Annual Meeting Venue

The Gu Family Manor spans a vast area of approximately 50,000 acres (5 square kilometers).

It boasts exquisite gardens, spacious gathering venues, and a wealth of recreational facilities.

Every year during the family reunion, the manor is meticulously decorated, exuding an air of opulence and elegance.

Guests from all walks of life, family members, and high-ranking executives from the Gu Corporation are invited to attend.

Not only that, but various factions from the martial arts world also receive invitations to the banquet.

Given the extraordinary status of Grandmother Gu and Old Master Gu,

even the Martial Arts Department participates in security maintenance.

It’s safe to say that tonight, the Gu Family Manor has gathered social elites and martial arts experts from all corners of the land.

The banquet is set to begin in half an hour.

The grand hall is already filled with guests.

Dressed in lavish evening attire, each holds a slender champagne flute, gracefully showcasing their social prowess.

Leng Xing'an, the nominal head of the Leng Family, has also been invited.

After all, his eldest niece, Leng Qingqiu, will be attending tonight.

However... he’s currently under immense pressure.

Standing before him, Gu Tianming, the head of the Gu Family, and social elites who wouldn’t usually spare him a glance are now smiling and discussing... marriage arrangements.

"Dear in-law, is the wine not to your liking? Should I have it replaced?"

Gu Tianming was quite cordial toward Leng Xing'an, as the Leng and Gu Families had been allies for generations.

Though Leng Xing'an hadn’t been the family head back then, they had crossed paths before.

"Dear... in-law..."

Leng Xing'an felt the pressure mounting. He was merely a figurehead, propped up as the family head.

He knew nothing about managing a business—all he wanted was a quiet life with his wife in their cozy home.

But... he also understood the heavy burden his niece carried. He couldn’t just hide in the shadows.

So he tried his best to maintain composure: "No, no, it’s excellent. It’s just... the marriage isn’t something I can decide."

"It depends on what my niece thinks."

As he spoke, he couldn’t help but feel embarrassed. What was going on? How had things progressed so far between his niece and Gu Yan that they were already discussing marriage?

Gu Tianming nodded in understanding. "You’re right, dear in-law. These days, it’s all about the younger generation’s wishes."

"We’ll discuss it further once my Xiao Yan and your Xiao Leng arrive."

He had only wanted to gauge the other party’s attitude. From the looks of it, Leng Xing'an held no ill will toward the Gu Family.

That was enough.

Besides, when it came to Gu Yan and Leng Qingqiu’s marriage...

Truth be told, neither he nor Su Murong had much say in the matter.

After all, that little rascal Gu Yan had a mind of his own.

Sometimes, even Gu Tianming couldn’t fathom what he was up to. Well... might as well let him be!

"Haha, Family Head Gu, Family Head Leng, congratulations!"

"Make sure to invite us to the wedding banquet!"

"Of course, of course."

"Indeed. A toast to you all."

Gu Tianming played along, but inwardly, he was exasperated.

Where was that brat? He should be here by now!

Showing up early to network would only benefit him.

This year’s reunion wasn’t just attended by executives from the Gu Corporation—industry titans had also come to show their respect.

Even renowned martial arts masters and young prodigies from ancient sects were present.

Talent scouts from the Martial Arts Department had also arrived.

Gu Tianming had already laid the groundwork. Now, it was up to Gu Yan to forge new connections.

Old ties and new alliances, established power and fresh blood—

Only through such synergy could a great family thrive for generations.

He and Su Murong were looking forward to their retirement!

"Family Head Gu, you flatter us. We’re hardly ‘seniors’ anymore."

"We’re just a bunch of retired old folks."

"Look at the guests you’ve gathered this year."

"Martial Arts Department personnel handling security, Peace Faction’s Minister Lin, inspection team members..."

"And even Ning Qian, representing Dragon King Mountain."

"Not to mention disciples from various sects. The Gu Family’s influence is truly remarkable."

Gu Tianming responded with polite smiles, though inwardly, he was puzzled.

