Ding! A new leek has appeared!
Ding! A new protagonist has entered the stage!
Qin Wen's face twitched as the system's notifications rang out.
"This damn system..."
Ding!
Protagonist Name: Ye Tian
Status: The Dragon King of Huaxia, who endured three years of humiliation as the Xiao family's live-in son-in-law. Now that the three-year period has ended, he has chosen to rise once more, vowing to reclaim his lost glory.
Luck Value: 8000
Yuyue Bieyuan.
This was the Xiao family's grand villa, one of the largest estates in Tianhai City. The sprawling mansion exuded luxury, its halls filled with the echoes of celebration and the soft clinking of wine glasses.
In the center of the lavishly decorated hall, an elderly woman in a crimson robe sat upon a grand, high-backed chair. Her face, though lined with age, still radiated an unshakable authority, making even the boldest guests hold their breath in her presence.
"Grandmother," a well-dressed, handsome young man stepped forward, presenting a delicately carved box. "I brought this thousand-year-old snow lotus from Litang, the world's highest city. I hope you find it worthy."
This was Xiao Mingxuan, the young master of the Xiao family.
Seeing this, the other guests urged their children to step forward, each presenting their own carefully selected gifts, eager to win the old matriarch's favor.
Mrs. Xiao's stern expression softened slightly as she accepted each offering, though she still muttered, "You children needn't trouble yourselves. An old woman like me has no need for such luxuries."
Yet, despite her words, she accepted each gift without hesitation, a glimmer of satisfaction in her eyes.
In a shadowed corner of the room, a seemingly ordinary young man watched the scene unfold, his expression unreadable.
Why stand in the corner?
Because only from the shadows can one make a truly grand entrance.
This man was Ye Tian, the Xiao family's infamous live-in son-in-law. Just a day earlier, the mysterious seal that had bound his power for three long years had finally shattered. Now, he intended to use this very birthday banquet to stage his magnificent comeback.
Suddenly, a mocking voice rang out.
"Hey, Ye Tian, aren't you the son-in-law of Miss Xiao? Did you bring anything for Grandma?"
It was Xiao Mingxuan, his voice dripping with condescension as he stared at Ye Tian with a smug grin.
"Oh, here we go," Ye Tian muttered, his lips curling into a faint, knowing smile. His legs were starting to cramp from standing in the corner for so long.
"Yes, my dear brother-in-law," another voice chimed in, this time from Xiao Min, a sharp-tongued woman standing nearby. "What did you bring for Grandma? Or did you come empty-handed, as usual?"
The crowd around them chuckled, their laughter blending into a chorus of thinly veiled scorn.
Ye Tian's eyes narrowed, his fists clenching slightly.
Seeing that Ye Tian remained silent, Mrs. Xiao's expression darkened.
Ye Tian had been married to her granddaughter, Xiao Qingwu, for three years—a union arranged by the late Mr. Xiao. But in all that time, he had accomplished nothing, becoming a source of shame for the proud Xiao family.
After Mr. Xiao's passing, Xiao Qingwu and her family had been pushed out of the main Xiao residence, though her impressive business acumen had allowed her to rise as the sole president of the Xiao Group.
Now, Mrs. Xiao's sharp eyes fixed on Ye Tian.
"Well, son-in-law, what have you brought me?" she asked coldly, her tone carrying the weight of a queen's command.
Ye Tian met her gaze, his expression calm but his heart simmering with long-suppressed anger.
"I'm sorry," he said slowly, his voice cutting through the murmurs of the crowd. "But you don't deserve it."
The room fell deathly silent.
Mrs. Xiao's face turned an alarming shade of red, her hands trembling with rage.
"You insolent brat!" she spat, her voice quaking with fury.
Slap!
A sharp sound echoed through the hall as Xiao Min's hand struck Ye Tian's face, leaving a fresh, red imprint.
"You worthless piece of trash!" she snarled. "How dare you insult Grandma like this after three years of living off our family's charity?!"
Ye Tian slowly raised a hand to his cheek, the corner of his mouth twisting into a dark smile.
"Hmph. The Xiao family? Why should I care about the likes of you?" he said with a dismissive sneer.
Slap!
Xiao Min's hand whipped out again, striking him a second time.
"Even a dog knows gratitude," she seethed, her eyes blazing. "How could someone as ungrateful as you have the nerve to stand here?!"
Ye Tian's eyes glinted dangerously as he slowly turned his head back to face her.
"It's been a long time since anyone dared to slap me," he said, his voice a low, menacing rumble.
Slap!
Her hand came down a third time, the crisp sound echoing off the marble walls.
The crowd watched in stunned silence, their mocking grins frozen in place.
"Enough!" Xiao Mingxuan stepped forward, his own eyes narrowing as he clapped his hands. "If you can't offer a proper gift, then perhaps you'd prefer to leave your legs here as compensation!"
Before Ye Tian could respond, the grand doors of the hall suddenly burst open.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Heavy footsteps echoed through the hall as an elderly man in a finely tailored tunic entered, flanked by a dozen bodyguards in dark suits and sunglasses.
The old man marched directly to Ye Tian, then dropped to his knees with a loud thud.
"Young Master," he declared, his voice steady and respectful, "I beg your forgiveness for arriving late."
Behind him, the bodyguards mirrored his gesture, their synchronized bows creating a shockwave of tension that swept through the room.
Ye Tian's lips curled into a satisfied grin.
Finally.
The real show had just begun.