The atmosphere was silent, and both Zhong Lingyu and Yan Xiangrong were smiling.
Chen Tinglan thought of the Smiling Tiger inexplicably.
Her stepmother Yan Xiangrong is the old smiling tiger, and Zhong Lingyu is the young smiling tiger.
She grabbed Zhong Lingyu's hand uneasily.
Zhong Lingyu held it back and said to Yan Xiangrong: "Auntie, you misunderstood me. I didn't mean it that way."
Yan Xiangrong picked up the handkerchief and wiped the corners of her eyes, "I'm sorry, Lingyu, I'm a sensitive person and it's hard to be a stepmother. I do it just for Tinglan."
Chen Yunzhang stepped forward and said, "As long as it's your intention, I know you don't have bad intentions."
Yan Xiangrong pursed her lips and smiled, "As long as the master understands me, I'll be fine."
Chen Tinglan, who was furious, took a step forward, but Zhong Lingyu immediately stopped him.
She shook her head at Chen Tinglan, indicating not to be impulsive.
Chen Tinglan frowned and said nothing.
Zhong Lingyu said softly: "Auntie, I also understand your painstaking efforts. Today is Mr. Chen's birthday. It is a festive day, and you should indeed wear festive clothes."
Yan Xiangrong's lips curled up slightly.
But before she could say anything, Zhong Lingyu changed the topic again, "It's just that Tinglan misses his late mother, so I'm afraid I won't be able to fulfill my aunt's wishes today."
"What?" Yan Xiangrong's smile froze.
Zhong Lingyu said: "A few days ago, Tinglan was at my house and talked with me the whole night. She told me that she missed her late mother very much. And the birthday of her children was the day when her mother suffered. Tinglan was wearing plain clothes. It’s also to mourn my late mother.”
Chen Tinglan was stunned.
Zhong Lingyu quietly put her hands behind her back and tugged on the clothes in front of her.
Understanding this, Chen Tinglan lowered the corners of his lips, with tears in his eyes, and remained silent without speaking, which made people look pitiful.
Chen Yunzhang was extremely touched and immediately stepped forward to hug Chen Tinglan, "You kid, why didn't you tell me about this kind of thing earlier?"
Zhong Lingyu said: "Tinglan was afraid of making you sad, and also afraid that Madam would think too much about it, so she didn't mention it more."
"Why should I think too much about it?" Yan Xiangrong's smile did not reach her eyes, "It's natural for a child to miss his mother."
Chen Yunzhang nodded, "Xiang Rong has a loving mother's heart, but today, let Tinglan make the decision."
"Okay, Master!" Yan Xiangrong's smile disappeared, and his eyes flashed coldly.
She glanced at Zhong Lingyu critically.
Zhong Lingyu responded with a friendly smile.
Yan Xiangrong didn't say anything more, and took Chen Yunzhang away as an excuse to change clothes.
Chen Tinglan and Zhong Lingyu were the only two people left in the room.
Chen Tinglan quickly closed the door tightly. After confirming that no one was outside, she took Zhong Lingyu's hand and said, "You are so smart. Look at my stepmother's appearance just now. This is the first time I have seen her suffer."
"Let me do your makeup." Zhong Lingyu pressed her down with a smile.
Chen Tinglan immediately tousled his old-fashioned hair, "The hair my stepmother combed for me was so ugly."
She looked disgusted.
Zhong Lingyu smiled while dressing her up: "Your stepmother is calm, and you are fiery. You have to control your emotions and not let her lead you."
"I also know this truth, but when I get angry, I just want to tear her mouth apart. Today you also saw how annoying she is." Chen Tinglan touched the hair that Zhong Lingyu had combed for her, and raised a smile.
After finishing dressing up, Chen Tinglan pointed to the copybook on the dressing table, "What are these?"
"I met Mr. Chen by chance just now. I asked for it shamelessly. I will keep it in your room for now. I will take it home after the banquet is over."
Chen Tinglan clicked his tongue, "My eldest brother gave you so much all at once."
