Chapter 96 The Shengdan Jingmochou at the Recognition Banquet
Beijing Hotel·Lights Come On
Eight gilded palace lanterns hang high on the high ceiling, and the lampshades are painted with delicate production pictures of workers, peasants and soldiers.
On the main table covered with a snow-white tablecloth, Beijing Hotel’s signature butter rolls were placed on a Jingdezhen blue and white porcelain plate, and the aroma of jasmine tea wafted from an aluminum thermos next to it.
A huge oil painting of "Ode to Yan'an" hangs on the wall, and below it are two pots of carefully trimmed evergreens.
This is a popular banquet setting nowadays. The chandelier illuminates the banquet hall as bright as day, and undercurrents surge as the wine glasses clink.
Xiaobai was wearing a modified Type 65 military uniform. The tweed fabric was specially approved by Gu Xicheng for officers, and there was a shining five-pointed star badge on the collar.
The only thing that was out of the ordinary was the cowhide belt around her waist - it was made by Tang Jingmo from a US military belt, and it stood out in the conservative meeting room.
"Is that the wild girl that the Gu family adopted?" Yao Jingjing's fingers, which were holding the wine glass, turned slightly white.
The moon-white cheongsam and dark green shawl she had specially chosen today looked petty in contrast to the other person's upright military uniform.
Elder Yao stepped forward tremblingly on his crutches: "Commander Gu, congratulations on your father-daughter reunion!"
The withered hand suddenly grabbed the granddaughter and said, "This is my Jingjing, she is in the art troupe—"
"Dancing, White-haired Girl, I've been to your military district's performance, do you remember me?"
Yao Jingjing danced gracefully and looked at Gu Xicheng expectantly.
I didn't expect that Gu Xicheng, who was in her forties, looked so young, unlike her brother who had a big belly at the age of thirty.
Xiaobai looked at Yao Jingjing who was flirting with him, then looked at Old Man Gu who was radiating mature charm, and he understood instantly.
"Are you courting?"
Xiaobai's straightforward question made the people around who were silently paying attention to the situation choke.
As expected, he is a country kid, speaking without restraint.
"You must be Xiao Bai, you are really good-looking, but your eyes and brows look more like Aunt Su, and you can't see the handsomeness of Chief Gu."
Gu Xicheng frowned and was about to speak when Xiaobai interrupted him.
"Aunt Su? Auntie, how old are you?"
There were bursts of muffled laughter around them. Yao Jingjing's eyes were blazing with fire and her fists were clenched. She wanted to refute but considering her status, she had to hold back her anger.
"Xiao Bai, I am your sister Yao. It's all your fault that I can't speak. No one could match Sister Su's charm back then."
Little bitch, wait until I become your stepmother, you will be in trouble!
Xiaobai narrowed his eyes and saw through her thoughts at a glance.
"Uncle, there is your sister here, come and take her back!"
Su Po was supporting his father Su Boting not far away. Hearing this, he looked up and raised his voice:
"I don't have any younger sisters. I only have one sister, Lidya Su."
Xiao Bai raised his eyebrows and looked at the red and blue faces of the Yao family's grandfather and grandson. "Did you hear that? My mother doesn't have any sisters. Don't call her the wrong name."
She turned around and said to Gu Xicheng in a troubled tone, "Dad, I heard that Beijing is a city of outstanding people and beautiful scenery, but I think it's just like this."
She glanced at Yao Jingjing with disdain, and anyone with eyes could see the strong sarcasm in her eyes.
When faced with this kind of situation, most people would stop there and try to save their remaining face.
But the Yao family is not ordinary people. They are "inhuman" people with such thick skin that they can be used as city walls!
Old Master Yao laughed heartily to cover up his embarrassment. "Chief Gu's daughter is very clever and quirky. Like father, like daughter. Congratulations!"
She turned around and clasped her fists to the guests around her, "My granddaughter hasn't attended a party for a long time. I'm sorry for speaking inappropriately. I'm sorry for making you all laugh."
The old ones are still the wisest. If he admits his mistakes so frankly, others won't be able to say anything. But Su Boting can.
"Yao Shuisheng, take your granddaughter to a seat quickly, don't stand there blocking the way."
Although Su Boting did not hold any official position, he was a leader in the academic world and no well-known scholar at home or abroad dared to offend him.
Old Man Yao had no choice but to take Yao Jingjing away temporarily.
Old Master Su looked at his granddaughter with a kind look, tears in his eyes, as if he saw his daughter who was full of vigor and vitality back then.
"Grandpa, hello." This was the first formal meeting between the grandfather and grandson.
Su Boting nodded, feeling a little agitated, and not knowing how to start talking.
"Xiaobai, this is a gift from your grandpa." Su Po handed over a notebook wrapped in red cloth.
"Girl, the Gu family is your home, and our Su family is also your home, but in addition to that, you should have a home of your own."
Su Boting pointed at the gift and said, "It's a small courtyard. It's not big. You can live in it. If you don't like it, you can choose one yourself. Grandpa will pay for it."
Xiaobai opened the notebook and saw the address on it. He was a little surprised - the courtyard house next to the Forbidden City, he made a fortune!
"Thank you, Grandpa!" Before she finished her words, a hoarse voice came from far away.
"Girl!" An old lady dressed simply rushed over to hug Xiaobai, "I am your third aunt..."
Xiaobai dodged sideways and asked, "Third Aunt?"
Her relatives suddenly increased in number, and she still couldn't figure out the intricacies of the situation.
"Grandpa's third cousin." Su Po whispered beside him, "No need to worry about it."
Xiaobai glanced at Grandpa Su Boting's indifferent expression and understood immediately.
The old lady was probably old and her eyesight was not very good, so she could not see that the Su family father and son ignored her.
She was immersed in her own story, "...Su Xiao is also an unlucky girl. She can't even have such a good partner and such a beautiful daughter..."
"You and your daughter have no one to take care of you. Su Xiao is not at peace in heaven. Your third aunt's husband's family has a cousin who looks... She is mainly responsible for the work..."
Xiaobai sighed inwardly. He originally thought that he was the most tired one at the family reunion banquet, but he didn't expect that these people came just for his father.
She raised her eyebrows and looked at Gu Xicheng, whispering: "I didn't expect you to be so popular in the marriage market at your age."
Gu Xicheng snorted coldly, "My real intention is not to drink. I won't look for anyone else except your mother, and I don't want anyone else, so don't worry."
"Why should I be worried? I'm worried about them." Xiaobai said meaningfully.
This old woman kept chattering, which was annoying enough. Xiaobai rolled his eyes and said:
"What? Third aunt, your cousin is determined to be a nanny? Alas, a nanny is not as good as a proper job. Look at the spirit of the service staff in this hotel. They must be paid well. Why don't you go and ask them? Anyway, you are here."
The old lady was fooled by Xiaobai and looked around. Seeing the waiters in uniform, each one looking very energetic, she forgot her original intention for a moment and went to find someone to inquire for information.
Tang Jingmo had been accompanying him the whole time. Upon hearing this, he tapped Xiaobai's nose and said, "Little clever ghost!"
Su Boting winked at Su Po, who immediately understood and caught up with his third aunt.
The third aunt took a few steps before reacting. She turned around and opened her mouth to shout: "I'm not going to be your nanny, I want to be your..."
"Third Auntie!" Su Po interrupted her.
"When the Su family split up in 1943, how come my family heirloom was in the pawn shop?"
The old lady's face turned pale - that was what she had stolen.
"Just because my dad doesn't pursue the matter doesn't mean he knows nothing. If you continue to talk nonsense in front of Xiaobai, we won't be relatives anymore."
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