On the other hand, Shen Yi’s eyes were filled with disdain and contempt. Especially when he saw how affectionately Yao Qin was holding Xiao Shun’s arm as they walked in, his heart was filled with hatred. He couldn’t understand why a beauty like Yao Qin would willingly marry such a useless man.


    This kind of mentality was somewhat twisted and might be difficult for others to understand. It was like someone who shared the winning lottery numbers for the next draw with someone else but missed the chance to buy the ticket themselves, only to find out they could have won five million. The jealousy reached its peak.


    At such gatherings, people usually drank, chatted, and yed games. Xiao Shun had always been unustomed to this kind of environment, and most of the time, he was an outsider, appearing out of ce.


    He sat quietly with a ss of wine, listening to the others without making a sound. Everyone was chatting on and off when the conversation turned to the matter of the Sikong family disappearing overnight from Stillwater.


    “Life is so unpredictable. The Sikong family just uprooted their entire business and left without any prior warning. It’s so strange.”


    “They must have offended some big shot.”


    Song Pengju took a sip of wine and subconsciously nced at Xiao Shun. Although he wasn’t sure if it had anything to do with Xiao Shun, he inferred from the limited information and the orders given by the Song family that it was highly likely.From N?velDrama.Org.


    “Are you kidding? Is there anyone in Stillwater capable of doing that to the Sikong family? Even if there were, both sides would suffer if they actually fought. How could the Sikong family retreat so disgracefully? Their family head evenmitted suicide by hanging himself. It’s tragic.”


    “I heard that they offended a Mr. Xiao, who then forced them to leave Stillwater.”


    Ouyang Qianqian’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Xiao Shun and half-jokingly, half-seriously said, “That Mr. Xiao wouldn’t happen to be you, would it? Mr. Xiao?”


    Upon hearing this, several teasing gazes fell on him. Most of them did not have any malicious intention and treated it as a harmless joke. However, to their surprise, Xiao Shun smiled faintly and responded seriously, “Yes, it’s me.”


    With that, a burst ofughter erupted.


    Shen Yi, in particr,ughed the most unrestrainedly, as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world. He mocked, “You, a son-inw who married into the family and don’t even have a proper job, a big shot? Don’t make meugh.”


    At his words, the expressions of everyone present became quite strange.


    Mo Yibai, Ouyang Qianqian, Song Pengju, and even Sun Chuan looked at him like he was an idiot. Those who didn’t know the real situation now had more ridicule in their originally harmless teasing.


    “I didn’t expect Mr. Xiao to be so humorous when he speaks.”


    “From now on, we’ll have to rely on Mr. Xiao in Stillwater.”


    Xiao Shun still maintained a calm andposed demeanor, lifting his wine ss and uttering two words, “You tter me.”


    Unable to help herself, Yao Qin secretly pinched him and gave the others aplicated smile.


    The atmosphere suddenly became a bit awkward.


    Mo Yibai quickly stood up and pped her hands, saying, “Today is my birthday. How about we dance? Anyone who knows how to dance, join me!”


    “Miss Mo, a superstar like you dancing just for us? What a rare opportunity!” someoneplimented.


    “Yibai, I remember your birthday wasn’t today in previous years?” a girl who was close to her asked.


    “I’m celebrating it in advance this year. I might not be in Stillwater in a few days, so we wouldn’t be able to gather up,” Mo Yibai replied with a slightly unnatural smile.


    “Are you going somewhere else to perform?”


    “Something like that.”


    Mo Yibai turned on the music system, which yed one of her songs. She picked up the hem of her skirt and performed a curtsy before dancing gracefully to the music. Two other girls joined her as backup dancers.


    The atmosphere became lively with cheers and apuse echoing through the room. After the dance finished, the doorbell suddenly rang.


    “Dong Shao, howe you’re here?”


    Mo Yibai opened the door to find a young man with a delicate appearance standing outside. It was Dong Zimin, her boss’s son. He had long, flowing hair, a fairplexion, and wore a fashionable suit jacket, tight pants, and pointed leather shoes. Beside him were two beautiful girls and Li Shangzhi. Mo Yibai frowned slightly when she saw Li Shangzhi.


    “Miss Mo is hosting a birthday party without inviting me. You really don’t consider me a friend,” Li Shangzhi said with a sinister smile.


    Mo Yibai was momentarily torn. She knew Li Shangzhi had ill intentions but couldn’t refuse Dong Zimin.


    “Well, aren’t you going to invite us in?” Dong Zimin asked with a forced smile.


    “Of course! Pleasee in,” Mo Yibai replied with a strained smile.


    The group strutted into the vi. Upon seeing Dong Zimin and Li Shangzhi, everyone but Xiao Shun and Yao Qin involuntarily stood up and exchanged nces.


    “Shangzhi, howe you’re here?” Sun Chuan eagerly greeted Li Shangzhi.


    Li Shangzhi nced at him but ignored him, making Sun Chuan feel awkward.


    Ignoring Xiao Shun and the others, Dong Zimin looked around before announcing, “Miss Mo, I’m here to inform you that your contract with thepany is terminated, effective immediately. Thepany will be reiming this house and the car provided to you. Please move out right away.”


    His words immediately stirred whispers among the guests.


    “Who is this guy?” Shen Yi, who had just returned from out of town and was unfamiliar with Stillwater’s affairs, asked quietly.


    “His father owns a mediapany, and he is Dong Shaoyuan’s son.”


    “Is he that influential?” Shen Yi continued to ask.


    “Don’t talk nonsense. All I can say is that we can’t afford to provoke him.”


    Mentioning the name Dong Shaoyuan might not ring a bell for most Stillwater residents, but the name of his friend, Zhuang Jin, would undoubtedly strike fear into their hearts.


    If the four major families controlled the legal businesses in Stillwater, then Zhuang Jin was undoubtedly the underground emperor of Stillwater. Especially during the recent period when the Zheng and Song families were at each other’s throats, and Stillwater was in chaos, the underground forces in the city had just undergone a reshuffling. Zhuang Jin had firmly secured the top position.


    Zhuang Jin had no sons, and Dong Zimin, as Zhuang Jin’s godson, was regarded by him as his own flesh and blood, essentially making him something like a crown prince.


    Upon hearing Dong Zimin’s words, Mo Yibai’s face changed slightly. She should have anticipated such an day. From the day after she had rejected Li Shangzhi, she had sensed something was off when she went to thepany.


    “You wretch, just how dare you to toy with me. Now you know the consequences of offending me, don’t you?” Li Shangzhi approached her with a malicious grin, “It’s not toote to regret it now. Stay with me for a month, and I’ll ask Master Dong to let you go. You can continue living in this mansion, driving luxury cars, and enjoying your superstar life. What do you think?”