237: Missed the Mark

Missed the Mark

There were a lot of people at the birthday banquet. In addition to the family friends and business partners, there were also people from the side branches of the Ruan Family.1

Among those people, there were only a few that Ling Tianya recognized. She was not worried, however, because as long as she stood next to Ruan Zeyan, those people would come to her, so they could feel important.

After a short wait, Madam Ruan emerged in a classic qipao in aqua color and slowly walked down the stairs, accompanied by her son Ruan Qishan and two step-sons Ruan Guosheng and Ruan Guofu.

One had to admit that Madam Ruan had took great care of herself for someone of her age. She had a nice figure and a glowing complexion, nothing like a normal crooked eighty something year old. Compared to many young people, she looked even more energetic.

Led by Ruan Qishan, Madam Ruan sat down in the principle seat with a warm smile on her face. Her bright eyes seemed to be searching for something, and her face blossomed as soon as she saw Ruan Zeyan and Ling Tianya and she waved at them.

Ruan Zeyan took Ling Tianya's hand and walked over to Madam Ruan. They called out at the same time saying, "Grandma."

Madam Ruan glanced at Ruan Zeyan. "I was wondering where you were. Turned out you were picking up Miss Ling."

Then, the old lady turned her gaze to Ling Tianya and looked stunned. "Ahh, Miss Ling. You look fabulous in that qipao! What we call 'down fish and drop bird, shy away moon and flower'. You look like me when I was young!" 

Ling Tianya found Madam Ruan adorable. She praised Ling Tianya and herself in the same sentence.

"Thank you, Grandma." Ling Tianya said amicably.

"Don't thank me. I'm just telling the truth. The woman my Grandson picked must only be the best after all!" Madam Ruan looked extremely proud.

Ruan Zeyan watched the interaction between his grandmother and Ling Tianya with smiles in his eyes. Normally his grandmother would not praise someone like that, but obviously Ling Tianya was an exception. Maybe it was fate.

When they saw that Madam Ruan had brought Ruan Zeyan and Ling Tianya over before everyone else and praised her liked that, the faces of third Mrs. Ruan and Ruan Lijia had turned sour. So, did the faces of Ruan Guosheng and Ruan Guofu who were standing behind Madam Ruan.

In reality, occasions like that had always been awkward for the two brothers. Everyone knew that they were children of the mistress. In the old days, they would be bastards not allowed to appear at official occasions. Madam Ruan had not treated them badly, but she was never close to them and always kept her distance.

They both knew that if their father didn't will them ten percent each of the Yuan Teng Corporation before he died, there would be no place for the two of them inside the Ruan Family.

Before the banquet started, Madam Ruan began to accept birthday gifts brought by the guests.

Finally, it came to the moment that third Mrs. Ruan had been impatiently waiting for. As long as the gift Ling Tianya brought was sub-par, she would not hold back on the ridicules.

Third Mrs. Ruan was not the only person there who was curious. Everyone was wondering what Ruan Zeyan's fiancée, the future first lady of the Ruan Family, had brought as her first ever birthday gift to Madam Ruan.

It was no secret that Madam Ruan was obsessed with qipao. So, many people at the party chose to give Madam Ruan qipao, many of which were exquisitely made with a high price tag. Madam Ruan was used to seeing qipaos like those and didn't seem too enthused. Some she didn't even bother to look at.

All the people who tried to please the old lady seemed to have missed the mark.

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