It was already December.
A heavy snowfall had blanketed everything overnight. By morning, it had eased into a sparse flurry, the snow drifting through the air like willow catkins carried on the wind.
The room, warmed by the fireplace, was cozy and snug.
Lin Sen knocked before entering and asked, “Miss, how many people should we bring to the banquet today?”
“The usual.”
At the center of the room, beneath a flower-shaped crystal chandelier, gowns of velvet, silk, thick wool twill, velveteen, and every other kind of fabric looked even more breathtaking.
Those decorated with pearls, coral, or tiny gemstones naturally glittered the most.
They seemed to be tempting anyone who laid eyes on them to put one on.
Su Ning glanced over them casually and chose one that looked as though it was made of velvet. There was no particular reason beyond the fact that it appeared to be the thickest, with the most material.
Seriously, it was still winter!
Was she supposed to sacrifice warmth for beauty?
Sorry, but she could not do that.
This banquet was not important enough to warrant such a sacrifice.
Naturally, any gown delivered to her would be beautiful. The design and tailoring were exquisite, though one person alone would probably have trouble putting it on. At that moment, Su Er was kneeling on one knee, his nimble fingers tying one of the laces into a pretty bow.
Satisfied, Su Ning nodded.
At her words, he turned back with a light laugh and said, “This subordinate believes it might be better to bring a few more people. Aside from safety concerns, Americans worship money. The grander the show of force, the more awe they will feel.”
“Then bring more.”
Su Ning nodded.
No amount of concern for her own safety could ever be excessive—especially when she knew she was destined to make so many people hate her.
At last, she put on a pair of low-heeled kidskin boots.
She was ready.
“Zhenzhu should be ready as well. It’s getting late. Let’s go.”
With that, she waved her hand and left.
Su Er naturally followed behind her. Since he was more familiar with the local situation, he would be accompanying her this time.
When they passed Lin Sen, he also gave him a friendly nod.
…………
To accommodate the growing number of guests willing to attend, Mrs. Kelly had chosen to change the banquet venue and carefully selected a top-class hotel. The hotel had been practically desperate to accept the booking, agreeing to every request for fear that another hotel might steal the opportunity.
For all these reasons, what should have been an ordinary coming-of-age party had become the most sensational banquet of recent times, with the most distinguished guest list.
The sky was growing dark.
The hotel’s warm yellow lights came on beneath the deep-blue sky, where light snow was falling.
White snowflakes settled on the magnificent skirts, exquisite hats, and carefully arranged hair of the female guests. None of them paid any attention. It was only a short walk from the cars to the entrance, and the heating would melt the snowflakes as soon as they went inside.
The orchestra had long since taken its place.
The music drifted through the air, its melody gentle and unhurried, like a river flowing silently beneath the ice on a winter’s day.
It was a beautiful scene.
At least, that was how it looked to Su Ning. It reminded her of certain modern European period dramas, only this was far more real.
There was a saying: While you admire the scenery, you may not realize that you have become part of someone else’s view.
A convoy of black cars, massive as a charging beast, had already arrived.
The elite guards, who had come down to wait, allowed the snow to cover them from head to toe. Their expressions were hard and intimidating.
Then the window of the car in the center rolled down, revealing its owner’s pale, tranquil face.
She quietly observed the scene outside.
Mrs. Kelly, who had hurried over to welcome her, involuntarily came to a halt. Only after taking a deep breath did she manage to put on a smile and approach.
A large black umbrella was opened.
Su Ning stepped out.
She soon moved away from the entrance, and countless eyes, both open and hidden, followed her before withdrawing in turn.
Flora was no exception. Beside her, she heard someone speaking excitedly, his words tumbling over one another.
“Did you see her? That’s Su. She’s truly a beauty—no, no, that’s not important. She really came. Everyone here is going to go crazy over her… Charles, that mediocre fool, is unbelievably lucky. I’m jealous just thinking about it. But after today, I’ll be the one people envy.”
When he finished, he gazed ardently at his fiancée.
