Obsessive Tycoon and His Swan Girl
Chapter 509 - 467: Say It in Public

Chapter 509: Chapter 467: Say It in Public

"It is precisely because today is Jiang Zhe’s grand day that I feel some things must be brought to light in public to be truly interesting," Zhuo Jinman said.

Jiang Family’s elder matriarch knew she was determined to dredge up the past and spoke calmly, "Dr. Zhuo, must you proceed this way?"

"Elder madam need not be angry; the matter we are discussing today is a good one," Zhuo Jinman responded.

In Beicheng Continent, Zhuo Jinman now commands great respect. Everyone gathered around and said, "Since that’s the case, Dr. Zhuo, please speak up and let us all hear."

During this exchange, Elder Fang and Fang Jun were stepping into the great hall, followed by Elder Lan, Elder Zhuo, and others arriving in succession.

The figure of the Hunter who had captured the lone wolf also appeared. Although not dressed in military uniform, his military bearing was very apparent, and he brought quite a few people to show support—as if representing the military’s presence at the event.

Today was merely Jiang Zhe’s homecoming banquet, but looking at these guests, it seemed as if it was a top-tier banquet of the Beicheng Continent’s elite.

Fang Jun caught sight of Qin Jingchen, her gaze drawn to him, and she couldn’t help but frequently glance his way.

However, Qin Jingchen did not raise his eyes to meet hers. With so many people around, he had already released Jiang Zhe’s fingers, but his center of gravity remained focused on Jiang Zhe.

Seeing the affectionate look in his eyes when he looked at Jiang Zhe, a sour feeling seeped into Fang Jun’s heart.

The elder matriarch of the Jiang Family knew rejection was futile and said to Jiang Zhe, "Xiaozhe, no matter what happens later, don’t act impulsively. Whatever the issue, I’ll bear it."

"Alright," Jiang Zhe agreed readily.

The elder matriarch breathed a sigh of relief, fearing the child’s stubbornness would lead him to agree to anything when provoked.

She then addressed Zhuo Jinman, "Since everyone wishes to know what it is, you might as well speak plainly."

Zhuo Jinman said, "Then I will speak frankly. Over two decades ago, everyone knows, my elder brother and Jiang Xi were engaged, and they had an alright relationship. The Zhuo Family made extensive preparations to welcome Jiang Xi into the family. We have always been sincere. However... to our surprise, on the eve of the wedding, Jiang Xi broke off the engagement, which led my brother to seek her out in his urgency, only to be injured by a car, resulting in his current condition with little improvement over the years."

These events were still fresh in everyone’s memory, and, coming from Zhuo Jinman’s mouth, they were met with sighs of lamentation.

Seeing Zhuo Yi in his current state, everyone couldn’t help but shake their heads in dismay.

How gallant Zhuo Yi had been and now, how wretched he became.

All the blame for this incident lay with Jiang Xi.

Remembering the promising young man now reduced to a middle-aged man who had accomplished nothing after being ground down in a wheelchair, everyone’s eyes conveyed a mix of regret, pity, and sympathy.

Zhuo Jinman spoke mournfully, "Not long after, Jiang Xi gave birth to a child despite my brother lying ill in his bed, and later she just left Beicheng Continent altogether. This scandal added insult to injury for my brother. And yet, the entire Jiang Family has had no response to this. It wouldn’t be too much to say that the Jiang Family owes us and they know in their hearts they are ashamed, would it?"

The people around nodded frequently.

Only the elder matriarch of the Jiang Family knew that things were definitely not so simple; Jiang Xi must have had her considerable difficulties back then.

But not knowing the full details, she could not voice out these thoughts.

Thinking of the past twenty-odd years, during which the Zhuo Family had gradually encroached on everything belonging to the Jiang Family, the Jiang Family, acknowledging their fault, had retreated step by step, even leaving the Elders Council outright in the end, which was almost a compensation for all the losses suffered by the Zhuo Family.

Yet it seemed that the Zhuo Family was still unsatisfied.

These issues entangled with power could not be brought up by the elder matriarch for discussion, so she could only swallow the indignation.

Zhuo Jinman was precisely exploiting this point, knowing well that human nature is too lazy to bother with the struggles behind the scenes, only interested in gossip and scandals. Hence, today she only brought up this one matter.

"The Jiang Family has been compensating the Zhuo Family for the debt owed over the years," said the old lady of the Jiang Family. "Moreover, this is an issue of the older generation, I think it shouldn’t be imposed on the younger generation, should it? Whatever compensation the Zhuo Family still requires, we will do our best to fulfill, but maybe today we should focus on the welcoming banquet..."

"We wish to continue fulfilling the marriage contract!" Zhuo Jinman spoke up.

The crowd was astonished, "But I heard that Jiang Xi had long since passed away!"

"Indeed, how can the agreement be fulfilled?"

"That doesn’t make sense, does Zhuo Yi still have the intention to marry now?"

Zhuo Jinman said word by word, "We want Jiang Zhe to fulfill the marriage contract!"

The old lady of the Jiang Family grew angry, "Currently, the Zhuo Family has no eligible men; do you expect Jiang Zhe to marry Zhuo Yi? This is preposterous!"

Even the onlookers were frowning; it was indeed preposterous, an impossible affair.

The age difference between the two was also an undeniable fact.

Jiang Zhe was only so young; just the sight of her in a school uniform made the idea of her getting married utterly absurd.

Qin Jingchen’s brows furrowed slightly, a deep and cold light in his eyes.

Xiaobao was the first to jump out and say, "Who dares? If anyone wants to marry my idol, they’ll have to step over my dead body first!"

Fatty and Jin Ruoshi also wore protective expressions, surrounding Jiang Zhe in a tight circle.

Everyone, accustomed to seeing these people protecting Jiang Zhe in live broadcasts, couldn’t help but smile at witnessing the same in real life.

Zhuo Jinman said, "Don’t be in such a hurry, Old Madam, that’s not what I mean. What I’m saying is, this Qin Kuo beside me is the individual the Zhuo Family is currently focusing on cultivating. Having him fulfill the marriage contract with Jiang Zhe, settling our long-standing grudges, would spare us all from dredging up the past again."

Everyone turned their gaze to Qin Kuo as she pointed towards him.

Seeing that the man indeed had a handsome appearance and extraordinary composure, and knowing that he was being cultivated by the Zhuo Family, it was obvious his abilities were also outstanding.

At this point, it seemed like a rather fitting match.

But the old lady of the Jiang Family remained frowning, "Marriage is not to be used as an object of exchange. Jiang Zhe will decide her own marriage."

"So does that mean the Jiang Family intends to default on the matter with my elder brother?" Zhuo Jinman said.

"It’s not that we refuse to fulfill the marriage contract. It’s just that the Beicheng Continent has had a rule stipulating that the people of the continent may only marry within and have long avoided marriage with the outside world. Dr. Zhuo must know that this rule cannot be broken, right?"

The old lady of the Jiang Family brought up the rules of the Beicheng Continent.

The onlookers nodded continuously.

As the Beicheng Continent had always held itself in high regard, many rules had indeed been established over the years.

Given Zhuo Jinman’s status, she naturally should not lead in breaking these rules.

Zhuo Jinman was clearly prepared and said, "My elder brother had adopted Qin Kuo as his foster son many years ago. While Qin Kuo may not have the bloodline of the Beicheng Continent, his identity is authentically that of the Beicheng Continent. He will only belong to the Beicheng Continent in the future. So, we are actually still abiding by this rule."