Chapter 56: Announcing Zhao Jiaying’s Identity  

Yang Dapeng and his family sat in their seats, overhearing the conversations of some guests behind them.  

“Sigh, what do you think? The Ou family suddenly decided to hold this banquet today—are they planning to announce something?”  

Another person added: “I think so. Didn’t President Ou have rumors with Yang Group’s Yang Xiaoyun before? Reporters even caught them dining together several times. Could it be that they’re announcing their engagement tonight?”  

“That’s possible! I just saw the Yang family members arrive. It really seems like they’re about to announce their marriage! The Yang Group is about to rise—backed by the powerful Ou Corporation, no one will dare offend them in the future.”  

Hearing this, Yang Dapeng became more and more delighted.  

On the other hand, Yang Xiaolin grew increasingly jealous, so much so that she felt like she was about to explode.  

Yet, another person interjected: “Whatever it is, we’ll find out soon. Stop guessing blindly.”  

At 10:30, all the guests had taken their seats, and the banquet officially began.  

Ou Zilong, as the host of the event, was the first to take the stage.  

“Distinguished guests and friends, thank you all for taking the time from your busy schedules to attend the banquet hosted by the Ou family today. I’m sure many of you are curious—why did our family choose to hold a banquet on this particular day? Can anyone guess?”  

Ou Zilong teased the audience, deliberately keeping them in suspense.  

None of the guests had received an invitation specifying the purpose of the banquet, including the Yang family. So, no one knew exactly what kind of event this was.  

Only Shen Changfeng and his wife were aware that today was Zhao Jiaying’s birthday, as Shen Linghao had informed them beforehand.  

Hearing Ou Zilong’s question, someone from the audience responded: “Are you announcing something good?”  

Ou Zilong snapped his fingers. “Bingo! President Xiao is really smart—you guessed it right away. That’s correct, today is indeed a special occasion for the Ou family. And the main character of this great news is my elder brother. Without further ado, let’s welcome my brother, Ou Zichen, to the stage for the announcement!”  

As soon as Ou Zilong finished speaking, applause filled the hall.  

Yang Xiaoyun became even more excited and nervous. The moment had finally arrived—they were about to announce her marriage to Ou Zichen!  

Ou Zichen walked up to the stage, took the microphone from Ou Zilong, and first bowed to the guests below. Only then did he slowly begin to speak.  

“Thank you all for honoring us with your presence tonight. My brother, Ou Zilong, was right—there is indeed a joyous occasion that I would like to announce here today.”

Hearing this, Yang Xiaoyun’s heart was pounding so fast it felt like it would jump out of her chest. Very soon, Ou Zichen would announce their joyous news. She could already picture the scene—countless people congratulating her, trying to curry favor, bowing and scraping to win her over.  

Ou Zichen continued: “Recently, there have been rumors that I have a daughter. Today, I want to tell everyone that this is not just a rumor. I, Ou Zichen, do indeed have a daughter. And today happens to be her fourth birthday. This banquet is being held, first, to celebrate her birthday and, second, to publicly acknowledge her identity.”  

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Jiaying walked up from the audience and stood beside him.  

Ou Zichen crouched down and softly said to her: “Yingbao, greet the uncles, aunts, and aunties.”  

The moment Zhao Jiaying stepped onto the stage, she captured everyone’s attention. The reporters, armed with their cameras, started taking pictures frantically as if they were free of charge.  

Zhao Jiaying took the microphone from Ou Zichen and spoke in her soft, childish voice: “Hello, uncles and aunties! My name is Zhao Jiaying. I am my Daddy’s biological daughter. Thank you all for coming to Yingbao’s birthday.”  

The audience erupted in whispers.  

“So this is the real reason for the Ou family’s banquet! I heard rumors that President Ou had a daughter, but I didn’t believe it. Now that I see this little girl, I believe it completely. She looks exactly like President Ou!”  

“Yes! And she’s so adorable and well-mannered! President Ou is truly blessed!”  

“But she doesn’t have the Ou surname. Did she take her mother’s last name? And why isn’t her mother here?”  

Yang Xiaoyun was utterly stunned. Wasn’t this supposed to be about her and Ou Zichen? How did it turn into some brat’s birthday party? Could it be that the announcement about her would come later?  

A sharp-eyed reporter, noticing that Zhao Jiaying’s last name was Zhao instead of Ou, fearlessly asked: “President Ou, may I ask why your daughter doesn’t carry the Ou surname? Did she take her mother’s last name?”  

Before Ou Zichen could respond, Zhao Jiaying, holding the microphone, answered directly.  

“Uncle, you’re very smart! You’re absolutely right—Yingbao has Mommy’s last name!”  

Seeing that Ou Zichen didn’t stop her from answering, the reporter seized the opportunity and continued,  

“Little one, can you tell Uncle if your Mommy is here today?”  

Zhao Jiaying, unafraid of strangers, replied in her soft voice: “Mommy isn’t here. She went abroad for work and will be back after some time!”  

Another reporter followed up: “President Ou, is the Mommy that the little girl mentioned your wife?”  

Just as Ou Zichen was about to say that it was not convenient to answer this question today, Zhao Jiaying immediately took the microphone and spoke up on his behalf.  

“Uncle, let me answer this for my Daddy. My Mommy’s name is Zhao Yunxi. She is my Daddy’s wife and the woman he loves the most!”  

Hearing Zhao Jiaying’s words, Yang Xiaoyun was so furious that her face turned green. What nonsense was this brat spouting? Ou Zichen wasn’t even married—where did this so-called wife come from?!

Yang Xiaolin, however, was extremely pleased because today, Yang Xiaoyun had finally been humiliated. Now that she had lost Ou Zichen as her support, how could she continue to act so arrogantly at home? She couldn’t wait to see how Yang Dapeng would deal with her when they got back!  

Sure enough, Yang Dapeng’s expression was just as unpleasant. Wasn’t today supposed to be the announcement of Yang Xiaoyun and Ou Zichen’s engagement? How did another daughter and even a wife suddenly appear?  

Ou Zichen also felt that he had been set up by Zhao Jiaying. Since when did he have a wife? But he couldn’t deny it—he couldn’t publicly embarrass Zhao Jiaying.  

So he remained silent, neither confirming nor explaining.  

However, in the eyes of the public, his lack of denial was an indirect admission of the truth.  

A reporter quickly followed up with another question: “President Ou, so does this mean that everything your daughter said is true? But wasn’t there a rumor before that you and Yang Xiaoyun, the youngest daughter of the Yang family, were a couple? There were even pictures online of you two dining together on a date.”