Chapter 83

The birthday banquet for Old Master Tan was scheduled for the evening.

　　Since morning, Tan Sizhe had been downstairs supervising workers setting up the venue. Ye Mingxuan slept until past nine before waking. Not long after opening his eyes, a knock sounded at the bedroom door.

Ye Mingxuan went to open it. Tan Jing and Yangyang stood at the doorway. Tan Jing smiled, “Awake? Come have breakfast.”

　　“Auntie, you go ahead. I’ll join you after brushing my teeth.”

“Alright. Breakfast is in the sunroom. We’ll wait for you.”

Ye Mingxuan quickly brushed his teeth, changed clothes, and came out.

May’s weather was warm. Sunlight flooded the sunroom’s glass walls, bathing the entire space in brightness. The air was filled with the scent of flowers.

　　Tan Jing watered the plants, sat down, poured soy milk into a cup, and stirred in a spoonful of sugar. Ye Mingxuan took a bite of his sandwich while Yangyang held his bowl of ramen.

　　“My eldest and second brothers’ families will be here tonight,” Tan Jing said. “As for my third brother and sister-in-law, they’re still on the plane and will likely arrive later.”

Ye Mingxuan nearly choked on his bread: “What?”

　　Tan Jing’s third brother and sister-in-law were…

“They’re Sizhe’s parents,” Tan Jing said with a smile. “They’ve been talking about meeting you for ages.”

　　Ye Mingxuan swallowed the sandwich with difficulty, taking a sip of soy milk to soothe his throat, raw from the bread. His relaxed body instantly tensed up.

　　Seeing his reaction, Tan Jing assumed he was nervous. “It’s okay. My third brother and sister-in-law are very open-minded about everything. To them, anyone Sizhe thinks is good is good enough.”

　　“Over the years, our family members have gotten married and moved out. Once they started their own lives, they rarely returned to the old house for gatherings. This time, it’s because of Grandpa’s eightieth birthday, so everyone came back. They’ll probably only stay for one night.”

　　Ye Mingxuan nodded, then rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought.

Grandpa Tan must be so lonely. His own children aren’t around, which is why he kept Ah Jin, right?

Tan Jing draped her shawl over the chair back: “I’ll go downstairs to help Xiao Ze. Yangyang, stay here with Mingxuan.”

　　Yangyang slurped his noodles: “Okay! Hey Mom, did you find your earrings?”

Tan Jing shook her head with a smile: “Not yet. Probably the maid picked them up and put them back in my room. I’ll go check when I get back.”

Yangyang: “Oh.”

　　Ye Mingxuan felt a bit bloated after finishing his soy milk. He and Yangyang took a stroll by the outdoor pool before heading downstairs to find Ah Jin.

Ah Jin was gnawing on a big bone, his fluffy golden-brown tail swaying back and forth. The overlapping shadows of the Chinese tallow trees sliced the sunlight into patches.

　　Ye Mingxuan, Yangyang, and Ah Jin sat together in a triangle. Yangyang, who had recently taken up the flute, brought it over to play a tune.

The melodious music drifted from the garden into the house. Tan Sizhe, who was in the banquet hall, handed the blueprints to Bai Yu upon hearing it: “You watch these.”

　　He stepped into the garden, spotting Ye Mingxuan seated on the grass. He turned back, fetched two cushions, handed one to Yangyang, and slipped the other beneath Ye Mingxuan’s hips. “The grass is hard.”

Ye Mingxuan looked up. “Sir!”

Tan Sizhe crouched beside him. “Had breakfast?”

　　Ye Mingxuan: “Mm, very full. Yangyang’s playing me a tune. He’s so talented.”

Tan Sizhe smiled. Yangyang, flattered by the praise, puffed out his little chest proudly and switched to another song.

　　As Ye Mingxuan listened, Tan Sizhe wrapped an arm around his waist and leaned close, whispering in his ear, “How about having a child as adorable as Yangyang?”

“!!!” Ye Mingxuan’s face flushed instantly. “Sir, Yangyang can hear us…”

Tan Sizhe: “He didn’t hear.”

