As the servant finished speaking, the originally noisy room suddenly became silent.
Everyone looked towards the door again. The first ones to come in were Gu's father and Gu Ci's eldest brother. Both of them were well-known in the circle, so they greeted everyone warmly as soon as they came in.
Liu Lingyi and Gu Qinglian followed closely behind, and among them was Gu Ci, who was wearing a glazed blue cheongsam and a white knitted shawl.
She looked even better today than she did on the opening day of the exhibition. Her pretty face was lightly powdered, her eyebrows were lightly swept like distant mountains, and her lips were covered with a thin layer of light red rouge, like cherries moistened by morning dew.
Her short, inky hair was tied up with an apricot blossom hairpin, and on her earlobes hung two green agate round bead earrings that looked like the condensed water of West Lake.
The delicate and graceful figure is wrapped in the finest brocade, showing off its curves.
Two white jade buttons with apricot blossoms are slanted on the front, and a few apricot blossoms are embroidered on the right side of the cheongsam, extending to the front.
When she walks, the hem of her skirt is like ripples on still water, without the sound of her jewelry, but she has a unique charm of elegance and books, and even when the mist and waves flow, she reveals the warmth of the Jiangnan mist.
After greeting the Gu family, Aunt Pei took Gu Ci's hand and said, "Oh, I haven't seen you for many years. You are getting more and more beautiful.
I came back from abroad two days ago and just heard people say that you even blocked a knife to save A Yu. You were already weak, how could you be so foolish as to block the knife? Are you fully recovered now?"
"aunt."
Gu Ci's eyes revealed a gentle smile, and she called out softly, then said, "I'm much better now. Thank you for your concern, aunt."
Aunt Pei looked distressed, "You are also a fool."
The old lady also came forward at this time, "Aci, why don't you take a rest? It's raining today, and you ran all the way back. Are you feeling okay?"
"It doesn't matter. This year is your eightieth birthday, and I haven't been back for so many years. Even if it rains knives from the sky, I will definitely come back to celebrate your birthday."
Gu Ci's voice was gentle and sincere. "Grandma, I wish you a happy birthday. Eighty years of wind and rain have brought sweetness, and your silver smile warms the world. May you never grow old, may happiness last forever, and may you always smile."
"Oh, okay, okay."
The old lady nodded in agreement and saw the servant holding a transparent glass vase.
There are a few lisianthus plants planted inside, and a few silver anemones dotted next to them, which are staggered with the calla lilies.
The lavender and moonlight white gradually blended into one in the continuous rain, and the cold light made the vase more translucent, exuding a unique, moist elegance.
The old lady didn't react for a moment, "What is this?"
Gu Ci smiled, took the vase from the servant, and handed it to the old lady, "This is my homework, and it's also a gift for you.
Grandma, you taught me flower arrangement. Due to my health, I haven't touched it for many years. I only picked it up again recently. I don't know if my flower arranging skills have declined. I hope Grandma will give me a score.
The old lady looked at the pretty eyes and eyebrows, as if she could recall from her face the time when she came to Pei's house as a child and sat quietly and studiously beside her to learn the techniques of flower arrangement.
She smiled lovingly, "Well done, you've made some progress. Grandma will give you 95 points, and the remaining 5 points are for you to continue to improve."
"Thank you, grandma."
Cui Xueheng sat back in her seat and joined in the conversation, "This flower arrangement is much more artistic than those sold outside. Ah Ci, you are really ingenious."
Those flowers sold outside...
The implication is obvious.
Some people couldn't help but glance at the bouquet of flowers on the cabinet not far away.
Gu Ci didn't know that Meng Sheng had sent flowers before.
But when she saw the expressions of others and the direction of their glances, she understood a little bit. A hint of innocence appeared on her face, which was then cleverly transformed into playfulness and shyness.
He smiled and replied, "Aunt Cui, you are so kind."
The old lady smiled without changing her expression, and said at the right moment, "These are all from the children's heart. What's there to compare?"
"That's what grandma said."
Gu Ci reached out and held the old lady's arm, walking towards the main seat on the sofa.
