306— The Banquet (3)

If she was only betrothed, that was not a big problem.

However, if she was already married, that was another issue entirely.

Again, if it was to an ordinary person, that would still not be a problem. Infact, knowing the Gao family, they would not even allow him come into the Capital, not to mention attend the banquet.

And even if he managed to attend, he would still be very easy to get rid of.

The main problem was that the man they were all looking at didn't look ordinary at all.

Most people couldn't recognize him, but they instinctively understood that a man that could sit amongst the most powerful families of the Capital—as well as sit at the same table with the current most influential family—and still be at ease, could not be simple.

More interestingly, a few shrewd eyes noted that not one member of their extended family was in attendance. Their absence spoke volumes, and many guessed that not everyone was in support of this new heiress's return.

The gossip became juicier.

So everyone played it cool as they shot discreet glances at the head table where the main characters of tonight's banquet sat, looking for more clues.

Li Chuanmo, who was currently the center of attention was unfazed. Even though he could feel countless pairs of eyes boring into his back, he still calmly picked a glass of her favorite wine from the tray of a server and handed it to her.

Pei Yueran smiled and thanked him before taking a sip. So far, everything was going well, and she felt more at ease, even as she warned herself not to relax fully until the night was over.

Anything could still happen.

By the side, Li Chuanmo effortlessly carried on a business conversation with Gao Zhipeng, making his eyes light up with excitement.

As much as he didn't want to admit it, this cheap son-in-law of his spoke like a veteran, and although he thought that some of his business philosophies could not work in the real world, he planned to try implementing a couple of his ideas.

In this way, both of them had a pleasant conversation, while Gao Tinghua chipped in a few sentences from time to time.

Bored by their conversation, Gao Tingxiu tuned them out and started a conversation with Pei Yueran. Qiao Mingran engaged Zhou Qiaohui by talking about the orphanage and what running one entailed.

Soon enough, it was time to dance.

The main character of the night opened the floor by dancing with Gao Zhipeng, after which she danced with Gao Tinghua.

As he twirled her around to the tune of the song the orchestra was playing, he spoke, "You look beautiful tonight, Elder Sister."

Pei Yueran answered a bit coldly, "Thank you."

She wasn't exactly annoyed with him anymore, but it was still awkward dancing in such close proximity with him.

Undeterred by her cold response, he pressed on, "I just wanted to formally apologize for everything I did and the harm I put you through. I hope you can forgive me. I'm not asking for us to become close right away, but I hope we can become friends someday."

Pei Yueran nodded. It was the first time he actually apologized to her sincerely, and she could feel her remaining anger melting away, "I'll consider that. Thank you."

Gao Tinghua smiled. It instantly made him look younger and more boyish. Some mothers who were looking at both of them briefly lit up, before remembering who Gao Tinghua was. They immediately turned away.

What a joke. This was the living god of Menace that everyone in the Capital tried to avoid. Mothers would usually advise their daughters to stay far away from him. They didn't want their innocent and naive daughters to be corrupted by his "lascivious" ways.

Even young masters like him would usually take the other way when they saw him coming, else disaster would surely befall them that day.

No matter how boyish he looked, he was at most a demon in very beautiful skin ah.

On this side, Gao Tinghua was still talking, "It would be nice if you could also apologize to Brother-in-law on my behalf."

Pei Yueran smiled, "I'm afraid I can't help you. He can be very...vengeful." From start to finish, Li Chuanmo made no secret of his disdain for this young master.

A bitter smile graced Gao Tinghua's handsome features.

Then she added, "But I don't think he's still holding on to any hard feelings, so you can rest assured."

Gao Tinghua nodded, "That's a relief."

After that dance ended, Pei Yueran didn't accept dance invitations from anyone else. Rather, she didn't even have the chance to reject any. Li Chuanmo held her and refused to let go as they did dance after dance together.

By the time the last song came to an end, Pei Yueran's feet were screaming. She whispered to Li Chuanmo who still had a hand on her waist, "Can we make our escape now?"

He shook his head, "Soon. Try to endure a little bit more." As per social convention, they still had to talk to a few people before they could leave the rest to Qiao Mingran.

Li Chuanmo was a natural at these things, so she nodded, "But can we at least sit down? my feet are killing me."

He nodded and began to steer her towards their table. As they moved back to their seats, Qiao Mingran walked towards them, an older woman beside her.

She introduced them in a neutral tone, "Yue'er, meet your aunt, Gao Lanmei. She's your father's elder sister."

The woman smiled as she extended her arms outwards to embrace Pei Yueran. Although she felt uncomfortable, she still hugged her back lightly, "It's nice to meet you."

Gao Lanmei patted her back. "I've heard a lot about you. You look even more beautiful than your mother said. Welcome home."

Pei Yueran's smile could only be described as polite as best. Gao Lanmei was still speaking, "I'm sorry I came so late, I had a last minute meeting to attend that ran longer than I expected."

Pei Yueran didn't say anything, wishing the woman would stop talking so that she could go and sit down. Beside her, Qiao Mingran spoke sourly, "Considering that you were the only one to show up, you don't have much to apologize for.

"But your brothers are really too much. How could none of them even show up to see their niece? I don't have any expectations of them, but they managed to still disappoint—"

She stopped talking because her husband came to stand beside her. With a hand to her shoulder, he lowered his voice and said, "Stop talking. People are watching."

True to his words, more and more people were coming to stand close to them, ears pricked up.