　　Ye Mingxuan: “What if he did hear it…”

“Yangyang,” Tan Sizhe called to him, “what did you just hear me say to your auntie?”

“Nothing,” Yangyang replied, setting down his flute. “What were you talking about?”

Tan Sizhe whispered to Ye Mingxuan: See? He didn’t hear.”

Ye Mingxuan nearly fainted. He never expected Tan Sizhe to ask so directly!

Seeing his little wife’s flushed face, Tan Sizhe desperately wanted to kiss him several times, but he couldn’t. Not suitable for children, or dogs for that matter.

“It’s okay. Even if you give birth to a little devil, I’ll still love you.” Tan Sizhe wrapped his arms around Ye Mingxuan’s waist, sliding his hands from behind to the front, gently caressing his belly.

Ye Mingxuan smiled briefly before his expression softened. His eyelids drooped as he fell deep in thought.

The two stood pressed close together, their silhouettes cast by the sunlight, overlapping on the ground. This beautiful scene was fully visible to the person on the second floor.

Bang! Ye Yufan slammed the balcony door shut and stormed inside. “This is infuriating! This is infuriating! Why do they have to be so lovey-dovey!”

　　Bang! Ye Yufan slammed the balcony door shut as he stormed inside. “This is infuriating! Why do they get to be so damn perfect together?!”

“Dad, what are we going to do? That old bastard is announcing it to the press today. What if someone who knows our family comes forward and exposes us as liars?!”

　　Ye Yufan gripped Ye Xiangkai’s hand. “Dad, say something!”

Ye Xiangkai looked at Zhao Dongxuan. “What can you do?”

Zhao Dongxuan’s face remained cold. “Of course I have a plan.”

Ye Xiangkai and Ye Yufan leaned in. “What is it?”

　　Zhao Dongxuan pulled a small vial from her clothes. “I brought this just in case. Looks like we’ll need it now.”

“At tonight’s banquet, pour this into Tan Sizhe’s wine.” She handed him the vial. “Make sure reporters capture you and Tan Sizhe getting intimate.”

　　Ye Yufan grabbed the bottle: “Have reporters photograph us?”

Zhao Dongxuan nodded: “Yes. Before Old Master Tan makes his announcement, reporters must capture intimate photos of you two. Then we can preemptively declare you Mrs. Tan.”

　　“For Tan Sizhe’s reputation, the old patriarch will never refute us.” Zhao Dongxuan’s eyes flashed with certainty. “By then, even if you aren’t Mrs. Tan, you’ll have to be Mrs. Tan. Because the entire nation is watching the Tan family.”

　　Ye Yufan stared greedily at the clear liquid inside the small glass vial. “Mom, you’re so clever. After tonight, I’ll be the real Mrs. Tan.”

　　…

　　Tan Sizhe held Ye Mingxuan close as they listened to the music. Suddenly, Bai Yu’s thunderous roar echoed from behind: “Tan Sizhe! Stop showing off your love! Come help!”

Ye Mingxuan flinched, burying his face in his arms, both embarrassed and amused. “Sir, you should go…”

　　“Fine. Ignore him—he’s been single too long, his hormones are all over the place. If you’re tired, go rest.” Tan Sizhe ruffled his hair before rising to return to work.

“Mm.”

Tan Sizhe stepped inside, took the blueprints from Bai Yu’s hands, and helped a worker unload coils from his back.

　　“Sizhe!” Old Master Tan beckoned him over. “Here’s the guest list. Take a look.”

Tan Sizhe took it and froze upon seeing over twenty prominent journalists listed. “Grandfather, you invited reporters?”

“Of course,” Old Master Tan replied. “Isn’t it a pleasant surprise?”

　　“Didn’t we agree to wait a bit longer?”

“Wait for what? If we wait any longer, the opportunity will be gone. I’ve finalized this. Today we’ll announce the marriage alliance between the Tan and Ye families. Once word gets out, it’ll be a truly wonderful story.”

