-At the Banquet Hall of Imperial Grand Hotel-
The venue was set up to make one envy. It was the most expensive banquet hall in the whole Imperial city. Well-known media and reporters were present at the entrance which was akin to a red carpet.
All of this publicity and exorbitant amount of money was spent on just the 75th birthday of the Old Master, Ji Rusheng. Various stars and political figures graced this party with their presence.
Thunderous applause sounded when the old Master, Ji Rusheng walked up on the stage. Even though Ji Rusheng was old but he still held the same sharp eyes like a hawk. His face didn’t have many emotions but he looked dignified. He was exuding the aura of magnificence and intimidation. One could tell by a single glance that the man was a powerful figure who had faced the storms of life in his prime.
When Xiao Zhiren entered the Banquet Hall, he saw the rows of tables lined the sides, and the entire hall was decorated with lanterns making it seem extremely festive.
The housekeeper of the Ji Family was a middle-aged man with long and sharp eyes as his master, Ji Rusheng. As the housekeeper saw Xiao Zhiren entering the hall, he immediately went up to him.
"Eldest Young Master!" The housekeeper said with a gentle smile on his aged face.
"Housekeeper Zhang, I believe you’ve been well since the last time we met?" Xiao Zhiren spoke in a respectful manner. His tone was neither servile nor conceited.
Housekeeper Zhang’s smile broadened as he saw how the young master of the Ji family grew up with exquisite manners. "It’s good to see you back here, eldest young master." Housekeeper remarked as his eyes moistened up a bit.
His behavior and words seemed odd to the crowd around him since everyone knew about the authority which housekeeper Zhang held in the Ji Family. Housekeeper Zhang was known for his authoritative and lofty behavior but to the tall dashing young man before him, housekeeper Zhang was acting as a dutiful person.
Everyone was curious about the identity of Xiao Zhiren but he was unfazed even under the scrutinizing gazes of people around him.
"Eldest young master, come offer your greetings to the Old master." Housekeeper Zhang suggested.
Xiao Zhiren saw the way people were crowding around Ji Rusheng and said, "I’ll offer my greeting later when grandfather’s alone."
"Then come with me and take the seat on the stage with the rest of the family," housekeeper Zhang offered another suggestion but Xiao Zhiren politely declined.
"Housekeeper Zhang, you should take care of other people. I’ll take a seat somewhere else." Before housekeeper Zhang could argue, Xiao Zhiren walked to a corner to find a seat.
Euphonious music sounded in the hall with guests mingling with each other. But he was still sitting straight exuding his aura of elegance and exquisiteness. He had the same serenity on his strong, angular face as he did before along with his calm glossy ink-black eyes. His masculine and prominent jawline was a striking feature of his handsome face.
His assistant who was standing beside him suddenly received a message and he leaned ahead to say, "Sir, the substitute gift is here. I’ll be right back."
Xiao Zhiren nodded at his assistant Qin Qu and waved him off with his two fingers. Qin Qu bowed slightly and walked out of the banquet hall.
After a while, Xiao Zhiren noticed the presence of someone beside him and he turned his face to see his younger brother grimacing. "Zhiyuan, sit down and don’t create any scene here."
Xiao Zhiyuan took a seat beside his brother and said, "I’m also not interested in creating any scene here. But bro, you shouldn’t have brought me to this party."
Xiao Zhiren didn’t mind the tone of his younger brother. "It’s a birthday party of our grandfather. He invited us, so, we had to come."
Xiao Zhiyuan snorted and rolled his eyes. "What grandfather? I don’t have a grandfather."
"This is also our family, Zhiyuan." Xiao Zhiren said to his brother while patting his shoulder.
"I have only one family and that is you. Other than you bro, I have no one in my family." Xiao Zhiyuan ended the conversation there as he reclined back in his seat and crossed his arms before his chest.
Xiao Zhiyuan had many physical similarities with Xiao Zhiren. But both brothers had the age gap of more than a decade. Maybe that’s why Zhiyuan was more of a kid then brother to Xiao Zhiren.
All of a sudden, a young lady with bangs and a gorgeous face came up to Xiao Zhiren. She had smooth jade-like skin, almond-shaped eyes, and rosy cheeks. Her row of thick, long eyelashes was absolutely charming. A smile bloomed on her pinkish lips as she said, "Zhiren Ge-Ge, why are you sitting here? Come sit with the family at the front!" She tugged at Xiao Zhiren’s sleeve lightly.
Before Xiao Zhiren could answer, Xiao Zhiyuan yanked her hand away from his brother’s sleeve and replied coldly, "My brother is sitting with HIS FAMILY." He emphasized on the last part.
Ji Caihong’s smile immediately fell at his words. "Zhiyuan!" She called his name softly but Xiao Zhiyuan glared at her.
"We’re not on familiar terms with each other. So, don’t get friendly for no reason. And you can go over there and enjoy your party with your own family. Or do you want to snatch my brother from me as well?" His words pierced Ji Caihong’s heart bitterly. Her eyes stung and she bit her lips to control her emotions.
"Zhiyuan! Stay quiet!" Xiao Zhiren reprimanded his younger brother and turned to Xiao Caihong. "Don’t mind Zhiyuan’s words. He’s a teenager. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about."
Xiao Zhiyuan opened his mouth to refute but he was instantly shunned down by the warning look from his elder brother. "Ji Caihong, we are absolutely okay here. You should join your family over there." Xiao Zhiren said with a polite and gentle smile making her feel a bit better. After she left, he turned to his younger brother and said, "If you can’t say something nice, don’t bother opening your mouth, Zhiyuan."
Zhiyuan stared at his brother with wide-eyes and got up from the seat. "Where are you going?" Zhiren asked.
"I’m leaving this party since I’m not allowed to be honest here, there is no point in me staying any longer." With that, Zhiyuan left the party with a burning rage within him.
Zhiren pinched his brows but didn’t stop Zhiyuan from leaving.
Qin Qu came to stand beside Xiao Zhiren and leaned to inform him, "I’ve brought the gif-" His statement was interrupted when someone said,
"Old Master Rusheng should open the gifts now!"