Chapter 1509 - 868: Shameless Peacemaker? You’re Not Worthy (Part 3)
Chapter 1509: Chapter 868: Shameless Peacemaker? You’re Not Worthy (Part 3)
Inside the hotel private room
You Hongxian was the host, and he arrived earlier, so when the Si family of three arrived, the room was still empty.
"Have some tea first, they should be here soon." You Hongxian’s attitude was humble, as if he had been through some blows and turned over a new leaf.
"Uncle, let me do it." Si Qingxiao saw him serving tea and stood up to take the teapot and cups from his hands.
"Brother, sister-in-law, I’m about to leave Beijing soon. I shamelessly invited the Jiang Family and Qi Family over for this meal. When they arrive later, please give me some face and don’t clash with them. There’s nothing that can’t be resolved."
Si Yushan and You Yunzhi both remained silent.
But a few minutes later, the first arrivals were Qi Zeyan and Ruan Mengxi.
Ruan Mengxi, upon learning the meal was hosted by You Hongxian, didn’t want to come, but Qi Zeyan said:
"They want to apologize to us, why not go?"
Ruan Mengxi frowned, "When did you become so magnanimous?"
"I’ve always had a gentleman’s mind."
"..."
"The main thing is, with the Jiang Family and Si Family both attending, if something happens, we can mediate. After all, the trouble happened at our wedding."
Hearing this, Ruan Mengxi nodded in agreement.
Of course, Qi Zeyan wouldn’t tell Ruan Mengxi that aside from these reasons, his biggest motive was to enjoy the drama.
He wanted to see what other tricks the Jiang Family, with their flair for dramatics, might play.
However, once they arrived in the room, facing the Si family alone, they were a bit uneasy.
"Congratulations on your wedding! When is it in Beijing?" You Yunzhi spoke up first.
"Next month." Ruan Mengxi smiled, "If you’re free, you can come and have a drink."
"I’ll definitely come if I’m free. Where is the wedding location?"
"In Lingnan."
The atmosphere around the wedding topic was quite pleasant, but sitting next to Si Yushan, Qi Zeyan felt some pressure, as Mr. Si was notoriously fierce in the business world. Facing an industry bigwig made him a little nervous.
Suddenly, he felt that in comparison, his father-in-law, although brawny and strong, was more approachable.
...
The atmosphere in the private room was good until the door opened again, and the Jiang Family arrived. It seemed as if even the air instantly solidified.
Ruan Mengxi glanced around and felt the tension rise, like the thin air on a plateau making it hard to breathe, while Qi Zeyan struggled to contain his excitement.
He could bet that this meal would absolutely result in some kind of incident.
"Madam Jiang, Mr. Jiang..." You Hongxian courteously greeted the Jiang Family, "Thank you for giving me this face, how come you didn’t say beforehand so I could come to greet you?"
"It’s quite hot outside, no need to be so formal." The old lady smiled kindly.
"Since everyone is here, let’s be seated." As the host, You Hongxian naturally made seating arrangements, placing the elderly lady of the Jiang Family at the head of the table.
Although it was a round table, the Jiang and Si families sat on opposite sides, effectively separated by You Hongxian and the couple Qi Zeyan and Ruan Mengxi.
As everyone took their seats, pleasantries were exchanged, but the atmosphere felt oddly strained.
Jiang Chengsi entered the room, not staring directly at Si Qingxiao yet his gaze lingered on her...
With a look yearning for attention.
Wife, look at me!
Wife’s not looking at me? She’s still not looking at me, why won’t she just look at me?
"Chengsi." Fan Mingyu whispered to him, glancing at the porcelain water jug on the table, giving him a look.
This kid, usually so lively, why falter at a critical moment, go pour some tea!
Jiang Chengsi immediately understood and stood up, using the opportunity to pour water for everyone to naturally make his way to Si Qingxiao’s side...
"My cup has water." Si Qingxiao said expressionlessly, seeming unwilling to accept the water he poured.
"Your cup is almost empty."
"..."
Jiang Chengsi’s logic was: if I say your cup is empty, then it is.
Under everyone’s gaze, he "forcefully" filled Si Qingxiao’s cup with water.
Si Qingxiao frowned and pushed the cup he poured aside, unwilling to touch it.
As if telling everyone with her actions that she didn’t want anything to do with such a "jerk".
