Chapter 5: The Return Banquet

Chu Lin, worried about Yuan Xi's embarrassment, said, "What's fake and what's real, in the end, it's just a stone. If Yuan Xi really likes it, when there's a similar diamond at the auction, I'll bid for it and give it to you."

Yuan Xi smiled faintly, not bothering to explain the authenticity of the diamond ring.

Yang Ying patted Yuan Xi's hand and said, "Dinner is still a while away. Mom will take you to see your room first."

Yuan Xi said, "No need, Mom. I didn't plan to stay here..."

"How can you not stay here?" asked Yang Ying. "You're already back home."

Yuan Xi whispered, "It's a bit far from my company. I'd prefer to stay at my own place, which is closer to work."

"You've already resigned, haven't you?" Yang Ying inquired.

Yuan Xi replied, "I put five years of my heart into Mi Chen. I think I should part with Mi Chen on good terms. The transition will probably take about a month."

Chu Lin said, "You finally brought up resigning. The fact that you could endure Gu Hanchen's nasty temper for five years is impressive."

Yuan Xi smiled, "Gu Hanchen gave a lot."

Chu Yan, who was listening, clenched her skirt, "Yuan Xi, one must have principles. You can't just sell yourself for more."

Yuan Xi looked at Chu Yan, "I don't understand what you're saying."

Chu Yan pursed her lips and turned to Yang Ying, "Mom, you know that Xiao Xiao and Hanchen began talking about marriage two months ago. But during these two months, whenever Gu Hanchen attended various banquets and parties, he always had Yuan Xi as his companion, even at my engagement party. Now that Gu Hanchen is a married man, Yuan Xi should be avoiding suspicion..."

Yang Ying asked, "Xinxin, do you like Gu Hanchen? The marriage agreement between the Gu family and the Yu family has only been discussed verbally; it's not set. If you like Gu Hanchen..."

Yuan Xi immediately shook her head, "Mom, I haven't gone crazy. Even if Gu Hanchen were the last man on Earth, I couldn't possibly like him."

Chu Lin laughed along, "Gu Hanchen would explode if he heard you say that."

Chu Yan watched her siblings joking, pouting slightly.

Even if Yuan Xi was the true daughter of the Chu family, she had once, using her status as a secretary, tried to climb up the social ladder and transform into a phoenix by associating with Gu Hanchen.

Chu Yan still looked down on Yuan Xi. A secretary driving a Panamera, wearing a fake diamond ring, and unwilling to admit her seduction attempts on Gu Hanchen just showed how vain she was...

Chu Qing returned home and greeted Yuan Xi with a smile, "Xinxin is back."

Yuan Xi stood up and called out, "Dad."

Chu Qing replied with a smile, "Let's head to the dining hall. Today, our family is finally reunited, and we should have a nice meal together."

Yuan Xi followed them to the dining room, where the solid wood French dining table was adorned with fresh flowers, various exquisite porcelain plates, and an array of delicious dishes, both meat and vegetables, that looked extremely appealing.

After Yuan Xi took her seat, Chu Lin poured her a glass of wine from the decanter and handed it to her, "Congratulations on coming back. Have a drink."

Seeing the wine glass, Yuan Xi waved her hand, "My stomach is weak; I can't drink."

"I heard from Gu Hanchen that you have a good tolerance for alcohol. He said that just a month ago, you managed to outdrink the largest shareholder of Mi Chen..."

Yuan Xi really didn't want to bring up that drinking session from over a month ago; it was all trouble caused by Gu Hanchen.

Yang Ying showed concern, "Your stomach is weak? You need to take care of it. I know a great traditional doctor; should I have him take a look?"

"No need, Mom. It's just a minor issue; I'll be fine if I don't drink."

Chu Yan took the wine glass from Chu Lin's hand, "If Yuan Xi can't drink, I'll have it."

Chu Yan boldly took a sip, "Brother, you really are biased. Romanee Conti? That's wine you don't even let me drink usually."

Chu Lin replied with a smile, "Where's that? Half the wine in my cellar has been drunk by you. Xinxin is back today, so of course, I have to serve quality wine. It's a pity that Xinxin can't drink."

Yuan Xi maintained a professional smile, "Once my stomach condition improves, I'll have the chance to drink in the future."

Yang Ying served Yuan Xi some food, "I don't even know what you like to eat. This lobster is very fresh; give it a try."

Yuan Xi said, "Thanks, Mom."

The Chu family's dinner table was mostly quiet, with Chu Yan doing most of the talking, discussing the plans for her wedding to Bo Fan.

Yang Ying and Chu Qing doted on Chu Yan, "Our Chu family will make sure our daughter's wedding is grand. As long as Yanyan is happy, that's all that matters."

