"Uncles, what's wrong? Don't you bless Li Yang and me? My boyfriend is very outstanding," Long Lingling asked curiously, seeing everyone fall silent and even avoid her gaze.
"Miss Long, what is your status? Those who can match you must at least be descendants of the powerful and noble. But this kid, we've never seen him before, nor have we ever heard his name."
The middle-aged uncle who had spoken earlier, after a period of silence, was the first to comment, "How can an unknown nobody like this be worthy of the noble Miss Long?"
"Yes, this kid looks ordinary, and he's just an appraiser. He really doesn't match Miss Long."
"Miss Long, I think you are more suited to Mr. Qinglong, one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the capital."
"I heard that Master Long invited Mr. Qinglong today. We all guessed if the Long family had good news with Mr. Qinglong, one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the capital. Unexpectedly, Miss Long found such an ordinary boyfriend."
Seeing someone take the lead, the uncles present also spoke their minds.
Long Lingling was shocked!
She chuckled, shrugged, and explained, "Who told you that Mr. Qinglong and I are going to be a couple? My dad didn't say that, did he?"
"To be honest, I've never even met Mr. Qinglong, so how could I be in a relationship with him?"
"Miss Long, but we heard that you and Mr. Qinglong are fond of each other and have already found your true love," the middle-aged uncle Xu Quanlong said again.
"You are right, my Lingling is indeed fond of Mr. Qinglong."
At this moment, a middle-aged noblewoman walked down from the second floor. She wore a silk dress and adorned herself with extremely luxurious jewelry, looking exceptionally opulent.
After slowly descending the stairs, she walked towards the crowd and announced solemnly to everyone.
"Hello, Mrs. Long!"
Everyone's gaze turned towards the newcomer, who was none other than Master Long's wife. They all greeted her.
Long Lingling's eyebrows furrowed. She realized the rumor had spread from her mouth and her face turned cold. She said displeasedly, "Who told you to spread rumors about me and Mr. Qinglong outside? Li Yang is my boyfriend, and he is the one who is fond of me."
"It's not your place to decide here!"
Mrs. Long reprimanded her sternly, then looked at everyone and announced with a smile, "My daughter is ill-mannered, please forgive us, everyone."
"I have already spoken to Mr. Qinglong in advance. Tonight's banquet is not only the day Mr. Qinglong visits the Dragon Soul Banquet and celebrates the grand occasion for the Long family, but also the day he proposes to our Long family and gets engaged to Lingling."
"Oh? That's wonderful!"
"Mr. Qinglong and Miss Long are truly a perfect match, a match made in heaven."
"Yes, yes, we congratulate the Long family in advance on their engagement with Mr. Qinglong, one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the capital. This way, the Long family will surely soar to greater heights in the future. We still rely on the Long family for support."
Upon hearing Mrs. Long's words, everyone present cupped their hands and offered congratulations.
Mrs. Long beamed with joy and said politely, "Thank you all for your blessings. When my Long family prospers, I will not forget the support of everyone present."
"I disagree!"
Seeing them chatting so happily, Long Lingling's anger surged. She declared on the spot, "I only love Li Yang, and I will not marry anyone else."
"This..."
The audience present exchanged glances.
Mrs. Long's expression turned cold. She glared fiercely at Long Lingling and said, "You've gone too far, you wretched girl. You've embarrassed the Long family in front of so many people. Let me teach you a lesson."
Mrs. Long raised her hand and slapped Long Lingling fiercely across the face. However, before her hand could touch Long Lingling, a strong hand suddenly grabbed her arm.
Her gaze followed the arm to the person's face, and she saw that it was Li Yang who had stopped her.
Li Yang said expressionlessly, "My woman, I will pamper her. No one has the right to hit her."
"You, you have the guts of a bear and a leopard to dare to lay a hand on me!"
Mrs. Long was furious. She struggled twice but couldn't break free. She glared angrily at Li Yang and commanded, "You'd better let me go, or I'll call someone immediately to throw you into the river to feed the fish."
"Then try me? Let's see who falls into the river first!"
Li Yang looked at the fierce expression of Mrs. Long, who bore no resemblance to Long Lingling.
She did not treat Long Lingling with the gentleness of a mother, so he was certain that this person was definitely not Long Lingling's biological mother.
In fact, she was indeed Long Lingling's stepmother, a woman Master Long married after Long Lingling's mother passed away.
Since entering the Long family, she had disliked Long Lingling's actions. Because as long as Long Lingling remained in the Long family, her own son would not be able to inherit the Long family's assets.
Marrying her off to the capital this time was also the intention of this stepmother.
She hadn't discussed it with Long Lingling at all beforehand.
"You... you dare!"
Seeing Li Yang's disrespect towards her, a cold glint flashed in Mrs. Long's eyes. She ferociously ordered, "Someone, capture this brat and throw him into the river to feed the fish."
Thump! Thump!
In an instant, over a dozen bodyguards from the Dragon Soul Hall appeared simultaneously, quickly surrounding Li Yang.
Li Yang sneered dismissively and said with a light laugh, "You shrew, you're really going to fight me? It seems I've been too polite to you."
With that, Li Yang kicked her knee. She suddenly fell to her knees before Li Yang.
Li Yang twisted her wrist, making her unable to move. Her entire arm was in excruciating pain, and cold sweat poured down her face.
"Apologize to Lingling, or I'll cripple you," Li Yang commanded coldly.
"Dream on! What are you all standing there for? Attack!"
Mrs. Long turned and commanded her subordinates. Everyone attacked simultaneously.
"Stop!"
Just as everyone raised their arms, a cold voice came from upstairs again.
Everyone turned their heads simultaneously. This time, it was Master Long who walked down from upstairs.
Seeing her father appear, Long Lingling quickly ran over and grabbed Master Long's arm, saying, "Dad, please save Li Yang quickly. This wicked woman actually wants to throw Li Yang into the river to feed the fish."
"Master, don't listen to her nonsense. It was clearly this brat who caused trouble first. Not only did he attack me, but he also threatened me. Please punish him severely and then drive him out."
Hearing Long Lingling's complaint, Mrs. Long quickly turned and complained to him as well.
Seeing Master Long appear, Li Yang released the woman. He watched as Master Long gradually walked over from a distance.
Master Long said sternly, "Mr. Li Yang is my savior and a distinguished guest I invited. No one is allowed to disrespect him!"