22 – Birthday Party
The next day, Tang Qianluo woke up early, and before her mind had even cleared, she was pressed into getting washed and dressed.
“Young Madam, today’s banquet is very important. As the young master’s wife, you must remember all the precautions I just told you,” the woman said with grave sincerity.
For the past two hours at least, this woman who seemed to appear out of nowhere had been drilling the precautions into Tang Qianluo. She seemed terrified that any mistake would reflect poorly on her, repeating the tedious content over and over without any sign of weariness.
The Ning Family patriarch’s eightieth birthday was arguably the biggest event in the capital. Those who wanted to rely on the Ning Family, those who sought to curry favor with them, and those hoping to forge connections with them—all were eagerly awaiting this day.
As the wife of the Ning Family’s new generation leader, countless people were anticipating Tang Qianluo’s performance, while just as many were waiting to see her make a fool of herself.
Tang Qianluo nodded expressionlessly. She could understand the woman’s anxiety, but she couldn’t accept it!
She had left the Tang Family not to fall into the Ning Family’s cage.
Standing before the floor-to-ceiling window, Tang Qianluo crossed her arms over her chest, gazing at the world beyond the glass as countless thoughts raced through her mind.
Ning Dai stood at the doorway watching Tang Qianluo. Before the massive window, her silhouette appeared lonely and helpless.
Today she wore a beautiful silver mermaid dress with an off-shoulder neckline, her loose long hair elegantly coiled at the back of her head. Without her hair covering it, her jade-like neck seemed even more fragrant.
She was so exquisite—such loneliness shouldn’t belong to her.
In that moment, Ning Dai suddenly felt a pang of panic, as if an invisible hand had gripped his heart. A sudden terror seized him—that he might lose her before he even had the chance to truly possess her!
Striding forward, he wrapped his arms around Tang Qianluo from behind.
Tang Qianluo started, her body stiffening in place. When she realized it was Ning Dai holding her, she asked in confusion, “What’s wrong?”
“What were you thinking about?” Ning Dai’s voice was low and hoarse, carrying a hint of barely detectable fear.
“Nothing.”
How could she tell Ning Dai that she was wondering when she would finally be able to fly beyond these walls?
Suddenly, she felt a chill against her neck. Looking down, she saw an exquisite collarbone necklace had been fastened around her throat.
A thumb-sized diamond hung from the delicate silver chain, surrounded by a circle of smaller diamonds. With her slightest movement, the center diamond would rotate.
“Do you like it?”
Was this man a diamond supplier?
Tang Qianluo really wanted to complain—if you like giving gifts so much, just give money! But then she remembered that if not for this necklace, Ning Dai wouldn’t have gotten into that car accident, and she swallowed all her critical remarks.
“President Ning, the car is ready,” Ji Xianyang announced, knocking on the door.
Ning Dai grunted in acknowledgment. Hearing this, Tang Qianluo turned around, pausing momentarily when she saw what Ning Dai was wearing.
He was wearing the shirt she had given him!
There was no denying he looked handsome in it, but for such an important occasion today, the shirt seemed somewhat cheap.
Her brows slightly furrowed as she hesitantly voiced her concern, “Isn’t this outfit a bit too inexpensive for today’s occasion?”
Ning Dai took Tang Qianluo’s hand, the corners of his mouth lifting in a smile that was three parts amusement and seven parts pride. “What’s mine is the best.”Tang Qianluo couldn’t help but laugh, the emotions she had suppressed all morning finally easing somewhat at the man’s arrogant words.
She raised an eyebrow and followed Ning Dai out of the hospital room.
When the two arrived at the Ning Family’s old mansion, luxury cars already filled the area outside the villa.
Tang Qianluo rarely attended such banquets, and only began to feel nervous when getting out of the car. If she embarrassed herself today, she’d probably have to apologize with her life!
Tang Qianluo closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again, Ning Dai’s distinctively jointed hand was already extended before her.
