Banquet

Banquet

The Xiao Family's bustle did not come to a stop until noon.

By then, the entire Xiao Family courtyard was filled with the aroma of all kinds of delicious dishes. The stomachs of the Xiao Family members, who had been busy all morning without eating anything, could not help but growl.

The younger members of the Xiao Family then placed the dishes one by one across dozens of tables, while Xiao Yan and Xiao Yu arranged everyone's seating.

In truth, there was not much to arrange. They were all family, after all. Put simply, those who drank sat at one table, while those who did not sat at another. That was all.

At the very front of the Xiao Family courtyard stood a wooden high platform that had taken the entire morning to build. It was covered in red carpeting, with a red wall erected behind it, making the place look especially festive.

Xiao Yan sat at a table with Xiao Ning, Xiao Xun'er, Xiao Yu, Xiao Mei, and several peers he was usually closest to, including Nalan Yanran, who was a guest.

As for Qing Lin, Xiao Yan had told Xiao Yu and the others about her background yesterday. After hearing it, everyone was filled with sympathy. Xiao Mei had even cried as she declared, "Whoever dares touch Little Qing Lin, I'll beat the hell out of them!"

Qing Lin herself had also felt the sincere affection from Xiao Mei and the others, gradually opening her heart to them. Thus, when it came time to eat, she naturally sat at the same table as Xiao Yan and the rest.

As for Xiao Jing and Xiao Li, who had brought Qing Lin back, they sat with Xiao Zhan and the three Xiao Family Elders to drink.

Once he saw that everyone was seated, Xiao Zhan, as the Clan Leader, rose with a wine cup in hand. Stepping onto the red carpet, he slowly ascended the high platform and swept his gaze over the Xiao Family members below as they gradually fell silent.

"Ahem!"

Xiao Zhan held his broad hand in a loose fist before his mouth and cleared his throat. Once the courtyard had fallen completely quiet, he began speaking loudly.

"Today is once again the day of our Xiao Family's annual tradition. It should have been business as usual, but before the New Year, two major joyous events occurred. As Clan Leader, I would like to share them with everyone."

"First, for various reasons, the Xiao Family has now leapt to become the foremost clan in Wutan City. Compared to last year, the clan's future is already several times more prosperous!"

Clap clap clap~~~

The moment Xiao Zhan finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted from below the platform. Excited joy filled every face.

Their clan had grown even stronger. How could they not be happy?

As Xiao Zhan pressed down with his hand, the applause gradually subsided, and he continued.

"The second joyous event is something many of you witnessed at yesterday's Coming-of-Age Ceremony. Many Xiao Family members who usually conduct business outside may not yet know, so I will formally announce it here."

Xiao Zhan took a deep breath and declared in a voice brimming with pride.

"Every disciple of the Xiao Family's new generation has advanced to become a Dou Zhe! Let us give them a warm congratulations!!!"

Clap clap clap clap clap!!!

This time, the applause was even more fervent. Many Xiao Family members who had not been able to attend yesterday's Coming-of-Age Ceremony gazed at the younger generation in astonishment, while even more eyes gathered on Xiao Yan.

Xiao Zhan had said every disciple of the new generation. Did that mean Xiao Yan's strength had recovered as well?

What wonderful news!!!

The Xiao Family Disciples were all a little embarrassed to receive such enthusiastic congratulations from their elders, and Xiao Yan's table was no exception.

"How should I put this?" Xiao Ning covered his slightly reddened face. "Getting praised by so many elders really feels kind of... weird."

"Same here."

This Time, Xiao Mei surprisingly did not snap at Xiao Ning. Her face was flushed with embarrassment as well.

"Hey, hey, hey~ Are you two really that bad at taking compliments? It's not that serious, is it?"

Xiao Yan chuckled and waved his hand. There was even a trace of mockery in his words, making Xiao Xun'er beside him cover her mouth and laugh softly as she watched him.

"Brother Xiao Yan only gets a little childish on this day. He even mocks other people."

