C4 The Birthday Gift Hit the Mark

Lan Qingwan felt a momentary pause in her breath, a wave of displeasure spreading through her heart. However, she was used to putting on a show; no matter how unhappy she felt inside, she always appeared warm and friendly on the outside. She walked right up to Lan Qingjia, taking her hand with an innocent smile, and asked, "Sister, your dress is so beautiful. How come I've never seen you wear it before?"

Lan Qingjia, naturally, wouldn't admit that she designed it herself. She just blushed shyly and said, "I saved it especially for Grandmother's birthday today."

A flicker of annoyance crossed Lan Qingwan's mind. She hadn't expected her sister to be so cunning, secretly stashing away such a dress. Her eyes twinkled with a new thought, and she added, "Not only do you look great today, but I'm sure your birthday gift will be the most impressive among us siblings. I really can't wait to see it!"

Lan Qingjia looked both anxious and bashful, while Lan Qingwan secretly chuckled to herself, anticipating her sister's embarrassment later.

Returning to her seat, Lan Qingwan wore a smile, eager for the upcoming spectacle. Lan Zhenkun, observing his younger daughter's initiative in being close to her older sister, felt a sense of relief. His Wan was indeed the most loving of sisters. Yet, while Wan was poised and gracious, the other one always seemed so timid and awkward, which was truly displeasing.

Before long, the Old Matriarch arrived gracefully. She wore a royal blue brocade coat, her demeanor commanding respect. Though she was sixty, her lively spirit was evident, reflecting her robust health. Everyone stood to greet her, and a gentle smile spread across her face as she warmly invited them to sit.

Mrs. Lau, ever the diplomat, noticed the Old Matriarch's good mood and led the way with a compliment, "Mother, you look truly vibrant today, as if you've turned back the clock by decades. When the guests arrive, they won't believe you're celebrating your sixtieth!"

Lan Qingwan joined in with a smile, and together, the mother-daughter duo brought a broad grin to the Old Matriarch's face. Lan Zhenkun watched the cheerful scene with satisfaction.

Mrs. Zhou, feeling a bit envious, tried to join the fun with a few remarks, but since she hadn't started the flattery, her words didn't quite hit the mark, leaving her feeling a bit awkward.

Finally, Lan Zhenkun took charge, skillfully steering the conversation away from the flattery and presenting his gift. He offered a jade coral ornament, as tall as a seven or eight-year-old child, its transparency showcasing its considerable value.

Lan Zhenhua presented a string of prayer beads. Though small, they were made of rare nanmu wood and had been blessed at a renowned temple, making them equally meaningful and valuable as the jade coral.

The other young ones presented their gifts—Buddhist scriptures, headbands, shoes, socks, paintings, and calligraphy—all handmade. The Old Matriarch praised each one with a smile, clearly in high spirits.

Finally, only Lan Qingjia and Lan Qingwan had yet to present their birthday gifts.

Lan Qingwan smiled and said, "I bet my sister's gift is meant to be the grand finale, so let's take a look at mine first."

She appeared to have a good relationship with Lan Qingjia, but her words were calculated. The higher she raised expectations for Lan Qingjia, the more embarrassing it would be if her gift fell short.

Lan Qingwan's gift was brought forward, and everyone in the room paused in surprise. Her gift was several feet long, requiring two maids to hold it up, one at each end.

It was a beautifully mounted scroll, featuring a large character for "longevity." This character was composed of countless smaller "longevity" characters, each in a unique style.

Overall, the large character was imposing and majestic, while each small character was meticulously crafted, showcasing exceptional skill.

Baixiang, witnessing this, froze and instinctively placed a hand on her mistress's shoulder.

Miss Lan had prepared a tapestry of longevity symbols, but now, it seemed to clash with the gift from the Second Miss. Baixiang felt a mix of panic and frustration. The Second Miss knew what Miss Lan was planning to give, yet she hadn't mentioned a word beforehand, catching them off guard. How could Miss Lan present her gift now?

Qingjia, however, remained calm. She gently patted Baixiang's hand, offering reassurance.