88: Chapter 88 Ms.
Su’s Highlight 88: Chapter 88 Ms.
Su’s Highlight Three days later.
The birthday banquet of Old Mr.
Long.
She had already accepted his invitation when Old Mr.
Long was discharged from the hospital last time.
The location of the birthday banquet was at Tianji Seven-star Hotel, under the Jiang Family’s banner.
After she got off work, just as she stepped out of the hospital’s main entrance, Jiang Yan’s car was already waiting there.
Jiang Feng opened the car door, and she bent down to sit inside.
Soon, the car stopped at the entrance of a private styling studio.
The couple got out of the car and walked in together.
“Go ahead, I’ll wait here for you,” the man said as he looked at her.
Su He nodded and followed the staff inside to change clothes.
The man sat on a sofa outside, casually picking up a magazine and flipping through it.
About half an hour passed.
It was only when he heard a noise that he looked up.
At that instant, a flash of amazement danced in his eyes.
Su He was dressed in a form-fitting, off-shoulder, ivory long dress, her hair tied up to reveal her fair and slender neck and the perfect right-angle shoulders, as well as her delicate collarbone, with a pair of white camellia tassel glass earrings dangling from her earlobes.
She looked gentle and elegant, as if surrounded by an ethereal aura.
The nearby staff were also stunned.
In fact, there was no excessive decoration on her, and the makeup was only minimal, but she was so beautiful that it was hard to take one’s eyes off her, shining and resplendent.
Seeing Jiang Yan speechless and staring at her, Su He waved her hand in front of his eyes, “What’s the matter, have I stunned you with my beauty?”
She had never doubted her appearance since she was young, and she knew that she was beautiful.
Thus, she didn’t feel embarrassed saying this.
The staff members didn’t think she was being pretentious either, because it was simply the truth.
After hearing her words, the man chuckled softly, stood up, walked a few steps forward, slightly bent over and whispered in her ear, “Indeed, I am stunned by the madam’s beauty; what should I do?
I don’t want to take you out and let other people see you.”
His voice made her butterfly-like eyelashes quiver—it was another day when his voice had charmed her.
Thankfully, she had a strong will, her red lips curved slightly, “Just deal with it.
My beauty isn’t meant for just you to see.”
Having said that, she pushed him away and left first, her feet in a pair of five-centimeter-tall, creamy-white high heels.
The store manager came over with a bag, respectfully saying, “Master Jiang, these are the clothes and shoes that the Young Madam changed out of.”
The man hummed in acknowledgment, reaching out to take them, “Hand them to me.”
After the two left.
The employees then dared to gossip.
“My goodness, Master Jiang and the Young Madam really are a match made in heaven; the boss looks noble and handsome, and the Madam is dazzling and elegant, they are just perfect!”
“That’s true.
I saw the announcement from the Jiang Family last time; Master Jiang said that only he could look at the Young Madam.
With her looks, if it were me, I would also keep her hidden for myself.”
“Right, do any of you feel that the Young Madam seems familiar?
I think I’ve seen her trending online.”
Someone remembered, “The Young Madam is a doctor from City First Hospital; she’s been on Weibo’s trending searches a few times.”
The store manager glanced at them and said sternly, “Alright, no more gossiping, get back to work, everyone thinking it’s time to get off, huh?”
–
Tianji Seven-star Hotel.
Luxury cars were like clouds outside.
Su He felt relieved when she saw no reporters outside.
In fact, by agreeing to accompany Jiang Yan to Old Mr.
Long’s birthday feast, she was already prepared for their relationship to be exposed.
The man beside her, as if seeing through her thoughts, said, “Don’t worry, today’s event won’t be photographed by reporters.”
Su He turned her head to look at him, roughly guessing it was his doing.
Then, he continued, “However, inside the banquet, we won’t be able to conceal our relationship.”
She wasn’t concerned about that; almost everyone who could attend Old Mr.
Long’s birthday banquet was from high society and wouldn’t be so gossipy as to spread the news on the internet.
She didn’t want outsiders to know, mainly because she was still working at the hospital.
The Rolls-Royce stopped at the hotel entrance.
Soon after, the couple got out of the car together.
At the banquet hall entrance, the Long Family was standing at the door to greet.
When Long He Song saw the two coming together, he took the initiative to greet them, “Fifth Young Master Jiang, Fifth Young Madam.”
