ARBRMW : Chapter 19

After hanging up the phone, Si Yichen smugly addressed the group. “This is my home, and today is my graduation banquet. Chen Xu has no right to invite anyone here. If you have any complaints, take it up with him.”

His humiliating words, coupled with the disdainful gazes of those around them, caused the students’ faces to flush red. Those who never got along with Chen Xu immediately started cursing, saying that he was always putting on airs and had embarrassed them terribly. They vowed not to let him off easily.

Even those who were on good terms with Chen Xu but were thin-skinned hesitated and said, “If we’re not welcome, we should just leave.”

“Yeah, let’s go. We may not be rich, but we have our dignity. We won’t shamelessly stay here to cling to someone else’s power.”

Si Yichen’s entourage laughed mockingly. “That Chen Xu really thinks he’s someone important, huh? So what if he aced the exams? In the end, Mr. Si only threw a banquet for Chen Shao.”

Just as Ke Xinghao and the others were about to leave in frustration, the lights above suddenly dimmed. A single spotlight shone down on the grand, spiraling staircase.

Two tall, elegant figures were descending.

Si Ye, dressed in a tailored suit, exuded an aura of quiet dominance, his sharp features as striking as a snow-capped peak—cold and untouchable.

Beside him, a young man walked at his side, not one step behind. Their suits were coordinated, and on the youth’s chest was a golden rose brooch—not gaudy, but rather complementing his refined and noble air.

Few people could stand next to Si Ye without being completely overshadowed. Yet, Chen Xu, at his side, not only held his own but seemed to perfectly complement him in presence.

As he walked, his soft black hair swayed slightly, revealing a sapphire earring. The deep blue gem shimmered like a miniature ocean, captivating the eyes of everyone in the room.

As they reached the bottom of the staircase, Si Ye stepped forward slightly, extending his hand. Without hesitation, he clasped Chen Xu’s hand, leading him gracefully into the center of the crowd.

At that moment, the banquet hall’s lights brightened again. For a brief second, there was absolute silence.

Then, the room erupted with chatter.

Guests exchanged glances, whispering amongst themselves as they tried to determine the identity of the young man. Some sharp-eyed attendees immediately recognized the sapphire earring—it was the same pair that Si Ye had spent over six million yuan on at the auction.

So the earrings were for this boy!

Si Ye’s speech was succinct. His tone was calm yet full of significance. “Welcome, everyone, to Xiao Xu’s graduation banquet. I am honored that he has achieved the highest score in the national exams, and I am incredibly proud of him.”

At this point, he turned to look at Chen Xu, his lips curling into a subtle smile.

Under his gaze, Chen Xu’s heart skipped a beat.

Si Ye had barely brushed his words across Chen Xu’s heartstrings before turning back to continue. “Tonight is mainly to express our gratitude to the teachers who guided Xiao Xu. I hope you all have a wonderful evening.”

Then, in a display of generosity, Si Ye announced his donation to Chen Xu’s alma mater—two new buildings and additional teaching equipment. The principal was so overjoyed he could barely close his mouth.

Stepping forward, the principal expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Si Ye. He then turned to Chen Xu and showered him with praise, speaking of his achievements with boundless admiration.

Si Ye, clearly pleased, decided to add another gift on the spot—over a hundred new computers for the school.

At this point, the principal felt as if he were floating, walking on clouds. His gaze toward Chen Xu was filled with the reverence one would have for a deity of fortune.

In the end, he shook Chen Xu’s hand with visible emotion. “Chen Xu, having you as a student is the greatest honor of our school.”

Chen Xu’s teachers and classmates surrounded him, offering their congratulations and engaging him in conversation. He found himself so occupied that he couldn’t find a moment to speak with Si Ye.

Looking for him in the crowd, Chen Xu finally caught sight of Si Ye standing at a slight distance. Si Ye was watching him quietly, his lips moving as he mouthed, Go enjoy yourself.

Under the warm glow of the chandeliers, Si Ye’s refined features, his composed demeanor, and the unmistakable gentleness in his eyes made Chen Xu’s heart pound uncontrollably.

But before Chen Xu could move, Si Ye was quickly surrounded.

“Congratulations, Mr. Si! Young Master Xu is incredibly talented.”

“Yes, indeed! Unlike my useless son—he barely scraped together 400 points, and now I have to pull strings just to get him into a university.”

At first, they had only meant to flatter Chen Xu as a test of Si Ye’s attitude. But to their surprise, instead of displaying his usual indifference toward such bootlicking, Si Ye seemed genuinely pleased.

There was even a glint of amusement in his eyes, as if he wanted to hear more.

The realization dawned on them immediately.

Flattering Chen Xu… was equivalent to flattering Si Ye.

And so, the praises continued.

Si Yichen, who had been watching from the sidelines, clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

At that moment, everyone present understood—the Si family was about to change.

Si Yichen was no longer the favored heir.

The one now basking in Si Ye’s attention was Chen Xu, a name most of them had never even heard before. Even when Si Yichen was at his peak, Si Ye had never pampered him to this extent.

It was clear—Chen Xu was different.

“Ch-Chen Shao… are you okay?”

Si Yichen’s friends had never imagined he would make such a colossal mistake.

He had proudly invited everyone to his graduation banquet, even ridiculing Chen Xu’s classmates… only to find out that the banquet wasn’t for him at all.

It was for Chen Xu—the very person he had looked down on.

Si Yichen’s face was ashen, his blood running cold.

How could this be happening?

This banquet was supposed to be for him, not Chen Xu.

It was impossible.

He was the rightful heir. His grandmother had promised him—as long as she was around, no one would take his place.

But everything Si Ye had done tonight was a blatant slap in the face.

Anger. Fear. Helplessness.

A storm of emotions surged inside Si Yichen.

He hated Chen Xu.

Everything was supposed to be his.

His father’s favor, the envy of others, the Si family’s inheritance—they all belonged to him.

And yet, Chen Xu had stolen it all.

No.

He had to get rid of him.

If Chen Xu disappeared, everything would go back to how it was.

Si Yichen, blinded by rage, charged straight at Chen Xu.

“Chen Xu, YOU BASTARD! WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT TO STEAL FROM ME?!”

No one had expected Si Yichen to snap like this.

The girls around Chen Xu shrieked in terror as Si Yichen lunged forward.

His eyes were bloodshot, his face twisted with hatred.

All he could think about was eliminating Chen Xu.

Chen Xu barely had time to react before Si Yichen grabbed him by the throat and shoved him backward.

His lower back slammed into the edge of a table, knocking the wind out of him.

Glass shattered.

A vase crashed to the ground, spilling water and white roses everywhere.

Pinned against the table, Chen Xu was trapped.

Si Yichen’s grip tightened around his throat. His face was contorted, his skin flushed red with fury.

He looked like a demon from hell, determined to drag Chen Xu down with him.

He expected to see fear in Chen Xu’s eyes.

He expected him to panic, to struggle like a cornered rat.

But Chen Xu…

He wasn’t afraid.

His expression remained calm, his dark eyes locked onto Si Yichen’s with an icy detachment.

And then, to Si Yichen’s horror—he smiled.

That was the moment Si Yichen completely lost it.

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