After delivering the gifts, the Ming family's relatives and friends came forward one by one to offer their birthday wishes.
After a while of casual chat, the guests gradually increased.
Old Madam Ming, fearing that Qin He would be tired, asked her to sit on a chair below and to the side to rest.
So, Qin He held a cup of tea and watched people come in to pay their respects.
All the attendees were influential figures from Haicheng, along with some masters from the antique and calligraphy and painting circles. When Qin He's maternal grandfather was alive, he was cheerful and made many friends, and the Ming family had always had an excellent reputation in Haicheng.
Qin He listened to the butler announce the gift list and present the gifts for her grandmother to inspect.
As people kept arriving, she started to feel drowsy and quietly covered her mouth to stifle a yawn.
"Madam, Young Master Yan Chen from the Yan family, and—Gu Qichen from the Gu family in Qingcheng have arrived to offer you birthday wishes."
Qin He jolted and looked towards the door.
Most of the people in the room were Ming family relatives who had heard about the divorce between Gu Qichen and Qin He.
All eyes turned towards the entrance.
Qin Yun frowned and stood up, as did Ming Chi beside him.
Both of them glared at the people walking in.
Yan Chen led the way, braving it, and whispered to Gu Qichen beside him, "Half the people in this hall are glaring at us. This is the first time in my life I've been so disliked! It's all thanks to you!"
Gu Qichen's expression was calm. His gaze swept across the crowd, finally landing on Qin He, who was sitting below Old Madam Ming.
She looked especially charming today, wearing a red qipao with a loose hem that concealed her slightly protruding belly.
The red color made her skin appear even fairer. Her dark black hair was pinned up with a branch-shaped hairpin, and the cherry on top of the hairpin was a large ruby.
Those clear, bright eyes were now fixed on him.
Gu Qichen smiled gently. Qin He pursed her lips and tightened her grip on her cup.
Old Madam Ming frowned, also noticing the interaction between Gu Qichen and Qin He.
She detested this man who had failed her granddaughter immensely!
However, with the hall full of guests, Old Madam Ming held back. She believed in returning a smile for a smile, and after all, they had come to offer birthday wishes.
"Yan Chen from the Yan family, I wish Old Madam Ming everlasting fortune and longevity, and a thousand years of prosperity like the pine and crane."
Yan Chen, shedding his usual playful demeanor, offered his birthday wishes with a respectful expression.
The gift he brought was a jade carving of an old man enjoying longevity.
Both the Ming and Yan families were prominent families in Haicheng, and their corporations also had cooperative dealings. Old Madam Ming smiled, "Young Master Yan is very thoughtful."
Then, she looked at Gu Qichen.
"Gu Qichen from the Gu family in Qingcheng, I wish Old Madam everlasting brilliance and eternal family bliss." Gu Qichen also spoke respectfully.
Old Madam Ming pursed her lips and, after a few seconds, grudgingly said, "Thank you, Mr. Gu. Please be seated."
Qin He clutched her cup. The gift Gu Qichen brought was a set of mahjong tiles made of top-grade Southern Red agate. People in Haicheng loved to play mahjong, so Gu Qichen's gift was quite appropriate.
However, Qin He glanced at the Southern Red agate and knew it was a top-tier treasure, costing over ten thousand per gram. This entire set of mahjong tiles—
She pursed her lips and said nothing.
Gu Qichen scanned the room and walked directly to Qin He, sitting down beside her.
The expressions of the people in the room varied. Most guests left after offering their wishes; being invited to sit was just a polite formality. How could Gu Qichen actually sit down? And in a seat only family members could occupy?
It was a joyous occasion, so no one spoke, but their minds were elsewhere.
Qin He's mood was also complex. While someone else was offering birthday wishes, she lowered her voice and asked Gu Qichen, "Why did you come to Haicheng?"
