C20 Divorce Paper

Qi Xiao remained unshaken by such a petty provocation, merely regarding Lin Suxin with an icy stare.

He was aware of Lin Suxin's disdain for him, yet he hadn't anticipated her audacity. Their engagement was still intact, and here she was, openly parading a new boyfriend.

Catching Qi Xiao's look, Lin Suxin, despite her contempt for him, felt compelled to clarify:

"You've got it wrong. Young Master Pann has been involved in business with my family lately. He attended our banquet today and just gave me a ride home, that's all."

Her explanation came with a hint of evasion in her eyes, betraying the fact that her parents were indeed keen on setting her up with Young Master Pann. His family might not be among the elite, but their wealth was nothing to scoff at.

A partnership with Young Master Pann could propel the Lin family's status even higher.

Qi Xiao shook his head, dismissing the matter:

"It's irrelevant. Who you're with is your choice. Our engagement is bound to be dissolved sooner or later."

Lin Suxin, though not fond of Qi Xiao, couldn't hide her revulsion at his meekness. Bullied to this extent, and he wouldn't even fight back—could he still call himself a man?

Regardless, it was high time to deal with the engagement. She instructed the security guard:

"Let him through."

Qi Xiao stepped aside, allowing Young Master Pann, flamboyantly dressed, to rev his engine and screech the tires, the sports car growling like a wild beast.

Young Master Pann cast a triumphant glance at Qi Xiao, akin to a conquering general, before driving onto the Lin estate, leaving the security guard coughing in the car's fumes.

The guard shot Qi Xiao a look of contempt, his ordinary demeanor starkly contrasting with Young Master Pann's lavish display.

"Miss Lin's generosity is the only reason you're allowed in. If you spout more nonsense and sully her good name, you'd better watch your legs! Now scram!"

With that, the guard retreated to his booth, and Qi Xiao, with a heavy sigh, made his way through the Lin family's gates.

As he entered, the Lin family's banquet was just about to commence. Lin Suxin's father, Lin Pohu, was busy alongside Lin Cheng by the open-air pool, finalizing preparations for the event.

"Dad, Qi Xiao is coming to our house today to break off the engagement."

Lin Pohu was clearly aware of this but dismissed the idea with a shake of his head, patting Lin Cheng on the shoulder.

"Cheng'er, a minor figure like Qi Xiao isn't worth our concern. Our sights are set on West River City! And he won't show up today, mark my words."

Lin Cheng was confused.

"But he said he'd come to the Lin family today to call off the engagement?"

Lin Pohu scoffed.

"That loser wouldn't dare set foot in our home. What for? To be humiliated in front of a crowd? Even if he intended to come, knowing we're hosting a banquet with so many guests, he wouldn't dare..."

Lin Pohu's words hung unfinished as Lin Cheng cut in.

"But... but, Dad! He's already here!"

Lin Pohu shot Lin Cheng a look of annoyance, irritated by his son's lack of composure and his tendency to overreact. He found it hard to believe Qi Xiao had the audacity to show up at the Lin residence.

However, as he turned to glance toward the entrance, he paused, taken aback. Dressed to the nines, if that wasn't Qi Xiao, who was it?

"Oh, he's got some nerve showing up?"

Lin Pohu said with a sneer.

"Lin Cheng, bring him over."

Lin Cheng quickly approached Qi Xiao.

Qi Xiao, seeing Lin Cheng looking sharp and so unlike his usual unruly self, didn't seem overly surprised—this was, after all, a family gathering.

"Hey! You've got some guts coming here!"

Lin Cheng said, eyeing Qi Xiao with a derisive look.

"Follow me! And stop gawking like a clueless yokel!"

Lin Cheng escorted Qi Xiao to where Lin Pohu stood.

Looking down at Qi Xiao, Lin Pohu said coldly:

"I didn't think you'd show up, but here you are."

Qi Xiao, with an impassive face, simply stated:

"I've come to break off the engagement."

Lin Pohu and Lin Cheng both let out a snort of derision at his innocence.

"Enough with the act; you're in the Lin household, and you're not entitled to any pretenses. Since you're here, the engagement will be called off. But Suxin is currently entertaining Young Master Pann, so find yourself a spot to sit. You can come back after the banquet is over. Now, off with you!"

Lin Pohu showed no courtesy towards Qi Xiao, dismissively waving his hand as if to shoo him away.

Realizing Lin Suxin was indeed absent, Qi Xiao knew he couldn't just call off the engagement. After all, what was a little longer after so many years of waiting?

He turned to find a seat, only to discover that every spot at the banquet had been assigned and was already taken.

While he was searching, Lin Cheng approached with a smirk, taunting him, "Give it up. There's no seat for you here!"

Lin Cheng had anticipated this scene, watching with amusement as Qi Xiao looked around before finally deciding to reveal the cruel setup.

Undeterred by the Lins' intentions, Qi Xiao appeared unfazed. He simply stood at the periphery of the banquet, waiting patiently.