Old Master Tan chuckled. “You just focus on preparing. You’ll give a speech on stage tonight and perform a few acts.”

　　Tan Sizhe’s hand trembled as he held the guest list. “Grandfather…”

“You’re about to become a great-grandfather.” Old Master Tan patted Tan Sizhe’s shoulder. “I truly never imagined Mingxuan could have children. This must be heaven’s blessing upon me.”

　　With that, he turned and walked away, hands behind his back, humming a Huangmei opera tune, leaving Tan Sizhe standing alone, utterly flustered.

　　Bai Yu gasped, glancing at the list. “What?!”

“That’s right.”

“Then… what do we do? I mean, how did the old man move so fast? We were planning to wait until Mingxuan gave birth before discussing this.”

　　Tan Sizhe closed his eyes briefly, feeling the situation was tricky. He handed the list to Bai Yu: “We’ll have to improvise.”

　　…

Night descended like the Grim Reaper wielding an axe.

Ye Mingxuan leaned against the balcony railing, watching as luxury cars of every make pulled up before the ancestral home. The fountain pool glowed under yellow spotlights as guests linked arms, waiting to enter.

　　This was the first time since arriving at the estate that he’d seen so many people gathered—so many wealthy merchants and tycoons, each exuding an air of extraordinary refinement and distinguished bearing.

Ye Mingxuan wasn’t unaware of the Tan family’s status and wealth, but today brought an unprecedented clarity to that understanding.

Sitting alone here, he occupied a different world from the people below, acutely aware of the vast gulf between them.

　　Perhaps tonight’s banquet served as a reminder: the dream must end. Those who did not belong here would eventually depart.

Ye Mingxuan blinked, suddenly curious to see what Tan Sizhe was doing. The gentleman had changed into a black suit for the evening, his hair slicked back, revealing his flawlessly handsome face.

　　He was likely holding a champagne flute now, moving effortlessly through the crowd, engaging in conversation.

　　Ye Yufan pressed himself against the banister, peering down at the scene below. He saw Tan Sizhe holding a champagne glass, conversing with a woman. Every gesture was graceful and refined. Tall and long-limbed, his impeccably tailored suit outlined his cool, commanding figure.

His heart pounded violently. Clutching the small bottle in his hand, he tried to slip downstairs unnoticed.

　　Suddenly, a cold hand seized his arm. Ye Yufan’s pupils dilated in fright as Ye Mingxuan yanked him back.

Seeing Ye Mingxuan’s face, Ye Yufan froze for a moment before clenching his teeth. “What are you doing? Let go of me!”

　　Ye Mingxuan snatched the object from his hand and held it before him. “What is this?”

“None of your damn business! Give it back!”

“What do you intend to do to Tan Sizhe?”

Ye Mingxuan closed his fingers around the vial. “I won’t let you succeed.”

　　“Ye Mingxuan!” Ye Yufan glared at him. “I warned you not to ruin my plans!”

“Thank you to all the guests present today for attending Tan’s eightieth birthday banquet,” Old Master Tan stood on the stage, microphone in hand. “I hope everyone here enjoys the food and drink to their heart’s content. Please, don’t hold back.”

　　“Happy birthday, Dad! May your blessings be as vast as the Eastern Sea and your longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountains,” Tan Jing said, raising her glass with a smile.

Uncle Tan and Second Uncle raised their glasses: “May you live a hundred years, blessed with endless fortune and longevity!”

Tan Size, cousins, Yangyang, and the younger generation of the Tan family: “Wishing Grandfather everlasting joy and eternal family harmony!”

　　The assembled guests raised their glasses in unison: “May Mr. Tan enjoy blessings as vast as the Eastern Sea and longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountains!”

Old Master Tan lifted his champagne glass: “Cheers!”

“Ye Mingxuan!” Zhao Dongxuan and Ye Xiangkai rushed over. “How dare you ruin our celebration!”

　　Ye Mingxuan grabbed the small glass vial and slammed it hard onto the floor, shattering it instantly.

