"This woman is really like a cockroach, still not dead," Ke Shaozheng commented, dressed in a chameleon suit.

His female companion carefully asked, "Mr. Ke, do you have a deep-seated grudge against that person?"

Ke Shaozheng glared at her. In truth, he didn't have a deep-seated grudge against Hua Yan. He was just uneasy, worried that Hua Yan would hold a grudge against him. If Hu Li were influenced by pillow talk, he might not die, but he would certainly suffer.

Reid glanced around and said with a smile, "You have quite a few enemies."

"Enemies?" Hua Yan also looked around, spotting Ke Shaozheng, Cheng Jie, Cheng Yunqi, and some unknown people all staring at her menacingly. The combined force of their gazes was quite formidable.

Hua Yan had to hold her forehead, glancing at Hu Li, who was with his mother. She sighed silently, "It's all because of Hu Li's face causing trouble."

Reid was surprised. Hu Li must really pamper her; otherwise, he had never seen anyone dare to speak about Hu Li like that. It seemed he shouldn't offend her in the future.

"I have an impertinent question. Aren't you worried that such a charming Hu Li will be uncontrollable in the future?"

"Control? Why control? It's all about personal self-discipline," Hua Yan replied helplessly.

Reid admired Hua Yan's calmness and independence. He gave her a thumbs-up, "You're truly special." No wonder Hu Li, such a proud man, fell for her step by step. Perhaps only someone like her could stay by Hu Li's side for a long time.

"Just ordinary." She simply followed the principle of going with the flow. Besides, she loved herself the most. Ultimately, she was a passive recipient of affection.

The time had come. Hu Li's mother led him to the small podium. "You should know what to say and what not to say," she reminded him.

Hu Li glanced at his mother without responding. Time waited for no one, and with so many guests, Hu Li's mother was very angry but couldn't act out.

"Tonight, I have an announcement to make." Standing on the small podium, Hu Li looked down at Hua Yan, who was hidden in the shadows, feeling a sense of joy. However, his mother had a bad feeling and suddenly wanted to stop Hu Li.

But Hu Li had timed it perfectly. Just as his mother stepped onto the stage, Hu Li's voice echoed throughout the banquet hall.

"I want to propose to someone tonight."

The banquet hall suddenly seemed to explode. Murmurs and whispered conversations began.

"Isn't the Hu family's young master supposed to be single? What's going on?"

"Does this mean we have no chance?"

"Look at the Hu family's matron's face. It's clear Hu Li decided this on his own. This will be interesting..."

"I want to see who the young master of the Hu family wants to propose to. It might not be one of us."

"Dream on!" A woman retorted, but her eyes betrayed her hopeful heart. The women chatted excitedly.

Hu Li's mother seemed frozen in place, staring blankly at Hu Li, unable to speak. If her heart weren't strong, she might have already fainted.

At this moment, Hua Yan understood what was happening. Her heart raced, revealing her unease. So, this was the surprise Reid had mentioned.

Watching Hu Li walk elegantly towards her, Hua Yan's heart followed his footsteps. He was holding a large bouquet of fresh, dewy purple roses. The half-bloomed flowers swayed beautifully.

A handsome man, with deep affection, focused gaze, and a cold, tough aura, perfectly matched with the enchanting purple bouquet. Such a man could make anyone's heart race with just one look. Many wealthy ladies were already starting to feel restless. Their eyes grew sharper as they stared at Hua Yan.

Kneeling on one knee beside Hua Yan, Hu Li smiled and said, "Xiao Yan, will you marry me?" As he spoke, a sparkling diamond ring appeared in his hand.

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Everyone who saw the ring, male or female, gasped. It was as if the ring's presence was unbelievable. Finally, someone couldn't help but say, "It's the Purple Gold Crown!"

People had only seen the Purple Gold Crown ring in photos. This was the first time they had seen it in person. It was a ring that the most powerful and wealthy underground forces in the world had never obtained. Every year, they spent vast amounts of manpower and money searching for it globally.

There was a legend that whoever possessed the Purple Gold Crown ring could rule the world. Although many treated it as a joke, the ring had been given to Hu Li by his master. Where his master had obtained it was unknown. His master had only told him to keep it safe and use it when he found his true love.

It was also the first time Hu Li's mother had seen the ring. She remembered when she married Hu Li's father, she had asked him to find this ring. Unfortunately, he had returned empty-handed, and she had entered marriage with a hint of disappointment.

Reid nudged the stunned Hua Yan and whispered, "Hurry, accept it, quickly!"

Hua Yan truly extended her hand, and when Hu Li slipped the ring onto her finger, the cool touch finally brought her back to her senses. She looked at Hu Li with a complex expression and said, "Hu Li..."

