Chapter 27
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I went back and mingled with few other guests near me then slowly went over to mother.
"Iris darling, "She said as she pulled me into her circle." Do you remember this lady? She's your Aunt Statice."
"Hello Iris, We've met when you're such a small child. Now you've grown into such a fine lady." The lady in black strapless gown said.
"Hi, Aunt. It's good to see you again."
"And here," Mother gestured to the other one. "This is Aunt Liatris. She owned the art school you went to."
"That was so long ago", she waved her hand as she said,"That was when we haven't migrated. Hi darling, we only met once before but please do remember this Aunt."
"Aunt Liatris. It's a good name so of course, I'll remember." I said shaking her hand that was extended to me.
I was already accustomed to these scenarios as it happened a lot during the birthday dinner. Creating connections is their way of life. From the corner of my eye, I saw that Jade is back. It had been an hour and forty minutes since she disappeared from here. She was still wearing her dress as she went to entertain a few guests that were leaving since it was getting late.
The moment she met eyes with Lily who is by Cindy's side, they exchanged smiles. Exactly twenty minutes past, Mike Wang was seen entering the door and he headed straight to his wife. He was wearing a necktie of the same color as his.
I looked around and found the staff casually looking over my direction. I mouthed 'Good job' then turned away.
"Sorry, I was late. The meeting ended up much later than I thought." Mike told Cindy as he went close.
"It's all good. You worry too much." Cindy said hooking her arm around his.
Now, now, look at that display of affection. Even during my party, they were no inferior to my parents. And I thought I can win the best actress award in this category but there were lots of competitions. It may seem that I wasn't the only one putting on a façade.
"How nice, I wish to have the same luck in love as Aunt!" Lily exclaimed beside them.
"You will. A pretty child like you will have more." Cindy told her smiling from ear to ear.
"That's right." Mr. Wang on the side nodded in agreement.
"More is too much. Just enough is good for my Aunt. Just one." Lily told them.
"I see, this lady is such a romanticist like Iris. You want to find someone to fall in love for the rest of your life. Ah, such youth" Cindy said in admiration as Mike added; "That's the beauty of youth."
As the mention of my name, Lily's eyes dulled for a moment as she said, "I think she may have rubbed some of her views on me because we're always together."
"Must be, I wish I also had someone to call my best friend. I only have my sister for me." Cindy said in envy.
"You have me." Mike said as he held Cindy closer.
"Ouch! Uncle Mike, you could've at least spared my single heart." Lily said as she put her hand on her chest and acted like in pain.
Their joyous atmosphere continued as we came over to bid goodbye.
"Cindy, Mike," Father called. "We need to go now as we still have some work to do."
"You're going already? But I haven't had a chance to chat with Iris." Cindy said in a sad voice.
"We're so sorry but it's best for us to use one car today as we came together. You can always call her over." Mother told Cindy.
"Yes, Aunt. We can hang out just us two if you'd like." I said compromising.
"Don't readily agree you'll be spoiling her." Mike Wang said as he looked affectionately at Cindy.
'I felt like I've eaten a fly. Disgusting.'
"What do you mean?" Cindy said as she pinched him weakly,"Sorry that Luke hadn't come. He was behind a few subjects because he accompanied me abroad. Don't worry; I'll help you guys next time." She told me.
'Please don't say anymore.'
"It's completely understandable Aunt. He already sent me a message before so no need to speak on his defense." I told her with a smile while subtly glancing at Lily. Her left hand was formed into a fist.
"That son of mine sure is blessed." Mike Wang said happily.
"That's true. Iris is so understanding."Cindy also agreed.
"Mr. and Mrs. Lin," Jade bobbed her head while walking towards us. She placed herself in between Cindy and Lily.
"Miss Tian, I heard that part of it was your idea. You've done a good job." Father recognized her. It was the first time they spoke with each other tonight. Most of the time, guests flock on mother's side as she looks more approachable.
"All for my sister." She said as she gave the sweetest smile on Cindy," By the way, what are you talking about? May I join the fun?" She turned to Mike.
'She meant all for my brother. What a two-faced.'
"They came to bid good night." He told her shortly.
"Oh, why? Stay for the night. This hotel is yours to begin with." Jade acted like she meant what is said.
"Sorry, I need to finish some files at home." Father cut her politely.
"Aw. We won't hold you then." She replied promptly.
'That's right; give me us a chance to breathe. This smokescreen is super effective'
"Yes, we won't hold you anymore and sorry for the unnecessary delay," Cindy said in a much better tone.
"See you another day," Mike told us.
"Yes, have a good night." Father and mother simultaneously responded.
"We're going now." I told them and turn to Lily, "Goodnight Lily." I then followed behind my parents.
"Good night." I heard her say softly.
We went out the main door and over a dozen of reporters were still waiting outside.
"Mrs. Lin! Can we have a word? What did you think of today?" One brave reporter came forward as security was closing on us.
"It was a delightful evening. Many people came with the intention to help so I was happy." After mother said that, few other reporters also tried their luck.
"Mrs. Lin what will you do with the jewelry?"
"Mrs. Lin your daughter became the highlight of the night; can you give us your opinion?"
