mtlumby2d Chapter 258 Flowers Bloom in the South of the City, Time to Return—Huo Xingzhou 1
Chapter 258 Flowers Bloom in the South of the City, Time to Return—Huo Xingzhou 1
Sure enough, that ominous premonition was not unfounded.
Her "good days" are indeed over.
A few days later, she was "packed up" and sent to school.
Shen Xiangyi's reason was perfectly plausible: as the one with the lowest level of education in the family, he should finish his studies properly before thinking about anything else.
With her resistance proving futile, Shen Shuwan had no choice but to accept her fate and resume her studies.
Life felt like it had returned to two years ago, going to school, coming home.
On ordinary days, she would either stick close to her mother and sister, go shopping at the newly opened department store to look at the latest fabrics, or go to the theater to listen to a melodious excerpt from a traditional opera.
Or they might be "lured" away by their uncles, ostensibly to "broaden their horizons," but in reality to run around on the newly acquired horses at the horse farm, or even occasionally dragged to watch a lively basketball game.
Life is stable and fulfilling, even with a touch of indulgence.
The memories of the port city, filled with the smell of the sea, seem to have been quietly covered by this ordinary daily life, sinking into the deepest part of my heart.
However, occasionally, on a twilight when the sun is setting and the air is filled with the scent of alcohol mixed with cedar, a very faint ripple will stir in my heart, which will then quickly subside.
He probably... forgot about her long ago.
"Bao'er, are you ready? The banquet is about to begin! All the guests have arrived!" Shen Lezhi's gentle yet urging voice rang out from outside the door.
"Coming, coming!" Shen Shuwan responded, and finally adjusted the pearl hairpin at her temple in front of the mirror.
The girl in the mirror has long since shed her childishness, grown taller, and her expression has become more serene and clear, like a piece of jade polished by time, gentle and reserved.
Three years is enough time to get rid of those outdated "bad habits" left over from surviving in Hong Kong.
At least on the surface, she was an impeccable lady.
Of course, Uncle Shen scoffed at this: "If people saw you holding a roast chicken with both hands, your mouth all greasy, and even fighting me for the last chicken wing, who would believe you're a lady!"
The Shen family has also undergone considerable changes in these three years.
They returned to Beiping.
Shen Xiangyi abandoned his low-key style and quickly gained a foothold in Beiping, now subtly forming a rival to the deeply rooted Jiang family.
After all, their deliberate attempt to keep a low profile back then only made their family an innocent victim in the Jiang family's internal strife.
Since it can't be hidden, it's better to be high-profile, expand the business, and solidify the foundation so that outsiders won't dare to provoke it easily.
Today is Shen Shuwan's twentieth birthday party.
Shen Xiangyi had not originally planned to make such a big fuss.
When Shen Shuwan returned home, all they hoped for was that she was safe and happy, and could do what she liked.
However, in recent months, some unpleasant rumors have been circulating in Beiping's social circles.
Some busybodies dug up the old story of the second young lady of the Shen family "going missing" in her early years and made speculations and conjectures about it.
Even worse, because of the relationship between the Shen family and the Jiang family, many baseless rumors were unscrupulously fabricated against the two daughters of the Shen family.
Because of her exceptional business acumen and decisiveness, Zhu'er began to take over most of the Shen family's businesses, making it difficult for people to spread rumors about her.
Thus, the gazes of those who were curious, jealous, or secretly investigating the Shen family's inner workings all turned to another young lady of the Shen family—
The youngest daughter of the Shen family, Shen Shuwan, who was rumored to have been "missing for two years," "lived a secluded life," and "only knew how to paint."
After the Shen family collectively voted to approve the decision, they decided to hold a grand banquet on the occasion of Shen's twentieth birthday.
One reason is to formally and solemnly introduce Shen Shuwan to everyone, silencing those who speak lightly and speculate.
Secondly, it was also to demonstrate the Shen family's current strength, so that those who were secretly gossiping would think twice about their actions.
Of course, Shen's mother also had her own ulterior motives.
The relationship between Zhu'er and Jiang Che has been on and off over the years. Although it has not been completely severed, it has never been clear.
Shen Yirou saw this and was anxious. She knew that matters of the heart could not be forced, and she was helpless.
Bao'er is now twenty years old, but all she does all day is draw on her canvas and go out to play. She is completely clueless about matters of love and romance.
She either remained oblivious to the advances of those talented young men or the subtle inquiries from others, or simply smiled and ignored them. Her clear-headedness both pleased and worried Shen Yirou.
Although the Shen family is now wealthy enough to support their daughter for a lifetime.
But as parents, they always hope that their daughters can find a good man who understands and cares for them.
If you happen to spot a young man with a respectable family background, good character, and handsome appearance at a banquet, that would be a pleasant surprise!
However, Shen Yirou only dared to think these words to herself.
You see, Zhu'er, the family's daughter, loves her younger sister the most. She wishes she could make up for the two years she lost and spend her whole life with her sister.
As for Shen Xiangyi and Shen Yicheng, they are ruthless when it comes to tricking Bao'er.
But if some ignorant brat really tries to steal their precious child away, one of them will probably calmly make the brat back down, while the other will directly confront him with their fists.
……
"Is that the second young lady of the Shen family? Tsk, she's quite beautiful."
"Not only is she beautiful, but I heard she attended a modern school and also studied painting in the south. She's quite a talented woman!"
"The Shen family has been very powerful in recent years. Judging from this pomp and circumstance... this second young lady will probably have her doorstep worn down by suitors in the future."
"That's right. Although the eldest daughter of the Shen family is capable, I heard that she has some involvement with that person from the Jiang family. Ordinary families wouldn't dare to get involved so easily."
A slightly slick voice rang out from a corner of the crowd, carrying a smug arrogance, "This second young lady, on the other hand, is just the right age and seems quite docile... If one could win her favor, that would be..."
The rest of the message was left unsaid, hidden in a knowing laugh.
"I wonder what kind of personality he has? I heard he got lost years ago and suffered a lot while he was away..."
"I heard she was even abducted by human traffickers..."
The whispers of the guests, whether of curiosity, admiration, or calculation, lingered in the air above the banquet.
Accompanied by her father and sister, Shen Shuwan made a grand entrance, after which she received round after round of greetings and scrutiny.
While another elder who was acquainted with her father was exchanging pleasantries, Shen Shuwan quietly tugged at her sister's sleeve.
Shen Lezhi understood and subtly shielded her from view by turning to the side.
Shen Shuwan, like a nimble fish, slipped silently away from the edge of the crowd and found a relatively quiet corner of the rest area.
Just then, a slight commotion arose at the entrance to the garden. The previously fluent conversation seemed to freeze for a moment, and everyone's attention was involuntarily drawn to it.
The Shen family's butler was leading a guest through the bustling crowd toward the main hall.
The person who arrived was dressed in a seemingly simple but actually very well-tailored and made of high-quality materials black suit, and walked with a steady and composed gait.
He didn't try to be flamboyant, but his aura of authority and quiet power, coupled with his outstanding appearance, made him stand out in the crowd.
Mr. Huo, what brings him here?