C5 Longevity Feast

Chen Mengyu, elegantly dressed, and Guo Chao, sharply suited, approached them.

"You've already given away your gift. What will you do now?" Chen Mengyu glared at Chen Mengyao with venom in her eyes.

"Sister, I..."

"Get inside! I'll deal with you later!" Chen Mengyu was ruthless.

After berating Chen Mengyao, she turned her scornful gaze to Chu Fann. "Pathetic. You've really got no shame. Can't afford a gift and had the nerve to have my sister prepare one for you!"

"You must be determined to disgrace yourself completely."

Chen Mengyu couldn't find the words to describe such a man. Calling him a weakling was an overstatement; he was utterly worthless.

"Come on, Mengyu. Let's go inside and celebrate your grandma's birthday. Why waste your breath on him?" Guo Chao wrapped his arm around Chen Mengyu's shoulders. They exchanged a knowing smile and entered the house.

They left Chu Fann without a chance to respond. His expression shifted from one of frustration to resignation, ultimately letting out a deep sigh. He reluctantly followed them inside.

Today, the Chen household was bustling with nearly a hundred guests. Twenty tables were set up outside, and the house was teeming with people. The younger family members could only gain access to the inner hall to briefly greet the Old Madam after presenting their lavish gifts, before being promptly ushered out by the elders.

The inner hall was reserved for the Chen family's direct descendants and distinguished guests; it was no place for the average person.

"Boss Zhang from Pinggui District presented her with a Golden Silk Nanmu plaque inscribed with 'Longevity Greater than the Southern Mountains,' valued at one hundred thousand yuan."

"Chen Mengyao, of the Chen family's third generation, offered a century-old longevity ginseng worth thirty thousand yuan."

"Chen Wenjie, also of the third generation, gifted her a pair of exquisite blood jade bracelets, valued at half a million yuan."

"And from the third generation, Chen Mengyu, alongside her close friend Guo Chao, bestowed upon her a calligraphy painting titled 'The Bright Moon over the Sea,' worth a staggering eight hundred thousand yuan."

After the ceremonial officer announced this, the room fell into a hushed silence, with dozens of eyes irresistibly drawn to the spectacle.

They had really splurged, a whopping 800,000 yuan!

Basking in the envious spotlight, Chen Mengyu wore a self-satisfied grin, her joy unmistakable.

"Mengyu, bring your friend in for me to meet," came a voice from the inner hall. It was the Old Madam of the Chen family speaking. Everyone looked on with envy; such was the privilege granted by the matriarch. Only Chu Fann's brow furrowed in response.

But he didn't dwell on it. He presented his gift.

"This is a bronze bracelet from the Warring States Period, valued at one million yuan," Chu Fann declared.

"What?" The ceremonial officer was taken aback, his face quickly contorting into a mocking expression. He recognized Chu Fann, whose status in the Chen family was even lower than that of a servant. A gift worth a million yuan? And a relic from the Warring States Period? Was he trying to deceive them?

"Do you realize the consequences of lying to the Old Madam? On her 70th birthday celebration, you dare to fabricate a story just to capture everyone's attention. Chu Fann, you've got some nerve."

"And how exactly am I being audacious?" Chu Fann retorted, locking eyes with him.

"Alright, alright. You're impressive. Let's see how you handle what's to come," the ceremonial officer said with a cold laugh, not bothering to argue further. He deliberately amplified his voice, "Chu Fann, the Chen family's son-in-law, presents a bronze bracelet from the Warring States Period, valued at one million yuan!"

His proclamation sent shockwaves through the crowd.

"Chu Fann? He still has money for gifts? Can he even support himself?"

"One million... He must be out of his mind. Grandma loves collecting antiques and is a master at appraising treasures. He's trying to pass off a counterfeit as genuine to fool her. He has no idea the embarrassment he's in for!"

The room erupted in laughter.

"Officer, bring his item and him to me," commanded Old Madam's voice from the inner hall, as expected.

"Chu Fann, you're not doing yourself any favors. Haven't you been humiliated enough during your three years with the Chen family? What makes you act so foolishly?" The ceremonial officer couldn't help but shake his head in malicious glee upon hearing this. Then, he proceeded inside, carrying the item with him.

Chu Fann remained silent, simply following in his wake.

In the hall, Old Madam was resplendent in yellow, seated upon a redwood chair carved with dragon motifs. Beside her were the second-generation members of the Chen family, including Uncle Mengyao.

Present were not only the Chen family's inner circle but also distinguished officials and influential business leaders with ties to the family.

Among them, a young man in gold-rimmed glasses and a statuesque woman in a black gown stood out behind Old Madam. He was Chen Wenjie, and she was the third-generation heir of the Chen family. The woman was Zhong Ting, the Chen family's young mistress.

They were the sole third-generation relatives privileged enough to stay close to Old Madam.

The ceremonial officer handed her the "Rise of the Moon" first.

"Grandma, Guo Chao and I picked out this painting with great care. It cost us 800,000 yuan," Chen Mengyu said as she affectionately latched onto Old Madam's arm, her voice dripping with sweetness.

"Alright, alright, I'll have a look now," Old Madam responded, her tone indulgent as she accepted the "Rise of the Moon" from the officer.

However, her brow creased after only a brief inspection, and she shot Guo Chao a telling glance.

Guo Chao, feeling sheepish, hung his head. He had purchased the "Rise of the Moon" for a mere eight thousand yuan, the seller claiming it was 99% similar to the original—indistinguishable to all but the most skilled experts.

