Chapter 57: The Guest Acts Like the Host
Chapter 57: The Guest Acts Like the Host
Situ Xiu’s voice had a mesmerizing effect. For men with weaker self-control, it was almost impossible to resist the sudden affection they felt for her.
A few couldn’t help but want to step onto the stage to get closer to her, but none of them managed to reach her; instead, they seemed to bump into an invisible wall and stumbled backward.
“True Qi External Release!”
Ye Zixi immediately frowned, and the way she looked at Situ Xiu changed.
“So she was hiding her true strength all along!”
Lin Mu was also secretly shocked. In terms of cultivation power alone, this woman was a step above him.
After Situ Xiu finished speaking, the banquet officially began. In just a short while, Situ Xiu arrived in front of the four of them, offering a slight smile as she greeted them—
“Yuru, Xuanrong, Zixi, we meet again.”
“You seem to be living a splendid life. We can’t compare to you. We didn’t expect your martial arts to progress so quickly, either—you’ve already reached the level of True Qi External Release. But it seems you’ve become more human than before.”
“Oh? Maybe it’s because I’ve grown up. And who might this be?”
Situ Xiu’s gaze shifted to Lin Mu.
“Lin Mu, a friend of ours. He came along today to show support.”
Song Yuru gave a brief introduction.
“Miss Situ, I’ve long heard of your reputation.”
Lin Mu chuckled softly and raised the glass in his hand.
Situ Xiu gently clinked her glass with Lin Mu’s and smiled politely.
Only when she got close to this man did Situ Xiu confirm her earlier suspicion: the man before her was truly unfathomable. She couldn’t figure out anything about him.
The banquet proceeded step by step according to plan, and soon it reached the final segment—the presentation of birthday gifts.
In wealthy families like this, valuable gifts were usually presented to the host personally during birthday banquets or celebrations.
Of course, if the gifts were ordinary, they were handed over to the registration staff at the entrance to avoid embarrassment on stage.
While young masters took turns presenting what they believed to be priceless gifts, Lin Mu suddenly stepped onto the stage, looking at Situ Xiu with a smile.
“I also have a gift I’d like to give to Miss Situ.”
“Oh?” Seeing that Lin Mu’s hands were empty, Situ Xiu smiled with interest. “May I ask, Mr. Lin, what gift do you have for little me?”
“Just a few words. I believe you’ll find them very helpful after hearing them,” Lin Mu shrugged.
“Then I truly have to lend an attentive ear.”
At the very moment when all the banquet guests were expecting Lin Mu to make a fool of himself, he added, “The method shouldn’t be spread to six ears. Miss Situ, you’ll need to come a bit closer.”
“That darn A-Mu, the moment I let my guard down, he goes off flirting again!”
Ye Zixi angrily downed a glass of champagne.
Meanwhile, Ling Xuanrong covered her mouth with a laugh. “Situ Xiu isn’t someone so easy to handle. Let’s see if A-Mu hits a snag later.”
On the stage, Situ Xiu frowned slightly. She assumed Lin Mu was there to cause trouble, just trying to take advantage of the situation. But after a brief hesitation, she recalled Lin Mu’s earlier performance, which left her feeling unsettled.
After thinking for a moment, Situ Xiu nodded and leaned slightly toward Lin Mu, tilting her ear as if to listen.
Lin Mu grinned and also leaned his head forward. The young masters in the room immediately glared at him with fury, as if they wished they could tear him to pieces.
Everyone saw Lin Mu’s lips move slightly. Situ Xiu’s eyes suddenly widened, and then she looked at Lin Mu with pleasant surprise. As this scene unfolded, the sound of hearts breaking could almost be heard throughout the hall.
“Thank you for your advice, Young Master Lin. Xiu’er is deeply grateful.”
Situ Xiu bowed slightly in respect.
“What did Miss Situ just say?”
“Ah! Am I hallucinating? What’s wrong with this wine? I’ve only had two sips, but I already feel drunk!”
“Who the heck is that damn brat?!”
Down below, a chorus of angry outbursts erupted from the young masters, all directing hostile glares toward Lin Mu.
After giving his gift, Lin Mu and the three women stayed at the banquet a little longer before leaving early to go home. The atmosphere inside was really too much for them.
After the banquet ended at the Situ Family residence, Situ Xiu returned to her room, which was filled with all kinds of gifts. She casually unwrapped them one by one, but none moved her heart again.
There were pearls, jade, diamonds, and jewelry—nothing new or interesting. These things were too common for her, and she felt no excitement about them at all.
Among today’s gifts, only Lin Mu’s had delighted her the most. He hadn’t said much—just four sentences in total—but each sentence hit right at the heart of her issues.
It turned out that while Lin Mu was carefully observing Situ Xiu earlier, he had already noticed something not quite right with her cultivation. The four sentences he spoke just now were precisely about the underlying causes affecting her cultivation technique.
Thinking of Lin Mu, Situ Xiu sat quietly for a while, then suddenly stood up and left the room. She walked to another spacious study where a middle-aged man sat reading documents.
“Xiu’er, did you enjoy today’s banquet?”
The middle-aged man looked up from his papers, his stern expression instantly softening into a smile.
