Chapter 48: The Great Wedding Commotion

At this moment, Xiao Yu found himself unexpectedly tense, causing Yao Bugui beside him to shake his head with a wry smile. He had known Xiao Yu for four years, since Xiao Yu had been nothing more than a mere foot soldier, and in all that time, they had become fast friends despite the age difference. This was the first time he had ever seen Xiao Yu so flustered.

The clear ring of a phone echoed through the room. Xiao Yu hurriedly pulled out his phone and answered.

“Hey, big brother, are you ready over there? Sister-in-law has already arrived at the hotel entrance.” As soon as the call connected, Tai Sui’s voice came through.

Hearing Tai Sui’s words, Xiao Yu was momentarily at a loss for how to respond. The nervousness within him grew, but more than that, excitement surged.

“Heh, bring your sister-in-law in. Your big brother is so excited, he’s nearly lost his wits,” Yao Bugui interjected, seeing Xiao Yu hesitate.

Just as Yao Bugui finished speaking, the tightly shut doors swung open. A figure clad in white, surrounded by three men and one woman, slowly entered.

“Wow, so beautiful.” The guests already present couldn’t help but sigh in admiration upon seeing the white-clad figure. Even the young men representing their families at the wedding found themselves entranced by Ye Shihan, some feeling a faint urge to claim her for themselves.

As Ye Shihan approached, Xiao Yu exhaled deeply and a look of happiness blossomed across his face.

When Ye Shihan reached Xiao Yu, before he could react, she suddenly threw herself into his arms, tears streaming down her face.

Five years. An entire five years. At last, she could openly and rightfully be with Xiao Yu. In that moment, both Ye Shihan and Xiao Yu were filled with exhilaration.

“All right now, today is our day of joy. If you cry like this, how will we carry on with the wedding?” Xiao Yu patted Ye Shihan gently on the back, smiling.

Just then, Ye Kai, Ye Shihan’s father, slowly rose from his seat and came to stand beside her.

Ye Kai’s gaze lingered on Xiao Yu. He had already heard of Xiao Yu’s deeds from Ye Qinghai, and never expected that the man he once thought utterly incapable—a coward, even—would possess such extraordinary ability, defeating both the Li and Wang families.

Ye Kai sighed deeply, then took Ye Shihan’s hand and, after glancing at Xiao Yu, placed her hand into Xiao Yu’s palm.

“Shihan is yours now.”

With those words, the Ye family’s full acceptance was declared. Any lingering doubts the Ye family had about Xiao Yu vanished in that moment.

“The three great families: Zhou Binglong of the Zhou clan, Zhang Chen of the Zhang clan, Chen Qiang of the Chen clan, have arrived!”

Just then, the page turned.

As the page turned, the loud cry of the doorman rang out, and several figures appeared at the entrance of the banquet hall—the heads of the remaining three great families of Phoenix City.

Seated below, Ye Qinghai frowned deeply upon hearing that the three patriarchs had arrived together, a sense of foreboding settling over him.

After learning of Wang Bolin’s death, under Xiao Yu’s direction, Ye Qinghai began a campaign to acquire Wang family assets—a process that was far from smooth. While the Ye family moved to buy up Wang’s enterprises, the three great families also began their own acquisitions, though ultimately Ye family gained the upper hand. Still, the three clans had started coveting the Ye family.

Now, at the Ye family’s wedding banquet, the arrival of all three patriarchs surely portended trouble.

Ye Qinghai felt a twinge of anxiety, but when he saw Xiao Yu’s calm face on the stage, his heart eased.

After all, even the Wang family—the foremost of the four—had been destroyed by Xiao Yu. Surely, in Xiao Yu’s eyes, the remaining three were of little consequence.

“Hahaha, what a joyous occasion! We three come uninvited, and hope the Ye family patriarch will not take offense,” Zhou Binglong laughed heartily, his expression seemingly full of goodwill for the newlyweds.

“With the patriarchs of the three great clans present, my humble Ye family is honored,” Ye Qinghai rose and responded.

“Ye patriarch, you are too modest. Now that your Ye family has become a first-tier clan in Phoenix City, we hardly dare claim such status ourselves,” Zhou Binglong replied, though his words carried no hint of reverence.

