Chapter 878 - 531: Engagement, A Song of Ice and Fire? (Third Update)

Chapter 878: Chapter 531: Engagement, A Song of Ice and Fire? (Third Update)

The two elderly members of the Shen Family got ready, and Zhou Zhongqing also arrived. He had been invited to the engagement banquet, having just finished surgery, he even changed into a suit specially.

A group of people set out, all meticulously groomed, and the entire hospital knew they were attending a celebration. Encountered medical staff smiled and congratulated them.

At this time, Xiang Xiaoyuan had already returned to the logistics office. Two colleagues came over directly, "Xiaoyuan, when you go to the celebration, remember to take some photos for me, I want to see the Fourth Master’s."

"I’m not going."

"Aren’t you friends with Miss Shen, don’t you call her sister? She didn’t invite you to her engagement?" The colleague was surprised.

"No, I have other things tonight, I’ll get off work first." After packing her things, she left the office.

As soon as the door closed, laughter erupted from inside.

"I think she wasn’t invited in the first place, right? If I were invited to the Huo Family’s engagement banquet, even if I had my period, hurting so much I couldn’t walk, I’d still crawl over. She’s not going? Who is she kidding."

"I heard even Qi young master’s assistant was invited, and she’s not going? Always hanging around over there, one might actually think they’re good friends. Did you notice she put on makeup today? I thought she was really going to the engagement party."

"The leader asked her about her relationship with them, and she said... not familiar. She says they’re not familiar, yet she’s always running to Grandma Shen’s ward, such a green tea."

"Anyway, as long as the leader thinks they’re close and looks at her differently, it’s fine."

...

Inside, a few people were discussing, while the person outside clenched their bag tightly, fingers turning pale.

**

Tang Wan and the others left the hospital, seven people in total, one car couldn’t fit them all, so they took two cars. Ruan Mengxi seemed to have a secret to tell Tang Wan, so they drove separately to the hotel.

"Why haven’t I heard about the ’Hunt Qi Plan’ recently?" Tang Wan pulled out a bag of dried plums from her bag.

"Don’t mention it, he’s been stuck with the Fourth Master all day lately, where do I find a chance to make a move?" Ruan Mengxi sighed, "Wanwan, is Fourth Master’s orientation normal? How come I’ve heard people in the circle say he likes men!"

"Who said that?"

Tang Wan thought people really misunderstood Jiang Chengsi too deeply.

"Has he ever had a girlfriend?"

"..." Tang Wan was speechless.

"If I lose to the Fourth Master, I’d still be content. At least it wouldn’t mean I’m not attractive, just that he doesn’t love women, and I... um!" Before Ruan Mengxi could finish, Tang Wan stuffed a plum into her mouth.

"Focus on driving, don’t daydream. Why do you care about Fourth Master, as long as your boss likes women." After all, Qi Zeyan was once moved by her, so he must be normal.

"Hey, let me tell you, I’ve heard the Fourth Master’s looks are the epitome of perfection in the gay community."

Tang Wan was speechless, "If Fourth Master hears that, he’d break your leg."

"That red-haired boy beside him... what’s his name again." Ruan Mengxi suddenly couldn’t remember, "The one that looks cheerful and cute."

"Huo Ran?"

"Yes, let me tell you, there’s online fan fiction about him and Fourth Master, the feisty tsundere bottom vs. the amorous flamboyant top, written very well. Oh, there’s even a love triangle involving three..."

Tang Wan, a bit exasperated, touched her belly, "I’m pregnant, mind your words, prenatal education!"

"It’s fine, your baby is so good, saying a couple words won’t lead them astray." Ruan Mengxi laughed, "Did you call Little Aunt to ask if she’s arrived at the hotel?"

"I’ll send a message and ask."

"I even prepared an engagement gift for her."

The corner of Tang Wan’s mouth twitched, Ruan Mengxi’s gift, she had a bad premonition.

...

At this time, Shen Shuci had already arrived at the hotel, and members of the Huo Family’s relatives and friends had all arrived. Today they set up just two tables, with the majority of the Jiang Family taking up one table, and the remaining one was for the Huo Family.

Those present weren’t youngsters, except for Huo Ran, all were uncles or elders of Huo Qinqi.

The differences in appearance were stark, but they all gave off the impression of sitting with straight backs. When Shen Shuci came in, she wondered if she had entered the wrong room, thinking it was some formal meeting, as a group of people chatting were all sitting with straight backs.

Huo Ran was squeezed between a group of elders, looking pitiful.

Small, pitiful, and helpless, not daring to take deep breaths even when speaking.

