please." The butler gestured.

Just then, a sudden commotion erupted among the crowd.

"Third Master is out."

When Master Huo walked out of the inner hall, everyone immediately stood up. Behind Master Huo were some of the most powerful figures in China. On his left was one of the top leaders in China, and on his right was the person in charge of all of Huo's businesses.

One of the top figures in the political arena is the fourth master of the Huo family.

The person in charge of the business is the heir of Master Huo the Third, and in terms of seniority, Master Huo the Fourth is three years younger. The arrangement of the tables in the outer hall is also very particular; the left side is occupied by people from the political world, and the right side by several major families from the capital's business scene.

The interests of government and business are intertwined, and the relationships among them are complex and interwoven.

Unexpectedly, the people inside the hall came out in person, and everyone sitting below stood up.

Jiang Hua had never seen such a scene before. She stood still, but she could sense the strangeness of the sudden silence among the crowd, which was due to the appearance of Third Master Huo.

The sudden solemnity of the scene actually made Jiang Hua feel a little nervous. However, she didn't feel nervous when facing Huo Tingshan. She never hid her disdain or contempt for Huo Tingshan's ugly expression or his contemptuous gaze.

Master Huo stepped forward, turned slightly to the side, and pointed in a direction for Jiang Hua. The people behind him also made way for her. "Your seat is inside."

Shen Bao'er stared blankly at the scene, "This... Huahua, she..."

Shen Bulu frowned, having formed a general guess in his mind. He covered her lips and said, "Shh."

it is as expected.

Shen Bulu was unusually serious. He looked at Shen Yebai, his expression calm and composed, clearly not surprised.

It turns out he already knew.

Jiang Hua was lost in thought for a moment. The Huo family always made such a grand show of welcoming anyone.

Everyone waited for Jiang Hua's reaction. The air froze for a few seconds. Jiang Hua noticed that many people's eyes were on the ring on her hand.

She looked down at the vintage ring on her hand, but she had never felt that it was anything special.

Thinking it must be Huo Tingshan's arrangement, Jiang Hua took a step forward and walked into the inner hall under everyone's gaze.

Jiang Hua has been the center of attention since childhood, mostly because of her appearance. People would look at her with amazement, but this time... it didn't seem to be the case. The atmosphere was very solemn and serious.

"This is your location."

In front of the main hall, Master Huo pointed to the pear wood carved with patterns on the right side of the hall. On the armchair, the left side was the main seat and the right side was the secondary seat. The left side was usually occupied by the master, while the right side was occupied by the person next to the master.

Have the Huo family gone mad?

They probably want to harm her. Is this a position she's fit to sit in?

What are these people trying to do?

Is this Huo Tingshan's intention?

Wouldn't it be a bit too much to actually sit down?

Jiang Hua can be arrogant and domineering at times, looking down on everyone. But in today's setting, everyone is a person of high status and power. Even if the Jiang family is the richest family in the capital, they are probably no match for the Huo family.

Jiang Hua felt a chill run down her spine: "Are you...are you sure? You want me to sit here?"

Master Huo: "This is your seat."

Jiang Hua hesitated for a long time, wondering if there was a trap. But judging from their posture, if she didn't sit down, it seemed that these people would stand with her.

Everyone's eyes were filled with respect.

Master Huo: "Please have a seat."

Jiang Hua didn't want to waste any more time here, so she sat down. She remembered what someone had told her earlier: she didn't need to do anything or say anything.

As soon as she sat down, Third Master Huo and Fourth Master Huo also sat down in the hall. Among this group of people, Jiang Hua had only met Huo Qin once before.

She remembered that it was him who went on stage to confirm the recording when Xue Ruyao played it at the Great Hall of the People last time.

When Jiang Hua met his gaze, Huo Qin seemed flustered and looked away, his eyes falling to the side. The younger generation of the Huo family could only stand aside.

Master Huo: "Serve tea."

The maid brought a blue-and-white porcelain teacup to Jiang Hua.

Master Huo said, "Please try this, it's the finest Emperor Dragon Paste."

Jiang Hua took a sip but couldn't taste anything. She didn't usually like drinking tea, but her father and grandfather did. However, this tea seemed different from what she usually drank. It was fragrant, mellow, and rich, with a hint of sweetness.

"Third Master, where are my father and maternal grandfather?"

"Aren't they here yet?"

Master Huo: "They will naturally take their seats once the banquet begins, so you don't need to worry."

Are you satisfied with this tea?

Jiang Hua: "Hmm, it's alright."

How could she be dissatisfied? She had only heard her grandfather mention it before. At first, she didn't know what it was, but now she must be referring to this tea. She had heard that it was quite expensive. Currently, it was only produced in the Jiangnan region, with only eight tea plants and an annual yield of less than three catties. The price was astronomical, with one gram of tea selling for nearly a million.

The lobby was quiet; everyone seemed to be waiting for something.

Jiang Hua rested her chin on her hand, looking out the door with a bored expression. She thought it would be better to sit outside and at least chat with Bao'er.

