Chapter 105: The Wedding Banquet

“Brother Bai, did your son-in-law arrive?” Chen Yetian stopped discussing the dark arts, a sly smile playing on his lips as he looked at Bai Ranhe.

Bai Ranhe was taken aback by the question. “Master Chen, why do you ask? I sent a driver to pick him up, and the driver left right after. Nothing unusual happened.”

“That’s good,” Chen Yetian said, stroking his gaunt chin, his smile broadening. That old fox really thought I was dead. Later, I learned that the drivers sent to fetch me had all been bribed by Chen Yetian. Even if they hadn’t picked me up, they would have reported back to Bai Ranhe that they had. Then, when the wedding began and I failed to appear, Bai Ranhe would be humiliated. Chen Yetian could then seize the moment to propose, forcing the Bai family to hastily replace the groom.

Fortunately, those drivers had also accepted my red envelopes. Now that they had really picked me up, they, as seasoned streetwise men, knew the value of a favor and didn’t inform Chen Yetian’s side again.

Seeing the determined smiles on Chen Yetian and Chen Zhiqiang’s faces, I decided to turn the tables and play along with this old fox.

“The groom, it’s almost time. Let’s proceed with the ceremony,” the wedding emcee said, inviting me to join him.

I checked the time. The wedding was set to begin at 5:57 PM. In this matriarchal society where men were subordinate, the timing was deliberately chosen to embarrass me. I called the emcee over and explained my plan. He hesitated, “Groom, this isn’t part of the wedding program. It might be difficult.”

“No problem. Follow my lead. This is a wedding surprise.” I handed him a hefty red envelope. The emcee’s worried expression vanished immediately. Smiling brightly, he nodded and took the microphone before stepping outside.

“Why are you alone? Where’s Pi Yangxi?” Bai Ranhe frowned, glancing at his watch. “The time has come.”

The emcee looked anxious. “Mr. Bai, the groom isn’t in the room. I just asked the driver who was supposed to escort the groom. They said they didn’t pick him up.”

A murmur swept through the guests. Everyone whispered and speculated. Chen Yetian and Chen Zhiqiang exchanged a glance, their faces alight with malicious glee.

Bai Ranhe’s face darkened instantly. He pulled out his phone, about to call the driver.

Chen Yetian quickly intervened. “Brother Bai, no need to ask. This wedding—Pi Yangxi, that short-lived fellow—won’t be attending.”

“Master Chen, why say that? Could that boy be running from his wedding?” Bai Ranhe was stunned by Chen Yetian’s certainty.

All eyes turned to Chen Yetian, the premier feng shui master of Duhe City, now the center of attention. Clearing his throat, he said, “Just a few days ago, I divined and found that Pi Yangxi is no longer among the living. I went to his residence and saw his family preparing his funeral. I reckon the poor boy’s remains have long since decomposed underground.”

Chen Yetian’s words shocked everyone. Some believed him; others doubted. What should have been a joyous celebration descended into chaos.

Bai Ranhe’s expression grew darker still. How could this be? The driver never said they failed to pick him up.

“Chen, words are wind. You claim my brother Pi Yangxi is dead—show me proof!” Lu Jiu, seated among the groom’s side, stood up and shouted.

Lu Jiu had been away for some time and was unaware of what had transpired. He was skeptical upon hearing Chen Yetian’s claim.

Chen Yetian glanced coldly at Lu Jiu, then handed his phone to the emcee. “This is a video I took that day. I didn’t want to show it here, but since some doubt it, watch.”

The emcee projected the video onto the wedding screen. In the dim candlelight lay my “body” quietly on a straw mat, the arm gnawed by a stray cat, bloodied and gruesome. Some timid female guests gasped aloud.

The footage was of my staged death a few days prior—admittedly chilling to see.

“How… how could this be?” Lu Jiu’s face fell. He hadn’t contacted me since that night. Seeing the scene on the screen, his eyes reddened.