The Imperial Capital was busier than usual tonight, for it was the birthday banquet of the Ye family's granddaughter, Nuannuan, who had just returned.
The banquet hall on the top floor of the Imperial Capital's sole seven-star hotel was decorated with a particularly childlike theme.
At the entrance of the banquet hall stood a large display stand, with Nuannuan's photos as the background and many photo frames placed beside them, all showing Nuannuan with her family.
Balloons formed a large archway at the entrance, adorned with many cartoon patterns. On both sides of the archway, balloons were twisted into various small animals.
The top-floor banquet hall was the hotel's largest, and ordinary people couldn't even book it. Waiters, holding trays, shuttled through the venue from time to time, serving drinks to the guests.
Nuannuan was wearing a modified Hanfu today: a light藕色 (lotus root color) cross-collar short jacket on top, paired with a red, chest-high ruqun skirt, and a matching cape draped over her shoulders.
The outfit was specially made by a master commissioned by Liu Ruxia. Every stitch and thread, including the embroidery on the clothes, was hand-stitched. Especially the hidden plum blossom patterns on the skirt hem, which were incredibly beautiful, faintly visible as she walked.
Her hair was styled into a double bun by a stylist brought by Ye Jingxing. Two fine braids, one on each side of her earlobes, hung down in front of her chest. Small jade bells were hung on each side of the bun.
Finally, the stylist specially dotted a touch of red on Nuannuan's forehead. She looked like a young attendant under Guanyin, having stepped out of a New Year's painting.
"Ding dong ding~"
After being dressed, Nuannuan walked out, covering her face with her cape, and only lowered it when she reached everyone.
"Baba~ Look at Nuannuan."
Nuannuan turned a few circles in place, then put the small hood of her cape back on. Her round little face, hidden under the red cape, was made even more beautiful.
Ye Jinghuai was stunned for a long time and hadn't recovered, or rather, everyone was so amazed by Nuannuan's attire that they were speechless for a moment.
"Oh my! Is this a fairy? I told you she'd look this beautiful! Look at those men, what's with the princess dresses and diamond crowns? So tacky! Isn't what our ancestors left us good enough?"
Liu Ruxia was the first to snap back to reality, then poured out a torrent of praise. Didn't this look much better than those white, puffy princess dresses?
Ye Jingchen: "Mom is right, Nuannuan looks so beautiful I almost didn't recognize her."
"Yes! Yes! Nuannuan looks too beautiful, little uncle is captivated by you." Ye Jingzhi nodded in agreement beside him.
"Sister... Sister looks too beautiful." The twins were already stammering, unable to speak properly.
"Awooo~" (My baby is too beautiful!)
Qiuqiu was so amazed it spun in place, hesitant to approach, fearing it would mess up Nuannuan's clothes.
"I really regret having two sons now," Lin Anran sighed regretfully from the side.
(Twin brothers: So Mom, love disappears, right?)
"Baba?"
Nuannuan looked at Ye Jinghuai, wondering why he wasn't speaking.
Ye Jinghuai finally came back to his senses, finally believing that the person in front of him was his daughter.
"Beautiful, I almost didn't recognize you."
Ye Jinghuai wanted to touch Nuannuan's head, but seeing her exquisite hairstyle, he reluctantly put his hand down.
"Hehe, Baba is handsome, so Nuannuan is also handsome." Nuannuan shyly rubbed her cheeks.
"How is it? The stylist I brought is good, right? Teacher Feng is a professional," Ye Jingxing said proudly.
"Mm, he is good," Ye Jingming nodded in agreement.
"Alright, since we're almost ready, let's hurry out!" Ye Jianming urged everyone to go out, pretending to be serious while constantly glancing at Nuannuan.
"Nuannuan, let little uncle carry you!" Ye Jingzhi leaned in, eager to carry Nuannuan out and show her off. kanshuWu.net
"Awooo~ Awwooo~" (Get lost, is it your turn today? That's my boss's exclusive.) Qiuqiu tried its best to push Ye Jingzhi away with its body.
"Qiuqiu, I can't carry you today, you'll shed fur," Ye Jingzhi said helplessly, stroking Qiuqiu's dog head.
"Aww? Awooo~" (What? Are you shameless? Who wants you to carry them!)
"Little uncle, Nuannuan wants Baba to carry her today~" Nuannuan tilted her head cutely, refusing Ye Jingzhi.
Ye Jingzhi was already dazed by Nuannuan's charm and just kept nodding yes.
The lights in the banquet hall suddenly dimmed, the doors opened, and a spotlight shone out.
