Chapter 67: Feng Zhaoning! Stunning

Qin Lian's expression instantly collapsed.

To be publicly humiliated by Xiao Ru like this in front of such a large crowd—even someone made of clay would have a shred of temper.

"Mrs. Mu, what is the meaning of this?"

"I am welcoming you here with the best of intentions, yet you spew such malicious words!"

Qin Lian desperately wanted to retort with a few sarcastic remarks, but the moment she remembered that her family still needed to cling to the Mu family at every turn, and that her wonderful son-in-law, Mu Bai, was still immensely useful, she swallowed her pride.

"I am also hosting a graduation banquet, and I thought you were here to attend ours."

"Since you aren't, then I must have simply misunderstood!"

Xiao Ru shot her a sideways glance. "Today is not the only graduation banquet being held here."

"I am here to attend the graduation banquet of the CEO of Yaoming Group."

"Your family certainly knows how to pick a date, scheduling yours on the exact same day and at the exact same venue as theirs."

"I truly don't know whether to say your timing is remarkably coincidental, or that you are simply courting public humiliation."

"Aunt Xiao, please don't say that." Lin Wan frowned, defending her mother in a soft, gentle voice.

"Although our Lin family truly cannot compare to the Mu family in the slightest, that is only a thing of the past."

"Now, we are also gradually moving in a positive direction."

Lin Wan revealed a trace of a smile. "We have already filled two hundred tables for our graduation banquet today, and even President Hua and Chairman Liu have come."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ru was startled. "How is that possible? Chairman Liu is attending your graduation banquet?"

"It's true. If you don't believe me, you can go up to the second floor and see for yourself."

Xiao Ru did happen to know that Yaoming Group's banquet was on the seventh floor.

Filled with curiosity, she decided to greet Lin Mo first. "President Ai, our Mu family has specially prepared a generous gift today, and we hope you will like it."

Lin Mo nodded, her attitude toward Xiao Ru extremely cold.

Yet, merely receiving a nod from her left Xiao Ru overjoyed.

"During that incident before, my son was ignorant and offended you. I hope you can let bygones be bygones."

"Our Mu family is more than willing to have frequent interactions with Yaoming Group."

"We all hold Yaoming Group in such high regard. It is truly remarkable that you are able to serve as CEO at such a young age."

Not wishing to listen to vapid flattery, Lin Mo replied, "We can talk about the future when it arrives."

Xiao Ru acknowledged the words with a smile and walked inside.

Qin Lian was quite surprised by Xiao Ru's attitude, but upon reflection, it made sense.

After all, this was Yaoming Group, a Fortune 500 listed company that could rival the Chuangguang Group on equal terms.

Thinking of her own demeanor just moments ago, she said, "You are President Ai, correct? Since the seventh floor is empty anyway, why don't you come down to our second floor and sit for a cup of tea?"

Lin Wan secretly hoped Lin Mo wouldn't come.

Wherever Lin Mo was, Lin Wan would inevitably be reduced to a dim and lusterless shadow.

She was supposed to be the female protagonist of today's graduation banquet!

Yet, knowing her mother's intention to win over Yaoming Group, Lin Wan forced herself to say, "Yes, President Ai, do come down and join us."

Lin Mo let out a low chuckle. "Very well."

She already had her suspicions.

Before Chairman Liu's arrival, he had even taken the trouble to notify Lin Mo's assistant, mentioning that he had prepared a grand gift.

Since he was originally coming to attend her graduation banquet, why would he run off to the second floor?

This turn of events aroused her curiosity.

"I can go, but I'm afraid you might find yourselves unable to step down gracefully later."

Lin Wan sneered inwardly. How thick-skinned could this person be, to genuinely believe she could overshadow her?

"How could that be? Even the brightest red flower needs green leaves to complement it. It would be my honor to serve as your green leaf, President Ai."

Lin Mo shot Lin Wan a chilly look. "I hope you can still smile as happily a moment from now."

