On this day.
The most leisurely person turned out to be Su Ning, the host of the banquet. She did not begin to dress and do her makeup until dusk, by which time guests had already begun to arrive one after another.
These were generally the guests with lower social standing among those invited.
They did not require Su Ning's personal reception.
Speaking of which, even though the concept of social hierarchy was no longer explicitly stated following the fall of the previous dynasty, it remained deeply ingrained in people's minds as an unspoken rule of society.
This banquet was a small microcosm of that.
The next-door neighbors were among the first batch of arrivals. Their surname was Wang. Mrs. Wang, dressed to the nines, led her husband and children into the banquet venue under the guidance of an attendant.
They were astonished to find that in just a short period of time, this once-familiar mansion had drastically changed its appearance.
The lawn outside was plush, even, and verdant, without a single weed in sight. It had clearly been meticulously replaced and manicured at great expense. There were also marble statues, fountains, blooming flowers, and ancient trees everywhere, all displaying a breathtaking beauty under differently colored lights, though how they achieved that lighting effect was a mystery.
Mother, it is so beautiful here.
Her son's excited voice rang out from behind. Can our house be made to look like this too?
Mrs. Wang thought about it.
As neighbors, the size and layout of their properties were actually quite similar. With a little patience and by shopping around, their family could certainly afford the cost of such a renovation.
If your grades on this upcoming exam satisfy me, then yes.
That is wonderful!
That is so nice.
The latter sentence was spoken by the daughter. Miss Wang had a soft, beautiful face and a slender figure, matched by a low-key and gentle personality. Even so, upon hearing her mother's approval, she could not help but softly cry out in joy.
Realizing what she had done, her small face flushed red.
She coquettishly took her mother's arm and shook it. Once the renovations are done, can I invite my classmates over for a birthday party?
Of course you can.
How could Mrs. Wang possibly refuse?
Only Mr. Wang shook his head with a bitter smile. He could guarantee that once they returned home and his wife regained her composure, she would regret it. Yet, because she had promised the children and could not go back on her word, she would be heartbroken and conflicted for quite a long time.
And he would be tormented right alongside her.
Walking further inside, it was even more different from before. A dazzling and magnificent crystal chandelier hung high above, flanked by numerous exquisitely designed lamps, illuminating the entire venue as if it were broad daylight.
It had to be said that in this environment, the jewelry worn by the ladies in attendance looked even more dazzling.
At the very least, Mrs. Wang nervously touched the necklace around her own neck.
Nearby was a superb array of delicacies.
There were fruits from all over the world, some so exotic that Mrs. Wang's ten-year-old son went over to touch them, exquisitely plated cold dishes, hot foods, and various wines and beverages placed to the side for guests to take as they pleased.
Not far away.
There were foreign chefs preparing food. At the guests' requests, they moved with elegance as they cooked. Setting aside the taste for a moment, the visual impact was already maximized.
This chef had been enthusiastically provided by the American ambassador.
Oh, and he was a master of French cuisine.
As for why a Chinese chef was not used, firstly, the smoke and fire would not be very appropriate, and secondly, the current trend was to idolize the West. Since the ambassador had recommended him, they might as well use him.
Mrs. Wang took a curious glance.
She silently shook her head.
They ate Western food often enough, but hiring a dedicated foreign chef was too troublesome, and it was easy to end up with a bad one. When she heard that this chef was employed by the American ambassador's household, it completely extinguished any thought she had of copying the idea.
As for the other foods, although they were precious.
With a little effort, her family could also procure these things. It was just that this format was very rare; it was probably a popular banquet style in the West.
Perhaps they could do the same next time her family hosted a banquet?
It would definitely steal the spotlight.
Just then, Mrs. Wang heard a slightly sour voice from beside her: "As if everyone doesn't know she's rich. Throwing a banquet so extravagantly and luxuriously—what are the rest of us supposed to do? Isn't she afraid of catching the eye of the higher-ups?"
Turning her head, she saw it was her "good friend."
