Chapter 59
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Shi Yunyang asked the makeup artist to make Zuo Qinghuan look more ordinary. The makeup artist's skills were amazing, and Zuo Qinghuan quickly transformed from a little fairy to an ordinary assistant.
Shi Yunyang only needed a slight makeover to dazzle many people, especially after careful dressing up, she became breathtakingly beautiful. With this, others' attention will linger on Shi Yunyang, leaving Zuo Qinghuan almost invisible. Despite not wanting to be the ugly duckling beside the flashy swan, Zuo Qinghuan had no choice but to bow under the eaves. She looked at her own face being mistreated in the mirror and felt the urge to smash it. Although her looks may slightly pale compared to Shi Yunyang, the difference is not too vast. At this moment, Zuo Qinghuan felt like a maid accompanying a princess to the palace.
Shi Yunyang is very satisfied with the effect. With Zuo Qinghuan, they openly enter the Qin residence’s gate. Miss Shi has always been bold, bringing an assistant to a banquet is nothing unusual. However, Zuo Qinghuan felt a bit nervous, afraid of being recognized, and causing trouble for Qin Wanshu. But as long as Qin Teng recognizes her, others won't pay much attention to her, and even if they do, it's not a big deal.
Zuo Qinghuan is a smart person; she's well aware of the role she's playing. She stayed close to Shi Yunyang, carefully portraying as her assistant, but let her eyes wander around the Qin residence. The Qin residence’s architecture blended modern and ancient influences, clearly reflecting the wealth accumulated over generations. Just the buildings are enough to make Zuo Qinghuan sigh. It takes generations of prosperity to raise someone like Qin Wanshu.
Old Mr. Qin represents the main line of the family, holding the most power and prestige in the Qin family. He himself has four biological brothers, and two sisters, not to mention the non-mainline siblings. Each branch extends significantly, showcasing the immense size of the Qin family. However, this banquet only invited the mainline members, the core family. In previous years, they also invited influential and powerful members from the collateral branches.
Zuo Qinghuan easily spotted Qin Wanshu's figure among the crowd in the Qin family's hall. Qin Wanshu, adorned in a bright red qipao, looked even more noble and elegant. Zuo Qinghuan usually didn't like qipaos, but on Qin Wanshu, it seemed perfectly natural. Perhaps only Qin Wanshu could wear a qipao with such grace, embodying the timeless and tranquil beauty of the East. It was a beauty that demanded respectful admiration. No wonder she was the only one wearing a qipao at the entire banquet; others dared not wear one in front of her. Qin Wanshu's hand was clasped with a spirited old man, dressed in a traditional Zhongshan suit, exuding authority without anger. This old man was probably Qin Wanshu's grandfather.
Shi Yunyang stood out among the female relatives, so she quickly caught Qin Wanshu's attention. When Qin Wanshu's gaze fell on Zuo Qinghuan, the little assistant beside Shi Yunyang, her heart skipped a beat. Shi Yunyang had brought her along. Shi Yunyang's actions were indeed unreliable. Despite dressing up the jade to look like a stone, Qin Wanshu easily recognized Zuo Qinghuan. However, there were several uncles around Qin Wanshu; these were her grandfather's brothers. Qin Wanshu naturally took the time to greet each of them patiently.
As Zuo Qinghuan had been continuously staring at Qin Wanshu, she noticed when Qin Wanshu's gaze briefly landed on her. Qin Wanshu seemed to move on after a glance, so Zuo Qinghuan felt a bit disappointed. However, the feeling quickly faded; after all, there were so many guests. Watching Qin Wanshu offer light and comforting smiles to those around her, Zuo Qinghuan saw her as a perfect mask.
Shi Yunyang, with her little assistant, walked towards Qin Wanshu.
"Grandpa Qin, you're getting more robust each day, forever young! People who don't know might think you're the Young Miss' father!" Shi Yunyang approached, immediately flattering Grandpa Qin. Despite Shi Yunyang's unreliable nature, Grandpa Qin didn't dislike her; in fact, he quite liked her. This was inseparable from Shi Yunyang's sweet-talking and people skills. Even though Grandpa Qin was in his eighties, he still refused to acknowledge old age.
“Xiao Shi has become more charming, and that sweet tongue of yours remains unchanged," even Grandpa Qin had to admit that the Shi family's girl is getting more attractive. If it were ancient times, she might have been a troublemaker, but compared to his granddaughter, she still fell short. However, this girl excelled in having a sweet and articulate way of speaking.
