Wang Keru was rather aloof. After all, it wasn’t her own daughter’s birthday party today, and everything she did was against her will. But no matter how much it pained her, she could only swallow her tears. What choice did she have, needing to rely on the Qin family for her livelihood now?
Time ticked away, minute by minute. By eight o’clock, no one was seated on the main stage. None of the important figures had arrived, and the guests were growing increasingly restless.
"What on earth is going on?"
"The Qin family isn’t that influential. Maybe they don’t even think much of Shen Wanqing?"
"Will Chu Ci be coming? Chu Ci wouldn’t bail on us, right?"
Lin Qi, who was also seated, quickly reassured, "Don’t worry, Chu Ci will definitely come. He’s even planned to cut the cake and give blessings with Wanqing."
The students from Class Two relaxed. Chu Ci’s presence would make all the difference. As for the other prominent figures, they had likely snubbed Shen Wanqing due to her humble origins. After all, why should they show her respect?
Shen Wanqing became anxious as well, lifting her dress hem and asking Qin Siyuan, "Siyuan, what’s going on?"
Qin Siyuan was also getting anxious. "Mr. Li is already contacting them," he said. "Perhaps there’s traffic."
If none of the influential figures from Qingcheng came, it would be a significant blow to the Qin family’s prestige, suggesting they weren’t influential enough to command their presence.
At that moment, Qin Han’s phone started ringing non-stop, with apologies filled with excuses: "Sorry, a family matter cropped up," "Sorry, my mom’s in the hospital," "Sorry, my wife’s giving birth"... One person even claimed to have diarrhea.
Qin Han had no choice but to handle it with a forced smile. Since they had offered excuses, giving him a way to save face, he had to accept them graciously. The last thing he wanted was to sour relations and offend all the influential figures in the city; the Qin family couldn’t afford that.
After a round of such calls, Qin Han couldn’t even force a smile anymore. He said to Wang Keru, "Let’s start the banquet."
Shen Wanqing immediately interjected, "But Uncle Qin, what about Chu Ci?"
The Master of Ceremonies on stage was also waiting for Chu Ci’s arrival, anticipating the climax of the party. It was exciting just to think about it.
As though he had just remembered, Qin Han said, "Right, I almost forgot about that. Mr. Li, get in touch with Chu Ci’s agent. He absolutely must be here."
Mr. Li went to take care of it. Shen Wanqing took a seat at the table designated for Class Two. She had done this deliberately, knowing everyone would be envious of her at this moment. Once Chu Ci arrived, her ascent to the stage from here would undoubtedly be the center of attention.
Lin Qi quietly asked her, "Why haven’t any of Qingcheng’s prominent figures arrived yet?"
Shen Wanqing whispered back, "Mr. Li apparently mixed up the dates. When he contacted them, he said it was Sunday. Uncle Qin is quite troubled now, apologizing to everyone one by one. Running a large business comes with its own headaches."
Lin Qi nodded sympathetically. "Indeed, an unreliable secretary can be a real disaster."
The students from Class Two exchanged glances but said nothing.
Shen Wanqing whispered again, "When Chu Ci arrives, I’ll get him to sign autographs for you all."
Instantly, the students from Class Two grew excited again. Chu Ci’s autograph!
As they were speaking, Mr. Li approached. "Miss Shen, Mr. Qin has asked you to go on stage now."
Shen Wanqing rose, smoothed her expensive dress, and smiled demurely. "Has Chu Ci arrived?"
Mr. Li, never one to mince words, said bluntly, "We’ve contacted him. He’s not coming. Chu Ci actually declined two days ago, but it seems there was a miscommunication in relaying his refusal. Now, he’s willing to pay a one-million-yuan penalty for breach of contract rather than attend."
Shen Wanqing was stunned. "He’s not coming?"