Ling Zixi was still lying on the ground, howling in pain as he covered his nose.
Father Ling hurriedly put down his glass to help his son.
"What have you done?" Lai Wenyan’s face was ashen, and due to the occasion, he asked Tang Li in a subdued voice.
Ouyang Qian held her husband’s hand that was resting on the wheelchair’s armrest, gesturing to him to stay calm. Lai Shengxia followed close behind, looking towards Han Jifeng who was being stopped by two security personnel. Fighting at a state banquet usually meant being escorted out, and thereafter, one would often be blacklisted.
For a politician, it equated to severing a channel of social networking.
Bai Chongming watched the chaos unfolding from a distance, and turned to say to the head of security: "The state banquet is about to begin, let them leave first."
Before his words fell, Song Baiyan stepped forward.
The person in charge hurried to follow.
Ji Ming specifically stayed behind to explain to Bai Chongming: "Minister Song and the Lai Family have a history."
Han Jifeng’s punch had torn the situation from Tang Li’s control.
Had Han Jifeng not struck, even if that young man had been inappropriate with her, she would have had means to deal with such a lecher.
But now, she was caught in a passive situation.
Lai Wenyan, full of anger, deepened his distaste for Tang Li: "What did I tell you before we came? Even if you’re looking for trouble, you should at least consider the occasion!"
With a single sentence, all the blame was directed at Tang Li.
Regardless of the actual cause of the fight, it was all her fault in the end.
As Lai Wenyan finished speaking, the gaze of the surrounding guests towards Tang Li shifted, as if they were looking at a troublemaker.
Worried that Tang Li would say something untoward, Ouyang Qian spoke first: "Ah Li, what happened just now, tell your uncle everything."
"Yes, Ah Li." Lai Shengxia chimed in: "We’re all here, don’t be scared. Just tell the truth."
Facing the hypocritical Lai Family People, Tang Li found it ironic. She was about to speak when she heard a deep, mellow voice from behind: "Starting a brawl at a state banquet, you all seem quite spirited."
She turned around and saw Song Baiyan.
Other guests stepped aside upon seeing Song Baiyan, instinctively making way.
Lai Wenyan had already adopted a more amiable expression: "Minister Song witnessing such a farce, my apologies. The children of the family are ignorant and have caused trouble for others."
Song Baiyan responded noncommittally, his eyes drifted to Han Jifeng to the side: "A director throwing punches in public at such an event, those unaware might mistake you for a thug."
Han Jifeng did not offer a defense.
After that, Song Baiyan glanced at Ling Zixi on the ground and instructed the security in charge: "No need to wait for the ambulance, take him to the hospital now."
The security-in-charge nodded and immediately had people carry Ling Zixi out.
Father Ling, seeing his son covered in blood, wiped away tears of bitterness with his hand. Just as he was about to follow, he heard Song Baiyan say: "Director Ling is busy with national affairs every day, but education of his child is also important. A young man should be more discreet, and Young Master Ling, being in his twenties, should not make such mistakes. Consider today’s event a lesson, and in the future, Director Ling should take more time to discipline his child."
Once these comments were made, it was clear who was right and who was wrong.
Father Ling nodded in agreement, his face pale.
As he turned, his back was somewhat stooped.
Looking at his son being carried away sideways, Father Ling’s mind was heavily burdened, no longer as triumphant as he had been upon arrival.
A son’s mistakes reflect on the father, the child he raised, yet he cannot disown him!
With the departure of the Ling father and son, the banquet hall returned to normal.
The security personnel gradually withdrew.
Dressed only in a tube top gown, Tang Li hadn’t felt much before, but thanks to Ling Zixi’s commotion, her attire now seemed excessively revealing. Almost subconsciously, she wrapped her arms around herself.