Chapter 223 - 223: Wait Till You’re Old enough
She was so arrogant and rude. It was really off-putting.
Even though Ye Xiaoxi was just a clay doll, she still had some spirit in her. She bit her lip lightly and said, “Thank you for your kind offer, but 1 think it’s unnecessary. Compared to you, I believe Yining’s social etiquette is more suitable.”
Jiang Yining smiled faintly and added, “Being a guest but taking over someone else’s nest, Miss Elizabeth, your upbringing seems to have its limitations.”
The two of them responded in tandem, leaving Elizabeth Qianqian speechless.
Jiang Yining couldn’t be bothered to engage further.
She tilted her head slightly and said, “Let’s go.”
“Sure.”
Ye Xiaoxi let out a sigh of relief, feeling much better. Her steps became lighter.
Elizabeth watched them walk away, tugged at her lips, and let out a low hum.
As far as she knew, Elder Yuan doted on Ye Xiaoxi greatly. She had intentionally provoked Ye Xiaoxi, hoping to stir up conflict and force the Yuan family to cancel the engagement between their two families.
However, she hadn’t expected Ye Xiaoxi to be so patient. No matter what she did these past few days, Ye Xiaoxi had tolerated it all, making it impossible for her to make a move.
But that was okay.
This weekend was the day of Ye Xiaoxi’s formal recognition as part of the Yuan family, and she planned to create a scene.
She didn’t believe that Ye Xiaoxi could still endure it at that time.
Jiang Yining had seriously taught Ye Xiaoxi for two days. Although they had only scratched the surface, as long as Ye Xiaoxi was careful and cautious, outsiders wouldn’t notice any difference.
When Elder Yuan learned of this, he insisted on paying Jiang Yining for her teaching, but Jiang Yining gracefully declined his offer. Elder Yuan had to relent but also took note of Jiang Yining’s kindness.
Unbeknownst to them, the day of the banquet had arrived.
Early in the morning, Jiang Yining received a video call from Ye Xiaoxi.
Old Master Yuan had customized a set of luminous clothing for her. During the day, the layers of this blue dress looked exceptionally elegant and noble, making Ye Xiaoxi look like a princess. However, in the evening, the gemstones embedded inside the dress would shine brightly under the lights, giving it a fairy-tale-like, dreamy quality, both splendid and dazzling.
Ye Xiaoxi couldn’t stop twirling in front of the camera, overjoyed.
Jiang Yining curled her lips slightly, feeling a touch of envy. Elder Yuan’s affection for Ye Xiaoxi was genuine, and she wished she could have such a family herself. But that was something she could only dream of in this lifetime.
Jiang Yining lowered her gaze, concealing her thoughts.
Ye Xiaoxi still had many things to attend to, so they only chatted for a while before ending the call.
Jiang Yining lay on the bed, lost in thought.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.
“Please come in,” she said lightly.
The door opened, and Lu Zhi walked in, holding a set of white attire.
“Aren’t you attending the banquet tonight? This is prepared for you.”
Jiang Yining sat up and replied, “1 can just wear something casual. It’s not my party tonight.”
“No, you’re going as both Mrs. Lu and Ye Xiaoxi’s close friend, with dual identities. If you don’t dress appropriately, how can you show your appreciation for the importance of this event?” Lu Zhi pulled her up and added, “Try on the dress quickly.”
This time, he had chosen a relatively simple outfit, with a more business-like, streamlined style. It had a sleeveless top and loose, wide-legged trousers that resembled a skirt.
Jiang Yining was relatively young, but her figure was slim, and her aura was cool and composed. When she put on the outfit, it gave off a slightly reserved queen-like vibe.
Jiang Yining rarely wore this type of attire, so she examined herself in the mirror and asked, “Are you sure this outfit suits me?”
“Yes, trust my judgment.”
Jiang Yining hesitated and didn’t want to change her clothes.
Lu Zhi extended his long arm, his well-defined hand resting on her collar. He said, “Do you want me to help you change your clothes personally? If you do, I don’t mind…”
His words were cut off halfway as Jiang Yining covered her dress and quickly took a step back.
“No need, I can handle it myself!”
In the next moment, she dashed into the dressing room at lightning speed.
Lu Zhi remained in the bedroom, silent but with a smile on his face.
After a while, the dressing room door was pushed open, and Jiang Yining emerged. She walked up to Lu Zhi, smiling faintly, “Lu Zhi, 1 didn’t expect the outfit you chose to suit me so well.”
