Chapter 514: Chapter 514 Somewhat Like an Old Acquaintance

Inside the restroom.

Bai Ruoshu finally found an excuse and managed to leave the old man’s side.

Standing in front of the vanity mirror, she could no longer maintain her smile.

She had put in so much effort to be by the old man’s side, only to be matched with an adopted son!

Who was being looked down upon!

Bai Ruoshu’s face darkened, and just as she was about to vent, her mother, Yang Jingwei, entered and locked the door behind her.

“What are you doing? It’s too disgraceful to run out in front of so many people.”

“Do you think I’m not disgraceful enough? An adopted son deserves to have a connection with me?”

Bai Ruoshu saw there was no one else around and was too lazy to pretend to be a refined lady.

Yang Jingwei sneered coldly, “The old man brought back an adopted son for no reason, and none of the elders of the Gong Family stood up, indicating they already know. Moreover, take a good look at that adopted son; doesn’t he resemble the old man?”

These words took Bai Ruoshu by surprise.

Bai Ruoshu immediately calmed down.

Recalling Gong Yao’s appearance, especially those eyes, they looked exactly like the old man’s.

“Gong Yao is the old man’s…”

“Adopted son. The old man says he’s an adopted son, so he’s an adopted son.” Yang Jingwei immediately interrupted.

Bai Ruoshu nodded.

But her face didn’t look good.

“I don’t like him. He doesn’t look as good as the Third Young Master, and he willingly returns under the identity of an adopted son after lying dormant for so long. He’s definitely not simple.”

Yang Jingwei frowned, advising, “The old man obviously favors the adopted son more. Only what’s beneficial to oneself in this world is useful. What’s the value of a face?”

Bai Ruoshu discontentedly replied, “A face? Mom, surely you don’t think the Third Young Master only has his looks? He looked at Gong Yao just now without any concern, don’t you find it strange?”

Yang Jingwei hesitated.

“Are you saying he knows?”

“Mom, I refuse to believe the Third Young Master would lose to an adopted son. So I’m determined to be the Third Madam. Please quickly figure out a way to get back to the old man.” Bai Ruoshu urged.

Yang Jingwei had seen Gong Chen and felt he was not someone to underestimate.

However, Gong Yao, with the old man’s support, is an uncertain future.

“Ruoshu, let’s wait and see, so as not to offend both sides.”

Upon hearing this.

Bai Ruoshu felt her mother had a point. Her desire to marry Gong Chen required the old man’s approval.

If she refused now, it would be to disrespect the old man.

Her previous efforts would be for naught.

So she had to find a reasonable excuse.

As she pondered, Bai Ruoshu revealed a smile.

“Mom, what if Gong Yao rejects me himself?”

“You mean… Lin Zhiyi?” Yang Jingwei looked at her.

Bai Ruoshu chuckled and nodded.

Yang Jingwei frowned, “No, today the Second Young Master intervened for her, apparently per the Third Young Master’s intentions. You’ve already been slighted, and causing more trouble could affect your reputation. Calm down for a few days.”

Bai Ruoshu was somewhat dissatisfied, but she could not refute.

She could only say, “Alright, let’s go out. The fragrance in here is too unpleasant; it’s clung to me.”

“No worries, I brought perfume, I’ll spray some on you.”

“Okay.”

Bai Ruoshu took the perfume Yang Jingwei handed over, sprayed it twice, and took a deep breath.

“Mom, your specially made orchid fragrance is unique, it smells so good.”

“If you like it, keep it.”

Yang Jingwei affectionately patted Bai Ruoshu’s hand.

The mother and daughter left the restroom, their gloom dispelled, chatting and laughing.

…

On the other side.

When Lin Zhiyi and Liu He returned to the banquet hall, Liu He’s high-heeled shoe twisted, and she accidentally bumped into a guest who was about to leave.

“Sorry.” Lin Zhiyi supported Liu He and quickly apologized.

“It’s fine.”

The man’s voice was deep, carrying a trace of seriousness.

Lin Zhiyi slowly looked up, seeing a well-featured middle-aged man.

And he was staring right at her.

Liu He recognized the man, and promptly said, “President Bai, sorry.”

President Bai?

Lin Zhiyi instinctively looked at Liu He, her eyes inquiring.

Liu He expressed with a subtle nod.

He was Bai Ruoshu’s father, Bai Zhengxian.

Lin Zhiyi, feeling uneasy under his gaze, softly reminded, “President Bai.”

Bai Zhengxian snapped back, slightly apologetic, “Miss Lin resembles an old acquaintance.”

Lin Zhiyi was momentarily at a loss for how to respond.

Before she could speak, a voice interrupted their conversation.

“Honey.”

“Dad.”

Yang Jingwei and Bai Ruoshu approached.

Yang Jingwei linked arms with Bai Zhengxian, smiling at Liu He, “Xiao He, what are you guys talking about?”

Liu He was called Xiao He, sending a shiver through her heart.

She just wanted to run away quickly.

At that moment, Gong Shiyan appeared like a savior, holding a small plate.

“Xiao He, I’ve been looking for you for a long time. Weren’t you hungry? I brought you some food.”

“Mhm, mhm.”

Liu He nodded vigorously.

Then she turned to the family of three opposite her.

“President Bai, we’ll be leaving now, sorry to disturb you.”

After speaking, she took Lin Zhiyi and Gong Shiyan away.

As Lin Zhiyi passed by the Bai family’s mother and daughter, a familiar perfume scent wafted by.

Before she could identify it, the stares lingered on her.

She dared not stay and quickened her steps to leave.

Yang Jingwei watched Liu He’s loving family depart, tightening her hold on her husband’s arm.

“Honey, you must be tired; let’s go get something to eat.”

She spoke and turned to look at Bai Zhengxian.

But found he was staring intently at the sight ahead.

Following his gaze, she saw Lin Zhiyi’s back.

Only when Lin Zhiyi completely disappeared did Bai Zhengxian recover.

“I’m not hungry.” He turned to look at Bai Ruoshu, “Ruoshu, keep a low profile in everything.”

Bai Ruoshu did not argue, instead she was unusually compliant, “Understood, Dad.”

“I need to meet a few friends, I’d like to go over.”

Bai Zhengxian released Yang Jingwei’s hand and turned away.

Yang Jingwei squinted her eyes, taking a while to calm down.

“Ruoshu, I suddenly think your suggestion earlier is good, after all Lin Zhiyi is a troublemaker, it’s best to deal with her sooner.”

“Okay.” Bai Ruoshu smiled slightly.

…

Returning to the bustling hall, Lin Zhiyi’s back finally relaxed.

She discreetly leaned toward Liu He, asking, “Mom, did you smell anything earlier?”

Liu He shook her head, “No, I had mint oil under my nose, otherwise with all the women’s perfumes, I’d throw up; how embarrassing would that be. What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing.”

Maybe she was overthinking it.

Perfumes can be similar, and it’s normal for a layman like her to mix them up.

As the banquet drew to a close, Lin Zhiyi received a message from Gong Chen.

“Wait for me in the car.”

After reading the message, she immediately scanned the crowd for Gong Chen’s figure.

With his influence, he must be wherever the crowd is.

But oddly, she couldn’t find him after circling the hall.

She only saw Chen Jin standing beside her.

“Assistant Chen, where is the Third Young Master?”

“He went to the resting room.”

“I’ll go find him.”

Lin Zhiyi just took a step when Chen Jin raised a hand to stop her.

“Don’t go, the old man is also there, along with the new arrival.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhiyi couldn’t help but recall what Liu He had said.

Gong Chen knows everything, so how can he face the old man? How does he face Gong Yao?