Chapter 19: The Eve of the Clan Competition

The next day, as the warm sunlight slowly spread over the earth, the atmosphere in the Du family became somewhat lively.

Of course, this liveliness was also tinged with a bit of anxiety and peculiarity, for no other reason than that this annual grand event would determine the fate of many people for the coming year, or even their entire lives.

This day was of utmost importance to the Du family! Whether it was the elders or the younger generation, no one dared to take it lightly.

The venue for the clan meeting was the square in front of the main hall of the Du family. At this moment, a huge arena had been set up on the square, and in front of the arena was the VIP seating area. Many people were already seated in the VIP area.

In addition to the high-ranking members of the Du family, there were many others in the VIP area, exchanging pleasantries. These people all had some status in Buecheng and had some connections with the Du family. Even the Lian and Gongsun families, the other two major forces, despite their behind-the-scenes machinations, maintained a friendly facade, so the people from the Lian and Gongsun families were also smiling in the VIP area.

Regardless of their intentions, everyone was extremely interested in the Du family's annual grand event.

Xiao Ai and Du Fei stood at the edge of the square. Du Fei squinted and looked towards the VIP area, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

He had attended similar grand events before, but standing so far away for the first time made him feel a sense of change.

"Lian Zhen is here too!" After scanning the area for a moment, Du Fei suddenly sneered and said coolly.

Hearing this, Xiao Ai's gaze also swept over and landed on Lian Zhen, who was smiling in the VIP area. She gritted her teeth and said, "This guy is really shameless, daring to show his face at the Du family!"

"This is normal," Du Fei's mood calmed down after taking a deep breath, and he said indifferently, "Lian Zhen is the top person of the Lian family's current generation. If nothing unexpected happens, he will be the next family head. Why would it be strange for him to be here?"

"Hmph!" Xiao Ai huffed, clearly still harboring resentment over the incident.

Du Fei didn't say much more, but his gaze continued to scan the VIP area. After a moment, his attention focused on a woman in red.

The woman was about twenty years old, with a beautiful face and a curvaceous figure. She was wearing a fiery red short skirt that exposed her long, fair legs. Many eyes in the nearby VIP area seemed to land on her legs with a lack of respect, but if her gaze swept over them, those people would quickly avert their eyes.

Sitting next to her was none other than Du Han, the top person among the younger generation of the Du family.

The woman seemed very interested in Du Han, always smiling, but Du Han seemed indifferent, only responding to her half-heartedly.

"Who is this woman?" After a moment, Du Fei asked indifferently.

Xiao Ai's gaze also swept over, and she said with a hint of displeasure, "This woman is Gongsun Hong from the Gongsun family. She is said to be a very talented person. It's rumored that she has a keen interest in Young Master Du Han, and there are signs of a potential marriage alliance between the two families, but it's not certain yet."

"Gongsun family, Gongsun Hong." Du Fei nodded slightly.

"What? Are you interested in her, Young Master? I heard she really likes younger men. If you're interested, you should perform well today; you might still have a chance to win her favor!" Xiao Ai took a deep breath and said coldly.

Du Fei was taken aback and couldn't help but shake his head and smile bitterly. "Do you think I'm interested in such things now? I have too much to do... too much..."

Hearing this, Xiao Ai's face darkened instantly, as if she wanted to say something but ultimately didn't.

Instead, Du Fei reached out and rubbed her head, smiling. "Alright, let's go in. I'm sure many people are waiting to see our embarrassment today... We can't disappoint them too much!"

With that, Du Fei pulled Xiao Ai and slowly walked towards the VIP area.

In the Du family, internal disciples were also allowed to sit in the VIP area. As for Xiao Ai, due to her relationship with the Great Elder Du Zhen Shan, her status was quite special, and no one would say anything if she went to the VIP area.

In the middle of the VIP area, a few young people were chatting in low voices. However, one of them suddenly frowned, and his smile vanished.

The others also followed his gaze and then all wore somewhat mocking expressions.

"Isn't this Cousin Du Fei? It's been a long time!" The one who spoke was Du Qing, who casually took a few steps forward, blocking Du Fei's path.

