Twilight had fallen, and lights began to glow.
The Song Family was bustling with excitement, and the hall of the banquet shone with interlacing lights, as the biggest names and tycoons from A City honored the invitation.
Nan Luzhi and Nan Qingqing appeared at the entrance.
Nan Qingqing wore a long emerald dress that highlighted her graceful figure. Her fair shoulders and neck resembled those of a white swan, and her green earrings fluttered eyecatchingly.
She held on to Nan Luzhi’s arm, her youthful and innocent eyes like those of an unworldly fairy, irresistibly charming.
All eyes fell on them, filled with a hint of envy.
Yu Lan heard the commotion at the entrance and immediately came out from inside, setting eyes upon the poised Nan Qingqing.
She felt a surge of delight and approached them.
"Luzhi, you’re truly blessed," she said. "Qingqing has grown more beautiful."
Nan Luzhi smiled and replied, "Yu Lan, Qingqing takes after her biological parents, which is why she’s so beautiful."
Yu Lan naturally had also heard about Nan Qingqing being the Nan Family’s beloved daughter and looked at her with even more fervor.
"Qingqing, what do you think about the matter I mentioned last time?"
A blush crept up Nan Qingqing’s cheeks as she said, "Aunt Lan, does Lihan agree?"
Yu Lan took her hand, looking more and more pleased, "Of course he agrees. He said he would very much like to get to know you. He was too busy before, but tonight at the birthday party, he’s here; let me take you to meet him."
Nan Luzhi also patted Nan Qingqing’s hand, "Go ahead."
Her cheeks turned even redder, and she obediently said, "Okay."
In the center of the banquet hall stood a tall man in a dark black suit. His long fingers held a glass of red wine that he gently swirled.
He had the demeanor of a leader, engaging in conversation with others in a calm and collected manner.
"Lihan."
Upon hearing the voice, he turned his head and revealed sharp features, exuding a restrained aura.
"Hmm?"
He raised his eyebrows slightly and swallowed, filled with a distinctive sexiness.
Nan Qingqing met his gaze and her heart skipped a beat, her ears burning up.
Yu Lan pushed Nan Qingqing in front of Song Lihan and introduced her, "Lihan, this is Miss Nan, Nan Qingqing, whom I mentioned to you before."
Song Lihan looked down at Nan Qingqing, his eyes as calm as amber, speaking in a tone both casual and distant.
"Miss Nan, nice to meet you."
At the sound of his mature and steady magnetic voice, Nan Qingqing’s heart raced uncontrollably.
She cleared her throat lightly, lifted her head, and her voice was melodious as a oriole’s, "Lihan—"
Song Lihan faced her and a shadow flickered in the depths of his gaze, staring straight at her.
"It’s our first meeting, and I find you resemble someone. Do you know Nan Yu?"
At the mention of that name, Nan Qingqing’s expression shifted, but she quickly regained her composure.
She bit her lower lip, puzzled, "Lihan, you know my foster sister?"
Song Lihan flatly denied, "No, I’ve just seen her photo and noticed she looks a lot like you."
If he hadn’t examined the photo closely, he might have even mistaken one for the other.
Nan Qingqing feigned a smile and replied, "Many people say I look like her, but we’re not biological sisters; she’s my foster sister."
Song Lihan looked at her contrived innocence and felt a sudden disinterest.
He sipped his wine, offhandedly saying, "Sisters without a blood relation, yet you look so much alike; you’re quite fated."
Yu Lan, wanting to match the two, hastened to belittle the other party, quickly saying, "Looking alike is useless. She’s just something from the countryside, incomparable to Qingqing’s wealthy stature."
"Besides, her foster sister got married a few days ago. Although the groom is disabled in both legs and not very competent, he’s still a wealthy young master."
Her tone carried noticeable mockery towards the end.
Nan Qingqing sided, "Actually, our family was initially against it, but my sister pressed for it with the threat of death, and we agreed as a last resort."
Her eyes welled up as she continued, "However, she claims her husband doesn’t want her to have any contact with us after getting married. She pushed us to sever ties with her."
"Now... we’ve lost contact with her."