His face remained expressionless as ever, yet his eyes held warmth.
Suddenly feeling emboldened, Tang Qianluo gave a radiant smile, placed her hand in Ning Dai’s, interlocked their fingers, and walked proudly toward the old mansion.
Ning Ao was in good spirits celebrating his birthday today. Dressed in a dark red tang suit, he looked exceptionally vibrant.
“Grandpa,” Tang Qianluo called out, bending down to hug Ning Ao.
“Ah, good girl. Grandpa has a red envelope for you,” Ning Ao said, handing her a red packet.
The last time she’d received a red envelope was when her own grandfather was still alive. Having gone so long without one, Tang Qianluo felt her nose tingling with emotion.
“Old Master Ning’s grandson and granddaughter-in-law are truly a match made in heaven – they look perfectly matched no matter how you look at them,” a guest remarked with a smile.
Ning Ao laughed heartily, noticing that Ning Dai seemed more human today than usual. He didn’t need to guess why.
“Uncle Ning, happy birthday. Please accept this small token of respect from your junior,” Tang Chengye’s voice came from afar.
Tang Qianluo turned to see the three Tang family members walking toward them in a row.
Just days ago they were overwhelmed by the amusement park incident, yet here they were attending the banquet all smiles. Tang Qianluo couldn’t help but mentally applaud their acting skills.
“Qianluo, why aren’t you greeting us?” Wan Qing asked displeasedly, her back straight.
Greet my ass!
Controlling her urge to roll her eyes, Tang Qianluo curved her lips into a perfect smile and said,
“That doesn’t make sense. You haven’t greeted Grandpa yet, how could I possibly greet you first? There’s an order to respecting elders – if I greeted you first, wouldn’t I be accused of being rude again?”
Wan Qing gritted her teeth. This girl was becoming increasingly sharp-tongued! She really wanted to tear that smug look off her face!
“Grandpa Ning, hello. I’m Wan Ning,” Tang Wan Ning stepped forward with a slight bow.
Having always received the best education in the capital, such occasions were nothing new to her – mere child’s play in her eyes.
“Hmm,” Ning Ao responded with a light hum, his expression neither warm nor cold.
The Ning Family had stood at the pinnacle of the capital for centuries, so Ning Ao’s pride was completely within Tang Wan Ning’s expectations. She suppressed a smile, feeling no embarrassment at all.
“Qianluo, you’ve worked hard taking care of Ning Dai in the hospital these past days while he was ill,” Ning Ao said with a kindly smile that startled the three Tang family members.
Although the Ning Family patriarch had long retired from frontline affairs, when had he ever been this good-tempered?
“It was no trouble at all, Grandpa.”
Though Tang Qianluo smiled as she spoke, she couldn’t help thinking to herself: No trouble my foot! This lord was incredibly difficult to serve!
Ning Ao waved his hand and took a gift box from the butler. Opening it, he withdrew an exquisite jade bracelet.
The bracelet was translucent and clearly priceless at first glance.
“This bracelet was left by his grandmother, passed down through generations. Now Grandpa is giving it to you.”Tang Qianluo felt that what was clasped around her wrist wasn’t a jade bracelet, but handcuffs!
How could she still not understand? The more gifts she received, the harder it would be to divorce later!
“Thank Grandpa,” Ning Dai said in a deep voice.
Though crying internally, Tang Qianluo maintained a cheerful facade, “Thank you, Grandpa.”
Tang Wan Ning watched the scene unfold like a clown on the sidelines. Ning Ao paid no attention to the Tang family members, his focus entirely on Tang Qianluo.
If she managed to win Ning Ao’s favor, even if Ning Dai were to die, wouldn’t she still be able to enjoy the position of Madam Ning? Still remain more noble than herself?
Absolutely not! From the very beginning, she had been nothing but a substitute for her, and until death she could only remain beneath her feet!