{Chapter: 156 Yan Ruyue and Qiao Siying's expectations, Gui Qingtong wants to get married!}
It wasn't as though Yan Ruyue had never attended high-profile banquets like the one the Mei Family was hosting tonight.
On the contrary, thanks to her mother, Song Xuan, she had gone to plenty of such events, often attending them to gain exposure to the business world and understand how high society operated.
Still, although she never explicitly showed it in the past, Yan Ruyue was never particularly fond of these kinds of gatherings. She found them too much—just occasions for wealthy families to show off, network, and exchange pleasantries and intake partnerships.
But tonight felt different.
For once, Yan Ruyue actually looked forward to attending a banquet. And that shift in feeling had everything to do with one person—Lin Yuan.
She knew he would be at the banquet hosted by the Mei Family, and the thought of seeing him made her heart beat just a little faster.
She couldn't help but recall how Lin Yuan had casually mentioned the painting by Wang Mian, hinting that he might give it as a gift to someone worthy. That brief, seemingly offhand remark had taken root in her mind, making her feel an odd sense of anticipation. 'It must be me?'
With these thoughts swirling in her head, Yan Ruyue dressed with particular care today. Every detail of her appearance was meticulously chosen—from her makeup to her jewelry to the soft curls in her hair.
She even slipped on a pair of high heels, something she rarely did. In fact, Yan Ruyue generally avoided heels at all costs.
She had never liked the discomfort they brought, and her mother had always respected that, never forcing her to wear them. But today, she remembered something Lin Yuan had said the last time she wore heels—how beautiful she looked in them.
That compliment had stayed with her longer than she'd like to admit.
So now, standing before the mirror in an elegant dress and heels, she turned slightly to admire her reflection—then quickly looked away, embarrassed at her own vanity.
At that moment, her mother, Song Xuan, walked in and was momentarily surprised.
Yan Ruyue looked absolutely stunning. The heels elongated her long legs, and the dress brought out her natural grace.
"Wow," Song Xuan smiled warmly. "This outfit really suits you. I have no doubt Xiao Yuan's eyes will light up the moment he sees you."
"Mom! What are you saying? I didn't dress like this for him or anything!" Yan Ruyue's cheeks turned a shade redder as she looked away. "I just… I just felt like dressing up today, that's all."
Song Xuan chuckled lightly, clearly amused.
"Alright, alright. If you say it's not for him, then it's not," she said, waving her hand in mock surrender. "Come on. Let's get going. We don't want to be late."
Yan Ruyue didn't say anything more, but as she followed her mother to the car, her fingers quietly adjusted her earring, still wondering what Lin Yuan would think when he saw her tonight.
---
Meanwhile, over at the Qiao Family's residence, another young lady was preparing for the evening.
Qiao Siying stood in front of a full-length mirror in her room, studying herself with a critical yet satisfied gaze.
Tonight, she had chosen a knee-length white dress with intricate lace detailing at the hem. The dress hugged her figure in all the right places, subtly highlighting her feminine charm while remaining elegant.
Her makeup was light but refined, and her striking mixed-race features gave her a naturally captivating look.
Lifting her chin slightly, she gave herself a final approving nod.
Her friends had told her that the mysterious singer behind the popular song Blue and White Porcelain might be attending the Mei Family Banquet tonight.
Lately, that song had been playing on repeat in her playlist. The more she listened to it, the more it resonated with her, and she found herself hoping she might get the chance to meet the singer in person this evening.
Just then, her father, Qiao Jianye, walked into the room. His eyes widened slightly in admiration at the sight of his daughter.
"Oh my, my daughter is looking absolutely radiant tonight," he said with an exaggerated grin. "You're definitely going to steal the spotlight at this banquet."
Qiao Siying rolled her eyes, but a slight smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Don't overhype me, Dad."
But Qiao Jianye's cheerful exterior hid a simmering sense of resentment.
His mind drifted back to just a few days ago, when his precious daughter had returned home in tears.
He hadn't wasted time—he quickly asked around and eventually got the full story from Tang Bowen.
The person who had made his daughter cry was none other than the young master of the Lin Family—Lin Yuan himself!
Even though the Qiao Family had a good relationship with the Lin Family, Qiao Jianye wasn't about to let this slide.
No one, not even a Lin, had the right to mistreat his daughter.
As far as he was concerned, no matter how powerful Lin Yuan was, a lesson needed to be taught.
And tonight, at the Mei Family Banquet, may just present the perfect opportunity.
---
Inside the expansive estate of the Mei family, a sense of urgency buzzed through the air. Dozens of uniformed servants moved swiftly and efficiently, cleaning the polished tables, arranging exquisite porcelain plates, adjusting silverware, and making sure every wine glass gleamed under the soft chandeliers. The Mei Family Banquet was a grand event—an annual occasion that gathered the elite of the city under one roof. Every detail, no matter how small, had to be perfect.
