The Banquet was radiantly bright with lights and chandeliers covering the ceiling. There were white lilies on every table with golden chairs, red table cloths, and silver cutlery.
Only exclusive people could attend, and government state officials were seated with the Song Elders, along with their parents at the head of the Banquet where they all chatted away.
As with every event, Qian Meigui felt like she did not belong in these lavish parties, though it was vital for her to attend since she was Song Mei, the third middle child of the family of five.
The siblings were seated next to each other, where an empty seat Song Sheng was supposed to sit daunted on them.
They remained seated until a young man who looked about her age approached them.
"Song Ren, you look lovely tonight," said Su Feng.
Alarmed, Song Ren glanced at him from head to toe and asked, "Why the f.u.c.k are you here? Get lost!" she responded to him.
Qian Meigui looked at her sister with widened eyes, he mouth slightly gaping.
Though Song Ren was elegant and dignified, she had a short temper and was not afraid to speak her mind. When Qian Meigui looked at the man, she realized it was Su Feng, the eldest son of Su Liang, CEO of Sun Group, a competing pharmaceutical company.
He wore a white suit, his golden hair sleeked to one side, and he rested his stark ice-blue eyes on Song Ren.
He was Song Ren"s enemy and friend from school because they use to compete with each other. Su Feng smiled as if her words did not affect him. He turned to their younger sister, "Jinyi, it is nice to see you again."
Song Jinyi nodded and smiled, "h.e.l.lo brother Feng." Su Feng then turned to Qian Meigui and said with a smile, "Good evening Song Mei."
"h.e.l.lo," responded Qian Meigui.
Song Ren did not appear fazed, and she did not care to acknowledge Su Feng, ignoring him the entire time.
Qian Meigui wondered what happened between them, as she noticed the way he looked at Song Ren with half longing and half resentment. But she never asked what their relations.h.i.+p was. Qian Meigui was always afraid to ask.
Su Feng then shook hands with Song Jun before leaving. They all sat in silence, waiting for an introduction to the banquet.
The opener of the event was the President"s brother, Song Li, the second son of her grandparents, and her twisted uncle.
He talked about memories and wished them for more years to come. Grandmother Song then approached the stage with her microphone thanking everyone for attending.
"It is an honour that you are here with us celebrating 50 years of our union. Thank you all for celebrating with us. I will be handing over the microphone over to my dear eldest grandson, Song Sheng."
Qian Meigui stilled before she glanced around the table, waiting for a reaction to see if she heard right. Song Jinyi and Song Jun both had their mouths wide open. Song Ren did not look affected at all.
Qian Meigui returned her eyes to the stage, as a tall, dignified and handsome man approached the stage. He wore a well-pressed navy-blue suit with chestnut-brown cap toe shoes.
His stark black hair long to his ears, though clean and straight, falling over his eyes. His face sharp, tight and taut, yet elegant and beautiful. Qian Meigui"s eyes blurred, it was Song Sheng!
Qian Meigui heard comments and whispers fill the room. Behind her, two ladies spoke, "It"s Song Sheng! He is more handsome in person!" and another said, "And taller than I thought!" The ladies looked at him awe-struck. Qian Meigui sighed, an expected response about him. But what was he doing here?
Song Sheng approached the stage with the aristocratic ambience of a feudal lord. He looked at the stage composed and expressionless, similar to how Song Ren always looked. "Good evening," he began with a deep, almost toneless voice.
"I hope we can rejoice on this occasion, as they had for the last fifty years. I will like to express my grat.i.tude for the opportunities that they gave me, and I hope that we will maintain this relations.h.i.+p for years to come though as I would like to announce that I will now be working for Song Entertainment. I hope that we can all collaborate on the years to come."
Everyone went silent. Qian Meigui could only hear the sound of her heart hastening at a rapid speed. His words were a blow to their family. She did not dare to glance at the terrible faces of Mr. and Mrs. Song; it was a betrayal.
Song Sheng returned the microphone to the opener and left the stage. Qian Meigui did not know what she felt. She was shocked. He was going to resign from Song Pharmaceuticals to join Song Entertainment, the very company that their uncle took from Song Rui.
Whispers filled the room, and her parent"s remained composed, but their faces revealed disappointment. She then noticed Song Ren abruptly standing up, as she strode towards Song Sheng while he walked towards the exit.
Song Sheng looked up at his sister, and his face met with a hard slap. Qian Meigui covered her mouth slightly from gaping. Song Sheng did not move or look at Song Ren.
Song Ren looked at him with half-anger and half-pity as she straightened up and walked out of the exit before him, maintaining her elegant posture. Song Jun grabbed Song Ren"s unfinished wine gla.s.s and downed it.
The night that was supposed to be a joyous evening became very awkward. The guests that were not part of the Song family had a great time after drinking gla.s.ses of wine, and they thought that Song Sheng"s announcement was entertaining.
The Song Elders were pleased to know that a capable son of the Song family was joining the Entertainment company.
But just what is he up to?