Jiang Yan responded coldly with a hum.
Su He lifted a shallow smile, nodding her head in acknowledgment.
Immediately after, they greeted Madam Long who was standing nearby.
“Grandpa and my dad are inside.
Grandpa has been talking non-stop about Fifth Young Madam.
You both should go in now,” said Long He Song.
“Alright.”
Su He, holding onto Jiang Yan’s arm, walked into the banquet hall.
Following closely behind them were Gu Beiyan and Lu Zhiyang.
“Brother Beiyan, Brother Zhiyang.”
The two casually responded to him and after politely greeting Madam Long, they went in as well.
As soon as Jiang Yan and Su He entered, all eyes in the room fell upon them.
Mainly because his presence was too powerful and the woman by his side was too dazzling.
She instantly overshadowed all elegantly dressed wealthy heiresses present.
Her elegance, nobility, and the cold demeanor of an aristocratic daughter were perfectly embodied by Su He.
Some recognized Jiang Yan’s identity.
Though he was rarely seen in public and few had seen him, those invited to Old Mr.
Long’s birthday party were all connected to the Long Family and some of them had the fortune to see Jiang Yan’s true appearance.
“Who are those two?” someone in the crowd asked.
A well-informed person kindly explained, “This is the current helmsman of the Jiang Family, Jiang Yan, Fifth Young Master Jiang!
The one who has the privilege to stand next to him must be the mysterious Young Madam, who was announced not too long ago.”
Those unaware at the scene immediately gasped in shock.
Just hearing the words “Jiang Yan, Fifth Young Master Jiang” could send shivers down one’s spine.
Besides the Jiang Family being a century-old family with deep and solid roots in Yue City, it was mainly due to this man’s many legends.
A king in the business world, with a sharp business acumen, he could seize opportunities that others missed.
His methods were ruthless and decisive, and none of the projects under his watch ever lost money.
Although he had been abroad in recent years, he became famous for taking control of the Jiang Family at eighteen and within just two years, he took the Jiang Family to heights that all other companies could only look up to and could not reach.
Four years ago, he directly went overseas to expand the business, and now the Jiang Family’s strength was growing stronger.
Nowadays, only DK Group could rival the Jiang Family.
Yet no one knew who the hidden boss behind DK Group was.
“Those two really are a perfect match, aren’t they?”
“But why has there never been any news of their marriage?”
“This Mrs.
Jiang looks like a wealthy daughter.
Which family’s daughter is she?
How come I’ve never seen her in the circles before?”
“Considering how good-looking and elegant she is, we should have seen her before, right?
Whose child is she actually?”
Now people were beginning to be interested in Su He’s identity.
The couple ignored the surrounding whispers and made their way directly to Old Mr.
Long.
As soon as Long Aotian saw her, his face immediately overflowed with a smile as radiant as the sun, his kind eyes waving her over, “Su girl, you’ve finally come.”
Su He smiled and offered a blessing, “Old Master, happy birthday.
I wish you fortune as vast as the East Sea and a life longer than Mount Nan.
May you always be healthy and cheerful, forever eighteen.”
Old Mr.
Long’s eyes squinted with laughter, “Great, great, great, you’re the only one who wishes me happiness every day and eternal youth.
You, girl, are so sweet with words.”
Jiang Yan immediately followed with a blessing, copying Su He’s words exactly, without missing a beat.
“Old Master, I’ve said it too.” After speaking, he raised an eyebrow at Old Mr.
Long, looking somewhat deserving of a scolding.
Old Mr.
Long waved his hand at him, saying in annoyance, “Enough, yours doesn’t count.
You’re just stealing someone else’s creativity.”
Jiang Yan just smiled faintly, not minding at all.
The Long Family could all tell that their old master really liked Su He.
Several generations of the Long Family had been all boys, and everyone knew that the old master had always wanted a granddaughter, but unfortunately, both the eldest and the second son of the Long Family had only sons.
Old Mr.
Long, looking at the many boys in the family, felt gloomy and despondent, so he simply sent everyone to serve the country.
Since Long He Song was the youngest, he escaped this fate and stayed at home.
Su He said with a smile, “Old Mr.
Long, I’ve picked out a gift for you, I hope you won’t despise it.”
Hearing this, Old Mr.
Long smiled even more joyously, “Oh, your coming to join this old man’s birthday banquet is the best gift already, the gift itself isn’t important.
