Tang Li was very obedient, returning home around eleven in the evening.
In the guest room, Tang Li flipped through the calendar and noticed that her birthday was only three days away.
The day before her birthday, Tang Li drew a circle with a watercolor pen.
That evening, she planned to invite Wu Xuehan and Yu Sui for dinner.
Before going to sleep, Tang Li folded a handful of paper stars.
Unlike the tranquility of the guest room, in the master bedroom, Ouyang Qian was discussing matters with Lai Wenyan: "Why hasn’t there been any reaction from Tan Palace these days?"
If Song Baiyan truly liked Yuanyuan, Yuanyuan had already been to Tan Palace, and Old Madam Song had also given a bracelet, why was there no follow-up?
"Yuanyuan may be young, but there should at least be some indication."
Ouyang Qian was preoccupied with her eldest daughter; the sooner she could rely on Song Baiyan, the sooner Xiaxia could return from the sanatorium. Thinking this, she looked at Lai Wenyan again: "Should we ask someone to inquire?"
We can’t just wait idly like this!
Lai Wenyan’s mood wasn’t much better than Ouyang Qian’s.
With Xiaxia involved in the trafficking case, his political friends were evasive, and the previous jokes about him soon having a great son-in-law were now bitter memories. He had waited ten days, and Tan Palace hadn’t made a peep!
He even suspected that Song Baiyan had learned about Xiaxia’s situation and thus abandoned other thoughts.
Then, Lai Wenyan spoke: "For now, this is all we can do."
The person Lai Wenyan entrusted was the vice president.
The vice president didn’t usually meddle in such affairs, but upon hearing Lai Wenyan discreetly mention that his daughter was favored by a certain person, he recalled hearing some rumors not long ago. Later, as Lai Wenyan’s eldest daughter faced trouble, the rumor gradually faded away.
Now with Lai Wenyan bringing it up, it indicated that there was indeed something to it.
The vice president was willing to do him this favor.
That afternoon, in Song Baiyan’s office, after finishing official business, the vice president steered the conversation, starting by mentioning he had attended two weddings recently, then discussing the marriage situations of the Tan Palace employees, before finally bringing up Song Baiyan: "Speaking of unmarried young men, you, Sir, are quite exceptional."
Another cabinet member added: "A few days ago, I heard a rumor, saying Sir mentioned Councilman Lai’s daughter at the dinner table, and it seemed quite detailed."
Upon hearing this, Song Baiyan merely smiled: "Indeed, Councilman Lai’s family has a beauty without equal."
His words seemed playful, yet somewhat serious.
It was difficult to discern.
Later that evening, the vice president called Lai Wenyan, relaying only Song Baiyan’s original words.
Upon hearing "a beauty without equal," Lai Wenyan’s eyelid twitched; with such praise, to say Song Baiyan didn’t like Yuanyuan—who would believe it?!
At the dinner table, Lai Yuaner learned that Song Baiyan praised her as "a beauty without equal," her cheeks flushed, gripping her chopsticks, even plain rice tasted sweet.
Old Madam Lai looked at her granddaughter and smiled: "With Song Baiyan praising my granddaughter like this, what’s there to be concerned about?"
Ouyang Qian listened, finally feeling a sense of relief.
Then she asked, "Besides this statement, was there no other indication?"
"With the conversation reaching this point, what isn’t clear?"
Old Madam Lai explained: "Perhaps there’s been a lot going on lately; it’s better to wait until there’s more free time. No rush these few days."
At Tan Palace, Song Baiyan wiped his hands with a napkin: "Tomorrow seems like a good day; if you have no objection, please have Old Madam Bai visit the Lai Family."
Xiao Minglan looked at her son: "So it’s confirmed?"
Song Baiyan pondered, then smiled: "If we keep picking, it might get delayed."