Chapter 101 Engagement Ceremony

Chapter 101: The Engagement Ceremony

The intelligence on Yu Xin quickly landed in Father Yu's hands, who reviewed it immediately.

"Hmph, so he's just leaning on Flying Fish Platform and that kid from the Cheng family, and he dares to be so arrogant."

The report indicated Yu Xin's good relationship with the second son of the Cheng Group and his recent favor with the young heir of Flying Fish Platform.

The Cheng family used to be more powerful than the Yu family, but Father Yu now dismissed them entirely, let alone a mere junior from the Cheng family who was friendly with Yu Xin.

As for Flying Fish Platform, how much could they really do for a small-time streamer?

These youngsters had no connection whatsoever to the mining planet incident nineteen years ago; it couldn't be them.

So, who secretly contacted Yu Xin and revealed his true origins?

Father Yu's men discovered that an unknown account had reached out to Yu Xin, but the person behind it remained untraceable.

Father Yu dispatched more personnel to dig deeper and finally unearthed some clues.

The true origin of that unfamiliar account was the Chiyun Star System.

The Chiyun Star System? Father Yu recalled that some of the remaining relatives of the mining planet owners, who had been imprisoned for over a decade back then, had relocated there.

"So it's them..." Father Yu sneered. Years ago, he had ruined these people, leaving them powerless to retaliate. What kind of trouble did they think they could stir up now? Impossible.

The survivors were merely clinging to life—why else would they resort to cowardly schemes from the shadows, trying to turn Yu Xin against him?

Yu Xin and they combined were nothing to fear.

Now, he could confidently deal with the problem of Yu Xin.

How to act discreetly and without drawing attention...

*

Three days later, Yu Xin received a message from Father Yu: "Yu Xin, it was my mistake to throw you out without a word back then, but you've completely misunderstood the matter of your origins. Don't listen to others trying to sow discord. There has always been a place for you in this family. If you are willing to return to the Yu family, we can become a family again."

"Actually, your elder brother has missed you for a long time. Come back and see him, okay?"

Well, well, Yu Xin raised an eyebrow. So, he was playing the emotional card, even knowing that the original owner cared most about that elder brother.

Was he trying to trick him into returning to the Yu family first?

If he were the original owner, he might still harbor some hope for that family because of his elder brother.

Mimicking the original owner's emotional tone, he replied: "I don't believe you, and I won't go back. Elder Brother can contact me separately, but I don't want to return to the Yu family. Just tell me the truth!"

"But some things can't be explained clearly unless we meet face-to-face. Your elder brother has been very busy lately—Yu Ning is about to get engaged, and he has to help with the preparations. How about this: come back for Yu Ning's engagement ceremony. I'll tell you everything in detail then."

Appealing to emotions while dangling a carrot—Father Yu was indeed a master manipulator.

Now, Yu Xin had no reason not to go.

Yu Xin opened his terminal and typed his reply: "Fine, I'll trust you one more time. I'll attend Yu Ning's engagement ceremony."

Yu Xin informed Ji Yixing and Bai Yizhou that he would be attending the engagement ceremony.

"If you go, Father Yu will likely make a move," Ji Yixing said.

Yu Xin smirked. "I'm not afraid of him acting; I'm afraid he'll do nothing and make me come all this way for nothing."

"By the way, the team investigating the Yu family's switched-at-birth incident has made a new discovery," Bai Yizhou interjected.

"Tell us," both Yu Xin and Ji Yixing straightened their postures.

"According to the official records, the hospital where Father Yu's wife gave birth to Yu Ning was on the Imperial Capital Planet. So why did Yu Ning end up on such a remote frontier planet later? That clearly defies logic. And coincidentally, this remote star system is near the mining planet from back then."

"This issue was questioned by netizens when the news about the Yu family's child-swap first broke. The Yu family's explanation at the time was that Yu's mother suffered an amniotic fluid embolism after giving birth. While doctors were busy saving her, someone seized the opportunity to swap the babies. To avoid detection, the Yu family's real child was sent to a remote star system. They suggested it might have been retaliation by a business rival, but it was too long ago to verify."

"But our investigation found that Yu's mother didn't give birth on the Imperial Capital Planet at all. Instead, she gave birth at a hospital very close to the mining planet after an unexpected premature labor. The truth is, Yu's mother was kidnapped from the Imperial Capital Planet to the vicinity of the mining planet. Unlike a kidnapping for ransom, this seemed more like a premeditated act of revenge against the Yu family. The ones who carried out this revenge were the main individuals responsible for the mining planet."

