Chapter 76: Filiation Banquet, Everyone Gathers in Yuncheng
Yuncheng wasn’t a big place, so there were rarely any major events. But Song Jingren’s high-profile filiating of his daughter caused a huge commotion all over the city. Tonight, almost all the media reporters gathered around the Song family mansion.
For an illegitimate daughter making her ident.i.ty proper and even managing to hitch into a powerful family in Beijing, many experienced media personnel said that she had extremely skillful tricks up her sleeve.
Tonight, the Song family mansion was brightly lit, and Song Jingren had even specially invited a symphony orchestra to help build up the atmosphere. The banquet had yet to start, but the enormous living room was already full of people holding champagne gla.s.ses, talking and drinking with each other.
The staff of ‘The Beijing Daily’, where Cheng Lan worked, was adjusting their equipment at the side, preparing to do a comprehensive report on the banquet.
“Sister Lan, you’re so capable. We’re the exclusive news outlet at this banquet. The views we’ll get tomorrow will definitely be off the charts.”
“Don’t you know who Sister Lan is?”
“The Song family and the Fu family are kin now, and Sister Lan is Third Master’s female confidante, so the Song Family would definitely give her face.”
Cheng Lan really enjoyed having others flattering her. “Alright, the banquet is about to begin. Check the equipment again.”
***
The second floor of the Song family mansion…
Secretary Zhang knocked on Song Jingren’s bedroom door and entered after getting permission. “President Song, everything is ready.”
“Still no news of Qiao Aiyun?”
“No one saw her return to Yuncheng.”
Song Jingren adjusted his tie in front of the full-length mirror. “What about the Qiao family?”
“No news as well.”
“Go and check again. Tighten the security measures. No mistakes are allowed at tonight’s banquet.”
Ever since he had released the news, he hadn’t been able to contact Qiao Aiyun. Those who committed evil would all feel guilty, and he was no exception.
Secretary Zhang acknowledged and walked out. He happened to see the makeup artist and a servant carrying things in and out of Song Fengwan’s room.
“Why are you going to that room?”
“Eldest Miss wants to try on the clothes. The guest room isn’t s.p.a.cious enough, so…” the servant stammered. The eldest miss she was referring to was naturally Jiang Fengya.
Qiao Aiyun had always advocated spoiling her daughter, so Song Fengwan’s room was the largest in the entire house. This person hasn’t even officially entered the Song family yet, but she’s already in a hurry to claim a t.i.tle and occupy territory.
Her true colors are really ugly.
***
Inside the living room on the first floor…
The men gathered together and talked about recent big events, while the women gathered together to discuss clothes and accessories and gossip about the female lead of tonight’s banquet.
“This illegitimate daughter really has some skillful tricks up her sleeve. I saw the photo. She looked like a weak willow blowing in the wind, but I didn’t expect her to be such a sinister thing.” These aristocratic madams and young ladies especially looked down on these kinds of illegitimate children.
“She stole Song Fengwan’s fiancé and even took over her s.p.a.ce. I think there’s a high chance that those photos were taken on purpose.”
“I heard that she’s only eighteen. She’s so young but already knows how to seduce men. She must be the reincarnation of a vixen. How shameless.”
…
While everyone was talking, Song Jingren was supporting Jiang Fengya by her arm down the stairs.
Song Jingren was dressed in a suit and had the special charisma of a mature man, while Jiang Fengya was wearing a long white dress that touched the floor. Her specially curled hair made her face look even more pet.i.te.
Her makeup was simple, so the luxurious jewelry she wore looked a little out of place.
“Who wears jewelry like this? She’s covered in jewelry from head to toe, not missing a single bit of her body. She looks just like a nouveau riche,” someone ridiculed her softly.
Jewelry was used to complement and complete an outfit and accentuate someone’s beauty. This was how to achieve the best effect of wearing jewelry. But she was wearing too many pieces. Not only did they steal the limelight, but the color of the jewelry was bright and vibrant, but she…
… couldn’t bear it.
“She wanted to amaze the world, but she tried too hard and ended up looking tacky.”
“Didn’t Song Jingren find her some stylists? If this kind of photo gets out, it’ll be such a joke.”
Her stylists were also in despair. We helped her coordinate an outfit, but she refused to listen and dressed according to her taste. She likes such a tacky outfit, so what can we do?
“It’s alright. Don’t be afraid.” Song Jingren felt Jiang Fengya’s nervousness. He gently patted the back of her hand amicably like a loving father.
“Okay.” Jiang Fengya wasn’t afraid. She was excited.
She had been looking forward to this for so long. She was just a few steps away from becoming the legitimate eldest miss of the Song family.
The two of them walked to the small stage temporarily set up in the middle of the living room. Song Jingren picked up the microphone, made some pleasantries, and got to the main topic.
“Thank you, everyone, for taking time out of your busy schedules to come here today. I am extremely grateful.
“I invited everyone here today for the sake of the daughter I just found. We have been separated for many years, and I thank the heavens for allowing us to reunite…”
He spoke with great enthusiasm, but the applause below the stage was spa.r.s.e. Everyone knew how much of this was true and how much was fake. They came to attend the banquet just to give him face and watch the show unfold.
Just as Song Jingren was speaking pa.s.sionately, a commotion came from outside, and everyone looked over.
A security guard ran in. “Master, Madam and Eldest Miss are back!”
Jiang Fengya’s face turned completely black when she heard the words ‘Eldest Miss’.
Before the crowd could react, they saw a group of bodyguards dressed in black entering the room. Their footsteps were heavy, and their auras were strong as they swept across the entire living room while carrying the frostiness of the early winter, looking grim and cold…
They obviously came prepared.
***
Another pa.s.senger plane landed at Yuncheng Airport.
“Third Master, we’re here…” s.h.i.+ Fang quietly reminded a certain person resting with his eyes closed, not knowing if he was sleeping or awake.
“Achoo—” A certain someone held a tissue and kept rubbing his nose. “Third Fu, is she pregnant or not? If we go over like this, won’t you scare your grandnephew dead?”
Fu Chen opened his eyes slowly and glanced at him.
“Don’t look at me like that. I’m just afraid that someone might die.”
“Then you should just go back to the capital. Why are you following me?” Fu Chen got up, folded the blanket on his lap, and placed it aside.
He rubbed his nose and smiled. “You’re here to do some big moves, so I’m here to cheer you on and support Little Sister-in-Law[1].” Besides, how could I miss such a big show?
He just said this. But when he got to the Song family residence, a certain someone was bl.u.s.tering louder than anyone else.
Those unaware would have thought that it was his main stage.
Fu Chen and the others got up and left. A gentleman also sitting in the first-cla.s.s cabin opened his eyes and watched them as they left.
“Sir, it’s time for us to get out too,” his secretary said softly. “The car has already been prepared. Should we head straight to the Song family mansion?”
“Yes.”
[1] It is common for Chinese-speakers to call the significant other of another person—who is older or more powerful than them, or their friends—’嫂子(sister-in-law)’.