As he listened to the crowd's adulation, Su Fei Ang's heart bloomed with joy. He knew following Han Yun's advice had been the right move; the momentum was now firmly behind him. Ascending to the position of family patriarch would be a cinch. Just the thought made him immensely happy.
Han Yun chimed in, "Old Madam, Yang Xiao Lou is exceptionally difficult to invite. Fei Ang spared no effort to make today's grand event lively and showcase the Su family's prestige."
Shen Dian Lan smiled outwardly, but inwardly, she was seething. "Spared no effort for the Su family? As if you are the patriarch! Does the Su family's fate rest on your efforts?" However, the cheers from the audience prevented her from lashing out. All the morale was now with Su Fei Ang.
At this moment, Su Wan Ran, who had been silent, chuckled and said, "To my knowledge, although Yang Xiao Lou is a Sichuan opera maestro, he always ranks second. As long as Xiao Kou Lan is around, Yang Xiao Lou will never be first. Su Fei Ang, why didn't you invite Xiao Kou Lan instead of just the runner-up?"
Her words carried considerable weight. Everyone at the table turned to Su Fei Ang, eager to witness his embarrassment. Shen Dian Lan was also amused, relishing the prospect of Su Fei Ang and Su Wan Ran clashing, allowing her to benefit from the ensuing chaos. Su Fei Ang, with his dull wit, was clearly at a loss for words and could only look pleadingly at Han Yun.
Han Yun chuckled, calmly took a sip of wine, and said, "Wan Ran, your words are misplaced. While Xiao Kou Lan is indeed the best, Mr. Yang Xiao Lou's skills are undeniable. Everyone knows that Xiao Kou Lan explicitly announced to all of Wudu half a month ago that he would not attend any private gatherings and should not be invited this year. Therefore, when Xiao Kou Lan was uninviting, the best performer that could be secured was Yang Xiao Lou!"
She paused and continued, "Fei Ang's ability to invite Yang Xiao Lou demonstrates his dedication and investment. Unlike some who do nothing yet shamelessly criticize others, I truly don't understand how they have such thick skin."
These words had an even greater impact. All eyes shifted to Su Wan Ran, anticipating her downfall. Many began to whisper amongst themselves.
"How interesting. She hasn't done anything herself but criticizes the performer invited by others. Su Wan Ran truly has a thick face."
"Exactly! Who doesn't know Xiao Kou Lan is impossible to invite? Forcing Su Fei Ang to invite someone who is unavailable is deliberately making things difficult, isn't it?"
"This Su Wan Ran, she's so petty. And she still wants to be the family matriarch? Hmph!"
The Su family members immediately looked down on Su Wan Ran. Su Wan Ran's words had not only failed to save face but had also made her the target of everyone's scorn, leaving her in an awkward predicament.
Just then, Jiang Meng Xin chuckled, stood up, and declared, "Who says Xiao Kou Lan cannot be invited?"
Everyone turned to look at Jiang Meng Xin. Han Yun asked coldly, "Are you implying, Patriarch Jiang, that you can invite Xiao Kou Lan?"
Jiang Meng Xin waved her hand and said, "It's not that I can invite Xiao Kou Lan, but that Wan Ran has already invited him! Coincidentally, Wan Ran also planned to invite a Sichuan opera maestro to perform and liven things up. When inviting, of course, you invite the best!"
The crowd murmured in confusion. "Su Wan Ran has already invited Xiao Kou Lan? Impossible!"
"Xiao Kou Lan explicitly announced he wouldn't attend any private functions. Such a renowned artist is principled; if he says no, he means no. How could he be invited?"
"Su Wan Ran is truly shameless. She probably found someone to impersonate Xiao Kou Lan."
Various speculations arose, but no one believed Su Wan Ran could actually bring Xiao Kou Lan. In their eyes, it was utterly impossible.
However! Jiang Meng Xin clapped her hands and loudly announced, "We now invite the premier Sichuan opera artist – Mr. Xiao Kou Lan to present his performance of 'The Tide of Desire'!!!"
