The music stopped, and the crowd surged toward Tang Hongen.

Xia Xiaolan knew her mother would inevitably be nervous, but as long as she didn’t show it on her face, such occasions would become familiar with the experience, and Liu Fen would quickly blend in.

She didn’t need to converse with anyone – just smile at those who seemed friendly, an infallible social technique.

However, Xia Xiaolan found herself pushed to the back of the crowd, with Ji Jiangyuan right beside her.

Ji Jiangyuan’s expression was complex. Xia Xiaolan whispered, “What’s wrong, you didn’t know?”

Ji Jiangyuan nodded: “I only learned about my mother sending such an invitation before you arrived… but I didn’t know she had requested guests to bring companions.”

After today, his parents’ relationship would surely become tense. With Ji Ya’s temperament, she could hate Tang Hongen for life. There would be no room for reconciliation – perhaps even at Ji Jiangyuan’s future wedding, they wouldn’t be able to appear together harmoniously.

Could he blame his father?

His mother had brought this upon herself, always doing things contrary to expectations, never speaking properly. When others indulged her, she was lucky, but when they wouldn’t – well, she could only be stunned.

For instance, now, Ji Jiangyuan could guess how furious his mother must be!

Xia Xiaolan spread her hands, “There’s nothing to be done. You can’t choose whose son you’ll be, nor can you decide how your parents interact. For your sake, Uncle Tang would either endure Miss Ji’s provocations or respond mildly. This time, he probably just couldn’t take it anymore.”

Xia Xiaolan hoped Ji Jiangyuan could understand.

That obsessive Ji Ya – if she hadn’t pushed a man to lose all patience, someone with Tang Hongen’s personality wouldn’t have embarrassed her like this.

At most, he would have ignored the invitation, not brought her mother to show their affection.

But hadn’t Ji Ya brought all this upon herself?

Just for attending this wedding, Secretary Peng had been very attentive, helping them book hotels and running errands enthusiastically. Secretary Peng’s attitude had changed before, but never so obviously – partly because he felt that after attending this wedding, Mayor Tang and her mother’s relationship would be officially confirmed, and partly due to his perception.

Whether Secretary Peng or Little Wang, they were firmly tied to Tang Hongen.

If people mocked Tang Hongen, what face would they have?

Xia Xiaolan’s words made sense from any angle. Ji Jiangyuan looked up to say something but noticed commotion around Ji Ya and quickly ran over.

Xia Xiaolan was quite amused. Ji Ya must be feeling terrible, but it was all self-inflicted – she felt no sympathy.

The wedding was quite grand, and George was certainly generous.

Even crazy people could find true love, Xia Xiaolan evaluated herself – she was quite normal, so there was no reason she couldn’t maintain a good relationship.

Before coming to Pengcheng, she had called Zhou Cheng, who asked if she needed him to come to support her.

Xia Xiaolan thought about it and declined, telling Zhou Cheng to save his leave days because today’s face-slapping didn’t require her participation or even Liu Fen’s intervention – it all depended on Tang Hongen’s performance… Seeing the crowd around Tang Hongen proved that face-slapping was extremely successful.

Ji Ya was furious?

With that dog-like temper that went crazy at the slightest displeasure, it would be abnormal if she didn’t explode.

Ah, all these drinks and desserts were so delicious, why wasn’t anyone appreciating them?

If her dear Chengzi were here, he would surely love the unlimited desserts.

As Xia Xiaolan was happily eating from her plate, Ning Xue quietly approached her, “Xia Xiaolan, do you find this amusing?”

Xia Xiaolan thought for a moment, “Quite amusing. Eating while watching a show, all paid for by Miss Ji’s husband, with Miss Ji herself performing – don’t you find it interesting? It’s a shame, I’m a vulgar person who can’t remain aloof from the spectacle of such remarkable people around me. You know about my bet with Ji Ya, right? One day, I’ll make her kneel on Chang’an Street – this is just collecting some interest.”

Ning Xue had heard about the Chang’an Street bet.

She hadn’t expected Xia Xiaolan’s life pursuits to be so crude: “Just for that?”

Xia Xiaolan finished the desserts on her plate and wiped her mouth, “Miss Ning, don’t underestimate this bet. With Miss Ji’s personality, achieving this won’t be easy.”

Ning Xue instantly lost interest in conversing with Xia Xiaolan.

Her impression of Xia Xiaolan was complicated – sometimes their thoughts aligned perfectly, other times they were worlds apart.

She didn’t beat around the bush and directly stated her purpose to Xia Xiaolan:

“The land you bought in Pengcheng is next to the resort, right? I wanted to look at it earlier, but walls were blocking it, and the construction site security was very strict – I couldn’t get in.”

Xia Xiaolan thought that’s exactly right.

If anyone could enter the construction site freely, what would be the point of hiring security?

“It’s messy – what did you want to see at the construction site?”

Ning Xue didn’t hide her intentions, “I wanted to see how you would plan this plot. If you’re building residences for sale to make money, but with Teacher Mao Kangshan involved, he’ll surely have you design it yourself… I’m curious about how you’ll balance practicality, aesthetics, and economic considerations in this residential project.”

Xia Xiaolan stared at Ning Xue for a moment, “Lucky you’re a girl – if you were a male classmate, I’d think you had a crush on me. You do pay attention to me!”

The conversation became impossible to continue.

Ning Xue generally couldn’t be bothered to get angry at people around her, considering them not worth it.

But right now, she wanted to slam the dessert plate in Xia Xiaolan’s face – that mouth was just too provocative!

However, the commotion had broken out around Ji Ya, leaving Ning Xue no chance. With Zhen Wenxiu still there, Ning Xue quickly ran over.

Xia Xiaolan craned her neck to look – wow, Miss Ji had quite a temper!

…

“Ji Ya, have you gone mad? This is your wedding venue – look at the decorations around you, look at all the guests – what are you trying to do!”

Zhen Wenxiu was on the verge of tears.

The Ji family was all here – why did she have to handle this?

For some reason, Ji Ya’s sister-in-law had suddenly pushed her, forcing Zhen Wenxiu to take charge. She did consider Ji Ya a true friend, and she wanted their children to marry, so she had no choice but to try to restrain Ji Ya!

Ji Ya was surprisingly strong, fortunately, she wasn’t alone in this effort. George had stepped in, and Ji Jiangyuan with his long legs had run over quickly – with the two men’s combined strength, Ji Ya couldn’t break free.

George’s parents were watching!

The two completely failed to grasp the situation and stood waiting nearby. The ceremony had been about to begin when Tang Hongen arrived, causing guests to leave their seats, and they still hadn’t returned. The priest waited alongside George’s parents – Americans didn’t believe in auspicious timing for weddings anyway, so a slight delay wouldn’t matter.

George’s parents just couldn’t understand why Ji Ya had suddenly become angry.

George’s heart felt cold too – this was their wedding! He had been so happy to marry Ji Ya.

Wasn’t Ji Ya approaching this wedding with the same feelings?

Ji Jiangyuan strode over, “What are you trying to do? Don’t want to get married? In front of all these guests, if you want to trample on Uncle George’s sincere feelings, then, by all means, go ahead and make a scene!”