As expected, expensive products truly delivered quality. This face mask costing over two hundred per sheet worked far better than the ten-yuan ones she usually used.
Although the original host already had excellent skin, the difference between using and not using the mask was still clearly visible even on such a good foundation, which showed just how effective it was as a quick rescue treatment.
After splashing water on her face and washing it clean, her freshly hydrated skin looked like peeled lychee, smooth, fair, and so delicate it seemed almost translucent.
Raising her hand to gently touch her face, Jiang Yiyan found herself utterly enamored.
After admiring her reflection for a while, she went to the walk-in closet and picked out an outfit, a simple blue dress with a cinched waist and sleeveless design, understated yet elegant.
This was not one of the original host’s dresses, but something she had bought herself on the second day after transmigrating into this world. For someone of the original host’s financial standing, it was not expensive, but for her, a dress costing over a thousand yuan still felt a little pricey.
It was from a niche brand, and she had managed to snag it during a mall sale.
She had looked through the original host’s wardrobe before, and the dresses were either extremely revealing with high slits up the thigh, or glittering, sequin-covered pieces suited for formal banquets. For a family dinner like today’s, something more casual and low-key was more appropriate.
After getting dressed, she stood before the mirror and put on a light makeup look. A thin layer of foundation, lightly drawn brows, and a swipe of lip gloss were enough.
With such a naturally beautiful base, Jiang Yiyan had not put in much effort, yet when she came downstairs, she still left everyone in the living room stunned.
Meimei’s reaction was the most exaggerated. The little girl stood at the foot of the stairs with her hands on her hips, eyes wide open like two round grapes.
“Mommy is so beautiful!”
She almost screamed it out, “How can my mommy be this pretty? You’re getting prettier every day! I feel so lucky to have such a beautiful mommy. Ah, my dear mommy!”
She suddenly spread her arms and rushed forward, hugging Jiang Yiyan’s leg tightly.
Even though Jiang Yiyan herself knew the original host was beautiful, she still felt a bit embarrassed being praised like this by a child.
“Alright, alright, every child thinks their mommy is pretty. Let go of me, it’s hot.”
Feng Ma and Fangfang were also in the living room, and they chimed in with compliments, saying she looked beautiful and that her current style, though less dazzling than before, felt more warm and approachable.
Wen Mochuan had already returned and was sitting on the sofa waiting for his wife. Hearing the commotion, he naturally lifted his gaze.
There was no denying that when he looked up, he was momentarily struck.
He had always known his wife was attractive, but because of her past personality, he had never truly taken the time to appreciate her. Even when he occasionally found her beautiful, it was quickly overshadowed by her series of troublesome antics, which ruined any favorable impression.
For him, appearance was secondary, what mattered most was character and values.
Now that her temperament had changed, interacting with her had become pleasant. And once the interaction felt comfortable, he could finally notice her striking beauty and appreciate her a little more.
However, his appreciation remained detached, an objective acknowledgment rather than anything personal.
After that brief glance, he slowly withdrew his gaze.
Checking the time on his wristwatch, he felt it was about right, so he stood up and walked toward her.
“It’s five-thirty now. We’ll arrive around six. I think it’s best if we’re not late,” Wen Mochuan said matter-of-factly.
Jiang Yiyan had no objections. She did not want to arrive too early, but neither did she want to be the last.
“Alright, let’s go,” she replied calmly.
The couple no longer argued or clashed, and there was now an air of polite distance between them, almost like mutual respect without intimacy.
After the family of three left, Fangfang stared after them for quite a while before turning to Feng Ma.
“I feel like Sir and Madam are different now.”
Feng Ma, who had spent more time with them, had naturally noticed the change as well. But she would never imagine that the current Madam was no longer the same person; she simply believed that Madam had changed.
Perhaps Madam had realized that her previous temperament and way of interacting with Sir were not good, and had wisely adjusted their dynamic.
“Isn’t this better? Madam has changed, and Sir’s attitude toward her has changed too. As for who will hold the upper hand in this household in the future, that’s hard to say.”
As an observer, Feng Ma could clearly see the subtle shift in Sir’s attitude toward Madam over the past few days.
Although they seemed more distant than before, Madam’s sudden indifference had undeniably drawn Sir’s attention. Having lived through her own share of relationships, Feng Ma knew very well that the beginning of affection often came from growing curiosity about someone.
Fangfang was still young and had never been in a relationship, so she did not understand such nuances.
Jiang Yiyan’s family was neither the first nor the last to arrive. By the time they found the private room, quite a few people were already there.
Cai Wenqing and Shu Yao were expected, but the presence of another family of three caught her by surprise.
On second thought, however, it made sense. Given Wu Jingmeng’s close relationship with Shu Yao and her mother, it was not unusual for her to be invited to such a family dinner.
The moment Jiang Yiyan entered, Wu Jingmeng shot her a provocative look. Jiang Yiyan saw it but ignored it completely.
