Not long after, many prominent and wealthy families in the capital city received an invitation.
The content of the invitation was that the birthday banquet of Grandpa Xia would be held at the Xia family's old mansion on the weekend.
Many people prepared their birthday gifts in advance. No one wanted to miss this opportunity for socializing.
On that day, when night fell, at the Xia family's old mansion.
"Grandpa, let me handle the on - site arrangement for your birthday banquet this time. The rest can be left to my younger sister. I believe my younger sister has the ability. By then, our relatives and friends will surely praise her." While volunteering, Xia Ruolin didn't forget to dig a pit for Xia Weilan.
Xia Weilan was sitting beside them. She handed a peeled apple to Grandpa Xia as if the matter being discussed had nothing to do with her.
Seeing that Xia Weilan didn't seem interested, Grandpa Xia declined, "The eldest young lady of our Xia family doesn't need to prove anything. Her very existence is an honor."
He couldn't let Xia Weilan do something she didn't like just for the title of the Xia family.
When he brought this girl back, he intended to shelter her from the wind and rain.
"Grandpa, younger sister used to have a humble background. Even if we don't care, others will still talk. So why not take this opportunity to let them see her strength? It's more convincing than just introducing her verbally. And younger sister hasn't said she's unwilling, right? Sister, you're willing to plan this birthday banquet for Grandpa, aren't you?"
Xia Weilan rolled her eyes in her heart. With the words being said like this, could she still say no?
"Sister Ruolin, you said you'd be in charge of the on - site arrangement and leave the rest to me. So what exactly am I in charge of?" Xia Weilan asked curiously on purpose.
"The rest is about the kitchen. You need to order the ingredients in advance and hire temporary chefs." After saying that, Xia Ruolin added, "That's all."
That's all?
It sounded as if these things were very easy.
In her previous life, Xia Weilan also thought it was easy. It was not until she found that two of the required ingredients were extremely hard to buy.
"Girl, if you're not willing, don't force yourself. We can let others do this kind of thing." Grandpa Xia didn't want to put Xia Weilan in a difficult situation.
Xia Ruolin clenched her fists and stared intently at Xia Weilan. She had been planning for so many days and couldn't let Xia Weilan ruin it.
But Grandpa only listened to Xia Weilan.
Xia Ruolin was not only unwilling but also a bit frustrated. She waited for Xia Weilan's decision with mixed feelings.
However, Xia Weilan's words finally made her breathe a sigh of relief.
"Grandpa, I'll do it well." Xia Weilan agreed very readily.
Xia Ruolin cursed Xia Weilan as a fool in her heart.
Such an opponent was simply an insult to herself.
That night, Xia Ruolin gave Xia Weilan a list full of ingredients.
Sure enough, Xia Weilan saw rare ingredients such as top - grade truffles and bahaba fish on it.
One was hard to find even at a high price, and the other was extremely expensive.
Right in front of Xia Ruolin, Xia Weilan casually put the list into her bosom, said good night, and directly closed the door.
In the room, Xia Weilan took out her phone and sent a message to Mo Beichen: "Husband, could you do me a favor?"
In her previous life, Xia Weilan didn't ask Mo Beichen for help. Instead, she gritted her teeth and endured it on her own.
In the end, it was Ouyang Mingqi who helped her, which made her fall deeper and deeper in love with Ouyang Mingqi later.
...
On the evening of the birthday banquet.
Xia Weilan had prepared everything, only waiting for Mo Beichen to deliver the two scarce ingredients on time.
"Sister boasted so much before. Why haven't you prepared all the ingredients yet?"
"Sister Ruolin, do you want to help me?" Xia Weilan gave her a casual look.
Xia Ruolin was taken aback, "I don't have that ability. It's too late to prepare now. Sister, without two dishes, you'd better think about how to explain it to Grandpa."
By this time, Xia Ruolin couldn't hide her pride.
If Xia Weilan tried to make do with something inferior, she would ask the chef to expose this embarrassing thing on the spot. Then everyone would know that Xia Weilan was incompetent.
"Are you in trouble?" Ouyang Mingqi walked over at the right time from not far away. His peach - blossom eyes, half - filled with tenderness, were like a gentle spring breeze.
"I heard that two dishes are missing in the kitchen. Do you need my help?" Ouyang Mingqi didn't want to miss this chance to gain her favor.
"No need. I'm busy." Xia Weilan didn't want to stay with Ouyang Mingqi any longer.
Just then, a maid walked towards Xia Weilan with a box in her arms:
"Eldest young lady, someone just sent this. They said it was the ingredients you needed. I checked. It's exactly the two missing dishes. It was sent just in time."
Were they really those two dishes? Ouyang Mingqi's mind was working. He nodded to Xia Weilan and said,
"A small token of my affection. I hope Miss Xia will like it."
Xia Weilan couldn't help widening her eyes. She always felt that this scene was very familiar.
If she remembered correctly, the same thing seemed to have happened in her previous life.
Someone sent the ingredients, and Ouyang Mingqi took the credit at the right time.
And she always thought it was Ouyang Mingqi who had helped her a great deal.
"Sorry, these ingredients were sent by someone I asked." Xia Weilan was angry and said coldly.
"This... Maybe my people haven't arrived yet. Cough, cough, cough..." Ouyang Mingqi covered his lips and coughed lightly to cover up his embarrassment.
There was obvious mockery on Xia Weilan's face. She gave Ouyang Mingqi a cold look and then turned away.
Ouyang Mingqi stood there stunned. He didn't come back to his senses until Xia Weilan's figure disappeared.
He was shocked by Xia Weilan's undisguised look of contempt.
For the second time in his life, he watched a woman's back with such a deep sense of powerlessness.
The first time he saved her in a romantic occasion, he could only watch helplessly as she left with Mo Beichen.
The second time he saw her as the eldest young lady of the Xia family at a banquet, she mercilessly dismissed him with a check and didn't even look at him...
Last time, Xia Weilan refused him without mercy, saying that he wasn't even as good as a hair on Mo Beichen's head.
Today, it was this woman who exposed his lie and showed deep contempt for him.
All these things were like a knife cutting bloody wounds in Ouyang Mingqi's life.
He was always high - and - mighty. How could someone trample on him like this?
Time and time again.
This sense of frustration ignited his competitive spirit.
He swore that he would definitely chase that girl.
He would make her regret treating him coldly before.
Having made up his mind, Ouyang Mingqi collected his thoughts. He slowly lifted his feet and walked towards the direction of the banquet. With his elegant demeanor, handsome face, and a gentle smile on his lips, he easily captivated people...
As soon as he appeared, many young ladies' hearts fluttered. They blushed and secretly glanced at him.