Chapter 31 The Family Banquet Turmoil 2
As the hostess, Xu Wenjun took the initiative to start the conversation. She picked up a piece of crystal pork jelly with her chopsticks and placed it on the bone plate in front of Song Zhiyi, her smile gentle: "Zhiyi, try this, it's the master chef's specialty. You've been abroad for two years, you probably haven't been able to eat something this authentic."
"Thank you, Auntie," Song Zhiyi said politely, but didn't pick up her chopsticks immediately. Huo Yanli noticed that she almost never ate the food others offered, only taking what was within her reach.
"It must be tough abroad, right?" Xu Wenjun continued, her tone concerned, but the implication in her words was clear to everyone. "I heard that the places you went to... weren't very good. Girls don't really need to work so hard."
Song Zhiyi put down her chopsticks and gently wiped her mouth with a napkin: "It's alright. It's just for work."
“That’s true.” Xu Wenjun nodded and turned to Lin Wanru. “Second sister-in-law, don’t you think so? It’s better for girls to have a stable life. Like Siqi, I think we should let her find a less demanding job after she goes back to China, something not too tiring.”
Lin Wanru immediately chimed in, "Yes. Our Siqi is now working as a curatorial assistant at the art museum. The work is easy, the environment is great, and it's a good way to cultivate one's taste." She smiled at her daughter, "Siqi, are there any new exhibitions at the museum lately?"
Huo Siqi put down her phone, her tone carrying a hint of superiority: "Yes, there's a French Impressionist exhibition next week, and I borrowed a few original Monet paintings from Paris." As she spoke, she seemingly casually tossed her hair, revealing a pair of diamond stud earrings that were at least three carats in size, which shone brilliantly under the lights.
"That's amazing," Xu Wenjun exclaimed, then looked at Song Zhiyi, "Zhiyi, what exactly do you do at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs? Do you translate documents?"
The question was asked "naturally," but everyone present understood the subtext: translating documents sounds like a clerical job, with little technical content and certainly no sense of accomplishment.
Just as Song Zhiyi was about to answer, her second uncle, Huo Zhenting, who was sitting opposite her, spoke first.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is great, a secure job." Huo Zhenting's voice boomed as he held a wine glass. "I have a friend's son who works there too, I think he's some kind of counselor. Young people have a bright future. By the way—" He looked at Song Zhiyi, his gaze scrutinizing, "Zhiyi, what rank are you now...?"
Rank. The most important thing for people within the system, symbolizing status, seniority, and future.
There was a moment of silence at the table. Everyone looked at Song Zhiyi, waiting for her answer.
Song Zhiyi picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and then calmly replied, "Deputy Division Chief level."
Huo Zhenting said "Oh," nodded, and didn't say anything more, but his expression clearly said: Deputy division chief level, not high or low, just so-so.
Xu Wenjun, however, caught this information and smiled as she smoothed things over, saying, "A deputy division-level position is already quite good. Zhiyi is still young, take your time."
That's what they said, but the exchanged glances among the women at the table said it all. In their eyes, a deputy director-level position was probably no different from a mid-level manager in the Huo Group—nothing to be surprised about.
Huo Siqi chuckled softly, her voice low but exceptionally clear in the quiet dining room. She picked up the bird's nest stewed with snow frog in front of her and ate it in small bites, the Cartier LOVE bracelet on her wrist swaying gently with the movement, sparkling under the light.
Zhou Jing also began to casually mention her own family matters: "By the way, Mingxuan was recently promoted and is now the company's executive vice president. Grandpa, your grandson is becoming more and more capable."
Huo Zhenbang waved his hand modestly: "I still have a long way to go, and I need to learn more from Yanli."
“Mingxuan is good,” Xu Wenjun replied with a smile, then looked at Song Zhiyi, “Zhiyi, your parents… are gone, right? Do you have any relatives left?”
This question suddenly created a subtle tension at the table.
Asking about family background, connections, and whether someone has powerful backers—this is an unspoken test within this circle. Without a family background, one lacks foundation and support, a natural weakness in a network of connections.
Song Zhiyi put down her chopsticks. Her movements were very light, but inexplicably, the whole table fell silent.
She raised her head and looked calmly at Xu Wenjun: "My parents passed away when I was twelve. My maternal grandfather also passed away a few years ago. Now I live alone...
She spoke frankly, without any concealment or self-pity, as if stating an ordinary fact.
A complex mix of emotions flashed across Xu Wenjun's face—sympathy, regret, but mostly a knowing "I knew it." She nodded, her tone gentle yet tinged with condescending pity: "What a pitiful child. But now it's all right, now that she's in the Huo family, she's family."
These words sound nice, but given the seat at the very bottom, and the intentional or unintentional comparisons and boasting, they sound particularly... jarring.
Huo Yanli remained silent, simply eating his meal quietly. However, his gaze would occasionally sweep towards Song Zhiyi.
She sat there, her back ramrod straight, her expression as calm as a deep pool, unmoved even by a ripple in the wind. To the overt and covert probing, comparisons, and boasting, she simply listened quietly, occasionally offering a few words in a tone as flat as if discussing the weather.
She didn't even...give him a second glance.
It was as if he, the husband in name, was no different from the others at the table.
Huo Yanli felt that inexplicable irritation rise again. He put down his chopsticks, picked up his wine glass, and drank the remaining red wine in one gulp.
The wine was mellow, but it tasted a bit bitter at that moment.
The banquet continued. The women's conversation turned to jewelry and fashion. Zhou Jing showed off her newly purchased jade bracelet, Xu Wenjun talked about a set of pearl jewelry she had recently bought at an auction, and Huo Siqi "casually" mentioned that she was going to Paris next week to attend a fashion show and had already booked a front-row seat.
The men discussed the economic situation, policy trends, and recent investment projects. Huo Zhenting had the loudest voice, talking about a prime land project he had just acquired; Huo Zhenguo was more reserved, occasionally interjecting with key points; Huo Zhenbang listened more, nodding occasionally.
Song Zhiyi was excluded from these topics. She ate her meal quietly, occasionally glancing up to respond when someone mentioned her, but mostly just listening.
Like a guest who has mistakenly entered someone else's home for a banquet.
Or rather, it's like a decoration placed there to prove that "the Huo family values loyalty and righteousness."
Huo Yanli looked at the woman sitting in the corner, at her calm profile, and at the faint, almost imperceptible scar on her wrist when she occasionally picked up her teacup.
An indescribable emotion surged within him.
But he still didn't say anything.
He simply poured himself another glass of wine.
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