Chapter 431: Chapter 431
The hall was already packed with people, a grand gathering of political, business, and military elites from Beijing.
The older men and women had separated into their own groups, exchanging pleasantries back and forth.
The younger ones, most of whom knew each other, engaged in more relaxed conversations, filling the room with lively chatter.
Amidst the crowd, Lin Jiayi was all smiles, charming everyone as if she were the host, trying to welcome everyone, but the guests on Wan Chu’er’s side didn’t know her at all, responding to her enthusiasm with indifference, preferring to engage with Mao Xiaoyu instead.
As for the guests of the Jiang Family, the older guests were naturally entertained by Father Jiang and Mrs. Jiang. The younger guests were mostly aware of Lin Jiayi’s relationship with the Jiang Family. Moreover, due to the chaos caused by Lin Jiayi at the bar a few years ago, few were genuinely willing to associate with her. Most people preferred gathering around Jiang Xiaoxiao.
Those around Lin Jiayi were basically not of high status, including some relatives who came through connections or people like An Zihao and Chu Xueli, who others didn’t want to deal with. Original content can be found at novel✶fire.net
After Mai Qiqi and Yan Hui left, Jiang Kechu came over, and he and Wan Chu’er, each holding a baby, went downstairs to meet the elders and some important guests.
Amidst envious gazes from some young people, Jiang Kechu and his family of four first went to see Old Sir Zhong. Old Sir Zhong and his group were sitting in a partition at the front of the banquet hall, visible but separated by design, creating their own space.
Inside the partition were the elder statesmen of various Beijing families, any one of whom could cause a minor stir with a mere stomp of their foot, commanding respect and deference from everyone around.
As soon as they entered, Chuanqi and Hunter called out in their innocent voices to Old Sir Zhong.
A kind smile quickly spread across Old Sir Zhong’s face as he beckoned the two children to come forward and patiently spoke to them. Regardless of whether they could understand, he pointed out each of the elderly gentlemen around them for them to recognize.
Each time he pointed, the two little ones would simultaneously say, "Hello, Grandpa." Mrs. Zhu definitely taught them this phrase repeatedly.
These gentlemen came specifically to show support, and they cooperatively teased the little ones, each eventually presenting two gifts. By the end, the children had amassed a pile of valuable gifts.
Besides the little stars of the day, Wan Chu’er and Jiang Kechu were naturally also inquired after, greeting these elder statesmen.
After making the rounds, Wan Chu’er and Jiang Kechu smiled and took their leave, bringing the two little ones away to leave space for the elders to chat.
When Yan Hui and Mai Qiqi descended from upstairs, they attracted many gazes, including those of An Zihao and Chu Xueli in the crowd.
At first, An Zihao thought he was mistaken, as he couldn’t reconcile the radiant, dignified, and gentle girl with Mai Qiqi.
He had thought that after their breakup, Mai Qiqi would be living poorly, maybe not in misery, but at least looking haggard and pale.
But now, she stood beside Yan Hui, the picture of a blissful young woman, her cheeks rosy.
When did Mai Qiqi start seeing Yan Hui?!
An Zihao felt a sense of betrayal, making him uncomfortable.
In his anger, Chu Xueli also noticed Mai Qiqi, but her attention was more focused on the perfect, jade-like man next to Mai Qiqi.
That man exuded a subtle nobility in every gesture, tall and strikingly handsome. He turned his head to say something to Mai Qiqi, causing her to blush sheepishly. Then he wrapped an arm around her shoulder as they walked aside.
The interactions between Yan Hui and Mai Qiqi broke many a girl’s heart, with many women jealous of Mai Qiqi, wondering why they couldn’t be beside Yan Hui instead.
Chu Xueli swallowed hard and tugged on An Zihao’s arm, asking in a whisper, "Who is the man next to Mai Qiqi?"
If before, she had been smug about stealing An Zihao from Mai Qiqi and looked down on Mai Qiqi, now she thought Mai Qiqi was too cunning. Mai Qiqi must have found a better option and discarded An Zihao to her.
An Zihao glanced at her, replying uncomfortably, "A businessman named Yan Hui."
She was adept at reading others, concluding from people’s gazes and conversations that Yan Hui was certainly not as simple as An Zihao made him out to be.
Chu Xueli proudly puffed out her chest with ambition, believing she could snatch a man from Mai Qiqi once, she could do it again.
Yan Hui, she had set her sights on this man!
Chu Xueli didn’t act rashly. Although she continued to mingle with An Zihao and other people, her attention mostly focused on Mai Qiqi and Yan Hui.
For instance, the clothes Mai Qiqi wore today were seen at a luxury shop on Maple Leaf Avenue in France, worth hundreds of thousands, and the diamond necklace around her neck was undoubtedly priceless.
The necklace must have been given by Yan Hui since An Zihao couldn’t afford such gifts. Chu Xueli’s jealousy of Mai Qiqi deepened and so did her desire for Yan Hui.
Yan Hui’s clothing also seemed of high quality, looking better than the new clothes An Zihao had just bought.
Yan Hui and Mai Qiqi didn’t approach them at all but stayed chatting with some notable young talents, who appeared extraordinary.
Besides Chu Xueli, many others cast occasional glances at Mai Qiqi and Yan Hui, including An Zihao.
An Zihao felt a suffocating sense in his chest, unable to stop wondering when Mai Qiqi got together with Yan Hui, fearing it might have started even when they were together.
At one point, Mai Qiqi’s gaze swept towards him, and their eyes met. Just as An Zihao was about to show anger, Mai Qiqi acted as if she hadn’t seen him, moving her gaze indifferently, leaving him feeling even more defeated.
After a while, Chu Xueli leaned close to An Zihao’s ear, speaking softly and charmingly, "Zihao, let’s go say hi to Qiqi. I want to officially apologize to her; after all, we both..."
An Zihao looked at her and immediately agreed; he also wanted to ask Mai Qiqi some questions.
The two then slowly approached Yan Hui and Mai Qiqi together.
Noting in her peripheral vision that An Zihao and Chu Xueli were coming over, Mai Qiqi’s lips curled into a cold smile, indicating her earlier disregard had achieved its effect.
Sure enough, shameless. Since they’re eager to embarrass themselves, don’t blame her for being rude!
Feeling the hand on her arm apply pressure, Yan Hui smiled and patted her hand but couldn’t snap Mai Qiqi back to focus. He then apologized to his conversational partner, bent down slightly, and murmured into Mai Qiqi’s ear,
"Don’t be nervous, the show is about to start."
The sudden warm breath against her ear made Mai Qiqi’s ears instantly turn red, and she returned to her senses, giving Yan Hui an embarrassed smile.
This scene fell into the eyes of An Zihao and Chu Xueli, simultaneously sparking their jealousy.
Daring to be intimate with another man right in front of me. An Zihao thought.
It must be deliberate; Mai Qiqi is definitely showing off to her! Chu Xueli believed this.