Chapter 49: The Recognition Banquet
The girl was stunned for a moment. Her face flushed red, and after a hurried low-voiced thank you, she walked away quickly.
The entire process was smooth and natural, causing no commotion at all.
Su Lin had already started walking toward Father and Mother Jiang. Jiang Yunxin immediately stepped forward, affectionately taking his arm to introduce him to the surrounding guests. Su Lin wore a proper smile, bowing slightly and responding politely to the elders’ greetings. His demeanor was composed, showing not even a hint of stage fright.
Song Lingchen and Shen Zhize approached from a distance.
“Who would have thought, Qingqing? I never expected Bartender Su to be your brother.” Song Lingchen slung an arm around Jiang Qing’s shoulder, grinning as he whispered into his ear.
“He didn’t do anything to you, did he?” Song Lingchen’s eyes suddenly darkened as he spoke in a volume only the two of them could hear.
Jiang Qing didn’t even raise an eyelid. His fingers lightly toyed with the stem of his glass as his gaze remained on that white figure in the distance. He replied lazily, “What could he do to me? Eat me?”
“I’m just worried. After all, there’s only one Jiang Qing.” Song Lingchen returned to his grinning self.
“What are you guys talking about?” Jiang Limu returned, handing a caramel pudding to Jiang Qing.
“We were talking about when your brother is going to marry me.” Shen Zhize looked up at Jiang Limu, deliberately slowing down his speech so every word was crystal clear.
The caramel pudding in Jiang Limu’s hand fell to the floor with a splat.
He whipped his head around, glaring death at Shen Zhize, his voice cracking: “WHAT—DID—YOU—SAY—?!”
Jiang Qing looked at the fallen pudding, then at Jiang Limu.
Uh oh.
Jiang Limu gave a involuntary shiver under the gaze.
“Ge, uh, I’ll go get you another one. You can’t be angry, okay? If you’re angry, you won’t look as handsome.” With that, Jiang Limu bolted toward the dessert table without looking back.
Jiang Qing watched his brother’s panicked retreating back, then looked down at the sweet “corpse” on the floor and let out an ambiguous light scoff.
“Will you two die if you don’t say something flirtatious for one day?”
“Can’t help it. When I see you, some words just jump out of my mouth automatically.” Shen Zhize walked lazily to Jiang Qing’s side.
Jiang Qing didn’t move, nor did he even turn his head. His gaze remained on Su Lin, who was mingling in the distance, his fingertip lightly tapping the stem of his glass.
“Shen Zhize, your courage has been getting bigger lately.”
“It’s all thanks to your indulgence.” Shen Zhize’s answer was matter-of-fact. He leaned down, seemingly wanting to catch the faint scent of perfume at the side of Jiang Qing’s neck, but the latter silently tilted his head away.
“Or is it…” he drawled, “that now you have a new brother, you find us ‘old flames’ annoying?”
Song Lingchen gave a soft “tsk” from the side but didn’t step in to interrupt. He just swirled his glass, his eyes scanning back and forth between the two of them.
Jiang Qing finally turned his head slowly, his gaze falling on Shen Zhize’s face. He tilted his chin up slightly.
“Old flame? Have you forgotten your own status?”
The smile on Shen Zhize’s face flickered for a brief second, but it was quickly masked by an even deeper grin. “I haven’t forgotten. I’m the useless son of the Shen family, one of Young Master Jiang’s many ‘friends’.”
“However, I hope I’m the only special one among Young Master Jiang’s many friends. After all, Young Master Jiang is already number one in my book.”
“Hey, hey, hey, Shen Zhize, I’m still standing right here.” Song Lingchen finally couldn’t help but speak up, his glass clinking not-so-lightly against the nearby pillar with a crisp ding.
“Young Master Shen, I really don’t like those words. Where does that leave me? In terms of ‘first come, first served’ or the depth of our friendship, it doesn’t seem like it’s your turn to make a ‘the only one’ declaration here, does it?”
Jiang Qing watched this scene of hidden rivalry. He raised his hand and placed it on the inner side of Song Lingchen’s arm, just as the latter was about to forcefully pull Shen Zhize back.
His gaze fell on Song Lingchen’s face, carrying a hint of a teasing smile. “What, do you want to join the fun and take a number too?”
“Shen Zhize, ‘special’ or ‘number one’ isn’t something achieved by talking.”
“Enough, what’s with the fuss?”
Jiang Qing looked at the two of them with a half-smile. “The two of you—one from the Song family, one from the Shen family—what are you arguing about ‘first come, first served’ and ‘special and unique’ for?”
He raised an eyebrow, his expression looking as if he were watching two misbehaving younger brothers. “Don’t you find it embarrassing?”
Jiang Qing ignored the silent exchange between the two. His gaze crossed over them to once again scan the crowd. Su Lin was no longer in his previous spot; it seemed Mother Jiang had led him toward another group of guests.
“Fine,” Jiang Qing retracted his gaze. “Go do what you’re supposed to do. Don’t just stand here; it’s an eyesore.”
With that, he didn’t look at them again and turned to walk in another direction.
Shen Zhize and Song Lingchen remained where they were, watching Jiang Qing’s departing back in a moment of silence.
“He today…” Song Lingchen whispered.
“His mood isn’t bad, but it’s definitely not good either,” Shen Zhize added, swirling his glass.
Song Lingchen didn’t speak, but his gaze turned heavy as he looked in the direction Su Lin was, seemingly deep in thought.
“What is it?” Shen Zhize couldn’t help but ask, seeing his dazed expression.
“I’m thinking about whether to get Qingqing a matching couple’s necklace or matching couple’s earrings next time.”
“…….Take your ‘couple brain’ and roll back to your own company.”
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