The An family's fortune, numbering in the hundreds of millions, was clearly not acquired without reason.
This single cruise ship alone was likely worth tens of millions to build.
And the most luxurious of them all, that grand vessel from before, adorned with lanterns and boasting a retro, opulent design, was an undeniable behemoth on the sea.
At this moment, the cruise ship had yet to set sail.
Attendants stood guard at the entrance.
As Wen Yan approached, contemplating how to speak, an attendant preemptively asked, "Miss Wen, is that you? Please come in."
It seemed An Xileng had already made arrangements.
Wen Yan nodded and stepped inside.
Once aboard, she felt a sense of novelty; the very atmosphere had changed.
There were already quite a few guests on board, most dressed in lavish and elegant attire.
Wen Yan searched for An Xileng.
An Xileng, as the host, was nowhere to be found.
After searching for a long time, she still couldn't find him.
Just then, a voice suddenly came from behind her:
"Who let you in?"
The voice was somewhat familiar. As Wen Yan turned, she saw Luo Ziyu.
Luo Ziyu was even more arrogant this time than before, and the woman standing beside her was even more familiar.
Who else could it be but Li Mengyao?
Hmph, she had already suspected the two of them, but she hadn't expected them to actually know each other!
"Wen Yan, you truly have some nerve! To join the bidding, you'd stoop to sneaking into Mr. An's cruise ship banquet! Where do you get your gall?" Luo Ziyu stood with her chest puffed out, her posture undeniably haughty.
It was as if standing beside Li Mengyao made her an equal noble.
"Who said I sneaked in?"
"Still pretending? A neglected daughter of the Li family, and you actually think you're a young lady?" Luo Ziyu sneered.
Wen Yan was somewhat speechless.
Luo Ziyu was truly foolish, genuinely believing the Li family was in good standing.
Li Mengyao had also gone to great lengths to be here today. The Li family's situation was not good, and she had managed to secure an invitation, hoping to attract suitable investment.
She hadn't expected to run into Wen Yan.
Her eyes darted around.
A gentle smile curved her lips: "Yan Yan, I know why you're here today, but sneaking in is indeed not a good thing. I don't want to see you embarrassed, so why don't we help each other?"
Luo Ziyu was displeased to hear Li Mengyao offer help to Wen Yan.
However, she dared not say more.
Wen Yan let out a cold laugh: "You wish! I won't help you!"
Li Mengyao just wanted the betrothal gifts, didn't she? Dream on!
"Why must you always be so aggressive? We're family, after all. If the Li family prospers, won't you also benefit?"
"Whether the Li family is glorious or not has nothing to do with me," she stated indifferently.
Luo Ziyu immediately chimed in: "Mengyao, she's really ungrateful. I think we should just kick her out!"
She didn't want Wen Yan to meet Mr. An and enter the bidding.
Seeing that Wen Yan was determined not to help her, Li Mengyao's expression turned cold, and she directly called for an attendant.
Her attitude shifted 180 degrees: "This woman entered without an invitation. What are you serving? Mr. An's banquet is not a place for riff-raff like this!"
The attendant apologized and then approached Wen Yan: "Miss, please show your invitation."
"Mr. An invited me," Wen Yan explained.
Luo Ziyu couldn't help but let out a snicker: "Wen Yan, if you're going to lie, at least come up with a better excuse! Mr. An invited you? Is Mr. An blind?"
The attendant, seeing Wen Yan's ordinary appearance, spoke with a colder tone: "Miss, if you don't have an invitation, please leave."
Wen Yan frowned.
Luo Ziyu crossed her arms, waiting to witness the spectacle.
"Who said I was blind?"
A proud and devilishly charming voice echoed.
Luo Ziyu looked over to see An Xileng approaching in a striking crimson suit. He wore such a flamboyant color with an air of unpretentiousness, exuding an aura of untamed nobility.
Angela perched on his shoulder, appearing utterly disinterested.
But the moment she spotted Wen Yan, she excitedly leaped into her arms.
Wen Yan took Angela and stroked its fluffy head.
Luo Ziyu could hardly believe her eyes, "Mr. An!"
"It seems Miss Luo has some doubts about my judgment?" An Xileng looked at her with a smile, yet it inexplicably carried a chilling undertone.
Luo Ziyu quickly apologized: "No, Mr. An, you misunderstand. I, I..."
"Did Luo Ziyu come with you?" An Xileng turned to Li Mengyao.
Li Mengyao had met An Xileng once before. Seeing his charming, almond-shaped eyes on her now, her heart began to pound.
If she could gain the favor of a prominent figure like Mr. An, then the Li family would surely prosper!
Li Mengyao softly hummed in affirmation, looking at An Xileng with a gentle yet seductive gaze: "Miss Luo is a designer and is participating in your bidding, Mr. An, so I wanted to bring her to see and understand An Ta's industries. As for Wen Yan, she's actually my sister. I didn't expect Wen Yan to know Mr. An. However, Yan Yan is indeed very popular with men."
See? This was how one spoke, subtly undermining Wen Yan once again.
Wen Yan felt disgusted.
"You may leave," An Xileng said.
Li Mengyao looked at Wen Yan kindly: "Yan Yan, you should go first. This place might not be suitable for you. Mr. An's guests today are all VIPs, and they shouldn't be disturbed."
Luo Ziyu also breathed a sigh of relief, secretly admiring Li Mengyao.
The relationship between these two sisters was truly terrible!
"I was talking about the two of you," An Xileng said with a half-smile. "I don't know where you got your invitation, but you and your companion will never be allowed to attend any An family banquets again."
Li Mengyao's face turned ashen.
"Mr. An, why?" she asked anxiously, stepping forward.
"The women I dislike the most are those who are not well-behaved."
Causing trouble at his banquet, where did that put him?
Li Mengyao still wanted to plead, but security guards approached and escorted them away.
Returning to the windswept shore, Li Mengyao exuded a chilling aura.
Luo Ziyu was also furious: "Mengyao, that Wen Yan is truly a terrible person. You're sisters, yet she just stood by and watched you get kicked out without saying a word for you! It's so cold by the sea at night."
"She's always been a heartless wretch!"
Li Mengyao sneered.
Luo Ziyu also cursed: "That bitch, who knows what method she used to sneak into Mr. An's banquet! She's such a vixen!
Upon hearing this, Li Mengyao suddenly thought of something.
Although she hadn't secured investment this time, she had stumbled upon something interesting!
Wen Yan, married yet still shamelessly flirting, you are truly vile!
Li Mengyao took out her phone and immediately took a photo, then sent a message.
[Brother-in-law, I came to Mr. An's cruise party today, and guess what I saw? I actually saw Wen Yan with Mr. An. It's unbelievable. I always thought my sister was very well-behaved, and there shouldn't be anything between them, but she became extremely flustered when she saw me and immediately had Mr. An kick me out... I never expected her to be this kind of person. She's already married to you and accepted your betrothal gifts, yet she's messing around outside. If I had known, I really shouldn't have let her marry you. Our two families had such a good relationship back then. If Uncle Leng knew, he would definitely be angry and sad...]
Having crafted such a long message, Li Mengyao felt very satisfied.
Hmph, Wen Yan, this time you've delivered the opportunity right to my doorstep!