At my age, all I want is to be happy and to have a joyous time.”
She said, “While happiness and liveliness are important, the gift still needs to be accepted.”
Then, she called out for Jiang Qi.
Jiang Qi stepped forward upon hearing her, holding a long redwood box in his hands.
“Old Mr.
Long, this painting is ‘Ten Horses in Spring Mountains,’ now presented to you.”
Her words had barely fallen when the people around were instantly stunned.
Old Mr.
Long was also momentarily taken aback, somewhat incredulously he asked, “Su lass, are you saying it’s that ‘Ten Horses in Spring Mountains’ by Xu Beihong?”
Su He nodded, “Yes.”
Then, Jiang Qi and Jiang Feng cooperated to take out the painting, both wearing white gloves.
The painting was 14 feet long, and they unfolded it to present to Old Mr.
Long.
In the painting, ten vibrant horses frolicked and played on a spring mountain.
The background included mountainside scenery complete with vegetation, with terrains and distant peaks layering behind the horses, endowing the painting with a strong sense of depth.
Everyone was immediately awe-struck.
The horses in the painting were lively and interesting, lifelike, with a meticulous and innovative composition.
It gave off an impression that the horses were fully enjoying the spring light, conveying their comfort and agility, exuding boundless vitality.
Old Mr.
Long’s eyes lit up when he saw the painting.
He got up from his chair and approached to take a closer look.
Someone then said, “Could it be fake?
I’ve heard this painting disappeared for over a decade, after a mysterious bidder bought it for 105 million at an auction and then it vanished without a trace.”
“Could this mysterious person be Mrs.
Jiang?”
“Impossible, look at how young she is.
Ten years ago, she would’ve barely been seventeen or eighteen, and she wasn’t married to Fifth Young Master Jiang then, where would she get the money?”
“What are you talking about?
Can’t her family be wealthy?”
“No offense, I’m just making a comparison.
Besides, we’ve never seen her in this circle before.
We have no idea which family she comes from, whether they’re wealthy or not.”
Su He was indifferent to such comments.
After a while, Old Mr.
Long’s booming voice arose, “Enough with the speculation, this is an authentic piece.”
Then, some went forward to examine the painting thoroughly and said, “It’s indeed genuine.
To distinguish Mr.
Xu’s paintings, one must see if the painting is powerful, and each horse in this ‘Ten Horses’ exudes strength.”
“Mr.
Xu’s horses are majestic and formidable, commanding awe and uplifting the spirit on sight.
His portrayal of horse’s eyes is also unique—they are created by hand pressure, which others can’t replicate.”
“Furthermore, Mr.
Xu never used ink directly from a bottle; he always ground his own ink, so any painting with bottled ink can be confirmed not to be his work.
Evidently, this painting wasn’t made using bottled ink.”
Chen Sheng, an art collector and enthusiast, had an authentic Xu Beihong painting, ‘Six Heavenly Steeds,’ which he acquired 18 years ago.
Over the years, he had always sought this ‘Ten Horses in Spring Mountains’, encountering numerous forgeries.
He never expected to see an authentic piece at Old Mr.
Long’s birthday banquet today.
He looked towards Su He and asked politely, “Mrs.
Jiang, may I ask why you decided to bid for it back then?
After all, you were quite young seventeen years ago, yet you had such an interest in paintings and calligraphy, which suggests that you are a connoisseur.”
After all, the price of this painting wasn’t low.
Moreover, those who do not appreciate and collect art typically wouldn’t spend that much money on it.
Su He said with a smile, “I wouldn’t consider myself a connoisseur, I simply liked it at first sight, that’s all.”
Old Mr.
Long appreciated the painting more and more as he looked at it, his laughter growing louder and heartier.
He looked at Su He with a gaze filled with tenderness and joy, laughing heartily a few times, “Lass, this is the best gift this old man has received in many years.”
Su He replied, “I’m glad you like it.”
People were astonished by the gift Su He presented and became even more curious about her true background.
To the discerning eye, it was clear that Old Mr.
Long was very fond of her.
Since her arrival, Old Mr.
Long’s face was constantly smiling, and he addressed her affectionately, just like his own child.
Jiang Yan said to Old Mr.
Long, “I won’t take out my gift, Old Master, it can’t compare to what my wife gave you.
