Old Master Sheng’s appearance immediately drew all eyes. I deliberately hid in Lin Yusen’s blind spot, not wanting him to spot me first.
Many guests went forward to greet Old Master Sheng, with one middle-aged man’s voice particularly resonant: “Our old birthday star has arrived.”
The old master was beaming with joy and laughed, “We’re not using the word ‘old’ today.”
The middle-aged man quickly apologized: “My mistake, I deserve punishment.”
That side was quite lively, so Uncle wasn’t in a hurry to go offer his greetings.
Director Zhang came to our side again, and Uncle asked him quietly: “Old Master Sheng has always been low-key, and this isn’t even a significant birthday year. Why such a grand celebration? Quite a few people from your company are here too, right?”
“All the senior management is here.” Director Zhang said softly, “The old master was recently hospitalized for some treatment.”
Uncle showed understanding: “He’s preparing to hand over the reins? Who’s that young man beside him?”
“Sheng Xingjie, eldest son of the eldest son.”
So that’s Sheng Xingjie? I couldn’t help but study the young man beside Old Master Sheng. He was fairly good-looking, with an expression full of satisfaction and confidence.
“Handing it directly to the third generation? Well, he must be around thirty now, in his prime. It’s a young person’s world now.”
As Uncle spoke, he glanced at me, then suddenly pointed into the crowd, “That young man, if I’m not mistaken, is Old Master Sheng’s grandson from his daughter’s side, right?”
Director Zhang looked over and nodded, lowering his voice further: “His ability is far… He used to be a doctor. Recently, when a major project ran into trouble, he took over and somehow solved it.”
“Could it be the Land Development project? You handled that beautifully.”
Director Zhang nodded: “It was a bit aggressive, but the results were good. He’s been promoted quickly. At previous functions like this, the old master always kept him and Sheng Xingjie close by. We thought…” He sighed, “But it’s always been this way. Twenty-some years ago, that previous Director Lin also…”
Previous Director Lin? I looked at him questioningly.
Director Zhang realized he’d said too much and stopped, though he couldn’t help adding one last comment, “In a family business… with that ‘outside’ status, he’ll inevitably have to watch others’ faces for his rice.”
Uncle glanced at me again.
I made a face at him.
Sheng Yuan was founded by Old Master Sheng himself, of course, he could give it to whoever he wanted. Knowing Mr. Lin, he wouldn’t care about this at all.
However, many of Sheng Yuan’s senior executives were at the banquet, probably sharing Director Zhang’s thoughts. After the old master and Sheng Xingjie appeared, gazes kept shifting between Sheng Xingjie and Lin Yusen. Sheng Xingjie seemed to sense the unusual atmosphere and suddenly raised his wine glass toward Lin Yusen from across the room.
Lin Yusen raised his glass in return.
But Sheng Xingjie snorted with a laugh, didn’t drink, and placed his glass on a waiter’s tray, taking a new one instead.
His actions instantly drew everyone’s attention, countless gazes falling on Lin Yusen – probing, sympathetic, smug, entertained…
I was dumbfounded by Sheng Xingjie’s series of actions, nearly furious.
I should have realized earlier. At the boss’s wedding banquet last time, even though Rong Rong was just Sheng Xingjie’s second secretary, she dared to make sarcastic remarks about Lin Yusen. Where did her attitude come from? It must have been learned from above.
I looked toward Lin Yusen. The people who had been chatting with him earlier had dispersed, leaving him standing alone, fingers resting on his wine glass, a slight smile on his lips, as if completely unaware of the judging gazes at the banquet.
My eyes couldn’t help but fall on his slender fingers.
Suddenly, my heart ached.
If not for the car accident, he would still be that brilliant surgeon, not standing here enduring everyone’s sympathy and speculation.
What nonsense about watching others’ faces for his rice – does he need to?!
I immediately turned to ask Uncle: “Uncle, shouldn’t we go congratulate the elders?”
Uncle led me toward Old Master Sheng.
Lin Yusen finally spotted me then, his expression startled as he immediately put down his glass and walked toward us.
I pulled Uncle along faster, managing to greet Old Master Sheng before he could reach us.
“Happy birthday, Grandfather Sheng. May your fortune be as vast as the Eastern Sea and your life as enduring as the Southern Mountains.”
Old Master Sheng smiled warmly, “Very good, very good.” He looked at my uncle: “Chairman Jiang, I remember you only have one son, who is this?”
Uncle answered: “This is my niece Xiguang, my sister and Cheng Yuan’s daughter.”
Old Master Sheng studied me: “I remember now, I met you in Wuxi a few years ago. You’ve grown more beautiful.”
Uncle also smiled: “Children grow up so fast.”
I deliberately tugged at Uncle’s clothes conspicuously, “Uncle, help me ask.”
Uncle was confused at first, but then I glanced meaningfully at Lin Yusen, who was still trying to make his way through the crowd.
Uncle’s expression changed instantly as he tried to stop me, “Later, later.”
“Ask now, first come first served. What if someone else sets their sights on him later?” I spoke softly as if trying not to draw attention, but just loud enough for Old Master Sheng to hear.
Old Master Sheng grew curious, “Ask what? Set sights on whom?”
Uncle nearly stumbled over his words: “Well, she, she’s young, wants to meet more friends, that, your grandson, how old is he?”
As soon as the last words left his mouth, Uncle clamped his lips shut, looking like he wanted to punch himself.
The surrounding guests suddenly fell silent. I was struggling to hold back my laughter, while Lin Yusen – abruptly stopped in his tracks, showing only a moment’s surprise before breaking into a smile.
