All the guests who arrived had the opportunity to step into the Xiao Family’s mansion, see Grandmother in the Xiao Family hall, and present her with birthday gifts.
These gifts, naturally, varied widely, all intended to please the elderly lady as much as possible.
Grandmother Xiao, dressed in bright, auspicious red, received the congratulations of all the visitors with a smiling face.
In the eyes of Lin Jiale and others, this grandmother already seemed like the Empress Dowager of ancient times.
Basking in the reflected glory of her son, Grandmother Xiao’s situation was fully exemplified. Without a son who was a wealthiest man, Grandmother Xiao might have been no different from any ordinary grandmother, not to mention she could even have been begging on the streets.
All this could only show how important it was whether a son was competent or not.
Therefore, speaking of the Xiao Family’s only son, it appeared he still hadn’t shown up.
Grandmother Xiao held her teacup, lifted the lid, and took a sip of tea while the chatter of many guests filtered into her ears, making her frown slightly.
She thought many guests had come for her grandson, yet, the more important male lead was still nowhere to be seen.
"Go call Yebai," said Grandmother Xiao to the butler beside her.
The butler immediately looked troubled, "The young master never answers the phone." Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚•𝕟𝕖𝕥
Xiao Yebai was known for his old-fashioned nature, often not even picking up calls from his own family.
"What?" Grandmother Xiao suddenly became angry, "Today is my birthday banquet, how dare he not answer?"
The butler, sweating profusely with anxiety, could only helplessly turn back to make the futile call.
Immediately afterward, Grandmother Xiao turned to Xiao Shulan and Xiao Shuju, who were helping organize the banquet, and asked, "Has the Ou family not arrived yet?"
"Mrs. Ou said that the plane was delayed; they won’t be able to arrive that quickly," explained Xiao Shuju.
"Ah—" sighed Grandmother Xiao, feeling that today somehow wasn’t going smoothly.
Up ahead, Xiao Shuzhu walked up with her daughter to wish Grandmother a long life, saying, "Jiayin wishes Grandmother a life as enduring as the southern mountains. This is a birthday song she recorded herself for Grandmother."
Zhu Jiayin, who grew up in the open United States, where it’s popular for young men and women to produce their own music and albums. Xiao Shuzhu believed her daughter had the potential to be a star and thus always encouraged and nurtured her with care.
On this point, Grandmother Xiao clearly disagreed with Xiao Shuzhu, only responding indifferently, letting the person next to her take the disc.
Xiao Shuzhu’s eyes flickered but she didn’t show any anger, saying to Grandmother, "It seems like neither the eldest sister nor the youngest brother have arrived yet."
"The eldest sister’s family said they will come when everyone else has arrived. Mengjin and Mrs. Ou both had their flights delayed just like hers," Xiao Shuju explained again.
Xiao Shuzhu pretended to be surprised, "What a coincidence? I thought—"
"You thought what?" Grandmother Xiao glanced suspiciously at her face.
"Nothing. Since the eldest sister and her husband are very reliable, I thought they might be waiting to come after the matters of the second and third sisters are settled."
This irreverent remark by the youngest immediately incensed the second and third inside.
Grandmother Xiao of course knew the situation with the eldest’s family.
The second and third were impatient by nature, always stirring up chaos. For the quiet-loving family of the eldest, Xiao Shumei, this was unbearable, especially during unavoidable family gatherings. Thus, arriving later to avoid witnessing the second and third creating a fuss here served to spare themselves the distress.
Grandmother Xiao didn’t say a word, perhaps tacitly approving of the eldest’s mindset.