Chapter 296 - Jiang Yubis Birthday Banquet (3)
All the guests were utterly dumbfounded for a long time. They looked at each other in shock as if they were zapped by a thunderbolt.
Mother-in-law? Jiang Weizhe's wife?
Jiang Yubi softly smiled and bowed. Only God knew how fast her heart was racing. It was after so long that she was coming in contact with these socialites. She didn't want to embarrass her husband or any of her family members.
"Thank you for your presence at my birthday celebration tonight. I am truly grateful."
Jiang Weizhe beamed and a doting smile laced on his lips. He didn't want to see her afraid in front of everyone.
The guests carefully observed her as they whispered amongst themselves.
"Is that really Jiang Weizhe's wife?"
"Wow! I am seeing her for the first time."
"Yeah in all these years and so many banquets, I never once saw his wife."
"I thought that Jiang Weizhe was divorced."
"Wait, I thought that he was a widower. Nobody ever talked about her."
"Idiot. Can you not see how dotingly he is looking at his wife as if she is the only person he could see?" One woman giggled. "Does this man look divorced to you?"
One of the older socialites touched her chin. "Now that I remember...I think the Old Madam mentioned long back that Mrs. Jiang Yubi is quite sickly with frail health. So she doesn't come out much. In fact, if I recall correctly, she even has her own residence and lives separately from the family because of her ill-health."
"Hmm, I think I remember somebody talking about a difficult delivery when she gave birth to Jiang Wei."
"Maybe that's why."
"But with Old Madam, I suddenly realized that she isn't here. I wonder where she is.."
The gossip about Jiang Yubi continued which she could faintly hear. She just hoped that they would be talking good things about her. She was nervous that with her middle-class background, they must be mocking her.
It was true that some guests were wondering about her family background, but nobody had any clue, so they really couldn't comment. Mostly, everybody was talking about her long disappearance and how a sudden birthday banquet was thrown for her.
"Yubi!!"
Yang Bingqing was the first one to greet her with a wide smile. She tightly hugged her and was almost on the verge of tears. "Ah, I finally meet you again. It's been so long."
Jiang Yubi beamed and felt thrilled to meet her friend. Yang Bingqing was the only woman she considered as her friend.
"Bingqing...how are you?" She felt a bit emotional too, meeting after so long. She hugged her back and slightly sniffled.
"Happy Birthday Yubi!"
She softly smiled. "Thank you."
She giggled. "A birthday woman mustn't cry, stupid. Oh let me introduce you to my son! He was very small when you last saw him, right? Mingshen!"
Mingshen, who was lazily sipping on his whiskey, cursed his mother.
What the hell? Isn't it enough that I am already gracing this stupid party with my presence that I have to meet that zero EQ's man's mother too!? What a pain!
His gaze darkened and an extremely ugly expression settled on his face.
Lihua's voice came from the mike. "I know what you must be thinking, Yang Mingshen. So keep the thoughts to yourself and meet your beautiful Aunt."
Everybody was speechless with her snide remark, but a moment later, they couldn't help but stop laughing.
Mingshen forced himself to smile as he walked towards Jiang Yubi.
Curse you Song Lihua! Let me get my hands on you!
Lihua, the cat, who was calmly watching the party unfold from the super special deluxe couch she was sitting on, couldn't help but snort as her green orbs fell on her previous human servant.
That man still has a bad temper. Humans are so worthless.
"Hello, Aunt."
Jiang Yubi was delighted. "Oh my! You have grown up to become so handsome haha."
"Of course, Aunt. As time passes, so does everybody's age too. It was inevitable that I grow up-"
Yang Bingqing silently stomped his foot with her heel sandal and with a single glare, she threatened him not to talk any nonsense.
His mouth twitched.
Well, you called me here. Don't be so grumpy now, he rolled his eyes.
Jiang Yubi laughed. "Hahaha. So cute."
"I prefer to be called a demon, not cute," he dryly said.
Jiang Weizhe was visibly displeased with his words. "We should break our ties with the Yang family."
Yang Cheng choked hard.
Well, I cannot really blame him...If somebody talked to Bingqing like that, I would cut him up then and there, he thought without batting his eyelid.
Jiang Yubi glared at him. "Don't be rude!"
Yang Bingqing cried. "Don't be mad at him. It's all my son's fault!" She glowered at him. "Can you not talk like a decent human!?"
"Decent human? What's that? Who's that? Can I eat it?" He yawned.
She covered her face with her palms. "Where did I go wrong in raising you?"
"From the beginning I guess."
historical
"Shut up!"
Seeing the Yang family warm up to her, more and more guests came forward to greet her and wish her birthday.
"I am Mrs. Yin. Happy birthday, Mrs. Jiang."
"I am Mrs. Cheng and this is my husband.."
The introductions went on for a while and Jiang Yubi patiently nodded to everyone.
Lihua was extremely pleased.
It's going well for now..
She announced. "It's time for the birthday girl to cut the cake now! Dad, please bring Mom to the huge table, and let's begin the cake cutting ceremony!"
Jiang Yubi peeked here and there, but she couldn't see Old Madam anywhere.
It was because she wasn't present here that the atmosphere was still calm.
But once she comes back..
The anxiety crept into her heart. She stood at the center and as she cut the cake, balloons popped up, throwing the confetti on her. Everybody clapped as she fed a piece of cake to Jiang Weizhe and so did he too.
It was time for giving gifts when Lihua chirped. "Hehe, Mom. I know you are eager for Wei's present the most, right? So let's start with him! Wei, come here!"