Tang Lin hadn't yet recovered from the shock when she saw Tang Zhongshan walking out of the crowd and onto the stage.
Before Tang Lin could say anything, Tang Zhongshan took the microphone from her hand and said directly into it, "There's something I originally planned to announce in a few days. But taking advantage of this great opportunity today, I'd like to tell everyone something."
Without the need for the host, Tang Zhongshan took the initiative to continue the speech. The host stood beside him, feeling for the first time that his presence was so insignificant.
Wasn't it said that if he hosted this dinner well, he would make a name for himself in the hosting circle? Who could tell him what was going on now? Why did he feel like an extra?
The people on the scene had already had their fill of the drama and were starting to lose interest. They looked at Tang Zhongshan, hoping he would get off the stage quickly.
Such a dense stream of gossip was really too much for them. Couldn't they be given some time to catch their breath?
Tang Zhongshan's appearance was also unexpected by Shen Nanyi. Looking at Tang Zhongshan, Shen Nanyi had no idea what he was going to say. The only person on the scene who was completely in the dark was probably Tang Lin. From the moment Tang Zhongshan stepped onto the stage until now, Tang Lin had thought that Tang Zhongshan was here to support her and would unconditionally stand by her side.
"This was originally a matter within the Tang family, and we didn't want to take up too much of your time..." The familiar opening line and familiar tone. Everyone knew that there was more gossip to be had.
But after the previous earth - shattering revelations, they didn't think Tang Zhongshan could say anything more shocking. So they were a bit uninterested.
People are always like this. Once their curiosity is piqued, they only want to hear the most top - notch gossip.
"Actually, Tang Lin is an adopted child of mine." Meeting everyone's gazes, Tang Zhongshan gritted his teeth and spoke, intending to draw a clear line from Tang Lin.
It wasn't a big deal that Tang Lin was adopted. If she had been well - behaved, she could have continued to live the life of the Tang family's eldest daughter. But she had chosen to offend the Shen family. Then many things were out of his control.
Shen Nanyi had been ready to watch the drama, but she was still a bit surprised when she heard this.
Everyone knew how much Tang Zhongshan and his wife doted on Tang Lin. No one would have thought that Tang Lin was an adopted daughter of the Tang family. Was Tang Zhongshan just making up a story to distance himself from Tang Lin, or was it really true? For a moment, Shen Nanyi couldn't tell.
Among everyone on the scene, the calmest one was actually Tang Lin. She was carefully pondering over Tang Zhongshan's words, a bit slow to react and still trying to digest it.
"For many years, Mrs. Tang's health has been poor. But she really likes children, so we went to the children's welfare home to adopt Tang Lin. If you don't believe me, you can check the archives at the welfare home." Afraid that his words weren't convincing enough and the Shen family wouldn't believe him, Tang Zhongshan even mentioned the name of the welfare home.
Originally, the people on the scene were still a bit skeptical about what Tang Zhongshan said, but his detailed description didn't seem like a lie.
Thinking that such a thing could happen to the Ji family, it wasn't a big deal for the Tang family to secretly adopt a baby girl. Everyone actually accepted this news within a short time.
The incident of the Ji family was really too shocking, making other things seem insignificant.
"Now that Tang Lin has passed her eighteenth birthday, we've done what we should. From now on, what kind of life Tang Lin wants to live is up to her. We won't interfere, and it has nothing to do with us." To show his attitude, Tang Zhongshan spoke again. His words were very clear. He was going to draw a clear line from Tang Lin.
"Dad, what are you talking about?!" After a few minutes of digestion, Tang Lin finally understood what Tang Zhongshan said.
She couldn't believe what she heard and continued to act coquettishly towards Tang Zhongshan. In the past, as long as she acted coquettishly, no matter what mistakes she made, Tang Zhongshan would forgive her.
"That's all we want to say. If Tang Lin's behavior has caused any trouble to you just now, I'd like to apologize on behalf of Tang Lin for the last time." Tang Zhongshan didn't even look at Tang Lin beside him. He was also afraid that he would soften his heart. After all, she was the daughter he had raised since childhood. Even though there was no blood relationship, there was still some affection.
After doing all this, Tang Zhongshan bowed deeply to Shen Qingshan and then left the banquet hall, leaving Tang Lin standing there alone.
Even after Tang Zhongshan left, Tang Lin still couldn't believe it. Hearing the voices around her, Tang Lin finally came to her senses. Without caring about anything, she rushed out.
Whether what Tang Zhongshan said was true or false, she had no other choice now. She could only hold tightly onto Tang Zhongshan, this big tree. Without the Tang family, she was nothing.
In her hurry to leave, Tang Lin lost her balance and fell to the ground. But she didn't care about anything and quickly got up and rushed out.
Shen Qingshan's birthday banquet became a source of gossip in the circle for a long time afterwards.
Any of the news they learned at the banquet was earth - shattering for the circle. But they had learned many such secrets in one evening.
After the birthday banquet, Shen Qingshan didn't stay in City A for long. He went abroad for a trip, saying that he wanted to relax. He completely entrusted the affairs of the Shen Group to Shen Nanyi.
Originally, with Ji Beichuan in charge, Shen Nanyi didn't need to worry about the affairs of the Shen Group. But now, Shen Nanyi had an additional task. She had to raise a huge amount of funds in a short time, and she couldn't use the company's accounts. This really gave Shen Nanyi a headache.
After staying at home for a whole day, Shen Nanyi still couldn't come up with a solution. She looked haggard.
Zhao Shuyan was at home with nothing to do and planned to tidy up the flowers on the balcony. Seeing that Shen Nanyi had been cooped up in her room for a whole day, Zhao Shuyan called her out to help.
No matter how anxious she was, Shen Nanyi rarely refused Zhao Shuyan's requests. She walked out of the room in her slippers.
"I thought these stones were quite nice a few years ago, but now I always feel they don't match these flower pots. Let's throw these stones away today." Struggling to move the stones in the flower pots, Zhao Shuyan spoke, hoping to find something for Shen Nanyi to do.
Although she didn't know what was bothering Shen Nanyi, keeping busy was always good. One would have fewer troubles when busy.
Mechanically picking up the stones in the flower pots, suddenly Shen Nanyi stopped her hand. She carefully examined the stones in the flower pot and felt they were a bit familiar.
After looking at the stones for a few seconds, Shen Nanyi finally realized something. Suddenly, she thought of where she could raise this sum of money.