Hearing this, both Yu Xin and Ji Yixing's expressions changed.

"This is very intriguing. Logically, Father Yu only took over the mining planet's development after it had changed hands. So why would the original owners retaliate against the Yu family, who should have had nothing to do with the incident at the time?" Bai Yizhou continued.

"What role did Father Yu play in the mining planet transfer case?"

Mining planet, kidnapping, child-swap, going along with the mistake, and only returning to their rightful places nineteen years later...

Yu Xin had a feeling they were on the verge of uncovering the truth.

"I want Father Yu to explain everything himself," he said with renewed resolve. "I must go to the Yu family."

*

Yu Ning's engagement ceremony was prepared swiftly. Fearing further complications from delays, the Yu family consulted with the Third Prince's side and moved the date up by a month.

Yet, it didn't diminish the ceremony's grandeur and luxury. The entire event was held at the most opulent hotel on the Imperial Capital Planet, attended by countless high-society figures. To celebrate the engagement, the Yu family and the Third Prince jointly established a charity foundation, attracting a large number of members. After the marriage, the foundation would be managed by Yu Ning.

Yu Xin entered with Cheng Zikun, who was utterly bewildered from the start. "Xin-ge, didn't you have a huge falling out with the Yu family? Why are you attending Yu Ning's engagement ceremony?"

He couldn't understand. Just when Yu Ning's restaurant popularity was overshadowed by Xin-ge, how did Yu Ning suddenly get engaged to the Third Prince?

He was fiercely loyal to Yu Xin and initially didn't want to attend Yu Ning's engagement ceremony. But his father insisted that the Yu family was no longer what it used to be and made him show up. He was very reluctant until Yu Xin contacted him later and said he would also be attending.

"Just here to mend fences, I guess. After all, Yu Ning is marrying into the royal family. Shouldn't I come see him shine in person?" Yu Xin said casually.

"Huh? Are you serious..." Cheng Zikun was even more confused. Xin-ge's words had a strange undertone.

The venue was filled with countless socialites and celebrities, glittering like stars. Rumor had it that invitations to this ceremony had been scalped for astronomical prices. As two relatively insignificant attendees, their entrance went unnoticed.

In reality, the moment Yu Xin appeared at the ceremony, he was spotted by Yu family members and reported to Father Yu.

Looking at this "cheap son" of his, who looked drastically different on the outside but, inwardly, hadn't changed a bit, Father Yu sneered.

Still that naive fool, like a puppy, who'd come wagging his tail at the sight of a bone.

The remaining people from the mining planet must be truly desperate to rely on such a useless person to bring down his Yu family.

Father Yu almost laughed. Fine then, he'd generously wait until after the ceremony to let Yu Xin witness the Yu family's current glory before dealing with him.

Yu Xin and Cheng Zikun were escorted to seats neither too close nor too far away.

They kept a low profile, but someone still singled them out.

"From afar, I wondered who it was. Isn't this the Yu family's disowned fake young master, Yu Xin?"

A man holding a wine glass approached Yu Xin, looking him up and down with a disdainful frown. "What's wrong with the Yu family's security? Letting just anyone in."

The speaker was none other than Young Master Ye Ran, who had accompanied Yu Ning on Wilderness Adventure and been used as a pawn.

After that episode aired, he didn't escape unscathed either and was torn apart by netizens. He was quite annoyed and distanced himself from Yu Ning for a while, but after Yu Ning got engaged to the Third Prince, he came crawling back to reconcile.

His dislike for Yu Xin was no less than Yu Ning's. Seeing Yu Xin appear made him uncomfortable, so he simply came over to taunt him.

"Who the hell are you? What's with the foul mouth?" Young Master Cheng couldn't stand this and immediately glared back.

"Cheng Zikun, you hang out with a fake every day without even feeling degraded. I suggest you stay away from him. I'm afraid he'll cause a scene at the Third Prince's engagement ceremony and you'll get thrown out along with him," Ye Ran said sarcastically.

"You!"

Yu Xin held Cheng Zikun back and spoke up: "There's no need for Young Master Ye to worry. I'm here because the Yu family personally invited me. The invitation is still in my hand. Would you like to check it?"

"That's Yu Ning being generous. If I were someone else, I wouldn't have the face to come," Ye Ran snorted.

"Xiao Ran, stop it. Yu Xin is here at my invitation."

Yu Ning walked over at some point. Today, he was dressed in a white suit, with meticulously styled hair and expensive makeup, the very picture of a little prince.

He turned to Yu Xin with a faint smile: "Yu Xin, I'm so glad you came."

