Making such a joke in this kind of situation? What is he trying to do?!

The commotion immediately attracted the attention of many more people.

A mature woman in a burgundy deep-V dress is holding a glass of champagne.

She walked over gracefully.

Her gaze fell directly on Xie Huaiye, her smile somewhat complicated:

"Huaiye, it's been a long time."

When Xie Huaiye saw her, he paused noticeably, his tone polite but with a hint of distance:

"Sister Qing? When did you come back to China?"

Mu Wanqing smiled, but her eyes glanced at Yan Ning, sizing him up from head to toe.

"I just got back not long ago. Looks like I came back at the wrong time; I missed your big celebration?"

"This is your...fiancée?"

Gu Chen chimed in from the side, "Exactly! She's been hidden really well! Tell us, whose daughter is she?"

Yan Ning was so nervous that her fingers curled up.

She felt like everyone's gaze was piercing her like needles.

Xie Huaiye sensed her stiffness.

The hand that had been loosely around her waist slid down.

He found her slightly cool hand accurately and held it tightly.

He gently rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb.

It was as if they were trying to comfort him.

Xie Huaiye remained expressionless, his tone even carrying a hint of barely perceptible doting:

"We haven't had a chance to tell everyone yet that she is the daughter of the Su Group, Su Yanning."

"The Soviet-style group?"

Someone nearby muttered quietly, "Never heard of it..."

Mu Wanqing's eyes flickered slightly, as if she had suddenly remembered something.

She covered her mouth with her hand and feigned surprise with an "Oh".

The sound was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for everyone in the surrounding area to hear.

"I remember now! The Su family's daughter who went missing as a child and was only recently found?"

"It seems... I heard she used to stay in a Taoist temple on the mountain? She was... a young Taoist nun?"

"What? A Taoist temple?"

"A Taoist priest? Is that so outrageous?"

"No way, this kind of low-class person can attend a banquet?"

Several sneers rang out instantly from the surrounding area, their voices sharp and piercing.