Stepping into the mansion, the scene before Jiang Yi and his companions changed abruptly.
Compared to the bustling outside, the mansion was much quieter inside.
There were quite a few guests, but they were mostly in small groups of a dozen or twenty, exchanging only brief greetings.
The three of them entered the banquet hall and were subjected to the usual pleasantries.
Leng Yulai, the professional, naturally handled the social niceties, while Jiang Yi and Na Nali were responsible for finding a place to eat at the banquet!
"This tastes really good, would you like a piece?"
Na Nali ate a snack one after another, then picked up a spicy rabbit head, pretending to offer it to Jiang Yi.
This rabbit head was said to be made from Soft Bone Rabbits, artificially raised, and although they weren't very old, the meat of these soul beasts was definitely different.
"Never mind!"
Jiang Yi shook his head. His godmother, what a sin! What if he got addicted? Tang San would definitely punish him later.
"Then… can I have it?"
Just then, a timid voice came from behind Jiang Yi.
Jiang Yi and his companion turned around and saw a little blue-haired girl standing behind them, staring longingly at the spicy rabbit head in Nanali's hand.
The little girl looked to be about eight or nine years old, with long, azure hair tied into two ponytails hanging down her back, and bright, large eyes that seemed to hold an entire galaxy, dazzling and captivating.
Xu Xiaoyan!
Jiang Yi's heart skipped a beat, recognizing the little girl before him.
He wasn't surprised to see Xu Xiaoyan here; her father, Xu Tianzhen, was the Minister of Finance of Donghai City, and he was the one who hosted the banquet.
He had even seen Xie Xie's father, though that brat Xie Xie wasn't there.
"No way! This is mine!"
Despite the little girl's pitiful appearance, Na Nali was unmoved, and took a big bite.
"Why are you fighting with a child for food?"
Jiang Yi patted Nanali and said irritably.
"Hehehe!"
Na Nali stuck out her tongue at him.
Just kidding, she's an evil spirit master, a big bad guy, isn't it normal for her to bully children?
"No...it's okay! Never mind then."
Xu Xiaoyan quickly shook her head, a hint of regret on her face.
The spicy rabbit heads nearby had been completely devoured by someone.
"Goodbye!"
Xu Xiaoyan said sweetly again, then lowered her head and silently left.
The little girl's disappointed expression made Jiang Yi feel a little guilty.
He glanced at the smug Na Nali beside him and couldn't help but roll his eyes.
My Demon Empress mother, look at the soldiers you've brought!
After this little incident, the banquet proceeded as planned until halfway through, when a commotion suddenly erupted at the entrance.
A crowd surged towards the entrance, surrounding a figure as it slowly approached.In the reception area, Leng Yulai was mingling effortlessly with the guests, her demeanor elegant and her speech refined.
"President Xu, you flatter me! I'm new here, and I'll have to rely on all of you uncles and elders in the future."
Leng Yulai raised her glass, took a sip of wine, and remained poised and composed.
"Not at all! We should all help each other out."
President Xu waved his hand with a smile, and everyone echoed his sentiment.
As long as everyone followed the rules, a harmonious atmosphere was the key to making money.
However, the next second, someone looked towards the entrance and exclaimed in surprise.
"Lord Leng!"
A fiery red figure walked in from the entrance, accompanied by a young girl with a youthful face.
Leng Yulai's fiery hair seemed to ignite the enthusiasm of those around her; everyone crowded around the two, their faces beaming with smiles.
"It's all thanks to Minister Xu's extraordinary abilities!"
President Xu couldn't help but praise them, impressed that they could even invite this person. Then, he looked at Leng Yulai beside him.
"Xiao Jiang, let's go say hello too. Although your family's business isn't closely related to the Spirit Pagoda, showing your face might come in handy in the future,"
President Xu advised.
In the Sun Moon Federation, there are two business behemoths: one is the Spirit Pagoda, which monopolizes the entire upstream and downstream industry of soul spirits; the other is the Tang Sect, whose tentacles extend to various civilian soul tools on the market, as well as some military soul tools.
It can be said that if these two companies were to reveal even a little bit of their resources, everyone present would be rolling in money.
But Leng Yulai seemed not to hear the commotion around her.
Her gaze was fixed on the front, her whole body as if frozen, even her hands were frozen in mid-air.
Leng Yaozhu!!!
The smile on Leng Yulai's face vanished, and a violent killing intent rose in her heart, almost uncontrollably surging forth.
*Crack, crack—*
The glass in her hand made a soft, crisp sound, as if it were about to shatter at any moment.
Just then, a warm hand suddenly grasped her cold fingers, firmly enveloping her trembling palm.
That warmth was like a gentle stream, slightly extinguishing the burning fire of hatred in her heart.
"Sister! Didn't the doctor just say you shouldn't drink? What if your old illness relapses?"
Jiang Yi appeared beside Leng Yulai without her noticing, scolding her with concern while naturally taking the glass from her hand.
The moment he saw Leng Yaozhu, he immediately knew things were going to go wrong.
Leng Yulai was disguised, and Leng Yaozhu probably wouldn't recognize her, but he was afraid Leng Yulai might drop the act altogether.
The grudges and affections between the two Leng sisters were indeed quite complicated.
Jiang Yi's voice was like a thunderclap, awakening Leng Yulai's rationality.
Leng Yulai took a deep breath, her gaze still fixed on Leng Yaozhu.
She gripped Jiang Yi's hand tightly, her nails almost digging into his skin, but finally, she slowly loosened her grip.
Now wasn't the time…
Leng Yulai's eyes regained their usual coldness, and the killing intent within her subsided once more.
"Sorry, I'm suddenly feeling a little unwell…"
Leng Yulai raised her head, forcing a smile at everyone, gently pressing her hand against her abdomen, a hint of pain appearing on her face.
"You're such a stubborn girl. If you can't drink, don't push yourself. Don't ruin your health. Go and rest!" "You can come back later!"
Hearing this, Chairman Xu and the others understood, feigning reproach.
"Then I'll excuse myself."
Leng Yulai apologized, and then, supported by Jiang Yi, left.
"You go to Nanali's first! I'll stay alone for a while…"
Once out of sight of the crowd, Leng Yulai suddenly broke free from Jiang Yi's hand, her expression cold, and left alone.
"…"
Jiang Yi watched Leng Yulai's departing figure, not paying any attention to her attitude.
Leng Yulai's restraint was already a great show of respect for him.
"Ouch...that really pinched hard!"
Jiang Yi looked at his palm, gasping; the scarlet finger marks were almost embedded in his flesh.
"Sigh!"
Jiang Yi sighed inwardly.
This was yet another tragedy caused by love-struck fools... was it really worth it for sisters to turn against each other for a man?
Then, Jiang Yi turned around, intending to return to Nanali's side, but a calm yet strangely familiar voice sounded behind him.
"Jiang Yi! What are you doing here?"
Hearing the voice, Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow slightly before even turning around.
This was...his mother's scent!
(End of Chapter)