"This isn't childish. This is my true nature~"

Xiao Yan lightly shook a finger, feeling especially at ease inside.

There was undoubtedly nothing more comfortable than showing his truest self without any pretense.

Xiao Yan was not a god. He usually kept his temper restrained, and this was the only day of the year when he could relax without concern. Of course he had to enjoy it properly.

His true nature?

Nalan Yanran looked at Xiao Yan, her beautiful eyes narrowing slightly.

This was another side of Xiao Yan that she had not known before.

Nalan Yanran could not help but breathe a sigh of relief.

If she had not come here today, she would probably never have learned that Xiao Yan's true nature was like this.

She had truly come to the right place.

At that moment, Xiao Zhan, standing on the platform, raised his wine cup high and called out loudly.

"Today is the New Year, so let's not talk about so much useless stuff. To the new year, cheers!"

"Cheers!!!"

Those who could drink raised their wine cups, while those who could not raised cups of water. Led by Clan Leader Xiao Zhan, everyone drained their cups in one gulp.

"Now everyone, dig in! Eat and drink your fill!"

As Xiao Zhan's words fell, the crowd, having worked all morning and long since become ravenous, immediately picked up their chopsticks and began enjoying the food they had been craving.

"Here~ Little Qing Lin~"

Xiao Mei had not even started eating herself, yet she happily piled all sorts of meat onto Qing Lin's plate beside her—beef, fish, lamb. She did not pick a single vegetable, nor did she care whether Qing Lin could finish it all. The entire plate was stacked into a small mountain.

Qing Lin clearly looked troubled, but she was too embarrassed to interrupt the enthusiastic Xiao Mei. Her porcelain-doll-like face was filled with distress, and she did not even know where to lower the chopsticks in her hand.

"Mei'er, restrain yourself a little."

Xiao Yu, seated on Qing Lin's other side, could not bear to watch any longer. She reached out, took away the mountain-like plate in front of Qing Lin, and replaced it with her own unused empty plate. Then she looked at Qing Lin and said gently.

"Qing Lin, pick your own food first. If there's something you want but can't reach, tell Sister and I'll get it for you."

"Mm! Thank you, Sister Xiao Yu!"

Qing Lin nodded vigorously. The trouble on her face vanished at once, and she thanked Xiao Yu with a smile before turning her little head toward the somewhat dejected Xiao Mei.

"And thank you too, Sister Xiao Mei, for getting food for Qing Lin~"

"Mmm... What a good child!"

Xiao Mei looked deeply moved as she hugged Qing Lin and repeatedly rubbed her cheek against the little girl's face.

She was the youngest of this generation in the Xiao Family. Xiao Mei had always hoped for a sweet, sensible younger sister she could protect, so it was no wonder she was so enthusiastic toward Qing Lin.

Bang!

Xiao Ning suddenly slammed a jug of wine onto the table and grinned at Xiao Yan.

"Heh~ Cousin Xiao Yan, we're both adults now. Isn't drinking water a little boring? Want to finish a jug?"

Upon hearing Xiao Ning's words, Xiao Xun'er immediately frowned and looked at him.

"Cousin Xiao Ning, this..."

"Hey, hey, hey~~~ Sister Xun'er, don't stop me This Time." Xiao Ning directly interrupted Xiao Xun'er. "If Xiao Yan doesn't drink now, he'll have to drink sooner or later. Since the whole family is here today, it's the perfect time to test his limit. Even if something really happens, there'll be people to handle it, right?"

"..."

Xiao Xun'er had no reply. Xiao Ning's reasoning was indeed persuasive and impossible to refute.

At that moment, Yao Chen inside the ring also spoke to Xiao Yan.

He's right. You'll have to drink sooner or later. Figuring out your limit early isn't a bad thing. It'll keep you from getting forced drunk someday without even knowing your tolerance.

"Mm."

Xiao Yan pondered for a moment, then drained the water in his cup and set it before Xiao Ning.

"Then let's do it! It's only for today, anyway! Let's relax all the way!"

"Alright! Then let's drink our fill today!"