Chapter 2237 - 720: The Full Swagger Routine (Part 3)

I’ve never experienced such glory in my entire life.

The time was noon, 12 o’clock, as the engagement party began on time.

The stage lights were dazzling, and balloons intertwined with floral arrangements cast a soft glow.

The host was delivering an enthusiastic opening speech.

However, amidst the lively music, Wang Suxia’s expression grew increasingly uneasy.

She grabbed her husband Lin Baoshan’s arm, her palms full of cold sweat.

Leaning towards her husband’s ear, her voice trembling: "Baoshan, do you think... Xue still resents us? When she met us earlier, she didn’t even call us ’Mom and Dad’..."

Upon hearing this, Lin Baoshan, who had been beaming moments ago, felt his heart sink, and the smile on his face gradually froze.

He remained silent for a while.

He originally thought that Xue’s return to attend Jiajia’s engagement party was a step towards reconciliation.

But upon further reflection, perhaps she truly just came by "on the way" due to work.

If it were the Xue they knew before—stubborn yet sensible—their daughter from two years ago, they could still rely on their role as parents to have a word with her.

A family behind closed doors, it didn’t matter if they argued or fussed; a few kind words, a little coaxing, and perhaps the grievances of the past two years could be swept aside.

But now...

Thinking of the daughter earlier, surrounded by the mayor and numerous elites, emanating an aura of ’keep away’...

Made their hearts feel empty and anxious.

The sense of sudden prideful glory that had just risen disappeared in an instant.

Especially for Wang Suxia, whose complexion turned increasingly pale.

After that big argument in Yan City, her daughter cut off all contact, and the mother-daughter bond was completely severed.

She knew their family had wronged their daughter, but the dignity and reserve that belonged to an elder kept her from having the face to apologize and reconcile.

Later, when her daughter-in-law was pregnant, she came from the countryside to help take care of things, and then her grandson was born—two years had flown by.

Two years is enough to change too many things.

What exactly has Xue gone through, and why has she changed like this?

As parents, they didn’t know anything.

Guilt, fear, pain, heartache, struggle...

...

The engagement party atmosphere grew increasingly lively.

Clinking glasses, a sea of voices.

At some point, near the side door of the main stage, a commotion suddenly erupted, and the previously noisy banquet hall gradually quieted down.

"Xue! Xue is back!"

"Suxia, Baoshan, your second daughter has arrived!"

Relatives excitedly stood up, as if iron filings drawn by a magnet, pointing earnestly in that direction.

Wang Suxia and Lin Baoshan quickly stood up as well, nervously clasping hands, looking over.

And they saw that after finishing official duties, Lin Muxue entered alone from the side door.

She was carrying a black and gold handbag radiating leather gloss, wearing a white suit that under the banquet hall’s dazzling lights, almost appeared blindingly bright.

Zhao Changhong and others immediately greeted her with exaggerated smiles, their attitudes almost ingratiating, even more so than when they had welcomed Director Feng earlier.

Jiajia lifted the hem of her dress and ran up affectionately, directly "snatching" the microphone from the host and handed it over: "Xue! You finally came! Come on, beautiful lady, you’re now the pride of our whole family, come up and say some Blessing words to your sister, so I can bask in your glory!"

Lin Muxue gracefully took the microphone, her voice clear through the sound system, echoing throughout the banquet hall: "Jiajia, Zhao Peng, congratulations. May you unite hearts, for a hundred years of harmony."

After speaking, she opened that Birkin black gold bag amid silence and took out a signature red jewelry box.

"A small token of thoughtfulness, wishing you a happy engagement."

"Thank you, Xue."

Jiajia excitedly took it with both hands.

Encouraged by a friend nearby, she opened the gift box.

"Wow—!"

Surprised cries rang out uncontrollably.

The host was astute, immediately enhancing the atmosphere loudly with the microphone: "My goodness! It’s a Cartier LOVE series classic bracelet! This piece is worth over forty thousand! President Lin truly has an extraordinary measure, this Blessing is hefty indeed!"

Fierce applause erupted.

However, upon hearing the amount, the relatives’ eyebrows twitched.

Peng Xiaomeng, hugging Dudu, had eyes that were somewhat red.

She used to sell cosmetics at a counter and interacted with customers who could afford luxury goods.

Of course, she knew this bracelet.

Cartier! Over forty thousand!

Lin Muxue merely smiled faintly, as if what she gave was not a luxury item, but just an ordinary gift.

Wang Suxia gazed at her daughter on stage—delicate, expensive, seemingly emanating radiance from all around—and her gaze became dazed.

She seemed to remember years ago, the little girl hugging her leg, crying and fussing, only wanting a new outfit for the New Year’s.

In the blink of an eye... how did she become like this?

So unfamiliar, so distant.

Lin Muxue, amid the throng, was respectfully invited to the front row of the family seats, gracefully sitting at the main seat reserved for her.

"Xue, I’m sorry..." Wang Suxia looked at her daughter who was close at hand, tears finally couldn’t help but flow, her voice choked.

Lin Muxue’s lips pressed tightly together, not looking at her mother’s face full of guilt.

She merely took a tissue from the box on the table, expressionless, and handed it over.

Her voice was light: "Wipe it off. Today is Sister Jiajia’s engagement day, don’t cry."