Since they hadn’t met him in person, the Qin family felt regretful that they couldn't witness things from his perspective.

Meanwhile, Peng Li was still busy trying to persuade them.

“I can’t let that bitch continue to confuse Lang Zhe’s heart. I must ruin her! I’m not from your entertainment circle, so I can’t find any dirt on her, but a girl with such character definitely hides many unspeakable secrets. You should investigate and expose her on stage, just like before. Make that foolish Lu Fei open her eyes! Let her see what kind of person she’s endorsing and why she never listens to my advice!”

Peng Li’s confidence in her plan only left the Qin family speechless.

“Maybe you can’t find any dirt because she doesn’t have any?” Qin Yan softly questioned. “If she dares to stay on this stage, that’s basically proof.”

Qin Rong couldn’t hold back either. “Auntie, have you really never seen her previous performances? It’s clear that your godson is trying to win Sun Man back. Shouldn’t you be stopping him instead? Why do you always look for faults in the woman who’s in the passive position? It’s your precious boy who’s entirely to blame!”

Having witnessed enough of their logic, Qin Rong was truly fed up. How could they be so blindly favoring men?

*Well said, older sister!*

The two girls smirked proudly, but this only made Peng Li’s face turn red with anger.

“I won’t waste my breath with a bunch of ignorant kids! Hou Lan! Just tell me—will you help or not?”

Qin Mother’s expression turned cold. “My child knows better than you.”

These words completely offended Peng Li, who stood up in outrage. Her sudden movement caused her pearl necklace to sway, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.

Just as Peng Li was about to unleash her anger, she caught sight of Qin Mother gazing at her necklace, and a cold smile formed on her lips. “Oh, I see! You’re just upset that you can’t measure up to me in some ways, so you’re deliberately not helping. How petty!”

With that, Peng Li tilted her neck, eager to showcase her pearl necklace from every angle.

In the circle of wealthy ladies in the city, few could rival her in jewelry.

Watching her flaunt it, the Qin family collectively wished she would just stop this terrifying display. They didn’t want to look closely; they feared their imaginations would run wild.

“Auntie, is this necklace all you have to show off?” Qin Zhao asked, genuinely worried that if he looked any longer, his mind would conjure up something bizarre, tainting his thoughts.

Peng Li was momentarily taken aback, feeling a mix of shame and anger at being called out. “How rude of you, you young one! What kind of upbringing did your family give you?”

Before Qin Zhao could retort, Ji Fei chimed in, “Right, Third Brother, you really are rude.”

Qin Zhao immediately shot a glare at Ji Fei, and the other Qin family members turned to her as well.

Peng Li, on the other hand, began to smile, preparing to speak again. But Ji Fei continued, “What are you spouting in front of everyone? Isn’t that just stepping on Auntie’s pride? How inconsiderate to bring up others’ shortcomings!”

Qin Zhao couldn’t hold back a chuckle, but he quickly composed himself, putting on a serious face. “I apologize for my rudeness.”

The smiles on the other Qin family members’ faces were now impossible to hide.

Peng Li seemed to finally grasp the situation: this family viewed her as a clown!

She shot an angry glare at Ji Fei. “Don’t think just because you managed to marry into the Qin family that you’re the true mistress. You’re nothing but a beggar without a dowry, daring to be so rude!”

Many were present to confront her, but the only one she could genuinely challenge was Ji Fei, who seemed to have no family background. To outsiders, she was merely someone dependent on the Qin family, someone who could be easily discarded.

So, Peng Li picked on the soft target.

What she didn’t notice was that the Qin family’s expressions had shifted the moment she first spoke.

Qin Xian abruptly interjected, “Ms. Peng.”

Dropping the term “Auntie” and opting for “Ms.” instead.

His voice was low, filled with icy undertones, making it clear to everyone that he was displeased.

Peng Li was momentarily stunned by his cold tone, staring at the most exemplary heir of the wealthy family with shock.

Just a glance at his intimidating gaze was enough to frighten her.

“Ms. Peng, you have spoken disrespectfully to my wife. You owe her an apology,” Qin Xian said flatly.

This left Peng Li dumbfounded.

*I’m the elder here!*

*I’ve known his mother for many years!*

*How dare he speak to me like this?*

Peng Li’s breath caught in her throat as she turned to Qin Mother, hoping she would discipline her child.

But not just Qin Mother, even the other Qin family members were looking at her with cold expressions, united against her.

Confused, Peng Li exclaimed, “I merely reprimanded an impolite junior! Given the relationship between the Peng and Hou families, do I not have the right?”

“We, as a couple, cherish our beloved daughter-in-law. What right do you have?” Qin Father immediately shot back.

