NOVEL NEXT Chapter 71 - 71: Family Gathering
Chapter 71: Family Gathering
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
“Sister, you’re back,” Cheng Yuqi greeted with a warm smile. “How about we plan a family dinner for tomorrow? It’s a perfect opportunity to celebrate your official takeover of the company and welcome you back home. What do you think?”
She deliberately avoided mentioning her recent prize, wanting to keep the focus on Fang Yuan.
“It’s been a few days since you returned, and we haven’t spent much time together. You’ve been working so hard; it’s time to relax and enjoy a meal together,” Cheng Yuqi added, gently looping her arm through Qiao Xinhui’s while looking at Cheng Ye with a playful expression. “What do you say, Dad, Mom?”
Fang Yuan couldn’t help but wonder why Cheng Yuqi had brought Qiao Xinhui along, considering her busy schedule.
“I think it’s a great idea,” Qiao Xinhui chimed in, casting a glance at Cheng Ye for agreement.
Cheng Ye nodded in approval. “Yes, 1 think it’s a wonderful idea. How about you, Yuanyuan?”
Fang Yuan replied, “I’m fine with anything.” She didn’t want to dampen the mood, so she excused herself to freshen up and get some rest when she saw everyone eagerly planning the gathering.
The following morning, Bo Yi picked her up for work and overheard her mention the family gathering that evening, her tone tinged with disappointment. “Didn’t you promise to spend the rest of the week with me?”
Fang Yuan was taken aback. “I must have forgotten.” She genuinely couldn’t recall her promise from the previous night.
Bo Yi asked, “Are you not taking me to the family gathering?”
Fang Yuan hesitated. “Maybe next time.”
“Then you owe me double compensation,” Bo Yi insisted, holding her hand firmly. “If you can’t have dinner with me, you’ll have lunch with me, right?”
Fang Yuan sighed and agreed, “Alright…”
After a long day at work, Bo Yi picked up Fang Yuan and dropped her off at Lanshan Restaurant.
Fang Yuan: “You don’t need to pick me up later. I’ll take my parents’ car home.”
Reluctantly, Bo Yi released her hand. “Just give me a call when you get home.”
Fang Yuan: “Okay.”
Meanwhile, on the other end of town, Fang Liguo had used every ounce of his influence to secure a private room at Lanshan Restaurant. Despite it being only a standard reservation, his status as Haicheng City’s wealthiest man had played a pivotal role.
Madam Lu had initially looked down on Fang Jiayi, who had been raised by a cleaner, and her occasional hints of sensitivity and inferiority complex were hard to conceal, even beneath her expensive attire.
However, Madam Lu’s opinion took a turn when she learned that Fang Jiayi had secured second place in a national piano music competition that day. Her demeanor improved, but when faced with Fang Liguo’s indirect request, Madam Lu elegantly wiped her mouth with her napkin and said, “I’m sorry, Mr. Fang, but we can’t assist you with this.”
Fang Liguo couldn’t believe his ears. “What did you say?”
Madam Lu stated firmly, “Both the Mu Clan and Mu Clan Groups have made it clear that anyone who dares to assist will face consequences.” She couldn’t risk the Lu Clan’s fortunes on this unseemly engagement, despite her son’s momentary infatuation.
Fang Jiayi was shocked by Madam Lu’s outright rejection, her hands clenched into fists beneath the table. This was a blatant affront to their family’s dignity! “Mom!” Lu Chen whispered.
Ultimately, Father Lu intervened to defuse the situation. “We still need to discuss this matter… Let’s eat first. Food tends to lose its flavor when it gets cold. We can talk afterward.”
“Yes, let’s eat,” Fang Liguo agreed and raised his wine glass to toast Father Lu. “I almost forgot to thank my future son-in-law for arranging a VIP room for Granny Jiayi and getting a doctor to attend to her…”
Father Lu quickly clarified, “Actually, booking a VIP room at Renyi Hospital is quite challenging. Our family doesn’t have connections with the hospital’s higher-ups, so we couldn’t have arranged it.”
The Fang family members were left bewildered. If it wasn’t the Lu Family, then who had done it? And who had instructed the doctor to provide special care for the elderly?
Suddenly, Fang Liguo and Song Ling both recalled what Chen Yang had mentioned earlier… Could it truly be Fang Yuan? It seemed impossible, but they couldn’t dismiss the thought entirely.
On the opposite end of the restaurant, Fang Yuan had just finished dinner with her parents when her phone began to vibrate. She retrieved it, sensing an urgent matter required her attention.
“Dad, Mom, please go ahead. 1 need to use the restroom for a moment. I’ll catch up with you.”
“Of course, take your time. Don’t worry,” her parents replied. Once Fang Yuan had excused herself, Qiao Xinhui quietly spoke to Auntie Du, “Please wait here for her and keep her company.”
“Certainly, Madam,” Auntie Du acknowledged as she waited in the private room. After a brief period, she noticed Fang Yuan emerging from the restroom and approached her respectfully. “Miss Fang Yuan, Master and Madam are waiting for you in the car.”
“Thank you, let’s go.” Fang Yuan replied to a message on her phone while walking towards the exit.
However, as they took a few steps away from the private room, a group of individuals suddenly appeared from around the corner. Auntie Du quickly tugged at the hem of Fang Yuan’s clothing, whispering, “Miss Fang Yuan, please be careful!”
Among the newcomers were members from both the Lu Clan and the Fang Clan. Song Ling was left utterly astonished as she watched Fang Yuan exit the upscale private room, accompanied by a well-dressed elderly servant who addressed her as “Miss Fang Yuan..”