Everyone at the table, being shrewd, naturally had their own interpretations of this behavior.
Jiang Chengsi’s "forceful sale" was witnessed by all, and You Hongxian thought Si Qingxiao was annoyed by this behavior.
But no one knew that besides "forceful sale", Jiang Chengsi secretly brushed his hand against the back of Si Qingxiao’s hand, which was the real source of her anger.
The man truly had no scruples, if not for the inappropriate setting, she would’ve kicked him a couple of times.
"Uncle, aunt, have some tea." Jiang Chengsi nonchalantly poured tea for the Si Yushan couple.
"Thank you." You Yunzhi kept a smile on her face, while Si Yushan didn’t give him any favorable look.
After pouring tea for everyone, Qi Zeyan thought, finally, he could experience being served by Jiang Chengsi, but when it was Qi’s turn, Jiang said:
"Sorry, there’s no water left."
"You..." Qi Zeyan was speechless with anger.
Everyone knew the two had a spat at the bar, and Jiang Chengsi got punched, so mutual disdain was expected.
Qi Zeyan figured this was definitely deliberate.
This was their first meeting since the "fight" at the bar; knowing Jiang Chengsi’s temper, not getting kicked was already something.
"Everyone, please sit. First of all, thank you for honoring me with your presence today. I’ll start by toasting everyone with tea in place of wine." You Hongxian stood up.
"I know I’ve done a lot of wrong things in the past, got caught in a dead-end because of my son. Here, I apologize to everyone..."
Tang Wan gently rubbed the cup in her hand, exchanging a glance with Jiang Jinsang.
Tang Wan wasn’t aware of what Jiang Jinsang planned, only noticed something amiss. However, she was quite sure that You Hongxian’s invitation today wasn’t a genuine act of repentance.
If it were truly an apology, the one most deserving would be his grandfather, who was nearly killed.
Although his grandfather wasn’t in Beijing, if he was sincerely apologizing, he should’ve invited his little aunt. Invitees today were all related to Jiang Chengsi...
The Si Family, and Qi Zeyan with whom the dispute occurred.
Just a little thought reveals how fishy this situation is.
So at this meal, almost everyone had their own thoughts, harboring hidden intentions.
...
Initially, it was just dining, a few sips of wine; all present being wise, would avoid awkward silences.
Until You Hongxian stood up with his glass, "I’m about to leave soon, thought I’d take advantage with everyone here today. The matter from before, with all the uproar online, I shamelessly play the peacemaker, regardless of how the truth unfolds, it’s all in the past now..."
The Jiang Family detected something off from those words, what does it mean that the truth doesn’t matter?
Does it mean that Jiang Chengsi being defamed doesn’t matter either?
The main thing is, the implication was that the "infidelity" rumors were true. How could the Jiang Family sit still? Even the old lady’s expression turned unpleasant.
Those words were quite stirring.
"After all, I’m Xiaoxiao’s uncle, I also hope for her happiness, plus I don’t want everyone to strain their relationship over this matter."
Jiang Chengsi rubbed his cup, feeling the flames of anger rise within him...
Isn’t this outright instigation?
The main issue was, even if he made things worse, what angered him more was:
"Fourth Master Jiang, you’re the junior, perhaps you should take the initiative, toast them a few cups, as they say, one drink to erase all grievances, right..." You Hongxian chuckled.
Jiang Chengsi, naturally impatient, was already unsettled by these words.
Furthermore, Hongxian intended this dinner as a trap, hoping to aggravate him, so why not comply...
Si Qingxiao had hinted enough, thus Jiang Chengsi had no reservations.
At this moment, You Hongxian, holding a wine bottle, poured drinks for Jiang Chengsi, "Fourth Master, for my sake, you should take the initiative..."
Jiang Chengsi moved his fingers, pushing the glass aside, and the wine being poured by You Hongxian spilled onto the table, prompting him to quickly straighten the bottle.
"It was my hand trembling." He chuckled dryly.
Jiang Chengsi sneered, curling his lips into a roguish grin:
"It wasn’t your hand shaking, you don’t have that kind of face!"
With You Hongxian’s words, the atmosphere in the private room had already turned bizarre. Jiang Chengsi’s retort was crisp and clear, causing the atmosphere to freeze instantly!