"I admire my daughter and that goes without saying." Mother said as the elevator door closed.
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
I went back and mingled with few other guests near me then slowly went over to mother.
"Iris darling, "She said as she pulled me into her circle." Do you remember this lady? She's your Aunt Statice."
"Hello Iris, We've met when you're such a small child. Now you've grown into such a fine lady." The lady in black strapless gown said.
"Hi, Aunt. It's good to see you again."
"And here," Mother gestured to the other one. "This is Aunt Liatris. She owned the art school you went to."
"That was so long ago", she waved her hand as she said,"That was when we haven't migrated. Hi darling, we only met once before but please do remember this Aunt."
"Aunt Liatris. It's a good name so of course, I'll remember." I said shaking her hand that was extended to me.
I was already accustomed to these scenarios as it happened a lot during the birthday dinner. Creating connections is their way of life. From the corner of my eye, I saw that Jade is back. It had been an hour and forty minutes since she disappeared from here. She was still wearing her dress as she went to entertain a few guests that were leaving since it was getting late.
The moment she met eyes with Lily who is by Cindy's side, they exchanged smiles. Exactly twenty minutes past, Mike Wang was seen entering the door and he headed straight to his wife. He was wearing a necktie of the same color as his.
I looked around and found the staff casually looking over my direction. I mouthed 'Good job' then turned away.
"Sorry, I was late. The meeting ended up much later than I thought." Mike told Cindy as he went close.
"It's all good. You worry too much." Cindy said hooking her arm around his.
Now, now, look at that display of affection. Even during my party, they were no inferior to my parents. And I thought I can win the best actress award in this category but there were lots of competitions. It may seem that I wasn't the only one putting on a façade.
"How nice, I wish to have the same luck in love as Aunt!" Lily exclaimed beside them.
"You will. A pretty child like you will have more." Cindy told her smiling from ear to ear.
"That's right." Mr. Wang on the side nodded in agreement.
"More is too much. Just enough is good for my Aunt. Just one." Lily told them.
"I see, this lady is such a romanticist like Iris. You want to find someone to fall in love for the rest of your life. Ah, such youth" Cindy said in admiration as Mike added; "That's the beauty of youth."
As the mention of my name, Lily's eyes dulled for a moment as she said, "I think she may have rubbed some of her views on me because we're always together."
"Must be, I wish I also had someone to call my best friend. I only have my sister for me." Cindy said in envy.
"You have me." Mike said as he held Cindy closer.
"Ouch! Uncle Mike, you could've at least spared my single heart." Lily said as she put her hand on her chest and acted like in pain.
Their joyous atmosphere continued as we came over to bid goodbye.
"Cindy, Mike," Father called. "We need to go now as we still have some work to do."
"You're going already? But I haven't had a chance to chat with Iris." Cindy said in a sad voice.
"We're so sorry but it's best for us to use one car today as we came together. You can always call her over." Mother told Cindy.
"Yes, Aunt. We can hang out just us two if you'd like." I said compromising.
"Don't readily agree you'll be spoiling her." Mike Wang said as he looked affectionately at Cindy.
'I felt like I've eaten a fly. Disgusting.'
"What do you mean?" Cindy said as she pinched him weakly,"Sorry that Luke hadn't come. He was behind a few subjects because he accompanied me abroad. Don't worry; I'll help you guys next time." She told me.
'Please don't say anymore.'
"It's completely understandable Aunt. He already sent me a message before so no need to speak on his defense." I told her with a smile while subtly glancing at Lily. Her left hand was formed into a fist.
"That son of mine sure is blessed." Mike Wang said happily.
"That's true. Iris is so understanding."Cindy also agreed.
"Mr. and Mrs. Lin," Jade bobbed her head while walking towards us. She placed herself in between Cindy and Lily.
"Miss Tian, I heard that part of it was your idea. You've done a good job." Father recognized her. It was the first time they spoke with each other tonight. Most of the time, guests flock on mother's side as she looks more approachable.
"All for my sister." She said as she gave the sweetest smile on Cindy," By the way, what are you talking about? May I join the fun?" She turned to Mike.
'She meant all for my brother. What a two-faced.'
"They came to bid good night." He told her shortly.
"Oh, why? Stay for the night. This hotel is yours to begin with." Jade acted like she meant what is said.
"Sorry, I need to finish some files at home." Father cut her politely.
"Aw. We won't hold you then." She replied promptly.
'That's right; give me us a chance to breathe. This smokescreen is super effective'
"Yes, we won't hold you anymore and sorry for the unnecessary delay," Cindy said in a much better tone.
"See you another day," Mike told us.
"Yes, have a good night." Father and mother simultaneously responded.
"We're going now." I told them and turn to Lily, "Goodnight Lily." I then followed behind my parents.
"Good night." I heard her say softly.
We went out the main door and over a dozen of reporters were still waiting outside.
"Mrs. Lin! Can we have a word? What did you think of today?" One brave reporter came forward as security was closing on us.
"It was a delightful evening. Many people came with the intention to help so I was happy." After mother said that, few other reporters also tried their luck.
"Mrs. Lin what will you do with the jewelry?"
