Jing Lihua locked her arm with the Old Lady, and looked at Mu Yuhaan with an expression of shyness, as if she was hinting at Old Madam Mu to introduce her to him.
Grandma Mu got her hint, "Little Lad, this is Jing Lihua, your Uncle Jing's daughter."
Jing Lihua was so exhilarated that she couldn't even keep it in for Mu Yuhaan to say anything first.
"Happy to meet you at last, Young Master Mu. I have heard a lot about you, and was looking forward to meeting you. Finally, today my wish has come true!"
In response, Mu Yuhaan didn't even nod. He frowned, as he tried to recall where he had heard this name before.
Oh yeah! His so-called rumored fiancée. Looking at the girl's face, Mu Yuhaan scoffed in his heart. He had been in the business world, full of cunning foxes for years now. Thus, he naturally had a better understanding of these shy-looking sly vixen.
Understanding his naive grandma's intention, a subtle noticeable hint of disdain showed up on Mu Yuhaan's eyes. He turned away from the girl with a distorted expression that twisted his handsome face for a second, and excused himself from there.
Jing Lihua's heartfelt words were still on her tongue, when Mu Yuhaan walked out. If anyone were to comprehend the situation, they would leave no stone unturned to mock at the hilarious scene.
Jing Lihua's expression froze on her face immediately. Her smile faded bit by bit, as she became downhearted. There was an abnormal amount of longing in her eyes, as she stood there staring at Mu Yuhaan's back with red eyes.
Old Madam Mu felt pity for Jing Lihua, as she knew the latter had been holding a torch for her grandson since childhood. She rubbed jing Lihua's hand to reduce the awkwardness, she couldn't find it in herself not to give the latter the shadow of solace. "Actually Little Lad doesn't talk to strangers. Don't worry! Once he starts spending time with you, everything will be normal."
Jing Lihua had only one agenda behind coming to the party, to talk to Mu Yuhaan. Although, it didn't happen, she had to preserve her dignity. She couldn't let anyone take verbal advantage over her. After all, it takes decades to rebuild one's dropped refutation, and socialites never bother to hide the sharp blades in their words.
With that thought in mind, she smiled happily, and pretended to be engaged in a chat with the Old Madam.
At that moment, a middle aged butler walked in with a cellphone in his hand, "Old Madam, Master and Madam video-called you from States," then, he handed the Mu Empire's launched latest model cell phone to the Old Madam Mu.
"Mother, Happy Birthday!"
"Happy birthday, Mom!"
Mu Zhang Wei, and his wife Christine Smith were smiling from the screen. They were seen in office attire, with breakfast in front of them. Well, China was twelve hours ahead of Washington, DC, USA. Hence, it made sense.
"Thank you guys. How are you?" Old Madam Mu asked, smiling.
"We are fine Mom. How about you? Are you enjoying the banquet?"
"Yes, I'm. Where is my gift?" She raised her both eyebrows, while showing her open palm to the camera.
Both Mu Zhang Wei and Christine Smith guffawed at the cuteness, "Haha, we have already sent it, you will get it before the banquet ends."
"I would be more happy, if you guys were present here with me."
Christine Smith smiled bitterly, while Mu Zhang Wei was the one to reply, "Mom, you are aware of our crazy workload, aren't you? We also miss you, Father and Yuhaan."
"Hmm, when are you coming then?"
"In the later half of the year, for sure.." Mu Zhang Wei was about to speak further, when someone handed him a phone, indicating a new mail or something. "Gotcha hang up, something important came off."
"Okay,"
"Mom, you don't have to stay awake to send every guest off personally. Rest early, love ya." Christine Smith reminded her mother-in-law, with an apparent apologizing expression on her face, as she was feeling bad. Let alone attending any family function personally, they couldn't even give five minutes phone conversation properly.
"Love you too guys."
Old Madam Mu didn't mind her son and daughter-in-law's absence at all, as she was used to her son and daughter-in-law's busy schedules. She was just missing them.
===
"May God bless you. Someone is at your door, please open it and welcome them."
"May God bless you. Someone is at your door, please open it and welcome them."
Mian and Nina both stood in front of their parents' apartment's door, exchanged glances, then pressed the bell eagerly.
It had been a long time since both of them saw their parents in person. Especially Mian who had just returned from States, after completing her post graduation, while Nina was busy traveling all over the world, with her modelling career.
Because of her career, Nina lived in Beijing. Well, she had another reason for staying away from Shanghai, which she thought nobody knew but both of Mian's parents and Mian knew. However, they feigned ignorance, as all of them loved Nina and wanted her to move on in her life.
Li Jingren was reading the newspaper in the living room, while his wife, Tang jiu was washing dishes in the kitchen.
"Jingren, can't you hear the doorbell ringing? Someone is knocking on the door. Go, answer the door." Tang Jiu yelled from the kitchen.
Li Jingren, who had been completely immersed in his morning newspaper, finally snapped back to reality, hearing his wife's yelling from the kitchen; as if his ears had another function, reserved only for his wife. He put down the newspaper, and went to open the door immediately.
As soon as he opened the door, both of his daughters jumped into his arms, calling him, "Daddy," Li Jingren became extremely surprised.
"How are you, Daddy? Why have you become so thin?" Mian asked, surveying her father.
Her question brought Li Jingren to the present and he glanced down on his bundle of joy immediately, warmth crawling up his heart. He hugged Mian back, too emotional to speak for a while.
"Princess! When did you return from America? Why didn't you inform daddy beforehand? I would love to go to the airport to receive you." Li Jingren passed the understandable emotional complaints half in words, half in tears.