When she was about to leave and sit somewhere else, she inadvertently met Meng Sheng's gaze and paused.
Then he smiled and said, "Director Meng."
Meng Sheng also nodded to her with a slight smile, but did not intend to communicate further.
Gu Ci would come to Pei's house to attend the birthday party today, which was within her expectations.
As for Cui Xueheng's deliberate loss of face for her just now, she didn't take it to heart. After all, she really couldn't have any hope or expectation from someone who would use his illness to frame her.
The old lady quickly changed the topic, but Cui Xueheng was not annoyed because she knew that the old lady would protect her.
She waved to Gu Ci and patted the seat next to her, "Aci, come here and sit here."
"Yeah, okay."
Gu Ci walked over and sat down, then greeted her aunt and uncle next to her.
To outsiders, Gu Ci looked more like Pei Sui's girlfriend.
Many people's eyes were darting between Gu Ci and Meng Sheng.
One is Pei Sui's ex-fiancée, and the other is his current girlfriend. People can't help but compare them.
Their family backgrounds are similar, both of them come from scholarly families.
The only difference is that the Gu family's door lintel is glorious, and it is a prosperous scene with a pile of splendor.
The Meng family is a family of literature and art. Although they have many outstanding students and their influence is deeply engraved in their family, they are like lone rangers in the wealthy circle of Beijing. They are very low-key and rarely come in and out of the circle to communicate with others.
The most famous person in the Meng family today is probably Meng Sheng, who became famous because of his high-profile divorce and the successful holding of several art exhibitions.
As a result, the colors of the clothes the two wore today were somewhat similar.
The Chanel-style suit skirt is lighter in color, while the elegant and noble cheongsam is slightly darker in color.
Analyzing from their looks, both of them have top-notch looks.
Especially Meng Sheng's face, bright and charming.
In terms of temperament, both of them spoke softly and amiably, and their every move was dignified and elegant, both being the epitome of ladies from noble families.
If there is any disadvantage, it is that Gu Ci is in poor health and will definitely not be able to have children for the family. How long he can live depends on fate.
Meng Sheng’s shortcoming is that he is married for the second time.
There is no precedent of any young man from a wealthy family marrying a divorced woman.
If this gets out, I will be laughed at and embarrassed.
Who doesn’t value face?
Besides, Meng Sheng and Shang Boyu's divorce was a big deal, and the controversy surrounding Shang Boyu's suicide by swallowing a needle a few days ago has not completely subsided.
These things are destined to become the topic of conversation for others after dinner, and no one wants to be talked about for nothing.
The shortcomings of these two people are the advantages of each other.
Most of the people sitting in this flower hall have some connection with the Gu family. After weighing the pros and cons in their minds, their hearts unconsciously leaned towards Gu Ci.
I don’t know why Asui would leave his good ex-fiancée and fall in love with a divorced woman.
Could it be that he was drugged with some kind of magic potion?
Although Gu Ci's place was very lively, many of her peers, including Aunt Pei's two daughters, and the daughters of her uncle and aunt, were gathered there talking.
But Meng Sheng's side was not deserted either. An old lady pulled several older elders to talk to her, and Pei Huan was there to adjust the atmosphere.
Although the two factions were clearly divided, the atmosphere did not become awkward.
Meng Sheng naturally noticed something from the expressions and actions of some people, and glanced at Gu Ci who was surrounded by girls of the same age chatting and laughing.
She always felt that Gu Ci was deliberately trying to intimidate her and was trying to compete with her.
He was vying for the Pei family's appreciation of her, for her familiarity with the Pei family, and for showing that he was like a fish in water among the Pei family's relatives, while she, Meng Sheng, could only stay away from them.
I want to make her feel uncomfortable and sad.
This intuition is not groundless.
Gu Ci's move was actually quite silent, because she behaved very normally and outsiders would not think of it at all.
In addition, the Gu family's attitude was very open and frank. Although the relationship seemed awkward, the scene was quite harmonious. At least there was no tense atmosphere.
Meng Sheng curled the corners of his lips.
In her opinion, these were all useless efforts that were not worthy of being shown on the stage.
What's the point of playing such tricks?
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