"I'm not willing!"
As soon as the host's voice faded, Wei Ziqi suddenly sprang up from his chair and shouted at the top of his lungs.
Everyone's attention was instantly drawn, and all eyes in the venue were fixed on the three kids.
Wei Ziqi took Miao Miao's hand and slowly walked up to the stage. While the host was still in a daze, he snatched the microphone from the host, tested the sound a couple of times to ensure that his next words could reach every guest in the hall.
"I wonder if the bride's father, mother, and grandfather have ever met the girl beside me. It doesn't matter if you don't recognize her. Let me introduce her again. Her name is Lin Miao Miao, the daughter of Lin Yao from the Lin family in Nancheng. As for why I brought her up on stage, it's because of this recording."
Wei Ziqi took out his phone, opened a file on it, and held it up to the microphone.
"My useless nephew is head - over - heels in love with your precious daughter. This kid has been stubborn and ambitious since childhood. He never asks for anything from the family or needs any help. A while ago, he knelt at home and refused to get up. He insisted that I come and propose marriage, saying that he would marry no one but your daughter. Although I have three nephews, before I had a daughter, I raised these three kids myself. So I care deeply about them. This is the only thing this kid has ever asked of the family. As his uncle, I must do my best to help him achieve it. Your daughter and my nephew are in love with each other, and they've been dating for quite a while. So this time, I've come specifically to discuss the wedding with you. What do you think?"
Lin Yao's voice slowly came through the microphone, followed by the voice of the grandfather of the Tao family.
"Ah, you know, we businessmen are extremely busy. And our family's business is mainly in the imperial capital. If our daughter marries far away, we, as her family, may not see her for a year or more. I had my daughter late in life, and I've doted on her all the time. Suddenly letting her marry so far away, it's not just a matter of worry. We'll miss her. It'll be so hard not seeing her."
"That's not a problem. I know your family is in the furniture business. I happen to have a few empty lots and a shopping mall. I can give them to your daughter as a betrothal gift. With business connections, you'll surely have to travel back and forth. Whenever you miss your daughter, just go on a business trip. It's like a relaxing trip. You won't miss out on anything."
"That's a great idea. Let's discuss it in detail?"
"Sure..."
The rest of the recording was the Tao family's parents and Lin Yao discussing business cooperation and wedding details. From the recording, it was clear that the wedding was already decided. Although the guests didn't recognize Lin Yao's voice, almost everyone could recognize the voice of the bride's father. So there was no doubt that the voice belonged to Lin Yao from Nancheng.
Halfway through the recording, Lu Huai, the groom, looked increasingly grim. The Tao grandfather had been trembling with anger since Miao Miao stepped onto the stage. He was on the verge of a stroke. The only person who could have contacted Miao Miao was Tao Jing. Despite all their precautions, they still couldn't prevent the Lin family from showing up.
While Wei Ziqi was playing the recording, the entire Tao family was focused on their grandfather's health. Their family's reputation relied entirely on the old man. If he fell, it would be a disaster for them. Compared with the disruption of the wedding banquet, the Tao family unanimously thought the old man's health was more important.
Finally, the Tao grandfather regained his composure. Supported by his son, he slowly walked onto the stage and said, "Where did this brat come from? Just taking a fabricated recording and trying to disrupt our wedding banquet! You're not learning well at such a young age!"
"Fabricated recording? Grandpa, you're joking. Since you say the recording is fake, how about a video?"
Wei Ziqi opened another file and turned the phone screen towards the guests. Although the surveillance video was a bit blurry, everyone could clearly see Lin Yao's face and the distinctive ring on the Tao grandfather's thumb.
Fortunately, for safety reasons, Lin Yao had met the Tao family in his own teahouse, which was usually used for important business meetings. So there were high - definition cameras installed, and even when the faces were magnified, they could still be clearly seen. The sound - recording equipment was complete, and all the conversations were recorded.
On the way to the hotel, Wei Ziqi had already sent a message to Lin Yao to obtain this surveillance video and the recording. The network connection was poor, and he had just received these two files before going on stage.
The evidence was irrefutable. The Tao grandfather had no room to argue. He could only stiffen his neck and say, "My own daughter. I can marry her off to whomever I want. Can't I change my mind and not let her marry into the Lin family? People get divorced even after getting married. Does it mean that just because we met to discuss the wedding details, my daughter must marry into your family?"
"What you said makes sense. People do get divorced after marriage, and it's not uncommon for a couple to break up just before the wedding after getting engaged. But you're wrong about one thing. Marriage should be based on the willingness of both parties, which is what we call freedom of marriage nowadays. If someone is forced into marriage against their will, it can be regarded as human trafficking. This is not only a moral failure but also flirting with the law."
Wei Ziqi replied with a smile. The other side was already resorting to angry sophistry, which meant he was more than half - way to winning.
Only losers act desperately, while winners are at ease.
"Security! Security! Come quickly and throw these two out!" The Tao grandfather was left speechless. He banged his walking stick and shouted, simply ignoring all of Wei Ziqi's words.
"Uncle, please go back first. I'll handle this." Lu Huai was also worried that the Tao grandfather might get too angry. He had been standing by before because he was angry about the Tao family's duplicity. Now he had vented his anger. After all, this was his wedding banquet. To make the banquet continue, he had to step in.
Hearing the call, the security guards rushed in from outside. The Tao grandfather was supported by his family off the stage. He walked with a slight tremor.
Looking at the imposing security guards in front of them, the violent impulse in Miao Miao's body began to stir.
When two security guards tried to grab Wei Ziqi, Miao Miao took a small step forward and blocked in front of him. Wei Ziqi stepped back three steps in perfect coordination, leaving enough space for Miao Miao to act.
This wedding banquet was surely going to be turned upside down.