novelraw Chapter 718: The Engagement Banquet
Chapter 718: The Engagement Banquet
At the same time, high above in the cloudless stratosphere.
The Bombardier Challenger 850's fuselage tilted slightly, beginning its gradual descent as it pierced through the clouds.
Outside the window, the vast gray-yellow winter landscape of the Guanzhong Plain gradually became clear and familiar.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are now beginning our descent..."
The captain's gentle English announcement echoed through the cabin, accompanied by the soft chime of the seatbelt indicator lighting up.
The meeting in the cabin's office area had concluded.
Lin Muxue, seated in her independent aviation chair, elegantly closed her laptop and turned her gaze toward the window, looking at the land that had raised her.
The aircraft, with slight turbulence, traced a graceful arc along the runway, eventually landing steadily on the airport's exclusive tarmac.
The cabin door opened.
A gust of cold wind, carrying the distinctive dry chill of the Guanzhong Plain, rushed in.Lin Muxue didn't feel the cold at all;
instead, she straightened her slender back and stepped down the airstairs, escorted by the respectful farewells of the flight attendants.
She wasn't wearing a heavy coat, just a sharp and capable white haute couture suit. Under the harsh winter sunlight, her entire figure was outlined like a silhouette.
Elegant, confident, and radiating full authority.
On the tarmac, a scene that made her heartbeat accelerate and even caused a slight tightening in her bladder was already waiting in full array.
A spotless Toyota Coaster minibus stood quietly, with a striking red banner hanging properly below the front windshield:
【Warmly Welcome Rongliu Capital Inspection Delegation】
On both sides of the Coaster, two black Hongqi H9 sedans with extremely orderly license plates were parked.
Like loyal guards, solemn and imposing.
Several government staff members, dressed in dark administrative jackets and exuding capable and steady professionalism, had long been waiting by the airstairs. Seeing her descend, they immediately stepped forward quickly.
The middle-aged man leading them wore an enthusiastic yet standard smile:
"President Lin, hello. I am Wang Chen, Secretary to Mayor Li. Mayor Li specifically sent me to represent him in extending the warmest welcome to you and the inspection delegation. He himself will host a banquet at the Shangri-La Hotel, awaiting your esteemed presence."
"Mayor Li is really too kind." Lin Muxue felt her throat go slightly dry, an uncontrollable surge of heat and excitement rising to her cheeks. "Please be sure to convey my regards to Mayor Li, and also thank the provincial and municipal governments for their warm reception."
She certainly knew that the "Mayor Li" Secretary Wang referred to was precisely that powerful relative of Madam Ouyang Xianyue, who oversaw economic affairs and investment.
The deputy mayor of her hometown personally waiting with a banquet at the hotel, the provincial government sending people to meet her at the airport...
This level of ceremony, this prestige, had far exceeded her wildest imagination!
The glorious moment belonging to her, Empress Muxue, had finally arrived!
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After a round of grand yet appropriate pleasantries, Lin Muxue, surrounded by the crowd, boarded the Coaster.
The motorcade, escorted by a guide vehicle, smoothly left the airport and merged into the highway traffic flowing toward the city center.
Inside the vehicle, the atmosphere was harmonious.
Secretary Wang accompanied Lin Muxue, briefing her on Chang'an's recent economic development and investment environment.
Lin Muxue listened attentively, occasionally asking one or two professional and precise questions regarding policy details of the photovoltaic industry.
Her speech was elegant, her logic clear, fully embodying the demeanor of a top financial elite.
She looked at the scenery flying past outside the window—both familiar and unfamiliar.
The wave of excitement inside her surged higher and higher.
Back in high school, when she was short on money, what she looked forward to most was taking the bumpy bus to the city on weekends with classmates and friends to "see the world."
They would watch a discounted movie at the People's Theater below the Bell Tower, eat a steaming bowl of lamb paomo in the Muslim Quarter, and gaze longingly at the beautiful yet expensive clothes in the small shops along East Street...
At that time, Chang'an represented all her youthful imagination of "prosperity," "fashion," and "distant horizons."
