CHAPTER 50: CHAPTER 50: REUNION BANQUET

The next day.

The Su Family was bustling around preparing for the recognition banquet.

Su Lingzhi sat quietly on the sofa in the living room, cooperating as Jiang Chenglin changed her bandages.

Seeing him struggle for a while without success, Su Lingzhi suggested, "Why not just go to the hospital to change it."

"No rush, it’ll be done soon." Jiang Chenglin wrapped the gauze a few more times, moving to her back to tie a bow at the nape of her neck.

Though the technique was a bit unskilled, the final result was satisfactory.

He returned to her front, squatting to adjust the gauze before finally ensuring it was not crooked, then said, "It’s done."

They were close enough to feel each other’s breath.

It was clear he was focused on changing her bandages, so focused that he forgot the distance between them.

Su Lingzhi lightly pushed him away, saying distantly, "Thank you."

Jiang Chenglin snapped back to reality, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he stood up.

At this moment, a maid brought over the dress and high heels, "Miss, the dress has been delivered. Do you want to change into it now?"

Before Su Lingzhi could respond, Jiang Chenglin spoke up first, "High heels are inconvenient, pick her a pair of same-colored flats instead."

Seeing him frown, it was evident he was dissatisfied with them.

The maid explained, "Madam asked the second miss to choose; the second miss was worried the eldest miss might lose face at the banquet, which is why she arranged this."

"Is Lingzhi’s safety more important, or her image?"

Clearly angered, the maid replied tremblingly, "As you say."

In the eyes of the Su Family, this was a recognition banquet, but the invitation sent out mentioned it as a birthday celebration for their daughter, Su Lingzhi. She didn’t want to go, but for decorum’s sake, she had to make an appearance.

After changing and coming out, Jiang Chenglin caught her.

At this time, Tong Yan also came down the stairs with a group of makeup artists. Complemented by makeup and a custom dress, her innocent face now looked much more sophisticated and elegant.

In contrast, Su Lingzhi, with no makeup on her face and the gauze over her eyes emitting a sense of bitterness, still managed to make the dress look vibrant with her serene and elegant temperament.

Du Qin came out from the room then, looking at her two daughters, "Your father is already entertaining guests. Let’s get going now."

The venue was the Huamei Hotel.

Tong Yan followed Du Qin, and Su Lingzhi naturally got into Jiang Chenglin’s car.

On the way, Su Lingzhi told him, "Once we get to the hotel, you go in first. I want to wait outside for Xiaoxi."

Jiang Chenglin glanced at her, quickly identifying her intent, "You’re just looking for an excuse not to enter with me, aren’t you."

Being seen through, Su Lingzhi didn’t hide it, "I don’t want others to misunderstand our relationship."

Listening to her say these words so nonchalantly, Jiang Chenglin felt a surge of anger inside, but he suppressed it.

"The Jiang Family has already acknowledged you. Stop wasting your effort."

"Anyway, you just go in first."

Jiang Chenglin swallowed his words for a moment, taking a step back, "I’ll wait with you. Once Zhuang Xiaoxi arrives, I’ll go in."

"No need."

"Don’t be stubborn."

After that, there was silence.

When they arrived at the hotel, Du Qin and Tong Yan had already gone in.

Feeling stifled, Su Lingzhi opened the car door but was stopped by Jiang Chenglin, who helped her down himself.

They stood by the car, Jiang Chenglin with his hands in his pockets leaning against the car, watching her profile.

This undisguised gaze, which had accompanied her for the past half month, went unnoticed by her.

In truth, that face had been kissed in childhood, simply because he found her cute and wanted to express his liking.

Unfortunately, those childhood memories were forgotten by her.

Now, looking at her, he felt a desire to kiss her, yet dared not.

No matter if her heart was cold and unchanging, or if it had no room for him because of someone else, he would wait for her, wait for the day her eyes saw light again, wait for the day her heart included him.

"Zhizhi."

Zhuang Xiaoxi got out of a taxi and walked towards Su Lingzhi.

Jiang Chenglin stood upright, saying, "Now that she’s here, I’ll head in first."

With those words, he stepped up the stairs, heading towards the hotel lobby.

