The girl walked with a light, languid gait.
She was also biting into a sweet, fragrant cake.
Her delicate brows and eyes, under the dazzling lights, were exceptionally captivating and radiant.
"That... that's..."
The Ming family members, upon seeing the person beside Ming Zheng, widened their eyes in astonishment. "Xia Du... Committee Director?"
(A made-up position, equivalent to those high-ranking official posts. What it specifically represents cannot be said, but just know it's incredibly powerful.)
That was...
A high-level dignitary.
When did Ming Zheng get to know such an important figure?
The key point was...
That dignitary seemed to be guiding Ming Zheng?
Leading Ming Zheng towards her seat at the banquet?
And his attitude towards Ming Zheng was quite polite?
One had to realize that those attending this banquet were all powerful figures, wealthy individuals from various regions.
And various high-ranking dignitaries were also present.
Yet, there was no one who could command the Committee Director to personally guide them!
Even if Ming Zheng was a legendary figure in international music.
It shouldn't warrant the Committee Director being so respectful and courteous!
This was not right!
Father Ming's expression grew solemn, his eyes fixed on Ming Zheng.
He tried to discern any unusual connection between Ming Zheng and that Committee Director.
But no matter how he looked.
He only saw the Committee Director's polite and respectful demeanor towards Ming Zheng.
What happened next left the entire Ming family even more dumbfounded...
They saw the Committee Director leading Ming Zheng directly towards the front row, the seat of honor.
That was a seat reserved only for high-level officials.
A seat that even the host of this banquet, the richest man in Xia, the head of the Shang family, could not occupy.
Yet, Ming Zheng went and sat down.
Father Ming couldn't help but stand up with a whoosh.
His hands, pressed against the table, were trembling.
"That seat... even if she is Master Zheng Yu, she couldn't possibly... couldn't possibly sit there!" Ming Tingxu's usually calm and unruffled face now showed a look of shock.
The Ming brothers exchanged glances.
In each other's eyes, they saw bewilderment and shock.
Ming Zhirou's pupils also widened as she stared at Ming Zheng seated in the spotlighted seat of honor. Her slender fingers tightened.
She kept silently praying that the host of the Shang family would appear immediately, scold Ming Zheng for her lack of decorum, and make her leave that seat in front of everyone.
However, a minute passed.
Ming Zheng remained seated firmly.
Even more high-level dignitaries walked over to Ming Zheng's side, greeting her.
These were people that even the former Ming family might not have had the chance to connect with.
But now, one by one, they were surrounding Ming Zheng.
Their attitude towards her... was the same as the Committee Director's earlier, respectful and courteous.
Why was this?
Could it be... that Ming Zheng had some other identity they didn't know about?
"That's... the Commander of the Command Department..."
When Ming Chuyan saw someone walk over and sit beside Ming Zheng, he couldn't control his emotions and exclaimed out loud.
His eyes were tinged with crimson.
Staring at Ming Zheng and the person beside her, his breathing became rapid.
If... if Ming Zheng had a relationship with the Deputy Commander of the Command Department, that was why he was dismissed from the department back then.
Then... what about the Commander?
Now, the Commander sitting beside Ming Zheng, smiling like a blooming chrysanthemum...
His attitude towards Ming Zheng was the same as the Deputy Commander's!
What exactly was Ming Zheng's identity?
Why was even his respected Commander so polite to Ming Zheng!
It was as if something was gnawing at their hearts, making them bleed profusely and suffer immensely.
They desperately wanted to rush forward.
They wanted to take this opportunity to publicly announce Ming Zheng as their daughter from the Ming family, so that Ming Zheng, under pressure, would allow them to gain some face in front of these important figures.
At the very least, they wanted their seats arranged in the front row.
At the very least, they wanted a chance to ingratiate themselves with Young Master Shang.
But every time they recalled how they had repeatedly caused trouble for Ming Zheng, only to be outmaneuvered by her.
They dared not step forward.
The current Ming Zheng was no longer the Ming Zheng who had just returned to the Ming family, easily manipulated by them.
It was highly possible that no matter how much they fussed.
Ming Zheng would remain unmoved.
And would disregard any semblance of face.
She would simply have them thrown out.
That would be a loss outweighing any gain.
They couldn't fathom Ming Zheng's thoughts.
Nor did they dare to gamble on an unknown possibility.
It was better to wait for the Young Master Shang to appear.
And see if Ming Zhirou had lied, and if she possessed the capability to win the Young Master Shang's favor.
If Ming Zhirou's path didn't work out.
Then...
They would take another gamble.
A gamble that Ming Zheng wouldn't dare to reveal that sharp-tongued, family-disregarding ugly side of herself in front of so many important figures!
Thinking this.
Father Ming felt much more at ease.
At least, he now had two paths to consider.
Meanwhile.
Ming Zheng, who was conversing with the Commander of the Command Department, had already sensed the Ming family's gazes.
She also knew how much impact it had on them when they saw her sitting in the seat of honor and countless dignitaries coming to greet her.
But, this had nothing to do with her.
Ever since Father Ming had waited for a week at Biyun Xianju only to leave abruptly.
Ming Zheng had specifically arranged for someone to keep an eye on them.
Naturally, she was aware of the great price the Ming family had paid for this banquet.
The fact that they obtained that invitation card also involved her help.
Otherwise, given the Ming family's current reputation.
They probably couldn't even get through the doors of this hotel.
Ming Zheng simply wanted them to deeply feel.
The vast difference between their current situation and their past.
At such a banquet.
They were likely not even as good as the waiters.
Despite the banquet being extremely luxurious and brilliant.
They could only remain in darkness, unable to see the light.
This feeling.
Was even more unbearable than having their dignity trampled upon by the Ming family.
It was just that Ming Zheng hadn't expected...
That they would actually bring Ming Zhirou along.
It could only be said that the Ming family truly loved Ming Zhirou.
They never forgot to bring her along, anytime.
Giving her an opportunity to break through the darkness.
It was just a pity...
With her here.
Ming Zhirou, and everyone from the Ming family.
They would forever remain in darkness, unable to surface.
"The Young Master Shang has arrived!"
Amidst the crowd, someone shouted.
Instantly, those who were still socializing stopped their conversations and looked towards the entrance of the banquet.
After all, today was the Shang family's main event, the birthday banquet of the Young Master Shang.
The host had arrived.
Naturally, the guests had to welcome him.
Upon hearing this shout.
The Ming family members in the corner displayed expressions of joy.
Father Ming directly grasped Ming Zhirou's hand, looking anxiously towards the entrance, and kept muttering, "Rourou, the opportunity has come, our opportunity... has finally arrived!"