She first went over to greet Cai Wenqing and Shu Yao, and only afterward casually greeted Wu Jingmeng as well.
Although Wu Jingmeng harbored resentment toward Jiang Yiyan, she still maintained basic courtesy in public. Even in front of Shu Yao and her mother, she kept up appearances.
So when Jiang Yiyan greeted her, she responded in kind, though both wore forced smiles that made the atmosphere somewhat awkward.
On the men’s side, Wu Jingmeng’s husband, Jiang Xudong, was far more enthusiastic than Wen Mochuan. The moment he saw Wen Mochuan enter, he immediately stood up to greet him.
“Mr. Wen, long time no see,” Jiang Xudong said with an ingratiating smile.
Wen Mochuan was a gentle and courteous man, with his own way of handling social interactions. Even though he knew Jiang Xudong was not someone he would associate closely with, he still gave him face for the sake of being in the same social circle.
Seeing the hand extended toward him, Wen Mochuan smiled mildly and shook it lightly.
“Young Master Jiang, please, have a seat.”
Jiang Xudong was well known as a playboy in their circle, and he quite liked being addressed this way, so Wen Mochuan deliberately used that title.
Jiang Xudong was skilled in socializing. Even though he was not particularly close to Wen Mochuan, he was not intimidated, chatting away enthusiastically, almost as if trying to draw him into conversation. Wen Mochuan, however, simply listened attentively, giving him respect but not engaging much.
It was obvious he had little interest in what Jiang Xudong was saying.
Jiang Xudong enjoyed entertainment and indulgence, while Wen Mochuan focused on his newly established company, dealing daily with business elites and discussing markets and economics.
With such different interests, there was no real common ground.
Thus, those brief ten minutes felt like a form of torture for Wen Mochuan.
Fortunately, after that “long” ten minutes, Jiang Cheng and Jiang Xu arrived.
Jiang Xudong seemed quite intimidated by them. The moment he saw the father and son enter, he immediately stopped talking and stood up with everyone else to greet Jiang Cheng, suddenly as quiet as a quail.
Wen Mochuan instantly noticed the change, casting a brief glance before calmly withdrawing his gaze. He understood everything, yet showed nothing on his face.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Jiang Cheng was in high spirits and warmly addressed the group.
“Today is a family dinner to welcome Yao Yao back after completing her studies. There are no outsiders here, only family. Please don’t be formal, everyone sit and chat.”
After Jiang Cheng took the main seat, everyone else followed and sat down.
Aside from Jiang Cheng’s seat of honor, the rest were arranged casually. By coincidence, Wen Mochuan and Shu Yao ended up sitting opposite each other.
With just a lift of their heads, they would meet each other’s gaze, making it impossible to avoid.
Both felt slightly uncomfortable, and as if by unspoken agreement, neither looked up at the other. Instead, they deliberately engaged in conversation with the people beside them.
Despite being reunited after five years, they behaved like strangers. Even while sharing the same space, they did not exchange a single word.
At this dinner, everyone had their own focus. Wu Jingmeng busied herself currying favor with Shu Yao and her mother, while Jiang Xudong, intimidated by Jiang Cheng, kept quiet and listened as Jiang Cheng, Jiang Xu, and Wen Mochuan discussed business.
Meanwhile, Meimei and Jiang Yinghao, being classmates, naturally played together.
Only Jiang Yiyan had nothing to do, so she simply watched the scene unfold.
She had been looking forward to this dramatic confrontation, yet the reality fell far short of her expectations. There were no lingering, affectionate glances between former lovers, nor any tension between rivals.
Instead, there were just two annoying people chattering beside her, irritating her.
Feeling bored, Jiang Yiyan rested her chin in her hands.
Although Wen Mochuan appeared to be engaged in conversation with Jiang Cheng and Jiang Xu, part of his attention was still on her.
He had been curious about his wife’s recent changes and wanted to see how she would behave in such a situation.
If everything over the past few days had been an act, then surely today she would reveal some flaw. Even the best disguise would crack when facing Shu Yao.
But from beginning to end, she showed nothing.
Not only that, he even caught a hint of excitement on her face.
Excitement about what?
Wen Mochuan could not figure it out.
Lost in thought, he became distracted. When Jiang Cheng asked him a question, he found himself unable to respond immediately, leaving him momentarily awkward.
Jiang Xudong did not dare to interrupt, and Jiang Xu, despite his social finesse, made no move to help. He simply pretended it had nothing to do with him, calmly lifting his teacup.
As he lowered his head to blow away the floating tea leaves, the cold half of his face fell into Jiang Yiyan’s line of sight.
She found him extremely irritating, so she rolled her eyes before openly helping Wen Mochuan out.
“Dad is asking you about your company’s recent business expansion. He knows you went on a business trip to Jiang City a few days ago and wants to know how things are progressing there.”
Then, a mischievous thought crossed her mind, and she narrowed her eyes with a smile.
“Don’t just stare at me, dear husband. When talking to Dad, you should pay attention.”