With a loud bang, the vial exploded, its contents spilling onto the floor. Ye Yufan’s eyes widened with fury as he lunged at Ye Mingxuan: “You bitch!”

　　He lunged at Ye Mingxuan, who swiftly grabbed his arm. Seeing this, Zhao Dongxuan and Ye Xiangkai immediately rushed to help.

“Madam!” Xiaoli ran over looking for someone, saw Ye Mingxuan being attacked by three people, and shouted at the servants behind her, “Why aren’t you helping!”

　　In an instant, five or six servants rushed forward to restrain Ye Xiangkai’s family. “Let go of Mr. Mingxuan!”

Old Master Tan finished his champagne and placed the glass back on the waiter’s tray.

“Today, I have one more important matter to announce.”

　　Tan Sizhe stiffened his back, gripping his wine glass tightly. “Grandfather.”

Old Master Tan gestured for silence, motioning for everyone to quiet down. “This matter is a great joy for our Tan family.”

　　“Ahhh! Let me go!”

“?” Old Master Tan paused, thinking he’d misheard. “What was that?”

The first floor fell silent, amplifying the chaotic shouts from the second floor.

“Mrs. Ye, release Mr. Mingxuan!”

　　“Don’t pull me! Who dares pull me!”

“Mr. Mingxuan!”

Tan Sizhe froze for two seconds, his face instantly turning deathly pale. His grip loosened, and the wine glass fell to the floor, shattering into pieces.

　　His mind went blank as his body instinctively raced toward the staircase. Reaching the top, he looked up to see Ye Mingxuan being pushed back step by step by Ye Xiangkai and the others. The next moment, Ye Mingxuan stumbled, his entire body falling backward.

Tan Sizhe’s pupils suddenly contracted. He took two or three strides forward to catch him. “Mingxuan!”

　　Ye Mingxuan was caught securely in Tan Sizhe’s arms. Still shaken, his heart pounding, he gasped, “Sir.”

Tan Sizhe carried him a few steps away, gently setting him down on the floor before checking his body. “Are you okay?”

Ye Mingxuan’s face was deathly pale as he panted, “I’m fine.”

　　At that moment, Old Master Tan staggered over, clutching the banister as he stared in shock at the figures wrestling on the second floor. “What the hell are you doing?!”

　　Reporters, sensing a major scoop, had already hauled their cameras and equipment to the staircase, their flashes popping incessantly.

Ye Mingxuan, still shaken from his near-fall, felt dazed. Like a puppet, he raised his arms for Tan Sizhe to examine his injuries.

　　Several scratch marks marred his pale arm, though thankfully the injuries weren’t severe.

“What about the rest of you?” Tan Sizhe spun Ye Mingxuan around.

“Nothing, nothing,” Ye Mingxuan shook his head. “Just my arm.”

　　Tan Sizhe frowned, glancing upward. Ye Yufan and the others were pinned to the floor by several servants, each face bearing varying degrees of terror.

Old Master Tan scanned them, his eyes wide as copper bells. “What… what on earth is going on? What are you doing?!”

　　“What’s going on?” Tan Sizhe glared at them coldly. “You should ask Mr. Ye. Mr. Ye, what are you doing?”

The servants released their grip. Ye Xiangkai struggled to his feet. His suit, already wrinkled from the earlier scuffle, hung loosely. His tie was askew, his hair disheveled—a far cry from his usual composed and dignified demeanor.

　　“President… President Tan.” Ye Xiangkai’s heart sank at the sight of the crowd gathering around him.

Zhao Dongxuan steadied herself against the wall. Seeing no way to salvage the situation, her eyes darted around before she blurted out, “Mingxuan, how could you hit someone? You’ve ruined Old Master Tan’s birthday celebration!”

　　Ye Mingxuan trembled. The flashes of cameras and the buzz of reporters’ voices behind him sent a chill through him.

“Who is that guy?”

“Isn’t that the chairman of Ye Dong Group? Why is he fighting with that guy?”

“What’s going on? Is this birthday banquet even happening anymore?”