C33 Loong Family Came to the Banquet

Yi Lanyou had observed Tian Wei touching her earrings several times while listening to Fang Fang and the others, prompting Yi Lanyou to bring it up intentionally. Her aim was clear: she wanted Fang Fang to taste the sting of being ignored, to let Fang Fang understand how it felt to be treated as if invisible at social gatherings.

Unbeknownst to Yi Lanyou, her actions had caught Tian Wei's attention, who now held her in high regard due to the favorable impression she'd made.

As the noblewomen were engrossed in conversation, Yi Haoen approached and stopped beside Yi Lanyou, whispering, "Uncle Long and Auntie Feng will be arriving shortly."

Yi Lanyou was momentarily taken aback; in her past life, the Loong family had never attended such an event. Feigning concern, she asked, "Dad, do I need to prepare anything?"

"Where's your bracelet? Go fetch it and put it on," Yi Haoen said, glancing at Yi Lanyou's bare wrist.

"Alright, I'll go to my room and get the bracelet now," Yi Lanyou replied, nodding. She offered a gracious smile to the inquisitive ladies, "Please continue your chat, aunties. I'll excuse myself for a moment."

"Go ahead," Tian Wei responded, gesturing with a friendly smile.

With a nod and a smile, Yi Lanyou turned and briskly left the garden. After her rebirth, Yi Lanyou had faced many changes and knew she had to tread carefully.

Fang Fang felt a surge of discontent seeing Yi Haoen whisper to Yi Lanyou. Yi Haoen had never shown such intimacy with Yi Rui'er. Both Yi Lanyou and Yi Rui'er were his daughters, yet Yi Haoen seemed to show blatant favoritism.

However, Fang Fang was mistaken in her judgment. Yi Haoen had initially intended for Lian Cheng to relay the message to Yi Lanyou, but Lian Cheng was swamped with work. The banquet was supposed to be overseen by the butler, Zhou Li, but after being incapacitated by Yi Haoen three days prior, Zhou Li was bedridden and immobile. Thus, the responsibility fell to the inexperienced Lian Cheng. With his hands full and the critical matters involving the Loong family at stake, Yi Haoen had no choice but to personally make the trip.

Fang Fang was eager to find out what Yi Haoen had been discussing with Yi Lanyou, but before she could ask, Tian Wei cut in.

"Fang Fang, you're so fortunate! What's the girl's name again?" Tian Wei inquired.

"Yi Lanyou." Despite her inner discontent, Fang Fang managed to feign a motherly smile.

Tian Wei nodded with conviction. "Yi Lanyou is quite impressive! Fang Fang, you're blessed indeed!"

"Yes!" others chimed in. "Yi Lanyou's demeanor is far more befitting of an aristocratic daughter than the wild child in my household. She doesn't at all seem like someone who's just been found."

"Absolutely! Yi Lanyou is also stunningly beautiful." The compliments stung Fang Fang, yet they delighted Yi Haoen to no end.

Yi Lanyou was truly Yi Haoen's daughter.

However, as a man, Yi Haoen couldn't join in the women's conversation. With a smile, he turned to engage with other friends in the business circle.

Fang Fang caught the look of satisfaction in Yi Haoen's eyes and the smirk on his lips, which only fueled her rage. She felt that if she stayed any longer, she would explode with anger.

Just then, a maid hurried over. "Madam, Miss Rui'er is asking for you."

Fang Fang's mood brightened, and she excused herself to the other ladies with a slight nod. "Please excuse me."

"Don't worry about us, go ahead," they replied, gesturing for her to leave.

Fang Fang then made a hasty exit from the stifling gathering and entered Yi Rui'er's room, where she found her already dressed in a gown. "Yi Rui'er, why are you out of bed?"

"Mom, I want to go downstairs. Can you help me with my makeup? I don't know how to do it," Yi Rui'er said, her face resolute.

"Are you still in pain?" Fang Fang asked, approaching her.

"It hurts even to breathe," Yi Rui'er admitted, biting her lip as her eyes reddened with frustration and defiance. "But I can't stand the thought of Yi Lanyou basking in glory downstairs! Mom, I am the rightful heiress of the Yi family!"

"I understand, Mom understands the injustice you've felt," Fang Fang said tenderly, cradling Yi Rui'er's face. "I'm fully aware." Fang Fang harbored even deeper resentment toward Yi Lanyou than Yi Rui'er did, but having been burnt once, she couldn't act rashly. Fang Fang needed to assess Yi Lanyou's capabilities before she could strategically suppress her.

"Mom," Yi Rui'er sniffled, her voice resolute, "I need to go downstairs. I can't let Yi Lanyou overshadow us!"

"But what about your injuries?" Fang Fang wanted Yi Rui'er to go downstairs too, especially since many influential figures were present. It was an opportunity to smooth the path for Yi Rui'er's future. However, Fang Fang was also pained by Yi Rui'er's injuries. Even though Yi Haoen had shown restraint, Yi Rui'er was still a delicate young lady who had seldom experienced injury from childhood, and she wasn't accustomed to such harsh treatment.

"I'll manage," Yi Rui'er said, lips pressed together, her animosity toward Yi Lanyou fueling her resolve. She was certain she could withstand the pain.

"Yi Rui'er, you are my pride," Fang Fang said, planting a kiss on Yi Rui'er's forehead. She then assisted Yi Rui'er to a chair. Fang Fang summoned the cosmetics and applied a subtle makeup to Yi Rui'er's face. Afterwards, she took Yi Rui'er by the hand and descended the stairs to enter the garden. Fang Fang had anticipated this moment to showcase the true elegance of the Eldest Miss Yi to the onlookers. To her surprise, she found the guests all congregated in one place.

Yi Rui'er and Fang Fang exchanged a puzzled glance. Hadn't everyone been mingling separately just moments ago? Why had they suddenly come together? What had transpired?

As Yi Rui'er and Fang Fang approached the center of the crowd, they saw Yi Lanyou sitting demurely next to an attractive woman who held Yi Lanyou's hand warmly in hers. The woman's gaze was tender, her smile benevolent, and her conversation clearly conveyed a close bond with Yi Lanyou.

Beside the woman stood two men: Yi Haoen and, presumably, the woman's husband.

Taking in the scene and the sycophantic smiles around her, Fang Fang seemed to deduce the identities of the couple. With this in mind, she gently squeezed Yi Rui'er's hand and approached with a gracious smile, "Yi Haoen, have we the honor of hosting a distinguished guest at our home?"

"This is the President and his wife from the Loong family's corporation in Jingdu," Yi Haoen announced, his voice notably louder with pride. It was clear that having guests of such high stature from the Loong family attend his banquet was a matter of great honor for him, especially the presence of the family's President and his wife. Then, Yi Haoen introduced his own family to the esteemed couple, "These two are my wife, Fang Fang, and my second daughter, Yi Rui'er."

"Hello," Feng Yingshu greeted them with a warm smile.

"Auntie Feng, hello," Yi Rui'er chimed in sweetly. With Yi Haoen's introduction, she was well aware of the distinguished status of the guests before her. She smiled sweetly, eager to make a good impression. After all, such esteemed individuals as the President and his wife of the Loong family Financial Group couldn't only be charmed by Yi Lanyou!