Pampered by Short-Lived Bigshot-Chapter 730 - 453 Big bosses gather, a lineup of deities battling (2 more updates)_3

Chapter 730: 453 Big bosses gather, a lineup of deities battling (2 more updates)_3

"Please, come inside," said Elder Liang, finally feeling at ease as he watched them arrive.

Given the relations between the Huo and Jiang Families, a public fallout seemed impossible. But with the guests having arrived, and all from the younger generation of the Huo Family, face had to be given.

"Hey, Jiang Xiaowu, did you see anything from Auntie’s face?" Qi Zeyan leaned on Jiang Jinsang.

"If she wanted to hide something, do you think I could have seen through her?" Jiang Jinsang scoffed lightly.

"That’s true." Lying low and concealing oneself wasn’t difficult for the members of the Huo Family.

"Why would the Huo Family meddle in this if they are just distant relatives?" Jiang Chengsi clicked his tongue in amazement.

"That’s what I find odd," Jiang Jinsang twirled his finger, "Out of the blue, why would the Huo Family get involved? They have no direct ties, and even as distant relatives, would they go so far as to fall out with our family for this?"

Jiang Yanting coughed softly, "Actually, the Huo Family hasn’t openly claimed to support the Liang Family."

Indeed, the Huo Family hadn’t made any public statements but were simply invited to attend the event. And since Liang Yun was rumored to be a distant relative of the Liang Family, it seemed as if they were indirectly taking sides through this gesture.

Upon hearing the news, Fan Mingyu felt her scalp tingle, but then she calmed down, feeling that there was something fishy about the whole situation. She even considered whether Liang Yun was being coerced due to some leverage the Liang Family had on her.

But then again, how could the Huo Family allow anyone to have leverage over them?

Moreover, the Huo Family had recently become elusive to everyone, not answering phone calls or replying to messages. All these actions were like looking at flowers through fog, enigmatic.

Most importantly, the Liang Family and the media had greatly sensationalized the situation, painting it as if the two families were irreconcilable.

When Mr. and Mrs. Huo Zheng arrived, Jiang Yanting gave his companions a look and got up to greet them.

"So you are Zhixian? Yanting’s wife, right? It’s our first meeting, I believe," Liang Yun greeted them with her usual demeanor.

"Hello, Auntie," Shen Zhixian greeted her with respect.

"When you have time, bring the kids and visit us for a meal. I haven’t seen your daughter yet," Liang Yun said with a smile, looking towards Jiang Yanting.

"Actually, we should be the ones to invite you and Uncle," Jiang Yanting was very polite, "Whenever you’re free, just give us a call in advance and I’ll come to pick you up."

...

Everyone was puzzled to see that the two families appeared harmonious in each other’s company.

"Didn’t they say the relationship was already broken?"

"Even if it were strained, why would they let us see it? Which family would make such a thing obvious? They still have to maintain a façade."

"Just watch how things unfold in a little while."

**

Mr. and Mrs. Huo were guests of honor and were seated in the front row. The charity event had many segments, including media coverage with photography and video. And there were children present, who had presumably been taught what to say on stage to express their gratitude to the Liang Family for their support. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Liang Wenzhong was also present and publicly donated over a million to each of several welfare houses in Beijing.

"Adding it all up, they donated quite a bit, over ten million, right? With the Liang Family in their current state, how could they scrape together over ten million in cash?"

"Expecting to whitewash their image through charity work, I heard they even sold a few properties to come up with the money."

"The media reported that these children were specially flown in from all corners of the country. To appear respectable, they’ve put a lot of effort into it. I suspect that this event has nearly emptied the Liang Family’s coffers."

...

"Let us thank Chairman Liang for his donation with a warm round of applause, for his many years of care and love for the children," the host said, and everyone applauded in response.

Liang Wenzhong said a few courteous words, which the host followed with more flattering remarks.

"...The Liang Family has supported over a thousand orphans over the years. Their charitable work is truly beyond reproach. Up next, we would like to invite Elder Liang to the stage to say a few words."

Sitting below the stage, Elder Liang shook his head vigorously, indicating his reluctance to go up.

"Wow, old man Liang sure knows how to put on an act of humility," Jiang Chengsi chuckled sarcastically. The schedule must have been cued in advance; otherwise, how could the host dare to invite him up so spontaneously?

"Charity should be about modesty, it’s not nice to be impolite," Qi Zeyan glanced at Jiang Jinsang beside him and asked in a low voice, "Is Auntie coming today?"

"What’s up?" Jiang Jinsang turned to look at him.

"Just asking..."

Qi Zeyan had thought that Shen Shuci would come with them, but her absence was unexpected; could it be that she wasn’t coming?

At that moment, Elder Liang had already made his way to the stage amid a roaring applause...

He stood with one hand on his cane and the other holding the microphone, dressed in a respectable Tang suit that clearly had been specially prepared for the occasion:

"Thank you all so much for gracing this event with your presence. I didn’t expect so many attendees, but for the cause of charity, we must spare no effort..."

He spoke at length, passionately and generously.

Anyway, it was all just beautiful platitudes, and the audience found little interest in the proceedings.

"I know you came here not for the Liang Family but for these children, hoping to contribute to charity. Here, I bow to you all, thank you," Elder Liang said.

The applause was thunderous below as Elder Liang, leaning on his cane, slightly bowed to the audience...

As the event seemed to be nearing its end without incident, his anxious heart began to relax a bit.

It looked like the Jiang Family, despite their impressive turnout, would avoid any conflict, especially with the presence of the Huo Family. Thankfully, the Huo Family’s presence reassured that today would likely pass without trouble.

He took a deep breath to steady his excited heart and, believing he wore the most dazzling smile, straightened up and looked up only to lock eyes with a pair of eyes full of icy resolve...

He felt his breath catch, and his smiling face froze.

She...

How dare she come!

At that moment, all eyes were on him, and his every move naturally drew everyone’s attention—especially now, as his expression changed with shock, and his subsequent effort to regain his smile was somewhat stiff...

Elder Liang was used to weathering storms and was rarely so out of character, especially at such an important occasion.

Following his gaze, the audience turned to look back and saw the main character in the recent storm of Beijing—

Shen Shuci!