"We’re here. Let’s get out of the car." Zhou Hongjin parked the car at the entrance and turned to Zhou Chenyue, "I’ll go park the car, both of you wait here at the entrance for me. Don’t go inside until I’m back. Chenyue, if Gu En bullies He Zhilan, please help her."
"Don’t worry. Today, we’re the guests and Gu En is the host, what can she do to us? Did you see how she was arguing with Lin Deng in a hushed voice so no one would notice?" Zhou Chenyue dismissed the matter casually, then arm in arm with He Zhilan, got out of the car.
Across the way, Gu En, who was arguing with Lin Deng for not receiving her on time, noticed Zhou Chenyue and He Zhilan stepping out of the car. Her attention jerked back, instantly forgetting about her dispute with Lin Deng. A kind of astonishment flashed across her eyes, as if she couldn’t believe her own eyes - just like she had seen a ghost.
"He Zhilan, how dare you show up! Gu Family does not welcome you!" Gu En marched over, but with so many guests coming and going, she did not dare to reach out and stop her, glaring at He Zhilan with a face full of anger.
"Gu En, today is not the time for you to throw a tantrum! This is Grandfather Gu’s birthday banquet and all guests are welcomed!" Lin Deng pulled Gu En back, afraid that if she made a scene, it would disgrace the Gu Family in front of so many guests. On top of that, He Zhilan came along with the Zhou siblings, dressed perfectly and elegantly, without any disrespect.
"Lin Deng, are you going to defend He Zhilan just because she showed up?" Gu En accused Lin Deng. But before she could say more, Lan Li’s mother appeared from the Gu mansion and seeing Zhou Chenyue, went over to greet her.
"Chenyue, where’s your brother? I don’t see him around. Oh, who’s this pretty girl with you? She has a lovely, fresh face - whose daughter is she?" Lan Li’s mother turned her eyes to He Zhilan, responding with a friendly smile of welcome. Yet after a brief moment, she moved her gaze away. Not seeing Zhou Hongjin around, she asked Zhou Chenyue again.
"My brother is parking the car, and this girl is..."
"This is my roommate, He Zhilan. Although, her uninvited appearance surprises me! I did not invite her to the birthday banquet, yet she came with her interests in mind, even using Zhou Hongjin to her advantage!" Gu En cut in front of Lan’s mother without any hesitation, passing a sarcastic comment. Then she said, "Aunt Lan, I don’t like her. I don’t want her at grandfather’s banquet. I would like to show her the exit."
"Gu En!" Lan’s mother called her out with a reproachful look, "As a host, you can’t be so impolite. Moreover, Miss He came with the Zhou siblings. Guests should be greeted, not shown the door."
Lan, knowing the identity of He Zhilan who came with Zhou Chenyue, recalled Gu En’s complaints about Zhilan in the hospital. Her first reaction was to dis vain girl. She secretly thought, although He Teng’s wife is charming, it’s unfortunate that she has dubious intentions.
But today’s celebration left no room for treating guests in such a disrespectful manner. After all, Zhilan came with the Zhou siblings - she didn’t act impolitely. To drive her away would not only be a slap on Zhou siblings’ faces but also lead to idle gossip around the Gu Family.
Even with Lan’s mother reasoning , Gu En was left with no options. Yet she couldn’t hold back her rage, stomping her foot. Her eyes stared at Zhilan, willing them to turn into flying daggers, to slice Zhilan into pieces.