When Xiao Feng finished drinking the sixth bottle of baijiu, the entire banquet hall fell silent. Everyone had lost their resolve; the idea of a drinking contest no longer appealed.

"Would you like more?" Xiao Feng asked with a smile.

Du Zhixiang shook his head, "No, that's enough."

With the situation reaching this stage, Du Qingyun stood up, ready to wrap things up. No matter how much he looked down on Du Zhixiang, as long as there were blood ties, they couldn't be entirely severed, just as Qingyue thought.

However, before he could rise, Xiao Feng began to speak: "Previously, everyone emphasized that we would be one family from now on. Since that's the case, I'll take this opportunity to be frank…"

Everyone's spirits lifted, some eagerly anticipating what Xiao Feng would say next.

Would he reveal his background directly?

Though it seemed unlikely, the crowd couldn't help but hold onto a glimmer of hope.

With a hint of a smile on his lips, Xiao Feng glanced over each person's face and said calmly, "From today on, however you fight openly or covertly, I'll say only one thing: whoever dares to harm my wife should be prepared to pay the price."

"Because of Qingyue, I am part of your family. Without Qingyue, you all mean nothing to me!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the room burst into an uproar. Everyone, including Du Feixiang, felt a stinging sensation, as though they had been slapped in the face.

Yet, despite the anger building within, nobody dared to stand up to confront Xiao Feng.

Du Qingyue looked at Xiao Feng, her nose involuntarily tingling, her eyes reddening.

There had been countless times when she fantasized about having someone to shield her from the storm.

Now that her wish had come true, the surge of emotions was indescribable with mere words.

It can be said that Du Qingyue's somewhat strong and independent nature was forced upon her; had she been timid, she wouldn't have survived in the Du Family.

Du Linlang and Du Zhixiang had backing, while Du Qingyue had nothing. Du Feixiang had always been a hindrance, not someone she could rely on.

So, other than becoming strong, Du Qingyue had no choice.

But at this moment, she finally felt a sense of protection, allowing her to shed all her strong facades and reveal her true self.

"Shall we go?" Xiao Feng asked with a smile.

With tears in her eyes, Du Qingyue nodded and smiled as well.

All the members of the Du Family silently watched the two walking out hand in hand, clearly realizing that from now on, Du Qingyue would no longer be controlled by the family.

Because in front of her stood a towering, invincible mountain!

However, just as the two reached the door, Xiao Feng paused, slowly turned around.

Everyone's hearts skipped a beat, inexplicably nervous.

Just as they tensed, Xiao Feng smiled brightly and said, "Could someone kindly bring out the gifts I just received?"

The Du Family members: "???"

This damn guy!

We were almost scared to death, and that's all you wanted to say?

Du Qingyue was also a bit helpless. This guy truly was an expert at ruining the mood, dispelling the oppressive atmosphere with a single sentence.

The steward and servants carried the gifts as they followed Xiao Feng and Du Qingyue out, leaving the hall's atmosphere once more stifling. Everyone watched Du Qingyun, whose expression was unpredictable, not daring to speak.

After a long while, Du Qingyun's eyes, sharp as swords, pierced through the absent-minded Du Zhixiang, speaking in a muffled voice: "Are you satisfied with the outcome now?"

"Dad, I, I just…" Du Zhixiang wanted to defend himself, but under Du Qingyun's stern gaze, he couldn't say a word.

Objectively speaking, Xiao Feng's behavior at the banquet was somewhat overshadowing; as the Patriarch of the Du Family, Du Qingyun was barely considered throughout the event.

However, Du Qingyun was not too concerned about these things. He actually hoped Xiao Feng would reveal more, so he could gather useful information.

After careful observation, Du Qingyun concluded: even if Xiao Feng didn't have a notable background, he certainly possessed something backing him. His calm demeanor and the confidence in his words were not something that could be feigned.

Therefore, he was worth befriending, and Du Qingyun had already begun forming plans in his mind.

But at this point, Du Zhixiang emerged and immediately targeted Xiao Feng, ultimately leading to an unpleasant conclusion.

"Dad, what should we do next?" Du Feixiang asked nervously, almost certain that his daughter's prospect of taking over Lanyue Group had vanished.

Du Qingyun sighed, "We'll address future matters as they arise, but right now, there is one issue that has reached a point where it must be resolved…"

As he spoke, Du Qingyun's tone intensified, causing everyone's hearts to sink.

Suddenly, there was a feeling among them that the legendary Du Qingyun of old had returned.

This aging elder seemed to have been dormant for too long, to the extent that people forgot that everything the Du Family currently had was earned through his efforts, and now they were only preserving his legacy.

Realizing this, everyone felt a heavier burden, recalling Du Qingyun's former decisiveness and skills, everyone felt a shiver rising from deep within, chilling to the core.

"Zhixiang, who instructed you to come at this time?" Du Qingyun asked calmly, but everyone knew that behind this calm was a thunderous rage.

Du Zhixiang's body trembled, quickly responding: "No, no one instructed me; I came on my own."

"Oh, is that so?" Du Qingyun nodded slowly. "Are you suggesting that someone here secretly informed you?"

In an instant, everyone panicked, hastily clarifying that they had not informed Du Zhixiang about inviting Xiao Feng to the event.

"From the last collective meeting, we finalized inviting Xiao Feng and Qingyue to visit, which was less than eighteen hours ago. It's impossible for outsiders to have known beforehand." Du Qingyun continued, "It wouldn't be a coincidence, would it?"

Du Zhixiang's expression began to show panic. Du Qingyun's relentlessness meant he was genuinely furious, and if this matter wasn't clarified, the consequences could be unimaginable.

In desperation, Du Zhixiang admitted: "Dad, I confess, my older brother informed me beforehand."

Du Feixiang was stunned, his eyes wide, taking a while to react, and exclaimed, "Stop talking nonsense, what good would it do me to inform you in advance?"

Du Feixiang was genuinely angry. He couldn't believe Du Zhixiang would point fingers at him in this matter.

However, Du Zhixiang's confession sparked doubt in others' minds: Would informing Du Zhixiang in advance, causing a drunken ruckus, not benefit Du Feixiang?

Not necessarily, right?

At least on the surface, if Xiao Feng had a falling-out with the Du Family, Du Feixiang's daughter, Du Linlang, could smoothly take over Lanyue Group.

With this in mind, the look in everyone's eyes towards Du Feixiang changed, becoming increasingly peculiar.

Even Du Zhixiang probably didn't realize his casual remark had given everyone a reason to suspect Du Feixiang.

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