In Tang Xiaomin's words, he was a decent-looking second-generation rich kid with a bit of money.
Tang Xiaomin, on the other hand, twirled a strand of hair around her finger, her eyes darting away, unwilling to meet his gaze.
Clearly, she was feeling guilty.
It was all that surnamed Ye's fault; he must have seduced her.
Yan Jue's gaze gradually turned fierce.
Seeing this, Lu Xing quickly reminded him, "Mr. Yan, we are here to celebrate Old Master Ye's birthday. The main business is important."
As Lu Xing spoke, he felt a pang of shame, after all, they were here to crash the party.
"Hmph!"
Yan Jue let out a cold snort.
A mortal, an old man with only a few years left to live, deserving of his birthday wishes.
He only took lives; he had never wished anyone well, let alone a long life.
If he decreed death at the third watch, that person would absolutely not live past it and would die precisely on time.
Yan Jue stood his ground, his deep, magnetic voice audible to everyone as he said, "I'm afraid Old Master Ye cannot accept my blessings."
Damn it...
What did this person mean?
Just as everyone was confused, Lu Xing, standing beside Yan Jue, walked to the rather large gift behind him and pulled off the red cloth covering it.
Revealed was a luxurious coffin, carved with intricate patterns and inlaid with gold.
Gasp...
At the sight, the entire room drew a collective breath.
Frightened women even let out screams.
Suddenly, the lively birthday banquet was cast under a chilling and terrifying aura.
A moment later, a dense phalanx of bodyguards in black surrounded Yan Jue, Lu Xing, and the coffin.
Ye Fengxing slowly stood up, anger welling in his eyes.
"What are you waiting for? Attack!"
Without even clearing the venue, they intended to beat Yan Jue and Lu Xing in front of everyone.
Lu Xing knew there would be no good outcome, and retribution had arrived so quickly. Really, now.
Facing the overwhelming odds, a wicked smile played on Yan Jue's lips.
It had been a long time since he had faced such a situation.
Just as the Ye family's bodyguards were about to engage Yan Jue, Tang Xiaomin could no longer hold back and stood up.
"Wait."
"Grandpa Ye, before you act, could you please hear me out before making a move?"
Nangong Shanshan immediately retorted to Tang Xiaomin.
"Tang Xiaomin, these two have malicious intentions and are deliberately disrupting Grandpa Ye's birthday banquet. Not only are you not criticizing them, but you actually want to speak up for them?"
Zhang Meiyu chided Tang Xiaomin from the side, "Xiaomin, don't speak nonsense, sit down quickly."
Zhang Meiyu was deeply worried about Tang Xiaomin, who had caused trouble repeatedly.
Old Master Ye's expression was unreadable, but it was clear his mood was currently one of anger.
Anyone would be uncomfortable if a coffin was presented at their birthday banquet.
However, what appeared inauspicious to outsiders was precisely what was most cherished after death.
Moreover, this coffin was personally sent by Yan Jue, unlike ordinary coffins.
Tang Xiaomin said, "Grandpa Ye, there is a saying among the people that 'coffin' sounds like 'officer and fortune,' implying a rise in rank and accumulation of wealth."
"Furthermore, this coffin is of the best quality in terms of material and craftsmanship. It is likely that Mr. Yan's intention in sending this generous gift is also similar."
After speaking, Tang Xiaomin also cast a subtle glance at Yan Jue, as a form of warning.
Nangong Shanshan mocked, "Tang Xiaomin, coffins are such inauspicious items, everyone knows he is clearly cursing Grandpa Ye."
"Your explanation is too far-fetched, do you think everyone is an idiot? Or do you have some unspeakable secret with this Mr. Yan, which is why you are so indiscriminately helping him."
This Nangong Shanshan truly did not shy away from causing trouble.
Hearing this, Tang Xiaomin smiled and shook her head helplessly.
"The more ignorant people are, the more they have an inexplicable confidence in believing they are right. You have short hair and short-sightedness, I don't blame you."
"Grandpa Ye, if you doubt me, you can call someone you know who is an expert and you will know if I am speaking nonsense."
Back then, Old Master Ye had a marriage arranged before birth with her. Tang Xiaomin would not naively believe she had stumbled upon good luck.
There must be other reasons she didn't know.
The wealthier families were, the more they believed in metaphysics.
This was evident from the prayer beads Old Master Ye wore on his wrist.
Upon hearing this, Old Master Ye whispered a few words with the butler beside him.
The butler then left.
Old Master Ye was clearly a cautious person, not acting rashly or impulsively.
Yan Jue looked at Tang Xiaomin, a smile playing on his lips.
He knew it; she definitely had him in her heart, or she wouldn't have watched him be bullied without intervening.
Some might ask, what did Yan Jue like about Tang Xiaomin?
The answer was simple.
Normally, when nothing was going on, Tang Xiaomin was indifferent to him.
But when something actually happened, she dared to step up.
Tang Xiaomin was truly worth getting to know.
When he arrived, however uncomfortable Yan Jue felt, he was now that happy.
Tang Xiaomin's subtle glances earlier clearly meant for him not to go too far.
Yan Jue naturally followed her wishes and her words.
"She is correct. The coffin's meaning is indeed prosperity and advancement."
Nangong Shanshan sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"I think you're clearly scared, which is why you've changed your tune."
"This coffin is clearly inauspicious. You clearly came here to cause trouble deliberately, and there's no need to quibble further."
"Shanshan, stand down," Old Master Ye reprimanded with displeasure.
This woman, at every opportunity, wanted to flaunt her inexplicable sense of superiority in front of people.
Little did she know, Old Master Ye himself dared not make a hasty judgment, yet she was making definitive statements without rhyme or reason.
The more chesty and brainless Nangong Shanshan acted, the more Tang Xiaomin wanted to smack herself.
However, Yan Jue's fiery temper could not stand it.
Since they insisted on misinterpreting his gift, then he wouldn't give it.
"Since you insist on misconstruing my gift, it seems there's no need for me to present it."
Upon hearing this, Lu Xing, without a word, suddenly pulled a hammer from his pocket.
Seeing his movement, the surrounding bodyguards instinctively reached for their guns.
Dark gun barrels were aimed at Yan Jue and Lu Xing.
Upon realizing it was a hammer, no one actually fired.
However, Lu Xing did not stop.
He approached the coffin, raised the hammer high, and smashed it down with a loud bang.
The sudden and varied developments caught everyone off guard, leaving them dumbfounded.
Everyone held their breath, watching in stunned silence as Lu Xing smashed the coffin to pieces.
Soon, it was completely destroyed.
Lu Xing returned to Yan Jue's side and respectfully said, "Mr. Yan, the mission is completed successfully."
...
At this moment, Yan Jue stood alone on the Ye family's territory.
Facing the entire Ye family, his face showed no fear.
Instead, a hint of a playful smile played on his lips as he regarded his arrogant behavior.
"A coffin is also called 'guan cai' (close fortune). It now appears that your Ye family is unworthy of my gift."