novelraw Chapter 1008: Attending the Banquet!
Chapter 1008: Attending the Banquet!
"What did she say?"
Jiang Feng calmly asked, watching as Nangong Qingcheng set down her phone.
"She said tonight is her and Jin Shixiang's engagement party. She has already invited Grandpa and the family and wants us to go too."
Nangong Qingcheng sighed softly, then said to Jiang Feng, "Jiang Feng, I know you don't want to see them either. If you don't want to go, you don't have to. I can go alone just for appearance's sake."
Nangong Qingcheng was ultimately understanding, knowing Jiang Feng didn't get along with the cousins and their families, and she didn't want to make things difficult for him.
Jiang Feng, however, smiled and said, "If I don't go, wouldn't that mean you'd be the only one suffering? It's just a meal. Don't worry, I won't cause trouble on such an occasion today. I'll spare them some face."
Although Jiang Feng also found it odd that Nangong Yan suddenly called and emphasized him going, with his personality, he naturally feared nothing and certainly not a banquet.
Nangong Qingcheng felt slightly moved. Only at times like this did she truly feel Jiang Feng was family, never having changed.
"Alright then, I'll go up and inform Fei'er and Xi Yue, change clothes, and then we'll go. You wait for me outside."
"Alright."
Jiang Feng shrugged. While Nangong Qingcheng wasn't paying attention, he suddenly leaned over and planted a quick kiss on her soft, fragrant cheek.
This left Nangong Qingcheng exasperated, yet she couldn't do much against this guy who never seemed to have enough, so she just rolled her eyes at him playfully before gracefully getting up and heading upstairs.
...
Twenty minutes later, Nangong Qingcheng came downstairs, having changed.
She donned a simple pair of light blue denim shorts with white fuzzy trim, paired with a pink short-sleeved T-shirt, showing off her long, fair legs and slender arms.
She wore a cute, stylish baseball cap, and her alabaster-like right ankle had a little red string wrapped around it, giving her an exceptionally pure and lovely appearance.
Jiang Feng shook his head, thinking his wife was indeed beautiful. Even without trying too hard, she would likely outshine Nangong Yan, who was heavy on conventional makeup.
"Let's go!"
Nangong Qingcheng said, standing in front of Jiang Feng.
"Yeah."
Fortunately, Chu Feifei and the others upstairs had no idea Jiang Feng was back, otherwise, it would have created unnecessary trouble. The two of them left together without alerting anyone.
"Jiang Feng, I have a feeling that it's odd how Nangong Yan suddenly chose to have the engagement party today. My right eyelid has been twitching, but I can't quite figure it out…"
Perhaps it was a sixth sense, but as they got in the car, Nangong Qingcheng softly rubbed her eye and said.
"Don't worry. No matter what happens, I'm here. I said before, I'll give them face today and try to control my temper, but I also hope they won't cause trouble, otherwise —"
He didn't finish his sentence, but everything was implied.
Nangong Qingcheng wanted to say more but hesitated, ultimately nodding uneasily.
...
Tianquan Farm.
This was a relatively famous farmhouse in the suburbs of South City.
To be honest, engagement parties are usually symbolic occasions, and very few people choose such a place; at least a high-end hotel would be typical.
But Nangong Yan and Jin Shixiang managed to persuade both families, claiming it was something fresh, which is why they chose this place.
As the sky gradually darkened, Jin Shixiang's family was the first to arrive.
As the groom's family, they naturally had to make the first move, and it was also Jin Shixiang's parents' first meeting with the Nangong Family.
Jin Shixiang's mother, Geng Qiujie, was a plump woman from a modest background but dressed lavishly with her five chubby fingers adorned with gold and silver jewelry, and a large gold chain hanging around her neck, projecting an aura fitting of a wealthy matron.
Mr. Jin, Jin Kela, was a slender middle-aged man, wearing glasses with lenses thicker than a bottle bottom, looking like an old-fashioned intellectual dressed rather formal, with a suit, leather shoes, and hair slicked back.
The family of three came early and naturally waited at the farmhouse entrance for the arrival of the Nangong Family.
"Shixiang, how did you and Nangong Yan come up with this? Earlier I called and asked when the engagement would be, and you said it wasn't decided, so why suddenly tonight?"
Geng Qiujie looked curiously at her son and asked.
"Why ask so much? Haven't you been looking forward to this day? The sooner, the better, so we can put one thing to rest."
Jin Shixiang knew better than anyone the real purpose of this banquet, so he remained somewhat distracted, eagerly waiting for Nangong Yan's arrival.
After ten more minutes, finally, a few private cars appeared in sight — the Nangong Family had arrived.
Leading the group was, of course, Old Man Nangong Honghu, followed by the couples Nangong Jinrong, Nangong Jinming, and Nangong Jinwei, as well as Nangong Li's family, forming quite a formidable family.
In contrast, on the Jin Family's side, it seemed a bit underwhelming due to having fewer members and elders remaining in the countryside, so only a family of three represented them.
"Hello, Old Man, you must be the head of the Nangong family. It's truly an honor to have you here." Geng Xiuju smiled as she approached, first greeting Nangong Honghu.
Nangong Honghu waved it off, saying, "It's about the children; it's our duty."
Geng Qiujie smiled too and then quickly recognized Nangong Jinming and his wife, her smile growing even wider: "You two must be the in-laws. We finally meet! I've always heard Shixiang mention you, but we've never met till today."
"Hello there!" Zhao Chunhua also smiled broadly.
To them, this banquet was genuinely about engagement and naturally unaware of any underlying schemes.
After some simple pleasantries between both families, Jin Shixiang coughed deliberately and then asked Nangong Yan, "Xiao Yan, where are your cousin and cousin-in-law? They're not here yet?"
"I called them. I think they'll be here soon; they shouldn't ignore my invitation."
Nangong Yan was dressed like a proud peacock at the moment, in a black dress and high-heeled sandals, exuding arrogance and disregard for everyone.
"Then let's wait a bit more. Once everyone is here, we'll go in together!" Jin Shixiang said, his heart racing.
Dugu Jian had entrusted him with an important task here; he dared not slack off, especially since he just received a call from Dugu Jian notifying him that he was on his way with Dugu Family experts!
Tonight's matters could not afford the slightest mishap!