Mr. and Mrs. Ye, followed by five impeccably dressed and dashing men, gracefully entered the banquet hall.
Behind them, Lin Anran was holding the two twins, dressed in smart little suits. Standing at their feet was a plump little Alaskan Malamute, head held high, with a cute black bow tie specially tied around its neck.
The noblest man in the center held a little celestial child in his arms. The dot of red on his forehead, under the light, made the little face look even more otherworldly.
Everyone was stunned for a few seconds by the imposing presence of the Ye family. A brief silence fell over the banquet hall, followed by people reacting and beginning to offer fervent praise.
"Nuannuan looks so beautiful today."
As soon as they entered, Zhou Moyang hurried over, looking at Nuannuan with beaming eyes.
"Tone down your gaze," Ye Jinghuai said, taking a few steps back while holding Nuannuan.
"What's the point of guarding against me? Have you seen who else is here today?" Zhou Moyang retorted irritably.
The Ye brothers then realized that there were quite a few boys aged five to eight in the banquet hall tonight, brought by their parents, and their expressions immediately became very telling.
"Hmph~ As if!" The brothers said in unison.
The Ye family collectively stood on the stage, with Ye Jianming at the forefront to speak.
"Everyone, not long ago, my only granddaughter, Ye Nuannuan, was brought back to the Ye family. Today is Nuannuan's first birthday since returning to my Ye family. I hope to receive everyone's blessings. Thank you all!"
Next, the elders of the Ye family presented their gifts to Nuannuan.
Ye Jianming, being very straightforward, gave Nuannuan a large, heavy golden longevity lock, which caused Liu Ruxia to roll her eyes. Did he want to break Nuannuan's neck with this thing?
Liu Ruxia presented an exquisite jewelry box, containing a piece of imperial green jade pendant carved with bats, symbolizing bringing good fortune to the child. Liu Ruxia personally helped Nuannuan hang the jade pendant around her neck, which perfectly complemented Nuannuan's outfit for the day.
The Ye brothers also presented their carefully prepared gifts.
Ye Jingchen and his wife together gave a full set of QA fashion dolls. It was very difficult to collect this set of dolls. Not only were they expensive, but some dolls were limited edition memorial items that were hard to buy even with money.
Of course, these were all suggested and sourced by Lin Anran, as Ye Jingchen, a straight man who would directly give red envelopes as gifts upon meeting someone, wouldn't think of giving something like this.
Ye Jingming was simple and direct, giving a sparkling diamond crown. Although a bit vulgar, such shiny things were indeed very appealing to little girls.
Ye Jingxing gave a whole string of black pearl bracelets. The pearls were full and lustrous. He said Nuannuan's eyes were like these black pearls, round and bright, and particularly beautiful.
Ye Jingzhi was more playful and brought a three-meter-tall giant plush panda. Nuannuan happily threw herself onto it and rolled around.
Ye Jinghuai was the last. Nuannuan looked at him intently, eagerly anticipating her father's first birthday gift.
Ye Jinghuai was a little nervous. He held out a simple, ancient small wooden box and slowly opened it. Inside were five small wood carvings.
There was Nuannuan with puffed cheeks eating, Nuannuan sleeping soundly on the bed, Nuannuan laughing happily, Nuannuan hugging her father, and Nuannuan with her family.
Each wood carving was lifelike, and Nuannuan's expressions were carved vividly, except for the one of Nuannuan and her father. The workmanship was rough, and the lines were crooked; it could only vaguely be understood what was intended.
"Baba?" Nuannuan picked up the small wood carving and looked at Ye Jinghuai.
"Originally, I wanted to do all of them myself, but time was too short. I'm too clumsy, and the carvings aren't good either." Ye Jinghuai pursed his lips, his expression somewhat unnatural.
"Baba~" Nuannuan opened her arms.
Ye Jinghuai stepped forward, picked up Nuannuan, and planted a wet kiss on her face.
"Nuannuan likes it very much. This is Nuannuan's favorite gift." Nuannuan shook the small wood carving in her hand.
"As long as Nuannuan likes it."
Ye Jinghuai finally smiled, it was worth all the times he had abraded his fingers.
"Nuannuan likes Baba the most~" Nuannuan shouted happily in Ye Jinghuai's arms, smiling brightly.
"Oh~ Nuannuan likes Daddy the most, and also likes the gift Daddy gave the most, huh?"
A sour voice suddenly came from the side. The father and daughter turned their heads and saw the faces of the five boys and two girls, contorted with jealousy.
"Oops~" Nuannuan quickly covered her mouth, having said too much.
"Hahahaha~"
After a moment of looking at each other, the family suddenly stood on stage and laughed happily.