The people at the table all fell silent, sitting on pins and needles. Sharing a table with a devil like Yang Chen, they didn't even dare to breathe loudly.
Yang Wei, in particular, was extremely nervous. He knew Yang Chen was strong, but he hadn't expected him to be *this* strong.
Moreover, Yang Chen's audacity was staggering—whether it was casually snapping Qin Fei's wrist or publicly attacking the most outstanding member of the Guan family, it was nothing short of a blatant insult to the Guan family.
Meanwhile, Yang Chen acted as if nothing had happened. He casually picked up the pot of premium Longjing tea, poured himself a cup, and took a slow sip.
Setting the cup down, he began tapping the table with his index finger in a deliberate rhythm.
*Tap! Tap! Tap!*
The crisp sound echoed in the dead silence, like the haunting chime of a demon's bell, piercing deep into everyone's hearts.
"I'm going to kill you!"
Guan Xuesong, his face covered in blood, roared in fury.
As the most outstanding young talent of the Guan family—even destined to inherit the family leadership—he had just been publicly humiliated by Yang Chen, who had slammed his head onto the table.
At that moment, an elderly man in a suit hurried over and whispered into Guan Xuesong's ear, "Young Master Song, the family head has ordered that the birthday banquet must proceed smoothly. Once it's over, he won't leave here alive."
Hearing the family head mentioned, Guan Xuesong suppressed his rage. He glared at Yang Chen as if he were already a dead man. "Enjoy what little time you have left."
With that, Guan Xuesong turned and left, leaving behind a room full of stunned guests.
Old Master Qin stared at Yang Chen with a grave expression. Only now did he realize that this son-in-law, whom he had always dismissed as worthless, was far more than he appeared.
Qin Fei's eyes were bloodshot, the pain from his shattered wrist threatening to make him pass out.
Yang Chen had struck ruthlessly—Qin Fei's wrist was completely broken, the white of his bone even visible. There was a chance his hand couldn't be saved.
Old Master Qin also knew that Qin Fei's bloodied appearance at the Guan family head's birthday banquet was inauspicious. It might even earn the Guan family's resentment. Without another word, he quietly led Qin Fei away in disgrace.
Yang Chen wasn't in a hurry. He had come here today to stir up trouble. What surprised him was the Guan family's patience—even after he had publicly beaten their most promising young member, they still hadn't dragged him out by force.
Yang Wei, meanwhile, was also on edge. Though he knew Yang Chen's identity, he had also investigated some matters. He knew Yang Chen and his mother had been expelled from the Yu family years ago.
In his eyes, the Yu family handing over Yanchen Group to Yang Chen was nothing more than compensation. He also understood Yang Chen's hatred for the Yu family.
But the Yang family had significant business ties with the Guan family. Now that Yang Chen had clearly provoked the Guan family, he didn't know which side to take.
After a brief hesitation, Yang Wei stood up with a smile. "I'm going to the restroom."
Once outside, he quickly made a call, reporting everything to Yang Xiangming.
After a long silence, Yang Xiangming finally spoke in a low voice. "In this matter, you only need to observe. No matter what Yang Chen does, you are not to interfere—but you also don't need to deliberately avoid him."
"Grandfather, you mean I should just wait and see?" Yang Wei understood his grandfather's intention.
Yang Xiangming replied, "Exactly. Yang Chen may be young, but he doesn't seem reckless. Although he was expelled from the Yu family, he is now the chairman of Yanchen Group. Even the Guan family won't find it easy to kill him."
"Understood. I'll act as you've instructed." After hanging up, Yang Wei returned to the banquet hall and resumed his seat beside Yang Chen.
Yang Chen gave him a meaningful smile but said nothing. The eerie grin unsettled Yang Wei.
Just then, the banquet hall doors slowly closed, and the melodious tune of *Happy Birthday* began to play—the birthday celebration had officially started.
An elderly man in a bright red Tang suit walked in slowly.
This man was none other than Guan Zhengshan, the head of the Guan family, one of the four major clans of Jiangzhou.
"Today marks my seventieth birthday. I am deeply grateful to all of you for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend my celebration."
Standing at the podium, Guan Zhengshan spoke with a hearty smile. "Everyone here today is either a member of the Guan family or a close ally. Since you've come as my guests, please eat, drink, and enjoy yourselves to the fullest."
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause.
It was now time for the guests to present their gifts.
"Grandfather, your grandson wishes you boundless happiness and eternal health."
Guan Xuesong stepped forward, holding an antique sandalwood box in both hands, presenting it respectfully.
The lid of the small box was open, revealing an exquisitely crafted jade thumb ring inside.
"Hahaha! Wonderful! Xuesong, your gift pleases me greatly!" Guan Zhengshan laughed heartily.
The fact that Guan Xuesong was the first to present a gift symbolized his status within the Guan family.
Next came the uncles, aunts, and other relatives, each offering their gifts in turn.
After them, the guests began presenting their tributes. Soon, Guan Zhengshan's table was piled high with lavish gifts—any one of which could sustain an ordinary family for a lifetime.
Yet Guan Zhengshan only wore a faint smile. Aside from Guan Xuesong's jade thumb ring, nothing else seemed to catch his eye.
At that moment, Wang Jian—who had been kicked out by Ma Chao at the gate—arrived with a middle-aged man.
"Family Head Guan, I wish you robust health and a long life."
The middle-aged man, Wang Hongye, held out a jade flowerpot, inside which were petals intricately carved from jadeite.
"Wang Hongye is incredibly generous! That jade and jadeite flower arrangement must be worth at least ten million, right?"
"It seems the Wang family is determined to align themselves with the Guan family."
"At this rate, it won't be long before Jiangzhou gains another top-tier family—the Wangs."
The surrounding guests were stunned by the extravagance of Wang Hongye's gift.
Guan Zhengshan laughed heartily. "Family Head Wang, your thoughtfulness is much appreciated!"
"Family Head Guan, there's something I must report to you." Wang Hongye suddenly spoke up.
"Oh? What is it? Speak freely."
Though the Wang family was only a second-tier family, presenting a ten-million-yuan gift showed great sincerity. Guan Zhengshan was willing to hear him out.
"Originally, I didn't want to dampen your spirits, but I feared that dangerous individuals might have infiltrated your banquet. I felt compelled to inform you."
Wang Hongye bowed slightly before continuing, "I rushed here from the airport, worried about being late for your celebration, so I sent my son ahead to offer congratulations. But at the gate, my son was assaulted—his invitation was even stolen by the perpetrator."
"What? Such a thing happened in my Guan household?"
Guan Zhengshan's face darkened with anger. "Who dares to steal an invitation from my family?"
Wang Hongye shot a glance at his son, who immediately pointed at Yang Chen and shouted, "You bastard! How dare you sit there instead of kneeling and begging for forgiveness from Family Head Guan?"
All eyes followed Wang Jian's finger, landing on Yang Chen, who remained seated calmly. The entire hall erupted in murmurs.
Earlier, Yang Chen had publicly broken Qin Fei's wrist and even attacked Guan Zhengshan's most prized grandson, slamming his head onto the table.
Now, it turned out his invitation had been stolen too.