Chapter 1164
Chapter 1165: Not Drawing Hexagrams Today
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
A few days later, in the suburbs of the capital, at the Miao Mansion.
Zhao Yu and Miao Ying had their engagement party at the mansion as planned. The mansion was filled with guests, and everything was sparkling and lively.
Unlike a wedding, however, the engagement ceremony itself was relatively simple despite the grand setting and the attendance of VIP guests.
The emcee adhered to standard procedures and protocol, and it wasn’t long before the ceremony was over. They met each other’s parents, betrothal gifts were presented, and engagement rings were exchanged.
All that remained was the ma.s.sive banquet!
It wasn’t Zhao Yu’s first time attending a banquet at the Miao’s. The only difference was that he was now one of the hosts instead of a guest.
Initially, Zhao Yu was puzzled as to why the banquet wasn’t held at the renowned w.a.n.guo Hotel, especially since Miao Kun had already booked it.
It turned out that the hotel was fully occupied and couldn’t accommodate Miao Kun’s request. In a fit of anger, Miao Kun bought the entire hotel and forcibly altered the bookings.
But after going to these lengths, he still decided to hold the engagement ceremony at his own mansion. It didn’t make any sense.
Being the master sleuth he was, it didn’t take Zhao Yu long to figure out Miao Kun’s intentions.
In addition to being happy for the both of them, Miao Kun must have had other reasons, perhaps political factors, for carrying out the engagement party on such a grand scale.
It was a show not only for friends and family but also for outsiders. That included potential enemies who might be lurking in the background.
As such, as soon as the preparations for the engagement ceremony began, the Secret Service deployed large numbers of special agents to help secure the mansion.
It wasn’t enough for the mansion to be as secure as a fortress. Even the formal wear worn by Zhao Yu and Miao Ying for the engagement ceremony was made of bulletproof material.
All the pa.s.sageways, staircases, and entrances, were equipped with the latest technology for facial recognition to keep out any trespa.s.sers.
The banquet servers, cleaners, and even some of the guests were agents in disguise. This was done to ensure the utmost safety.
Oh…
Zhao Yu finally understood why they chose to have the ceremony in the mansion instead of the hotel. The hotel wouldn’t be as secure.
Besides, after what had happened with the case of the treasure, a high level of security clearance was now required. Out of security concerns, Miao Kun eventually decided on holding the engagement ceremony in his mansion.
Learning from past experiences, Miao Kun was smart enough not to draw any hexagrams in the few days before his engagement.
Seriously!
This was his engagement ceremony. What was he going to do if he drew a Kun Qian Hexagram or a Qian Kun Hexagram?
He’d rather everything proceed smoothly than begin any fantastical Adventures!
Although he didn’t draw any hexagrams, there was something else weighing on him – his family!
After all, the engagement concerned not only him but also his family. Other than his parents, his elder brother and his elder brother’s family had to attend the ceremony as well.
Zhao Yu was worried that his family members would be unaccustomed to such a social setting and would perhaps make fools of themselves.
Fortunately, nothing like that
At the start, his family was indeed a little overwhelmed. They knew Miao Ying was well-off, but her degree of affluence was beyond their wildest imagination.
His frugal mother’s jaws remained open for the entire party. When the in-laws came over to make a toast, she happily downed three gla.s.ses in succession, despite not being much of a drinker. Her whole face was flushed from the alcohol.
Miao Ying’s mother was very considerate. Setting aside her obligations to socialize with the other guests, she not only kept them company and gave them a guided tour of the mansion, but also gave them exquisite little gifts.
Zhao Yu was relieved to see everyone getting along with each other.
Of course, Miao Kun couldn’t just focus on his in-laws as his wife had. This was more than just his daughter’s engagement ceremony. He had other purposes and intents.
After Zhao Yu and Miao Ying had made toasts to the guests, Miao Kun pulled Zhao Yu aside and led him to his study, where he introduced Zhao Yu to some of the VIP guests.
Some of them Zhao Yu had already met, while others he was meeting for the first time. They were all notable people who were either business whizzes or high-ranking executives.
Miao Kun was a model father-in-law. He not only introduced Zhao Yu to them but also briefed Zhao Yu about their backgrounds so that Zhao Yu would be able to connect with them in the future.
Ever since he became a detective, Zhao Yu’s memory had been very good. Even so, he took extra care to memorize their details and faces.
At that moment, everyone was drinking freely inside the study, and Miao Kun was eliciting laughter from his companions by being his usual witty self.
He had just made a witty remark, when the butler suddenly appeared, saying, "Distinguished guests, the compet.i.tion will begin shortly. Kindly make your way to the viewing platform!"
"Hmm?" Zhao Yu raised his eyebrows, mumbling to himself, "What compet.i.tion? Could it be…?"
"Hahaha…" Miao Kun raised his hand and motioned to the crowd, saying, "Everyone, the handicap has doubled. There are many new events this time around. Go, knock yourselves out! Haha…"
Everyone couldn’t wait to check out the events upon hearing what Miao Kun had said.
"Wow… this old guy really knows how to have a good time…" said a man who was holding a cigar. "I love checking out new events…"
"Ha!" remarked a sprightly old fellow. "Why bother with the viewing platform? Let’s go down to have a look! I love the sound of fists on fles.h.!.+ Let’s go, who’s with me?"
A h.o.a.rd of people followed the old man out of the study and back to the hall via the elevator.
"Woah…"
Seeing an octagonal boxing ring in the hall, Zhao Yu was amazed at his father- in-law’s hobbies. Zhao Yu couldn’t believe that his father-in-law actually set up combat matches at his daughter’s engagement party.
As he watched the partic.i.p.ants warm up in the ring, he was glad that he had not drawn any hexagrams today. He would be able to watch the compet.i.tion leisurely.
"Ladies and gentlemen, you’re so lucky to be here today!" the emcee shouted into the microphone. "For the first round, we have the long-awaited world champion – Thorngrove!! Give him a round of applause!"
The audience went wild at the mention of Thorngrove.
"His opponent is…" said the emcee, "Rookie King, a.k.a. The Beast – Essien!!! Woah, roar! Scream! This match is definitely going to be a decisive battle between the two UFC champions!"
"Wah…"
Miao Kun’s VIP guests and the rest of the audience were super excited. None of them had expected to witness such a heavyweight match today!
By right, the compet.i.tion should have started off with less significant matches.
"This…" Someone was about to ask Miao Kun something, but was interrupted before they could even open their mouth.
Zhizhi… zhizhi…
Just as everyone was starting to get into the swing of things, the speakers emitted an ear-piercing noise!
Everyone looked up only to see a contestant dressed in red shorts s.n.a.t.c.hing the emcee’s microphone.
"Ah? Isn’t this…?" Zhao Yu recognized him right away – Wasn’t this Thorngrove?
The audience cheered loudly at Thorngrove’s entrance.
However, it was apparent that Thorngrove had no interest in the audience’s reactions. Instead, he pointed toward someone in the audience and shouted angrily "¥##@%¥¥¥…"
n.o.body could understand the Russian he was spewing.
However, they were able to follow the direction in which he was pointing, and their gazes eventually landed on Zhao Yu.
D*mn!
It couldn’t be?
Zhao Yu finally noticed that something wasn’t quite right, thinking to himself, "This b*stard… couldn’t possibly be thinking of revenge?
"But, I really didn’t draw any hexagrams today!?"