Chapter 138

Neither of them paid any attention to Feng Qingquan’s foolish behavior. Just as Feng Qingquan was about to ask again, Mr. Wei Ting’s voice came from the stage. “I now announce the first event of today’s banquet, which is—”

Feng Qingquan, who was about to complain, heard Mr. Wei Ting’s words and awkwardly scratched his nose, wearing an expression that said, “Alright, maybe I was a bit foolish.”

Mr. Wei Ting paused for a moment. Although he couldn’t see the expressions of the audience below, he knew everyone was curious. So, he deliberately paused to heighten their anticipation.

Then, with satisfaction, Mr. Wei Ting continued, “This event is to introduce someone. Some of you might know him, but today, he stands here in an identity unknown to all. This person is—George Wei Ting—my eldest son!”

As soon as Mr. Wei Ting finished speaking, the only spotlight on the stage suddenly went out. Then a gentle blue light illuminated the arched staircase. At the far end of the staircase stood a man with a tall, slender figure, dressed in a deep blue suit, a light blue shirt, and a tie matching the jacket. He exuded a stern and cold aura. Due to the distance, his features were somewhat blurred.

However, not everyone was unable to recognize him.

In the audience, the moment the man appeared, Arthur’s body stiffened. His sky-blue eyes narrowed dangerously, and his heart sank. So, he had this other identity as well—truly unexpected.

Beside Arthur, Xiahou Yu’s stance also stiffened. A flash of pain crossed his eyes—half disappointment, half self-mockery. So, this was yet another identity he hadn’t truly understood or trusted.

As Yu Wenxi stepped fully into view, some in the crowd who had been to China or paid attention to it let out subtle gasps—this was a man they recognized. He was the famous, highly successful and youngest CEO of a domestic conglomerate—Yu Wenxi—the young man who once declared he disliked foreign countries and would never invest abroad.

At the time, people were puzzled, unable to understand why he would pass up such lucrative opportunities abroad to focus solely on domestic development. Now it seemed it was definitely tied to the Wei family. Yet, Mr. Wei Ting did not seem inclined to reveal the details. To him, it was enough for everyone to know who the future heir of the Wei family was; the rest was unimportant or simply no one else’s business.

Standing on stage, Yu Wenxi pressed his lips into a straight line, his expression cold and unreadable, devoid of any joy. His icy gaze swept across the audience below. Then, accepting the microphone from Mr. Wei Ting, he said indifferently, “I am George Wei Ting.”

With this simple introduction, Yu Wenxi said no more. He handed the microphone back to Mr. Wei Ting, his behavior somewhat rude. Yet, Mr. Wei Ting looked at him with a beaming smile, clearly satisfied.

Initially, the crowd felt Yu Wenxi’s demeanor was weak and somewhat displeasing. But seeing Mr. Wei Ting not angry but instead gazing at his son with pure adoration, their judgment shifted. They immediately began flattering him, regardless of whether their words were sincere.

Mr. Wei Ting graciously accepted all compliments, nodding and frequently looking toward his son Yu Wenxi with great pride.

Although Yu Wenxi’s face remained calm, his heart grew anxious. His gaze kept darting between the upstairs room and Mr. Wei Ting, filled with joy, anxiety, unease, and tension.

In a dark corner beyond the lights, a pair of eyes filled with a crazed love and possessiveness fixed themselves unwaveringly on Yu Wenxi’s back. When those eyes noticed Yu Wenxi frequently looking upstairs, they followed his gaze. Upon realizing where Yu Wenxi’s attention rested, that adoring gaze turned into a cold, sinister glare that locked onto the spot. Suddenly, a cruel smile spread across her face, wild and ferocious.

“Ha ha, just wait and see. Soon, you won’t be able to see her anymore! Ha ha, that woman will disappear very soon!

You will belong to me—very soon!”

Yu Wenxi grew more anxious, his eyes flickering between upstairs and Mr. Wei Ting, his gaze pleading. But Mr. Wei Ting seemed oblivious, happily chatting with those around him.

Arthur and his companions stood outside the crowd, not mingling. They had not come to congratulate Mr. Wei Ting.

“I never expected Yu Wenxi to be the son of that old Wei Ting. It must be another tragic cross-generational love story!” Feng Qingquan said sarcastically, his eyes full of disdain.

