The driver opened the car door for them, and Madam Ning the Second bent down and got in first, followed closely by Ning Yuan.
The car smoothly drove out of Repulse Bay and headed towards the most bustling area of Hong Kong Island.
The Regent Hotel is one of Hong Kong's most luxurious five-star hotels, which just opened this year.
There's a grand charity auction gala there tonight, which is also the day the Ning family officially announces Ning Yuan's return to the family.
When we arrived at the Regent Hotel, the hotel entrance was already filled with elegantly dressed celebrities.
Upon seeing the Ning family's license plate, a waiter in a tuxedo immediately stepped forward, opened the car door, bowed, and greeted the distinguished guest.
Meanwhile, a group of media reporters had been waiting around with their cameras and microphones for quite some time.
The flashes of light, like silver lightning, illuminated the night sky with dazzling starlight.
Ning Yuan, arm in arm with Madam Ning, stepped out of the car and walked straight through the crowd with a polite smile on her face, gracefully heading towards the revolving door not far away.
"They're here! It's the Ning family's newly recognized daughter!"
"I heard she grew up in mainland China and is quite pretty, but I don't know if she's really as vulgar as the rumors say..."
"Shh, keep your voice down! Can't you see the Ning family members are all at the door? Be careful what you say!"
Unlike the others who were dressed in suits, Ning Bing'an was dressed in a low-key black fitted Zhongshan suit, with a tall and handsome figure, and he was also waiting at the door early.
He slightly raised his eyes, his handsome features revealing a touch of aloofness and detachment from the world.
Upon seeing Madam Ning and Ning Yuan alight from the car, Ning Bing'an extended his hand in a gentlemanly manner.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips, his tone gentle yet tinged with distance: "Second Aunt, Little Sister."
Ning Yuan met his gaze for a moment, then gently placed her hand on Ning Bing'an's arm and gave him a polite smile: "Brother Bing'an, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
Madam Ning smiled and patted Ning Bing'an's hand, saying, "Bing'an, you've really had a hard day. I'm also sorry to trouble you to take care of my little sister."
Ning Bing'an said calmly, "As an older brother, it's my duty to take care of my younger sister."
Ning Yuan took his arm, and as they walked down the red carpet, they entered the brightly lit hotel lobby and headed towards the auction venue.
"Are you scared?" Ning Bing'an suddenly asked when they reached the door.
Ning Yuan hesitated slightly, but still chuckled lightly: "What's there to be afraid of? Who can eat me?"
As she spoke, she calmly took his arm and entered the venue amidst the curious and scrutinizing gazes of the crowd.
The moment the door opened, Ning Yuan narrowed her eyes for a split second…
The light reflected from the crystal chandelier illuminated the entire venue as brightly as daytime.
Amidst elegant attire, clinking glasses, and glittering jewels, Hong Kong's elite gathered together.
The people there exuded luxury in every gesture, a world completely different from the simple and austere life in the mainland.
This is the taste of capitalist money...
As soon as Ning Yuan and Ning Bing'an entered, they attracted everyone's attention.
"Look, isn't that the Ning family's newly recognized daughter?"
"Yes, I heard they suffered a lot in the mainland, but now they're finally living a good life."
"They're really lucky. The Ning family actually found them. I wonder how much of their fortune they'll take away next."
The surrounding chatter rose and fell, filled with curiosity, inquiry, and even a hint of disdain.
Curious gazes shone on Ning Yuan like spotlights, some scrutinizing, some jealous, and some inquisitive.
Of course, there were also moments of pure amazement. Ning Yuan accepted these gazes, whether well-intentioned or malicious, with composure.
It was as if those comments, whether curious or malicious, had nothing to do with her.
Looking at her daughter's calm demeanor, Madam Ning felt gratified, but couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Her daughter has suffered since childhood, and now that she's entered this wealthy family, there are some things she has to face on her own.
There are still many more wolves and tigers to face.
At this moment, several elegantly dressed ladies, adorned with jewels, gathered around and exchanged pleasantries with Madam Ning.
"Eliza, you've finally arrived. The items at this Christmas auction are truly abundant and beautiful."
"That's right, Eliza didn't serve as the president of the Morning Light Socialite Association for ten years for nothing."
Eliza is the English name of Madam Ning. Basically, in Hong Kong, most men and women with a little education have English names.
"My dear girl, come here, let me introduce you." Madam Ning Er took her hand affectionately and introduced her to the ladies who were on good terms with her.
“This is my daughter, Ning Yuan. She just returned from the mainland.”
The ladies' gazes lingered on Ning Yuan for a moment before they smiled kindly at her.
"This must be Yuanyuan! She looks exactly like you when you were young, Eliza, as beautiful as a porcelain doll!"
"That's right, with that fresh and lovely appearance, she's definitely going to be a beauty."
"Eliza, you're so lucky! Your daughter is so outstanding; I wonder which lucky boy will be blessed with her in the future!"
"Yes, those eyebrows and eyes, that temperament, she looks like a lady from a well-to-do family."
The ladies praised her one after another, regardless of whether it was true or not; it was all polite flattery that was hard to fault.
"Not at all, you flatter me, aunties," Ning Yuan replied with a smile and a nod.
Even though she wasn't quite skilled at socializing, she was poised and confident in her every move, showing no signs of stage fright.
The polite smiles in the ladies' eyes became more sincere, and even showed more appreciation—after all, they were daughters of the Ning family.
As the person in charge of this charity auction and the president of the socialite club, Madam Ning Er inevitably had to deal with many social engagements.
After exchanging pleasantries, she temporarily entrusted Ning Yuan to Ning Bing'an: "Bing'an, take Yuan Yuan around and let her get to know everyone. I have other things to do."
Ning Bing'an naturally understood that this was to have him shield Ning Yuan from some unnecessary trouble.
He nodded slightly and led Ning Yuan directly to a long table laden with exquisite pastries.
"The auction items won't be brought up until later, so let's have some snacks first."
Ning Yuan nodded: "Okay."
Ning Bing'an went to say a few words to the waiter, while several well-dressed young ladies were gathered around the long table chatting and drinking champagne.
They occasionally let out silvery laughter, as if they hadn't even seen Ning Yuan standing right next to them, and chuckled as they commented on her appearance.
"This is the daughter that the Ning family just recognized. It seems she used to farm in the mainland."
"Tsk tsk, the mainland is so backward. All the people in the mainland know is farming and herding cattle. How dare they come to this kind of event? Won't they smell of cow dung?"
"Now the cowherd girl is the Ning family's heiress, she's risen to prominence, who dares to say anything now? But seriously, this northern girl's Cantonese accent is so weird! So rustic, chuckle..."
Ning Yuan listened to their discussion, a cold smile curling at the corner of her lips. Just as she was about to retort, someone gently put their arm around her shoulder and pulled her to their side.
Ning Bing'an's handsome, aloof face remained indifferent as he looked at the young ladies.
"This is a charity auction, not a vegetable market. The Ning family has covered all the banquet expenses this year. If any of you ladies have any objections to us and do not wish to participate, the door is over there. Goodbye."
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