Gu Shinan listened quietly, following their gaze to the corner where Peng Kai in a black suit rehearsed with the Chen Family elders.
The male host stood next to him, coaching him on the speech.
All hosts were good-looking, but Peng Kai’s handsome and dignified presence made the host pale in comparison.
Gu Shinan’s mood grew complicated.
Given her identity, she had no right to attend this banquet. She had just tagged along with her master Zhong Sheng, who needed a female companion.
Otherwise, she’d never have seen the high society’s face.
At this moment, Gu Shinan overheard some men discussing a woman.
“There’s a beauty in a red dress over by the pastry area, really pretty. I went to get some desserts and almost asked for her contact info.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“I was about to, but a guy beat me to it. The girl refused him outright.”
“Don’t know whose daughter she is. Looks unfamiliar.”
“I was here early, I know. That girl was brought by the Chen Family heir. Probably his girlfriend.”
Gu Shinan looked over and saw Peng Kai’s girlfriend happily eating sweets at the pastry area—sampling this, tasting that, savoring everything with an elegant posture.
She wore a red cocktail dress showing off long, fair legs and a curvy figure. From a distance, she was stunning.
The dress looked high quality and expensive.
Gu Shinan glanced down at her own lavender gown costing over six thousand yuan, something she’d bought with gritted teeth.
She had hoped to dazzle today, but next to that girl, she was just a bystander. The gap in her heart was obvious.
If she hadn’t broken up with Peng Kai, today she’d be the one shining.
Lan Hui was enjoying fresh durian when a man in a suit approached: “Hello, beautiful. I’m the general manager of Wanhe Corporation. May I have the honor of your contact information?”
Lan Hui was speechless. She’d lost count of how many men had approached her today.
“Sorry, she has a boyfriend.” At that moment, Peng Kai hurried over and wrapped an arm possessively around Lan Hui’s waist, claiming her loudly.
The suited man nodded regretfully and left.
Lan Hui smiled at Peng Kai: “Finished practicing so quickly?”
Peng Kai grumbled, “Done. If I didn’t come back soon, my girlfriend might have been stolen away.”
He knew he’d only been gone less than an hour but countless men had tried to get her number. “I really want to marry you soon so everyone knows you’re mine.”
Lan Hui laughed: “When guys hit on me, I don’t ignore them. I see a lot of heiresses here today, each more beautiful than the last. Everyone’s talking about you, saying you’re handsome and elegant.”
“I’m still yours.”
Lan Hui nodded.
Peng Kai asked, “Are you full?”
Lan Hui replied, “Yes.”
Peng Kai said, “Then I’ll take you to sit for a while.”
Lan Hui was tired in heels but smiled: “Okay.” Then she asked, “I remember you invited Xiao Pang. Why didn’t I see him?”
Peng Kai linked his arm with hers, half supporting her: “Xiao Pang didn’t want to come. His situation is special. He doesn’t like noisy places and wouldn’t be comfortable even if he came. No need to force him.”
Lan Hui understood. Xiao Pang was disabled and insecure. She could sympathize.
They found a corner seat next to some flower pots, a spot not easily seen by passersby.
***
Soon after sitting, they overheard voices nearby discussing her and Peng Kai.
A girl said, “Bro, you know the red-dressed beauty is the Chen Family heir’s girlfriend, yet you still won’t give up?”
A guy replied, “So what if she’s the girlfriend? They’ll break up eventually. I’ll line up to get her number. There’ll be a chance.”
Peng Kai’s face darkened. He was about to stand and confront them.
Lan Hui quickly pulled him down and whispered, “Kai-ge, I want to listen.”
Peng Kai glared: “What’s there to listen to with such nonsense?”
Lan Hui insisted: “I want to hear it. If you make a sound, there’ll be serious consequences.”
Peng Kai sighed but didn’t argue. He listened with her.
Nearby, a girl sighed helplessly: “The heir even brought his girlfriend to this banquet. He’s probably serious.”
The man said, “So what if he’s serious? Unless the Chen Family elders agree, that girl won’t get into the Chen Family.”
“Haven’t you figured out the banquet’s purpose? Almost all the heiresses in S City are here. You think the Chen Family elders have no ulterior motives?”
The girl suddenly understood: “They’re screening potential daughters-in-law?”
The man nodded.
The girl said, “But the heir seems to care a lot about that girl in red.”
The man said, “Caring doesn’t matter. Business marriages care about status, not feelings. The heir will only marry someone of equal standing.”
“Either he breaks up with the girl in red, or keeps her on the side. I see that girl’s clean and proud. They’ll break up eventually. That’s when I’ll have my chance.”
The girl scolded him, “Bro, you’re such a jerk. Won’t your future wife also need status?”
