"Hoo!"
The assembled crowd, initially stunned by Ye Fei's words, were now utterly shocked as Ye Fei actually produced "evidence"!
At that instant, everyone was dumbfounded!
*Swish, swish! Swish, swish!*
Subsequently, everyone's gaze fell upon Young Master Xiang, who was not far away!
While the crowd were mere onlookers, the situation was entirely different for Young Master Xiang.
As expected, the moment Young Master Xiang saw this, his face instantly turned extremely ugly!
The atmosphere in the entire venue immediately became heavy and oppressive.
"Alright, alright, there seems to be some misunderstanding here. While Ye Fei is indeed Qin Lan's fiancé, that was a childhood engagement arranged by our elders... Let's go inside and talk."
At this moment, Wang Tingting glanced at Young Master Xiang, then shifted her gaze to Qin Lan and Ye Fei.
Finally, she could only brace herself and play the peacemaker.
"Hmph!"
Young Master Xiang let out a cold snort, saying nothing as he directly strode into the banquet hall.
"Sigh!"
Seeing this, Qin Lan looked at Ye Fei, her lips moving as if she wanted to say something.
But, the words at the tip of her tongue ultimately remained unspoken.
At this moment, Qin Lan even felt a pang of regret.
However, it was clearly too late for regrets.
Eventually, the group of people one by one entered the banquet hall.
Upon entering the hall, the guests continued to whisper and murmur amongst themselves.
While they were unsure of what would happen next, one thing was crystal clear in everyone's minds: tonight's banquet was going to be a show!
"Young Master Xiang, I heard someone say you've been learning carving from Master Wang and have already achieved some success. Is that true?"
"Why not display your skills for everyone to see? Let us witness just how amazing Young Master Xiang's carving is."
The atmosphere at the banquet was somewhat somber!
Wang Tingting spoke up again.
Her intention in speaking was to divert the conversation and prevent the awkward, oppressive atmosphere.
"Yes, Master Wang is our foremost carving master in Jiangdong! I've heard Young Master Xiang has received his true teachings. Please show us, show us all!"
"I'm not flattering you, but Young Master Xiang's carving skills, among his peers, dare I say, no one in all of Jiangdong can claim to be second!"
A group of sycophants, sensing the wind, immediately began showering Young Master Xiang with praise.
Young Master Xiang's expression slightly improved upon hearing their flattery.
"Pfft!"
However, at this very moment, a stifled laugh suddenly erupted.
*Swish, swish! Swish, swish!*
As the laugh rang out, everyone immediately turned their heads.
Instantly, they saw that the sound had come from Ye Fei.
*Swish, swish! Swish, swish!*
The slight smile that had just appeared on Young Master Xiang's face vanished, and his expression turned gloomy once more.
"My apologies, my apologies! I just suddenly remembered something funny and couldn't help myself..."
Ye Fei, looking at the glares directed at him, quickly said with a serious expression.
The people present were not fools!
Ye Fei's sudden burst of laughter amidst their fervent praise was clearly mocking them, and they were not about to let it slide!
"Looking at Ye Fei's demeanor, it seems he is also skilled in carving?"
At this moment, Young Master Xiang's expression flickered before he suddenly spoke.
"Uh... I have a slight understanding of it..."
Ye Fei looked at Young Master Xiang and replied humbly.
At this moment, Ye Fei naturally knew what Young Master Xiang was planning.
However, he wasn't afraid!
Moreover, his purpose for attending this banquet was clear: to act as Qin Lan's shield and help drive away certain bothersome flies.
"Is that so? Coincidentally, I also have some research into carving. How about, Brother Ye Fei, we have a friendly spar?"
At this time, Young Master Xiang spoke again.
After he finished speaking, he stared intently at Ye Fei, awaiting his reply.
"No, no..."
Ye Fei repeatedly waved his hands and said.
"What's wrong? Scared? I suppose so. Young Master Xiang is indeed the number one in carving among his peers in Jiangdong!"