"What a holy white lotus, blindingly bright," Cheng Zikun whispered sarcastically in Yu Xin's ear.

Seeing Yu Xin again, Yu Ning felt he had completely moved on. That face no longer stirred the slightest emotion in him.

Now, he just wanted Yu Xin to witness firsthand how successful he had become.

Yu Xin smiled back: "I'm glad too. I wish you happiness and joy every day, just like today."

"Thank you. I will definitely achieve that."

The two smiled at each other, so harmoniously it was as if their previous conflicts never existed.

"I'm getting goosebumps..." After Yu Ning left, Cheng Zikun dramatically shuddered.

He swore he had never seen Brother Xin smile so fakely before.

The engagement ceremony was indeed romantic and grand, broadcast live from start to finish, receiving blessings from everyone both online and offline.

[If the engagement is this lavish, I can't imagine how extravagant the wedding will be.]

[It is the prince's engagement, after all. So many celebrities are here—every camera sweep catches someone important.]

[I can't believe they actually got engaged... I still can't wrap my head around it. The Third Prince's marriage was decided so casually.]

[I'm so jealous of Yu Ning. I want to marry into the royal family too. Is there any prince who'd fancy me?]

[Wait, did I just see Yu Xin? He actually came. I thought he and the Yu family were on bad terms permanently.]

[Yeah, that was Yu Xin, right? I saw Young Master Cheng with him.]

[Heh, Yu Xin actually had the nerve to show up. Didn't he say how badly the Yu family treated him? Now that Yu Ning is marrying into the royal family, he's shamelessly crawling back. How pathetic.]

Yu Xin saw the Third Prince, Linuo, in person for the first time. To be honest, he was refined and handsome, not bad-looking at all, and seemed very approachable.

But his eyes were indifferent throughout, as if he were attending someone else's engagement ceremony, showing no emotion even when interacting with Yu Ning.

Aside from Yu Ning, the happiest person at the scene was Father Yu. He personally entertained every distinguished guest, his smile never leaving his face.

So glorious, so triumphant.

Father Yu's long-cherished wish was finally coming true. How could he not be proud?

Soon, it was time for the banquet. Yu Xin took a bite and exclaimed—it was prepared by an old acquaintance.

The dish tasted unmistakably like Lucas's handiwork. It seemed he had reconciled with Yu Ning.

The banquet was indeed excellent. Yu Xin ate and drank his fill, and the ceremony was coming to an end.

The entire event was flawless, without even the slightest mishap.

A perfect performance.

Many media outlets were present, and the front pages of major platforms were dominated by news of the Third Prince and Yu Ning's engagement. Although some netizens had objections, the overall tone was one of blessing.

A commoner princess marrying a prince—such an enviable real-life fairy tale.

After the ceremony, the Third Prince's approval rating surged significantly, with countless young men and women casting their votes for him like falling snow.

Yu Xin observed quietly from below. Yu Ning's happy expression appeared genuine, clearly more invested than his future husband beside him.

As the ceremony ended, he lightly clapped a few times along with the other guests and unexpectedly locked eyes with Yu Ning.

Seeing Yu Xin, Yu Ning's smile grew even brighter and more sincere.

You'll never surpass me, Yu Xin.

He thought to himself.

The ceremony finally concluded. Yu Xin and Cheng Zikun stood up, preparing to leave with the other guests.

"Yu Xin." A male voice called out.

Yu Xin turned around and saw Yu Zhizhou behind him, his expression complicated.

"You came. Dad... he asked me to find you."

"I know," Yu Xin said softly. "Take me to him."

He didn't call him "brother." Yu Zhizhou's emotions were in turmoil, and it showed on his face. He had long wanted to ask Yu Xin if he still resented him.

"Yu Xin, are you still angry with me for leaving the Yu family back then? When Yu Ning first returned, the two of you were at odds, and I had to choose Yu Ning..."

"Shh—" Yu Xin pressed a finger to his lips, signaling silence.

Yu Zhizhou stopped, staring at him blankly.

He realized that the way Yu Xin looked at him was no different from how he would look at a stranger.

Only then did Yu Zhizhou sense how different this younger brother was from before—almost as if he were a completely different person.

Yu Zhizhou stood frozen, only hearing Yu Xin say: "Mr. Yu, some words, if not said at the time, are already too late."

The person who wanted to hear them would never hear them again.

"Lead the way," Yu Xin said, without looking at him again.

Yu Zhizhou hesitated, then thought, never mind. After Yu Xin returns to the Yu family, he could make amends gradually.