Arthur said nothing but looked at the somewhat lonely Xiahou Yu beside him with concern. “Yu, are you alright?” He placed his right hand gently on Xiahou Yu’s shoulder, silently offering comfort.

Xiahou Yu raised his head to Arthur, a bitter smile touching his lips. “It’s nothing. I should have known by now. Still, I can’t help but feel a little lost.”

“You still have me,” Arthur said firmly, patting Xiahou Yu’s shoulder with a low but resolute voice.

Xiahou Yu met Arthur’s steady, caring gaze. His smile softened, and he nodded solemnly without saying more.

Nearby, Feng Qingquan, unable to bear the sentimentality, rubbed his arm and shouted, “Hey, you two big men, why are you behaving so mushy here? It’s unbearable!”

Both Xiahou Yu and Arthur turned to glare at Feng Qingquan but paid him no mind. Xiahou Yu glanced behind Arthur, raising an eyebrow as he scanned the surroundings before quietly asking, “Arthur, where’s Hill?”

Feng Qingquan also looked around beside Arthur. His expression serious now, he said, “Arthur, he’s not off doing that thing again, is he?”

Arthur raised an eyebrow and smirked mischievously. “Which thing?”

“Don’t play dumb with me,” Feng Qingquan replied, frowning.

Arthur’s smile faded, replaced by a cold expression. “I sent him to watch over Ying Yue.” He paused but did not frown. “Lately, I’ve had a bad feeling—like something’s about to happen. I’m worried about her.”

Xiahou Yu and Feng Qingquan frowned deeply, their faces serious as they looked at Arthur. “What’s going on? Did you get any news?”

“No concrete news,” Arthur said, abruptly cutting off. He turned his head, his gaze piercing through the crowd to one side.

Following Arthur’s line of sight, Xiahou Yu and Feng Qingquan saw Avril standing there with a charming smile. Avril seemed to sense their gaze and smiled back at Arthur, nodding politely at Xiahou Yu and Feng Qingquan before resuming her conversation with those around her. The atmosphere appeared very pleasant.

“She?” Feng Qingquan glanced at Avril, then turned to Arthur.

Arthur’s gaze returned to Feng Qingquan and Xiahou Yu, his tone grave. “This woman has been acting strangely lately.”

Neither Xiahou Yu nor Feng Qingquan interrupted, waiting patiently for Arthur to continue.

“My people observed abnormal behavior from her recently, and she’s been getting close to the Wei family’s personal doctor. I’m worried they might harm Ying Yue, so I sent Hill to find someone I have here to assist.”

Before Xiahou Yu and Feng Qingquan could ask further, Hill hurried over. With his head down, his expression was hard to read, but his hurried steps were clear.

Seeing Hill’s anxious approach, the three men’s unease deepened, a foreboding sense creeping into their hearts.

Hill reached them, his face flustered, his voice trembling slightly as he whispered urgently into Arthur’s ear.

Before Xiahou Yu and Feng Qingquan could ask anything, Arthur’s expression suddenly darkened, his body trembling slightly. The two immediately called out anxiously:

“Arthur!”

“Your Highness!”

Arthur’s eyes snapped toward Mr. Wei Ting and Yu Wenxi on the stage. The Wei family’s butler whispered something in Mr. Wei Ting’s ear, and his face instantly changed. Yu Wenxi, noticing his father’s grim expression, immediately hurried upstairs at a brisk pace.

Arthur glanced at Mr. Wei Ting before shifting his gaze sharply back to Avril, who had been conversing nearby and was gradually fading into the shadows. Just as her figure was about to disappear, Arthur’s keen eyes caught the cruel smile playing at the corner of her lips.

This matter was definitely connected to her.

At that moment, the hall suddenly fell silent. All eyes followed Mr. Wei Ting’s gaze toward the stage. Though a faint smile lingered on his lips, his eyes were ice cold. His detached voice echoed through the microphone and filled the hall:

“Everyone, my apologies. A sudden family matter has arisen, and I am unable to continue hosting you all. Please forgive me.”

With that, Mr. Wei Ting quickly left the stage. The butler instructed the waitstaff to escort everyone out of the banquet hall.

Arthur and his three companions did not linger in confusion like the others. The moment Mr. Wei Ting finished speaking, Arthur said sharply, “Let’s go,” and swiftly walked toward the exit.

The others followed closely. Once inside the car, Arthur’s face grew solemn as he finally spoke: “Ying Yue has been kidnapped again.”