And now, she sat in a dedicated vehicle accompanied by a dedicated secretary and government officials, re-examining her homeland in the capacity of a "capital representative."
Dreams that were once far beyond reach had now become her everyday routine.
"Ding ling ling—"
A cellphone ringtone broke the atmosphere inside the vehicle.
Seeing the character 【Brother】 flashing on the screen, Lin Muxue offered an apologetic smile to Secretary Wang beside her, indicating she needed a moment, then swiped to answer.
Lin Muchuan's somewhat anxious voice immediately came through the receiver: "Ah, my sister, finally got through to you! I messaged you on WeChat ages ago with no reply, thought something happened on the way! Luna, we're already at the hotel, how about you? Have you gotten off the plane yet? Roughly when can you arrive?"
Lin Muxue's tone was calm and unruffled: "Yes, just got off the plane, on the way now. Probably about half an hour."
"Alright! Then let me know when you're almost here."
"Okay."
After hanging up, she opened WeChat.
Sure enough, there were several unread messages.
Most were from her brother, anxiously asking about her location and sharing the hotel's precise location again.
Besides that, the 【A Loving Family】 group chat was refreshing at an unprecedented speed, showing a "99+" unread badge.
She tapped into it.
What met her eyes was a scene of bustling noise.
Relatives who had already arrived at the hotel were excitedly sharing photos from the venue.
The opulent lobby crystal chandelier, the spiral staircase covered with red carpet, the entrance with exquisitely placed sign-in boards...
Every photo exuded a sense of novelty and excitement.
【Second Aunt: "Oh my! This place is really impressive, just like in the TV shows!"】
【Cousin - Xiangtong: "@Jiajia @Zhao Peng, the engagement photos look really beautiful!"】
【Fourth Uncle: "@Muchuan, where are you guys? How come you're not here yet?"】
【Brother: "Almost there, almost there, on the way."】
Looking at those slightly grainy photos in the group due to low phone resolution, and hearing those conversations mixed with envy and deliberate flattery.
Lin Muxue took a deep breath, her long legs tightly pressed together under her trousers, an uncontrollable tremor running through her entire body.
Even now, her greatest hobbies, besides mapping things out with Tang Song, were showing off and putting people in their place.
And the "stage" spontaneously set up by her relatives right before her was the perfect moment for her to witness this!
Just then, her phone vibrated again.
【Cousin - Xiangtong: "@Luna, are you here yet? Haven't seen you reply, so busy huh?"】
【Jiajia: "@Luna, are you here yet? Heard you're coming directly from the airport. If you need to store your luggage, I can let the hotel staff know in advance."】
Lin Muxue chuckled lightly and replied: "Already on the way. If there's no traffic, should be there in over twenty minutes."
【Jiajia: "That's good then. The ceremony starts officially at 12. No rush, waiting for you. We haven't seen each other for a long time either, we must have a good chat then."】
Lin Muxue raised her hand, elegantly tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, her gaze returning to the window.
The motorcade had already entered the city limits.
Chang'an's landmark—the majestic ancient city wall—was slowly enlarging in her view.
11:20 AM.
Chang'an Shangri-La Hotel, underground parking lot.
Lin Muchuan parked the car in a corner spot and turned off the engine.
He glanced back at the rear seat;
his mother Wang Suxia was holding their sleeping son, while his father Lin Baoshan was awkwardly adjusting his collar.
In the passenger seat, Peng Xiaomeng was reapplying her lipstick using a small mirror.
"We're here, let's get out."
The family got out of the car;
the parking lot's cold air made them all instinctively tighten their clothes.
Lin Muchuan, holding the bulky baby carrier with one hand and his wife Peng Xiaomeng's hand with the other, led his parents.
Following the signs, they carefully navigated through the brightly lit underground passageway.
They took the gilded elevator directly to the second floor.
"Ding—"
The elevator doors slid open.
They were greeted by a wide and luxurious banquet hall foyer.
The thick wool carpet swallowed all footsteps;
the air was filled with an elegant, high-end fragrance.
The crystal chandelier overhead refracted soft halos of light;
modern abstract art pieces hung on the walls.
