Chapter 409 - So, This Is Tang Yin
Xiong Zhi finally sat down on her seat. She had always found attending these events as c.u.mbersome, but fortunately, she had become more familiar and better after many similar experiences during the recent years.
She took a deep breath and was about to wipe the faint sweat on her forehead when a hand holding a soft handkerchief extended in front of her and patted her temples. Her eyes shifted up to the tall man standing beside her.
Linfeng took the handkerchief back and put it on his pocket. Then he smiled, leaned closer to her, and whispered. "It will be a long night. Don't push yourself too much, okay? If you feel unwell, tell me. I'll be watching you always at the side."
He straightened his back. "Although Young Miss might not see me, rest assured that my eyes will always stay on you."
Linfeng was about to retreat to the side to leave his Young Miss on the reserved area when she stopped him.
The butlers of the guests at the front row was supposed to sit at the side with the other butlers. Their lower butler family status compelled them sit apart from their masters.
However, Linfeng did not belong to the families of butlers anymore.
Xiong Zhi held his arm steadily and looked at Guan Gu Ri who happened to be on the same table. There were still two unoccupied seats by them.
"Pardon me, Young Master Gu Ri, but may I take the other seat for my escort?"
Guan Gu Ri looked at her then at Linfeng. His eyes stayed at Linfeng for a bit, and found his face familiar. This man before him was clearly wearing a butler suit, but it turned out that he was an escort?
Well, come to think of it, there was no rule that says only the Tang family could take their butlers as their escorts.
He was surprised at first but soon recovered. He nodded generously, smiling gently. "Of course, these two vacant seats are for our escorts. I didn't bring one with me, so mine's free, and the other one is yours. Feel free to take any of them as you please."
Then he looked up to Linfeng with clear eyes. "I am Guan Gu Ri. I believe we met at some parties before, but this should be the first time we greeted each other, right?"
Linfeng was startled. He glanced at the seat beside his Young Miss then to Xiong Zhi's hand. Was it really alright to sit beside her? Of course, he wanted to accept his Young Miss's offer. He would be able to guard his Young Miss better.
He was just concerned that this small action would bring a lot of troubles to his Young Miss.
But then... His peach blossom eyes flickered faintly to the side and caught a glimpse of a head of silvery white hair not far away from their table.
Lu Yin Ze's silver-blue eyes was staring intently at Xiong Zhi's hand on his arm. Despite being surrounded by many people, his focus and attention was clearly on their table.
'This brat...'
His thoughts were fleeting and he immediately smiled back at Guan Gu Ri. "Indeed, it is."
His hand reached to hold the soft hand on his arm while he gracefully sat down on the available seat by Xiong Zhi's side.
Geez, there was a strong perverted man at the back and then a two-faced, pretentious prince at the front.
He should stay. The nearer he was by his Young Miss, the better he would be able to protect her. The rumors and the troubles that would follow later could be dealt with once they come knocking at their door.
Linfeng smiled at Guan Gu Ri. "It has been a while since we last met, Eldest Young Master Guan. My name is Zhou Linfeng. I had accompanied my father in many banquets before. I am honored that the Eldest Young Master Guan still remembers me. "
"How can I not? You are a very outstanding man yourself."
'Oh, Zhou Linfeng, from the Zhou family...'
Guan Gu Ri had heard of the heir of the Zhou family, who became independent from the Xiong family but still chose to work with his masters.
That recent explosive news really shook the upper society recently. Well, Xiong De's scandal managed to overshadow it, making the separation of the Zhou and Xiong families seem lackl.u.s.ter, even though it was not.
"Thank you for the praise, but compared to Young Master, I am still lacking."
The two men began to talk to each other. Xiong Zhi avoided talking if possible, so she took the chance to have a rest. She was satisfied that Linfeng was finally sitting beside her.
This was an important baby step.
They gathered some looks, especially Linfeng's clothing was the same as the people on the other side of the guests.
But since they were sitting at the front, no one was foolish enough to dare speak out about it.
