Chapter 448: The Start of Birthday Banquet (2)
The dazzling light illuminated the large mansion, and it was as bright as daylight. A group of servants came in and out, one after another. They greeted the guests in an estranged but polite manner.
As the madam and the eldest lady of the Zhao family, Duan Yarong and Zhao Youlin were naturally very busy. This was especially so for Duan Yarong. She had been busy making various arrangements in the kitchen as well as the living hall. She had to remind the servants of many things to do with the guests at the banquet.
Before the start of the banquet, she was already looking a bit tired. Even though it had not been obvious, Zhao Youlin had been paying attention to her and how could she not have noticed that?
She went over and held Duan Yarong"s hand as she said, "Mother, the guests haven"t really started arriving yet. Go and take a rest for a while first. Otherwise, you would get busy later."
Duan Yarong knew that Zhao Youlin was worried about her. The feeling of warmth bloomed in her heart. However, she was reluctant to leave everything to Zhao Youlin. "We have invited many guests today. Are you able to handle all of them by yourself? Or, should I…"
Before Duan Yarong finished her words, Zhao Youlin had already interrupted her. She smiled faintly as she said, "It"s only a short moment. Besides, Father and Grandpa are greeting them as well. Uncle Zhao and the rest of his group are also a.s.sisting me. So, I"m not entirely on my own. Moreover…"
Zhao Youlin instinctively cast a glance at the people behind Duan Yarong and said teasingly, "Yichen and Yue Yue are here. Mother, don"t you want to go over and accompany them for a while?"
Duan Yarong was stunned. She quickly turned her head around and saw Han Yichen was holding An Yue while walking toward them.
Han Yichen was no different from his usual self. He wore an exquisitely-tailored suit. Besides, his natural good looks and imposing aura that only belonged to a superior which he had honed over the years had made him stand out a sore thumb even among the crowd. It was difficult for them to ignore his outstanding presence.
He was holding An Yue. She had put on an expensive light pink short dress. The dress fitted her body nicely and was able to bring out her curves. It was just nice to look at without finding her to be too gaudy. Her overall appearance was cute yet tinged with a hint of indescribable elegance.
The ta.s.sel at the hem of her dress reached her knee, and she matched it with a pair of white heels of ten centimeters, thus highlighting her fair-skinned legs and making them more slender.
She had adorned her black-colored waist-length hair with a small pin, showing her incredibly delicate small frame after a light makeup.
Apparently, An Yue was not quite used to this kind of banquet that caught everyone"s attention. Her small face slightly turned pink. She carefully stayed close by Han Yichen"s side. She dared not face the gazes cast to her from all directions.
When Duan Yarong saw this, she took the initiative to welcome them. "You guys have come. Why don"t we find a place to rest first? The guests haven"t fully arrived yet. The banquet will start later. Yue Yue, are you hungry? Do you want to take something light?"
When An Yue saw Duan Yarong, the nervousness on her face slowly subsided. She smiled faintly and replied to her, "I"m not hungry. Chen has taken me for a meal before we come."
Duan Yarong nodded. Just then, Zhao Youlin walked over from not far away from them. She smiled as she said, "You guys have arrived."
As she was speaking, she cast a swift glance behind them. When she was a.s.sured that no one else was around them, she asked in puzzlement, "Why are only the two of you here? Where"s An Qi? Didn"t you say you all are coming together today?"
In addition to celebrating Duan Yarong"s birthday today, the former master was going to reveal Han Yichen"s ident.i.ty as well as announce their wedding date to the public. In other words, they would announce their engagement to the public today.
While Han Yichen had the Zhao family as his witnesses, An Yue could at least have An Qi and she had to make the trip down for her. Therefore, Zhao Youlin had already asked Han Yichen and An Yue to take An Qi along. But now...
Right after Zhao Youlin mentioned this, Duan Yarong also cast a glance at Han Yichen and An Yue"s back. She then furrowed her eyebrows and said, "That"s right. Yue Yue, where"s your older sister? Today"s an important day to you and Chen. Has something happened to her?"
Upon hearing Zhao Youlin and Duan Yarong asked about An Qi, An Yue hurriedly explained to them, "Chen said that it"s still early before the banquet starts. So, we will come over here first to see if we could offer our help in anything. My older sister will come later. We asked her to rest at home first. She will come with Big Brother Fan in a while."
"Big Brother Fan? Is she referring to Nie Yunfan?" Zhao Youlin was stunned. The corners of her lips unwittingly twitched. "Are you sure it"s okay to ask that rascal to send An Qi over here?"
Meanwhile, Duan Yarong did not give a second thought to it. She heaved a sigh of relief after getting to know that An Qi would be coming later. She calmed down and finally understood the reason why Han Yichen had asked An Qi to come later.
Even though An Qi was An Yue"s family member, this was An Qi"s first time coming to the Zhao family and attending the banquet. Therefore, she was also considered as a Zhao family"s guest.
At that time, they were busy greeting the guests. Even if An Qi had arrived, they were afraid they would spread themselves too thin and miss the opportunity to greet An Qi. In fact, they might even leave out their in-laws. Therefore, they might as well ask her to come later which was a more polite gesture.
"I"m glad to hear that, Yue Yue. When your older sister arrives, remember to inform me. I"ll personally welcome her."
An Yue froze. She knew that Duan Yarong was doing this on behalf of the Zhao family to show their respect to An Qi so that the others would not look down upon the siblings" statuses. The feeling of warmth bloomed in her heart as she nodded.
When Zhao Youlin saw this. She smiled faintly. She switched the topic and said in a low voice, "Yichen, it"s been a long journey for you guys, and I suppose you are a bit tired. Mother, you"ve been working hard throughout the day as well. Take Yichen and Yue Yue to rest at the side and leave the remaining matters to me and Uncle Zhao. You don"t have to worry about us."
As Zhao Youlin was saying this, she shot a glance at Han Yichen. Han Yichen"s eyes lit up and exchanged glances with Zhao Youlin as he said, "Let us take a rest at the side first."
Although Duan Yarong still did not feel at ease, her son and daughter had insisted on it. So, she did not want to turn them down. Besides, she also wanted to spend more time with her son and daughter-in-law. She compromised with them and nodded as she walked away with Han Yichen and An Yue.
After Zhao Youlin watched the three of them leave, she slightly heaved a sigh of relief. Just when she was about to go forward and greet the guests, her phone rang.
When Zhao Youlin saw the person"s name displayed on the phone screen, the corners of her lips curled upward. After she picked up the call, she went straight to the point and asked, "When will you arrive?"
"Miss me?" The person on the other end of the line did not answer her question. Instead, he calmly asked her back.
Zhao Youlin rolled her eyes in resignation. How could she fail to realize that there was actually a shameless soul hiding beneath this strict appearance? Indeed, one should not judge a book by its cover alone. Even stoic looks could be deceiving too!