Chapter 30: Tang Qiong's Apprenticeship Banquet
Lin Qingqian spoke with a grave expression, “Qi Changling is the patriarch of the Qi family, the head of the household, and their family ranks third among the four great clans of Shu City! Their power is second only to the Tang and Song families.”
“Moreover, the Qi family has maintained close marital ties with the Song family for years—both families share honor and disgrace, advancing and retreating together.”
“To provoke the Qi family is to provoke the Song family. Even the Tang family, the most powerful among the four, dares not easily offend them!”
“Qi Changling’s eldest son, Qi Dingtian, is the second-in-command at the Celestial Pavilion of Shu City, overseeing the city’s public security.”
“His second son, Qi Dingfeng, is the deputy commander of the Southern Province war zone, renowned for his military achievements—so much so that the capital of Shu City shows him great deference.”
“Qi Changling also has a formidable grandson named Qi Xian, said to be a martial arts prodigy. Barely in his twenties, he has few rivals, and his master is highly respected in the martial world—no one dares to challenge him!”
The more Lin Qingqian spoke, the heavier her expression became.
At last, her voice dropped low, “I really think you shouldn’t seek revenge against Qi Changling!”
“The Qi family is too powerful! So powerful that many despair before them!”
“If you truly offend them, I can’t protect you.”
Ye Tianci smiled faintly, noticing Lin Qingqian’s first reaction was concern for his safety.
He believed her words were sincere, for her eyes shone with the clarity and kindness of innocence.
“Qingqian, thank you for your warning and concern. Don’t worry—I know what I’m doing.”
“That’s good. I’ll sleep now—you should rest early, too.”
Lin Qingqian turned and lay down.
Ye Tianci closed his eyes as well, sitting by the window, quietly entering a state of cultivation.
...
The next day.
By mid-morning, at the Longxiang Grand Hotel.
All surrounding roads were under traffic control!
No unrelated vehicles were allowed to pass!
The hotel courtyard was carpeted in red.
A hundred tall, beautiful hostesses in white cheongsams lined up from the hotel entrance all the way to the courtyard gate.
They bloomed like a hundred fervent white roses, radiating exquisite allure and drawing the eyes of countless male guests.
A hundred burly bodyguards in matching black suits, black shoes, and sunglasses also lined the route from the hotel entrance to the courtyard gate.
Each was strikingly heroic, capturing the attention of many female guests.
Additionally, a dozen officers in Celestial Pavilion uniforms stood at their posts, awe-inspiring, and intimidating guests arriving for the banquet.
Such an immense security presence inspired reverence—no one would dare cause trouble here.
As the auspicious hour arrived, luxury cars rolled into the Longxiang Grand Hotel.
Bentleys, Rolls-Royces, and Maybachs were everywhere, and flashy sports cars arrived one after another.
Audi and BMW, which ordinary people consider fine cars, were not even in the league here.
The guests emerging from each luxury car were adorned in gold and jewels, clad in splendid attire, each bearing an air of high status.
Amidst all these vehicles, a modest Hongqi sedan slowly entered the hotel parking lot.
Lin Qingqian and Ye Tianci got out, accompanied by Lin Changli.
The three approached the hotel entrance, surveying their surroundings. Lin Changli clicked his tongue, “Wow, the Tang family really knows how to put on a show! I bet all the elites of Shu City are here.”
“Of course. Haven’t you seen the Tang family’s power? Is this really surprising? Don’t embarrass yourself!” came a sneering, mocking voice from nearby—it was Lin Weiwei.
Behind Lin Weiwei stood Lin Changren, Lin Hao, and other members of the Lin family.
Lin Qingqian arched her brows, and retorted coldly, “Weiwei, no matter what, my father is your third uncle. Mocking him like this is neither polite nor proper.”
Lin Hao immediately chimed in, arrogantly, “Lin Qingqian, who are you calling uncultured? Our family upbringing is far better than yours! At least we know how to put the greater good above all!”
“Unlike you, disregarding the Lin family’s interests, insisting on fulfilling a marriage contract with a cripple. How laughable!”
Lin Weiwei rolled her eyes and scoffed disdainfully, “Lin Qingqian, have you forgotten already? Yesterday, your whole family was expelled from the Lin clan by my father—stricken from the family records!”
“What third uncle? Your father, to me, is nothing but a useless coward!”
Smack!
She had barely finished speaking when she received a slap across her face.
Lin Weiwei saw stars and hadn’t even seen who struck her.
She clutched her face and instinctively looked at Ye Tianci, “Did you hit me?”
Of those present, only Ye Tianci dared to act.
Ye Tianci’s lips curled into a cold smirk. “Lin Weiwei, let me remind you: insulting my father-in-law is the same as insulting Qingqian. Every vulgar word earns you a slap.”
Lin Weiwei glared at Ye Tianci, grinding her teeth, “You keep hitting me. Do you really think I’m easy to bully?”
“This is the Tang family’s banquet—dare you slap me again? I don’t believe you would—”
Smack!
Before Lin Weiwei could finish her provocation, Ye Tianci slapped her again.
“As you wish,” Ye Tianci replied coldly.
Lin Weiwei immediately raised her voice in a shrill cry, “Help, someone’s causing trouble! Someone’s here to wreck the Tang family’s banquet!”
Hearing her shout, Tang Jiao, busy welcoming guests nearby, immediately led her people over.
Lin Weiwei clearly knew Tang Jiao. Clutching her face, she complained venomously, “Miss Tang, we’re here for General Tang Qiong’s apprenticeship banquet, and before we even entered the hotel, Ye Tianci hit me!”
“Yesterday, my father acted on your orders, expelling him and Lin Qingqian’s family from the Lin clan!”
“He bears a grudge and deliberately assaulted us, trying to ruin your Tang family’s banquet!”
Her words, full of incitement, hit their mark.
Tang Jiao immediately fixed Ye Tianci with a cold stare. “You’re the first in Shu City to dare make trouble at the Longxiang Grand Hotel!”
“It seems you weren’t satisfied with being chased off yesterday, and now you dare come here?”
Ye Tianci’s expression was calm. “Why shouldn’t I come?”
“If I didn’t, there’d be no reason for your Tang family’s banquet today.”
At his words, the crowd erupted in astonishment!
Everyone widened their eyes, faces full of disbelief, pressing closer to see who dared utter such audacious words!
“If you don’t come, our Tang family’s banquet is pointless?”
“Hah! What are you, you cripple? How dare you boast so outrageously?”
Tang Jiao looked at Ye Tianci with disdain, her face full of arrogance.
Ye Tianci’s expression turned cold. “Did your parents never teach you how to speak? Did Tang Zhenguo never teach you how to treat guests?”
Tang Jiao glared furiously, her gaze domineering and fierce. “And you think you’re qualified to talk about my parents? Daring to call my grandfather by name? Your mouth deserves to be slapped!”
Smack!
Ye Tianci’s palm struck Tang Jiao’s face.
The sound was exceptionally crisp!
Tang Jiao was stunned!
Lin Qingqian, Lin Changli, and all the Lin family members were stupefied!
All the guests nearby stared in shock, mouths agape, frozen as they watched the unfolding scene!
This man had dared to slap Tang Jiao in public?
Did he not know Tang Jiao’s father owned the Longxiang Grand Hotel? Or that Tang Jiao was the Tang family’s little princess? Or that she had a grandfather named Tang Zhenguo?
How could he dare?
He must have a death wish!