Inside the luxuriously decorated banquet hall, crystal chandeliers and champagne towers illuminated each other. Groups of guests moved around, raising glasses to toast each other, occasionally murmuring in soft conversations.
Today was the patriarch's sixtieth birthday banquet for the Han family. Regardless of what motives the attendees had, they all presented a sense of harmony on their faces as they sent their blessings and birthday gifts to the robust and spirited old man seated in the chief place.
Qin Ranran looked at the glorious scene before her, her bright red lips pressed firmly together, her gaze filled with intense hatred, like a poisoned knife, directed sharply at the "star of the show" seated in the chief place.
The Hans... huh, they killed her mother and still had the audacity to enjoy the blessings of long life from the others?
She adjusted the mourning clothes she was wearing, held onto the memorial tablet of her mother tightly in her arms, and without any hesitation, walked towards the small area where the crowd was gathered.
Qin Ranran failed to notice that a sharp, cold gaze had been fixed on her since she entered.
In such a social setting, everyone who came hoped to get acquainted with the powerful and influential. But this time was different—
The youngest son of the prestigious Gu family, although weak and sickly, was by no means any easy-going character. People were intimidated by his aloof demeanor, and no one dared to approach him.
Gu Lingfeng originally sat indifferently in one corner of the banquet, taking sips of red wine casually. However, from the corner of his eye, he inadvertently spotted a familiar figure in white.
Qin Ranran? Had she been released from prison early?
That figure walked out from the boundary between light and darkness, and Gu Lingfeng confirmed once again, indeed, it was her.
Although she had become more slender than a few years ago, those long eyebrows and eyes, alluring lip color, and the signature waist-length big wave curls would never be misrecognized after a glance.
But, why was she here?
Gu Lingfeng's wrist moved slightly, squeezing the wine glass in his hand. Given her attire, it wasn't difficult to deduce from the previous events that she was here for revenge against the Han family.
Going against the Han family single-handedly? Interesting.
His dark eyes gently swiveled, staring at her retreating figure with interest, without a hint of attempting to stop her.
What happens to the Han family, he doesn't care. He's just a bit curious about her next move.
Qin Ranran appeared among the crowd, holding a spirit tablet. The crowd was taken aback and spread out immediately, acting as if she had some dreadful virus or plague.
"What is she doing? Dressing in mourning clothes at a birthday celebration?"
"Yeah, she's even holding a spirit tablet. Isn't this like cursing the elder to die?"
Guests who usually carry themselves with high dignity became ordinary with the hint of approaching storm in the air, and there was a buzz of loud babbling.
The elderly Master Han, previously surrounded at the center, noticed the anomaly. He looked up, and his laughing face immediately turned gloomy. Standing up, he stared at her intimidatingly, "Who are you? Today is a day of great joy for Han, what's the meaning of this?"
Ignoring him, Qin Ranran followed the path created by the retreating crowd, bowed ceremoniously with a poker face, her words as if soaked in ice, "Ranran and her mother have come to wish Master Han a happy birthday, may your sons and grandchildren be around your knee and all things be smooth."
She wished him well, but anyone with eyes could see that her bow was the exact one used when visiting a grave!
It was a blatant and malicious curse.
As if deaf to the murmurs around her, Qin Ranran looked directly at Master Han and finished her matter, "But there's one more thing - it's commonly said that one should pay with life for taking a life, I wonder if Master Han can give me a satisfactory explanation for my mother’s wrongful death?"
Demanding an explanation? Does the Han family owe a life? The guests craned their necks to see, filled with curiosity.
"Nonsense!" Such a challenge was unbearable for the aged Master Han, who was trembling with anger. He even called for security twice, "What are you guys eating? How did you let such a troublemaker in! Drag her out!"
"Am I talking nonsense?" Qin Ranran stared intently at the hoary-haired man in front of her, as if she wanted to skin and devour him. She raised her voice, "My mother was healthy and never offended anyone, but after her visit to the Han family, news of her death suddenly came out. How can you dare to say that this has nothing to do with you?"
Upon hearing this, the guests’ chatter increased.
Old Master Han extended a trembling hand, pointing at her shakily, "Nonsense! I don't know you at all! Security, drag her away to the police station!"
Qin Ranran sneered, stepping closer with a grim face, "Don't know me? Don't remember 'Night Color’s Qin Yujiao' either?"
"You..." This sentence was like a bombshell, causing Master Han to stiffen in surprise. The onlooking guests' gleeful gazes made him tremble more violently. Suddenly, he gasped for breath and with a roll of his eyes, he passed out.
Immediately, the Han household was thrown into chaos.
Qin Ranran looked contentedly at the flustered servants of Han household, who were frantically dialing for emergency services. She had a cold smile on her face.
This was just the first step. She would bring ruin to the Han family and make them taste the pain she'd suffered, tenfold, hundredfold!
Suddenly, her arm was tightly gripped by the security guards causing her to wince in pain, and the sign she was carrying dropped onto the ground.
"Let me go!" Qin Ranran instinctively tried to break free but was no match for the strength of the several men. Fire in her eyes, she furiously glared at the indifferent security guards, "I can leave on my own!"
Before she finished speaking, a low and chilly male voice came from behind her, as if across mountains and rivers, "Let her go, I’ll deal with this on Master Han’s behalf."