None of the Huo family members spoke or chatted; their silence and composure were truly remarkable.

When I visited the Shen family for the New Year, I sat with my great-grandparents just like I am now, and we could at least chat about the affairs of other prominent families.

Aren't they bored just waiting around?

Time passed slowly, and after half an hour, Jiang Hua could no longer sit still.

Feeling agitated, she stood up abruptly.

To everyone's surprise, the people below also hurriedly stood up.

They were both startled and paused for a moment.

Faced with this group of utterly inexplicable people, she held back and didn't lose her temper.

However, this also drew the attention of everyone inside and outside the hall, who all seemed to be watching her nervously.

"Is there something you need?" Third Master Huo asked.

Jiang Hua: "It's nothing, I just drank too much tea and went to the restroom."

"Please come this way."

Jiang Hua shook her head. Something was wrong, something was very wrong.

No, it shouldn't be said that something is wrong.

It's a bit strange.

After walking through the magnificent lobby, Jiang Hua was led to a place with an antique feel, in front of a restroom. "The restroom is inside."

Jiang Hua didn't even glance at her before walking into the bathroom. The door closed, and she turned around to see the figure standing outside. Her phone wasn't on her; logically speaking, Ji Liangchuan should have arrived long ago.

"The Huo family is really extravagant; they even use ambergris as incense."

What exactly is the Huo family doing?

Jiang Hua didn't go to the restroom. Instead, she opened the restroom window, lifted her cheongsam, and climbed over it. She was instantly in the back of the Huo family's residence. Stepping into the grass of the flowerbed, she lifted the hem of her cheongsam, her high heels stained with mud. The surroundings were dark, illuminated only by a few dim lights.

Jiang Hua thought Jinsha Shallow Bay was luxurious enough, but she didn't expect that even the residence of a branch family was so big. How big must the Huo family's main residence be? Wouldn't she get lost?

However, after walking around, Jiang Hua was indeed lost.

The courtyards and corridors here are crisscrossed, and it was late at night, so she couldn't see anything at all. Jiang Hua was terrible with directions, and she would definitely get lost without someone to guide her.

After walking for more than ten minutes, the road became increasingly remote. Jiang Hua lifted the hem of her skirt and stepped up and down the stairs, already on the verge of exasperation. "That's enough! Why make such a huge mess for no reason! Where's the exit?!"

...

Inside a top-of-the-line, limited-edition Hongqi car—a car owned by fewer than three people in China—Pei Zhan wore a black, slightly Chinese-style suit with gold thread embroidery on the cuffs and silver cufflinks that gleamed with a cold light. On his tablet were photos sent from the birthday banquet half an hour earlier. Jiang Hua sat in the main seat, her hand supporting her forehead, her eyes listless and somewhat languid. Perhaps she had been waiting too long; a hint of impatience was evident in her eyes. Jiang Hua was wearing the banquet attire traditionally worn by the matriarchs of the Huo family, rarely worn except on important occasions. Unexpectedly… it suited her perfectly, as if tailor-made for her.

Upon seeing the photo, the man smiled and stroked it. Tonight, Mrs. Huo looked exceptionally radiant and beautiful.

The car came to a smooth stop: "Master, we've arrived."

As the car approached from a distance, the butler hurriedly reported, "Third Master, the Master has arrived."

Panic was spreading. "What do we do?! In the blink of an eye, how could someone just disappear like that?"

Master Huo stamped his cane and angrily shouted, "Hurry up and send more people to search!"

Master Huo also instructed his men to check on the situation.

It's impossible for such a large living person to suddenly disappear.

The maid who had followed Jiang Hua to the restroom was still kneeling on the floor, saying, "It was my oversight. When I went in, I saw the window was open, and it seemed that Madam..."

Ran.

The last two words were too much for her to say.

"Useless! You can't even take care of a person. What use are you to me?!"

“If you fail to perform your duties properly, you will be punished according to family rules after this is over.”

...

Shen Bao'er rested her chin on the table. The seat next to her was empty. The eight-person table was full, with all the members of the Shen family sitting there. The old lady was holding her grandson.

"Shen Bulu, I'm so hungry!"

Shen Bulu: "Baby, just bear with it a little longer, it should be soon!"

Just then, the sound of footsteps came from outside the door. Pei Zhan led the way as they crossed the threshold. Just then, everyone from the Huo family in the inner hall came out and hurriedly came out to greet them.

Shen Bao'er, whose eyes had been almost drooping from hunger, slowly brightened when she saw the direction everyone was looking. "Shen Bulu, am I... seeing things? Why am I seeing that country bumpkin that Huahua married?"

"Is it Pei Zhan?"

"Shen Bulu, why is he surrounded by so many people?"

"Ancestor, please say less."

The moment Pei Zhan appeared, everyone's gazes were filled with shock, astonishment, and sighs...

The man's cold, piercing gaze swept over the unimportant crowd. Not seeing the person he longed to see, his brow furrowed deeply: "Where is Madam?"