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104

translator: Eve
editor: kara

As the time for the Xiao Family banquet approached, another fight broke out within the Song Family.

There were two reasons for it. Firstly, Song Xuanhe refused to attend the Xiao Family banquet. There was also the matter regarding Song Jiabao having been admitted into rehab. Song Guohua and his wife were adamant that Song Xuanhe had tricked Song Jiabao into doing drugs. They demanded to be allowed to come along to the Xiao Family banquet as compensation.

Song Guochao, who had originally been on their side, denouncing Song Xuanhe, immediately changed his tune. He did not approve of bringing Song Guohua and his wife along. His exact words were: “The Xiao Family invitation is addressed to Song Yansong and his immediate family. Only his direct descendants are invited. It wouldn’t be appropriate to bring relatives with us. The other attendees would jeer at us for trying to climb up the social ladder via the Xiao Family and for bringing our whole family along while at it. It would be an unsightly event. Who will I blame when the Song name is inevitably ruined?”

Song Guohua was no pushover though. He had said in response, “Everyone knows who the true recipient is. The person they all want to see is Song Xuanhe. He had hurt Jiabao so terribly. Shouldn’t you compensate us? If you don’t let us come to the Xiao Family banquet, I’ll make this matter public. Let’s see if the Xiao Family will let Song Xuanhe marry in then.”

“It’s not up to you whether Song Xuanhe gets to marry into the Xiao Family.” Song Guochao’s expression was dark. “All I know is that no one brings their poor relatives along to banquets. I’m not going to embarrass myself like that.”

“I’m a poor relative?!” Song Guohua’s sore spot had been poked. His face was flushed from anger. “You’re even worse than me. You have no redeeming qualities whatsoever. If it hadn’t been because you just so happened to have been born into a good family and fathered two good sons, you’d never have the right to criticize me!”

“You! You!” Song Guohua usually praised Song Guochao. He had never spoken to him like this before. Infuriated, Song Guochao had pointed at Song Guohua, repeatedly saying “you” for a while. In the end, he finally managed to squeeze out: “Preposterous!”

Song Xuanhe was sipping on his tea in a relaxed manner. He listened as the two of them tore off each other’s last semblance of dignity, enjoying the gossip with keen interest. Li Nianan also was sitting there quietly. She wasn’t the least affected by her husband and relative’s quarrel.

Song Yansong had gone to another country to recuperate for the last few days because of a heart issue. He had also expressed that he would not be attending the Xiao Family banquet because of his ailing health. With no one overseeing the family, Song Guochao had become increasingly relaxed. His tone and actions now had an arrogant air to them. Song Guohua didn’t hold back either, frequently visiting the Song residence. The matter concerning Song Jiabao had caused him to become depressed for some time. No one had expected for him to pick himself back up. It was probably because he realized that his son was ruined, so he had to do everything he could to get something out of all this.

Fortunately, Song Xuanhe and Song Xuanlin were rarely at the Song Residence. Li Nianan was also doing well. Aside from going out with her friends and going to beauty appointments, she would occasionally do some charity work. She was rarely at home. Therefore, the three of them weren’t affected at all.

This family get-together was about the Xiao Family’s invitation. Song Guochao was demanding that Song Xuanhe go to the banquet in America. However, it was to no avail. Even if he had stomped his foot in anger, all he got was Song Guohua’s demand to bring him along.