Old Mrs. Shi had never found this fool so pleasing before and asked Shi Lingyan, "Did you teach her?"
Shi Lingyan gently shook his head, his seemingly expressionless face lit up with a hint of a smile, "She is getting smarter and smarter."
"Hehehe," Shi Mei hugged Shi Lingyan’s arm, laughing happily, "Shi Mei is getting smarter, everything Shi Mei says is the truth!"
Bai Yuejie quickly masked the strangeness in her emotions, her face once again settling into a gentle, intelligent smile, "It started after I had that fever last time, I’ve been getting smarter ever since, which is a blessing in disguise."
"Miss," Uncle Liu called out from a distance, walking towards them with gentlemanly and upright strides, "The birthday gift you prepared for Old Mrs. Shi is ready; it can be presented at any time."
Seeing Uncle Liu, Bai Yuejie felt instantly reassured, her smile becoming even more natural. She nodded slightly as if it were an offhand remark, "Good, let’s arrange for that then."
Uncle Liu said, "Yes."
"What kind of gift did Miss Bai prepare for Old Lady Shi?" a lady inquired.
"The preparation must be quite elaborate; surely a lot of thought has been put into it," Shi Yuanyuan couldn’t resist adding drama, "Isn’t that right, Miss Bai?"
Bai Yuejie couldn’t stand Shi Yuanyuan anymore.
She simply bypassed her and looked towards Old Lady Shi, speaking softly and gently, "I heard you’ve always loved the arts, especially music and dance. When Xiao Wu was still with us, you enjoyed listening to her sing. Now, Xiao Wu can’t perform for you, but I’ve specially arranged for the Venus Dance Troupe to perform for you."
"The Venus Dance Troupe?"
"You mean the award-winning ballet company from Mi Country Ballet Theatre?"
"It’s hard enough to get tickets to their performances, let alone invite them to Xia Country. Miss Bai, how did you manage to invite them?"
Bai Yuejie smiled shyly, "Sincerity moves even stone."
The smile on Shi Yuanyuan’s face faltered as she looked at Bai Yuejie, "Miss Bai, it must have cost quite a bit?"
Bai Yuejie didn’t deny it, her smile growing even shyer, "As long as Grandma Shi is happy, that’s what matters."
Her words prompted a flood of praise from those around.
Soon, the classical music performance on the banquet hall’s grand stage was cleared away.
The lights in the room dimmed and, following that, the mournful yet commanding sound of a female soprano filled the air. As the spotlight came on, dance performers started to appear one by one.
Everyone watched intently as Shi Mei gently released Shi Lingyan’s arm and whispered, "Husband, I need to pee!"
Shi Lingyan responded, "Go ahead."
"Take me to the bathroom."
Shi Lingyan, of course, would not personally escort her to the bathroom; he glanced to the side and saw Ye Tiao watching the performance, casually pointing at her, "Let her take you."
With small, tip-toed steps, Shi Mei went to find Ye Tiao.
Grandma Shi saw Shi Mei finally leave and stealthily slid next to Shi Lingyan, draping her hand over her grandson’s shoulder and whispering into his ear on tiptoes, "Grandson."
Shi Lingyan thought to himself, feeling like it was an insult.
"Grandma has prepared a surprise for you."
Shi Lingyan felt a twinge of apprehension, hoping it wasn’t a fright.
"Today, I’ve invited a special guest."
Shi Lingyan finally replied indifferently, "As long as you’re happy."
"I’ve invited Senior Sister."
Shi Lingyan was silent.
"Though I know it’s not ideal for her to perform while pregnant, I had to let you see how exceptional she is. I believe she is not inferior to Xiao Wu. Even if you don’t person, the child must be kept."
Shi Lingyan’s gaze turned slightly colder, "She should indeed be kept."
His child should not be born to such a woman.
Shi Mei: Yiyiyi, I’m under so much pressure with you guys acting .