{Chapter: 141 Mei Family's Banquet! Mei Yuxian!}
Hearing Meng Yuelan's sudden exclamation, Lin Yuan responded casually, "Okay."
His voice was calm, but the simple agreement was enough to shock his parents, who were lounging on the sofa watching television. Both of them turned their heads almost simultaneously, exchanging surprised glances.
"Huh? Did Yuan'er just agree to attend the Mei family's banquet?" Meng Yuelan's eyebrows shot up in disbelief. "Isn't he the one who hates these kinds of social gatherings the most?"
Lin Jianjun, who had just taken a sip of tea, nearly choked upon hearing this. He set his cup down and sighed. "I don't know… but maybe he's finally realized the pain of being a bachelor. A young man like him should be out there meeting people, especially considering his status. Banquets like these are perfect opportunities for socializing, and it's not like he gets invited every day."
Meng Yuelan pondered this for a moment before nodding. "That's true… It's a good thing he agreed to go this time. The Mei family's banquet isn't just any gathering—it's an event attended by many prestigious families, and of course, there will be plenty of beautiful young ladies present. Who knows? Maybe this will be the occasion where we find a suitable daughter-in-law for him."
Her tone turned slightly wistful as she continued, "But then again… will anyone take a liking to our Yuan'er? His looks are decent, of course—after all, he inherited my genes." She smirked and gave Lin Jianjun a sidelong glance. "It must be that he inherited his personality from you, which is probably why it's so difficult for him to find a partner."
Lin Jianjun's face twitched. "…."
---
Meanwhile, in his room, Lin Yuan had just stepped inside, closing the door behind him.
He casually pulled out his phone and noticed an unread message from Yu Shanshan.
Yu Shanshan: "About what happened with Qian Qian today, I'm not talking about it anymore. But don't forget about the Mei family's banquet the day after tomorrow! I've already told all the young ladies that I have a handsome cousin. You better look your best, Brother! Make sure you're drop-dead gorgeous before you show up!"
Lin Yuan stared at the message for a moment before clicking his screen off without replying. He wasn't particularly surprised. Throughout the day, he had already heard several people mentioning this so-called Mei Family Banquet—or rather, the Gui Family Banquet—depending on who was speaking.
He had already anticipated this event.
In the novel The Strongest Soldier King in the Flower City, the Mei Family Banquet was a major plot point early in the story, serving as a pivotal moment that set several crucial events in motion. It was also considered one of the early climaxes of the novel.
The Mei family itself was one of the top aristocratic families in Jiangbei, even slightly more influential than the Lin family. This particular banquet was not just any ordinary gathering—it was a grand event where the elites of Jiangbei would assemble, discuss future cooperation, and strengthen ties between powerful families.
But more importantly, this banquet was the setting where the novel's protagonist, Ye Feng, would begin establishing connections with various major forces.
Thanks to his absurdly good luck with women, Ye Feng wouldn't just gain the favor of several beauties during this banquet—he would also win the admiration of influential figures, securing allies that would help him rise to power.
In other words, this event was a critical turning point in the protagonist's journey.
And yet, despite its significance, the name of the banquet itself was misleading.
While most referred to it as the Mei Family Banquet, others called it the Gui Family Banquet.
The true organizer behind this event?
Lin Yuan had never personally met her, but she was far from an unfamiliar name.
Mei Yuxian.
The same Mei Yuxian who was the mother of Gui Qingtong, the high school girl who had previously given him a love letter and even went on a blind date with him.
Many things could be inferred just from the name of the banquet.
But before delving into that, he understand who Mei Yuxian was and why she was such an important figure.
In the original novel, Mei Yuxian was a major heroine, one who left a profound impact on his character.
She wasn't just a wealthy socialite—she was the eldest daughter of the Mei family, a household that had been one of the top-tier aristocratic families in Jiangbei for generations.
Over a decade ago, however, the Mei family was slightly weaker than the Lin family.
But Mei Yuxian herself was one of the most famous women in Jiangbei.
Back then, there was a title known as the Four Great Beauties of Jiangbei, just as there was in the present day. It had almost become a tradition to recognize the four most beautiful women of each era.
However, unlike the current generation, where the four great beauties were evenly matched, Mei Yuxian's beauty was so overwhelming that people placed her on an entirely different level.
In fact, some didn't even count her among the Four Great Beauties of her time—they ranked her above them altogether.
That was just how breathtaking she was.
But beauty alone did not determine a person's fate.
When Mei Yuxian turned eighteen, tragedy struck.
On the very day she became an adult, the Mei family's patriarch—her grandfather—fell gravely ill.
Doctors diagnosed him with a terminal condition, estimating that he had no more than two years left to live.
This revelation threw the Mei family into turmoil.
As one of the family's core pillars, the old man's failing health caused a significant setback in their business operations. Uncertainty loomed over their future.
Amidst all this chaos, the bedridden patriarch made a heartfelt plea:
He wanted to hold his great-grandson before he passed away.
This single wish became the justification for what followed.
