Chapter 152: Dinner Party

Everyone stared dumbfounded at what was happening, as if they had been struck by a spell.

 Their mouths hung open, their eyes filled with disbelief.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment, and the entire banquet hall fell silent.

After a while, whispers gradually began to spread through the crowd, and the previously silent atmosphere gradually became noisy.

“Oh my god! Lu Qingyun actually called Chief Ji ‘Dad’ and addressed Old Man Ji as ‘Grandpa’!

 Could those rumors be true? Did Lu Qingyun really marry Chief Ji’s found daughter?”

“It’s simply unbelievable! I heard that girl never went to school for very long. She’s practically illiterate.

How could someone of Lu Qingyun’s status and position fall for her?”

People whispered among themselves, their faces displaying a mixture of shock and confusion.

They couldn’t understand how such an outstanding and exceptional man like Lu Qingyun could choose a woman who had just come from the countryside and had a low level of education as his partner.

Ji Youran followed her parents into the banquet hall. As she listened to the whispers around her, a smile played on her lips.

 Even though Ling Yao had returned to the Ji family, it didn’t change the fact that she was a country girl. In the eyes of others, she was still the only Miss Ji.

“Youran!”

Ji Youran looked in the direction of the voice and saw a few wealthy young ladies who were her usual companions.

She smiled and nodded at them, then pointed to the direction where Old Man Ji was standing, indicating that she would go over to them later.

Ji Youran followed her parents and Ji Yanting. After greeting Old Man Ji, she went to the group of wealthy young ladies.

“Youran, we heard that your second uncle’s found daughter is from the countryside, and she didn’t even go to school for very long. Is that true?” Everyone was curious.

Ji Youran was about to nod in agreement, but she suddenly changed her mind.

She smiled slyly, “Of course not! My cousin is quite remarkable.

She’s not only this year’s top scorer in the college entrance exam, but she’s also proficient in everything from music and chess to calligraphy and painting.

 If you don’t believe me, you can test her on the spot. You’ll be amazed.”

She wanted to make Ling Yao look foolish in public, to make her understand how different she was from them, the wealthy young ladies who had grown up in the capital.

 It was true that Ling Yao was a good student, but a girl who grew up in the countryside would never have the opportunity to learn music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

 Ling Yao was bound to make a fool of herself in front of everyone today.

Thinking about Ling Yao’s embarrassing performance later, Ji Youran couldn’t help but laugh. Maybe Lu Qingyun would even divorce Ling Yao because of this.

“Really?” Everyone was skeptical.

“Of course it’s true. I wouldn’t lie to you. You’ll see how outstanding my cousin is. You’ll be blown away.”

Ji Youran’s eyes were filled with anticipation. Ling Yao, after tonight, you’ll become the laughingstock of the entire capital.

Ji Yanting walked up to the group, a gentle smile on his face. He nodded slightly to everyone.

“Thank you all for taking the time out of your busy schedules to attend tonight’s banquet. I’m deeply grateful!”

He paused for a moment, his voice deep and magnetic as he continued, “The reason for tonight’s banquet is to tell you two things.

 First, I want you all to meet my wife. She has suffered a lot for me over the years.

 I feel guilty towards her, so today, I want to apologize to her in front of all of you.

Second, I want to introduce my daughter to you all. I hope you’ll take good care of her in the future.”

After speaking, Ji Yanting slowly turned his head, his gaze falling on the stairs, his eyes filled with endless tenderness.

Seeing this, everyone also curiously followed his gaze in that direction.

At this moment, two beautiful figures appeared before everyone’s eyes, slowly descending the stairs.

Everyone looked at the two women, their eyes filled with astonishment and disbelief.

Among them, the younger woman had a beautiful face, her features as exquisite as a carved work of art, radiating a charming aura, as if a fairy had descended to earth, stunning everyone.

The middle-aged woman walking beside her, although time had left some marks on her face, was still graceful and charming.

“Is this the mother and daughter from the countryside? They don’t look like it at all.”

“Yeah, you can’t tell at all.”

“Didn’t they say they were full of rustic charm?”

“She’s so beautiful. No wonder even Young Master Lu, who usually disdains women, would be moved.”

“I just heard from Ji Youran that she’s also this year’s top scorer in the college entrance exam.”

“Their temperament is simply amazing.”

“This Mrs. Ji has such good skin. She looks like sisters with her daughter. I wonder how she takes care of herself? I must ask her later.”

Ji Yanting waited for the two to approach, stretched out his hand, held their hands, and smiled at everyone,

“Let me introduce you all, this is my wife, Ms. Ling Xuemei, and this is my daughter, Ling Yao.”

Ling Xuemei and Ling Yao nodded politely at everyone present, elegant and dignified.

“Today, I also have some good news to share with you all. My daughter, Ling Yao, has married Lu Qingyun and obtained a marriage certificate.

 The wedding banquet will be held on the 8th of next month. We sincerely invite you all to attend.”

“Clap clap clap!” A round of warm applause echoed through the banquet hall.

“I didn’t expect it to be true. Young Master Lu really married the daughter adopted by Chief Ji.”

“She could get Lu Qingyun to marry her right after being adopted. It seems this Ling Yao is not simple.”

“I heard this Ling Yao is not only this year’s top scorer in the college entrance exam, but she’s also proficient in everything from music and chess to calligraphy and painting. I really want to see it.”

“It must be fake. Don’t forget she just came from the countryside. How could she know all that?

 It must be the Ji family spreading rumors to make others think highly of her.”

Ling Yao followed her parents and exchanged greetings with several elders before following Lu Qingyun to the table where the Lu family was sitting.

“Yaoyao is here, come sit with Mom.” Lu’s mother smiled and beckoned to Ling Yao. She really liked Ling Yao more and more.

“Okay, Mom!” Ling Yao nodded obediently and sat down beside Lu’s mother.

Lu’s mother smiled and looked at Ling Yao, couldn’t help but praise, “Yaoyao is really beautiful!

Look at those eyebrows and eyes, that temperament. My Qingyun has such good taste!”

Ling Yao was a little embarrassed by the praise, “Mom, you’re flattering me.”

“Of course I have good taste. Yaoyao, come have some food.”

Lu Qingyun sat down beside Ling Yao, picked up his chopsticks, and reached out to pick some dishes for her bowl.