Chapter 59

Chapter 59

Shi Yunyang instructed the makeup artist to make Zuo Qinghuan look ordinary. The artist's skills were amazing; Zuo Qinghuan quickly transformed from a little fairy into an unremarkable little assistant.

Shi Yunyang only needed a little effort to dazzle everyone, especially after meticulous preparation. Her beauty was so captivating that it left people stunned. This stark contrast ensured that most people's eyes would linger on Shi Yunyang, allowing Zuo Qinghuan to blend into the background. Though Zuo Qinghuan didn't want to be the ugly duckling by the side of this showy swan, she had no choice. She was under someone else's roof and had to bow her head. Looking at her ruined face in the mirror, Zuo Qinghuan felt an urge to smash it.

In terms of looks, she might be slightly inferior to Shi Yunyang, but the difference wasn't vast. At that moment, however, she felt like a maid accompanying a princess to the palace.

Shi Yunyang, satisfied with the result, brought Zuo Qinghuan boldly into the Qin family's mansion. Miss Shi was always flamboyant; bringing an assistant to a banquet was not unusual. Zuo Qinghuan, however, was nervous, fearing she might bring trouble to Qin Wanshu if recognized. But besides Qin Teng, no one in the Qin family knew her, and even if someone noticed, it wouldn't matter much.

Zuo Qinghuan, a smart person, knew her role well. She cautiously played the part of Shi Yunyang's assistant, staying close but quietly observing the Qin family's grand estate. The mix of modern and traditional architecture symbolized the family's centuries of wealth. It was a marvel, and only such generational affluence could nurture someone like Qin Wanshu.

The Qin patriarch's lineage was the most powerful and respected branch in the Qin family. He had four biological brothers and two sisters, not counting the extended family's numerous branches. The family's size was astonishing. For this banquet, only the main branch was invited, unlike previous years when some influential members from other branches would also attend.

As soon as they entered the Qin family's grand hall, Zuo Qinghuan immediately spotted Qin Wanshu among the crowd. Qin Wanshu wore a striking red cheongsam, exuding elegance and nobility. Zuo Qinghuan had never liked cheongsams, but on Qin Wanshu, the dress seemed tailor-made, radiating an ancient and serene beauty. Her appearance demanded reverence, as if gazing too casually would be a form of disrespect. Unsurprisingly, Qin Wanshu was the only person wearing a cheongsam at the banquet—others wouldn't dare attempt it in her presence.

Qin Wanshu's hand rested lightly on the arm of an energetic old man in a Zhongshan suit, whose imposing demeanor commanded respect. That old man was likely her grandfather.

Shi Yunyang stood out among the women present, and it didn't take long for Qin Wanshu to notice her. When her gaze fell on the assistant beside Shi Yunyang, Qin Wanshu's heart skipped a beat. Shi Yunyang had brought her here! Shi Yunyang was truly unreliable. Although she had tried to disguise Zuo Qinghuan as an ordinary stone, Qin Wanshu recognized her immediately.

However, with several of her granduncles standing nearby, Qin Wanshu maintained her composure, politely greeting each one in turn.

Zuo Qinghuan, having been staring at Qin Wanshu, realized when Qin Wanshu's eyes briefly glanced her way before moving on. Zuo Qinghuan felt a pang of disappointment but quickly brushed it off. Qin Wanshu had many guests to attend to.

She observed Qin Wanshu interacting with others, her demeanor always calm and her smile just right—like a flawless mask.

Shi Yunyang led her assistant toward Qin Wanshu.

"Grandpa Qin, you look even healthier and younger than ever. If someone didn't know better, they might think you're the eldest daughter's father!" Shi Yunyang stepped forward, immediately flattering the Qin patriarch. Despite Shi Yunyang's unreliable personality, the old man seemed fond of her, likely due to her sweet-talking nature. At over eighty, he still exuded vigor and refused to admit defeat to age.

"Shi girl, you're becoming more charming yourself, and your tongue is still as sweet as ever," the old man replied with a laugh. Even he had to admit that this young lady from the Shi family was growing more stunning. In ancient times, she might have been a dangerous beauty. However, compared to his own granddaughter, she still fell short. Yet, her clever speech always won his favor.

