freenovelworld Chapter 2077 A Mute Eats Bitter Melon, Unable to Express His Suffering
Chapter 2077 A Mute Eats Bitter Melon, Unable to Express His Suffering
Zong Wangshan's rude roar exploded in the central courtyard, instantly attracting the attention of all the guests.
He Shun and Wu Mao stumbled from the push, their faces pale, but they still stood in front of Yan Qinghe and the other four.
Upon seeing this, Wang Defa and Yang Weidong immediately led He Dashuang, Ma Ying, and others forward to join He Shun and the others. The group of more than ten people formed a human wall, blocking the passage between the west wing and the main house.
"Uncle Zong, what are you doing?" Wang Defa asked with a stern face, his obese body blocking the middle of the road like a small mountain. "Today is the Li family's wedding banquet. Let's talk things out. It's not appropriate to resort to violence."
Zong Wangshan glared angrily, pointing towards the main house, "I want to see Master Li! Those who pass the imperial examinations in the fifth rank can enter the main house, so why are we locked in the west wing? We are all guests who came to offer our congratulations, are we supposed to be divided into different classes?"
He repeated these words loudly, deliberately making sure that all the guests around him could hear them clearly, clearly intending to escalate the situation!
Hou Wanjin chimed in from the side, a fake smile plastered on his fat face: "Brother Wang, look at the mess this has made... We just wanted to personally congratulate Old Master Li on the birth of his great-granddaughter. We've already given him the gifts, but we haven't even met the host. Wouldn't people laugh at us if word got out?"
Liu Wenyuan adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, his tone seemingly gentle but actually barbed: "The Li family is a family of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, and their etiquette is quite refined. I'm sure they won't show favoritism! Since the guests who ranked in the top five can enter the main house to pay their respects to the host, we who ranked in the bottom five... should also receive the same courtesy, right?"
Yan Qinghe stood behind the group, stroking his beard, watching them with a sinister look, saying nothing, but the scheming in his eyes was impossible to hide!
Qian Houjin, however, shrank back, his face pale and his legs trembling. He wished he could disappear into a crack in the ground. His eyes kept darting around Li Xiangnan's face, giving him a meaningful look, indicating that it wasn't his fault that these people had all come out at once!
Li Xiangnan walked slowly from the main entrance of the house, his steps steady, his face showing no sign of panic.
He stopped in front of the crowd, his gaze sweeping over five faces with different expressions, finally settling on Zong Wangshan's face.
"Uncle Zong," Li Xiangnan began, no longer addressing him as "Head of the Family," his voice low but clear enough to reach everyone's ears, "Today is my daughter's full moon celebration. All who come are guests, and the Li family will treat them all equally!"
He paused, his tone turning cold, "But guests have their own rules. Comrade Ye and his friends, who all passed the fifth round of the imperial examinations, followed protocol by sending their visiting cards first, arriving at the appointed time, and personally offering their congratulations to my ancestors! As for you..."
Li Xiangnan's gaze was sharp as he swept over the five people: "You came uninvited, barged in without permission, made a ruckus in the courtyard, pushed and shoved the guests, and even tried to force your way into seeing my grandfather! Uncle Zong, do you think this is in accordance with the etiquette and rules of being a guest?"
These words are reasonable and well-founded, pointing out that the middle five students came in accordance with etiquette, and also pointing out the impoliteness of the lower five students.
The surrounding guests nodded in agreement, their gazes toward Zong Wangshan and his group tinged with disdain.
Zong Wangshan was speechless, his face turning ashen.
He was a rough man by nature, and he was no match for Li Xiangnan when it came to talking!
Moreover...
He can't reason with them!
The same goes for Yan Qinghe!
How could Ye Ruyan possibly send a visiting card to the Li family in advance!
Didn't that tell Li Xiangnan and the others in advance that I was going to come and cause trouble?
The key point is that this is like a mute eating bitter melon—unable to express their suffering!
Was he supposed to prove that Li Xiangnan was lying? Ye Ruyan was coming today without ever sending a formal invitation to the Li family!
That would be like admitting to the neighbors and guests that you're in cahoots with Ye Ruyan and her group, that you've been in contact with them beforehand, and that you have ulterior motives for coming here today!
That Li Xiangnan is a real shrewd guy!
I suffered a loss without being able to speak out!
Yan Qinghe inwardly grumbled, but stepped forward, forcing a smile on his face. He cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Li Xiangnan, saying, "Doctor Li, please calm down! Brother Zong has a quick temper and speaks bluntly, please don't take it to heart! We were indeed caught off guard and were impolite; we apologize for that!"
That's well said. Admit your mistake first, then plan your next move!
Li Xiangnan looked at him without saying a word.
Yan Qinghe continued, "However, Doctor Li, although we were impolite at first, our intentions are sincere! Today is a joyous occasion for your family, and our five families have prepared small gifts to come and establish good relations! What do you think... could we personally offer our congratulations to Old Master Li, so that we can fulfill our proper etiquette?"
This statement was perfectly worded, acknowledging the mistake while also making a reasonable request.
It's only natural for someone offering congratulations to want to see the host family!
Some of the surrounding guests nodded in agreement, agreeing with what Yan Qinghe said.
Li Xiangnan sneered inwardly.
The fox used a strategy of retreating to advance, employing the impeccable reason of observing all proper etiquette to force him to concede!
“Elder Yan is right!” Li Xiangnan suddenly smiled. “It’s only natural for a guest to want to see the host, but…”
He changed the subject, "Grandpa is currently receiving some distinguished guests inside and is not available to see anyone else at the moment! If you sincerely wish to offer your congratulations, why don't you wait a moment until Grandpa is finished, and then I will make the arrangements!"
This is a delaying tactic!
But Zongwangshan couldn't wait any longer.
"Wait? Wait again? Wait until how long?" he roared gruffly. "The top five students have gone in? We're just going to wait outside? Li Xiangnan, you're clearly looking down on us lower-five students!"
These words were extremely harsh; it was practically a complete falling out!
This is how the roles of "good cop" and "bad cop" are divided during the five holidays!
Clearly, Zong Wangshan is playing the good cop, the villain, while Yan Qinghe is playing the good cop, the hero!
Wang Defa, Yang Weidong, and the others' expressions changed immediately, and they unconsciously frowned.
The surrounding guests also sensed that something was wrong and retreated, afraid of being affected.
Li Xiangnan remained calm, looking at Zong Wangshan and slowly shaking his head: "Uncle Zong, you're mistaken! The Li family has always treated guests with courtesy, not status! If you insist on seeing our ancestor now, that's not impossible..."
"But please follow the rules! You all should wait in the west wing while I go in and inform them! When my grandfather is willing to see me and the time is right, I will come to invite him! If my grandfather is unable to see me, please forgive me!"
I'll see you, but you have to follow my rules!
Li Xiangnan's words were so blunt that many of the relatives and friends standing around seemed to be deep in thought.
Seeing Grandpa Li isn't something you can just do whenever you want!
Mr. Li is usually very approachable and has no airs at all!
Moreover, Dr. Li is not usually like this. His harshness towards this person suggests that they are indeed up to no good and may be here to cause trouble!
Immediately, Liu Zhiyuan, Miao Zhijie, Xing Chunlai, and some other leading cadres gathered around, clearly displeased.
Zong Wangshan, enraged, laughed coldly, "Fine, fine, Li Xiangnan, you've got quite the nerve! I'm going in today, let's see what you can do to me!"
As he spoke, he rolled up his sleeves, ready to force his way in.
Wang Defa, Yang Weidong, and others immediately stepped forward to stop them, and the two sides began to shove each other, the scene threatening to spiral out of control...