The Uncomfortable New Year Banquet

||Liliana||

[Mr. Liu: We'll meet on Jan 4th as planned. Thank you for your time, Ms. Xin. Happy New Year]

[Liliana: You're welcome. Happy New Year to you too]

Liliana slipped the smartphone inside the pocket of her skirt. She moved away from the window where she was standing earlier. The banquet should begin soon.

This morning, Liliana dragged herself from Ventura Suites to the Xin ancestral home. It was the same house where she spent her previous years before.

The Xin ancestral home was located at Jadeite Peak, almost an hour away from Ventura Suites. Liliana took a cab instead of calling for any of the Xin family's drivers.

The Xin elders that were still alive all came from distant branches, their positions held no significance. Liliana's paternal grandparents, the esteemed old mister and madam of the Xin family had passed away.

Right now, only Liliana's father and stepmother resided there alongside a group of helpers. Her half-siblings lived on their own. Sometimes, Liliana's paternal aunt and uncle came to stay there too.

Soon, Liliana stepped inside the vast dining hall where the family banquet was held. A twenty-seater table were placed in the middle. Several spots were already occupied. Thomas and Katherine were still nowhere to be seen.

The distant relatives didn't join the banquet. They only came when it was Lunar New Year.

Because the banquet just involved the main branch, it was not as formal as the usual ones. The seating arrangement was not rigid.

"Oh, the soon-to-be-ex Young Madam Shen is here. Forgive me for not noticing your brilliant presence."

Those words that were imbued with malicious intent came from Deanna. She was Thomas and Katherine's eldest daughter.

Because Deanna was six months younger than Liliana, the former's title as the Xin family's eldest young miss got stripped away from her. Even though Liliana was an illegitimate child, her late grandfather insisted on the change of title.

Liliana lazily turned her head to the woman sitting one seat away from her.

Deanna inherited Katherine's elegant beauty. Her phoenix eyes could easily bewitch any young master.

Deanna's slightly curly hair was dyed chocolate brown, cascading behind her back, and reaching below her chest. Paired with ample bosom and a slender waist, she was indeed an enchantress.

Liliana smiled faintly with a hint of a smirk. For some reason, she wanted to retort instead of staying silent as usual.

"Oh? Did you forget to meet an ophthalmologist? Perhaps you're turning blind."

"W-what? How dare you?"

Liliana lowered her head, she started to ignore Deanna whose face contorted uglily. Faint laughter came from one side of the table while the others remained quiet and observant.

"Sister Lili, that's a good comeback."

Liliana looked up, seeing a young man in a gray sweater pulling out a chair next to her. The man's hair was dyed blond, appearing so striking because of his fair skin.

"Hello, Dylan. I didn't think that you're back," Liliana greeted the man.

"I have to. My uni is on break until the 14th so, I have enough time," answered the man called Dylan.

Dylan was the youngest child between Thomas and Katherine. Because he was the only son of the first branch, Dylan was already known as the next heir. He was only twenty years old and was currently studying abroad.

When Liliana first entered the Xin family's door, Dylan was only six. He was excited about gaining a new sister when Deanna and the other child, Esther treated her coldly.

Dylan often sneaked out to play with Liliana in the annex backyard, the place where Liliana stayed. Until now, their relationship was amicable.

"Don't forget to rest and have fun," reminded Liliana. Her initially dull gaze regained a bit of light with the appearance of Dylan.

"Hehe, of course! When you're free, you should come to visit me ah," Dylan gave an expectant look at Liliana.

"Maybe when..."

"Of course that she can visit you. Won't she be a multi-millionaire after her divorce soon?" Deanna's voice sharply cut through Liliana's sentence, "She can even travel the world with no worries."

"Enough, Sister Anna. You're dead set to ruin the New Year's mood, aren't you?" retorted Dylan followed by a sigh.

Deanna scoffed. Acting as if she was ignoring them, she began talking to Esther who sat next to her.

Liliana could only sigh internally at how childish Deanna was despite being the same age as her. It was better to pay her no attention.

To be frank, it was weird for Liliana to join the New Year Year banquet. Usually, at this time she would be at the Shen ancestral home.

Being alone without Asher during an important family occasion really cemented the fact that they were separating soon. Liliana was anxiously waiting for the divorce to be finalized.

Soon, more people entered the dining room. Thomas, Katherine and two other people. They were Liliana's paternal aunt and uncle, Thomas' younger siblings.

"Happy New Year, everyone," greeted Albert Xin. He glanced around the room before stopping his gaze on Liliana, "It's good to see you here, Lili."

"Happy New Year, Second Uncle," Liliana smiled at the older man.

Selena, the Xin siblings' aunt also wished them a happy new year. She was the youngest and only daughter of the late Old Mister and Old Madam Xin.

Both Albert and Selena had yet to marry. Albert worked as a chartered accountant for a company abroad while Selena focused on her art. Neither of them was interested in their family business.

Thomas sat at the head of the table, appearing as imposing as ever. His piercing eyes scanned the room. They fell on Liliana for a second longer before he subtly yet quickly retracted his gaze.

"Another year has passed and a new year has come our way. As the head of the Xin family, I wish you all a blessed and prosperous New Year."

The others wished the same. Liliana quietly made the same wish, hoping her new life soon would bring better changes to her.

"Excuse me, Mister, Madam and everyone."

Their attention was grabbed by the butler, Old Lau. He strode toward Thomas and whispered something to his ear. The brief surprise in Thomas' eyes attracted more of their curiosity.

"Bring him in."

Old Lau immediately abid to the order.

"We have a guest," Thomas' gaze suddenly zeroed in on Liliana, "Someone unexpected but, an honor."

Liliana's initial confusion because her father was looking at her got answered shortly.

Escorted by Old Lau, Asher walked into the dining room, complete in a jet-black suit. His indifferent gaze collided with Liliana's surprised one.