Chapter 171: Engagement Banquet
In the morning three days later at Dongda Hotel, which was a five-star hotel ranked right after the Auspicious Manor, the reservations were fully booked for the day. People filled all three floors, so it was crowded.
There were various decorations for a joyous event at the entrance. Numerous well-trained female attendants stood at the door, welcoming the guests with all smiles.
It was the day of Ye Wens engagement.
Dressed neatly, Ye Ming and Yang Hui stood at the door to greet the guests who were coming excitedly. In the hotel, Ye Wen wore a white gown and lace gloves as she softly held onto a young man with her right arm.
The young man, who was dressed in a designer suit, had features that were considered handsome. He held onto Ye Wen and could not stop smiling at the guests milling around them.
Compared to his smile, Ye Wens expression was clearly much colder. She would glance outside the hotel every now and then. She could not help but feel rather disappointed after realizing that the person that she was waiting for was not among the crowd.
Noticing her disappointment, the young man asked softly, What are you looking at?
Nothing. Ye Wen shook her head and secretly sighed. It seemed like her cousin would not be coming today.
The young man studied the crowd slightly and said while frowning, Is that cousins family of yours here yet?
Perhaps theyre busy, Ye Wen replied while smiling.
Busy? His expression turned grim.
Xu Zhong was the son to the director of the management committee after all. He ran a real estate company himself and was considered a celebrity in the entire Lin City.
As soon as the engagement started, countless business celebrities came early. Even his father, Xu Yuanzhongs friends in politics had taken their seats, but her Ye familys poor relatives had yet to show up. Were they trying to throw a cold blanket on the occasion?
Xu Zhong scoffed and walked to his father, Xu Yuanzhongs table to drink with the guests, leaving Ye Wen alone.
At the hotel entrance, Yang Hui checked the time upon seeing that almost all the guests had arrived. She looked sharply at Ye Ming. Look at that big brother of yours. Hes not here yet. Does he think that his family is some big shot whereby theyre the grand finale?
Something mustve come up. Ye Ming shook his head, feeling helpless. He took out his phone and said, Maybe Ill call to check on them.
A peal of laughter interrupted them.
Theres no need for that, Second Uncle. Were here.
Yang Hui and Ye Ming lifted their heads to see Ye Chen walk in front while carrying his daughter, Mengmeng. Meanwhile, Ye Hai and Wu Lan followed him from behind. They were dressed pretty formally, but it was still nothing impressive.
Yang Huis expression turned completely grim when she noticed that Ye Chens family came empty-handed. Everyone else had brought various gifts along with them such as home electronics and couches. Meanwhile, they brought nothing.
Sorry, Second Uncle. Something came up when we were on the way here, Thats why were late. Ye Chen walked to Ye Ming and smiled in an apologetic manner.
Dont worry about it. Ye Ming waved and walked to Ye Hai immediately. He said while smiling, Brother, Sister-in-law, lets go in since you guys are here.
Congratulations, Brother. Your Wenwen has finally found her love. We sure are getting old! Ye Hai exclaimed as he walked in with Ye Ming.
Yang Hui suddenly asked, Wait, did you guys come here by cab? How come the others werent stuck in traffic and you guys were?
It was Xiaochens friend who sent us here. His tire got punctured when we were on the way, Wu Lan piped up.
Yang Hui snickered. Then, why didnt you guys call us? Perhaps we couldve gotten Xu Zhong to pick you guys up in his Mercedes Benz.
She enunciated the word Mercedes Benz extremely loudly as if she was worried that Ye Chen and the rest could not hear her.
Alright, stop it. It would have been ridiculous if Ye Ming did not hear the braggadocio in what his wife said. He glared at her irritatedly.
However, Yang Hui ignored him and said, Since were family, Ill just be straightforward. Most of the guests are Xu Zhongs friends in business and guests from his fathers side. Theyre wealthy, so talk less and stuff your mouth with food when you guys go in.
Ye Chen frowned.
Wu Lan looked pissed, but Ye Hai tugged the corner of her dress when she seemed to want to speak. Ye Hai said with an unnatural expression on his face, We get it, Sister-in-law.
Yang Hui scoffed and walked in on her own.
Ye Ming looked awkward. Brother, thats how Yang Hui is. Dont take it to heart. Lets go in.
They walked into the hotel under his lead. Ye Hai asked while lowering his voice as they walked in, Xiaochen, I suppose your aunt is upset that we didnt bring a gift. Didnt you say that youve prepared a gift? Where is it?
Its still on the way, Ye Chen said.
Everyone had taken their seats in the hotel.
As Ye Chen and the rest walked in, countless eyes were trained on them. They had various expressions in their gazes, but there was mostly disdain and scorn.
Ye Wen was listening to Xu Zhongs mother nagging on the third floor when her pretty eyes lit up suddenly. She ran to the first floor while everyone was watching and she welcomed them, Brother, you guys made it.
Ye Chen nodded.
Ye Hai and Wu Lan smiled and said sincerely, Wenwen, congratulations. Give your father a grandchild soon.
Thank you, Uncle and Aunty. Ye Wen smiled shyly and held her head down bashfully.
Alright, Wenwen. Why are you here instead of spending time with your future mother-in-law? Go now before they think that youre rude, Yang Hui said angrily.
Mom, I want to talk to my cousins family. Ye Wen was slightly hesitant.
Yang Hui was furious. You
Alright, its a happy day today. Dont stir things up and become a joke to the people, Ye Ming said while frowning.
Ye Wen nodded slightly and smiled at Ye Chen in an apologetic manner. She turned around and went upstairs.
Brother, lets go. Well go up and Ill introduce you to some people, Ye Ming suggested with a smile, taking the lead.
When they got to the third floor, they saw a table with approximately seven to eight people seated.
There was a middle-aged couple in the middle. The man had a square face that looked fierce without him even having to be furious while the woman was sophisticated. She took good care of herself, making her appear merely 30 years old.
Brother, let me introduce you. This is Xu Yuanhong, the director of the management committee. This is Xu Zhong Ye Ming introduced Xu Zhong and the rest to him.
Upon hearing that Xu Yuanhong was the director of the development zones management committee, Ye Hai stretched his arm out instantly and carefully. Director Xu, Ive seen you on TV. Never have I thought that our family would be one now.
Xu Yuanhong frowned as he faced Ye Hais courtesy. He said softly, I dont have the habit of shaking hands with people.
The smile on Ye Hais face froze.
At that moment, the air stagnated.
Xu Zhong revealed a smirk at the corner of his lips while Yang Hui pretended not to see that. The middle-aged woman sitting next to Xu Yuanhong also had disdain in her eyes when she looked at Ye Chens family.
Meanwhile, Ye Wen had a slight change of expression on her face.
Ye Mings expression turned grim instantly while he looked at Xu Yuanhong in annoyance although this man was his superior and future in-law.