As the announcement faded, a man slowly emerged, walking step by step onto the stage. Although he was in makeup and costume, sharp-eyed fans deeply familiar with Sichuan opera and Xiao Kou Lan recognized him instantly as the genuine article.
"My word, it's really Xiao Kou Lan."
"Su Wan Ran has incredible skill, managing to invite the premier Sichuan opera artist Xiao Kou Lan for a private performance. Amazing, I'm impressed."
"I was wrong. I thought Su Wan Ran was boasting, but she actually has the capability!"
The moment Xiao Kou Lan appeared, the atmosphere at the scene shifted dramatically, completely tilting in favor of Su Wan Ran. While Yang Xiao Lou was also excellent, second place is always second place. When the first appears, people no longer pay attention to the second. The more fiercely they had mocked Su Wan Ran earlier, the more lavishly they praised her now.
Onstage, Xiao Kou Lan belted out his song with gusto, earning thunderous applause. Down below, Su Wan Ran raised her wine glass to Shen Dian Lan and said, "Grandmother, this is the small program I've meticulously prepared for you, and for the entire Su family. If we are to invite, we must invite the best!" These words were meant for Shen Dian Lan, but also for Su Fei Ang and Han Yun.
The atmosphere became incredibly subtle. Shen Dian Lan's emotions churned. While she was pleased that Su Fei Ang's momentum had been curbed, Su Wan Ran's rising influence also made her uneasy. Su Fei Ang felt even worse. His momentum had been strong, but unexpectedly, Su Wan Ran conjured Xiao Kou Lan out of thin air and stole all the attention. The thought was infuriating! How did she manage it? Su Fei Ang truly couldn't understand. He had tried to invite Xiao Kou Lan himself, willing to pay any price, but Xiao Kou Lan had outright refused. In desperation, Su Fei Ang settled for Yang Xiao Lou. He never expected that the principled Xiao Kou Lan would agree to perform for Su Wan Ran. What had Su Wan Ran offered him? Su Fei Ang could never have guessed that Lu Ming and Jiang Meng Xin had saved Xiao Kou Lan's life!
Su Wan Ran took a deep gulp of wine and winked at Jiang Meng Xin, thanking her for the grand gift. If not for the help of Jiang Meng Xin and Lu Ming, the momentum would have indeed remained with Su Fei Ang.
The performance onstage was vibrant, and the guests were thoroughly entertained, creating an exhilarating atmosphere. Only Han Yun's heart grew cold. If the situation continued on its current trajectory, the position of family patriarch might fall into Su Wan Ran's hands! To prevent further complications, Han Yun subtly urged Su Fei Ang to move to the next stage, even if it meant pushing forward despite the loss of momentum.
Su Fei Ang was even more dismayed. His momentum had been strong, but unexpectedly, Su Wan Ran had conjured Xiao Kou Lan out of thin air and stolen all the attention. The thought was infuriating! How did she manage it? Su Fei Ang truly couldn't understand. He had tried to invite Xiao Kou Lan himself, willing to pay any price, but Xiao Kou Lan had outright refused. In desperation, Su Fei Ang settled for Yang Xiao Lou. He never expected that the principled Xiao Kou Lan would agree to perform for Su Wan Ran. What had Su Wan Ran offered him? Su Fei Ang could never have guessed that Lu Ming and Jiang Meng Xin had saved Xiao Kou Lan's life!
Su Wan Ran took a deep gulp of wine and winked at Jiang Meng Xin, thanking her for the grand gift. If not for the help of Jiang Meng Xin and Lu Ming, the momentum would have indeed remained with Su Fei Ang.
The performance onstage was vibrant, and the guests were thoroughly entertained, creating an exhilarating atmosphere. Only Han Yun's heart grew cold. If the situation continued on its current trajectory, the position of family patriarch might fall into Su Wan Ran's hands! To prevent further complications, Han Yun subtly urged Su Fei Ang to move to the next stage, even if it meant pushing forward despite the loss of momentum.