Yes, the kind of friend where they were warm and sociable on the surface, often meeting up for dinner and mahjong, but secretly competed over absolutely everything.
Clothes, jewelry, their husbands' positions and prospects, their children's grades and marriages—everything had to be compared one by one.
Hearing this, she was a bit puzzled.
Although it was indeed luxurious, it wasn't quite luxurious enough to offend the higher-ups... right?
"You haven't noticed?"
The friend's face immediately broke into a smile. She lifted her chin with a sense of superiority and pointed at the dining table.
There was nothing out of the ordinary. Mrs. Wang looked over; people were already eating and drinking. They were actually using silver plates and forks. The waiter pouring the wine was quite handsome too. Come to think of it, all the servants she had seen along the way, male or female, were quite good-looking... Wait!
Her eyes widened.
"That bottle of wine only had one small glass poured from it, and they just took the whole thing away?"
"You finally noticed."
The friend covered her mouth with her hand, smiling meaningfully. "I thought it would take you a lot longer to realize. It's not just the wine. As soon as anything else is touched even a little, the entire plate is taken away and replaced with a fresh one."
"They just discard the rest?"
Her voice was filled with disbelief.
"I'm not Miss Su, how would I know?" The friend rolled her eyes. "But no matter how they handle it, I've been watching, and nothing is tidied up and brought back out."
Mrs. Wang was in complete shock.
It should be known that this friend of hers was famous for her sharp eyes and meticulous mind.
She had once noticed from seven or eight people away that the jewelry someone was wearing had been repurposed from their husband's ex-wife's dowry, all because of a single scratch on the side of the gemstone!
"This... this is way too extravagant, isn't it?"
she couldn't help but say.
Watching the exquisite food being served and cleared away like flowing water, she felt as if she had brushed against the earth-shattering wealth of the Miss Su behind it all... Little bubbles of sour jealousy began to rise in her heart.
She couldn't help but glance at her own son.
He had long since gone over to the dining table, bossing the servants around to drizzle jam and sprinkle crushed nuts on his ice cream. His eyes hadn't left the ice cream the entire time. But wasn't that just how a child under ten behaved?
She let out a long sigh.
Who would have thought.
A sigh also came from beside her—it was her friend, whose son was even younger, at seven years old.
The two exchanged a glance. Although it was a bit embarrassing, they both felt a little closer to each other, until the friend said: "You think it's such a pity too, right? It's not that we're snobs, but I dare say anyone who sees this scene today and isn't tempted must be a reincarnated saint!"
Mrs. Wang nodded in agreement.
"Sigh, my son was just born too late. If he were a bit older, absolutely no one would be able to compete with him. You know my son is top-tier in looks, does well in his studies, is polite, and speaks sweetly. Everyone who meets him loves him."
Those were just people being polite!
Her son, with that flat pancake face, tiny nose, and beady little eyes—what was so good-looking about him?
Her own son was much more handsome.
Mrs. Wang interrupted her friend.
She said with a reserved air, "I think my son would do just fine. Did you know, a pictorial magazine once wanted to hire him as a model..."
"Is that so?"
Her friend gave a fake smile.
......
Up on the second-floor terrace.
Su Ning witnessed the brief harmony and swift shattering of this friendship, letting out a soft chuckle.
Down below was a glamorous scene of mingling guests. Looking a bit further out, she could see a continuous stream of cars arriving. Regardless of their natural features, the people stepping out of the vehicles all looked dignified and attractive, elevated by their elegant attire.
A faint, ethereal fragrance drifted through the air.
It hardly feels like the Republican era anymore.
Su Ning thought to herself.
Furthermore, the scene stirred up her familiar resentment toward the rich. Remembering how she had worked herself to the bone in the modern world, breaking her back just so her boss could buy luxury cars, live in mansions, and attend banquets exactly like this one... her eyes grew red with indignation.
System: ...???
How could you possibly find a reason to hate the rich here? You are the one hosting this banquet! You invited all these people! Just admit it, you are just petty and love holding grudges!
