Volume One Chapter 80 The Birthday Banquet

“Mom, please listen to me first.” Xiao Duo sensed Zhu Yaru’s agitation and immediately tried to soothe her.

Zhu Yaru abandoned her search for a necklace and sat down on the sofa. “No matter what you say, I won’t agree. I absolutely refuse to let Chi Xingwan become my daughter-in-law.”

Xiao Duo was unconcerned. “Mom, times have changed. People can get married and divorced. Once I use Chi Xingwan to get what I want, I’ll divorce her. Isn’t that simple?”

Zhu Yaru felt stifled; what Xiao Duo suggested was the same trick Xiao Peiyuan had once tried. He almost succeeded—Grandma Xiao nearly handed the company over to Lan Yan, and Xiao Peiyuan was confident he could wrest control from her. But Lan Yan died too soon; when she passed, Grandma Xiao was still healthy enough to return and manage the entire group.

“Do you really have to use this method?” Zhu Yaru’s voice was muffled.

Xiao Duo sat beside her, putting an arm around her shoulder. “Mom, just think about it. Not only does Grandma adore Chi Xingwan, but look at Xiao Yue’s illness. Two years without any improvement, and suddenly after Chi Xingwan appeared, he got better.”

Zhu Yaru recalled that after Xiao Duo caused Yang Haiyun’s death, it was Chi Xingwan who resolved the crisis. Afterwards, she pondered whether Chi Xingwan had colluded with Yang Haiyun’s sister to deliberately tarnish Xiao Duo’s reputation in front of Grandma Xiao.

But Xiao Duo truly believed in Chi Xingwan’s abilities, his eyes shining. “Mom, if I win Chi Xingwan, what I gain will far exceed my expectations.”

Zhu Yaru remained silent, thinking of her own past, but she knew Xiao Duo’s situation now differed from Xiao Peiyuan’s. Ever since the Yang Haiyun incident, Xiao Duo had never developed a serious relationship with any woman. Even when he had physical needs, he only sought out willing women, paid them, and never contacted them again.

If he pursued Chi Xingwan, the only person he’d betray was Xiao Yue. But how Xiao Yue fared wasn’t her concern; in fact, the more miserable and desperate Xiao Yue became, the happier she felt. With that in mind, stealing Chi Xingwan away didn’t seem so terrible.

“Fine, do as you wish,” Zhu Yaru finally agreed.

From the afternoon, guests began arriving in waves.

Chen Qifan arrived not long after noon, but unfortunately he came too early; Xiao Yue had already “fallen asleep” again and wouldn’t awaken until evening. Yet Chen Qifan didn’t mind; for the past two years, he’d gotten used to talking to Xiao Yue even when he couldn’t respond.

And this time, he wasn’t talking to himself—Chi Xingwan was there too.

Chen Qifan was in a great mood. He said to Chi Xingwan, “Sister-in-law, did you know? After the New Year, my mom will return to China.”

Chi Xingwan was momentarily surprised, remembering that Chen Qifan’s parents had divorced after his father’s affair. His mother decisively left the country and apparently remarried abroad.

Chen Qifan beamed. “My uncle—my mom’s current husband—is a university professor. He’s taken a teaching job at a university here, so they’re immigrating back.”

“My uncle may be a foreigner and not my biological father, but he treats me better than my own dad. Every year on my birthday, he sends me gifts from abroad.”

“Oh, and I have a little sister I haven’t seen in ages. When she returns, I’ll introduce you.”

Chi Xingwan listened to Chen Qifan chatter away all afternoon.

After dark, most of the guests had arrived and were mingling in the banquet hall. The doors opened; Grandma Xiao led the way, followed by Chi Xingwan arm-in-arm with Xiao Yue.

The room fell silent.

Zhang Shaodan jabbed Chen Qifan’s arm. “Hey, did I see that right? That’s Xiao Yue? Is he better?”

Chen Qifan grinned with pride. “You saw right, that’s Xiao Yue. Maybe not fully recovered, but at least much improved.”

“You already knew?” Zhang Shaodan asked.

Chen Qifan was even more smug. “Of course! Xiao Yue and I grew up together, practically brothers.”

In truth, he’d only found out days ago, and before that, hadn’t seen Xiao Yue awake. But that didn’t stop him from bragging.

Around them, people murmured in hushed voices, but Grandma Xiao pretended not to hear. She picked up a glass of wine and strode to the center of the hall.

“Thank you all for making time in your busy schedules to attend this old woman’s birthday banquet. I won’t say more—enjoy yourselves tonight.”

She raised her glass; the guests followed suit, drinking in unison.

Of course, the banquet wasn’t simply to celebrate her birthday. After her toast, Grandma Xiao mingled with the crowd, immediately surrounded by people eager for news.

“Xiao Yue didn’t have any fatal illness. We’ve sought medical help for two years, and he’s always shown some improvement.”

“As for Xingwan, I truly like her. She and our Xiao Yue are such a perfect match.”

Grandma Xiao was a master of social graces—within a few words, she revealed much.

Tonight, the guests gained quite a lot: first, confirmation of Xiao Yue’s recovery; second, certainty of Chi Xingwan’s importance in Grandma Xiao’s eyes.

It seemed Chi Xingwan really was about to become Xiao Yue’s wife.

When they got engaged, rumors spread that the Xiao family was marrying Xiao Yue to Chi Xingwan to ward off bad luck. Most people ignored Chi Xingwan, treating her as a disposable pawn.

But now things had changed. Chi Xingwan was no longer a piece to be discarded at any moment. She was likely to become the future mistress of the Xiao family.

Suddenly, everyone’s attitude toward her warmed considerably.

But Chi Xingwan paid them no mind. Around her stood only Xiao Yue, Chen Qifan, Zhang Shaodan, Qiao Qingyun, and a few others she originally knew, plus Xiao Rui and his siblings, forming a circle around her.

Xiao Rui clutched Xiao Yue’s other hand, almost sobbing. “Second Brother, you have no idea how miserable I’ve been since you got sick. Pursuing my dreams, I was cheated again and again. Luckily, Sister Xingwan stepped in and saved me.”

Xiao Yue knew all about his troubles, giving him a half-smile. “You needed to experience some setbacks.”

Xiao Rui suddenly felt a chill down his spine and quickly protested, “Second Brother, I’ve had enough setbacks. I don’t need any more.”

Laughter and conversation filled the group. Xiao Yue whispered a few words to Chi Xingwan, then walked alone to Grandma Xiao’s side.

In these precious moments of clarity, as heir to the Xiao family, he couldn’t spend all his time with friends.

Not far away, Chi Qianyu and Chi Yueyao watched Chi Xingwan, both burning with jealousy.

Chi Yueyao glanced at Xiao Yue from afar, nearly in tears. She never imagined Xiao Yue would recover.

She’d handed such a wonderful man over to Chi Xingwan!

Why was Chi Xingwan so lucky?

Everything should have belonged to her—the one standing at Xiao Yue’s side, adored by all, ought to be her!