As the voice sounded, an elderly man dressed in traditional Chinese attire, followed by a group of wealthy and distinguished individuals, entered the room.

The old Patriarch of the Luo Family, Luo Guozhang, was seated at the head of the table. He immediately stood up with a beaming smile upon seeing the incoming elder and said, "Haha, old Patriarch Ouyang, why have you come personally? I should be the one visiting you!"

Ouyang Lin, the old Clan Leader of the Shangjing Ouyang Family, one of the four great families, although ranked last, it was still more powerful than the Luo Family.

Therefore, upon seeing Patriarch Ouyang personally bringing people, the old Patriarch of the Luo Family, Luo Guozhang, quickly stood up, and the influential figures of the Luo Family also set aside their arrogance. Facing one of the four great families, even if it was the last-ranked Ouyang Family, they dared not act recklessly, as they wished to cling to the grand tree that was the Ouyang Family.

"That old man is Ouyang Lin, the old Patriarch of the Ouyang Family."

Upon seeing Ye Qiu frown at the elderly man warmly received by Luo Guozhang, Luo Bing explained beside him.

Ye Qiu nodded, then scanned the group from the Ouyang Family, failing to spot Ouyang Feng, he thought to himself, "It seems the Ouyang Family member set to be betrothed to Luo Bing isn't Ouyang Feng."

"Come, come, Luo Bing, quickly come to meet Grandpa Ouyang Lin!"

At this moment, Luo Guozhang suddenly called out to Luo Bing, who was startled and then looked towards Ye Qiu.

"Little Bing, didn't you hear your grandpa calling you?"

"Yes, Little Bing, old Patriarch Ouyang is standing right there, quickly go and greet him!"

Seeing Luo Bing standing dazed, looking at Ye Qiu, the nearby influential members of the Luo Family were anxiously coaxing.

The influential members of the Ouyang Family also glanced at Luo Bing, frowning.

At the same time, Ouyang Lin glanced at Luo Bing, but upon noticing Ye Qiu, he slightly frowned, thinking to himself, "I feel I've seen this young man somewhere before, but where?"

"Little Bing, stop being stunned, hurry over here." Luo Guozhang shouted.

"Hurry along."

Ye Qiu also spoke at this time.

Luo Bing looked at Ye Qiu, sighed, and then stepped over to Ouyang Lin, bowing, "Greetings, old Patriarch Ouyang."

"Haha. Old Luo, you are fortunate to have such an excellent granddaughter." Ouyang Lin grew increasingly pleased as he looked at Luo Bing, believing she was quite suitable for his grandson.

Luo Guozhang laughed heartily, glancing around before saying, "Why don't I see..."

"He went to the restroom~" Ouyang Lin replied.

Luo Guozhang nodded, "Then, Brother Ouyang, shall we settle this matter today so our two families can further their relationship, making collaboration on various matters smoother?"

"Good, good, no rush, no rush, let's wait until my grandson arrives, let them look at each other first." Ouyang Lin said.

At this time, Luo Bing disregarded the warning glances from family dignitaries and spoke up, "Old Patriarch Ouyang, I want to tell you something."

"Little Bing, be quiet, it's not your place to speak here." Luo Bing's aunt, receiving a look from Luo Guozhang, stepped forward to reprimand.

Luo Bing shook her head, "Not my place? This concerns my lifelong matter, and you say it's not my place?"

"Luo Bing, don't be impertinent, consider the bigger picture." Another influential figure of the Luo Family stepped forward.

Luo Bing ignored them all and continued to speak to Ouyang Lin, "Old Patriarch Ouyang, Little Bing wants to ask you something!"

"Oh, please go ahead." said Ouyang Lin.

Luo Bing asked, "Do old Patriarch Ouyang and your wife truly love each other?"

"Impertinent, is that any way to speak to our Patriarch?"

"Yeah, such a question shouldn't be asked, especially by someone young, completely disregarding respect for seniors."

Influential members of the Ouyang Family quickly spoke up, while those of the Luo Family looked at Luo Bing with grim expressions. They originally wanted to cling to the Ouyang Family, but now Luo Bing's question seemed to be offending the Ouyang Family, which wasn't helping them.

So, they were quite unhappy with Luo Bing, and hadn't Ouyang Lin responded to her, they might have joined the Ouyang Family in dealing with her.

Ouyang Lin, initially stunned by Luo Bing's question, suddenly laughed heartily, then said slowly, "We were in love when we were young."

"Good, then I ask you further since you were in love, surely you have been happy together?"

Seeing Ouyang Lin nod, Luo Bing continued, "If that's the case, you must know that those not in love will not be happy even if together."

After Luo Bing said this, everyone was stunned, including Ouyang Lin, who stopped smiling and said, "Young lady, what do you want to say?"

Luo Bing glanced at Ye Qiu and then said, "I want to tell you, I do not love your grandson, nor does your grandson love me. We hardly contact each other normally, yet you and my grandfather are arranging our marriage; we won't be happy after we marry."

So considering your own past and for your grandson's future happiness, please don't push me into the fire pit, alright?"

When saying this, Luo Bing also looked carefully at the tightly furrowed eyebrows of Luo Guozhang, pondering deeply, hoping they would understand.

Ouyang Lin was somewhat unhappy initially, not expecting Luo Bing to say such things. Over the years, few dared speak to him in such a manner, but upon reconsideration, he realized that Luo Bing's words held some truth.

However, attending the banquet was genuine; additionally, arranging cooperation through engagement with the Luo Family was predetermined.

The Ouyang Family had always ranked at the bottom of the four great families, yet they were unwilling to remain there, hence considering cooperation with the Luo Family. After all, the Luo Family belonged to the top-tier family heads, acquiring Luo Bing under their wing could significantly enhance the Ouyang Family's strength. Although this couldn't surpass the Ye Family as the head of the four families, at least it wouldn't be the last.

This is human nature, never satisfied.

The Ouyang Family is already one of the four great families, with only three families above them in all of Huaxia. But driven by greed and ambition, they remain dissatisfied, striving for further advancement.

Thus, upon hearing Luo Bing's words, Ouyang Lin's brows furrowed tightly, clearly showing some displeasure.

Seeing Ouyang elder's grim expression, members of the Ouyang Family stood out to criticize Luo Bing's inability to speak respectfully or showing proper etiquette.

Luo Guozhang was also furious, along with other family members, directing criticism at Luo Bing. For a moment, Luo Bing seemed to have committed an unforgivable crime requiring severe punishment, standing lost in the crowd, tears uncontrollably falling, feeling aggrieved and helpless.

At this moment, Ye Qiu, who had remained silent, sighed and then stepped beside Luo Bing, patting her shoulder and said, "Don't worry, I'm here, no one can force you to do anything you don't wish to do!"

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