Chapter Six: The Luxurious Wedding Dress

At this moment, Fatty and Fang Nian had already returned to their battered QQ car. Staring at the pile of gleaming “silver” before them, they exchanged a glance that nearly drew tears of joy.

“This hunting ground business is damn lucrative! I’ve been hustling in the Black Triangle for years and never made this much in one go. Today’s really opened my eyes.”

Fang Nian, hardly able to contain himself, was on the verge of cursing from excitement. Since his parents died, life had never been easy, and this thousand Hope coins was nearly what he and his grandfather needed for a whole year’s expenses.

“By the way, Old Fang, when I saw you out there, you looked dead as a doornail. How’d you come back to life again?”

Recalling the scene, Fang Nian felt a lingering fear, but since they’d cleared the stage, he put on a brave face before Fatty.

“Fatty, sometimes what you see isn’t the whole truth. That ‘Buried Alive’ theme was truly mysterious, let me tell you…”

But before he could continue, his stomach growled noisily. Having just survived a fierce battle, hunger was quick to make itself known.

“How about… we eat first?”

Fatty was startled, then hunger swept over him as well, and he nodded without hesitation. Never before had he agreed with Fang Nian so readily.

“Old Fang, let’s treat ourselves this time. I say we try that Yueteng Grand Hotel over there.”

Fang Nian smiled and waved his hand.

“Hey, just because we’ve got money doesn’t mean we should squander it. Come on, I’ll take you somewhere better. It’s a top pick from Beauty Group’s recommendations.”

…………

The Xia family estate was located in the northern suburbs—a semi-mountain villa sprawling over two thousand square meters. At this hour, a family banquet was underway in the reception hall.

At precisely 7:15, the dining table beneath the suspended ceiling was already full. At the head sat an elderly man with graying temples—the family patriarch, Xia Hong. Flanking him were his eldest son Xia Junliang, second son Xia Junyi, third son Xia Junhui, and fourth daughter Xia Junhui.

The remaining seats were filled by the younger generation of the family, all elegantly dressed, lounging as they fiddled with their phones and boasted about their lives.

When everyone had arrived, Xia Junyi looked to Xia Hong for approval, then rose with a troubled expression. He signaled the butler, who brought forth a gift box and placed it on the table. Inside was a snow-white wedding dress, encrusted with countless diamonds, sparkling regally under the chandelier’s light.

Raising his glass, Xia Junyi spoke gravely.

“Thank you all for taking the time to attend tonight’s family banquet. I, Xia Junyi, offer my gratitude here and now.”

With that, he tossed back a full glass of liquor in a single gulp, not a drop wasted.

Yet, despite his forthrightness, the others at the table seemed unimpressed. Their expressions were cold and indifferent, as if none of this concerned them. The atmosphere grew stifling, awkward enough to suffocate.

“All right, enough with the cold shoulders.”

Xia Hong struck his cane twice on the floor, voice brimming with anger.

“The situation is what it is, but what kind of attitude are you all showing? Are you saying our family's current predicament has nothing to do with any of you? If any of the younger generation could shoulder the burden, Junyi wouldn’t be in this position.”

Chastened by the patriarch’s ire, those who’d been so arrogant moments before bowed their heads in silence. Xia Hong’s clouded eyes revealed a trace of helplessness as he sighed, his tone softening.

“This wedding dress was just delivered by that boy Xu Lang. You all know what it means and who he’s working for. Our family’s foundation remains, but we are no match for the Xu and Jin families. In this cutthroat Sixteenth District, the only one capable of keeping the Xia Hunting Grounds running is Xia Moyan.”

Hearing this, both the middle-aged and younger family members flushed with shame. It was true—the Xia family was no longer what it once was. Under the combined suppression of the Xu and Jin families, their once-vibrant household was teetering on the edge of collapse.

Xia Junyi’s daughter, Xia Moyan, was unlike the usual daughters of great clans. She had a remarkable talent for running the hunting grounds and almost single-handedly supported most of the family’s business.

But the Xu and Jin families, seeking to bring down their final obstacle, had played their trump card—luring in the mighty Chang family from Huaxia. They intended to use marriage to send Xia Moyan to the Chang family, thus erasing the Xia family from the Sixteenth District.

Everyone in the Xia family understood: if Moyan truly married into the Chang family, it might seem like a prestigious union, but it would spell the family’s doom. Decades of hard work would be lost, and they’d become mere vassals of the Chang clan.

Yet, refusing meant opposing not only the Xu and Jin families, whom they could barely withstand, but also offending the Changs—an even graver consequence.

Xia Junliang, the eldest son, was timid by nature. Though loath to sacrifice his beautiful, kind niece for the family’s survival, he ultimately rose, speaking in earnest.

“Father, second brother, I understand how you feel. I hate to send Moyan away just to buy us a few decades of peace. But what choice do we have? Are we really to marry Moyan off to that old war buddy’s grandson to run a grocery shop?”

At this, the third son, Xia Junhui, knocked on the table and added,

“He’s right, Dad. We shouldn’t risk the entire Xia family over a promise made in your youth. Besides, marrying Moyan into the Chang family might not be a bad thing.”

The fourth daughter, Xia Junhui, chimed in,

“Exactly, Father. I’ve heard that Chang Jun is one of the most outstanding young men in their family. If Yan marries him, it could be a blessing. If they get along, perhaps that might even strengthen our Xia family.”

“Yes, Grandpa, let Second Sister marry into the Chang family.”

“Agreed, Grandpa. At least Chang Jun is better than that penniless nobody named Fang.”

With everyone voicing their agreement, the atmosphere grew lively and, surprisingly, unified.

But suddenly, Xia Moyu, who had been silent until now, stood up and shouted in anger,

“That’s enough! Do any of you have any shame left? Sitting here, discussing how to sell my sister for your own prosperity—do you even count as human?”

Xia Junhui’s temper flared at his outburst.

“Moyu, is that how you speak to your uncles and aunt? Your grandfather’s here, and your father’s said nothing. Who are you to get so worked up?”

“So what if I am? I’ll say this now: from today onward, if anyone tries to lay a hand on my sister, I, Xia Moyu, will stop at nothing to make you pay.”

With that, he flung his bowl and chopsticks to the floor and stormed out.

“Moyu!”

“You little brat, what’s got you so arrogant? If you have the nerve—”

“Enough! All of you, be quiet.”

Xia Hong could no longer contain himself, his voice booming with fury.

He knew better than anyone the dire straits his family was in. Xia Moyan was his beloved granddaughter—how could he bear to send her away? But…

“That’s enough. No amount of discussion here will change anything. It must be Moyan’s decision. We’ll wait for her to return and hear what she has to say.”

At this, the others had no choice but to fall silent. Just as everyone was about to begin eating, the butler entered and whispered something in Xia Hong’s ear. Xia Hong’s body trembled, his expression growing complicated.

“So, it’s come at last.”