The man was pragmatic: “I know how it ends. So before that happens, I’ll date who I like. When it’s time to marry, break up. Give a settlement, not too bad for the girl.”
Peng Kai’s anger hit the limit.
He tried to stand to confront them, but Lan Hui held him back and whispered, “Kai-ge, don’t do this. Many people are saying this at the banquet. Can you make trouble with everyone?”
Lan Hui purposely let Peng Kai hear this. She wanted him to accept reality—the Chen Family elders didn’t approve of her.
Peng Kai hugged her tightly: “Fu Fu, I’ll only marry you this lifetime. I won’t look at any other woman. If Mom and Dad don’t accept you, I’ll give up my status. I’ll never give up on you.”
Lan Hui smiled knowingly: “I understand. I promise, as long as you don’t give up on me, I won’t give up on you either.”
Peng Kai’s handsome face brightened again: “After the recognition banquet, I’ll formally ask my parents about marriage.”
Lan Hui nodded: “Good.”
Gu Shinan also overheard many people discussing Peng Kai, all saying he and his girlfriend couldn’t be together.
The Chen Family elders wouldn’t approve.
In the end, Yue Fu would be heartlessly cast aside.
Gu Shinan felt much better inside. Her mood lifted and her appetite returned. She went to the pastry area and ate a lot.
What she couldn’t have, Yue Fu couldn’t either.
After all, besides looking a bit better, Yue Fu wasn’t on her level in anything else.
Education, experience, intelligence—they were not in the same league.
Why should someone like her live better than her?
***
At noon, the recognition banquet officially began. Peng Kai waited at the stage edge. After the host’s opening speech, he went onstage to speak.
Lan Hui sat quietly watching the man shining onstage. He delivered a heartfelt speech, then the Chen Family elders joined him. The three were moved to tears.
About half an hour later, the recognition ceremony ended. Soft music played, and guests began dancing and chatting.
Peng Kai immediately returned to Lan Hui’s side. She gave him a thumbs-up: “Kai-ge, you nailed it.”
Peng Kai smiled: “When we get married, I’ll aim for 101%.”
Lan Hui laughed: “I’ll be waiting.”
Just then, Xue Fen brought a glass of champagne over: “Xiao Kai, come with Mom for a moment. I want to introduce you to some of my friends and their sons and daughters. You’re all about the same age; you can hang out later.”
Peng Kai nodded: “Okay.” Then invited Lan Hui: “Fu Fu, let’s go together.”
Lan Hui quickly refused: “I’m not going. I’m not used to high heels and don’t want to wander around. You and Auntie go. I’ll wait here.”
It was obvious Auntie wanted to introduce some heiresses to Peng Kai. Why would she want to go and complicate things? If Peng Kai rejected those ladies coldly, Auntie might think it was her idea.
Xue Fen’s expression softened, clearly understanding the situation and not wanting to disturb them. No wonder her son was so infatuated.
“Xiao Kai, go with Mom. Let Xiao Yue rest here.”
Peng Kai wasn’t stupid. He guessed the situation.
“Mom, Fu Fu isn’t going. I’m not going either. She’s my girlfriend, the woman I’ve chosen, basically part of our Chen Family now. If there are introductions, we should go together.”
“But Xiao Yue’s foot hurts.”
Peng Kai said, “That’s why I’m not going.”
Xue Fen sighed deeply: “Fine, if you won’t go, I’ll introduce them some other time. I have things to do. You two have fun yourselves.”
She had figured it out. Her son still cared deeply about that girl. Introducing heiresses now might backfire and make the ladies think poorly of him.
Better to wait for a more suitable time.
After Xue Fen left, Lan Hui smiled and gave Peng Kai a thumbs-up: “Kai-ge, you’re really something.”
Peng Kai looked serious: “Once I decide on someone, no one can change that.”
Yue Fu had come into his life at his lowest point. Without her, he wouldn’t be where he was today. She stood by him unwaveringly when he was down.
Now that he was wealthy, he would give her the best life and never let anyone bully her, not even his parents. Not a hint of disrespect would be allowed.
Lan Hui whispered into Peng Kai’s ear: “If there weren’t so many people here now, I’d definitely kiss you.”
A smile flickered in Peng Kai’s cold eyes: “Make it up to me when we get home.”
Gu Shinan kept watching Peng Kai and Lan Hui. Their intimacy was clear to her, and she couldn’t help but tear up. She quickly downed a glass of champagne to hide her emotions.
If she hadn’t chosen to break up, today she’d be the one cherished and protected.
She understood Peng Kai well. Once he decided on something, no matter how hard or tiring, he would make it happen.
He had dropped out of school to support her and had given everything.
Now, he definitely had the ability to overcome all opposition and let Yue Fu marry into the Chen Family.
Thinking this made Gu Shinan feel even worse, the pain suffocating her. She hurriedly took another big sip of champagne.