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
"Speaking of charm, if our young miss ranks second. Who dares claim the first spot?" Shi Yunyang shifts the conversation to Qin Wanshu, reminding everyone that today is all about her. Leaning in close to Qin Wanshu, she whispers in a voice only Qin Wanshu can hear, "Miss, my birthday gift, do you like it?"
Qin Wanshu maintained her signature graceful smile, but her gaze shifted towards Zuo Qinghuan, who had gone unnoticed by others. She gave Zuo Qinghuan a gentle smile, feeling that Shi Yunyang was being playful, and she doubted Zuo Qinghuan would enjoy this kind of banquet.
Zuo Qinghuan, seeing Qin Wanshu smile at her, felt a surreal sense of connection. In truth, she was somewhat bothered; on Qin Wanshu's birthday, she didn't let Qin Wanshu see her in her most beautiful state.
"Wanshu's appearance takes after her grandmother; it's a natural charm. Back in the day, everyone wanted to marry her grandmother," Qin Wanshu's fourth uncle remarked, reminiscing about the time when his older brother married her grandmother, a woman admired by many.
Qin Zheng couldn't help but recall his own wife from those years. He not only smiled but also realized that Wanshu surpassed even her in grace.
"For so many generations in our Qin family, we've raised Wanshu, a true aristocrat. But my girl, she's like a monkey, never still for a day," Qin Wanshu's third uncle sighed. His family faced a severe imbalance, lacking daughters. Finally, they welcomed a granddaughter, and despite showering her with affection, she was quite mischievous. She was nothing like Qin Wanshu, a true young lady raised in a prestigious family.
That's only natural. Qin Zheng felt secretly proud. She is a granddaughter he raised since childhood after all.
"Third Uncle, Xiao Jing has an energetic personality. If she was like me, it would be too boring," Qin Wanshu modestly remarked.
"Hehe, no wonder Xiao Jing praises her big cousin every day..."
"Yes, I like Sister Wanshu the most..." Suddenly, a young girl emerged and joined Qin Wanshu's side.
Qin Wanshu smiled, affectionately patting the head of the young girl. That doting gesture pricked a slight discomfort in Zuo Qinghuan's heart. She realized that Qin Wanshu's gentleness and indulgence were not reserved for her alone. Zuo Qinghuan didn't pay much attention to what they said afterward; she simply observed as more people gathered around Qin Wanshu. Similarly, Shi Yunyang had her own circle of people.
Zuo Qinghuan quietly distanced herself from Shi Yunyang, found a corner, and observed Qin Wanshu from afar. She noticed the unspoken distance between herself and Qin Wanshu. Qin Wanshu's identity was prominent, and she was the center of attention. Zuo Qinghuan couldn't find an opportunity for a private conversation. She regretted coming here impulsively. Here, she perceived a clear boundary, a line between herself and Qin Wanshu. This realization left her feeling uneasy. Qin Wanshu belonged to a different world, an unreachable distance.
“Do you think you should have come to this banquet?" Qin Teng leaned against a column and asked sarcastically.
"I know that I am very incompatible with this place, but at least I dare to overestimate my own capabilities." Zuo Qinghuan said, looking directly at Qin Teng. Despite something inside her crumbling, she wouldn't allow herself to show weakness in front of others.
"Is it foolish courage, or is it greed?" Qin Teng raised an eyebrow, asking in return. It seemed this woman was not as weak as she appeared, making things a bit interesting.
"You truly resemble Cinderella, neglected and attacked by a malicious stepbrother at this moment," Shi Yunyang, who had somehow shaken off her admirers and appeared nearby, remarked casually, enjoying the spectacle.
Cinderella, Zuo Qinghuan didn't like Cinderella at all. It was a foolish fairy tale, certainly not something that would happen in reality. And she particularly disliked being treated like Cinderella at this moment.
"Cinderella waits for the prince to come and change her situation, but I will change my own circumstances with my own strength," Zuo Qinghuan said coldly. She was definitely not a damsel in distress.
"That's an interesting perspective," Shi Yunyang's frivolous gaze shifted toward Zuo Qinghuan. This woman was indeed intriguing; there was something unique that caught the Young Miss' attention.
"Lady who doesn't want to be Cinderella, the Young Miss asked me to sneak you into her room for a secret rendezvous. In her words, she thought you might not like the atmosphere here and wanted me to take you back to her room to rest," Shi Yunyang couldn't help but reveal. The Young Miss was truly considerate, even taking into account Zuo Qinghuan's mood.