The entire space was extremely quiet, with only occasional faint static from walkie-talkies of service staff in the distance.
This sense of high-class refinement, so different from the hustle and bustle of the common streets, instinctively made their family's steps lighter and slower.
Walking along the corridor laid with dark red carpet, they soon saw the exquisitely designed sign—
【Zhao Peng &
Shi Mengjia - Engagement Banquet - Sign-in Area+】
Next to the sign was the sign-in desk decorated with a romantic floral arch.
In front of the sign-in desk, several middle-aged couples, dressed tastefully and exuding extraordinary poise, stood together conversing in low tones.
Their long-held composure and authority from high positions instinctively made the family stop in their tracks.
The couple standing in the center, chatting and laughing with others, were precisely the groom's parents for today.
Zhao Peng's father, Zhao Changhong—Lin Muchuan had seen his photo on Jiajia's phone—was a shareholder in that large conglomerate, truly a big shot.
The others nearby were probably their business friends or relatives, all looking quite influential.
Next, they saw today's two main characters, Shi Mengjia and Zhao Peng, standing at the banquet hall entrance with beaming smiles, greeting guests.
Jiajia wore a custom-made red lace gown, her makeup flawless, intimately holding onto her fiancé's arm.
Being able to marry up to a rich second-generation like Zhao Peng, Jiajia's looks and figure were naturally exceptional.
In their large family, only Luna was more outstanding than her.
Zhao Peng's appearance was quite ordinary, but now, dressed in a sharp suit and wearing gold-rimmed glasses, he carried an air of a promising young talent.
Seeing this scene, Peng Xiaomeng's eyes instantly lit up.
She immediately let go of her husband's hand, her face breaking into an enthusiastic smile as she quickly stepped forward: "Oh my! Jiajia, congratulations, congratulations! You look so beautiful today, like a fairy! Standing together with Zhao Peng, you really make a perfect couple!"
Seeing them, Jiajia also smiled and came forward: "Aunt, Uncle, Brother, Sister-in-law, you're here! Please come in!"
"Jiajia is so beautiful today." "Congratulations, congratulations."
Lin Muchuan and his parents also quickly stepped forward to offer their congratulations.
Zhao Peng's parents merely nodded politely in their direction before continuing to converse with other distinguished guests around them, never showing any particular warmth throughout.
Peng Xiaomeng held Jiajia's hand, her words dripping with honey, incessantly praising her beauty, the high quality of her dress, and the grand scale of this engagement banquet.
While talking, she also handed over the prepared large red envelope.
Lin Muchuan followed beside them, smiling awkwardly and exchanging a few words with Zhao Peng.
However, he had only met this new "cousin-in-law" two or three times;
they weren't familiar.
Seeing this, Peng Xiaomeng immediately moved closer and said to Zhao Peng with a smile: "Heard from Jiajia that you're already a department director at the company now, Zhao Peng? Really young and promising! You'll have to let our Muchuan learn more from you in the future, haha."
A flicker of an awkward smile passed over Lin Muchuan's face.
Zhao Peng just smiled politely and adjusted his glasses: "Sister-in-law, you flatter me."
Though superficially polite, his tone carried a subtle, barely perceptible distance.
Jiajia seemed to sense the subtle atmosphere and casually asked: "By the way, Brother, where's Luna? I thought you'd come together?"
"She's coming directly from the airport, so it's a bit further, but she'll be here soon. Definitely won't be late," Lin Muchuan hurriedly replied.
After a few more pleasantries, the family tactfully entered the Peony Hall.
The banquet hall was enormous, set with a full twenty-some tables, and many people had already arrived.
But the atmosphere inside was clearly divided.
The side closest to the main stage, with the best seats, was clearly for the groom's family, friends, and business associates.
Everyone was well-dressed, spoke elegantly, clearly belonging to the wealthy and influential circles.
Their side, the bride's relatives, were all assigned to the relatively rear area near the entrance.
The vibe was also much more plain and simple, as many relatives had specially traveled from their hometown in Zhou County. Their attire, demeanor, and behavior carried an undeniable rustic air, seeming out of place in the surrounding luxurious environment.