Qin Mother sneered, “What of the Peng family? Go flaunt your authority back home. Feifei is the future mistress of our Qin family!”

Qin Zhao coldly added, “Her status in the Qin family is higher than any of us siblings. Ms. Peng, you seem to have misunderstood your position.”

Qin Yan and Qin Rong nodded angrily in agreement.

Ji Fei was stunned by the sudden turn of events.

What started as a typical argument had escalated dramatically. She was ready to retaliate but hadn’t expected it to unfold like this.

Yet, amidst the chaos, a warm feeling surged within her—a sensation she had never experienced in her past life. It felt like being wrapped in soft cotton warmed by the sun, cozy and fluffy.

With an icy demeanor, Qin Xian looked down at Peng Li, whose expression was one of incredulity. “Ms. Peng, are you not going to apologize?”

Anger surged within Peng Li, and just as she was about to retaliate, she heard Qin Xian coldly say, “It seems the Peng family no longer desires that plot of land.”

His words left Peng Li gasping.

After her divorce, she had been living quite well, which was largely thanks to the Peng family’s support.

Everyone in the circle knew that the Peng family was fighting for a piece of land, and she had certainly heard about it. She understood that the Qin family had the strength to take it away. If they were to lose that land because of her... 

Peng Li immediately panicked. “What are you talking about? The Peng family has longstanding ties with your maternal grandfather’s family! You dare threaten me, an elder? Are you not afraid of your grandparents finding out?”

Qin Xian didn’t argue but instead added, “It seems even the hotel chain project is no longer of interest?”

Peng Li’s pupils constricted, an invisible pressure weighing down on her, making her tremble uncontrollably.

Qin Xian hardly gave her a chance to retort, his face cold, poised to pull out his phone.

Just then, Peng Li blurted out, “I apologize! I apologize!”

There was no time for her to quarrel; she knew she had no choice.

Qin Xian halted his movements, his cold gaze still fixed on her.

Here was a wealthy lady, at her age, nearly suffocated by a junior’s pressure, tears of humiliation brimming in her eyes, yet she could only lower her head and admit her fault.

At that moment, she finally understood that her previous anger towards Qin Mother had been trivial squabbling, just comparison without truly offending her. Had she insulted her like this, she would surely face the same fate.

It seemed she finally grasped that her so-called Peng family was on a completely different level from understated families like the Qin family. The latter had never needed to flaunt their power.

*If I had known... I wouldn’t have come!*

“I’m sorry! I spoke out of turn.” 

Although she bit out the words through clenched teeth, she managed to say it. With that, her anger turned to tears, and without another word, she stormed out, but not before she couldn't resist adding, “Hou Lan, we’re no longer friends!”

Qin Mother shrugged, “As if I cared to be friends with her.” After voicing her thoughts, she turned to Ji Fei, worried that the encounter might have upset her.

But she saw Ji Fei gazing at Qin Xian.

*Wow, I just saw a real domineering president. His way of threatening is absolutely impressive! He gives off such a vibe of being the ruler of the realm! So cool!*

Though she had felt a bit embarrassed, receiving compliments lifted Qin Xian’s spirits. He couldn’t help but straighten his posture, about to speak to Ji Fei when he heard...

*He’s so handsome I can’t help but want to leap over and give him a big kiss!*

Qin Xian froze, his face flushing with heat.

*She wants to kiss me?!*

But the family was all around!

Yet that was just her inner voice. Normally, people think before they act. Maybe she’d act

 on impulse at any moment, but then... I definitely can’t avoid it.

The other Qin family members present widened their eyes in surprise, fearing they might miss a second of the unfolding scene.

What to do? It was so tense; were they about to witness something?

Then they watched as Ji Fei smiled at Qin Xian, and his heart momentarily skipped a beat.

“Thanks!”

Qin Xian: *Huh?*

Ji Fei turned to the others. “Thanks for standing up for me!”

Then, she excitedly gossiped, “If she faces obstacles here, will she try to pull any tricks against Sun Man?”

Everyone: ... Suddenly, they didn’t feel like eating someone else’s melon anymore.

Qin Xian: *So some people only like to think but not act!* 

A few days later, they arrived at the program’s venue for the performance theme announcement.

Just as Ji Fei and her group arrived, the director and producer approached.

When Ji Fei wondered if they were there to warn her to behave, the director smiled and said, “There’s going to be some excitement soon. We’ll draw lots afterward.”

“What?” Pei Mingxuan asked curiously.

“Lu Fei’s son is here, and he’s prepared a surprise to propose to Sun Man,” the producer grinned.

Ji Fei and the others: ...

*...The last person who ignored the girl’s wishes and tried to propose... what a precise pitfall for a first meeting.*