Some people simply didn't want to offend Feng Tingshen.
Others, however, were scrambling for a chance to curry favor with the Lin and Sun families.
After all, the Rong family had fallen on hard times over the years, while the Lin and Sun families were backed by the towering figure of Feng Tingshen. It went without saying which side they would choose.
President Lan offered a quick apology to Rong Changsheng and promptly made his exit.
Old Madam Rong, along with Rong Ci's aunt, He Mingxue, hadn't paid much attention at first.
However, as more and more guests arrived only to leave immediately, and with the feast about to begin, they couldn't help but notice. The banquet hall was emptying out, leaving only a few scattered tables occupied. With more than half the seats vacant, it was obvious that something was wrong.
Old Madam Rong and He Mingxue walked over, frowning as they asked, "Why have so many guests left? Did something happen?"
Rong Changsheng and Rong Ci exchanged a look, uncertain of how to break the news.
But things had reached a point where they could no longer keep it hidden.
Rong Changsheng had no choice but to say, "The Sun and Lin families have both moved to The Capital. The Sun family scheduled their housewarming party for today, and they sent invitations to most of our guests, so..."
So, the situation before them was the result.
As he spoke, both Rong Changsheng and Rong Ci looked at the Old Madam with concern, worried she wouldn't be able to handle the blow.
The Sun family had bitten the hand that fed them, ruining the Rong family to this extent. As long as Rong Yingsheng remained in that nursing home, the hatred between them would never fade.
Now, they had gone even further, intentionally staging this stunt on her birthday. The Old Madam's loathing for the Sun family was surely reaching its peak.
However, Old Madam Rong was a woman who had weathered many storms.
Upon hearing the news, she merely gripped the edge of the table tightly. A second later, her gaze sharpened as she looked at Rong Changsheng and Rong Ci, cutting straight to the heart of the matter. "Is that man named Feng backing them from behind the scenes?"
Otherwise, how could the Sun familywho had no foundation in The Capital and had barely just arrivedpossibly summon so many influential people?
The "man named Feng" she referred to was, of course, Feng Tingshen.
Rong Ci lowered her eyes. "Yes..."
Her eyes reddened. "Grandmother, I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault." Old Madam Rong reached out and tenderly stroked her face. "It's just that we all underestimated how base and shameless they truly are."
"Grandmother..."
"It's fine." The Old Madam scanned the banquet hall, which looked far too desolate with so few guests, but her expression remained steady and indifferent. "It's just a birthday; any way we spend it is fine. As long as the few of you are well, this old woman asks for nothing else. Everything else is just empty vanity; there's no need to care so much."
"So, I'll say it again: you must never punish yourself for the shamelessness of others, do you understand?"
Her words carried a heavy weight, subtly referencing what had happened to Rong Yingsheng years ago.
Rong Ci and Rong Changsheng understood her meaning clearly. "We understand."
Rong Ci had also sent invitations to Yu Moxun and Chu Zilan.
They had just arrived.
They were well aware of the history between the Rong family and the Sun and Lin families.
Hearing the full story, Chu Zilan directly cursed, "They are absolutely vile! I've never seen anyone so disgusting!"
Yu Moxun gave Rong Ci's shoulder a comforting pat.
A moment later, his phone buzzed. After checking the message, he paused and then said, "I'll call someone over for you."
Rong Ci was confused. "Hmm?"
Yu Moxun smiled. "You'll see in a bit."
Meanwhile, in the Sun family's banquet hall.
Seeing the endless stream of guests arriving, Old Madam Sun and Sun Manshan were all smiles.
Just as Rong Ci and the others had suspected, they did indeed remember Old Madam Rong's birthday.
In fact, having celebrated her birthday for so many years, they could never forget this day even if they wanted to.
Therefore, their housewarming banquet had been very deliberately set for today.
The memory of their failed plan to move directly across from the Rong family still rankled. Because Rong Ci had interfered and gone to Feng Tingshen, their original move-in plans had been ruined, leaving them furious.
However, Feng Tingshen had compensated them afterward.
They could be considered to have found a blessing in disguise.
Thinking of this, and the fact that they had successfully snatched away most of the guests intended for the Rong family, their moods improved even further.
Sun Liyao lowered her voice and laughed, "I bet there's hardly anyone left at the Rong family's banquet right now, right? Pfft, they went through all that trouble to prepare, and in the end, they couldn't even keep their guests.
How embarrassing. Once this news spreads and everyone realizes the Rong family has lost not only their power but also their connections, let's see who dares to do business with them in the future!"
Xiang Rufang patted her hand, also smiling. "Isn't that the truth?"
Although the Sun family had invited many of the Capital's elite, they didn't actually know most of them.
Thus, while today was framed as a housewarming party, it was actually a means for them to build a social network.
Lin Wu was wearing the diamond bracelet Feng Tingshen had bid on for her that night.
Many people were already aware that Feng Tingshen had splurged over four hundred million to win four items at the auction.
Since Feng Tingshen placed such importance on Lin Wu, many people at the scene were eager to flatter her.
Seeing her wearing the bracelet today, a guest said fawningly, "This bracelet really suits you. President Feng truly has excellent taste."
Even though the guest was being sycophantic, it was true that Lin Wu was beautiful and looked good in anything. Dressed in her finest today, the diamond bracelet on her wrist indeed looked exceptionally elegant and refined.
Lin Wu replied, "Thank you."
To get on the Lin family's good side, many guests had done their homework beforehand.
Consequently, many knew that Old Madam Lin enjoyed collecting antiques.
Someone couldn't help but ask, "I heard your grandmother, Old Madam Lin, loves collecting antiques. Was that antique vase from the last auction specifically won by President Feng to show his respect to her?"
The person used the word "respect," clearly suggesting that Feng Tingshen already viewed the Lin family as his own.
Lin Wu nodded and said, "Yes."
That antique vase had indeed captured Old Madam Lin's heart.
The thought of the vase made the Old Madam beam with joy.
After all, it was a vase worth over a hundred million.
One had to admit, Feng Tingshen was truly dedicated and generous when it came to her granddaughter, Lin Wu.
Hearing this, Old Madam Sun couldn't help but feel a bit envious.
As another of Lin Wu's elders, the Lin grandmother had received an antique vase while she had received nothing.
However, she had heard from Lin Wu that Feng Tingshen had purchased two more items that night. Those two items were said to be worth over a hundred million eachsignificantly more expensive than the antique vase.
Feng Tingshen was well aware of the Sun family's housewarming today.
She figured that at least one of those two items must have been purchased for the Sun family.
With that thought, Old Madam Sun's mood improved considerably.
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