Xiong Zhi noticed their eyes though. She thought, 'Perhaps, I should tell him to wear other clothes the next time we attend an event. He will be my only escort, after all.'
Soon, the music changed.
Finally, the main hosts arrived.
Tang Xinyang's and Mistress Tang's arrival made the scene livelier. After entering from a side arch door, they met with the crowd graciously for a bit, chatting and greeting, while making their way to the prepared platform.
Finally, with a gracious smile, Tang Xinyang stepped in front to convey her welcoming message to the guests, especially to the people in the front area where the greatest powerhouses with highest statuses gathered.
There were also some big names there from the music industry, both domestic and abroad. This was her little sister's party, so of course, they needed to warmly welcome the important network of people from the music industry so that her little sister's career would continue smoothly.
The people she greeted one by one smiled and sent back their greetings with raised wine glasses.
When Tang Xinyang finally looked at Xiong Zhi's table to thank them for coming, her eyes shook for a moment at the sight of the man beside Xiong Zhi. She almost choked.
L-Linfeng?!
Why was Linfeng sitting at the front?!
She indeed wanted to let her sister know about Linfeng and Xiong Zhi's relationship later tonight, but not like this! Her little sister might end up being surprised too much! She might even make a mess on the stage!
The truth was, she was just too guilty. Suddenly faced with this, she became paranoid of her sister discovering it right on the stage and mess up.
"...." The stage became silent.
The crowd looked at Tang Xinyang expectantly, waiting for her to finish the greetings and then introduce the celebrant.
"...I-I thank the Xiong family and the Guan family for coming here despite your busy schedule. I am also grateful to the Lu family for giving your time to come here. Tonight is a very important night for my family. It is a night we will always remember and look back at with fond memories—my sister's birthday, and also her coming of age ceremony. With everyone coming here to celebrate with us, it truly meant a lot to us. The Tang family greatly appreciates your presence," Tang Xinyang finished her greetings and smiled forcefully.
She was really torn inside. Should she continue or give a heads-up to her sister?
But before she finished deciding about it, the following prompt of her practiced speech naturally came out from her mouth. She introduced her sister to the high society.
"Please, welcome, my lovely sister, the celebrant of the night, Tang Yin!"
The crowd applauded generously and the low classical music reverberated again in the hall.
Tang Xinyang sweated.
'Shit!!! She really did it! Oh, Little Yin, compose yourself! Although I probably am just thinking too much...'
They were just sitting side by side, so there should be nothing that would lit up Tang Yin's vinegar jar, right? She was worried if her little sister's womanly intuition had become sharper oved the years.
A beautiful melody of piano and violin played in the background. The invited well-known musicians stood or sat on the special platform for the symphonic orchestra and musicians, playing out the most pleasing music from their instruments and magical hands.
A sweet and delicate hum of a violin ascended in the air, gently spiraling, supported by the soothing piano music, with an undertone of very light rhythmic beating which very slowly accelerated, as if signifying that something was about to come. A richer cello tune chased after the delicate violin. Altogether, the music made the audience feel anticipation. They straightened their backs and looked forward to what was coming.
Like a princess coming down from the stairs, Tang Yin's long white dress rippled gently in every step. Her white, flawless skin glowed, looking translucent with the white gown. Her cheeks were rosy peach, as if inviting people to bite. There were faint scattered glitters by her temples which twinkled under the chandelier lights. Her short hair was styled in loose curls at the ends. With her straight bangs, peach makeup, and rosy lips, she looked like a living doll.
She was truly beautiful, petite, and feminine. The kind who aroused men's protective instincts.
She gave a small smile to the guests. Her pearly rows of small white teeth peeked slightly from her rosy lips, making men feel soft. They seemed to see a beautiful maiden smile shyly as she gently stepped down the stairs. It drew their hearts to naturally protect the lovely young maiden in front of them.
Xiong Zhi faintly squinted her eyes.
So, this was Tang Yin.
The woman who was threatened by Linfeng to get thrown into a pond filled with crocodiles if she did not stop crying back then.
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