Lu Zhi nodded, “Just as beautiful as I imagined.”
Jiang Yining playfully tilted up his chin and said, “Kneel down and call me Your Majesty.”
Lu Zhi’s deep black eyes constricted slightly, revealing a dangerous expression.
Jiang Yining immediately surrendered and retracted her teasing fingers. She chuckled and said, “I was just joking, don’t take it seriously.”
Lu Zhi thought of a certain image in his mind, his throat feeling a bit dry.
He cleared his throat and reached out, gripping her shoulder. “The zipper on your back isn’t done properly. Let me adjust it for you.”
“Oh.”
Jiang Yining cooperatively turned around.
Lu Zhi gazed at her fair back and the long, graceful swan-like neck.
He rubbed against it.
The fierce flames he had forcibly suppressed flared up once more.
This girl had some kind of magic.
Even with just an inadvertent gesture, she could drive him mad.
But, he had to endure a little longer.
She was still too young, and he needed to wait until she grew up a bit more, so he could have her without guilt.
“Is it done?” Jiang Yining sensed that his fingers had remained on her back without any movement.
Unable to hold back, she asked.
Lu Zhi snapped back to reality, adjusted the zipper, and said, “Yes, it’s done.”
Jiang Yining smiled and said, “Thank you.”
Summer rains came and went quickly.
In the evening, after a sudden heavy rain, it had stopped precisely at six o’clock.
The sky was filled with rosy hues.
The air was filled with a refreshing scent.
At the Yuan family estate, the place was beautifully decorated, and it was incredibly lively.
Old Master Yuan stood at the entrance of the estate with Ye Xiaoxi and several Yuan family sons, personally welcoming guests.
Guests passing by congratulated him with smiles on their faces, delighted that he had found his granddaughter after so many years.
Old Master Yuan’s face was flushed, completely different from his usual solemn demeanor. He smiled warmly at everyone.
“This is my granddaughter, Xiaoxi.”
“My Xiaoxi is a talented young lady who got into Qing University with her own abilities.”
“Xiaoxi, come and say hello to your uncles.”
Old Master Yuan proudly showed off his precious granddaughter to everyone.
Ye Xiaoxi blushed under the praise.
Finally, Jiang Yining arrived.
She happily ran up to Ye Xiaoxi and said, “Yining, you’re finally here.”
“I hope I’m not late.”
“No, you’re right on time.”
While chatting with Ye Xiaoxi, Jiang Yining looked around.
The scale of the Yuan family’s banquet was larger than she had expected, with a crowd of people filling half the mountainside.
The parking lot on the mountain was already full, and luxury cars lined both sides of the road at the foot of the mountain.
Some guests even arrived by helicopter.
She had noticed this as soon as she arrived.
Ye Xiaoxi didn’t want to be pulled away by her grandfather to meet different people. Using Jiang Yining as an excuse, she said, “Grandpa, I want to accompany Yining. You can greet the guests slowly.”
Old Master Yuan didn’t want to let her go because there were many important guests today, making it a good opportunity to expand her network.
“Xiaoxi…”
But as he just called out the girl’s name, she disappeared in the blink of an eye, running off with Jiang Yining.
Old Master Yuan shook his head helplessly.
Never mind, he wouldn’t force her.
Lu Zhi nodded at Old Master Yuan and, accompanied by Qi Feng, presented a gift-
Old Master Yuan said, “Xiaoxi and your wife are good friends. You don’t have to spend money on this.”
“This is due courtesy. Elder Yuan, please accept it.”
“Alright.”
Old Master Yuan didn’t refuse anymore.
He had someone take the gift.
Lu Zhi entered the venue and started looking for Jiang Yining.
However, he hadn’t gone far when a figure hurriedly caught up with him.
“Mr. Lu.”
Xiao Yeyu had been paying attention to Lu Zhi for a while.
Seeing that Jiang Yining was not with him, she deliberately approached.
Lu Zhi stopped in his tracks, saw her, and replied with a faint expression, “Miss Xiao, hello.”
“Isn’t Yining with you?”
“She’s with Xiaoxi.” Lu Zhi glanced over the crowd, searching for Jiang Yining’s figure.
But with so many guests in attendance, it was not easy to find her.
Xiao Yeyu gently showed her vulnerability. “Perfect, I’m alone too.. How about we look for them together?”