“Of course I did, but, Dad, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you.” Situ Xiu said with a grin.
“Hm? What is it?” The middle-aged man set down his pen.
“I don’t want to go back to Jingdu for school. Please transfer me back to Donghai. I want to study at Donghai University.”
“Why this sudden change of heart? Weren’t you the one who insisted on going to Jingdu to study at Huaxia Academy?”
Situ Feng looked at his daughter with surprise.
“I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to study there anymore.” Situ Xiu shook her head.
“Does Nephew Yan know about this?”
“Dad, how many times have I told you? I’m not going to marry him. He should just give up!”
As soon as that person was mentioned, Situ Xiu’s face turned cold.
“Sigh, this is the marriage your grandfather arranged. Dad really can’t do anything about it.”
Situ Feng gave his daughter a doting look but spoke helplessly.
“Hmph! I’ll definitely make Grandfather change his mind. That Yan Langshi isn’t even worth my attention.”
Situ Xiu said disdainfully, clearly not thinking much of Yan Langshi at all.
“So, my precious daughter, does that mean you already have someone you like?” Situ Feng smiled slightly.
“Not yet, but I can find one myself. When that time comes, Grandfather will have to agree.”
“My precious daughter, don’t do anything reckless! The relationship between our family and the Yan Family isn’t just about money. Your grandfather and Old Man Yan are life-and-death friends. Don’t cause a rift between the two families because of this!”
Situ Feng became somewhat anxious.
“Dad, which is more important? The family’s interests, or your daughter’s happiness?” Situ Xiu asked calmly.
“You silly girl! Are you trying to make things difficult for your dad?!”
Situ Feng wore a troubled expression. Of course, his precious daughter’s happiness mattered, but as the current Family Head of the Situ Family, he had to consider the family’s interests first.
Although breaking ties with the Yan Family wouldn’t be disastrous, the family would still suffer some repercussions in various areas. After all, the Yan Family was one of the top few powerful families in Jingdu. Their influence was far beyond what ordinary people could imagine.
“Dad, I know the Yan Family is powerful. The marriage alliance is meant to strengthen our family’s position. But trust me, your daughter will find a family even stronger than the Yan Family.”
Situ Xiu spoke with full confidence.
“Is that so? There is one family in Jingdu that is on par with the Yan Family. Are you talking about the Nangong Family? Could it be that you’ve taken a liking to that Nangong Bolun kid?” Situ Feng thought for a moment.
“Oh, Dad! Stop guessing randomly. I’ve never even spoken to him.”
Situ Xiu looked utterly exasperated.
“Then I can’t think of any other family in the country that can match the Yan Family’s power, let alone surpass them.”
Situ Feng pondered a while longer but still couldn’t recall any major families that fit the description.
“Those are just the families in the open. There are many hidden families whose strength might not be weaker than the Yan Family’s.”
Situ Xiu was determined, as if her mind was made up.
“Just don’t act recklessly. If you really find someone you like, you must bring him home for me to meet. Being born into the Situ Family, there are certain responsibilities you must bear.” Situ Feng sighed and stopped trying to dissuade her.
“If only I had a son, you wouldn’t have to shoulder such duties.”
“Dad, I won’t be worse than any man!”
Situ Xiu knew this was the eternal pain in her father’s heart. Years ago, he suffered from Qi Deviation while practicing his cultivation, which left him unable to have more children. Despite all efforts, he never recovered.
“Sigh, Dad knows. It’s just that these years have been hard on you. Do you… do you resent Dad deep down?”
Situ Feng gave a bitter smile and shook his head helplessly.
“I have never resented you, Dad. I understand the difficulties you face.”
Situ Xiu’s eyes reddened, and tears began to well up.
“How could I not understand what’s in your heart? You’ve worked so hard and pushed yourself to excel, all to win respect for Dad and for our Situ Family.”
“Nowadays, whenever people mention Situ Xiu, who dares to say a single word of gossip? Dad is truly comforted.”
“Dad, I did it for myself, too. Only by becoming more outstanding can I take control of my own destiny.”
“What are you two chatting about in here?”
A graceful middle-aged woman, dressed in luxury, walked in carrying a bowl of bird’s nest and abalone porridge.
Situ Xiu quickly ran over and took the nourishing dish from the woman’s hands, grinning as she said, “Mom, I was discussing something important with Dad.”
“Something important? Important enough to make our Xiu’er’s eyes turn red?” The woman teased lightly.
“Your dad is so busy, and you’re here bothering him. You’re heading back to Jingdu in a few days, right? Have you packed everything you need?”
“I don’t mind, but our precious daughter has decided not to go. You should hear her opinion on this, too.”
Situ Feng shook his head.
“Not going? Why?” The woman immediately furrowed her brows in confusion.
“Mom, I want to go to Donghai University. I don’t want to be so far from home anymore. When I studied in Jingdu, I missed you and Dad all the time.”
Situ Xiu swung the middle-aged woman’s arm, acting coquettishly.
“Hmph, is it really just because you miss your parents?”
The woman extended a fair finger and gently tapped Situ Xiu’s forehead, showing an expression that said she’d seen right through her.