For this engagement banquet, he was forcibly asked by Huo Zheng to cut off his little red hair, tidying it up with a short buzz cut. Sitting among a group of bigwigs, he obediently resembled a primary school student.

"Sister-in-law!" When he saw Shen Shuci, it was as if he’d seen a savior.

Shen Shuci planned to go to the company today, so she came directly from the company, not expecting that Tang Wan and others, along with the Jiang Family, hadn’t arrived yet. In the large room, apart from Liang Yun, there were only a group of big men from the Huo Family, and all eyes were on her, making her instinctively hold her breath.

Liang Yun smiled and went over to hold her hand, "Qinqi went to pick up one of his uncles, he’ll be over soon. I originally wanted him to pick you up, but you wouldn’t allow it."

"I’m fine," Shen Shuci felt a little cold at the back of her neck.

"Let me introduce you to the elders." Liang Yun said, introducing them one by one, and Shen Shuci followed her, greeting each one.

Originally, with Liang Yun there, the atmosphere was manageable, but once she and Huo Zheng stepped out to take a call and welcome someone at the door, Shen Shuci was left in the room, while Huo Ran, who usually behaved like a monkey, was now as quiet as a chicken, making Shen Shuci inexplicably nervous.

"Don’t just sit there, have some tea," someone invited her.

"Okay." Shen Shuci made an effort to keep smiling, realizing that drinking tea seemed to be a common practice for the Huo Family.

"Where do you work?"

"Zhisen International."

"Is work usually busy?"

"It’s okay."

...

The questions were typical of what elders liked to ask, nothing particularly special.

Until someone asked, "You look young, how old are you?"

After Shen Shuci answered, everyone exchanged glances, "Like father, like son, not only do they look alike, but unexpected..."

Before the person could finish, Shen Shuci frowned, not understanding why they mentioned parental resemblance. Sitting by, Huo Ran, civilizedly snacking on sunflower seeds, understood what his uncles meant.

It was just that his brother and father shared a trait:

They liked to date younger women.

Shen Shuci was unclear about it, not knowing what to say. When they looked at her, she could only smile awkwardly, doing her best to play the role of a young person respecting their elders.

"How long have you been dating Qinqi? Does that kid talk much when he’s with you?"

Shen Shuci was stunned, how was she supposed to answer this?

"He may not talk much with us, but there’s probably endless conversation with his girlfriend."

"I heard he pursued you? Hard to imagine, he was always the one being chased since he was little, how does he even pursue someone?"

"But I did see the part where he proposed."

...

Shen Shuci lowered her head, unable to join in the conversation, not knowing how to speak up. However, from their scattered words, she did piece together some useful information.

Huo Qinqi was difficult to deal with since childhood.

The Huo Zheng couple thought their busy work schedule caused their son’s aloof and reserved personality, so they never dared to push him into marriage.

"Hey, sister-in-law..." Huo Ran leaned over, "Want to see my brother’s childhood photos?"

"You have them?"

"Of course, I even have his full moon photo."

Huo Ran surely wouldn’t dare show anything too significant, but there were some school photos. Although he looked a little childish, the stern and hard features were already beginning to show, as he had liked to keep a straight face from a young age.

"Don’t let my brother’s cold demeanor fool you, during school, he received plenty of love letters. How do those girls think, liking someone with such an aloof attitude?" Huo Ran clicked his tongue, "I heard there was a girl who followed my brother home..."

"And then?"

"She got scared off by his dog."

"Pfft—" Shen Shuci couldn’t hold back, immediately drawing attention from the circle of uncles. She coughed lightly, trying to appear more mature and composed.

But soon, the Huo Zheng couple returned. For both of them to personally greet someone meant it was the Jiang Family, a large clan including men, women, and children, immediately altering the atmosphere of the entire room.

However, since everyone wasn’t very familiar, they simply greeted one another and separated on either side.

Even Jiangjiang and Taotao felt the intimidating aura from the table of bigwigs across. Before leaving, Shen Zhixian had reminded them that today was Aunty’s engagement, so they had to be well-behaved, and the two children were very quiet.

Jiang Chengsi, however, was adept at livening up the atmosphere, but with a group of older bigwigs opposite, many of whom they were meeting for the first time, he didn’t dare to initiate casual conversation impulsively.

Especially when the Huo Zheng couple went out to greet other guests, leaving the scene exceedingly awkward for a while.

It didn’t feel like an engagement scene at all.

Shen Shuci even felt that if this atmosphere continued, how awkward would the engagement be. Though in fact, nothing that couldn’t be solved with a few glasses of wine.

This eventually led to the situation spiraling out of control later...