Gu Qichen's expression was indifferent. "I came to discuss cooperation with the Yan Group. I heard about Old Madam Ming's birthday banquet, and I remembered how long you've taken care of my grandmother. I felt it was time for me to reciprocate, so I came with him."
Was that it?
Qin He looked at him doubtfully. The man appeared completely at ease.
He took a teacup from the maidservant who had just brought it, skimmed off the foam, and took a sip.
Gu Qichen's profile was stunning. Qin He couldn't find any clues, but her heart skipped a beat. She quickly turned her face away.
Soon, the butler announced at the door, "Madam, Miss Xu from Xu Group has arrived to offer you birthday wishes!"
Qin He and Qin Yun both looked towards the door simultaneously.
Xu Wanwan had always been vivacious. The Xu Group had a branch in Haicheng, so most people in the room recognized her.
"Grandma Ming, Wanwan wishes you happiness, good health, and all the best!"
Xu Wanwan's cheerful demeanor acted as a mood enhancer, bringing smiles to everyone in the room.
Old Madam Ming smiled and said to a close friend beside her, "This is Miss Xu, she and my little He are very good friends."
Xu Wanwan smiled, "Grandma Ming, this is my gift."
She presented her hard-earned Pine and Crane Longevity Painting as if showing off a treasure, looking quite pleased.
Old Madam Ming praised it several times and sincerely invited her to sit down.
Xu Wanwan smiled and turned, her face freezing when she saw Qin Yun.
She then wanted to go sit with Qin He, but saw Qin He sitting with Gu Qichen.
Xu Wanwan's eyes widened, and she looked at Qin He, inwardly astonished. What was going on?!
Gu Qichen had Yan Chen sitting on his other side, and there was still an empty seat next to Yan Chen.
Xu Wanwan still resented Yan Chen for tricking her yesterday, so she narrowed her eyes and sat down.
"Young Master Yan, what a coincidence, we meet again!" Xu Wanwan said through gritted teeth after sitting down.
Yan Chen, who usually acted like a young master, was exceptionally gentlemanly and elegant today. Feeling guilty, he smiled faintly and said, "Yes, Miss Xu, have some tea."
Xu Wanwan narrowed her eyes. "Yan Chen! I'll get my revenge for you playing me yesterday when I get the chance!"
Yan Chen pursed his lips and whispered, "If I told you it was Gu Qichen who instructed the driver, would you believe me?"
"Heh, shifting the blame?"
Although Yan Chen and Xu Wanwan were in a verbal spat, they were both from wealthy families and had been taught etiquette since childhood.
Both had faint smiles on their faces, making it appear to outsiders that they were merely talking quietly.
Qin He subtly glanced at Xu Wanwan and Yan Chen, then at her own brother. Oh dear, his face was almost frozen!
As more guests arrived, Qin He sat by, feeling drowsy.
Gu Qichen sat beside her. "Do you have to sit here and accompany them the whole time?"
Qin He nodded, feeling weak. "Guests have come to offer birthday wishes; it would be impolite if no one was present."
Gu Qichen frowned, and then heard Qin He continue.
"It's almost over, the main banquet is at noon. Just another hour."
Gu Qichen looked at Qin He from the side, his lips slightly pursed, and a hint of heartache in his eyes.
As the end was in sight, Qin He observed that Xu Wanwan and Yan Chen were still engaged in their heated conversation.
Her brother's face had turned almost icy.
And Ming Chi kept glancing at her side with a frown, clearly displeased with Gu Qichen.
Ming Xue, on the other hand, was already restless, fidgeting as if there was a nail under her seat, shifting her position constantly.
Qin He quietly observed her grandmother's expression. Her grandmother was clearly showing signs of fatigue.
Outside, the butler suddenly raised his voice.
"Mr. Lin Lei from the Lin Group has arrived."
Everyone in the room froze, and then the expressions of the Ming and Qin families turned cold!
Ming Chi shot up, "He still dares to come?!"