"Are you too happy? Don't cry, don't cry. You'll become ugly if you cry," Hu Li hurriedly wiped the tears from the corners of Hua Yan's eyes and held her in his arms, softly comforting her.

"Hu Li, come with me," Hu Li's mother said to him in an emotionless tone.

Hu Li paused and then nodded. He whispered something in Hua Yan's ear, and she calmed down, holding the flowers, and walked upstairs with Hu Li. During the entire time, she kept glancing at Hu Li and then at the Purple Gold Crown ring on her finger.

The slender golden ring was encrusted with numerous small purple diamonds, and the small, crown-shaped purple diamond in the center looked like a proud king gazing down at his subjects.

They entered an elegant room. Although it was winter, the room was filled with various flowers and plants. This elegant room was the size of seven or eight connected rooms, and the occasional wafting scent of pollen and grass made Hua Yan feel delighted. She thought to herself that this place truly seemed like an Eden lost in the mortal world.

Hu Li noticed that even under his mother's intimidating presence, Hua Yan could still be distracted. This made him very happy, and he affectionately pulled her into his arms, softly reminding her. Hua Yan glanced at Hu Li's mother and thought to herself that Hu Li's mother had a truly sharp gaze, capable of killing with a look.

"Miss Hua Yan, please step outside," Hu Li's mother said coldly.

Before Hua Yan could respond, Hu Li firmly held her hand and said, "Stay here, there's no need for that."

Hu Li's mother snorted, then gracefully sat on a chair among the flowers.

Her gaze swept over Hu Li and Hua Yan, and she spoke, "Miss Hua Yan, whether it's because you've been divorced or because of your family's decline, you are not suitable to marry into our Hu family. Hu Li, you also know that even the maids and servants in our family have better backgrounds and appearances than her. You both need to make a practical decision."

Hua Yan secretly wondered about the grandeur of the Hu family that made Hu Li's mother so arrogant.

"Mother, my decision will not change," Hu Li said.

"Then let's hear what your father has to say," Hu Li's mother said elegantly, handing her phone to Hu Li.

Hu Li had no choice but to take the phone. Hua Yan saw Hu Li's face change color more times than a chameleon, and finally, after what seemed to be a heated argument, he handed the phone back to his mother. Hu Li furrowed his brows and, seeing Hua Yan's worried look, immediately smiled and tried to lead her out of the room.

Suddenly, Hu Li's mother said, "Son, do you know that by making this scene tonight, the entire family will hear about it? You know their methods are even more ruthless than mine. If it really comes to that, not only will you have nothing left, but she will also suffer. Don't blame your father; he can't fully indulge you either."

"Mother... I am thirty years old and know what I truly want. Moreover, I don't agree with your belief that only a union of powerful families can ensure our family's survival. If a man's success depends on a woman, then I despise that."

"Hu Li, I'll ask you one more time, are you still determined to go your own way?"

"Mother, this time I will not back down."

"Fine, fine," Hu Li's mother said, repeating herself twice before laughing coldly. She dialed a number and said, "Have them come in."

Suddenly, countless footsteps echoed from the hallway. Even Hua Yan, as dense as she was, realized that Hu Li's mother intended to use force. She tensed up, ready for anything. Hu Li remained calm, gently rubbing Hua Yan's back to reassure her.

Hu Li's mother consoled herself to endure for a few more minutes. Once Hu Li was placed under house arrest, she could deal with Hua Yan properly.

The men who stormed in were all dressed in uniform black Zhongshan suits, their crew cuts giving them a formidable appearance. They stood in the room, awaiting their orders. Reid, who had just come up from downstairs, saw the Hu family's guards converging on the room. He worriedly tried to follow them in, guessing that Hu Li's mother was about to confront Hu Li and Hua Yan. Despite his limited strength, he wanted to stand by their side.

However, before he reached the door, he ran into Hu Er. Hu Er said, "They're on our side." For a moment, Reid was stunned. Then he laughed at himself, muttering that Hu Li was even craftier than a fox. If he dared to act so boldly at this banquet, he must have made thorough arrangements.

"Take your young master upstairs," Hu Li's mother commanded.

But the men did not move an inch. Hu Li's mother, who had been admiring a flower, turned around after a moment of silence. Seeing no one had moved, she coldly demanded, "Why aren't you acting?"

However, the men's expressions remained unchanged. They all looked at Hu Li, not her. Hu Li's mother was deeply puzzled. Finally, Hu Li spoke, "Mother, these men won't listen to you. There are more people downstairs waiting for your attention."

"What did you say?" Hu Li's mother asked, incredulous.

"For safety, I replaced some of the staff at the banquet with my own men."