"Master Chen said, these are all idle."
"Really?" Chen Tinglan touched his chin, feeling that something was wrong.
Zhong Lingyu said: "Go quickly, the birthday party is about to begin."
The two held hands and went to the front hall.
There were many high-profile celebrities in the front hall.
Many young men came to invite Chen Tinglan to dance, but Chen Tinglan declined.
Zhong Lingyu looked around and said, "Today is Mr. Chen's birthday, won't he, the protagonist, come?"
Chen Tinglan pouted, "On the surface it's a birthday banquet, but in reality it's just a matter of powerful people building relationships with each other. My father likes to use this method to win over people. My eldest brother doesn't like it very much. He has always used leg problems as an excuse since he was a child to not go out to see guests. .”
After saying that, she pulled Zhong Lingyu and said, "Let's go dance."
"Wait a minute." Jiang Zongrui suddenly came out of nowhere and stood between Chen Tinglan and Zhong Lingyu.
Chen Tinglan looked indifferent, "Second Young Master Jiang, what are you doing?"
"What else can you do? Ask Miss Zhong to dance."
Before the two girls could say anything, Jiang Zongrui grabbed Zhong Lingyu and walked to the dance floor.
Zhong Lingyu was caught off guard and almost fell. Her hands were placed on Jiang Zongrui's chest.
Jiang Zongrui grinned, "Sister, I'm really flattered by you throwing yourself into your arms like this."
"Crazy, let me go." Zhong Lingyu whispered.
"Let's dance." Jiang Zongrui put his hand on her waist.
Zhong Lingyu stepped on his foot hard.
Jiang Zongrui dodged quickly and couldn't help but smile affectionately in her ear, "Sister, this is called a waltz, not a step dance. Everyone around is watching, so don't make any big noise."
Zhong Lingyu took a deep breath and adjusted her dance steps, "What do you want to do again?"
"I don't want to do anything, I just want to dance with you."
Jiang Zongrui's tone was quite innocent.
However, Zhong Lingyu smelled a hint of conspiracy.
People like Jiang Zongrui cannot do anything for no reason, let alone on a whim.
At the moment of doubt, Zhong Lingyu felt a burning gaze thrust into her back like a knife.
She subconsciously turned around, but before she could take a closer look, Jiang Zongrui turned her around.
His tall body blocked her and led her on the dance floor, "Sister, pay attention."
Zhong Lingyu had a stern face the whole time.
Fortunately, the dance didn't last that long. After the first song, Zhong Lingyu immediately let go of Jiang Zongrui's hand and said with a wary face: "Can you stay away from me in the future?"
"No." Jiang Zongrui chuckled, "I just like to play with my sister."
After saying that, he turned around and left happily.
Zhong Lingyu glared at him and turned to look for Chen Tinglan.
Chen Tinglan is dancing with Chen Yunzhang.
She went to rest nearby.
At this time, a waiter came over and said: "Miss, there is someone looking for you in the reception room at the back."
Zhong Lingyu instinctively thought it was Chen Tingze.
She thanked her and walked inside.
The reception room was decorated in an antique style. On a carved pear wood chair, the man sat with his back to her.
Just one glance made Zhong Lingyu tense up.
She shrank her neck, quietly stepped back, and then gently opened the door.
Planning to just slip away quietly.
As if there were eyes on the back of the man's head, he suddenly turned his head and said, "Little one, come here!"
Zhong Lingyu's fingers froze and remained motionless.
She stared at Shen Huaizhou warily.
He was dangerous and lazy, with two buttons of his velvet shirt unbuttoned, just enough to reveal his bulging Adam's apple.
The straight and slender legs are crossed, exuding a deep and sharp aura.
Zhong Lingyu felt that he was angry.
As for what she was angry about, she suddenly thought of Jiang Zongrui.
He must have known that Shen Huaizhou was here, so he just pretended to ask her to dance.
That weakling Jiang Zongrui really wanted to kill her.
