As the trio approached the Zhang family table, they could see several prominent figures engaged in conversation with Grandfather Zhang and Landon's uncles. The patriarch sat regally sipping tea while nodding attentively to his guests' words. When he caught sight of Landon, Yohan, and Cyruss drawing near their designated seats, a flicker of surprise crossed his face - though it was swiftly masked by an impassive facade.
Landon had never before ventured this close to their shared kin; usually only distant glimpses were exchanged between them at such events. Now grandfather Zhang watched intently as Landon made a beeline for his eldest granddaughter.
Cyruss ambled over to Vivian with a cheerful grin despite the limp from that afternoon's accident still hampering him. But Vivian did not spare Cyruss so much as a glance; her focus was entirely on Landon. Meanwhile, Elias, who had been politely conversing with other politicians, shot Vivian a look of envy.
