CHAPTER 170: CHAPTER 170: SLAP IN THE FACE(5)_1

The two men in Zhongshan suits patted each other on the shoulder. They had enlisted together, battled together, and been promoted together. Whatever it was, the two did everything as a pair. However, they suddenly fell out in the political world. Friends became antagonists overnight, and in all matters, the two families were at constant loggerheads; it was always a case of one winning and the other losing.

From their generation onward, to their sons, who were also continuously in conflict, and even to their grandchildren, who were equally competitive. The older generation struggled in the political and military arenas, while the younger competed in lavishness. When the older could not outdo their rivals, they had the younger take up the fight on their behalf; when the younger couldn’t compete, the older would take charge again.

The two old men had been fighting their whole lives; now even a meal together turned into a contest.

The Shangguan Family had a provincial committee secretary, and the Yu Family also had one of their own. The Shangguan Family had a commander-in-chief, and the Yu Family had one too. The Shangguan Family had a pair of granddaughters, and the Yu Family had a pair as well. Both families, of similar status in Beijing, had been in competition from the older generation to the younger, without either side yielding an inch.

The two old men then burst into hearty laughter, hugging each other as they took their seats. Yu Zifeng and Yu Zijin also sat down next to Shangguan You and Shangguan Qing.

Shangguan Rou stared at the handsome Yu Zifeng, her mind going blank for a moment before snapping back from her anger. Blushing, she looked down, occasionally stealing glances at him. Li Wanying’s stiff expression softened, replaced with a gentle smile as she exchanged pleasantries with the Yu family members.

"Old Shangguan, this granddaughter of yours is not bad, not bad at all," Old Master Yu said, his sharp eyes glancing at Shangguan You as he stroked his beard, appraising her.

"Old Yu, your granddaughter is quite pretty too, but her heart seems a bit too narrow, that she could even suggest making someone kneel. It seems your Yu Family is nothing special after all, HAHAHA! Don’t you agree?" Shangguan Zhi boomed with laughter, his eyes fixed on Yu Zijin.

She isn’t as pretty as my You’er, and her figure isn’t as good either. And that fake smile on her face! She can’t compare to my You’er in any aspect.

As Shangguan Zhi observed Yu Zijin, he couldn’t help but compare her to Shangguan You.

Shangguan You was lifted to the heavens by his praise, while Yu Zijin was cast down to hell.

"Old Shangguan, just because a girl made a joking remark, you take it seriously? You’ve lived a long life, haven’t you?" Old Master Yu remarked, also appraising Shangguan You. Her face is too childish, not fully developed yet, unlike my Zijin’er. It’s hard to say about the future, though. Her eyes, however, are like clear springs—much better than Zijin’er’s. As for their figures, they’re about the same. But this girl possesses a certain Spiritual Energy that naturally draws people to her.

Although he inwardly admitted Old Shangguan had a point, as the Yu Family Head, he naturally couldn’t concede defeat.

"Old Yu, whether it’s a joke or a sincere thought, I have to say, can your grandchildren really compete with my boy Qing and my girl You? HAHAHA, you have to admit it, right?"

Shangguan Zhi laughed heartily, and at the entire table, only the voices of the two old men could be heard.

"Hmph, where can’t they compete?" Old Master Yu snorted coldly, and the atmosphere around the table chilled instantly.

"They can’t compete from head to toe! The facts are right in front of you; do you dare deny it?" Shangguan Zhi snorted coldly as well. The atmosphere at the table grew tense, members of the Yu and Shangguan families looking as if daggers might be drawn over the old men’s internal struggle. A palpable chill permeated the air, and it felt as if an ominous wind swept through.

"Old Shangguan, where are these so-called facts? Where? Did anyone here see them? Come on, speak up! Who saw them?" Yu Zhibin, the Yu Family Head, sneered. He fired off three rhetorical questions in a row, but no one answered him.

"The facts are right before our eyes! Not only have I seen them, everyone has! What are you going to do about it? Do you, Yu Zhibin, still intend to renege? Moreover, that night, the Yu family’s boy and girl both lost convincingly. What else do you have to say for yourself?" Shangguan Zhi laughed again, ignoring Old Master Yu’s somewhat livid face.

He watched with a triumphant expression as Old Master Yu fumed, visibly struggling. Seeing Old Master Yu so discomfited filled Shangguan Zhi with such a surge of satisfaction that his appetite even increased, and he ate a few extra mouthfuls.

Looking at the two old men before her, their combined ages well over a hundred years, Shangguan You suddenly felt a headache coming on. Her grandfather, Shangguan Zhi, always seemed so stern and old-fashioned at home; she’d never have expected him to be this childish. And everyone from both the Shangguan and Yu families had one thing in common: when the two old patriarchs bickered, everyone else just listened. No one ever dared to interject.

It seemed their family cultures were quite similar. Shangguan You had to admit to herself once again that Old Master Yu and her grandfather must have been very good friends in the past. Otherwise, how could their family upbringing be so alike, right down to their angry expressions being practically identical?

"You’er, eat something," Shangguan Qing whispered in her ear, then placed a piece of meat into her bowl. When the two old men started arguing, there was truly no end in sight. Shangguan You had never attended such a banquet before, so she naturally wasn’t aware of this. Besides, apart from official matters, the Shangguan and Yu families had minimal interaction, so it was quite normal that she had never seen her grandfather behave this way.

Seeing Shangguan You’s puzzled expression, Shangguan Qing prompted her to eat.

"Okay," Shangguan You responded softly, nodding at the array of delicious dishes that filled the table.

"Dad, you should eat too," Shangguan You said, serving a piece of vegetable to Shangguan Hao beside her, then to Shangguan Yu and Liu Ruoling. Finally, she served Shangguan Qing. Li Wanying and Shangguan Rou were sitting too far away, so she didn’t serve them. The family continued eating, all the while watching the two old men argue until they were red in the face.

Members of the Yu family exchanged glances and also began to eat.

"Old man, I’ll have you know, my girl scored first in the country in the exams, and the whole nation can vouch for her! Can yours match that?"

"Old Shangguan, my granddaughter is a high school senior this year, and her grades are at the very top of her school. What’s there for you to be so proud of?"

"Hmph, that’s just your word for it; nobody knows that. If you’re so capable, have your girl score first in front of the whole nation, just like mine did!"

"Pfft! My girl has genuine talent and learning. Why would she need to chase after such empty accolades?"

"Old Yu, do you dare make a bet with me? My girl is sixteen this year, your girl is eighteen. Next semester, both will take the college entrance exam. Let’s bet on who scores higher and who gets into a better university. Well? Do you dare?"