363 Son, Ism Your Father 17 (1/2)
As soon as he saw them, Gu Beicheng let go of his female companion's hand and said, ”You guys are here early.”
”We're just punctual.”
Noticing that Gu Beicheng was about to grab a drink from a waiter's tray, An Xiaoning quickly stopped him and handed him a glass from Ling Ciye's tray.
Gu Beicheng gave a faint smile.
Jin Qingyan was slightly displeased with her gesture and tightened his grip on her waist. An Xiaoning remained unfazed and instead cocked her head to the side to smile at Jin Qingyan.
Minutes later, Ye Xiaotian, who was donning a white suit, arrived together with Mo Li, which was no surprise.
Soon, all the remaining guests had turned up.
To An Xiaoning's surprise, Chi Rui'er was present too.
She followed closely behind Xu Youran and made her way downstairs.
Jin Qingyan looked up at Xu Youran, only to find that she appeared rather familiar, as if he had seen her somewhere before.
Likewise, An Xiaoning shared similar sentiments as Jin Qingyan and in fact had been finding Xu Youran strangely familiar since the first time they met at the Gu family home.
Xu Youran stepped forward and welcomed the guests smilingly, ”Dear elites of the business circle, welcome to the Xu family home.”
”You must be the legendary Ms. Xu. You're really gorgeous. Let me toast to you on this rare occasion that we're meeting,” said Ling Ciye.
”Thank you for flattering me, Mr. Ling.” She reached out for a glass of liquor from the waiter's tray and clinked it against Ling Ciye's glass before taking a small sip.
Gazing at her, Ling Ciye said, ”Ms. Xu, you don't seem to go out often. I rarely see you.”
”Yeah, I grew up overseas – I've been there since young and only returned a few years ago. You definitely wouldn't have had the chance to see me often since you're such a busy man, Mr. Ling.” As soon as she finished speaking, she turned around and said to Jin Qingyan and An Xiaoning, ”Beicheng, Xiaoning, and I are going to become family very soon. Please make yourself at home and refrain from the formalities.”
An Xiaoning nodded in courtesy and answered, ”That's right. I should be addressing you as my sister-in-law, actually.”
”It won't be too late to wait 'til after Dongcheng and I get married to do so,” said Xu Youran, chuckling with a hand covering her mouth.
”That's true.”
The melodious music came to an abrupt stop as Military Commander Xu made an appearance along the railing of the second storey. He picked up the microphone and began addressing the guests with a formal speech.
It was none other than a speech to welcome the guests.
While everyone shifted their gazes onto the second storey, An Xiaoning continued to observe Xu Youran and Chi Rui'er.
She discovered that although Xu Youran and Chi Rui'er appeared to be on rather good terms with each other, there seemed to be an invisible distance between them in reality.
An Xiaoning began to wonder if Xu Youran had decided to save Chi Rui'er out of sheer camaraderie or because of an ulterior motive. She could not help but feel that there was more to Xu Youran than meets the eye.
The music continued to play in the background after Military Commander Xu ended his speech.
The crowd of guests continued to chat amongst themselves while standing or sitting down.
Xu Youran turned to face Chi Rui'er and asked with a smile, ”Don't you know them personally too? Why aren't you guys speaking?”
”There's nothing much to talk about,” Chi Rui'er answered awkwardly.
Xu Youran folded her arms in puzzlement and said, ”Why would that be the case? Aren't you dating Jin Qingyan's father? Seems like you're going to become his stepmother very soon.”
A grave expression formed on Jin Qingyan's face as soon as he heard her words.
Not waiting for Jin Qingyan to speak, Ling Ciye quickly interjected with a sarcastic smile, ”They're just dating, becoming a stepmother is too far-fetched. Ms. Xu, could you please tap on your EQ and think twice before you utter such callous remarks?”
”Yes, yes, it was just a slip of the tongue. Don't mind me, Mr. Jin,” Xu Youran frantically apologized.
”Of course I won't. It's not true, nor will it become true anyway. Why would I mind?” Jin Qingyan said with an icy cold stare in his eyes.
Smiling wryly, Xu Youran looked Jin Qingyan in the eye and could not help but notice how cold and aloof he was.
She then turned around and said to Chi Rui'er, ”Come, let's take a look over there.”
”Sure.”
The duo then left together and began babbling about something along the way.
Jin Qingyan seemed to be deep in thought as he stared at Xu Youran from behind.
He sensed something amiss, though he could not put the way he felt into words.
Ye Xiaotian broke his silence and said, ”Jin Qingyan, didn't expect your family to be so happening.”
”How is it any of your business?”