“Congratulations to the happy couple. I am Zhang Chen, head of the Zhang clan. Today is your auspicious day; I have little worthy of gifting, but I offer you a pair of mandarin duck jade pendants as a token,” Zhang Chen smiled at Xiao Yu and Ye Shihan, then gestured. A middle-aged man stepped forth, carrying an exquisite box, and handed it to Ye Qinghai.

“Thank you, Master Zhang,” Ye Shihan bowed slightly to Zhang Chen.

“It’s just a small thing, niece Shihan, think nothing of it,” Zhang Chen waved his hand.

“The guests have arrived, gifts given. Isn’t it time you revealed the real reason for your visit?” Xiao Yu’s indifferent voice rang through the hall.

The attendees were shocked that the Ye family’s infamous son-in-law dared speak to such powerful figures in this manner—these men could shake Phoenix City with a mere stomp. Yet Xiao Yu, the so-called waste, dared address them so.

Zhang Chen’s eyes narrowed at Xiao Yu’s words, but recalling Wang family’s fate, he felt a flicker of fear. Though rumors had it Xiao Yu was responsible for the Wang clan’s downfall, they could not believe such a worthless son-in-law could wield such power.

“Since young brother Xiao Yu is so forthright, we won’t beat around the bush. We have two reasons for coming: first, to sincerely offer our blessings; second, to discuss the rules of Phoenix City with the Ye family patriarch.”

Chen Qiang spoke coldly from the side. Since arriving, he had regarded every Ye family member with a cold gaze. Although the Ye family was now a first-tier clan, they were newcomers, and compared to his own old-guard house, Chen Qiang felt a certain pride.

“What do you mean by that?” Ye Qinghai’s brow furrowed, his face darkening. To him, Chen Qiang’s words sounded like a velvet-gloved threat—using the wedding’s well-wishing as a prelude to intimidation.

“It’s simple. Even without absorbing the Wang family’s assets, your Ye family would have become a first-tier clan thanks to the Huayi Group project. So why cling so desperately to Wang family’s enterprises?” Zhang Chen smiled.

Zhou Binglong said nothing, but his gaze made it clear he agreed.

The other guests, seeing the festive air replaced by tension with the arrival of the three clans, watched the unfolding drama with anticipation.

“Gentlemen, today is my wedding day. Must you discuss such matters now?” Xiao Yu smiled, not erupting in anger as they expected, causing many to look down on him yet again. Worthless, they thought.

“I am speaking to your patriarch. How dare you, a mere son-in-law, interject? Does the Ye family have no sense of propriety?” Zhang Chen fixed Xiao Yu with a cold, disdainful gaze.

Witnessing such blatant disrespect, the groomsmen Li Ge and Liu He’s expressions grew icy, while the hot-tempered Tai Sui showed no special reaction, but instead flashed towards Zhang Chen.

“A bug like you dares insult my boss? You’re asking for death!” Seeing Tai Sui about to start a fight, the crowd gasped in disbelief.

Tai Sui’s sudden move startled Zhang Chen, who retreated hurriedly. As Tai Sui’s fist swung toward him, a young man in black behind Zhang Chen instantly pulled him back and launched a fist of his own, meeting Tai Sui’s blow.

Fists collided and both men staggered back, steadying themselves, then stared at each other in surprise.

“Not bad. You actually managed to catch my punch.” Tai Sui grinned, a fighting spirit flaring in his eyes as he regarded the black-clad youth.

Breathing heavily behind the young man, Zhang Chen’s face contorted in fury and he shouted at Ye Qinghai, “Ye Qinghai, are you determined to refuse reconciliation?”

Ye Qinghai smiled and shook his head, paying no heed to Zhang Chen’s words. “The Ye family is no longer under my command. Our new patriarch is my granddaughter, Ye Shihan.”

“Good! Very good! Don’t think that just because your Ye family is now first-tier, you can act out in front of us. Do you really think no one in Phoenix City can put you in your place?” Zhang Chen spoke viciously.

“Tiresome. Since you talk so much, today I’ll rip out your tongue!” Tai Sui snorted coldly.

The young man’s expression grew grim. As he prepared to retaliate, a voice laden with murderous intent rang out:

“This is my wedding. If anyone dares act again, mercy will not be shown!”