Everyone in the household knew the importance of tonight's banquet. A single oversight could invite criticism or even disciplinary consequences. That pressure hung heavily in the air, pushing the staff to work with near-military precision.
Mei Yuxian, poised and elegant as always, stood silently at the end of the grand hall, observing the preparations with sharp eyes. Her presence alone was enough to keep the servants on their toes. Yet despite her calm exterior, her mind was preoccupied, counting down the moments until the guests would start arriving.
Standing beside her was her daughter, Gui Qingtong, who appeared much less composed. She tugged lightly at her mother's sleeve, impatience clearly written on her youthful face.
"Mom! You promised, remember? You said you'd help me propose marriage to the Lin family. I want to marry Brother Lin Yuan!" she pleaded, her voice low but persistent.
Mei Yuxian didn't even glance at her daughter as she responded coolly, "When did I ever make such a promise? You're still too young to be thinking about marriage so seriously. Don't get ahead of yourself."
"But Lin Yuan… Isn't he the young man from the Lin family? I remember Song Xuan mentioning him to me not long ago."
Gui Qingtong continued to nudge her mother's arm, but Mei Yuxian frowned slightly and added in a firmer tone, "Stop shaking me. Weren't you on a blind date with him recently? I'll observe him tonight. If I'm satisfied with what I see, then—maybe—we can consider your little romantic ambitions."
"…Okay," Gui Qingtong muttered, her tone flat and subdued, though a flicker of hope remained in her eyes.
---
Meanwhile, in the luxurious Lin family residence, Lin Yuan was preparing to leave for the same banquet, neatly dressed and adjusting the cuffs of his suit with casual elegance.
Beside him were his parents—his mother, Meng Yuelan, and his father, Lin Jianjun—both in high spirits, engaged in a lively conversation as they too made final preparations for the evening.
"We absolutely must take advantage of tonight's banquet to find a good match for Yuan'er," Meng Yuelan said with a determined glint in her eyes. "There'll be plenty of outstanding girls attending. This is the perfect opportunity."
Lin Jianjun nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Events like this don't happen often. If we don't act now, our son might stay single forever! That would be a disaster."
Lin Yuan, overhearing their exaggerated concerns, chuckled softly and turned to face them with a playful smile. "Dad, Mom—what are you two talking about behind my back?"
The couple exchanged a quick glance, then quickly shook their heads in unison.
"Nothing, nothing," Meng Yuelan replied a little too quickly, though the mischievous gleam in her eyes said otherwise.
Lin Yuan shook his head in amusement but didn't press further. He had long gotten used to his parents scheming to set him up with someone. Tonight, however, he had his own reasons for attending.
---
Back at the Mei Family's villa—a sprawling estate covering over 30,000 square meters—the atmosphere had shifted completely.
The once-quiet villa now bustled with life as streams of luxury cars glided smoothly through the gates. Chauffeurs stepped out to open doors for elegantly dressed passengers, who emerged one after another in designer suits and glamorous evening gowns.
The villa itself resembled a European-style mini-castle, with its imposing façade and exquisite landscaping. Its grandeur left no doubt about the Mei family's status in the upper echelon of society.
Inside, the five-story mansion had been transformed into a vibrant social hub. Every floor was serviced by two high-speed elevators, and each was filled with staff directing guests, serving best drinks, and attending to their every need.
On the first floor, just near the grand entrance, a group of young girls had gathered—each of them finely dressed, chatting among themselves with excitement and curiosity. They were all between the ages of eighteen and nineteen, likely daughters of powerful families invited to tonight's gathering.
One particularly confident girl stood at the center, gesturing animatedly as she spoke.
"I swear I'm not exaggerating," she said. "My cousin is unbelievably handsome. Like, really—Greek God level handsome."
A few of the other girls exchanged skeptical looks, but she wasn't done.
"And it's not just his looks. He's insanely talented too. He plays the piano like a master—no one in our conservatory of music even comes close to him. His singing? Impeccable. And composing? He wrote an original piece and performed it at a concert that made 100,000 people cry. Literally cry!"
"Sure, sure," one of the girls said, clearly unconvinced. "And I suppose he also walks on water and speaks twelve languages?"
"I'm serious!" the girl—Yu Shanshan—insisted. "When we were kids, he used to follow me around everywhere. Even now, when we meet, he still has to call me 'Sister Shanshan.'"
The girls around her laughed softly, but one of them rolled her eyes. "Shanshan, every time we hang out, you bring up this 'perfect cousin' of yours. I'll believe it when I see it. Until then, I'm calling bluff."
Yu Shanshan only smiled smugly, clearly unfazed. "You'll see soon enough. He's attending the banquet tonight."