He bent down and kissed her cheek, his face overflowing with affection.
“Flora, my goddess, my love, I adore you more than anything.”
“Thank you. I love you too.”
The elegant young noblewoman answered with a smile. Then she lowered her head, as though she was not nearly as excited as he was.
The man did not take it to heart.
He simply assumed that her noble upbringing required her to remain composed.
He got out of the car first.
Lily immediately began complaining in a low voice. “Good heavens, what beauty? She’s nothing but an Asian woman. Look at those plain features—and what on earth is she wearing? Only a widow in mourning would dress that conservatively. The thought of her becoming part of the Hawthorne family, of being regarded by others as one of my family, makes me feel like I can hardly breathe.”
As she spoke, she stroked the necklace she had recently purchased.
It was made of pearls.
They were uniform in size, perfectly rounded, and possessed a lustrous sheen—rare treasures indeed.
To complement the necklace, she had deliberately chosen a dress that left her neck and shoulders bare. The pearls’ gentle warmth only accentuated the tender whiteness of her skin.
“A lady must be educated into becoming one,” Flora said. “Su simply lacks that education. We can help her with it in the future.”
“I know.”
Lily sounded less than pleased. Then she suddenly added, “The first thing we should do is give her a name that fits noble tradition. Su? It’s so frivolous and plain. I don’t know what her parents were thinking.”
Her own full name was Lilibet, with Lily being only a nickname.
“Oh, that’s right. I forgot. Both of her parents are dead.”
Lily feigned surprise.
“You,” Flora said, shaking her head with a sigh as though she were utterly helpless in the face of her sister.
…………
Elsewhere, Su Ning knew nothing about any of this. After all, she was not a character in the story.
Her mood was excellent.
So excellent, in fact, that anyone could see it.
“The banquet is beautiful, and Elizabeth is such a sweet girl,” she said.
Elizabeth’s golden-brown curls framed a face that instantly flushed red.
Clearly, she was a very shy young woman.
“Thank you for your compliment.”
Elizabeth had grown up in America and was accustomed to being praised, but the weight carried by different people’s words was not the same. Moreover, Su Ning looked like someone too cold and reserved to offer empty compliments.
The effect was naturally remarkable.
Su Ning accepted her thanks with perfect composure.
Inside her mind, the system rolled its eyes.
It seemed that people who looked incapable of lying were often the best liars, because others always believed the lies they told.
Of course Elizabeth would be happy.
Su Ning had only been in America for a short time and had barely done anything, yet rewards had already been coming in one after another. And they were all being squeezed out of a few “tough nuts” who were difficult to crack.
America was truly lucky for her—
The system had already simulated the tone and expression Su Ning would use when saying that.
In truth, Su Ning was not exactly lying.
The banquet really had been well arranged.
It perfectly displayed the luxury, classic elegance, refinement, and grace expected of an upper-class woman’s coming-of-age celebration in this era. Su Ning was thoroughly enjoying herself.
In her eyes, every person’s movements were fascinating.
No matter how perfect the scenery or how meticulously researched the costumes and setting were, nothing could compare to stepping into the upper classes of the past and experiencing it firsthand.
When she returned to the modern era and became an unremarkable wealthy woman, this would be what set her apart from all the other rich people.
The only problem was that the food was nothing special.
Most of it was served cold.
Su Ning cast a disdainful glance at it, already planning to have something hot and steaming once she got back. Hot pot? She added it to the list of possibilities…
As she pondered this, she casually picked up a glass of wine. Before she had time to taste it, she looked up and noticed a young woman not far away who seemed to be watching her.
She took a closer look.
There was no mistake—the woman was indeed looking at her. When she realized Su Ning had noticed, she offered a gentle, friendly smile. Then… she called over a server, lightly and elegantly pinched the stem of her glass, lifted it, and swirled it gently to release the aroma.
Only then did she take a small sip.
The entire sequence of movements was smooth and graceful, poised and natural, without the slightest hint of awkwardness.
Su Ning: ?
