Chapter 133: Ready For The Engagement Banquet
When the group arrived home, the fading light of the day cast a warm glow on the surroundings. Sun Lixia was in the living room with Ren Zirui when they entered. Li Chen greeted Ren Zirui, asking about his well-being, to which Ren Zirui responded positively. Zhang Mei mentioned that she needed to check on her mother, and Tang Ziyi, expressing exhaustion, announced her intention to freshen up.
Sun Lixia, curious about their day, inquired, "How was your day?"
Tang Ziyi, still buzzing with excitement, replied, "It was so much fun."
Sun Lixia, noticing the multitude of shopping bags, teased, "The shopping bags say a lot."
Zhang Mei chimed in, "I think Li Chen here wanted to leave the mall empty."
Amidst laughter, Zhang Mei and Tang Ziyi left the living room. Xu Zhonhao, remaining behind, turned to Sun Lixia and informed her, "Ma’am, we were being followed."
"Followed?" Sun Lixia queried.
Xu Zhonhao assured her, "Yes, but nothing happened."
Li Chen, intervening, said, "I think I know who was following us, Mom. The person has been tailing me for almost three days now."
Sun Lixia, surprised, asked, "Why didn’t you tell me?"
Li Chen, nonchalant, responded, "Because it’s not worth worrying about." Before Sun Lixia could press further, Ren Zirui exchanged a reassuring look with her, conveying that all was well.
Li Chen suggested, "Let me go and put these bags in my room."
Sun Lixia informed him, "Oh, by the way, I put your suit for tonight in your room."
"Thanks, Mom," Li Chen responded before heading upstairs to his room. Sun Lixia turned to Ren Zirui and Xu Zhonhao and said, "I want you guys to be on standby tonight. What Li Chen is about to do is very dangerous."
Ren Zirui assured her, "I will get Shadow to also be close by. Don’t worry, ma’am, we will make sure nothing happens to him."
Sun Lixia’s phone rang, and it was Sun Weilong on the line. "Hey sister, Sun Fang has been discharged," he informed her.
Sun Lixia responded, "That is great. How is he?"
"He seems fine now," Sun Weilong replied.
"That’s great. I have a commitment tonight; I will come by tomorrow to see him," Sun Lixia said.
"He went back to his villa; he said he wanted to be alone," Sun Weilong added.
"Oh, I see. I will call him as soon as I get time to get his address," Sun Lixia noted.
"Anyways, now that Sun Fang is out of the hospital, the news of the banquet will be issued on Monday on all media outlets," Sun Weilong informed her.
Sun Lixia sighed and said, "Is that really necessary, brother?"
"Dad said he wants the media present to witness the joyous occasion," Sun Weilong explained.
Sun Weilong and Sun Lixia chatted a bit more before Sun Weilong hung up. Ren Zirui expressed his concerns, "Ma’am, do you think it’s a good idea for you and Li Chen to be exposed to the media?"
Sun Lixia replied, "I know your worries, but I think I have run from them long enough."
Ren Zirui questioned, "You want them to find you?"
Sun Lixia stated, "That is my plan."
Xu Zhonhao chimed in, "Ma’am, that means we need to up security on both of you."
Sun Lixia nodded, "Not just us, anyone close to us is at risk."
Ren Zirui, understanding the gravity of the situation, said, "I will get more men."
Sun Lixia added, "I am also hoping to catch the people responsible for my kidnapping; this banquet will attract their attention."
The trio started planning for what might happen in the future, and soon, Li Yanyan arrived in the company of Ding Chengxi. Li Yanyan remarked to Xu Zhonhao, "I see you have gotten comfortable as a protector."
Xu Zhonhao laughed and replied, "You can’t blame me, ma’am. Li Chen is a great man."
Li Yanyan chuckled, "Does that mean when all this is over, you won’t take double pay?"
Xu Zhonhao said with a grin, "Yes, Li Chen is a great guy, but that is money you are talking about. You know my profession is all about money; I kill for money."
Ding Chengxi interjected, "You will never change."
Sun Lixia then redirected the conversation, saying, "Now, let’s discuss tonight."
Li Yanyan explained, "Ding Chengxi and Shadow are of the same level. Their task tonight will be to follow Li Chen when he leaves the venue. Just make sure you follow from a far distance."