"Mrs. Lin your daughter became the highlight of the night; can you give us your opinion?"
"I admire my daughter and that goes without saying." Mother said as the elevator door closed.
I went back and mingled with few other guests near me then slowly went over to mother."Iris darling, "She said as she pulled me into her circle." Do you remember this lady? She's your Aunt Statice.""Hello Iris, We've met when you're such a small child. Now you've grown into such a fine lady." The lady in black strapless gown said."Hi, Aunt. It's good to see you again.""And here," Mother gestured to the other one. "This is Aunt Liatris. She owned the art school you went to.""That was so long ago", she waved her hand as she said,"That was when we haven't migrated. Hi darling, we only met once before but please do remember this Aunt.""Aunt Liatris. It's a good name so of course, I'll remember." I said shaking her hand that was extended to me.I was already accustomed to these scenarios as it happened a lot during the birthday dinner. Creating connections is their way of life. From the corner of my eye, I saw that Jade is back. It had been an hour and forty minutes since she disappeared from here. She was still wearing her dress as she went to entertain a few guests that were leaving since it was getting late.The moment she met eyes with Lily who is by Cindy's side, they exchanged smiles. Exactly twenty minutes past, Mike Wang was seen entering the door and he headed straight to his wife. He was wearing a necktie of the same color as his.I looked around and found the staff casually looking over my direction. I mouthed 'Good job' then turned away."Sorry, I was late. The meeting ended up much later than I thought." Mike told Cindy as he went close."It's all good. You worry too much." Cindy said hooking her arm around his.Now, now, look at that display of affection. Even during my party, they were no inferior to my parents. And I thought I can win the best actress award in this category but there were lots of competitions. It may seem that I wasn't the only one putting on a faade."How nice, I wish to have the same luck in love as Aunt!" Lily exclaimed beside them."You will. A pretty child like you will have more." Cindy told her smiling from ear to ear."That's right." Mr. Wang on the side nodded in agreement."More is too much. Just enough is good for my Aunt. Just one." Lily told them."I see, this lady is such a romanticist like Iris. You want to find someone to fall in love for the rest of your life. Ah, such youth" Cindy said in admiration as Mike added; "That's the beauty of youth."As the mention of my name, Lily's eyes dulled for a moment as she said, "I think she may have rubbed some of her views on me because we're always together.""Must be, I wish I also had someone to call my best friend. I only have my sister for me." Cindy said in envy."You have me." Mike said as he held Cindy closer."Ouch! Uncle Mike, you could've at least spared my single heart." Lily said as she put her hand on her chest and acted like in pain.Their joyous atmosphere continued as we came over to bid goodbye."Cindy, Mike," Father called. "We need to go now as we still have some work to do.""You're going already? But I haven't had a chance to chat with Iris." Cindy said in a sad voice."We're so sorry but it's best for us to use one car today as we came together. You can always call her over." Mother told Cindy."Yes, Aunt. We can hang out just us two if you'd like." I said compromising."Don't readily agree you'll be spoiling her." Mike Wang said as he looked affectionately at Cindy.'I felt like I've eaten a fly. Disgusting.'"What do you mean?" Cindy said as she pinched him weakly,"Sorry that Luke hadn't come. He was behind a few subjects because he accompanied me abroad. Don't worry; I'll help you guys next time." She told me.'Please don't say anymore.'"It's completely understandable Aunt. He already sent me a message before so no need to speak on his defense." I told her with a smile while subtly glancing at Lily. Her left hand was formed into a fist."That son of mine sure is blessed." Mike Wang said happily."That's true. Iris is so understanding."Cindy also agreed."Mr. and Mrs. Lin," Jade bobbed her head while walking towards us. She placed herself in between Cindy and Lily."Miss Tian, I heard that part of it was your idea. You've done a good job." Father recognized her. It was the first time they spoke with each other tonight. Most of the time, guests flock on mother's side as she looks more approachable."All for my sister." She said as she gave the sweetest smile on Cindy," By the way, what are you talking about? May I join the fun?" She turned to Mike.'She meant all for my brother. What a two-faced.'"They came to bid good night." He told her shortly."Oh, why? Stay for the night. This hotel is yours to begin with." Jade acted like she meant what is said."Sorry, I need to finish some files at home." Father cut her politely."Aw. We won't hold you then." She replied promptly.'That's right; give me us a chance to breathe. This smokescreen is super effective'"Yes, we won't hold you anymore and sorry for the unnecessary delay," Cindy said in a much better tone."See you another day," Mike told us."Yes, have a good night." Father and mother simultaneously responded."We're going now." I told them and turn to Lily, "Goodnight Lily." I then followed behind my parents."Good night." I heard her say softly.We went out the main door and over a dozen of reporters were still waiting outside."Mrs. Lin! Can we have a word? What did you think of today?" One brave reporter came forward as security was closing on us."It was a delightful evening. Many people came with the intention to help so I was happy." After mother said that, few other reporters also tried their luck."Mrs. Lin what will you do with the jewelry?""Mrs. Lin your daughter became the highlight of the night; can you give us your opinion?""I admire my daughter and that goes without saying." Mother said as the elevator door closed.