He walked gracefully to stand before me, “I’m twenty-nine, and Miss Jiang?”
I frowned slightly, saying with disappointment: “Almost thirty? That’s a bit old… oh, and I’m not surnamed Jiang.”
“I apologize, I thought you were Chairman Jiang’s daughter. May I ask your surname?”
“I’m surnamed Nie,” I told him straightforwardly.
“Miss Nie.” He repeated, his eyes gleaming as he looked at me, “Miss Nie seems unsatisfied with my age?”
“Not really.” I sighed, “Just thinking at this age, most people would have girlfriends. Well, do you?”
“I do.”
I nodded, “Then never mind, Uncle, let’s go.” I linked arms with Uncle, making as if to leave.
Uncle was still dazed as I turned him around, and then we heard Lin Yusen say behind us:
“She’s also surnamed Nie.”
I lowered my head to hide my laughter. Uncle finally realized something was amiss, whirling around to look between Lin Yusen and me with shock and uncertainty.
Lin Yusen now turned serious, walking up to my shell-shocked uncle and politely greeting him: “Hello Uncle Jiang, I’m Lin Yusen, Xiguang’s boyfriend.”
Uncle’s expression had never been more spectacular, making me suddenly worried about how to deal with the aftermath after the banquet.
Uncle dazedly shook hands with Lin Yusen.
“Uncle Jiang, may I take Xiguang to greet my grandfather?”
Uncle nodded numbly.
So Lin Yusen took my hand and led me before Old Master Sheng.
“Grandfather, Xiguang is my girlfriend. We were just playing around earlier.”
The old master, seasoned in life’s battles, reacted much faster than my uncle. He quickly masked his surprise and looked me over again, nodding with satisfaction: “Good, good. Almost thirty and finally found a girlfriend. Now I can rest easy.”
The surrounding crowd finally emerged from their absolute silence, breaking into whispered conversations.
“Who is she?”
“I heard she’s Nie Cheng Yuan’s daughter.”
“They only have one daughter, right?”
“Yes, just one daughter. This is interesting.”
With so many guests, the old master could only exchange a few words before needing to attend to the next group, but before leaving he added: “There’s a small family gathering at home tomorrow, Xiguang should come too.”
I nodded instinctively, only realizing what it meant after he’d gone.
Me attending a family gathering… wouldn’t that be inappropriate?
I looked at Lin Yusen, then at Uncle who had finally recovered enough to come over and take control of the situation. Uncle wanted to say something, but seeing Lin Yusen there, ended up just glaring.
At me==
Director Zhang looked quite awkward as he patted Uncle’s shoulder, “So you’d already secured our Director Lin. You kept it quiet, and even pretended not to know him?”
Uncle couldn’t very well say he had no idea, so he explained unconvincingly: “Well, I didn’t know what he looked like.”
Director Zhang laughed heartily: “We’ll be even closer from now on. Don’t hold any past offenses against us.”
The last sentence was directed at me, probably referring to his earlier comments about Lin Yusen, but since he was just being honest, there was nothing to mind, so I smiled at him.
Director Zhang immediately relaxed and teased us: “Your little performance has stolen half the spotlight today.”
His words made me realize we had become another focal point of the gathering, with various gazes drifting our way. When I happened to glance around, I even met Sheng Xingjie’s eyes.
I quietly looked away.
Lin Yusen spoke up at the right moment: “Uncle Jiang, may I take Xiguang outside for some air?”
I nodded repeatedly, looking hopefully at Uncle.
Uncle probably also sensed the unusual atmosphere around us and reluctantly agreed: “Go ahead, but be back before the formal dinner begins.”
Lin Yusen held my hand as we walked out of the hall. The banquet hall was filled with elegant guests in fine clothes, and as this distinguished man led me through the crowd, I inexplicably felt a sense of ceremony…
Ugh, I quickly brushed away these strange thoughts and said softly: “Many people are watching us.”
“Mm.”
“How can you be so calm?”
“They’re envious looks, why shouldn’t I be calm?”
…Conversation ended.
The air felt lighter as soon as we left the hall.
“Are we going outside? It’s very cold.”
“Not outside, follow me.”
He led me along the corridor outside the hall.
After two turns, the corridor ended at a viewing platform with floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides, one side facing the venue and the front overlooking the Huangpu River at night, its lights brilliantly beautiful.
I was drawn to the night view and ran to the windows.
“It’s so beautiful.”
Lin Yusen came to stand beside me, “It’s the same angle as the banquet hall.”
“Oh, there were too many people there, I didn’t notice. Ah~~~” Speaking of the banquet hall, I felt a bit worried, “I don’t want to go back anymore. I’ve never been so high-profile before.”
Lin Yusen sighed with me, “Who hasn’t been there?”
…
Are you feeling wronged?
I glared at him. He smiled, pulled me close, and lowered his head. I thought he was going to kiss me and instinctively grabbed his sleeve, but he just gently pressed his forehead against mine.
Our breaths mingled.
“Why did you do that?”
“Huh?”
“Just now, in front of my grandfather, with so many people around, saying you’re my girlfriend.”
“Wasn’t that what you said? I was being very reserved.”
“Mm… reserved enough to ask if I had a girlfriend?”
I couldn’t help but laugh: “You are my boyfriend after all. With so many beautiful girls at the banquet, of course, I had to stake my claim.”
Lin Yusen chuckled softly, firmly gripping my hand in return.
“Don’t worry about me,” he said.
I looked at him.
“That place,” he said, his lips curving slightly as his gaze turned toward the brilliantly lit venue in the distance, then back to me, his eyes full of spirit.
“Once I was determined to have it, now my ambitions lie elsewhere.”