You can enjoy it when you get home.”
Jiang Feng and Jiang Qi handed the couple’s gift to the Long Family’s housekeeper.
After the Long Family gave their speech, the banquet officially began.
Su He spent almost half of the time chatting with Old Mr.
Long, mainly because he doesn’t get along with anyone else and likes talking to her.
Gu Beiyan, watching this scene, nudged Jiang Yan beside him, “Hey, Ah Yan, how did your wife manage to charm Old Mr.
Long, that oddball?”
Old Mr.
Long is notoriously tricky; despite his usually approachable and kind demeanor, he isn’t someone who takes kindly to everyone, and he doesn’t chat with just anyone so eagerly.
Not getting scolded by him is already a blessing.
But tonight, the old man’s attitude towards Su He was different.
“I also heard from Hesong that the old man even gave his treasured collection to Su He last time.
The old man treasures his collection like life itself; even if that kid Hesong touched it, he would get a beating.
But the old man took the initiative to give it to your wife—that scene was truly startling!” Gu Beiyan clicked his tongue, shaking his head in incomprehension.
Lu Zhiyang also added from the side, “I think Old Mr.
Long treats your wife better than he treats you.
After all, he has never given his treasures to you.”
Jiang Yan had no desire to pay attention to these two: “…”
At that moment—
“Mr.
Yan.”
A voice came from behind the three men.
Gu Beiyan turned around and saw Tang Sirou, not knowing when she had appeared behind them.
Jiang Yan and Lu Zhiyang both turned their heads.
“Brother Beiyan, Zhiyang.”
All these years passed, and Lu Zhiyang still couldn’t get used to her calling him that; it just felt awkward.
“Miss Tang, you should just call me President Lu, after all, we aren’t close.”
If it weren’t for Jing Chu, he probably would never have known a person like Tang Sirou his whole life.
Most importantly, they really aren’t close!
Lu Zhiyang’s blunt words left her slightly startled, “Okay, President Lu.”
Lu Zhiyang found her pitiable look irksome, so he turned his head away.
After all, it had nothing to do with him.
Gu Beiyan was less particular; although he didn’t particularly like Tang Sirou, they still grew up together, so giving her some face was only proper.
“Why is Superstar Tang here too?
I remember the Long Family didn’t extend an invitation to the Tang Family?”
He did give her some face, but not much!
His question was absolutely cutting.
The Tang Group had recently faced a financial crisis, and everyone in the Tang Family was frantic, a fact well known among industry insiders that the Tang Family had offended someone they shouldn’t have.
Tang Sirou’s face turned shades of pale and flushed.
She raised her head, looking at the silent Jiang Yan, “I came with Mrs.
Jiang.”
Gu Beiyan, “Mrs.
Jiang?”
Then, he saw Mr.
and Mrs.
Lou not far from them.
This…
Jiang Yan naturally saw them too.
The Mr.
and Mrs.
Lou were approaching them.
Lou Guohui was in a well-fitted suit, robust and strong, with well-maintained features.
A man in his fifties appearing at most in early forties, he was refined, debonair.
He took the initiative to greet Jiang Yan, “Ah Yan, long time no see, your mother at home often talks about you and Xiao You.
Let’s find a day to sit down for a proper meal, Uncle would love to learn how to manage a company from you.
If only Ziang had half of your business talent.
If you have the time, you could teach him as well, after all, you’re brothers.”
Gu Beiyan and Lu Zhiyang looked at Jiang Yan somewhat apprehensively.
Lou Guohui was two-faced, a hypocrite.
He knew Jiang Yan despised them and still said these irrelevant things!
Su He, who was chatting with Old Mr.
Long, also caught sight of this scene.
Seeing her distracted, Old Mr.
Long also followed her gaze, and the next second, his face darkened.
“Who invited these two Lou Family people here?”
Hearing this, the eldest of the Long Family looked startled, “Well, Dad, it seems they were accidentally left on the invite list.”
Long Aotian was clearly angry, “Foolish!
How could you forget such a thing!
Don’t you know that kid Ah Yan doesn’t like the Lou Family people?”
“Old sir, your health has just recovered, please don’t get angry.
I will go over there,” Su He said.
Old Mr.
Long waved his hand dismissively, “Go ahead, don’t worry about the scene.”
His implication: Say what you want to say, blast that Lou Family couple out of the water!