"Dad, did you bring the formal wear?" Accepting the reality, Xia Qingtian asked Xia Honglang as they had breakfast.
"Formal wear? No, I only brought a suit." Xia Honglang shook his head. He was here for a vacation and didn't see the need to bring a tuxedo.
He had brought this suit with the intention of wearing it to Xia Qingtian's fashion week or Xia Qingyu's friendly match awards ceremony to add some prestige.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have even brought a suit.
"We're attending a friend's birthday banquet on the 20th, and everyone has received their formal wear," Shi Xingwu said immediately. "It's very formal."
It was his first time wearing such elaborate clothing, and it fit him perfectly, which was simply miraculous.
"Can a suit work? I can pair it with a sophisticated tie then?" Xia Honglang hadn't anticipated such a banquet and hadn't prepared accordingly.
"How can that be?" Xia Qingtian frowned. The banquet was to meet Liu Yi's ex-husband, and her father couldn't afford to lose!
"I'll take care of Uncle Xia's formal wear." Gu Yaoyang had already contacted friends here, and it wouldn't be difficult to prepare a well-fitting and presentable evening suit on short notice. "After dinner, we can go for measurements, select directly, and have it tailored on-site. It will be ready by noon on the 20th at the latest."
"Okay, it's settled then," Xia Qingtian said, snapping her fingers.
"It doesn't have to be so troublesome..." Xia Honglang sounded hesitant.
He was actually very tired.
After all, at his age, the flight had been quite taxing. He was already forcing himself to have breakfast with his family.
After eating, he didn't want to go for a fitting; he just wanted a good sleep to alleviate his travel fatigue.
"Don't be willful." Xia Qingtian knew Xia Honglang was tired, but this was not the time for him to procrastinate. "This is for your own good!"
Xia Honglang blinked, vaguely feeling that Xia Qingtian's words were familiar yet strange.
He turned to look at Xia Qingyu. Qingyu was always considerate and well-behaved; she wouldn't act out like Qingtian.
"Listen to my sister." Xia Qingyu also didn't want Xia Honglang to lose to Xiang Xueyuan. In her heart, Xia Honglang was her father. "My sister is doing this for your own good."
Hearing Xia Qingyu say this, Xia Honglang turned his pleading gaze to Aunt Liu.
"Listen to the children." Aunt Liu knew that if she indulged him now and he settled for less, Xia Honglang might regret it later. It would be better to be firm and push him a little: "They are doing this for your own good."
Xia Honglang looked at his wife and daughters in disbelief. He stiffly turned to Gu Yaoyang, hoping to hear some understanding words from a fellow man.
"The car is ready. Uncle Xia can leave after he finishes eating," Gu Yaoyang said, looking at Xia Honglang. With his male pride at stake, this round was not to be lost!
Xia Honglang finally felt completely defeated.
Did he still have time to go home?
Without any warning, Xia Honglang, exhausted, was pushed into the car.
Watching the car drive away, Xia Qingtian finally sighed.
"Qingtian, are you sure..." Aunt Liu looked at Xia Qingtian with some concern.
"It doesn't matter," Xia Qingtian held Aunt Liu's hand and then linked arms with Xia Qingyu. "Now that we are all together as a family, don't be afraid of anything."
Aunt Liu and Xia Qingyu both showed relieved smiles.
They were now incredibly grateful: without Xia Qingtian, the backbone of the family, how difficult their current situation would be...
With Xia Qingtian around, Xia Qingyu's competition went smoothly. Xiang Xueyuan's sudden appearance did not affect her performance.
With Xia Honglang's company, Aunt Liu's emotions also stabilized; she stopped crying until her eyes were red, and her sleep even became much more peaceful.
Although Xia Honglang was a little upset about the treatment he received on the first day, this slight unhappiness vanished completely after a good night's sleep.
Meanwhile, Xia Qingtian was not idle. On one hand, she was preparing for the K&S fashion week, and on the other hand, she was planning with Gu Yaoyang on how to deal with the "Hongmen Banquet."
"Qingyu, Tarik is holding his birthday banquet tomorrow. Did you receive an invitation too?" Lei Xirui's expression was visibly more relaxed after participating in the final competition project.
She was introverted, timid, a bit socially anxious, and had low stress tolerance.
If she hadn't been taking exams with Xia Qingyu these past few days, occasionally receiving encouraging glances from Xia Qingyu when their eyes met, and receiving encouragement from Xia Qingyu before and after each competition, she honestly didn't know if she could have gotten through these days.
It was truly taxing.
"Yes, I've received it," Xia Qingyu nodded and looked at Lei Xirui. "You received one too?"
"Yes," Lei Xirui nodded and said. "My third brother seems to have some business dealings with them, so we received an invitation. I heard that Tarik's adoptive father is very influential, runs a successful business, and is also a renowned scholar."
"..." Hearing Lei Xirui praise Xiang Xueyuan, Xia Qingyu's gaze shifted slightly, and she didn't respond.
"Are you and Qingtian sister going?" Lei Xirui, not noticing Xia Qingyu's subtle reaction, continued to ask.
"Probably," Xia Qingyu's lips curved slightly upward. They would have liked to decline, but they clearly didn't have that option.
"Phew... That's wonderful then." Lei Xirui clasped her hands together and breathed a sigh of relief, smiling. "I feel much more at ease with you two there. Otherwise, I really don't know what I would do."
Seeing Lei Xirui like this, Xia Qingyu could only smile faintly.
She actually felt considerably more at ease too.
Since Lei Xirui had also received an invitation, it proved that there would be many people at tomorrow's banquet. Xiang Xueyuan would probably not act recklessly in a crowded place, and their family's safety would be significantly enhanced.
Xia Qingyu didn't dwell on this matter for too long, as tonight she was going to watch Xia Qingtian attend fashion week.
She was looking forward to it immensely.
The K&S fashion week was being held in Finland for the first time. Madam Camille personally oversaw the entire venue setup and lighting adjustments, ensuring a first-class atmosphere and overall style.
This fashion week boldly combined fantasy and reality, creating a visual impact through the collision of creativity and retro elements, which formed the theme of this exhibition.
It was the first time a truly immersive runway was used, seamlessly integrating a crystal structure and layered sheer fabric with lighting as the connecting element.
Vibrant colors, color blocking, and exaggerated curves were presented in extremely poetic visuals, synchronized with the music.
Beautiful models wearing K&S's new season designs walked onto the runway to the beat of the drums, capturing everyone's attention.
It was a visual feast, an ultimate sensory experience.
The photographers in the front row were unwilling to miss any spectacular and artistic moments.
The audience was immersed in this dreamlike world, completely captivated.