Since when did the Gu Family have such clout? Why were the Peace Faction’s minister and Dragon King Mountain’s disciples here?

Ah, well. Gu Yan probably wouldn’t get the chance to meet them anyway.

If he did, securing his position as family head would be a breeze.

Elsewhere...

"Boring, boring. Little Yan invited me, but where is he?"

Lin Yinyin sat on a small stool, swinging her legs.

A lollipop in hand, she looked thoroughly unamused.

Beside her, inspection team member Sun Shizheng kept a vigilant watch on her aura.

Though Lin Yinyin had been removed as Peace Faction minister, the news hadn’t been made public due to the scandal.

Every year during the Gu Family reunion, half of the Martial Arts Department’s forces in Jianghai were deployed to assist with security.

After all, if anything happened to Grandmother Gu or Old Master Gu, chaos would engulf Jianghai.

Since Gu Yan had invited Lin Yinyin, her presence—along with Sun Shizheng’s—ensured maximum safety for the event.

Meanwhile...

Ning Qian sat stiffly in a banquet chair, her expression icy.

Next to her was an awkward-looking man in formal attire—none other than Xiao Lin!

Why was he here? Well, Gu Corporation happened to be the largest shareholder of Shen Wan'er’s company.

Thus, he and Shen Wan'er were attending as corporate representatives.

"Uh... shimei..."

Xiao Lin scratched his cheek, unsure how to approach his long-lost junior sister.

"After that day... I did look for you, but I couldn’t find you."

Ning Qian’s sharp gaze pinned him in place.

"Looked for me?" Her voice was frosty. "Shixiong, did you know your eyes twitch when you lie?"

Xiao Lin’s face fell.

"Caught you, didn’t I?" Ning Qian smirked coldly.

Her eyes then drifted toward a woman surrounded by admirers. Though weary, the woman’s gaze radiated confidence.

"You came with the Shen Family’s young mistress?"

Xiao Lin coughed awkwardly. "Yeah."

Silence settled between them.

Ning Qian realized she no longer felt the same affection for her shixiong.

When it came to love...

Her thoughts drifted elsewhere, her expression softening.

"Ling’er-jie..."

Not far away, Gu Yingying, who had been working the room, suddenly tensed.

Huh? Why do I sense danger?

But... where is Gu Yan? What’s taking him so long?

Meanwhile...

Gu Yunrou was also surrounded by a crowd of ambitious young elites vying for her favor.

"Heh, so today is Young Master Gu's last chance, isn't it?"

"Yeah, today’s the clown show where he gets stripped of his heir status, right?"

"What does Miss Gu think? You’ve always been the staunch veto vote in previous years."

They turned to Gu Yunrou with amused smiles.

But to their surprise...

Gu Yunrou took a delicate sip of white wine, then flashed a deceptively sweet smile. "Get lost."

The group instantly stiffened, their expressions freezing in awkward disbelief.

What was going on?

Since when did Gu Yunrou act like this? This wasn’t the script they’d imagined at all.

As for Gu Zihua, he had changed drastically over time.

He no longer cared about things like the family head position.

Because...

His gaze softened as he looked at the gentle, golden-haired woman beside him.

Alice was all he needed.

Still...

His eyes swept across the banquet hall, taking in the guests.

A look of anticipation crept onto his face.

Anticipation... for the moment Gu Yan would make a fool of himself.

After all, Gu Yunrou and Gu Yingying always found new ways to humiliate Gu Yan every year.

But this time, apart from Gu Yan, Leng Qingqiu from the Leng Family was also rumored to be attending.

And as his fiancée?

Hah. Pathetic.

What could a blind woman, fallen from grace, possibly do?

He couldn’t wait to see the two of them become the laughingstock of the evening.

Just as the thought crossed his mind—

BOOM!!!

The grand doors burst open.

"Huh? Who’s arriving this late?"

"Who has such terrible timing?"

Every head turned toward the commotion.

And there, framed in the doorway, stood two figures.