That night, a grand birthday banquet was held at the largest seven - star hotel in Kyoto.
Many noble families in Kyoto had received the invitation two days ago and dressed up formally for the occasion.
The Xia and Mo families had been on good terms for generations. There were also rumors that Miss Xia and Mo Beichen had an unusual relationship. Some insiders even knew that the two were dating. So, people were eager to curry favor with the Xia family.
As a result, the hotel's parking lot was almost full that night. There were countless luxury cars parked on the street outside the hotel as well.
"Hubby, isn't this dress too formal?" In a salon, Xia Weilan looked at the one - shoulder dress on her body. It was extremely elaborate yet exuded an air of nobility. She felt as if a heavy burden had suddenly been placed on her.
"You look beautiful in it." Mo Beichen's eyes were filled with undisguised admiration.
Hearing this, Xia Weilan took another look at herself in the mirror. The figure - hugging design accentuated her slender and elegant figure. The hem of the dress covered her ankles, and the side - split design made her high - heels peek out. There were delicate star - shaped patterns on her chest, making her look as if she had stepped out of spring.
Xia Weilan looked at herself in the mirror and curved her lips. In an instant, the lights in the room seemed dull, and only she shone brightly.
"You have good looks. A little dressing - up can make you stand out." Mo Beichen looked at Xia Weilan in the mirror.
Hearing this, Xia Weilan exuded more confidence. Her initial discomfort was soon forgotten.
When Xia Weilan turned to look at Mo Beichen again, Mo Beichen was momentarily stunned.
Xia Weilan gave a charming smile, walked over, and hooked her arm around Mo Beichen's:
"Let's go then."
It is said that a beautiful dress can make a woman more attractive. More importantly, it is the self - confidence from within that makes a woman shine.
At this moment, Xia Weilan was like a magnet, captivating everyone's attention with every move.
In the car, Mo Beichen glanced at Xia Weilan through the rear - view mirror from time to time. When they arrived at the hotel, he suddenly found that all the parking lots were full. He frowned and dropped Xia Weilan off at the entrance:
"You go in first. I'll come later."
"Okay, hubby~" Xia Weilan got out of the car obediently. A gust of wind blew, making her dress flutter like a cloud.
People around were stunned.
"Who is she? How can she be so beautiful?"
"Is she a celebrity?"
"She seems to be the eldest miss of the Xia family, the birthday girl today!"
Several uncertain voices murmured around. Xia Weilan wore a calm expression on her face and walked straight towards the hotel entrance.
Inside the banquet hall, the lights were on, and many socialites had already arrived. There were smiling faces everywhere as people mingled and toasted.
Xia Ruolin was surrounded by her girlfriends. Like a star surrounded by satellites, she let out a series of giggles, attracting the attention of many young gentlemen.
"Ruolin, you look so beautiful today. People might think you're the birthday girl. Look at those guys stealing glances at you." One of Xia Ruolin's girlfriends teased.
"Yeah, this dress must cost hundreds of thousands, right?"
Xia Ruolin maintained an elegant smile on her face throughout. While answering modestly, she was secretly overjoyed.
Xia Ruolin thought that she was still the much - sought - after eldest miss.
As for Xia Weilan, so what if it was her birthday? When she came, she would still be her foil.
Just then, a woman in white slowly walked into the hall. Her long, straight hair fell over her ears. Her features were delicate, and there was a faint smile on her lips. As she walked, her clothes fluttered gently, as if she had stepped out of a Chinese landscape painting.
"Miss Xia is here!"
Someone exclaimed. Suddenly, the originally bustling banquet hall fell silent. Countless pairs of eyes stared blankly at the incoming woman, forgetting to breathe.
Xia Ruolin also looked at Xia Weilan silently, but her expression was far from calm. She tightly clutched her wine glass, and her fingertips trembled.
"Weilan!" Suddenly, a soft voice called out. Then, Rui Li in a simple evening dress pushed through the crowd and walked to Xia Weilan's side. Along with her came Nan Fengyan with a charming smile on his face.
"Yo, sister - in - law is here." Nan Fengyan walked over to Xia Weilan with a playful smile and exclaimed in admiration:
"This dress is Beichen's choice, right? Where is he?"
Nan Fengyan's call of "sister - in - law" shattered the fantasies of many men who admired Xia Weilan. Considering that in Kyoto, the only person Nan Fengyan called "Brother Mo" was Mo Beichen.
Everyone was shrewd enough to do the math and secretly observed the situation around Xia Weilan.
Xia Weilan was about to say something when she saw Xia Ruolin walking over slowly. She couldn't help but frown.
Xia Ruolin behaved arrogantly. Standing in front of Xia Weilan like a proud rooster, she asked:
"Did you come alone, sister?"
Suddenly, Xia Ruolin lowered her voice with a smile and said, "Has Brother Beichen gotten tired of you? That's why he doesn't want to come with you. Just wait. Your days of being smug won't last long."
Although Xia Ruolin's words were venomous, her expression was extremely proper. Her voice was so low that only Xia Weilan could hear.
However, Xia Ruolin didn't know that Rui Li understood lip - reading. Before Xia Weilan could react, Rui Li had stepped in front of her, frowned, and glared at Xia Ruolin unhappily:
"You'd better stay away from Weilan."
Although Nan Fengyan was confused about the situation, he unconditionally supported Rui Li. So he also stared coldly at Xia Ruolin.
For a moment, Xia Ruolin, who had intended to make Xia Weilan look bad, suddenly became the target of everyone's hostility and was clearly ostracized.
Some people around who didn't know the truth also noticed that Xia Ruolin was not welcome and felt embarrassed for her.
"Why does it seem that Xia Ruolin is not popular? Do these two cousins have a bad relationship?"
"Who knows? Look at Xia Weilan. She looks so pure and kind. Judging from her and her friends' attitudes, it's obvious that Xia Ruolin has done something bad."
Xia Ruolin's face turned red and then white.
If she left now, she would seem timid.
If she stayed, it would feel like she had come over to be humiliated.
"Do you have anything else to say? If not, I have something to talk to Rui Li about." Xia Weilan looked at Xia Ruolin indifferently, indicating that she didn't have time for her.
"Nothing!" Xia Ruolin retreated to the side awkwardly.
After that, Rui Li and Nan Fengyan really escorted Xia Weilan to a corner, turning their backs on Xia Ruolin.
"Where is Brother Mo?" Nan Fengyan asked again.
"He's parking the car." Xia Weilan casually picked up a glass of red wine and gently swirled it in her hand.
"Why are you two together?" Xia Weilan looked at Rui Li.