"How do you like it, Grandma?" asked an oblivious Chen Mengyu.

"It's lovely. I'm very fond of it. You've both done well," Old Madam nodded, her smile returning.

Yet, Chu Fann's brow furrowed from below. The forgery was glaringly obvious to him; surely Old Madam could see it too.

Setting aside the painting, Old Madam then turned her attention to Chu Fann's bronze bracelet.

She examined it meticulously, even donning her reading glasses for a closer look.

Old Madam's earnest demeanor cast a wave of curiosity over the onlookers. Could the bracelet Chu Fann presented actually be genuine?

"Is this the bracelet you claim to have spent a million yuan on?" Old Madam finally spoke after a moment of silence.

"Yes," Chu Fann replied truthfully.

"Chu Fann, you're not just useless, you're morally bankrupt too. If you can't afford a proper gift, that's one thing. But to buy a fake for ten yuan? Do you really think I'm that gullible?"

"If you truly spent a million yuan, then you'll reimburse every penny! The Chu family's wealth isn't meant for a good-for-nothing like you to squander!"

With that, Old Madam flung the bracelet aside and raised her voice in accusation.

Her words sent a wave of murmurs through the crowd.

"What, a ten-yuan fake?"

"He really gave her a counterfeit?"

"Despicable. He tried to pass off a fake to Grandma."

"I'm embarrassed for him. How can he have such a thick skin?"

The crowd's jeers were like daggers to Chu Fann's heart, each one painfully sharp.

Old Madam dismissively waved her hand as if swatting a fly and said to Chu Fann, "Get out of my sight. I don't want to see you again."

Chu Fann's fists tightened. He now fully grasped Old Madam's mindset.

Didn't Old Madam know that Guo Chao's 'Rise of the Moon' was a sham?

Couldn't she tell that his bronze bracelet was genuine?

Yet, what did it all matter in the end?

The truth of the matter wasn't the issue.

It was about who was giving the gift.

He was merely the Chen family's unwanted son-in-law, lower in status than even a dog. If he offered Old Madam real gold, she'd still dismiss it as worthless.

Guo Chao, on the other hand, was Chen Mengyu's boyfriend, the heir to the Guo family, the epitome of a rich second-generation. He could give Old Madam a lump of excrement, and she'd praise it as gold.

Chu Fann chuckled bitterly, his faith in the Chen family utterly shattered.

"Beat it, loser," Guo Chao sneered, his eyes brimming with smugness.

Then she spoke up, "Wait a moment!"

As the security guards began to escort Chu Fann out of the inner hall, Chen Mengyu stepped forward.

"Grandma, please don't call me capricious. Today, I want to formally call off our engagement and completely sever ties with him."

Chen Mengyu's declaration piqued everyone's interest. It seemed the day's entertainment was just getting started, with these two stealing the spotlight from Old Madam herself.

"The three-year agreement is nearing its end. Mengyu, can't you wait any longer?" Old Madam inquired, her face betraying no emotion.

"Yes, I can't stand it for one more second. He's nothing but an embarrassment to the Chen family and a source of humiliation for me at school. We're bound to kick him out eventually, so we might as well end the engagement now."

"Today also happens to be your birthday, Grandma. Calling off the engagement is like a double celebration. Moreover, this man had the audacity to deceive you with a counterfeit. Who knows what other vile deeds he's capable of in the future? What do you think, Grandma?" Chen Mengyu said, unable to contain her eagerness.

Below, Chu Fann felt a tightness in his chest, growing more suffocating by the moment, making it harder and harder to breathe.

Old Madam pondered for a moment before turning her gaze back to Chu Fann.

"Chu Fann, what's your take? I'm giving you the opportunity to speak. If you wish to dissolve the engagement, we can settle this today. But if you intend to cling to my Chen family, I will honor the commitment made three years ago and allow you some more time here. After all, the Chen family is known for its integrity as a business clan."

"With all due respect, how could I possibly overstay my welcome with the Chen family?" Chu Fann responded, his expression unreadable.

"Haha, at least you're aware of your situation," Guo Chao murmured, a smirk spreading across his face.

"If I were him, I wouldn't have the face to stay a second longer," Zhong Ting quipped.

The crowd in the hall wore a mix of expressions, with ninety percent of them simply there for the spectacle. The Chen family's affairs were their own, and outsiders wouldn't intervene. Among the Chen family, only Chen Mengyao had a good relationship with Chu Fann.

Chen Mengyao looked distressed, her hands nervously intertwined as she avoided Chu Fann's gaze. She knew how awkward and uncomfortable he must feel, yet she was powerless to alleviate his plight.

"So what are you implying?" Old Madam inquired, her gaze fixed on Chu Fann.

With a self-deprecating chuckle, Chu Fann stepped forward. "As an outsider, it seems my bronze bracelet, valued at one million yuan, must be a counterfeit in your eyes."

"Chen Mengyu is of the Chen family's direct lineage, so naturally, even if she presents a fake, you would consider it authentic. I get it; the Chen family looks out for their own. What I can't fathom is your willingness to publicly trample a man's dignity."

Chu Fann's wry smile deepened. He inhaled sharply, clenched his teeth, and, with a flick of his wrist, removed his engagement ring, casting it onto the floor of the hall.

"Today, the engagement can indeed be called off, but let's not forget the three-year pact we both agreed upon. The time has not yet passed, and yet the Chen family chooses to disregard our commitment. Moreover, Chen Mengyu has dishonored the engagement by being unfaithful. So let it be known, it is I who am initiating this divorce!"