Du Fei's steps paused slightly, and his expression remained calm. "It's Young Master Du Qing... I can't bear the title of cousin! Excuse me!"

With that, Du Fei made a gesture as if to say, "A good dog doesn't block the way."

"Ha ha." Du Qing's expression didn't change. "You probably shouldn't go to the back seats!"

Du Fei smiled. "Is there a problem?"

Seeing Du Fei's expression, Du Qing seemed to deliberate for a moment before sneering. "The back seats are reserved for internal disciples of the Du family... You, on the other hand, shouldn't go there and embarrass yourself!"

"Oh? Is there something wrong with Young Master Du Qing's head? If I remember correctly, the family head has already said that I am an internal disciple, hasn't he?" Du Fei said calmly.

"Even if you are now, you might not be later!" Du Qing smirked, his expression strange.

Du Fei chuckled but only shook his head, saying nothing more. He then pulled Xiao Ai past him and found a seat to sit down.

"You can only be arrogant for a little while longer! After the clan competition, even that old ghost won't be able to protect you!" Du Qing's face twitched with anger but he didn't act, only sneering inwardly.

"That guy was so polite before, why is he so annoying now?"

Xiao Ai sat down next to Du Fei, slightly dissatisfied.

"Whose fault is this?" Du Fei glanced at Xiao Ai and smiled.

Hearing this, Xiao Ai's face changed, and she whispered, "It's my fault..."

"Alright, alright!" Du Fei laughed. "Even without you, my life wouldn't be easy. Don't think too much about it."

As they were talking, there was a slight commotion from the direction of the main hall. Soon, people quickly moved aside, and a group of people walked briskly towards the VIP area.

At the head of the group was the Du family head, Du Zhen Tian, followed by the Great Elder Du Zhen Shan, the Second Elder Du Zhen Xuan, and the Third Elder Du Zhen Feng. The few middle-aged men who followed them were unfamiliar to Du Fei.

However, after a moment, Du Fei was slightly surprised to see Du Qian, whom he had met at the Martial Arts Pavilion, in the group. Today, although she wasn't holding a scroll as before, her expression was as calm as ever, as if the grand event of the Du family had no effect on her.

Under Du Zhen Tian's lead, the appearance of these high-ranking members of the Du family quieted the somewhat chaotic VIP area.

Du Zhen Tian casually greeted the guests around him and then sat down in the central seat. The other three elders also took their seats in order.

"Are you the fourth son's son, Du Fei?"

Seemingly noticing Du Fei's gaze, a middle-aged man who was following Du Zhen Tian hesitated for a moment before walking over with a smile.

Seeing the middle-aged man take the initiative to greet him, Du Fei quickly stood up and, after a moment's hesitation, said uncertainly, "Uncle!"

"Ha ha, good boy, we've only met once, and I didn't expect you to remember me." The middle-aged man smiled, somewhat pleased.

Hearing this, Du Fei finally remembered. This man was called Du Xuan Feng, who was a cousin to his father. Although their blood ties were distant, his father treated him like a real elder brother.

In other words, this man was his uncle. When they were in that small town, this uncle had visited once. Although Du Fei was young at the time and didn't understand what happened, he remembered that this uncle had been very kind to him.

"It's my fault for not knowing proper etiquette. I've been in the Du family for so many days and haven't visited you." Taking a deep breath, Du Fei said respectfully.

"Ha ha, the clan competition is coming up, and you've been busy practicing. I understand." Du Xuan Feng patted Du Fei's shoulder and then his gaze fell on Xiao Ai, saying with a hint of curiosity, "This must be Xiao Ai, who has become quite famous in our Du family recently. Ha ha, it's better to see you in person!"

"Me... met..." Xiao Ai hesitated.

"Ha ha, it's fine. Just call me Uncle, like Fei. We met when you were young, ha ha..." As he spoke, Du Xuan Feng waved to someone behind him and said, "Qian'er, come and meet your cousin Du Fei."

At his words, the girl who had been sitting in the chair with a cold expression hesitated for a moment before slowly walking over and said indifferently, "Met you, Cousin Du Fei."

Seeing the girl, Du Fei's face twitched slightly. After a moment, he suddenly remembered something. No wonder the name Du Qian was so familiar to him!