Sun Lixia added, "Ren Zirui and Xu Zhonhao will be with us; you will enter as our bodyguards. Be on the lookout for anything."
Both Xu Zhonhao and Ren Zirui simultaneously responded, "Yes, ma’am."
Li Yanyan exclaimed, "Perfect! Now, sister-in-law, did you manage to get my gown?"
Sun Lixia assured her, "Of course, come this way." She then turned to Xu Zhonhao and remarked, "I think you need to dress the part of a bodyguard."
Xu Zhonhao replied with determination, "Of course."
Ren Zirui was left alone in the living room, waiting for everyone to get dressed for the night.
Sun Lixia emerged from the room, adorned in a breathtaking light blue gown that elegantly highlighted her stunning features. The gown, crafted from delicate fabric, flowed gracefully around her figure, accentuating her curves. The sweetheart neckline complemented her neckline, and the fitted bodice seamlessly transitioned into a flowing, ethereal skirt that trailed behind her with each step. The intricate embroidery and subtle sequins added a touch of glamour, catching the light and casting a soft shimmer.
Sun Lixia’s look was completed with tasteful accessories — a pair of elegant earrings that twinkled as she moved and a matching bracelet that adorned her wrist. Her hair, styled in loose waves, cascaded down her shoulders, framing her radiant face. With each step, she exuded grace and sophistication, leaving a trail of awe in her wake.
Following Sun Lixia, Li Yanyan emerged in a striking black gown that exuded confidence and allure. The gown, with its sleek and modern design, perfectly complemented Li Yanyan’s charismatic presence. The off-shoulder neckline highlighted her slender neck and shoulders, adding a touch of sensuality to her ensemble.
The black fabric gracefully hugged her curves, creating an elegant silhouette that captivated attention. The gown featured subtle embellishments, offering a hint of glamour without overshadowing its chic simplicity. Li Yanyan’s choice of attire showcased her impeccable taste, blending sophistication with a hint of mystery.
Completing her look with minimalistic yet sophisticated accessories, Li Yanyan wore a pair of dangling earrings that added a subtle sparkle to her overall appearance. Her dark hair was styled in loose waves, framing her face and emphasizing the confident aura she radiated. In the black gown, Li Yanyan stood as a symbol of poise and elegance.
Li Chen stepped into the living room, completing the trio with an outfit that harmonized with Sun Lixia’s elegance. He wore a tailored navy blue suit that accentuated his well-defined frame. The suit jacket featured a subtle sheen, adding a touch of sophistication to the ensemble.
Beneath the jacket, Li Chen wore a crisp white dress shirt that provided a sharp contrast to the deep blue hue of the suit. The shirt’s collar peeked out, lending a classic and refined look to the overall attire. The suit trousers were perfectly tailored, creating a seamless and polished appearance.
Li Chen the tie, navy blue silk, neatly knotted at his collar, mirroring the shade of his suit. The ensemble exuded a timeless charm, capturing the essence of formal elegance. Polished black dress shoes completed the look, adding a final touch of sophistication to his outfit.
The coordinated attire of Sun Lixia and Li Chen not only showcased their individual styles but also emphasized their unity and shared presence. Together, they stood ready for the upcoming engagement, exuding an air of confidence and grace.
Li Chen gazed at his mother’s gown, a beautiful light blue creation that hugged her figure elegantly. The delicate fabric cascaded down, hinting at her graceful movements. The dress was a testament to Sun Lixia’s refined taste and carried an air of regality that suited her stature.
"You did this on purpose, didn’t you?" Li Chen remarked, a subtle smile playing on his lips as he observed her.
"Of course," Sun Lixia replied with a playful glint in her eyes. "Since that ex-wife of yours thinks I’m your sugar mama, we might as well continue playing the part."
Li Chen couldn’t help but chuckle at his mother’s cunning yet amusing strategy. It was a way to turn a potentially uncomfortable situation into a playful jest.
"Now that we’re all set, let’s go," Li Yanyan said, her tone assertive and determined.
Li Chen paused for a moment, considering their plans. "Wait, won’t we need invitations to enter?"
"We have invitations, don’t worry," Li Yanyan assured him, her confidence unwavering.
With everyone dressed for the occasion and their preparations in place, they stepped outside, ready to head to the Gu family villa for the engagement banquet. The anticipation and tension in the air were palpable as they made their way toward the opulent venue, prepared for whatever the evening might hold.