"It's understandable for this good-for-nothing to be afraid!"
"Exactly! Exactly! Such a pathetic man, to be considered Qin Lan's fiancé! If it were me, I'd find a mouse hole and crawl into it!"
"In my opinion, only a perfect man like Young Master Xiang, a proud son of heaven, is worthy of Miss Qin Lan..."
The crowd held no good feelings for Ye Fei, primarily because they didn't know him.
However, Young Master Xiang was different.
What was Young Master Xiang's status?
He was the young master of the Xiang family!
And the Xiang family was no trifle; they were the foremost wealthy family in Jiangdong!
Therefore, their fervent flattery at this moment seemed utterly natural!
"Hey, hey, hey! Everyone, please don't say that! I believe Brother Ye Fei is definitely not as worthless as you say!"
"Perhaps, Brother Ye Fei's carving skills are even higher than mine, and he's just being modest!"
Young Master Xiang's gaze fell upon Ye Fei, and he suddenly smiled.
He spoke with feigned magnanimity. Before Ye Fei could respond, he continued, "Brother Ye Fei, seeing everyone's enthusiasm, why don't we have that spar?"
"Agree! Agree!"
Seeing this, the crowd immediately began to egg them on!
It seemed they were all eager to see Ye Fei make a fool of himself!
*Swish, swish! Swish, swish!*
Qin Lan's expression changed instantly upon witnessing this.
She knew that Wang Tingting's casual remark was well-intentioned.
But Qin Lan hadn't anticipated that Young Master Xiang would exploit such a simple comment!
"Alright, alright. Since Young Master Xiang insists on humiliating himself, I can only agree."
At this moment, Ye Fei, seeing the crowd's high spirits, waved his hand and agreed.
"Humiliate himself?"
Ye Fei's statement caused Young Master Xiang's face, which had already been looking grim, to stiffen and darken further.
"My apologies, my apologies, a slip of the tongue, a slip of the tongue... Originally, I didn't want to agree for fear of discouraging your passion for carving, but seeing Young Master Xiang's intent, I have no choice but to accept today. So, I can only offer my humble skills."
Ye Fei looked at Young Master Xiang and spoke innocently.
However, as Ye Fei spoke these words, his heart was filled with a cold sneer.
This Young Master Xiang was hypocritical, speaking of benevolence and righteousness, yet his actions were typical of a hypocrite!
Since this scoundrel so desperately wanted to be proven wrong, Ye Fei would naturally oblige him.
"Heh heh! Brother Ye Fei, you're quite confident!"
Young Master Xiang, seeing Ye Fei's demeanor, was so angered he laughed and said.
"I'm alright, I'm alright. So... let's not waste any more time, shall we start now?"
"However, I don't have any materials. Young Master Xiang will have to prepare them for me."
Ye Fei looked at Young Master Xiang and didn't bother with modesty, speaking directly.
"Ye Fei, can you do it?"
Beside him, Qin Lan's brows furrowed, and she looked at Ye Fei, asking.
She wasn't very clear about Ye Fei's carving skills.
Not only was she unclear about his carving abilities, but she also didn't know much about the events that had transpired in Longhai City previously!
And Qin Bing had only arrived that day, so she hadn't had time to explain these matters to her in detail.
Therefore, seeing Ye Fei agree so readily, Qin Lan felt a moment of hesitation.
"Of course! How can a man not be capable? Besides, others might not know if I am capable, but surely you do?"
Ye Fei looked at Qin Lan with a serious expression, and in front of everyone, he immediately began to flirt.
*Swish, swish!*
Qin Lan's face froze for a moment, then flushed red!
What was this scoundrel thinking?
How could he say such things in front of so many people!
Seeing this, Qin Lan wished she could strangle Ye Fei on the spot!
From afar, Young Master Xiang heard their conversation. His already unpleasant expression turned even more grim!
However, he was a man of deeper schemes. Despite his desire to kill Ye Fei on the spot, he did not show it outwardly.