Lu Qiaoyi's gaze was fixed ahead, on the man approaching them. He wore a black shirt and black trousers, his features exquisitely sculpted, his eyes icy cold, and his crimson lips subtly pursed. His tall, robust frame stood out exceptionally, making him the epitome of distinction among the crowd. With every movement he made, a crisp, oppressive aura seemed to cling to the air.
The people around him automatically cleared a path for him.
Lu Qiaoyi had seen photos of Mu Jiuchen, and seeing him in person now, she was instantly captivated. Such a man was truly a rarity in the world.
Lu Qiaoyi took a deep breath, waiting for Mu Xue to introduce her.
"Grandpa!" Mu Jiuchen walked up to the old man and called out softly.
The old man smiled and said, "It's good you're back."
The banquet tonight wouldn't be as exciting without young Mu Jiuchen.
After all, one had to see the whole show, didn't they?
Mu Xue's expression was bound to be quite unpleasant later.
See, how bored he was, so bored that he needed his grandson to cause trouble for his own amusement.
"Old Man, this is a gift for you." He Mingrun stepped forward, handing the gift in his hand to the elder.
Seeing He Mingrun, the old man took the gift with both hands and patted He Mingrun's shoulder, "Mingrun, thank you for coming!"
He knew He Mingrun had come to give him face.
"Old Man, I wish you good health and a happy life!" Li Qingshuo also smiled and presented his gift.
"Oh! Qingshuo, you're back too, then young Jiu won't be lonely." The old man was clearly in a good mood, his tone laced with laughter.
Li Qingshuo glanced at the expressionless Mu Jiuchen. He seemed even colder in a crowd, a man that even 1000-degree volcanic lava couldn't warm.
Mu Xue stepped forward and said with a smile, "Young Jiu, don't you see your aunt?"
Hearing the voice, Mu Jiuchen finally looked at her, "Aunt."
Mu Xue shook her head slightly. He had always been this ice-cold; no wonder no woman had ever liked him.
"Young Jiu, come, come, come. Aunt will introduce you. This is Lu Qiaoyi, Miss Lu from Modu."
He Mingrun and Li Qingshuo both looked at Lu Qiaoyi.
They exchanged a quick glance. Very good, beautiful!
Mu Jiuchen's gaze fell indifferently upon the elaborately dressed Lu Qiaoyi. He nodded slightly, acknowledging her.
Lu Qiaoyi's complexion was rosy, and she smiled gently, "Greetings, Master Jiu!"
Mu Jiuchen showed no reaction, as if he hadn't heard Lu Qiaoyi's words.
Lu Qiaoyi looked at the indifferent Mu Jiuchen, her face growing somewhat displeased. She considered herself the most beautiful woman in Modu, yet Mu Jiuchen hadn't even spared her a glance.
Mu Jiuchen saw Tang Ziyi and was momentarily stunned, also feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Madam Xia." Mu Jiuchen greeted her calmly.
Tang Ziyi smiled and asked meaningfully, "Master Jiu, are you feeling better?"
Mu Jiuchen's calm expression underwent a subtle change. He replied faintly, "Much better."
"That's good. Just don't faint so easily. If you feel unwell, you should go to the hospital." Madam Xia said meaningfully. She then looked at the violinist on stage, who had finished playing a piece, and said to the old man, "Old Man, I brought Kuo Bao today and want to sing a song for you to liven things up."
She had already discussed it with Kuo Bao beforehand, asking him to sing a song.
She wanted to see Kuo Bao's courage and performance, and she aimed to attract investors. She knew Jiang Yuku would surely become famous across the country.
"Good, good, good. I couldn't ask for more. I love children the most." The old man happily agreed. Wasn't Kuo Bao that child who resembled young Mu Jiuchen?
The guests present were also looking forward to it. Tonight's banquet was an entertainment-focused event; everyone was here to chat and relax, and the atmosphere had been consistently good.
Just as Mu Jiuchen was wondering about the name "Kuo Bao," Tang Ziyi looked at him and said, "Master Jiu, a young child star I recently took a liking to, my godson. You can also check out his talent. If you have plenty of money, you can invest in us."
"Mm! Okay!" He nodded slightly. Wait, how did his son become her godson? He hadn't known about this.
"Then I'll go find them and have them go on stage shortly." Tang Ziyi smiled and left.
Mu Jiuchen looked thoughtfully in the direction she had gone. If he remembered correctly, Yu Kuo was called Kuo Bao, and Nuannuan called him that.
Seizing the moment while Mu Sichen hadn't appeared, Mu Xue smiled, "Young Jiu, why don't you chat with Yiyi? She came all the way here for you."
Mu Jiuchen looked at his aunt and, seeing the expression on her face, truly understood her intentions.
His aunt was ambitious and, despite being married for many years, still coveted the Mu family's assets.
Over the years, she had sent many girls to him, all with ulterior motives.
He asked, "Why did she come for me? I don't even know her. Auntie, if you're going to introduce me to a girlfriend, there's no need. I wouldn't have to go all the way to Modu to find a girlfriend."
Mu Xue, having lost face, instantly looked displeased. But she knew this was Mu Jiuchen's annoying personality. "Young Jiu, Auntie is doing this for your own good, aren't I? You're almost thirty, and your cousin's child is already six. Do you plan to remain single for life?"
"Auntie, why are you so concerned? If there are pretty girls, why don't you introduce them to me?" Mu Sichen, dressed in a light gray suit, exuded a somewhat frivolous and cynical air with every move he made. He smiled and interrupted Mu Xue before she could speak.
Tan Xue and Mu Yunxiao, after attending to the guests, also came to find the old man.
Hearing Mu Sichen's voice, Tan Xue's expression turned somewhat displeased.
If Mu Sichen could shoulder the Mu family, she would introduce him. But unfortunately, Mu Sichen was a good-for-nothing.
"Sichen, I heard your sister returned. Why isn't she here?" Mu Xue changed the subject.
"She just got back and was a little tired, so she's resting upstairs." Mu Sichen's gaze landed on the beautiful Lu Qiaoyi.
Lu Qiaoyi was annoyed by his frivolous gaze but maintained a gentle smile, nodding a greeting to Mu Yunxiao's family of three.
"Oh! Sister-in-law, why does your complexion look so bad? Are you feeling unwell?" Mu Xue knew Tan Xue's proud nature. At banquets like this, she was always radiant and elegant. Today, Tan Xue clearly seemed distracted.
Tan Xue smiled elegantly, "It's nothing, just haven't rested well these past few days."
"It's good that it's nothing. You've worked hard for this family. Everything here relies on you; you must rest well." Mu Xue's insincere words made Tan Xue's complexion worsen. Everyone could see she was busy running around for the family, but no one in the Mu family seemed to notice.
At this moment, the host's impassioned voice rang out from the stage: "Next, young Master Kuo Bao will perform a song he wrote himself, 'Destiny'."
Mu Jiuchen and the audience turned their attention to the stage. A little boy, dressed in a white T-shirt and black trousers, stood at the center of the stage, wearing a mask and holding a microphone, exuding composure.