Shen Dianlan, as intelligent as she was, surely understood Han Shichong's intentions, yet she feigned ignorance, asking pointedly, "My old man's dying words cannot be changed. If Wanran created the Water Blossom Cherry, and we don't let her be the family head, who will believe the Su family's authority in the future?"
"Alas, Old Madam is being foolish," Han Shichong said, picking up a pair of chopsticks. "The Su family's authority is not built on a few words, but on strength!"
As he spoke, he snapped all the chopsticks in half.
If one's strength could become as formidable as Han Shichong's, why would others bother with all sorts of trivial matters?
Han Shichong continued, "In my opinion, Old Master Su's original intention was not truly to have the person who researched the Water Blossom Cherry become the family head, but merely to encourage everyone to research it more diligently. Imagine, if it wasn't Su Wanran who researched it, but some beggar from the street, wouldn't the Su family headship then fall into the hands of a beggar?"
This was pure sophistry and nonsensical argument.
If anyone else had spoken like this, they would have been thrown out long ago, but when Han Shichong, the Sleeping Dragon of Wudu, spoke, no one dared to question him.
Even the Old Madam nodded repeatedly, "Lord Sleeping Dragon speaks wisely. How did I not think of this before?"
Su Wanran, standing nearby, gnashed her teeth in hatred but dared not utter a single word.
Subsequently, Han Shichong went on to directly offer Shen Dianlan a suggestion, declaring publicly, "Su Wanran has researched the Water Blossom Cherry and made a great contribution. Old Madam can reward her handsomely. As for the family head position, I believe it should go to someone truly suitable."
Who was truly suitable?
Although Han Shichong did not state it explicitly, everyone could see that he was paving the way for Su Feiyang.
Shen Dianlan fell silent.
On one hand, Shen Dianlan did not want Su Feiyang to be the family head. On the other hand, she was unwilling to offend Han Shichong. Caught between these two dilemmas, she remained indecisive.
Han Shichong perceived the old lady's hesitation and knew that at such a moment, demonstrating some power was necessary, like killing a chicken to scare the monkeys, to make the old lady understand the severity of the situation and cease her wavering.
Killing a chicken, but who was this chicken?
Han Shichong had a complete plan when he arrived. He gently picked up his wine cup, suddenly changed the subject, and inquired, "I heard that Su Wanran's success this time was due to the assistance of a noble person. Come, let me meet this noble person."
Not good!
Jiang Mengxin's heart tightened, sensing that something was amiss.
All eyes turned to Jiang Mengxin simultaneously. She had nowhere to hide and could only brace herself, stand up, and walk out from the crowd, standing directly in front of the main table.
Han Shichong slightly raised his eyelids and looked at Jiang Mengxin. Their eyes met.
It was her!
Han Shichong's anger burned like a raging fire. In recent times, it was Jiang Mengxin's constant obstruction that had caused Han Shichong to lose face again and again.
Even worse, now Xue Zong, the image ambassador, was nowhere to be found.
For public and private reasons, Han Shichong had to teach this woman a harsh lesson!
Today, Jiang Mengxin was destined to end in disgrace!
Han Shichong looked at Jiang Mengxin and chuckled, "You are Su Wanran's noble person?"
Jiang Mengxin braced herself and replied, "I dare not. I was merely invited to help Wanran with a small matter, I can hardly be called a noble person."
"A small matter?" Han Shichong sneered, "Ever since you arrived in Wudu, you've been fighting and beating people, causing chaos in the Su family. You've even taken down several of my 12 cadres, and Xue Zong's whereabouts are unknown. This small matter of yours is truly not small at all."
Every word dripped with malice.
Jiang Mengxin's forehead beaded with cold sweat. She truly did not wish to confront Han Shichong directly, but unfortunately, Han Shichong was determined to use her as an example, killing the chicken to warn the monkeys! She could not avoid it.
In such a dire situation, Jiang Mengxin chose self-preservation.
She replied, "If Lord Sleeping Dragon feels I have been meddlesome, I can leave Wudu and never set foot here again."
She wanted to leave!
But could she escape?
Han Shichong took a soup bowl and mixed white wine, beer, red wine, and various beverages together. He also added three spoonfuls of soft-shelled turtle soup, filling the bowl to the brim.
He pointed to the bowl and smiled, "Guests are welcome. I, as the host, have not had the chance to properly entertain Family Head Jiang's visit to our Wudu. Today, I will make up for all the debts I owe in one go. Come, Family Head Jiang, please drink this bowl of essence. After you drink it, we can talk further."
This…
Jiang Mengxin's face turned ashen.
That bowl of foul concoction would at best cause an upset stomach, and at worst, it could be fatal!
Seeing Jiang Mengxin hesitate, Han Shichong sternly said, "What, Family Head Jiang refuses to give me face? You're looking down on me a bit too much, aren't you? Do you want me to feed it to you?"
As he spoke, several burly men walked out from both sides. Their stance suggested that if Jiang Mengxin refused to drink, these men would force her!
She had no choice but to drink.
Jiang Mengxin gritted her teeth and said, "Lord Sleeping Dragon invites me, I dare not refuse."
Thus, someone brought the bowl of miscellaneous items over and placed it before Jiang Mengxin. Everyone stared intently at Jiang Mengxin, waiting to see her make a fool of herself.
Han Yun and Su Feiyang even stood up to watch, wishing Jiang Mengxin would drink it and immediately kick the bucket!
Su Wanran looked on with deep concern. It wasn't Jiang Mengxin's fault to begin with; she had dragged her into this.
"No!"
Su Wanran stood up and said, "Lord Sleeping Dragon, Jiang Mengxin has a low tolerance for alcohol and cannot drink so much. Please be merciful."
Mercy?
Impossible.
Han Shichong stroked his mustache and said disdainfully, "My toast has been offered, and in Wudu, no one dares to refuse a toast I offer! Su Wanran, you pity Jiang Mengxin, do you? Very well, why don't you go and help her drink it? Half a bowl each, it's much easier."
This…
Su Wanran's face was filled with black lines. Even half a bowl would be quite difficult.
Han Shichong continued, "My patience is limited. Jiang Mengxin, Su Wanran, if you still don't drink, I will not be polite."
The burly men on both sides took another step forward.
The atmosphere was extremely tense.
Helpless.
Jiang Mengxin sighed, "Wanran, thank you for your kindness. I'll drink it myself."
Dying alone was better than both dying.
Jiang Mengxin cupped the bowl with both hands. This was a large bowl typically used for sour fish soup. It was less a bowl and more like a small pot.
She took a deep breath, preparing to drink.
Just then, a man quietly emerged from the crowd and stood beside Jiang Mengxin.
Before anyone could react, he reached out and gently pushed the bowl of mixed concoction, spilling it all over the ground.
Everyone was stunned.
Who dared to be so bold? To splash the toast offered by the Sleeping Dragon of Wudu? Utterly lawless!!!