Lier Has Also Arrived

"Alright."

Old Jiang nodded and walked onto the stage.

Butler Wang found a sofa and sat down.

A hotel staff member passed by.

Butler Wang inquired, "Excuse me, do you have any sunflower seeds?"

The hotel staff couldn't help but glance at Butler Wang.

Cracking sunflower seeds at such a high-class banquet?

But these were VIPs, and the guests here were of high status. He had to ensure they were well taken care of.

"Of course, sir. Please wait a moment," the hotel staff replied respectfully.

Soon, he returned with the sunflower seeds as requested.

Butler Wang began cracking the seeds, thoroughly enjoying himself.

What’s a good show without some snacks?

He crossed his legs, eyes fixed on the stage, wearing an expression of eager anticipation.

Everything was set—now they just had to wait for Young Master Lin to make his move.

On stage, Old Jiang held the microphone and smiled. "Today, we welcome you all to this banquet hosted by the Jiang Family to recognize a long-lost relative."

"My daughter left the Jiang Family due to various circumstances. Now, I wish to bring her son—my own grandson—back into the family."

Hearing this, the guests below murmured among themselves.

"What’s really going on? Why did Old Jiang’s daughter leave the family?"

"I’ve heard rumors that his daughter was obsessed with love. She kept taking money from the family to fund her boyfriend’s business ventures. When his business failed, and the Jiang Corporation was in crisis, she still insisted on draining the family’s resources. Old Jiang was so furious that he cut ties with her."

Of course, this was just hearsay—no one knew if it was true.

"If that’s the case, and Old Jiang’s surname is Jiang, and Lin Li’s mother, Jiang Shuqin, also shares the surname… could Jiang Shuqin actually be the Jiang Family’s daughter?"

"That can’t be right. Every member of the Jiang Family is well-mannered. How could they have a daughter as ill-tempered as Jiang Shuqin?"

Those familiar with Lin Xuan and the Lin Family’s affairs immediately thought of Jiang Shuqin’s lack of upbringing.

Favoring her adopted son while treating her own flesh and blood worse than a stranger—what kind of upbringing did that reflect?

And her shrewish behavior? They had witnessed it firsthand at the Lin Family’s banquet for Lin Li.

"Right, I think it’s more likely that Lin Li’s birth mother is the Jiang Family’s daughter. Speaking of which, if the Lin Family raised Lin Li all these years, why hasn’t a single member of the Lin Family shown up for this recognition ceremony?"

The guests exchanged puzzled looks.

If Jiang Shuqin’s son was truly being recognized, shouldn’t it be Lin Xuan, not Lin Li?

But if it was Lin Li, then why weren’t the Jiang Family members present?

Jiang Shuqin, wearing a mask, entered the banquet hall.

Noticing her, some guests frowned. "Who is that? Why is she wearing a mask?"

"Her eyes look familiar… I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere before."

From the moment she stepped inside, Jiang Shuqin’s gaze remained locked on Old Master Su.

It really was her father.

He had aged so much.

Then again, it had been twenty years since they last met—no, just a few months ago, they had briefly crossed paths, but she hadn’t gotten a good look at him then.

Of course he would look older now.

So, this really was a recognition banquet—to acknowledge a grandson, and to mention her, the daughter.

Jiang Shuqin recalled Lin Li preparing a suit for tonight’s banquet, as well as the words Lin Xuan had spoken to her.

Could it be… they were recognizing Lin Li?

No. Impossible.

Jiang Shuqin clenched her fists.

Lin Li knew how strained her relationship with the Jiang Family was. He wouldn’t betray her like this.

Maybe the Jiang Family was recognizing Lin Xuan instead.

Yes, it had to be Lin Xuan!

Only Lin Xuan would disregard her feelings like this, clinging to a powerful family like the Jiangs for personal gain.

Later, she would expose Lin Xuan and make it clear to the Jiang Family that Lin Xuan had severed ties with her.

Lin Xuan was no longer her daughter, and certainly not a member of the Jiang Family!

She would never allow Lin Xuan to exploit her identity for personal gain.

Butler Wang was the first to recognize Jiang Shuqin.

Well, well.

Just as Young Master Lin had predicted—Jiang Shuqin had indeed come.

Butler Wang approached her.

"Madam Lin," he said with a smile. "You’re here for Lin Li, aren’t you?"

"What did you say?" Jiang Shuqin reacted sharply. "Lin Li isn’t even here. Why would I come for him?"

Butler Wang pointed toward Lin Li’s direction. "Look, isn’t that the son you’ve doted on since childhood—Lin Li?"

Jiang Shuqin followed his gesture.

The moment she saw Lin Li, her pupils constricted.

It really was him!

What was going on?

Why was Lin Li attending the Jiang Family’s banquet?

Unless… the person the Jiang Family was recognizing was actually Lin Li?

Jiang Shuqin’s fists trembled.

No. It couldn’t be.

Once again, she denied the thought.

Lin Li was here, and so was Lin Xuan. Lin Xuan must have invited him.

Lin Li had always been kind-hearted. Despite all the terrible things Lin Xuan had done to him—stealing his belongings, framing him for theft, breaking his favorite toys, even pushing him into a lake when he couldn’t swim, nearly drowning him—Lin Li had never held a grudge.

If Lin Xuan had invited him, of course he would come.

Yes, that had to be it.

How despicable of Lin Xuan—using her son’s identity to cozy up to the Jiang Family, then flaunting it in front of Lin Li at the banquet.

Later, she would expose Lin Xuan’s scheme in front of everyone.

Jiang Shuqin scoffed. "I know you’re working with Lin Xuan. So what if Lin Li is here for the Jiang Family’s banquet? Did you really think this would break me? How laughable."

Did Lin Xuan really think such a petty trick could drive a wedge between her and Lin Li? What a joke.

"Then sit back and enjoy the show," Butler Wang said with a raised brow.

He could tell Jiang Shuqin already suspected the truth—she just refused to accept it, clinging to excuses to reassure herself.

"Fine, I will!"

Jiang Shuqin smirked coldly.

She’d see what other tricks Lin Xuan had up her sleeve.

Meanwhile, Lin Li stood below the stage, excitement written all over his face.

Almost there. The old man was about to introduce him to the upper-class elite.

After tonight, he would be a rightful member of the Jiang Family.

From then on, people would flock to curry favor with him.

No one would dare mock him to his face, calling him a eunuch.

Old Jiang continued his introduction on stage.

"Today, the grandson I wish to recognize is—"