Yuan Xi looked at Chu Yan. She didn't seem affected by the fact that she wasn't her biological parent, still as radiant as ever and still the pampered daughter of Jiangcheng's richest man.

Chu Yan turned to Yuan Xi, "Dad, Mom, can I have Yuan Xi be my bridesmaid?"

Yuan Xi didn't expect Chu Yan to ask her to be a bridesmaid. She wanted to refuse, but then a strong smell of meat hit her nostrils, making her feel nauseous, and she suddenly stood up.

"I'm sorry."

The dining room of the Chu Family was convenient with its small door leading to the outside. Yuan Xi exited and started vomiting.

Seeing Yuan Xi's retching figure, Chu Yan gently frowned.

Yang Ying followed her out and, seeing Yuan Xi's state, hastily asked, "What's wrong, Xinxin?"

Yuan Xi replied, "It's just an upset stomach, nothing serious."

Yang Ying soothed Yuan Xi's back and asked, "Have you seen a doctor?"

"Yeah, I just went today, it's nothing major."

Chu Yan came out too and, looking at Yuan Xi with tightly clasped hands, she said, "Yuan Xi, is it that you don't like me? Is that why you..."

Yuan Xi took a cup of water offered by a maid of the Chu Family, rinsed her mouth, then politely smiled and said, "It's just a stomach issue."

Chu Lin and Chu Qing both came out, concerned for Yuan Xi.

Chu Lin said, "Why don't I take you to see a doctor?"

"There's really no need, I've just been to the hospital today."

Yuan Xi returned to the dining table, afraid of morning sickness; she didn't dare to eat much else.

After Chu Qing and Yang Ying finished their meal, the family sat together for a chat.

Looking at Yuan Xi with eyes full of guilt, Yang Ying said, "Xinxin, your father and I are planning to hold a welcome-back banquet for you, to welcome you back to the Chu Family, and to let our friends and relatives know you've come home."

Yuan Xi said, "There's no need for now, Mom. I haven't formally resigned yet, and I'll probably be too busy with the handover to have time for a banquet."

Chu Yan said with a smile, "Let me take care of the banquet; I love organizing parties."

Chu Qing said, "Right, we must hold it. I want everyone to know that the precious pearl of the Chu Family has come home. We've been looking for you for so long; this banquet is a must."

Yang Ying asked, "Xinxin, you graduated from Jiangcheng University as well, right? Come to think of it, you might have been university classmates with Yanyan?"

"I was one year ahead of her," Yuan Xi said with a light smile.

Chu Yan looked at Yuan Xi and said, "Then I shall call you 'sister' from now on. Sister, what kind of welcome party do you want? What color theme do you like? Do you have any favorite dress brands? If it's a custom-made dress, it will take at least three months to make. Or should we just buy ready-to-wear?"

Yuan Xi glanced at the time and softly said with a smile, "Then I'll leave the welcome banquet to you, and I'll prepare my own dress."

"Mom, Dad, it's getting late, I should head back."

Yang Ying still wanted to persuade Yuan Xi to stay, "Leaving so soon? Are you sure you don't want to stay at home? In the morning, the driver can just take you to work."

Yuan Xi looked at Yang Ying, "Mom, a lot has happened today, and I need some space to quiet down and accept all these things."

"Okay," Yang Ying said, "then why don't you come home and stay for a couple of days this weekend?"

Yuan Xi responded with a wry smile, "I don't have weekends off."

Yang Ying frowned and said, "What kind of terrible company is Hanchen running that doesn't even give weekends off? Chu Lin, you need to have a word with him."

Yuan Xi got into her car and waved to Chu Qing and Yang Ying, "Dad, Mom, I'm going now."

"I'll give you a ride," Chu Lin approached Yuan Xi.

Yuan Xi looked at Chu Lin with a smile, "You've had a drink; I can get back by myself."

After leaving the grounds of the Chu Family's estate, Yuan Xi sent a message to Huo Shiyan and, after driving through two traffic lights, saw a Maybach parked by the roadside.

Recognizing the familiar license plate, she pulled over.

Huo Shiyan, who got out of the Maybach, walked up to Yuan Xi's car and knocked on the window.

After Yuan Xi rolled down the window, she said, "President Huo, didn't you say you'd send a driver to pick me up?"

Huo Shiyan gave a shallow smile, "I've been driving for nine years; I can drive better than the driver."

Yuan Xi got out of her car and took a seat in the passenger side, glancing at Huo Shiyan as he drove. Compared to becoming the Daughter of the Richest Man in Jiang City, she felt even more like she was dreaming to be Mrs. Huo.

Counting back, she had known Huo Shiyan for just over a year and had seen him only a handful of times.

Yet, they were married now, and tonight was their wedding night.

Yuan Xi clutched her phone, barely concealing her nervousness...