Chapter 209: The Invitation
The Fifth Clan.
"This Xiao Ye is Xiao Ling's son. I heard he was killed by Liu Loulan, but who would have thought he's actually still alive!"
"Didn't the Xiao Family see his body? How did he come back to life?"
"Who knows. I heard the kid faked his death. He must have found some way to pull it off without anyone noticing."
When Diwu Hanran received the news, he stared at the person in the photo in disbelief. "So he's Xiao Ye!"
"I know him! He's the one who took care of Xiao Ming. His skills are incredible—a true martial artist. I can't believe it was him!"
The others chimed in.
"I heard a little about what happened with the Xiao Family. It seems like his confrontation with Xiao Ming was all part of a plan..."
The Ouyang Clan.
The same topic was also stirring up waves within the Ouyang Family.
Those who had been fortunate enough to interact with Xiao Ye were specially summoned to the study by the Ouyang Family's Patriarch to be questioned about the situation.
The Xiao Family was now on the decline, but this had little to do with the other Hidden Clans.
In truth, the rise and fall of major clans like theirs was often influenced by interference from those higher up.
Therefore, even with the Xiao Family's decline, they didn't dare to act too openly against them.
The Dragon Country would not allow a single, colossal power to emerge.
To preserve themselves and ensure the Ouyang Family's continued existence, they could not covet any of the Xiao Family's assets!
However, they also didn't want to see the Xiao Family rise again.
...
Amidst the turmoil outside, Lin Chuyue knew nothing of it.
She had already returned to Jiangcheng.
But facing the pile of documents on her office desk, she couldn't focus at all.
Her secretary came in and reminded her helplessly, "President Lin, you need to sign these. The finance department is waiting."
"Oh... all right. I'll sign them now."
After signing, Lin Chuyue's mind began to wander again.
The secretary sighed and left.
Ever since learning of Xiao Ye's death, Lin Chuyue had been in this state, barely having a single good day.
Suddenly, Lin Chuyue thought of something and opened her phone.
In her photo album was a picture she had taken by accident.
Xiao Ye was in the frame, but only his profile was visible. Still, you could tell he was in a good mood.
Lin Chuyue caressed the phone screen, her eyes turning red again as tears began to fall.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.
A knock came from the door.
Bai Xue pushed the door open. "I knew it. You're crying again."
She expertly handed over a tissue. "It's been so many days since he died. You should stop crying."
"Crying so much is bad for your eyes, and the damage can be irreversible."
Bai Xue was now in a partnership with the Lin Family, so she came over often. What she saw most were Lin Chuyue's tears.
Lin Chuyue shook her head. "You don't understand... It was my fault. I wronged him."
"The truth is, back when the Lin Family was in crisis, Huo Wenhao stepped in to help, and even Yuan Tiancheng... they all helped me because of Xiao Ye!"
"But he never told me directly. He just didn't want to put any pressure on me."
"But... not only did I not believe him, I hurt him!"
Lin Chuyue's vision blurred as she looked at the photo. 'I always thought I didn't like him.'
"Why do people only learn to cherish someone after they've lost them?"
Bai Xue didn't know how to comfort her. After all, the man was already dead.
"Oh, right. When I came in, there was a package for you, so I brought it in."
"I think the sender is... the Imperial City's Xiao Family?"
The Xiao Family?
Lin Chuyue snapped back to her senses.
'That's the clan that killed Xiao Ye!'
'It's because of them that Xiao Ye died!'
It wasn't that Lin Chuyue hadn't thought about going to the Imperial City for revenge.
She was even prepared to fight the Xiao Family to the bitter end.
Unfortunately... she was too weak, and Shishi had sent her back.
Now, Lin Chuyue's only chance was to grow the Lin Clan. Once the Lin Clan was strong enough, she would avenge Xiao Ye!
She picked up the package and tore open the seal.
An invitation card fell out.
It had a matte black cover with a large, golden character for "Xiao" written on it in its traditional, complex form.
She opened it.
Inside was just a single sentence.
An invitation for Lin Chuyue to attend the inauguration ceremony for the new Xiao Family Patriarch!
'Why would they invite me to the inauguration of the Xiao Family's Patriarch?'
Below that were an address and time.
Bai Xue saw it too and immediately said, "Chuyue, you can't go! This could be a trap set by the Xiao Family!"
"A clan from the Imperial City, even a second-rate one, is much more powerful than us. They have no reason to invite you."
The only connection between the Xiao Family and Lin Chuyue was Xiao Ye.
This really did look like a treacherous banquet.
But even so, Lin Chuyue was determined to go!
"I don't care what their scheme is. It must have something to do with Xiao Ye; otherwise, they wouldn't have sought me out."
"Since it's about Xiao Ye, I have to go!"
Lin Chuyue glanced at the time. "I'm running out of time. I need to go home, pack, and catch the noon flight!"
Bai Xue wanted to say something, but in the end, she just shook her head. "I can't talk you out of it. Fine, go. But if you need any help, call me!"
Because of this Xiao Family ceremony, many people were traveling to the Imperial City from all over at the same time.
「3:00 PM.」
At a villa to the side of the old Xiao Family residence.
This place wasn't connected to the main residence. Separated by a mountain wall, it was impossible to see what was happening inside.
From the outside, it looked like nothing more than a simple villa.
Inside, however, the lights were blazing brilliantly.
The members of the Xiao Family were already prepared to receive the guests.
「3:30 PM.」
Countless luxury cars were parked at the entrance.
Anyone who could produce an invitation was allowed inside after their identity was verified.
The moment Lin Chuyue got out of her car, she saw Chu Yan, Huo Wenhao, and the others not far away.
She hurried after them in her high heels. "You're here too?"
Chu Yan, naturally, didn't look pleased to see her. "If you can come, why can't we?"
Lin Chuyue gave an awkward smile. She knew Chu Yan had always looked down on her.
After all, the things she had done were truly infuriating.
So, she was in no position to blame her and could only try to avoid Chu Yan as much as possible.
However, in an unfamiliar place like the Imperial City, it was better to have acquaintances around.
Lin Chuyue didn't leave, continuing to walk alongside them.
Yuan Tiancheng had the highest status among them. Even though he was from Shanghai, he knew a fair bit about the situation here.
"Over there are people from the Mo Family, one of the Imperial City's top-tier clans."
"Strange. This Xiao Family is just a second-rate clan. Why are all the guests at this banquet from top-tier clans?"
In fact, since entering the venue, Yuan Tiancheng hadn't seen a single person from a first-rate clan.
It was as if first-rate clans and those below them weren't even qualified to enter this banquet!
Suddenly, a thought occurred to him.
'Could this be... a banquet held by the Hidden Xiao Clan?'