"Mm!" At the banquet, Jiang Chuling could never eat her fill.
The crowd surged, and the lights blazed brilliantly.
After more than two months of preparation, with meticulous attention to every detail, the birthday banquet finally began.
Because the Jiang family had invited a VIP like Mayor Pei this time, those qualified to attend the banquet were all prominent figures from the business circles of the capital, and even the Ministry of Commerce sent several directors and department heads.
The gentlemen and ladies went to the small garden to engage in friendly conversations with the guests, while Qiuyun followed Miss Jiang in through the side door to the banquet hall.
The first thing that caught the eye were floor-to-ceiling windows paired with matching dark red velvet curtains, their intricate layers piled high, exuding understated luxury.
A look of surprise flickered in Qiuyun's eyes—neither she nor the original owner had ever seen glass like this, which appeared pitch black and indecipherable from the outside while offering an unobstructed view of everything outside from within.
The banquet hall was spacious and vast, with grand marble pillars lining both sides. The floor was covered in expensive, exquisite cashmere carpets, like bold oil paintings spread across the tiles. Servants in the estate moved back and forth in an orderly manner, all holding their breath and keeping silent, making not a sound.
Inside the hall, twelve round tables were arranged at staggered intervals, each centerpiece adorned with fresh, vibrant decorative floral arrangements. These carved rosewood tables and chairs were all valuable, with cushions embedded in the chairs. Each guest's place setting featured exquisitely patterned placemats and sets of shining silver and gemstone utensils.
At the entrance of the hall was an open area where guests could taste wine and socialize. Every short distance stood waist-high crystal glass tables, also decorated with fresh bouquets and crystal goblets placed upside down on trays for guests to pick up.
Qiuyun quickly scanned the general layout of the hall. After placing Miss Jiang's change of shoes in the rest room, she, like the other assistants, waited quietly in the rest area behind the pillars, ready to be called upon by the host family at any moment.
Before long, the sun gradually slanted westward. The golden yellow sunset of summer fell upon the garden, casting a dreamy, lingering aura over the dignified and elegant landscape.
Qiuyun and Xiao Wei were chatting casually when Sun Assistant Manager, Sun Bo arrived.
"Assistant Manager Sun, what a coincidence."
As both were part of the senior branch of the family, Qiuyun greeted him with a smiling face.
Sun Assistant Manager recognized Qiuyun. Although he had long heard from his niece that this woman had an incredible talent for changing her face, when he actually encountered her, his expression still didn't match hers in naturalness.
Who would have thought? He, a seasoned veteran who had worked for wealthy families for twenty years, couldn't match a young girl under twenty in putting on a facade.
"Ah, it's Assistant Qiu. What a coincidence indeed." Sun Assistant Manager tried his best to appear natural, but Qiuyun could still detect a hint of gritted teeth in his tone.
"Assistant Manager Sun truly is busy with important matters. Even the banquet requires your personal supervision. Mr. Jiang must trust you greatly." Qiuyun exchanged pleasantries with a smile.
Sun Assistant Manager's face stiffened. "I came to consult Mr. Jiang about matters in the main building. Have you seen where he is?"
Xiao Wei replied politely, "He was in the square pavilion in the garden just now. He should be in the lounge by now."
"Oh, right." Sun Assistant Manager turned and left.
In light of the fact that her Miss Jiang had taken a liking to Xiaoqiu, Xiao Wei kindly warned her, "Relations between assistant managers and assistants in this estate have always been tense, especially on occasions like today. Next time, don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong."
She shot Xiaoqiu a glance, signaling her to look around. The banquet was supposed to be the host family's business, but since it was held within the estate, the assistant managers naturally saw it as their own turf and all wanted to show their faces and gain some recognition.
"So that's how it is." Qiuyun blinked, showing no sign of regret or the slightest guilt over offending Sun Assistant Manager.
Seeing that Qiuyun was impervious to advice, Xiao Wei couldn't help adding a few more words, "From now on, when you encounter assistants or assistant managers close to Mr. or Mrs. Jiang, be more polite. Our Miss Jiang also has to listen to Mr. and Mrs. Jiang."
By extension, as assistants to the young lady, they naturally ranked lower than those serving the master and mistress.
"I understand. Thank you for the reminder. I'll be mindful," Qiuyun said, thanking her for her kindness. She then glanced at Assistant Manager Sun's indignant, retreating figure before looking away with a serene expression.
The guests in the garden gradually moved indoors. The master, mistress, young master, and young lady of the family each worked their social circles with practiced ease, while their assistants waited silently behind the pillars, occasionally stepping forward to help touch up makeup, straighten a tie, or handle unexpected situations.
As the evening banquet approached, the guest of honor, Mayor Pei and his family, arrived fashionably late.
The birthday star, the old gentleman, was very gracious and personally welcomed them into the banquet hall.
Qiuyun had sharp eyes. Her gaze swept past the amiable, kind-looking Mayor and his dignified, composed wife, landing on the unruly-eyed younger son behind them.
Him!?
That cocky young master of the Ruan family who had helped her copy the tea classic—he was actually a member of the Pei family.
But it made sense; the two families were related by marriage, so it was only natural that the Ruan family staff called him "little ancestor."
Perhaps for the banquet, his attire today was relatively proper. His previously dyed blue hair had been turned back to black, and he had removed all his earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, making him look much more docile and refreshed.
But... as the son of a mayor, a second-generation elite like him shouldn't be short on money. How could he stoop to taking on a copywriting job worth just tens of thousands?
Was he already this incorruptible?
"Hey? Is that Mayor Pei's son? Why does he look so young? Is he still in school?"
"Yeah, Mayor Pei and Minister Ruan look to be in their forties or fifties. How is their son so young? Is he the youngest?"
"No, Mayor Pei only has this one son."
"So they had him late?"
"Not exactly. This isn't a well-kept secret. Let me fill you in."
The assistants behind some guests were gossiping, and Qiuyun pricked up her ears discreetly.
The person cleared his throat. "Mayor Pei used to come from a military background. Back when he was on a mission, he provoked a drug lord. The remaining criminal elements from that group directly captured his son for revenge. They planned to follow the pattern of a case from the 1990s—inject him with psychotropic drugs to drive him insane before sending him back, so the Pei family would live in agony. But they messed up the dosage, and he died."
Whoa!
Everyone drew in a sharp breath. That was quite a scandal.
Someone pressed further: "So the current Young Master Pei was born to the couple later?"
The person nodded. "Yes. Otherwise, do you think a public official like him would dare to openly violate the law? There was a one-child policy back then."
These matters were well known among older insiders in the circle and were indeed not secrets.
After this incident, Mayor Pei stepped down from the front lines and delved deep into politics. The blow to the family was immense.
Someone couldn't help but show envy. "Lost and found again, plus having a son in old age—Mayor Pei and his wife must dote on him to no end! Young Master Pei's fate is too good!"
Everyone chimed in agreement, lamenting the unfairness of fate.
Only Qiuyun, watching from across the crowd as Young Master Pei irritably loosened his tie, his brows and eyes full of resistance to the current occasion, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
Dote on him to no end?
She wouldn't bet on it.