Zhuang Xiaoxi turned to Su Lingzhi, saying, "Zhizhi, I actually think Jiang Chenglin is a good person and quite attentive to you."

"I don’t like him."

Zhuang Xiaoxi hesitated, then said, "Zhizhi, I’m not trying to discourage you, but it’s been so many days, and the person you like hasn’t shown up. Why insist on him?"

Su Lingzhi’s mood sank a bit, "It’s not that I must have him, but there are many unresolved issues between us."

"But..." Zhuang Xiaoxi stopped mid-sentence, took a deep breath, and said, "Want to stay outside a bit longer, or head in?"

"Let’s go in. I worry my family will get anxious waiting too long."

Seeing her consider everything for the Su Family, it wasn’t that it was not worth it, but rather it pained her. After all, Father Su and Mother Su still treated her the same as before, only now they were sharing more of their love with Tong Yan.

At the banquet, there was the clinking of glasses.

As Su Lingzhi, supported by Zhuang Xiaoxi, entered, all the guests turned to look at her.

Their eyes bore questions about her identity as much as sympathy for her. Su Lingzhi could feel these sentiments in the tone of their discussions.

At this moment, Du Qin came over, holding her and asking with concern, "Why did it take so long to come in? Not feeling well?"

Su Lingzhi shook her head, "Chatting outside with Xiaoxi for a bit."

"Auntie," Zhuang Xiaoxi greeted.

Du Qin acknowledged her, then said, "Chenglin’s grandma is here; I’ll take you to meet her. Xiaoxi, you can join us too."

Zhuang Xiaoxi politely declined, "No, Auntie, I’ll stay here and grab something to eat."

"Alright, let me know if you need anything."

"Mm."

Then, Su Lingzhi was led by Du Qin up the layers of stairs, turning into a room.

Inside were the Su elders and Jiang Chenglin.

Seeing her appearance, Grandma Jiang quickly stood up, carefully guiding her over.

Feeling the warm, wrinkled touch in her hand and hearing unfamiliar footsteps, Su Lingzhi had already guessed who was holding her, "Grandma Jiang."

Grandma Jiang kindly responded, "Good child, you’ve been through a lot these days."

Su Lingzhi’s lips curled into a slight smile, "I’m fine, thanks to Brother Chenglin’s care."

"Brother Chenglin," a term she had just used for the first time, sounded quite pleasant.

Jiang Chenglin’s eyes softened a bit.

Grandma Jiang smiled, leading Su Lingzhi to sit on the sofa, saying to her, "Your grandparents are also here, sitting opposite you."

Su Lingzhi obediently greeted them.

From the sound, she could tell this Grandma Jiang was very kind.

Unlike her own grandparents, who were always cold towards her, they favored the children of her second and third uncles, just because they valued sons over daughters, hence they were always indifferent to her.

A few days ago, when she approached them about not wanting to have a marriage alliance with the Jiang family, they blew up, scolding her thoroughly.

If not for her mother holding them back, she would have gotten beaten.

Even though she couldn’t see their faces now, she could imagine how dissatisfied their expressions were towards her.

After a moment of silence, Grandma Jiang spoke, "I remember her being a lovely child, and now she’s grown with such grace."

Du Qin said, "Zhizhi has been obedient since childhood, never giving Mr. Su and me much trouble."

"Obedience is good, unlike our Chenglin, who was quite mischievous."

"Chenglin is more stable now and takes good care of people. When he came to our house as a primary school boy, he was already attentive to Zhizhi, always giving things up for her."

"Alas, after they parted years ago, with Chenglin studying abroad and then being busy with work upon returning, they never met, or they wouldn’t be so estranged now." Grandma Jiang threw a meaningful glance at Su Lingzhi.

The atmosphere immediately turned awkward.

At this moment, Su Lingzhi said, "Mom, Grandpa, Grandma, I want to talk to Grandma Jiang alone."

Upon hearing this, the Su elders’ expressions changed suddenly.

Du Qin looked worried, having somewhat guessed her intention.

At this moment, Grandma Jiang voiced, "The child wants to chat with me alone; do give us some space."

With that, the crowd’s expressions tightened, reluctantly leaving.

Du Qin gave Su Lingzhi one last look, closing the door for them.