Chapter 13

Many notable figures from North River gradually appeared in the banquet hall hosted by the Jing Family.Guests dressed in elegant attire mingled among the crowd, their faces adorned with reserved yet appropriate smiles.

Waiters in tailcoats weaved through the throng, offering glasses of champagne from trays to passing guests.

Jing Yi was standing with Shen Xi on the other side of the banquet hall.

Though the banquet hadn't officially begun, Jing Yi was already feeling drowsy. She raised her hand to cover her red lips as she stifled a yawn.

She had expected the banquet to be more entertaining, or at least for the food to be more delicious.

Although the food was indeed good, it still fell short compared to Aunt Wang's cooking.

More importantly, only she and Shen Xi were lingering around the dining table, with passersby occasionally glancing their way. How could she eat comfortably under such circumstances?

Shen Xi, on the other hand, was keenly observing the coming and going of guests.

That one was a big shot she often saw on the financial news channel! And that one was the industry benchmark her brother frequently mentioned!

Shen Xi had come specifically to accompany Jing Yi. During their last gathering, Jing Yi had invited her to attend the Jing Family's banquet.

Otherwise, even her father wouldn't have received an invitation from the Jing Family.

Shen Xi was about to say something to Jing Yi when she noticed the drowsiness in her eyes, which surprised her.

"No way, you're sleepy already?" The banquet had barely begun, and the main events hadn't even started. How could she be tired already?

Jing Yi sat on the sofa, bored out of her mind. "Don't you find this boring?" She was really struggling to stay awake. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the NʘvᴇlFirᴇ.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

Shen Xi rolled her eyes at her friend, helping to adjust her dress. It was a shame that she looked so beautiful today.

She wore a shimmering feather dress, paired with slightly curled hair and a feather hairpin, giving her an ethereal appearance.

Who would have thought that dressed in such a beautiful gown, she'd not only hide in a corner but now sprawl on the sofa!

"This is the normal flow of a banquet. If you're bored, you can go eat something. Come on, get up. Who attends a banquet like this?!"

Shen Xi pulled Jing Yi up from the sofa and started fixing her hair.

Why did that sound so familiar?

Oh, right! It sounded just like something her mother would say! And her current actions were very similar to...

Shen Xi felt a bit helpless, feeling as if attending this banquet had aged her considerably.

As Shen Xi was still adjusting Jing Yi's hair, she noticed a handsome man approaching. Her eyes lit up, and she was about to point him out to Jing Yi when she heard them exchange greetings.

"Little Yi."

"Big Brother."

Shen Xi's eyes widened slightly. Was this the older brother, Jing Zeyou, that Jing Yi had mentioned?

He truly exuded maturity and steadiness!

Noticing Jing Zeyou's gaze turn towards her, Shen Xi straightened her back and politely greeted him.

"Hello, Big Brother! I'm Shen Xi, Jing Yi's friend."

"Hello," Jing Zeyou said with a slight smile, nodding gently to Shen Xi.

Shen Xi, a relative of the Shen family and Jing Yi's good friend from university.

As this was Jing Yi's friend, he should show her proper respect.

"If you're bored, you can take your friend upstairs to play. Later, the hotel will serve Western cuisine, which you might want to try."

"No need, Big Brother. Junjun hasn't made her appearance yet. I'll wait until after her debut to go out for some fresh air."

Debut?

A barely noticeable smile flashed in Jing Zeyou's eyes.

"Alright then. The lighter-colored drinks over there are specially mixed fruit wines. They're not as strong, you might want to try them, but in moderation."

Jing Zeyou had noticed that Jing Yi wasn't particularly interested in the food at the banquet.

Sure enough, Jing Yi's expression brightened a bit. "Really? I'll go try some in a bit!"

Jing Zeyou smiled, chatted briefly with Shen Xi, and then left.

Watching Jing Zeyou converse effortlessly with the guests, Shen Xi remarked, "Yi, your big brother is so handsome! He's truly mature and gentlemanly."

Jing Yi nodded in agreement, but her gaze had already been drawn to the fruit wines Jing Zeyou had mentioned.

She pulled Shen Xi over, picked up one of the glasses, and said, "Xi, this is plum wine. Want to try?"

Jing Yi handed the glass to Shen Xi and picked up another for herself, about to take a sip.

A hand with distinct knuckles stopped her.

Jing Yi frowned slightly and looked up.

[Of course, it's you again!]

Who else could it be but Jing Zeqian, worried that Jing Yi might get drunk and cause a scene?

Shen Xi was also surprised to see the newcomer. Realizing it was someone Jing Yi knew, she didn't approach but watched with curiosity.

Was this the "Tiger Balm" second brother Jing Yi had mentioned?

His aura was quite different from the older brother's. Though equally handsome, he exuded a hint of roguish charm.

If he looked like that, she wouldn't mind if he was a "Tiger Balm"!

"Are you planning to get drunk and make a scene at the banquet?" Jing Zeqian snatched the plum wine from her hand, intending to put it back.

"It's fruit wine! Big Brother said it's not strong and told me to try it!"

...Fruit wine?

Jing Zeqian's hand holding the wine glass paused, unsure whether to return it or not.

In the end, he yielded to Jing Yi's accusatory tone and gave the wine back to her.

"Drink less. If you get drunk, no one will carry you back."

Jing Yi glanced at him, then took a sip.

[Delicious!]

Jing Zeqian's lips curved into a slight smile. Seeing that Jing Yi had nearly finished her glass, he couldn't help but say, "Drink less."

"Young Master Jing! Long time no see!" A well-dressed man in a suit approached. He appeared to be a few years older than Jing Zeqian.

But this wasn't what caught Jing Yi's attention. Instead, it was the way the man addressed Jing Zeqian that surprised her.

[Young Master Jing?! What kind of angsty young adult novel male lead is this? Hahahahaha!]

Jing Zeqian's smile froze. He hadn't thought there was anything wrong with this form of address before, but now that Jing Yi pointed it out, it suddenly felt off in every way!

His expression betrayed no unusual reaction as he raised his glass to clink with the man opposite him.

"General Xu, it's been a while."

The man opposite looked delighted. He had worked hard to find an opportunity to chat with Jing Zeqian alone, and was pleased that Jing Zeqian seemed to remember him.

"I've heard that several of Startrack's artists have won major awards recently. Young Master Jing, your business is truly flourishing!"

"You're too kind, General Xu. It's just a small venture on my part."

"If this is a small venture, what does that make all our years of hard work? Young Master Jing, there's no need for modesty. I hope there will be an opportunity for our company to collaborate with Startrack in the future!"

"It would be Startrack's honor to collaborate with your company, General Xu."

Startrack was the entertainment company Jing Zeqian had founded single-handedly, and he couldn't help feeling pleased at the praise.

Jing Zeqian looked at Jing Yi proudly, but she maintained her usual obedient expression.

[No way? How can someone almost thirty take such casual flattery seriously?]

Jing Zeqian paused briefly, continuing his conversation with the man in front of him without showing any change in his demeanor.

Surely Jing Yi didn't really think he was that naive?!