"Speaking of charm, who could dare claim the top spot if not for our eldest Miss Qin?" Shi Yunyang shifted the spotlight to Qin Wanshu, not forgetting that she was the real star of the evening. Leaning in close to Qin Wanshu, she whispered in her ear, "Miss Qin, do you like your birthday gift?"

Qin Wanshu maintained her trademark graceful smile but cast a subtle glance at Zuo Qinghuan, who was deliberately keeping a low profile. She smiled gently in her direction, finding Shi Yunyang's antics rather mischievous. Qin Wanshu doubted that Zuo Qinghuan would enjoy such an event.

When Zuo Qinghuan noticed Qin Wanshu smiling at her, she felt a sense of bittersweet longing. Deep down, she regretted not showing Qin Wanshu her best self on her birthday.

"Wanshu's beauty takes after her grandmother. Back in the day, my sister-in-law was the dream bride of countless men," one of Qin Wanshu's granduncles remarked with a nostalgic smile.

Qin Zheng, Qin Wanshu's grandfather, also reminisced about his late wife with a fond smile. Wanshu had indeed inherited her grace and had even surpassed her.

"Our family has nurtured many generations, yet only Wanshu embodies true aristocracy. My granddaughter is like a little monkey—she never stops moving," another granduncle commented, his tone both amused and envious. Although his family had finally welcomed a granddaughter, the girl's lively nature was worlds apart from Wanshu's poise.

Naturally, Qin Zheng felt proud. Who else could have raised such an exceptional granddaughter?

"Third Granduncle, Xiao Jing's liveliness is her charm. If she were like me, wouldn't she be too boring?" Qin Wanshu responded humbly.

"Haha, no wonder Xiao Jing always speaks so highly of her eldest cousin..."

As if on cue, a young girl suddenly emerged, clinging to Qin Wanshu with admiration.

"Cousin Wanshu is my favorite!" she exclaimed.

Qin Wanshu gently patted the girl's head, her affectionate gesture sparking a pang in Zuo Qinghuan's heart. She realized that Qin Wanshu's tenderness wasn't exclusive to her.

After that, Zuo Qinghuan paid little attention to the ongoing conversations. The crowd around Qin Wanshu continued to grow, as did the admirers around Shi Yunyang. Quietly, Zuo Qinghuan stepped away from Shi Yunyang and found a secluded corner. From there, she watched Qin Wanshu from afar.

Zuo Qinghuan realized there was no way she could talk to Qin Wanshu here. Not only was Qin Wanshu's identity out of reach, but she was also the center of attention. Every interaction she had was noticed by all. Zuo Qinghuan had no chance for a private moment with her. Regret began to settle in—why had she impulsively come here?

Looking at the scene, Zuo Qinghuan felt as though an invisible boundary separated her and Qin Wanshu. It made her uneasy, reinforcing the idea that Qin Wanshu belonged to a world she couldn't touch.

"You think you belong at this banquet?" a mocking voice interrupted her thoughts. Qin Teng leaned against a nearby column, his tone full of derision.

"I know I don't fit in here, but at least I have the courage to be here," Zuo Qinghuan replied, meeting his gaze head-on. Even though she felt like something inside her was crumbling, she refused to show weakness in front of others.

"Courage or greed?" Qin Teng raised an eyebrow, smirking. This woman was proving to be more interesting than he had anticipated—she wasn't as fragile as she seemed.

"You really look like a neglected Cinderella, being scorned by a wicked younger brother," Shi Yunyang's teasing voice chimed in. She had somehow escaped her group of admirers and was now standing nearby, clearly enjoying the drama.

Cinderella. Zuo Qinghuan didn't like that comparison. She thought it was a foolish fairy tale that had no place in reality. What she disliked even more was being viewed as Cinderella herself.

"Cinderella waits for a prince to rescue her and change her circumstances. I'll change my circumstances with my own strength," Zuo Qinghuan said coolly. She would never be the helpless girl in that story.

"That's an interesting perspective," Shi Yunyang said, her flirtatious gaze sweeping over Zuo Qinghuan. This woman was indeed intriguing. Anything the eldest Miss Qin valued certainly had its unique qualities.

"Speaking of Cinderella, the eldest Miss Qin asked me to sneak you into her room. Her exact words were that you might not like the atmosphere here, so she wanted you to rest in her room," Shi Yunyang added with a chuckle. "Miss Qin is so considerate. She even thought of your feelings."

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