From a distance, Lin Pohu watched Qi Xiao relegated to the edge and snickered to himself, deriding him as spineless. He thought, if only Qi Xiao had the guts to ask him for a seat, he might have generously offered a small stool.

The banquet was soon underway. The Lin family's relatives were all present, with the remaining guests being the heads of families and major companies the Lins wished to court, who arrived in succession.

The Lin family's inner circle took their places at the foremost tables, including Lin Suxin's parents, Lin Cheng, and her second uncle, Lin Pohe.

Lin Suxin herself was seated cozily alongside Young Master Pann, their closeness apparent.

Qi Xiao caught Lin Suxin asking Lin Cheng a question. Lin Cheng responded with a laugh, gesturing towards Qi Xiao. When Lin Suxin glanced his way, her eyes flickered with scorn.

Internally, Qi Xiao lamented the situation, likening it to a dragon trapped in shallow waters, mocked by shrimp, or a tiger on the plains, harassed by dogs.

Amidst the crowd, Qi Xiao's eyes landed on a familiar face at the Lin family's head table. Xue Rensheng sat with a stern expression, while Lin Pohu fawned over him.

It seemed the Lin family still had favors to ask of the Xue family's conglomerate.

Things just got more interesting!

With a "cough, cough," Lin Pohu grasped the microphone and cleared his throat. The once raucous banquet fell silent as all eyes turned to Lin Pohu, the Lin family's most accomplished member.

"I'm deeply grateful to everyone for gracing our Lin family banquet with your presence! We're here primarily to celebrate my younger brother's return. Let's welcome him with a round of applause!"

At the same table, Lin Pohe promptly stood and bowed to the crowd.

Despite being brothers, Lin Pohe and Lin Pohu couldn't have looked more different. Lin Pohu resembled an overinflated balloon, with his portly figure, small eyes, and a thin mustache that gave him a somewhat shifty appearance.

Lin Pohe, however, had prematurely graying hair, half black and half white. His lean frame exuded the robustness of a martial artist, and his eyes sparkled with intensity, a clear sign of his martial arts prowess.

"Additionally, please allow me the honor of introducing two distinguished guests!"

After Lin Pohe took his seat, Lin Pohu continued with a tone of reverence:

"Here with us is the esteemed CEO of the A Group from West River City, Mr. Xue Rensheng! Mr. Xue, your presence at our banquet brings great distinction to the Lin family!"

Xue Rensheng, listening to Lin Pohu's effusive praise, remained stoic, offering only a brief hand gesture to indicate his impatience with the lengthy proceedings.

Lin Pohu, still beaming, went on:

"Mr. Xue has just reached an understanding with our family to embark on a business venture. Should this deal come to fruition, it will mark a monumental increase in the Lin family's assets!"

As he spoke, Lin Pohu's cheeks jiggled comically.

Qi Xiao was absorbed in the spectacle of Lin Pohu's amusing antics on stage when he was abruptly interrupted.

"Hey! You, security guard, come shine my shoes!"

A lavishly dressed woman pointed imperiously at Qi Xiao.

Qi Xiao was dumbfounded. Surely, even an actual security guard wasn't expected to shine shoes, right?

The woman, seeing Qi Xiao's lack of response, narrowed her eyes and placed her hands on her hips, about to speak further.

"Just wipe it when I tell you to—what's with the stalling? You're just a security guard; how dare you refuse? Do you even know who I am?"

Qi Xiao was about to respond when Lin Pohu took the stage and spoke again.

"Lastly, I have an exciting announcement for everyone! Our very own Lin Suxin is soon to be engaged to none other than Young Master Pann!"

The ostentatious Young Master Pann, grasping Lin Suxin's hand, rose to his feet, waving smugly at the crowd below.

The noblewoman, noticing Qi Xiao's gaze fixed on Young Master Pann, assumed he was green with envy and sneered:

"Quit staring. You know who that is? That's Young Master Pan, a distinguished elite fresh from his overseas studies! In under two years, he's launched his own company in West River City, and its market value has already surpassed that of the Lin family's holdings. A lowly security guard like you couldn't even begin to envy him!"

Qi Xiao merely smiled, disregarding the noblewoman's taunts, and strode toward the stage.

"Hey, where do you think you're going? You haven't finished shining my shoes!"

The noblewoman's voice trailed off in shock as she watched Qi Xiao approach the stage.

Before long, all eyes were on Qi Xiao as he made his way to the front. The Lins' expressions soured, as if they were looking at garbage.

Lin Pohu barked out:

"Scum, this isn't a place for the likes of you. Get back to where you belong!"

But Qi Xiao seemed deaf to Lin Pohu's rebuke and declared:

"I have no objections to Lin Suxin's engagement."

The room fell silent for a moment, then erupted in mocking laughter.

"Hahahaha, I can't believe this guy. Who does he think he is? He has no objections to Miss Lin's engagement?"

"He's probably head over heels for Miss Lin and can't handle the heartbreak!"

Qi Xiao paused, then drew a document from his pocket and laid it on the table.

"However, before Miss Lin can proceed with her engagement, there's the small matter of signing this annulment paper!"