To fulfill the old man's supposed dying wish, the Mei family forced Mei Yuxian into marriage—not for love, but for strategic gain.
At that time, the Gui family was more powerful than the Mei family, making them an ideal political partner.
And so, despite being the dream woman of countless men, Mei Yuxian was married off to Gui Zhifan, the son of the Gui family.
Officially, the excuse was that the Mei family's patriarch wished to see a great-grandchild before his passing.
But that was a lie.
Mei Yuxian was not the only option—she had an older brother, and a great-grandson could have been born through him.
She knew this.
She knew she was being used.
The truth was, this marriage was a sacrifice—a calculated decision made to leverage the Gui family's strength and help the Mei family navigate their financial crisis.
At first, Mei Yuxian fought against it.
She refused.
She threatened to take her own life rather than be forced into an unwanted marriage.
But it was all in vain.
Her family played the sentiment card.
Her grandfather cried, begging her to grant him this last wish before his death.
And so, even though she saw through their deception, she gave in.
One year after her forced marriage, she bore a child—a beautiful baby girl named Gui Qingtong.
The Mei family's patriarch, holding his first great-grandchild in his arms, expressed his satisfaction.
The Mei family had survived their hardship.
Their business thrived again.
And the union between the Mei and Gui families strengthened both of their positions.
On the surface, it seemed that everything was moving in a positive direction.
But beneath it all…
An undercurrent of chaos was brewing.
A few months after Gui Qingtong was born, her father—Gui Zhifan—fell seriously ill.
Unable to manage family affairs, he handed over all the power to his wife, Mei Yuxian.
And that… was only the beginning.
On the Mei family's side, perhaps due to Mei Yuxian's immense sacrifice, she was given a portion of the shares in the family group as compensation. It was a small gesture in comparison to what she had given up, but it was enough to grant her some authority within the company.
Originally, Mei Yuxian had shown a strong interest in business and management, but after her forced marriage, she became even more invested. It was as if, after being used as a pawn in the family's grand scheme, she wanted to make sure she at least gained something from the ordeal.
And so, whether it was the affairs of the Gui family or the Mei family, she handled them with exceptional precision and efficiency.
Her natural talent for leadership quickly became apparent.
As time passed, Mei Yuxian's abilities became undeniable. Those in power gradually began to rely on her judgment, trusting her decisions more and more. Little by little, power shifted into her hands.
And then, almost out of nowhere, a sudden realization dawned upon everyone—Mei Yuxian had already taken control of more than half of both families!
It was a staggering feat, accomplished so subtly that hardly anyone noticed until it was too late.
In just a few years, both the Gui family and the Mei family had effectively become Mei Yuxian's domain.
Those who opposed her—whether from the Gui family or the Mei family—were swiftly removed from positions of authority. Dissenters were silenced, stripped of their influence, and cast aside.
Yet, despite her overwhelming success, Mei Yuxian did not erase the Gui family to elevate the Mei family above them. On the contrary, she eliminated more members of her own Mei family—especially those who had once supported sacrificing her for the sake of the family's survival.
From that moment on, both families followed her command without question.
Shortly after Mei Yuxian's complete takeover, her husband, Gui Zhifan, passed away.
She observed the customary mourning period for half a month, appearing to grieve as expected.
However, it wasn't just Gui Zhifan who disappeared. Several prominent members of the Mei family also vanished without a trace.
With no one left to oppose her, Mei Yuxian tightened her grip on power, ruling with an iron fist.
Before long, the Gui family ceased to exist entirely. The only name that remained among the major families of Jiangbei was the Mei family.
But this was no longer the same Mei family of the past.
This was Mei Yuxian's Mei family.
Under her reign, the Mei family rose to become one of the most powerful families in Jiangbei, surpassing even the Lin family.
Her name became legendary.
A woman who, at such a young age, had seized control of a massive corporate empire and brought it to the very peak of power—it was unheard of.
She was a force to be reckoned with.
In the original novel, due to the protagonist's overwhelming plot armor, Mei Yuxian had repeatedly aided Ye Feng. She had used her vast resources and influence to support him, becoming one of his most powerful allies.
She was, in essence, one of Ye Feng's greatest assets.
But this time, things would be different.
Lin Yuan had no intention of letting Ye Feng reap such an opportunity.
No, he planned to take Mei Yuxian for himself.
He wasn't just interested in her power, her wealth, or her brilliant mind.
He also wanted Mei Yuxian herself.
She was a woman who embodied perfection in every aspect—beauty, intelligence, status, and strength.
How could he not be tempted?
He is also a bit greedy of Mei Yuxian.
Not only greedy for Mei Yuxian's power, financial resources, and her brain, but he is also greedy for Mei Yuxian's body.
Of course, Lin Yuan had no interest in women who had already belonged to another man. He had a particular preference—he enjoyed taking what was untouched, what was pure.
And the most intriguing thing about Mei Yuxian was not just her power or influence.
It was the fact that, despite everything…
She was still a virgin.
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Guess who's back? Back again, reading two chapters a day like a before!