After Lin Muchuan's family entered, other relatives who had already arrived quickly gathered around, greeting them warmly.
"Suxia, Baoshan, you're finally here! Let me see your Dudu, oh my, so adorable."
"Muchuan, Xiaomeng."
"Eh? Where's our Luna? Haven't seen her! Not here yet?"
"Soon, soon, on the way."
"Luna is really such a busy person, coming back for Jiajia's engagement banquet and having to time it right to fly back."
"That's right, heard she didn't even come home for New Year's."
Wang Suxia and Lin Baoshan's expressions were somewhat awkward. "Luna really is busy, and her work is far away."
"Suxia, if you ask me, you should just have Luna come back here to develop. What's a girl doing floating around alone in another city anyway?"
"Sigh, the child's grown up, has her own ideas, we can't control her..."
"Aunt (Wang Suxia), I heard Luna is working at a financial company now? What exactly does she do?" Cousin Xiangtong asked curiously.
Wang Suxia gave a dry laugh: "The specifics we don't really know, Luna never said."
Second Aunt Wang Suyun also curiously leaned in: "Then how much can she earn a month? Must be at least several thousand, right?"
"Aunt, you're really underestimating things!" Cousin Chaohui boasted: "That's called a financial company, they deal with investments, average salaries are calculated by annual income. I heard the good ones make several hundred thousand a year!"
"Oh my heavens! Several hundred thousand?!" Second Aunt exclaimed.
Cousin Xiangtong pursed her lips: "Chaohui, you're just talking nonsense. Those you're talking about are the real investment professionals. Our company has an investment department;
everyone there has a master's from a 985 or 211 university? The salaries are high, but it's completely different from Luna's situation."
"Alright, I don't really understand this stuff either," Chaohui said awkwardly, scratching his head.
Wang Suxia's family listened to the relatives' discussions, their faces only able to maintain accompanying smiles.
They knew their own family's situation;
Luna only graduated from a vocational college, and what she studied was flight attendant training, completely unrelated to finance.
Peng Xiaomeng's eyes shifted, and holding Dudu, she smiled and smoothed things over: "Oh, you all should stop guessing. Wait until Luna arrives later and ask her directly, isn't that better? I figure she's probably just working in some company as an administrative assistant, receptionist, or some clerical job like that. Stable and steady, that's pretty good too."
Lin Muchuan quickly nudged his wife's arm, signaling her not to speak recklessly.
The others also laughed and stopped arguing.
They all knew Lin Muxue's personality;
she was someone who valued face immensely.
No matter how she was really doing outside, at least what she said always sounded glamorous and impressive.
Before, Wang Suxia had often told them in front of them that Luna was working as a print model in Yancheng, living well and earning a lot.
Whether it was true or not, who really knew?
Just as everyone was buzzing with discussion, a wave of lively commotion suddenly arose at the banquet hall entrance.
Immediately after, Zhao Peng's family of three, beaming with joy, welcomed a group of people inside, their presence quite imposing.
Walking at the front was a middle-aged man wearing a dark gray administrative jacket.
He was slightly portly, his hair thinning at the crown, but his steps were steady, his demeanor composed, exuding an aura of authority without needing to show anger.
His face wore an appropriate smile, his every gesture revealing the measured confidence unique to those in high positions.
Zhao Peng's father, Zhao Changhong, picked up the microphone, his face glowing with excitement as he announced loudly: "Distinguished guests, dear relatives and friends! Today we are extremely honored to have a distinguished guest with us—Director Feng from the Municipal High-Tech Zone Management Committee! Thank you, Director Feng, for taking time from your busy schedule to grace us with your presence and offer blessings. Let's give him a round of applause!"
As soon as he finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted.
Many guests stood up to applaud, their faces filled with admiration and respect.
Director Feng waved his hand slightly, took the microphone, and said in a gentle yet measured tone: "Haha, President Zhao, you're too kind. I happened to be outside and just dropped in to share in the joy. Wishing the newlyweds a harmonious union for a hundred years, and also wishing the Zhao and Shi families a happy alliance, with lasting blessings and prosperity."
