Chapter 2229 - 718: Engagement Banquet (Part 3)

Lin Muchuan’s face showed a trace of an awkward smile.

Zhao Peng just smiled politely and pushed his glasses: "Sister-in-law, you’re too kind."

Although his tone was very courteous, it carried a subtle hint of detachment.

Jiajia seemed to sense the subtle atmosphere as well and casually asked, "By the way, brother, where’s Xue? I thought you guys would come together."

"She is coming directly from the airport, a bit farther away, but she’ll be here soon, definitely won’t be late." Lin Muchuan quickly replied.

After a few polite exchanges, the family sensibly walked into the Peony Hall.

The banquet hall was enormous, with more than twenty tables set up, and quite a few people had already arrived.

However, the atmosphere in the hall was distinctly divided.

On the side close to the main stage, with the best locations, were obviously the male guests’ relatives and business partners.

Each one was dressed impeccably and spoke eloquently, clearly belonging to an affluent and influential circle.

The female guests’ relatives, on the other hand, were uniformly arranged in the relatively back and near the entrance area.

Their style appeared much more rustic, after all, many relatives had specially come from the old home in Zhou County. Their attire and behavior carried an undeniable rustic aura, contrasting sharply with the luxurious surroundings.

Once Lin Muchuan’s family entered, other relatives who had already arrived quickly gathered around, enthusiastically greeting them.

"Suxia, Baoshan, you’re here! Let me see your Dudu, oh my, so cute."

"Muchuan, Xiaomeng."

"Hey? Where is our Xue? Why haven’t we seen her? Hasn’t she arrived yet?"

"Soon, soon, she’s on her way."

"Xue really is very busy. To attend Jiajia’s engagement party, she has to catch a flight back precisely."

"That’s right; I heard she didn’t even come home for New Year’s."

Wang Suxia and Lin Baoshan both looked a little awkward, "Xue is indeed busy, and her workplace is far away."

"Suxia, in my opinion, you should let Xue come back and develop here. A girl floating alone in a foreign place, what’s the point?"

"Hai, the kid is grown up, she has her own thoughts, we can’t control her..."

"Auntie (Wang Suxia), I heard Xue is working at a finance company now? What exactly is she doing?" Xiang Tong asked curiously.

Wang Suxia chuckled dryly, "Specifically, we don’t really know. Xue hasn’t mentioned it."

Second Aunt Wang Suyun also curiously leaned over, "Then how much does she make a month? It must be several thousand yuan, right?"

"Aunt, you’re being too shallow!" Cousin Chaohui boasted: "It’s a finance company, they’re all into investments, salaries are calculated annually. I’ve heard the skilled ones make hundreds of thousands a year!"

"Good heavens! Hundreds of thousands?!" Second Aunt exclaimed.

Xiang Tong sneered, "Chaohui, you’re just spouting nonsense. What you’re talking about is serious investment work; our company has an investment department, and everyone there is a graduate from prestigious universities, salaries are high, but with Xue’s situation, it’s completely different."

"Alright, I don’t really understand this either." Chaohui scratched his head awkwardly.

Wang Suxia’s family listened to the relatives’ discussion, their faces only showed a sheepish smile.

They themselves knew their situation, Xue graduated from a vocational college, and her major was flight attendant, which had no connection to finance.

Peng Xiaomeng rolled her eyes, holding Dudu, and laughed to mediate: "Oh come on, don’t speculate. Later when Xue arrives, you can ask her directly. I guess she’s just doing some administrative, receptionist type desk job at some company, steady and stable, which is also pretty good."

Lin Muchuan hurriedly nudged his wife’s arm, signaling her not to talk recklessly.

Others also laughed, ceasing their argument.

They all knew Lin Muxue’s personality, she values face a lot.

No matter how she is doing outside, at least she portrays it as glamorous.

Previously, Wang Suxia had often said to them that Xue worked as a graphic model in Yan City, was doing well, and made a good living.

Whether it was true or not, who really knows?

While the crowd was discussing, a lively commotion suddenly occurred at the entrance of the banquet hall.

Then Zhao Peng’s family of three walked in, beaming, with an impressive air.

Leading the way was a middle-aged man in a dark gray administrative jacket.

His figure was somewhat portly, his hair thinning on top, yet he walked smoothly, with a composed demeanor and an aura of authority.

His face wore an appropriate smile, his movements revealing the poise and confidence unique to someone in a high position.

Zhao Peng’s father, Zhao Changhong, took the microphone, his face radiant, and loudly introduced: "Honored guests, dear relatives! Today we have the privilege of inviting a distinguished guest – Director Feng from the city’s high-tech district management committee! We thank Director Feng for taking time out of his busy schedule to attend and offer blessings. Let’s give a big round of applause!"

As soon as the words fell, thunderous applause erupted.

Many guests stood up and clapped, their faces full of envy and respect.

Director Feng waved slightly, took the microphone, and spoke warmly and with decorum: "Haha, President Zhao is too kind. I happened to be outside, so I came in to take in some of the festive spirit. Congratulations to the newlyweds for a hundred years of harmony, and congratulations to the Zhao and Shi families on their happy union with enduring blessings."

He spoke merely a few sentences, but he grasped the nuance perfectly, maintaining the politeness of an official greeting without losing warmth.

Applause rang out again, pushing the atmosphere to its peak.

After Director Feng finished speaking, he didn’t linger but exchanged a few brief words with Zhao Changhong before departing amid the crowd’s escort.