At this moment, they had no time for pleasantries. Shen's Father quickly straightened his attire, preparing to step outside to greet their guests.
Shen's Mother, meanwhile, gave a few pointed reminders to the eldest son and his wife. "That's the car of Chairman Huo from the Military Commission. When they arrive, make sure you two act sharp."
Lowering her voice, she then turned to Shen's Father.
"Old Shen, think of a way to invite Chairman Huo to say a few words—or at least make an appearance. It would mean a lot."
After all, this was a victory banquet. Having the head of the Military Commission present would bring great honor to the eldest son and his wife.
"Obviously," Shen's Father nodded.
Soon, Shen's Father and Mother, along with the eldest son and his wife, stepped outside to welcome the guests.
"Look at how smug the eldest son and his wife are acting," Xu Fangmin muttered, unable to stand her in-laws' favoritism. She immediately whispered a complaint to Mother Xu.
"So what if their design got selected? Was all this fanfare really necessary?"
Between the banquet and the banners, it was all too much.
If not for the current social restrictions, her in-laws would probably have gone all out—beating gongs and drums to announce it to the entire Capital City.
Mother Xu, though also displeased, had to admit:
If it had been her own son’s design that won, she’d have thrown an even grander celebration.
"Why?" Xu Fangmin frowned in confusion.
Wasn’t it just designing a building? Wasn’t that what their institute specialized in? What was so remarkable about that?
"You don’t understand," Mother Xu said.
Working in the municipal government, Father Xu had insider knowledge, and Mother Xu was well-informed. "This building, once completed, will be the tallest in Capital City—exclusively for diplomatic receptions and state banquets."
"And I’ve heard there were countless competitors, including many foreign experts."
"So his design being chosen is a triumph for the nation—an honor many could only dream of!"
So that was it.
Xu Fangmin fell silent, deep in thought.
Noticing her prolonged silence, Mother Xu asked, "What’s wrong?"
Without hesitation, Xu Fangmin shared what was on her mind.
Finally, she added, "I just find it strange. He’s been at the design institute for years, and every one of his proposals got sent back for revisions. Yet this time, it got selected!"
She wanted to ask—how?
Her instincts told her there was more to it. "I wouldn’t be surprised if my in-laws pulled strings for him. With his skills…"
Before she could finish, Mother Xu cut her off.
"Fangmin, keep these thoughts between us. Don’t let even a hint of this slip in front of your in-laws."
"Relax, I’m not stupid."
Knowing her daughter had always clashed with the eldest son’s family, Mother Xu spoke earnestly.
"In private, you can bicker all you want. But remember—as long as your in-laws are alive, you’re all tied together on the same rope."
"You’re a mother now. Think carefully before you act."
As the two women spoke, a group of people entered.
Xu Fangmin immediately spotted Jiang Si among them.
At that moment, Jiang Si was smiling softly, her dimples showing—clearly in high spirits.
Had it not been for what happened on the train, Mother Xu might have urged her daughter to greet her old classmate.
But now that Xu Fangmin had thoroughly offended her, it was too late for that.
Unaware of the incident on the train, Shen’s Mother was still warmly chatting with Mother Huo.
"What a coincidence—we just went to the train station together to pick someone up, and now we’re holding banquets at the same restaurant."
"Banquets?" Mother Huo hadn’t heard about this.
Shen's Mother gave a nod and pointed at the banner hanging in the hall.
"We weren’t planning to host anything, but Shen's Father said our child rarely gets a chance to bring honor to the country, and since today’s the weekend, we might as well celebrate with everyone."
Shen's Mother didn’t lower her voice when she said this, and everyone in the hall heard her.
Jiang Si glanced up at the banner as well.
It was eye-catching, and the message was clear at a glance.
Jiang Si didn’t react much—after all, losing a competition wasn’t anything unusual.
Huo Tingzhou, however, subtly wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
Though he didn’t say a word, the concern in his eyes was unmistakable.
"I’m fine. It doesn’t bother me."
Feeling his silent comfort, Jiang Si flashed him a bright smile.
"In design, it’s all about skill. I wasn’t good enough, so losing is only natural."
Then, as if struck by a thought, she turned to him. "You knew about this already, didn’t you?"
No wonder—from the old house to Capital City Hotel, he’d taken a long detour instead of cutting through the street ahead.
Huo Tingzhou nodded.
Truthfully, ever since the design drafts were submitted to the construction ministry’s selection committee, he’d been keeping tabs on the matter.
It wasn’t until the night before their trip that Mother Huo called.
"Mom was worried you’d take it hard."
He paused, then added, "Not just worried—she felt for you too."
Jiang Si smiled. "I know."
But she really wasn’t upset.
To put it bluntly, even if she were a one-in-a-million genius, there’d still be tens of thousands like her in China.
To her, who won the project didn’t matter.
What mattered was that it didn’t go to a foreigner—that would’ve infuriated her.
Their conversation was quiet, and no one nearby overheard.
But Mother Huo had been watching them closely.
Seeing her daughter-in-law’s calm expression—even smiling at one point—she finally relaxed.
Deep down, she still believed Jiang Si’s design was the best.
But fate had other plans, and there was nothing to be done.
Seeing it was getting late, Mother Huo offered a few congratulatory words and prepared to leave.
Yet the Shen family was determined to bask in their son’s glory today.
Knowing the Huo family’s banquet was in the evening, Shen's Mother eagerly insisted, "It’s still early—why don’t you join us for a quick bite first?"
"No, there are too many of us," Mother Huo declined politely, checking her watch. "We still have to pick someone up from the train station."
"Oh, come now, we’re all from the same compound—no need to stand on ceremony."
Then Shen's Mother abruptly shifted the topic. "Just now, my Fangmin was saying how much she misses seeing an old classmate and wants to catch up properly."
The remark came out of nowhere, leaving Mother Huo momentarily confused.
"Old classmate?"
"That’s right."
Shen's Mother beamed. "I only just found out—my Fangmin and your third son’s wife were high school classmates, even in the same year. What a small world, isn’t it?"
But the anticipated scene of old friends reuniting and reminiscing never played out.
Instead, Jiang Si responded with a faint, mocking scoff.
"Small world indeed."
Before Shen's Mother could figure out the underlying reason, Jiang Si already spoke up with a playful smirk.
"What was she saying about me? That I've switched partners again? Or that I've done something else she disapproves of, something that grates on her nerves?"
