"It's almost time, let's get ready to go down." Tang Sheng walked over, with Su Yao, who was dressed in exquisite makeup, beside him.
"Dad, Mom!" Tang Zhiyi ran over, lifting her skirt, her voice full of joy.
A rare smile appeared on Su Yao's face as she tidied Tang Zhiyi's hair, a standard smile on her lips.
"What if you fall while running and jumping around?"
Tang Zhiyi stuck out her tongue and linked arms with Su Yao, looking quite intimate.
"Mr. Tang and Mrs. Tang."
"Thank you for your hard work. We've prepared some pastries for you in another room." Most of the people who come to do their makeup have connections in the industry. Unless they've lost their minds, the organizers will make proper arrangements for the staff to avoid criticism.
"Thank you, Mr. Tang. Your family of three looks so happy."
"Yes, Miss Tang is just like Mrs. Tang, sweet and lovely." Upon hearing this, the staff member knew that their work for the day was over and offered a few more compliments.
Su Yao smiled and nodded, seemingly quite satisfied with their words. However, upon closer inspection, one would find no emotion in her eyes, her politeness bordering on the insincere.
"It's almost time," the assistant whispered in Tang Sheng's ear.
Tang Sheng nodded. "Let's go, the banquet is about to begin."
Tang Zhiyi smiled, unconsciously straightening her back and tilting her chin slightly. Tang Sheng and Su Yao each held one of her hands, and they slowly walked down the stairs under everyone's gaze.
All eyes were on them, and Tang Zhiyi grew even more smug. She looked down at the people below, like a noble queen.
Lan Xing and Su Ping stood in the corner. The latter had no expression, but Lan Xing kept looking around, as if waiting for someone to appear.
"Do you have ADHD?" Su Ping couldn't help but ask.
"Now that you're standing here, I just remembered, isn't that young lady your cousin?" Lan Xing's expression was somewhat teasing.
"Pick up the sesame seeds and lose the watermelon."
Su Ping's pointed remark made Lan Xing's lips curl into an uncontrollable smile. "That's right, my Wanwan is not someone that anyone can compare to."
Upon hearing this, even the usually composed Su Ping's expression became somewhat complicated. Lan Xing, however, showed no restraint and instead gave Su Ping a flirtatious wink.
Their subtle actions went unnoticed, as everyone's attention was focused on the stage.
"Welcome everyone to attend the family reunion banquet hosted by Mr. Tang. My daughter has been wandering for 17 years and has finally returned to her ancestral home..." Tang Sheng said in his opening remarks, while Su Yao put her arm around Tang Zhiyi's arm, and the two looked very close.
"No wonder they're related by blood, they do look somewhat alike."
"They seem quite close, but what about the fake one? After 17 years of raising her, she just abandons her like that. How deep can her feelings be?"
"They are related by blood."
"As expected, the one picked halfway through is different; her temperament and appearance can't compare to that one."
"Elegance isn't something money can buy; it's something that's been taken up by 17 years of pampered life."
"But that's pretty ruthless. After raising them for 17 years, they just gave up on them like that."
There was a murmur among the people below, and Tang Sheng's speech was coming to an end before they knew it.
"Zhiyi, why don't you say a few words?" Tang Sheng said, beckoning to Tang Zhiyi with a gentle tone and encouraging eyes.
Su Yao patted Tang Zhiyi's hand and led her forward, while Tang Sheng stepped aside. The two of them stood on either side of Tang Zhiyi, their actions full of protection.
Tang Zhiyi let out a breath, looking somewhat nervous. She glanced at Su Yao, then at Tang Sheng, both of their eyes filled with encouragement.
"Good evening, everyone. I am Tang Zhiyi. Not long ago, I didn't have the surname Tang."
Upon hearing this, Lan Xing covered her lips, concealing the smile on her face. "A single conversation with you is worth more than a single conversation?"
Su Ping turned her face away, and it was clear that she was also enduring it.
Tang Zhiyi was unaware of what was happening offstage; she was simply immersed in the tragic world she had created for herself.
Her eyes were red-rimmed, and her voice was choked with emotion. Su Yao seemed deeply moved as well, holding her hand tightly, while Tang Sheng pursed his lips and silently patted her shoulder.
“My adoptive parents had four boys. After their family fell into poverty, their home was very oppressive. It was during this time that I discovered my true identity. I was both nervous and excited. Fortunately, my parents quickly accepted me and gave me love I had never experienced before.”
"How disgusting, they're indirectly saying her adoptive parents abused her." Lan Xing couldn't stand it anymore, her eyes glancing more and more frequently at the door.
"What if it's true?" Su Ping asked back.
"Come on, I've seen Wanwan's twin brothers, they wouldn't do something like that. Besides, if they really wanted to abuse her, would Wanwan go?"
Su Ping disagreed with the first half of the sentence, but Lan Xing's last sentence successfully convinced her.
The conversation finally ended, and the three of them displayed their close relationship in front of the guests, looking sweet and happy. Just as they were about to step down from the stage to help Tang Zhiyi get to know the guests, the door was pushed open.
A dog's bark caught Lan Xing's eye. She pulled out her phone and quickly ducked into a shadowy corner, hiding herself. Su Ping was puzzled, but while everyone's attention was drawn to the newcomer, she squeezed in next to Lan Xing.
The doors slowly opened, and in that instant, everything changed. A figure darted out of the darkness and rushed toward the stage amidst screams from the crowd.
Tang Zhiyi tried to escape, but her ten-centimeter high heels and swaying skirt became a hindrance at this moment. She was tackled to the ground and couldn't help but scream when she felt the sticky sensation on her face.
"Get away, you beast! Get away!" she screamed, her carefully crafted look and makeup ruined in an instant.
But she couldn't care less about that now. She dug her nails into the dog's flesh and shoved it away. She stood up and kicked the dog hard, but the German Shepherd reacted quickly and dodged to the side.
"You beast, I'll skin you alive today! You beast, die! Die!"
Tang Zhiyi was filled with humiliation and fear. Seeing that her kick had missed, she became even angrier. Lifting her skirt and cursing incessantly, she walked towards the German Shepherd and kicked the dog again.
The guests, who had been initially frightened, recovered and frowned as they looked at Meng Zhiyi, who was acting like a shrew.
"What are the security guards doing? Take the dog away right now!" Tang Sheng also realized what was happening, his face as black as coal. Seeing Tang Zhiyi's crazy appearance, the veins on his temples throbbed twice.
He gave Su Yao a look, and although she was startled, she remained calm.
"Zhiyi." She tried to soften her tone, and even tugged at Tang Zhiyi's hand in fear that she might not hear her. But Tang Zhiyi, still angry, shook off her hand.
The guests' gazes were like knives, piercing the two people who cared so much about their image. Even Su Yao's face darkened.
"Tang Zhiyi!" Su Yao called out in a low voice, and only then did Tang Zhiyi realize what she had done.
She stopped moving, her pupils trembling, and for a moment she didn't have the courage to look down at the audience.
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