The occupants of the other cars had entered as well.

Feng Zhaoning stepped out of his car, an attendant holding an umbrella over him.

Enveloped beneath the shelter of the umbrella, he walked with light footsteps. His traditional Chinese attire lent him an otherworldly detachment that seemed utterly out of place in this secular world.

The moment Lin Wan caught sight of him, she froze.

Such a breathtaking man—he was simply soul-stirring.

Yet, even as she stood captivated by his beauty, the man had already approached.

She pressed her lips together, her throat suddenly dry, unable to force out even a single syllable.

Just as she prepared to strike up a conversation, Feng Zhaoning stepped out from beneath the umbrella.

He reached out a long arm and rested his hand lightly upon Lin Mo's shoulder.

Perhaps troubled by the glaring sunlight, he raised his hand to block the rays.

His fair, translucent skin seemed to reflect the light.

"Second Brother." Lin Mo lifted her gaze. "These two invited us to the second floor for a cup of tea. Shall we go together?"

Feng Zhaoning's gentle eyes fell upon Lin Wan. In a fraction of a second, the light shifting within his gaze plunged into a dark, impenetrable abyss.

"Oh?"

Looking at the man, Lin Wan felt a flutter of nervousness. "Hello, I am Lin Wan, an alumna of the same school as your younger sister."

"The second floor is very lively. The two of you are welcome to come up and join us."

Palms slightly damp, Lin Wan realized she had never laid eyes on a man quite like this.

He was exquisite, yet entirely devoid of excessive effeminacy.

The natural aloofness etched into his bones convinced her he must be a scholar steeped in classical literature.

Furthermore, she knew full well that the car he had just stepped out of was worth tens of millions!

"If my younger sister wishes to go, then naturally I will accompany her." Feng Zhaoning's fingers casually twirled a lock of hair resting on Lin Mo's shoulder.

As they stepped into the elevator, Lin Wan lingered to one side, watching the affectionate intimacy between the siblings.

She wanted to speak, but stopped when she heard Feng Zhaoning lean toward Lin Mo and murmur, "My sister smells wonderful today. Are you wearing perfume?"

Lin Mo replied indifferently, "No, it must be the scent of the clothes."

"This dress was already fragrant when it was delivered. It was probably specially treated."

Feng Zhaoning's hand slid from her graceful shoulder all the way down to her slender waist.

"This dress is indeed quite nice."

It made his sister's waist look delightfully slender, as if it could be spanned by a single grasp.

Utterly mesmerizing.

Feng Zhaoning chuckled softly, his phoenix eyes lowered, the gentleness and desire pooling within his gaze verging on intoxicating.

Lin Wan felt completely tense. The elevator walls were made of mirrored glass, giving her a front-row seat to their every movement.

An unreasoning surge of bitter jealousy welled up in her heart.

How could a man of such extraordinary beauty be so intimate with his own sister?

"Ding."

The elevator doors slid open.

Though only a few fleeting seconds had passed, a thousand thoughts had raced through Lin Wan's mind.

The second-floor banquet hall was already packed with guests and buzzing with activity.

Crystal chandeliers cast dazzling reflections, waiters wove through the crowd, and wine glasses chimed melodiously against one another.

The amber lighting bathed the banquet in an atmosphere of luxurious extravagance.

Everyone was dressed in formal attire, and many were familiar faces from the A-City Chamber of Commerce.

A smile bloomed on Lin Wan's face as she turned back to look at the woman standing beside Feng Zhaoning. "Miss Ai, welcome to my graduation banquet."

"Would you prefer tea or red wine? Shall I have someone prepare it?"

She had completely assumed the airs of a hostess.

Her eyes beamed with radiance as she smiled with absolute confidence.

Noticing that everyone's attention had turned toward them, Lin Wan's smile grew even brighter. "Please, find yourselves a seat anywhere. There are simply too many guests today, so please forgive us if any hospitality falls short."