After delivering the gifts, Jiang Ciyou and Yan Feng headed toward the entrance where their table was set.
No one had taken their seats yet, so they waited nearby.
Yan Feng's phone rang midway through.
He glanced at the screen and hurried off toward the garden by the side door.
Jiang Ciyou knew it was a call from Xia Ling.
Not bothered, she began to admire the antiques in the banquet hall.
A whole wall adorned with Song Dynasty blue-and-white porcelain left her in awe.
Before long, a young girl approached her.
"Are you Mrs. Yan?"
Jiang Ciyou elegantly turned around. "What can I do for you?"
"I'm Bai Qian, the granddaughter of the military district commander in the capital. May I ask about your formula for the Li Wanghua infusion?"
Before Jiang Ciyou could respond, the girl quickly added, "I can buy the formula from you, no matter the price."
Jiang Ciyou smiled. "It's not a big secret. I just made it for fun. If you like it, I can give it to you."
The girl's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really? You can give it to me?"
"Sure, let's add each other on WeChat, and I'll send you the formula tonight."
The girl quickly added Jiang Ciyou on WeChat.
At that moment, several other young ladies gathered around. "I want it too! Can you add my WeChat as well, Mrs. Yan?"
Jiang Ciyou was bewildered by the situation but added them all, promising to send the formulas later.
After all, these girls were either the daughters of mayors, top tycoons, or even granddaughters of high-ranking officials.
Jiang Xiaoxiao watched from a distance, her face twisted in frustration as she turned to Yao Shulan. "Mom, are they all stupid? A bunch of socialites from the capital trying to win over Jiang Ciyou—what are they after?"
Yao Shulan replied nonchalantly, "They're not stupid. The guests brought so many gifts, yet only hers caught the old lady's eye. They're just trying to secure the formula to win favor with Old Madam Bo."
Yao Shulan sighed softly. "Among them, one is bound to become the future mistress of the Bo family."
Jiang Xiaoxiao snorted. "Winning over Old Madam Bo? It doesn't matter—who Bo Jinxiu marries is up to him. Maybe he doesn't even like these well-trained young ladies but prefers a rebellious Cinderella instead."
Yao Shulan seemed to see through Jiang Xiaoxiao's thoughts.
"Xiaoxiao, our Jiang family is indeed among the top in Rongcheng, but compared to these socialites, we're miles apart. The Bo family isn't something we can aspire to."
Yao Shulan reassured her, "Mom will find you a great match in Rongcheng."
"Mom, you said it yourself—Rongcheng can't compare to the capital. People aim higher. Besides, how do you know Bo Jinxiu doesn't like me?"
Yao Shulan shook her head, looking resigned.
Sometimes, social status is an insurmountable barrier. Wealthy people are more pragmatic than ordinary folks, especially the aristocracy, which values matching backgrounds.
Prince and Cinderella stories only exist in fairy tales.
Meanwhile, several young ladies surrounded Jiang Ciyou, calling her "sister."
Jiang Ciyou played along, which delighted the young ladies.
However, the good mood was just for her; among themselves, they were secretly competing, unwilling to yield.
"I saw him last month, and he said I looked prettier!"
"No one knew Brother Bo was in Rongcheng until the old lady sent out invitations. You're just lying."
"I might be lying, but isn't calling him Brother Bo a bit much? You don't know him that well, do you?"
The young ladies bickered endlessly.
Jiang Ciyou quickly realized they were all vying for Bo Jinxiu's attention.
But she didn't understand why, with their elite statuses, they were so fixated on him.
Bai Qian seemed to sense Jiang Ciyou's confusion.
She awkwardly explained, "Sister Jiang, we all do like Bo Jinxiu, but it's not just because he's the wealthiest in the Bo family. If you ever see him, you'll understand. No man in this world can compare to his looks."
Jiang Ciyou chuckled.
So it was a group of looks enthusiasts.
She understood; she liked handsome men too.
Her attraction to that man initially stemmed from a drunken mistake, followed by three years of keeping him—wasn't it all about his looks, a kind of infatuation?
"Master is back!"
The butler hurried in, heading toward the old lady.
The once lively banquet hall fell silent in an instant.
Everyone turned their gaze toward the entrance.
Was the master the legendary Bo Jinxiu?
It was said that Old Madam Bo had three daughters and only had her son in her forties.
The young ladies who had been chattering moments ago were now silent.
With eager anticipation, they stared at the door.
Jiang Ciyou followed their gaze.
A tall figure stepped in.
The man wore a formal, high-end custom suit, paired with a deep blue tie.
He had a tall and slender frame, broad shoulders and narrow waist, with an upright posture that created a perfect silhouette. Each step he took seemed to tread on the hearts of the young ladies.
Jiang Ciyou silently admired his physique.
Then her gaze traveled upward, landing on his face.
The moment she recognized him, her body froze.
It was as if a spell had been cast, and her blood ran cold.
His features were extraordinarily refined, the curve of his jawline sculpted like a master's work.
His skin was pale, an almost ethereal white.
It was as if he were made of the finest porcelain, having withstood the trials of fire, resulting in pure, ultimate beauty.
Yet his lips were a vivid red, as if painted with lipstick.
This contrast saved him from the cold beauty that might seem distant, like a celestial being cast down to earth but still exuding nobility.
His presence was marked by an air of aloofness, a chill that followed him wherever he went.
The man's gaze didn't linger on Jiang Ciyou for even a second.
He brushed past her without a word.
Jiang Ciyou stood there, still in shock.
After a long moment, she finally managed to ask, "Who is he?"
The surrounding young ladies buzzed excitedly.
"It's Bo Jinxiu, the one and only in the capital."
"It's been three years, and he seems even more handsome and colder than before."
"Didn't someone say they were going to pursue him? And now can't even muster a greeting!"
"You're one to talk!"
The young ladies erupted into another round of bickering.
Only Jiang Ciyou remained in a daze, unable to process it all.
Is it really him?
No way…