Ming Yutong didn't say anything.
She thought Jiang Lulian was fine, it was just that Ming Yuqian didn't like him.
From a man's perspective, Ming Yuqian thought Jiang Lulian was unreliable and hypocritical.
But if it were someone else, Ming Yuqian probably wouldn't agree either.
In his view, whoever Ming Yutong followed would end up losing out, no one could match up to Ming Yutong.
In short, Ming Yuqian was bolded and capitalized, sister complex.
***
Little Jingshi was sitting on the carpet in the living room, doing his homework on the coffee table.
Fu Yinxiu glanced at him disapprovingly. "Can't you do your homework in your room?"
There's a desk in the bedroom that he didn't use, so he ran to the living room.
"The living room is spacious," Little Jingshi said, "so I feel more open."
Fu Yinxiu: "..."
"Dad, next Monday, our school has a parent visit day. Remember to come," Little Jingshi stopped writing Chinese characters and looked up at Fu Yinxiu.
Fu Yinxiu sat down on the sofa and casually picked up the laptop next to him, opened it to check his email, and said nonchalantly, "Okay, okay."
"Don't just okay. Other classmates' parents are all going!" Little Jingshi protested. "Dad, do you have work that day? Can you free up half a day?"
Fu Yinxiu checked the calendar. "Tomorrow?"
"Not tomorrow, it's next week." Little Jingshi said.
Fu Yinxiu marked that day on the calendar. "Got it."
Little Jingshi turned his head and hugged Fu Yinxiu's leg, blinking his big eyes. "Dad, did you promise?"
Fu Yinxiu glanced at him lightly and reluctantly nodded.
Little Jingshi happily crawled back to the coffee table to do his homework.
***
Friday afternoon, Ming Yutong rarely left work on time and didn't have overtime.
Because tonight is the Moon Festival banquet hosted by the Eight Great Families.
Ming Yuqian came to Ming Yutong's office and waited for her, leaning against the door frame with a nonchalant posture that made nearby passing girls blush.
Ming Yutong quickly tidied up and was about to leave with Ming Yuqian.
But Ming Yuqian received a call from Ming Jingshan.
After hanging up, Ming Yuqian's mouth twitched downward and he made a grimace. "Dad wants me to go to the office."
"Then I'll wait for you," Ming Yutong said.
Ming Yuqian waved his hand. "Forget it, he just doesn't want me to hang around and be a third wheel between you and Jiang Lulian."
Ming Yuqian smirked, "That guy's waiting downstairs for you, but since you don't fancy him anyway, I'm not worried."
Turning to leave, he said flippantly but stopped his body, turning back with a trace of concern, "Just make sure he doesn't deceive you with sweet words!"
Ming Yutong rolled her eyes unapologetically, "Look down on me?"
"Heh heh," Ming Yuqian laughed twice, getting Ming Yutong's assurance, finally leaving at ease.
As soon as Ming Yutong left the company, she saw Jiang Lulian standing by the car, facing the company's main door.
During this period, he received a lot of attention from the company's employees.
He didn't show any signs of being influenced by it. When he saw Ming Yutong coming out, he showed a gentle smile.
Ming Yutong apologized a bit, "I didn't expect you to come and wait for me. Otherwise, I would have come out earlier."
"As your escort today, I should come to pick you up," Jiang Lulian smiled and opened the car door for Ming Yutong.
Ming Yutong did not prepare any evening gowns.
She went directly from the company to attend the dinner, so she didn't bother to dress up.
She just touched up her makeup before leaving.
She didn't even wear a dress, just slim-fitting pencil pants with a tailored women's suit.
The style of the suit wasn't strong, so it looked both capable and charming.
That's how Ming Yutong came. Most people who were busy at work and came directly from the company to the party, regardless of gender, were like this.
It was only those who didn't work or were particularly leisurely all day who had the time to prepare their outfits for tonight.
This included many wives of the families, as well as Ming Yuqian.
The car stopped in front of the Qilin Resort Hotel on the outskirts of the city.
The banquet was jointly hosted by the Eight Great Families, which meant they united under their name.
But the actual organizers rotated each year.
This year, it was the Qi family's turn, so the venue was naturally set at the hotel owned by the Qi family.
The greeters had already opened the car door for the two of them, and there were still cars slowly coming behind their car like a winding and orderly dragon.
Such a scene was actually not uncommon.
Jiang Lulian handed the car keys to the valet, stood in front of the car, and gently bent his arm for Ming Yutong.
Ming Yutong smiled and slipped her arm into Jiang Lulian's, following him into the hotel.
Every guest who arrived would be served and guided by the waiters.
As the two stepped onto the stairs and approached the hotel's entrance, they heard the general manager responsible for welcoming guests from below the steps respectfully call out, "Mr. Fu."
Ming Yutong stiffened. Was it the person she knew?
There was no response from behind. If it was Fu Yinxiu, he wouldn't answer either, just nod.
"I didn't expect it to be Fu Yinxiu. He actually came," Jiang Lulian stopped too, turning to look over at some point, murmuring softly.
Ming Yutong froze, gripping her bag tightly. Her knuckles turned white, the force seeming to push her bones through her skin, popping out.
Jiang Lulian looked at her suspiciously, asking softly, "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing," Ming Yutong restrained the coldness from deep within her bones, trembling slightly.