Ah Qian had just finished speaking when the smile on Guan Hao's face instantly froze. The venue fell silent for a moment, only to erupt into a clamor shortly after.

All the guests, looking utterly astonished, turned their gazes toward the Lin Family's table.

"Elder Lin, congratulations! Congratulations indeed!" someone took the lead in shouting.

Then, the other guests began to come forward, wine glasses in hand, to offer their good wishes.

Lin Daqi still hadn't snapped back to reality and stood dazed on the spot. The other members of the Lin Family also appeared petrified, the moment feeling so surreal it was like a dream.

Meanwhile, Guan Hao's expression had turned exceedingly ugly. Those congratulatory voices were grating to his ears.

"Enough! All of you, get out!" he roared.

The guests who had come forward were startled into a daze, unsure what new madness Young Master Guan was about to unleash. They quickly left with apologetic smiles.

Guan Hao slammed his hand on the table, flipping the tableware with a sweep of his arm, and shouted at Sun Gaozhi, "Why?!"

The Sun Family must be deliberately mocking me.

But Sun Gaozhi acted as if Guan Hao didn't exist, continuing to chat quietly with Luo Xiu.

Beside them, A Gui suddenly stood up and walked unhurriedly toward Guan Hao. "May I ask what insight Young Master Guan has to offer?"

Guan Hao pointed at the Lin Family members. "A mere Lin Family, do they have the stomach to take on this project?"

A Gui replied with a placid expression, "Who the Sun Family chooses as a partner should be of no concern to the Guan Family."

Guan Hao chuckled sarcastically and shook his head. "Our two families have always worked closely together. Why has the Sun Family suddenly chosen the Lin Family? What is the meaning of this?"

"Elder Gui, I'll put it straight today. The moment you dare to choose the Lin Family, our Guan Family will immediately cease all cooperation with the Sun Family!"

A Gui just smiled faintly. This Young Master Guan is still so young. The Guan Family isn't ruled by the whims of a young master. If the Guan Family were to unilaterally end our cooperation, they would face enormous losses and have to pay a substantial penalty to the Sun Family.

"A Gui, see our guest out," Sun Gaozhi finally spoke.

Hearing this, A Gui gestured for Guan Hao to leave.

Guan Hao snorted coldly. "We'll see about this. I hope you don't regret it!"

He then turned to Lin Xiyue, his expression turning fierce. "Lin Xiyue, don't think that cozying up to the Sun Family means I won't dare to touch you. If you dare to take this project, I dare to make the Lin Family disappear from Sea City!"

The members of the Lin Family immediately turned pale. As a top-tier family in Sea City, Guan Hao's words were a considerable threat. If the Guan Family was truly determined to make trouble for them, what could the Sun Family do? The Sun Family was unlikely to make an enemy of the Guan Family for the sake of the Lin Family.

But Lin Xiyue remained unafraid, looking straight at Guan Hao. "Whatever despicable tactics you have, bring them on."

"Heh, you call me despicable, but you're no better. You shameless bitch, don't think I don't know why you randomly found some mongrel from the mountains to marry. You were just trying to avoid the Cao Family."

He then pointed toward Luo Xiu at another table and mocked, "Look at that mongrel, acting like he's never seen the world before. You would have been better off marrying a beggar than settling for that hillbilly."

Hearing this, Lin Xiyue trembled with anger. Guan Hao's remarks were a clear public insult.

With that, Guan Hao let out a loud laugh and strode away with a swagger.

"Wait a minute."

He hadn't gone far when he heard a languid voice from behind him.

Guan Hao turned to see that the one who had spoken was Luo Xiu.

Luo Xiu pulled out a napkin to wipe his mouth, then stood up and started walking toward Guan Hao.

Guan Hao smiled slightly, his gaze fixed provocatively on Luo Xiu. "What's wrong? You don't look too happy. Did a few words from me upset you? Are you going to throw a fit?"

At that moment, the entire room fell silent. All eyes were on Luo Xiu and Guan Hao. The atmosphere became incredibly tense.

Lin Xiyue hurriedly went to grab Luo Xiu's arm, shaking her head at him. She knew exactly what kind of profligate Guan Hao was and didn't want Luo Xiu to act rashly. Doing so would only bring trouble, possibly even a fatal disaster.

"Luo Xiu, please, let it go. I'm fine."

But Luo Xiu shook her hand off. "This has nothing to do with you. I'm not doing this for you."

"Luo Xiu, what do you think you're doing!" Xu Tao shouted from the side.

Lin Fei was also furious. "Young Master Guan says a few words and you throw a tantrum? Hurry up and apologize to him!"

In their minds, although Luo Xiu was a guest of the Sun Family, there was no way the Suns would make an enemy of the Guans over him. If Luo Xiu acted impulsively and laid a hand on Guan Hao, he would bring unimaginable trouble upon the entire Lin Family.

"AH!"

Suddenly, a scream came from Guan Hao. Everyone froze, turning toward the sound. To their shock, they saw it was A Gui who had attacked Guan Hao.

A Gui had kicked Guan Hao squarely in the stomach, then sent him flying with a sharp pair of slaps across the face. "Ah Qian, throw him out!" he roared.

This abrupt scene left everyone dumbfounded.

Luo Xiu looked at A Gui, his eyes narrowing slightly. I see... He decided to let the matter drop.

"The Sun Family... they would actually stand up for Luo Xiu..." a member of the Lin Family whispered, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Xu Tao, however, just smirked and said in a low voice, "Don't you get it? The Sun Family stepping in has nothing to do with Luo Xiu. Today is Grand Elder Sun's eightieth birthday. For Young Master Guan to cause a scene like this at the banquet is a direct slap to the Sun Family's face. How could they tolerate that?"

"Oh, so that's the reason. You're very perceptive, Xu Tao."

Lin Fei chuckled. "Besides, Young Master Guan won't dare to cause trouble for the Sun Family after this. He'll just go after Luo Xiu to settle the score."

"That country bumpkin is done for!"

After Guan Hao was forcefully thrown out, the venue started to grow lively again, as if nothing had happened. But people still discussed it in hushed tones.

Sun Gaozhi, along with his daughter, granddaughter, and a few Sun Family elders, approached the Lin Family's table.

"Brother Lin, regarding the specific details of our cooperation, please have your family send someone over to coordinate with us."

"Yes, yes! Thank you, Brother Sun, for this opportunity!" Lin Daqi replied, nodding and bowing.

"Then, here's to a smooth cooperation between our two families!"

Lin Daqi laughed sheepishly, then added, "By the way, Brother Sun, there's something I really don't understand."

"Oh? Brother Lin, feel free to speak your mind."

Lin Daqi looked at him and asked probingly, "Across all of Sea City, there are many families more suitable than ours. Why would you choose the Lin Family?"

Sun Gaozhi laughed. "Naturally, it's because you have a good son-in-law, Brother Lin. A young and promising man with limitless potential!"

Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at Xu Tao, their eyes filled with admiration. They all assumed Sun Gaozhi was referring to Xu Tao.

Even Xu Tao himself thought so. Young, promising, and with limitless potential... No matter how you look at it, there's no way he's talking about that country bumpkin, Luo Xiu.

Xu Tao stepped forward and smiled politely. "Grand Elder Sun, you flatter me. I will definitely work hard in the future and will not disappoint you."

Just then, Sun Li spoke up. "Why are you always popping up? This has nothing to do with you. Does anyone here even know you? My grandfather is speaking to Luo Xiu, what are you interrupting for?"

Ah Qian glared at Xu Tao and snapped coldly, "Get lost!"

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