Reborn a Scummy Alpha, Happily Ever After with the Movie Queen - Chapter 58

The Wen family had always kept a low profile. Even for this engagement banquet, they invited only the four major families and a few other close associates, declining all media coverage. As a result, the gathering was small but filled with influence.

Under the warm amber glow of the chandeliers, Ning Xu stood beside Wen Tang, dressed in a soft pink strapless gown. The delicate makeup on her face gave her a far healthier, more radiant look than before.

Two flower children approached, carrying velvet trays with the engagement rings.

Before the eyes of all their friends and family, Wen Tang’s expression remained composed as she slowly lifted the ring box.

Across from her, Ning Xu did the same.

Gentle music drifted through the air. Under the lights, the two rings shimmered brilliantly—a perfect image of grace and unity.

Just as everyone was about to witness the union of the Wen and Ning families, a sharp click broke the moment—Ning Xu had closed the ring box.

A murmur rippled through the guests. The head of the Ning family reacted first, stepping forward with a strained smile that didn’t reach his eyes. His voice, however, carried a warning beneath the calm:

“Xu’er! I know you’re shy, but this is your engagement day with Xiao Tang. You must behave properly.”

Madam Ning hurried to echo him, smiling awkwardly. “Xu’er, don’t make a scene. Xiao Tang’s still waiting for you to put the ring on her.”

But Ning Xu calmly set the ring box back into the tray the child was holding. Her expression was unreadable, sending ripples of unease through the guests as they exchanged speculative glances.

Could it be that the young lady of the Ning family didn’t want to be engaged to the Wen heiress?

Old Madam Wen’s face had already darkened. Supported by Meiru, she began to approach, just as Ning Xu’s cold voice cut through the murmurs.

“I can’t get engaged to Wen Tang.”

The hall fell into an uproar.

That was the Wen family! The most powerful among all the great clans!

And Wen Tang—very likely the Wen family’s future head. To many Omegas, even standing near her would be an honor, let alone being promised to her.

Yet Ning Xu was refusing the engagement?

Did she look down on Wen Tang?

Impossible, right? Wen Tang’s background might have its complications, but her tall, graceful figure and sharp, austere beauty were the epitome of an elite Alpha.

Especially those fox-like eyes—rare among Alphas—cold yet faintly seductive. That faint allure woven into her icy composure made her far more captivating than most.

As people whispered, trying to guess Ning Xu’s reason, the Ning family patriarch’s expression grew thunderous. He was about to step forward and hiss a warning to his daughter when a sudden commotion erupted at the entrance.

The doors burst open, and a man stormed in.

The security guards trailing behind him looked helpless. They’d already failed to stop him, and now, with every gaze in the hall turning their way, they could only stand at the door, trying to shrink into the background.

They dared not risk offending anyone important by dragging the intruder out too roughly.

The guests froze at the unexpected intrusion. The man standing at the doorway was dressed neatly in a suit, his sharp brows and clear eyes not those of a troublemaker. Slowly, the crowd parted for him, curiosity piqued.

As he approached, the Ning family’s faces collectively drained of color.

It was Cheng Ye?

Hadn’t he been locked up by his family? How on earth was he here?

The Ning patriarch and Madam Ning both turned sharply toward the Second Master of the Ning family, suspicion flashing in their eyes.

Grinding his teeth, the patriarch muttered under his breath, “What’s going on?”

The second master, now pale and trembling, finally confessed, voice barely audible, “He disappeared a few days ago, I didn’t dare tell you.”

The patriarch wanted nothing more than to slap his brother across the face. But under the weight of so many watching eyes, he forced himself to stay composed and deal with the immediate problem.

He gave a subtle signal to the butler. The butler straightened his cuffs, then stepped forward to block Cheng Ye’s path.

“Sir, good evening. This is a private engagement banquet, invitation only. I’ll have to ask you to leave.”

Before he could finish, Cheng Ye shoved his hand away. “Get out of my way! I’m here for Xu’er!”

What?

Gasps spread across the hall like a wave, eyes lighting up with interest.

He’d called her Xu’er—so familiar, so intimate. Their relationship was clearly not simple.

All eyes turned toward Ning Xu. Her eyes brimmed with tears, and emotion flooded her face. She couldn’t hold them back any longer. The moment she saw him, her composure shattered—she clearly knew this Alpha.

The crowd was practically buzzing now.

Old Madam Wen’s face went from dark to black. Her chest heaved with fury, and a dull pain spread across her temples.

“Ah Ye!” Ning Xu shook off Madam Ning’s hand, gathered her skirt, and ran toward him.

Under the soft amber lights, the girl in the pink gown ran toward the tall, handsome Alpha with pure joy in her eyes. It was a beautiful sight—except it was happening at her engagement to someone else.

What should have been a tender, romantic scene instantly turned into a public humiliation for the Wen family.

Ning Xu didn’t care. She threw herself into Cheng Ye’s arms, holding him tightly, as though she could pour all her longing into that single embrace.

But she quickly remembered Wen Tang’s earlier warning—now was not the time.

Pulling back slightly, she took Cheng Ye’s hand and turned toward her parents and the Wen family.

“I love Ah Ye,” she said clearly. “We’ve been in love for a long time. So, I can’t marry Wen Tang. I hope you can give us your blessing.”

