CHAPTER 169: CHAPTER 169: DRIVING AWAY THE PEOPLE AROUND HER

Tingyu deliberately wedges herself between Zhan Hanjue and Ningwan, casting a cold glare at Zhan Hanjue.

Warning him to stay away from Ningwan.

The man’s eyes darken, as he suddenly reaches out and pulls Ningwan from Tingyu’s right side directly into his arms.

Tingyu and Wangyue immediately tense up, ready to act.

However, the man is quicker, and instructs Wu who came along: "Please escort any unrelated people out."

Wangyue and Tingyu rage and clench their fists, surprised to be called unrelated.

But when they entered to celebrate the birthday, they didn’t let other bodyguards in—only the two of them.

But with the man’s order, Wu snaps his fingers.

Soon, more than a dozen bodyguards swarm in, surrounding Wangyue and Tingyu tightly.

The odds are against them.

Wangyue and Tingyu frown.

Ningwan quickly says: "You two go outside and wait for me, don’t worry, I’ll be fine."

"No way." Tingyu resolutely says.

Even if beaten to death, she can’t leave Ningwan alone here.

Ningwan approaches her, whispering: "Forget the medicine lead?"

Tingyu frowns.

Ningwan persuades her again: "Why make meaningless sacrifices? What’s our goal, you should know clearly."

Tingyu hesitates.

Wangyue asks adorably: "Tingyu sister, should we fight or not?"

"Let’s go first."

Tingyu pauses in silence and then leaves with Wangyue.

Ningwan relaxes.

But soon she sees a middle-aged uncle, frowning as he looks at her.

This must be the person Old Mrs. Zhan arranged to be by Zhan Hanjue’s side.

"No worries, he won’t dare." Zhan Hanjue says.

After speaking, the man slightly curls his lips, reaching out to hold Ningwan’s hand and leading her to another hall.

Fingers interlocked, the man’s palm is very warm.

Ningwan can’t help but curl her lips too, her heart warmed.

Only at the hall’s entrance does the man let her go, and they enter together.

The birthday party proceeds grandly, even without the main character.

Mrs. Leng, with Zhang Meimei by her side, seems invigorated and passionate about life.

She jovially socializes and even introduces Zhang Meimei as her prospective daughter-in-law.

Others smile and praise Zhang Meimei, causing her to float, feeling even more confident.

Her previous decision was right.

She ought to be the one envied and praised by others, ought to be Leng Ziqing’s fiancée.

What right does a wild girl have to compete with her?

As long as she gains Lady Leng’s approval, Leng Ziqing will eventually return.

Ningwan also finds a place to sit down, yet she originally wasn’t seated at the same table as Zhan Hanjue.

She’s a guest, and not a very familiar one.

Zhan Hanjue, as a close relative, was initially arranged to sit with the Leng Family.

However, Ningwan sits at her spot, and Zhan Hanjue sits next to her.

But there’s someone beside Ningwan—a rich second generation from a mid-sized enterprise.

Originally disinterested in such a banquet, he isn’t acquainted with Leng Ziqing. Yet, his father insists he come to befriend Leng Ziqing.

In the future, Leng Ziqing will be the one taking over the Leng Family, befriending him wouldn’t hurt.

But after sitting for a while, Leng Ziqing is nowhere to be seen.

Instead, the table is full of old men.

Just as boredom sets in, Ningwan comes over.

Upon seeing Ningwan, his eyes widen.

How fortunate is he that such a beauty would sit beside him?

"Hello, I’m Liu Hairui, may I know your name?"

The young heir, suddenly energized, eagerly extends his hand to Ningwan.

Ningwan smiles and looks at him, suddenly raising her gaze.

Liu Hairui thinks she’s flirting, feels a heat, and is about to say something.

Then he sees the old men around standing up, respectfully calling: "Mr. Zhan."

Liu Hairui hurriedly turns his head to see Zhan Hanjue standing coldly beside him.

His legs feel weak; hesitantly he stands and, twitching his mouth, quietly calls: "Mr. Zhan."

Being in Jiangcheng, who wouldn’t know Zhan Hanjue’s reputation?

"Move." The man says indifferently.

Liu Hairui first freezes, quickly realizes, and immediately makes way for him.

Zhan Hanjue calmly sits down beside Ningwan and tells the others standing, "Sit!"

Only then do the others cautiously sit down.

However, everyone silently grumbles.

This respected figure shouldn’t be here; why on this table?

But seeing Ningwan beside him, it quickly becomes clear.

Unexpectedly, even the aloof Zhan Hanjue is a sentimental person.

Liu Hairui stands aside for a moment, finds no seat for himself, and still doesn’t see Leng Ziqing. Meeting a beauty seems like it’s not something he can pursue.

So he leaves, crestfallen.

Forget making acquaintances; how to connect when the person isn’t here?

"Hungry?"

The man, ignoring others, asks Ningwan.

Ningwan nods, "A bit."

"Eat."

The man uses chopsticks to serve her a slice of yam, placing it in her bowl.

Ningwan whispers, "But it hasn’t started yet."

Mrs. Leng is still passionately speaking, hasn’t announced the banquet’s start.

"Doesn’t matter."

The man serves himself a slice and eats.

Ningwan smiles faintly and eats as well.

Finally, Mrs. Leng finishes speaking, the large screen displays some videos and photos of Leng Ziqing.

Though absent, videos and photos are shown to inform whose birthday it is.

"Everyone, feel free; the banquet officially starts. Please enjoy your meal."

Finally hearing the cue to eat, others begin to use their chopsticks.

Lady Leng and Zhang Meimei start making rounds, toasting table by table.

This task should have been done by Leng Ziqing.

He’s absent, so Lady Leng does it with Zhang Meimei.

At Zhan Hanjue’s table, Lady Leng frowns; Zhang Meimei also frowns.

"Why are you here? This isn’t your seat." Lady Leng coldly remarks.

The man replies: "The birthday person is absent; what does it matter where I sit?"

Lady Leng is momentarily stiffened by his retort.

Zhang Meimei promptly says indignantly: "But you’re divorced from this woman. Old Mrs. Zhan doesn’t like her; aren’t you afraid she’ll find out you’re sitting together?"

She knows a bit about the Zhan Family affairs.

Yet before Zhan Hanjue speaks, Ningwan coldly laughs: "Miss Zhang truly is amusing; Leng Ziqing doesn’t like you, yet here you are shamelessly."

"You..."

Zhang Meimei turns blue in anger.

Lady Leng reminds her: "Meimei, don’t stoop to the level of irrelevant people; don’t lose your status."

Zhang Meimei has to swallow her anger.

Ningwan stands up and murmurs to Lady Leng: "Mrs. Leng, shall we find time to discuss matters related to Leng Ziqing?"

"I have nothing to discuss with you." Lady Leng sternly replies.

Ningwan sighs: "A pity indeed; I might have had some advice for you, but never mind."

Lady Leng furrows her brow.

Gazing at Zhan Hanjue briefly, she says after a moment: "After the banquet, come to me."

With that, she leaves with Zhang Meimei.