"How absolutely darling you look." Ming Yue said, her voice brimming with maternal affection as she gazed at Yu Qi.
Su Xiao was in a similar state of enchantment. She was busy putting the finishing touches on Yu Qi's hairstyle, her movements careful and precise.
"This right here is exactly why I have always longed for a daughter." Su Xiao added with a wistful smile.
"Me too," Ming Yue agreed, leaning in to apply the final, delicate stroke of makeup to Yu Qi's face.
Su Xiao stepped back, satisfied with the intricate style she had created. "Perfect."
Both women stood together, radiating pride and satisfaction at their handiwork.
"Go on, take a look at yourself." Ming Yue encouraged, gently guiding Yu Qi toward a full-length gilded mirror.
Yu Qi froze, stunned by her own reflection. In her previous life, she had frequently dressed up for high-society parties, but this transformation was beyond anything she could have imagined. She looked breathtaking. So beautiful, in fact, that she struggled to believe the girl in the mirror was actually her.
"Yu Qi, you are truly radiant. I simply cannot wait to show you off to the others." Ming Yue exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"It's almost time for the party to begin. Let's head down and greet the guests." Su Xiao noted, glancing at the clock on the wall.
Following a pre-arranged plan, Ming Yue and Su Xiao entered the grand ballroom first. They had instructed Yu Qi to wait and make her entrance a few minutes later to maximize the impact. Yu Qi followed their instructions perfectly. After a brief wait, she smoothed her dress and stepped into the hall.
The ballroom was already teeming with guests who had come to celebrate Grandpa Tang's birthday. As Yu Qi walked in, a hush seemed to follow her. Her ethereal beauty acted like a magnet, drawing the curious eyes of everyone in the room. Whispers immediately began to ripple through the crowd. 'Who is that girl?' 'Where did she come from?' 'What could her connection to the Tang family possibly be?'
Remaining perfectly composed, Yu Qi scanned the room until she spotted Ming Yue and Su Xiao. She began to walk toward them with a graceful, measured gait.
Ming Yue caught her eye and leaned over to whisper something to Tang Han Lee. A moment later, the three young masters of the Tang family, Han Lee, Jin Wei, and Qin Hao, stepped forward. With the poise of true gentlemen, they flanked Yu Qi, acting as her formal escort as they led her toward their mothers.
The young women in attendance watched the scene with bated breath, their hearts heavy with envy. The Tang family was legendary in Finn City, not only for their immense wealth and intelligence but for their striking looks. All three young masters were esteemed doctors in their respective specialities, making them the most eligible bachelors in the city. Seeing a mysterious girl being escorted so intimately by all three was a bitter pill for many to swallow.
"I honestly never thought Brother Qin Hao would actually show up." Yu Qi whispered to Tang Qin Hao, who looked characteristically bored.
"I was dragged here by my mother. Do you honestly think I'd attend a function like this by choice?" Tang Qin Hao grumbled, though his eyes lacked any real bite.
Yu Qi let out a soft laugh. She knew him well enough by now to know that a crowded social event was his personal version of a nightmare.
"Little Sis, you look absolutely stunning tonight." Tang Han Lee said, reaching out to affectionately pat her head.
Yu Qi could not help but notice that Tang Han Lee had developed a habit of patting her head whenever they spoke.
"Thank you, Big Brother Han Lee." Yu Qi replied with a sweet, genuine smile.
"I knew you were pretty, but I did not realise you'd be this beautiful." Tang Jin Wei added, offering his own praise.
"I'm sure Brother Jin has seen countless beautiful women in his time." Yu Qi teased.
"Of course I have. But tonight, you are easily the most beautiful girl in the room." Tang Jin Wei chuckled.
"Brother Jin Wei, your tongue is certainly silver tonight." Yu Qi replied.
"Tsk, you brat! I am giving you a sincere compliment, you know? Humph! Fine, see if I ever praise you again." Tang Jin Wei said, feigning a huff of indignation.
Ming Yue and Su Xiao watched the bickering with delighted laughter. They were thrilled to see how much closer Yu Qi had grown to their sons in just three short days.
However, their closeness did not go unnoticed by the rest of the room. Other girls bit their nails in frustration, watching the easy camaraderie between Yu Qi and the three doctors. They began to speculate wildly, wondering which of the three young masters had finally been "claimed" by this newcomer.
Suddenly, the tapping of a microphone drew everyone's attention to the stage.
"Good evening, everyone. Thank you all for joining us to celebrate my father's birthday." Tang Jung Wen announced, his voice commanding the room. "I would now like to invite my father to the stage to say a few words."
He handed the microphone to Grandpa Tang, who stepped forward with a dignified air.
"As the years pass, I find myself growing older. There were times I felt my departure from this world was nearing." Grandpa Tang began, his voice steady. "But this year, something wonderful happened to me. It is a gift so precious that it has given me a new reason to stay. I find I am not quite ready to leave just yet. I imagine you are all wondering what this 'good thing' could be?"
Grandpa Tang paused, his eyes scanning the crowd until they landed on a specific spot.
"Yu Qi dear, come here to your grandfather's side." Grandpa Tang called out.
The crowd parted as Yu Qi made her way to the stage. She took her place beside the old man, her head held high.
"Everyone, allow me to introduce my granddaughter to you. This is Yu Qi." Grandpa Tang announced. "She is not my granddaughter by blood, but she is my granddaughter in every way that matters. I will not have any foul rumors circulating about her, so I will be plain. She is an orphan."
A loud buzz of hushed conversation erupted among the guests. An orphan? Being introduced by the head of the Tang family?
"However," Grandpa Tang continued, his voice dropping to a protective, warning tone, "She is also my one and only disciple. Her talent in the medical arts, particularly in Chinese medicine, is unparalleled. If I catch wind of any nasty rumours regarding my beloved granddaughter and disciple, I will hunt down the source myself. That person will learn exactly what it means to face the consequences of my displeasure."
The room went cold. Everyone in Finn City knew that Grandpa Tang was a man of his word. He was a pillar of the community, but he could be a terrifying adversary. If he issued a warning, only a fool would dare to ignore it. The message was clear, Yu Qi was now a Tang, and she was untouchable.
***This novel is a contracted work with w e b n o v e l. c o m. If you do not read this novel on w e b n o v e l. c o m, that means it has been stolen. Thank you, from your shameless author, ZerahNeko**
This chapter is edited by Tzin99... Thank you for your help...