Silence fell, heavy and absolute. Every guest stood frozen in disbelief.

The Ning patriarch shot his wife a cold, furious glare—this is the daughter you raised?

He knew that from the moment Ning Xu said those words publicly, the Ning family had completely lost their qualification to ally with the Wens.

He forced a brittle smile and first offered apologies to the visibly shaken Old Madam Wen before gesturing toward the security guards.

“Take those two disgraceful fools away,” he ordered through clenched teeth.

“Everyone, my apologies,” said the head of the Ning family, bowing slightly. “My daughter was deceived by this Alpha, which is why she said such outrageous things.” He turned toward the gathered guests, his expression dark. “Let’s end the engagement banquet here. Please, everyone, take your leave—our family has urgent matters to deal with.”

The guests, having enjoyed enough of the spectacle, were more than happy to comply. One by one, they murmured polite farewells and began to file out.

Leaning on Meiru for support, Old Madam Wen’s clouded eyes gleamed with a cold, cutting warning. “What happened today,” she said slowly, “must never leave this room. I expect every one of you to remember that.”

Although the heads of the other families secretly scoffed at her tone, none of them dared voice a word. The Wen family’s power was too great to provoke, and so they all bowed and agreed obediently.

Once the guests had all departed, Old Madam Wen motioned for the security guards to bring the two culprits inside.

Cheng Ye immediately stepped in front of Ning Xu, shielding her from the accusing stares of both families. “Xu’er and I fell in love first,” he said firmly. “You can’t tear us apart!”

Madam Ning instinctively moved forward to protect her daughter, but her husband caught her arm and pulled her back.

For a long moment, silence weighed over the room. Then Old Madam Wen spoke, her voice trembling with suppressed fury. “You’ve disgraced the Wen family,” she said. “You’ve turned us into a laughingstock!” Her sharp gaze shifted toward the Ning patriarch, who was trying his best to appear small and harmless. A bitter laugh escaped her. “The Ning family, impressive!”

“Old Madam, please don’t be angry!” the Ning patriarch hurried to explain. “We truly didn’t know Ning Xu was acquainted with this man. If we had known, we would never have agreed to the engagement!”

But the old woman was in no mood to listen to excuses.

For a man who had dragged the Wen family’s name through the mud, she intended to see punishment personally delivered.

Just as the security guards were about to separate the ill-fated lovers, Wen Tang stepped forward.

Her expression was calm—too calm—but in the eyes of everyone present, she looked heartbreakingly restrained, dignified even in defeat.

“Grandmother,” she said softly, “this matter involves me as well. Could you allow me to say something?”

Old Madam Wen hadn’t expected Wen Tang to intervene. She hesitated, then nodded. Of all those present, Wen Tang was the most wronged, after all.

“The Wen family’s reputation may already be damaged,” Wen Tang began, each word measured and earnest, “but we can’t afford to lose our honor as well.”

To the old matriarch, her tone sounded calm and sensible—like someone putting the family above personal grievances.

“Go on,” the old lady said, her anger easing slightly. She had already decided to let Wen Tang handle the matter. If her granddaughter could manage it properly, perhaps it would even turn the situation to their favor.

Wen Tang’s gaze drifted to the trembling couple before her. Her eyes were flat, devoid of either sorrow or sympathy. “Since everyone already saw Ning Xu and this man together,” she said, “why not let them be?”

A collective gasp rippled through the room.

“What did you just say?” the Ning patriarch snapped, though he dared not raise his voice too much in front of Wen Tang.

She let out a quiet sigh, her expression perfectly portraying dejection and quiet dignity. “If we punish them now, those who witnessed today’s events will say the Wen family is petty—that we can’t tolerate a pair of lovers for the sake of our pride.”

Her voice softened, trembling just enough. “But if we let them be, if we allow them to be together openly, then those same people will say the Wen and Ning families are magnanimous—gracious even in humiliation.”

She looked toward Old Madam Wen then, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I was rejected in front of everyone today,” she whispered. “But I’m willing to give them my blessing. Compared to the Wen family’s name, my personal pride means nothing.”

Her words were pitiful and full of quiet sorrow—each one a perfect stab of filial selflessness.

Old Madam Wen suddenly felt her anger falter. She recalled how she herself had once forced Wen Tang into this marriage alliance, not knowing it would bring her such humiliation. Seeing the shimmer of tears in her granddaughter’s eyes, the old woman’s heart softened at once.

Yes, Wen Tang was the one who had suffered the most today.

After a long pause, Old Madam Wen sighed. “If you don’t wish to pursue the matter, then I’ll respect your decision.”

The declaration sent a silent shockwave through the room. Everyone present understood what it meant—Wen Tang’s voice now carried real weight within the Wen family.

The Ning family members were quick to seize the opportunity. Seeing that the Wen matriarch no longer intended to press charges, they brightened immediately and showered Wen Tang with gratitude.

“Miss Wen truly lives up to her reputation,” the Ning patriarch said, bowing low. “So composed, so generous of heart. The Ning family will never forget this kindness.”

Ning Xu and Cheng Ye exchanged a tearful glance, eyes shining with relief.

They had been spared. The Wen family’s eldest daughter had truly saved them.