His few words were perfectly measured. They had the propriety of official congratulations yet didn't lack human warmth.
Applause broke out again, pushing the atmosphere to its peak.
After speaking, Director Feng didn't linger long. After exchanging a few low words with Zhao Changhong, he left surrounded by the crowd.
Even though his appearance was brief, it was enough to make all the relatives and friends present buzz with discussion.
Zhao Peng's mother was grinning from ear to ear and specifically came over to Jiajia's relatives' side.
Her tone was both proud and modest:
"Oh my, really sorry for neglecting everyone. Just now, Director Feng was passing by, heard our family was holding a celebration, and specially came in to offer congratulations. Director Feng is a powerful leader in charge of several major projects in our city! Many of the businesses at Xiao Peng's father's company require Director Feng's approval! We had to go accompany him properly!"
Jiajia, holding her future mother-in-law's arm, explained beside her: "Director Feng is the head of our city's High-Tech Zone Management Committee."
Though her words were understated, everyone still grasped the weight behind them.
After saying this, they turned back to mingle elsewhere.
Everyone looked at each other, their minds surging with tumultuous waves.
"The deputy director of the High-Tech Zone Management Committee, that must be at the department level, right?"
"Yeah, just now I heard over there discussing that the High-Tech Zone Management Committee is concurrently held by our deputy mayor."
"Jiajia really found a good family, to have connections with such a high-ranking city leader!"
"Exactly! In the future, if we have any matters, maybe we can count on this somehow."
"Su Yun, your Luna is so beautiful, she really needs to pick her match carefully."
Hearing this, Lin Baoshan and Wang Suxia's hearts also couldn't help but become stirred.
They began seriously considering their daughter's future marriage.
After all, Luna was already 24 this year.
Peng Xiaomeng, under the table, pushed her husband's arm and whispered: "Don't just sit there dumbfounded! Go help pour some drinks, offer cigarettes or something, getting familiar is good too!"
Lin Muchuan sighed, his face full of resistance: "What would I go do? I don't know them, forcing myself over would be so awkward."
"You—ugh!" Peng Xiaomeng glared at him angrily, her chest heaving.
But she also knew this was the reality;
her saying this was purely out of envy and jealousy.
Coming to Shi Mengjia's engagement banquet this time made her feel the glaring class disparity even more acutely.
Lin Muchuan sat in the corner, silently listening to all this, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
Just then, his phone vibrated in his pocket.
Pulling it out to look, his eyes instantly lit up.
【Luna: "I've already gotten off the second ring expressway, just a few more minutes to the Shangri-La Hotel entrance."】
Lin Muchuan instantly became excited;
that long-suppressed joy dispelled the inferiority he felt just moments before.
He quickly stood up and said to his parents: "Dad, Mom, Xiaomeng, Luna is almost here! I'm going down to pick her up."
Wang Suxia and Lin Baoshan, upon hearing this, immediately became excited and wanted to stand up too: "Oh! Then let's go too! Let's go too!"
As parents, they hadn't seen their daughter for almost two years;
saying they didn't miss her was impossible.
Plus, they felt guilty, of course they wanted to go see her immediately.
"Ah, Mom, Dad." Peng Xiaomeng beside them furrowed her brows slightly, pressing a hand on Wang Suxia's shoulder. "You stay here and chat with the relatives. The Zhao Peng's parents will probably come over to toast later, it wouldn't be appropriate for you to leave. Muchuan and I will go down to pick her up."
She knew very well what was on Wang Suxia and the others' minds—they were afraid they would give money to Lin Muxue privately.
Moreover, she needed to go first;
there were some things she had to "communicate" in advance with her sister-in-law Lin Muxue, lest she say something inappropriate recklessly.
A flicker of hesitation and displeasure crossed Wang Suxia's face, but Peng Xiaomeng gave her no chance to object, directly shoving the Dudu in her arms into Wang Suxia's hands: "Mom, hold Dudu properly. Let's go, Muchuan."
With that, she directly pulled Lin Muchuan and quickly left the banquet hall.