Chapter 106: The Betrothal Gift

Compared to Lu Jiu’s sorrow, the group of fishermen seated at the groom’s table continued quietly eating, their faces expressionless throughout, to the point where I began to suspect they didn’t even know me and were only there to enjoy the feast.

When Bai Ranhe saw the video, his face fell completely; his brows furrowed so tightly they began to twitch.

“Director Bai, now that the groom is dead, can this wedding feast still go on?”

“Yes, yes, everyone has given generous gifts—are those gifts going to be refunded or not?”

Some less tactful merchants were the first to challenge, and others quickly joined in the uproar.

Bai Ranhe could never have imagined such an accident would occur at a wedding, and even after years navigating the business world, he found himself without a ready solution.

“Everyone here is a respected figure in feng shui and commerce. Since the gifts have been given, how can they be taken back?” Chen Yetian stepped onto the stage, picked up the microphone, and spoke as the atmosphere began to settle.

In Duhuo City’s feng shui community, Chen Yetian was one of the most prominent figures. Once he began speaking, the crowd quieted. Chen Yetian beckoned to Chen Zhiqiang, who, dressed in a crisp suit, carried a large gift box as he walked onto the stage.

“Actually, my Zhiqiang and Miss Bai have been childhood friends. If it weren’t for the Yellow River Dragon King’s interference, and the Bai family’s ‘Canal Marriage’ affair, it would have been my grandson marrying Bai Xiaoli today.” Chen Yetian glanced up at Bai Ranhe, who, evidently anticipating what was about to be said, remained silent—an implicit acceptance.

Seeing Bai Ranhe’s silence, Chen Yetian’s smile grew wider as he continued: “Now that Pi Yangxi is dead, and since Zhiqiang and Xiaoli are well matched, why don’t we all give me, Chen, some face? Let these wedding gifts be considered a betrothal present to Zhiqiang and Xiaoli. They can marry today, by all means.”

“Agreed!” Chen Yetian’s words were met with enthusiastic applause from the audience, who effectively accepted on Bai family’s behalf.

At this point, Bai Ranhe had no choice but to agree, though hesitation still lingered on his face.

Chen Yetian signaled Chen Zhiqiang, who opened the gift box to reveal an exquisite piece of blue-and-white porcelain. The craftsmanship was impeccable, and the crowd’s eyes gleamed with admiration.

“This is a treasured heirloom of the Chen family—a rare Yuan Dynasty blue-and-white porcelain. It is our family’s betrothal gift to the Bai family,” Chen Yetian announced.

Hearing “Yuan Dynasty blue-and-white porcelain,” the wealthy attendees displayed unmistakable envy—the porcelain’s value was indeed remarkable. A flicker of delight passed over Bai Ranhe’s face as well.

Before Bai Ranhe could respond, Bai Xiaoli’s mother, Li Xiaojuan, hurried onto the stage. She accepted the porcelain and said, “Zhiqiang and my Xiaoli are truly well matched. Since that rustic Pi Yangxi is gone, why not let Xiaoli and Zhiqiang marry here and now? As the mother-in-law, I approve. What do you say, Ranhe?”

Just as Bai Ranhe was about to give his consent, I straightened my clothes and called out, “Who said I was dead?” Amidst the stunned gazes, I stepped out from the back room and walked to the center of the stage, smiling at Chen Yetian.

Chen Yetian’s smile froze instantly. His eyes were filled with disbelief, and after a long pause, he awkwardly asked, “Are you a ghost or a human?”

“What do you think?” I shot a contemptuous glance at Chen Zhiqiang, who looked equally shocked, then turned back to Chen Yetian and said, “Seems like I’m not dead after all. Are you disappointed?”

The crowd that had just been cheering fell silent, all turning to Chen Yetian, asking in confusion what was going on.

Bai Ranhe’s expression revealed a flicker of disappointment upon seeing me alive, then he quickly strode onto the stage, glaring at me sternly. “Pi Yangxi, what’s going on? If nothing happened, why are you so late?”

I ignored Bai Ranhe’s questioning eyes and fixed a sharp glare on the embarrassed Chen Yetian. “I just stepped out for a moment, and when I came back, I heard that old man spreading lies about my death.”

“What about the video? Is it real or fake?” Bai Ranhe pointed to the screen behind me, which showed footage of me lying in the funeral hall.

I smiled coldly, then faced the wedding guests. The fishermen who had been silently eating now put down their chopsticks and watched me intently. I cleared my throat and said, “That video is real. You might not believe it, but this so-called top feng shui master of Duhuo City, Mr. Chen Yetian, actually bribed the ‘Goddess of the Yellow River’ to kill me, an insignificant nobody. If it weren’t for my master Wan Yi’s timely intervention, I wouldn’t have been able to attend this wedding today.”

“You—you’re lying!” Chen Yetian’s face turned crimson as I turned his accusations back on him.