The group chatted outside for a while, and when they saw that it was almost time, they got up and went inside.
Shu Yang noticed that there were quite a few people at the birthday banquet today, and even saw several reporters carrying photography equipment. He frowned and asked, "Is there anything else going on today? Why are there reporters here?"
He Jie pursed his lips upon hearing this: "I don't know, you'll have to ask Brother Du."
But Shen Du and Jiang Che were already chatting and walking forward, so Shu Yang didn't ask any more questions.
At this moment, Ye Zhao upstairs looked at her incredibly beautiful reflection in the mirror and kept sighing, "You have to have a good foundation, otherwise no matter how much you draw, you can't draw someone this beautiful."
Ye Zhao in the mirror wore a blue, sheer satin cheongsam with lily-of-the-valley buttons. Her hair was styled in a low bun at the back of her head with a jade hairpin. Her makeup was clean and clear, and her temperament was elegant and refined. She was a truly elegant beauty.
Ye Zhao was admiring her own beauty in the mirror when someone knocked on the door and came in.
"Miss Ye, are you ready? The old gentleman says it's almost time."
Upon hearing this, Ye Zhao replied, "Coming."
After saying that, she hurriedly grabbed her shawl and prepared to go out. Just before leaving, she looked in the mirror again and was not satisfied with the flat shoes she was wearing. So she changed into a pair of beige high heels with thin heels before leaving satisfied.
Before Ye Zhao even entered Old Master Shen's study, she could hear voices inside. Before she could knock, the door opened from the inside.
Two young men and women, one on each side, were supporting the old man. They were unfamiliar faces that Ye Zhao had never seen before. The group exchanged glances and silently sized each other up.
Grandpa Shen smiled and beckoned to Ye Zhao: "Zhao Zhao, come and help me."
The young man beside him stepped aside. Ye Zhao stepped forward and supported the old man's arm without saying a word. At this moment, Shen Du came up from downstairs, followed by Shen Jiayi and an unfamiliar man he had never seen before. He was wearing a suit, with the top two buttons of his shirt undone, revealing his neck and collarbone. He had a nonchalant smile on his face. Ye Zhao only glanced at him and did not pay much attention.
Suddenly, two voices came from beside him: "Cousin, Cousin."
Ye Zhao was slightly taken aback, but he had already realized the identities of the two people. Shen Du simply nodded to them and glanced at Ye Zhao, while Shen Jiayi behind him stared at Ye Zhao with eyes that seemed to want to devour him.
"Long time no see, sister-in-law!" The man behind them said to Ye Zhao with a half-smile, then suddenly pretended to be surprised and said, "Oh, I forgot, you're not my sister-in-law anymore."
Ye Zhao frowned, but then heard Shen Du say, "Shen Yu."
His tone was calm yet carried a warning undertone, and the man pursed his lips without saying anything more.
Shen Yu? Shen Du's cousin? Ye Zhao had a vague impression of him, mainly because his presence was quite significant later on.
Shen Jiayi glared at Ye Zhao, wanting to say something, but with Old Master Shen and Shen Du present, she ultimately remained silent.
Ye Zhao and Su Xue helped Old Master Shen, and the others followed behind. The group went downstairs like this.
Downstairs, the hall was full of guests, chatting in twos and threes, while media reporters set up their equipment and waited on the side.
Someone whispered, "They're here."
Everyone looked toward the stairs, and flashes of light went off.
Ye Zhao helped the old man, and the group slowly appeared before everyone. After a few seconds of silence, Ye Zhao suddenly heard a growing commotion of discussion.
How did she get here?
"Didn't President Shen cancel the engagement with her?"
"What happened?"
"I was wondering why I saw members of the Ye family today; it turns out she's here too."
"How dare she show her face? Wasn't she dumped by President Shen? She's shameless!"
"Tch, when has she ever had any shame?"
Shen Jiayi heard the voices of the crowd, her smugness undisguised, and she glanced at Ye Zhao in front of her with a half-smile.
Ye Zhao ignored these voices and even gave Old Master Shen a reassuring look, and Old Master Shen looked at her and nodded.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Today I, Shen, am here..."
Old Master Shen, leaning on his cane, stood at the front and spoke without any assistance. He said some polite words of thanks to all the guests who had graced the occasion with their presence. After he finished speaking, he pulled Ye Zhao to his side and glanced at Shen Du. Shen Du then took a step forward and stood on the other side.
On stage, Ye Zhaoshan possessed delicate features: bright eyes, a beautiful nose, and cherry lips. Her makeup was light and refreshing. A blue, sheer satin cheongsam accentuated her figure, while the lily-of-the-valley buttons added a touch of refinement. She wore high heels, radiating an air of elegant grace and gentle beauty. On the other side, Chen Du, dressed in a formal suit, displayed a superior physique. His smooth face and sharp features made him exceptionally handsome. Standing together, the two looked like a perfect couple.
Shu Yang, who was below, frowned and looked over, ignoring He Jie's words.
"If you ask me, Ye Zhao and Du Ge are quite a good match. They're a handsome man and a beautiful woman, and they look great together."
Wang Shuo's gaze fell on Ye Zhao, his eyes filled with a smile and a scrutinizing look: "Yes, I never realized Ye Zhao was so beautiful before!"
Upon hearing this, Fang Yizhou gave him a wary look: "What are you thinking? She just broke off her engagement with Brother Du."
Jiang Che, standing to the side, looked at Ye Zhao on the stage and recalled Jiang Ze's words when he was about to return to China.
"Brother, if you run into Ye Zhao when you go back to China, remember to give me a shout."
How did Jiang Ze and Ye Zhao know each other? Moreover, based on his understanding of Jiang Ze, the two seemed to have a good relationship, which made Jiang Che even more puzzled. He knew his younger brother's personality well, so how could he be involved with Ye Zhao?
Before he could think further, Old Master Shen interrupted his thoughts.
"Recently, I'm sure everyone has heard about the news that my grandson Chen Du and Ye Zhao, the daughter of the Ye family, have broken off their engagement. I've heard a lot of untrue rumors about this, so I'd like to clarify something here. First, the two children broke off their engagement because of personality clashes, not because of those unfounded gossips. Second, although the two children are not destined to be husband and wife, their affection for each other remains. Although Zhao Zhao is not my granddaughter-in-law, I, Chen Du, treat her like my own granddaughter, and I will never allow anyone to bully her under my nose!"
Old Master Shen's words were firm and resounding, and the people who had been talking quietly in the hall fell silent. Shen Jiayi, who was behind him, twitched her eyelids and her face became even more unpleasant.
Ye Zhao lowered her head, concealing the emotions in her eyes. It would be a lie to say she wasn't moved. Recently, even the Ye family hated her intensely, and only this old man in front of her was willing to protect her like this.
When she finally composed herself and looked up, she noticed an undeniable gaze upon her. Ye Zhao frowned and looked over, only to see Shen Du also frowning as he stared at her before looking away.
Ye Zhao was completely bewildered. She hadn't provoked him at all.
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