Chapter 52: Chapter 52 You Talk Too Much Today!
Su Huimiao was intrigued and followed Ning Yichu.
Upon reaching the gift registry, Ning Yichu told the servant logging the gifts, “A jade carving.”
The servant looked at the gift box perplexedly and his eyes widened in astonishment, his mouth agape almost drooling, his face expressing sheer disbelief which made Su Huimiao puzzled too.
“Li Family is not a place for garbage. What did she give?” Su Huimiao lazily strolled over.
Seeing the lady approaching, the servant beamed like a blooming flower, excitedly saying, “Madam, it’s incredible! Lady Ning gifted a human head jade carving. It’s sculpted so vividly like Granny Li, I have never seen such a lifelike jade carving in my life. Lady Ning is truly thoughtful. I…”
Initially disdainful and about to scold further, Su Huimiao was stunned when the servant opened the gift box to reveal the exquisite jade carving inside.
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Having mingled in high society for many years, she knew jade carving was a talent and art-focused industry where top jade sculptors charged by the gram for their labor, sometimes more expensive than the jade itself!
A human figure was undoubtedly the most challenging in jade carving.
Looking at this rare top-tier craftsmanship, she was tempted to touch it but forcibly suppressed her satisfaction and scoffed, “What kind of jade is this? It better not be some fake stone or chemically treated…”
Ning Yichu chuckled softly, too lazy to retort.
“Mom, this is Liaoning Xiu Jade. Ning Yichu is now internationally renowned Jade Sculptor M. If even her gifts are fakes, you won’t find genuine ones in the market anymore,” Li Lingyang said, appearing out of nowhere, his deep gaze fixated on the jade carving.
The human-sized ratio was about 1:2, clearly showing Granny Li’s benevolent and radiant face, smiling as if gently looking at her, indescribably alluring.
How well must one know Granny Li to sculpt her true likeness without seeing her in person?
Liaoning Xiu Jade, known for its delicate and gentle quality, called “spirit of heaven and earth, a treasure of Huaxia” was among the earliest discovered and used types of jade.
Though not particularly costly, its value lay in being skillfully sculpted into a human head.
Upon hearing this, Su Huimiao was immensely shocked. The poor girl who served her tea five years ago had become a Jade Sculptor?
“Did you carve this?”
“If you don’t believe it, it doesn’t matter. It wasn’t meant for you anyway.”
“…” Angered but unable to deny the jade’s astonishing beauty, Su Huimiao was internally grateful she hadn’t smashed it, for she would have been heartbroken.
After Ning Yichu gave the gift, she didn’t even glance at them and went straight to find Granny Li.
Shen Jiangqing had never expected Su Huimiao to be swayed by Ning Yichu’s gift, his expression notably stiff, his hand tightening around the stemmed glass, his tone feign healbe innocent.
“Lady Ning’s craftsmanship is really superb, and tonight she looks so beautiful. The dress she’s wearing, I think I’ve seen it in a magazine, it’s the masterpiece of Fu Cheng Fashion House, generally coveted by socialites.”
Li Lingyang watched Ning Yichu’s departing figure, his eyebrows slightly raised, her jade carving indeed astonishing.
“I heard Young Master Mu and Fu Cheng are good friends; it must be him who secured that dress for Lady Ning?”
The insinuation was clear: Ning Yichu’s personal life was questionable, involving a relationship with Mu Bailang.
Li Lingyang frowned slightly upon hearing this, Shen Jiangqing thinking he was taking offense and continued more vigorously, “I even saw her with Mr. Mo last time, and today it’s Young Master Mu, think about it, her tactics are indeed clever.”
Little did he expect, just as he finished speaking, a chilling voice rang in his ear, “You’re talking too much tonight.”
Click, Shen Jiangqing felt as if something shattered by his ear, both angry and stifled, and before he could speak again, Li Lingyang had let go of his hand and walked away!
In a secluded part of the balcony, Ning Yichu found Granny Li.
While everyone else’s focus was on Chengcheng, Li Family’s eldest grandson, Granny Li favored Doudou and Ningning the most and was currently on the balcony playing with the two little girls.
“Granny, how can you neglect your own birthday party to laze around here?”
“Yichu, you’re here?” Granny Li was delighted to see Ning Yichu but chided, “They were giving me a headache with all their chatter, I’m just spending some time with the kids.”
“Granny, happy birthday! Wishing you prosperity as vast as the Eastern Sea and longevity as enduring as Southern Mountains!”
Granny Li smiled broadly and introduced her great-granddaughter and Ningning to her, “Let me introduce you, this is my great-granddaughter Doudou and beside her is her best friend Ningning.”
Yichu knew as soon as she saw the setup that Li Lingyang hadn’t told Granny Li the truth, so she played along, saying, “Wow, such cute kids, and so beautiful.”
Doudou’s little face was bashfully red as she pursed her lips.
Ningning was much livelier, her big eyes watery, “Auntie, you look super beautiful tonight, the prettiest person I’ve ever seen.”
“Ah, your hair…” Yichu habitually reached to pat Ningning’s head but instantly felt the texture was off.
Ningning quickly blinked and cupped her hands over her mouth to form a megaphone, whispering, “I’ll tell you a secret, I’m wearing a wig to make it look like I have more hair!”
“Ha ha, what a little sprite,” Granny Li’s smile deepened.
Actually, she was a little nervous introducing Doudou, after all, the child was born from Li Lingyang’s affair, but seeing Yichu’s completely relieved expression made her feel a bit sour.
It seemed she had truly let go of Aling.
Well, perhaps she should play matchmaker for her tonight.
The three generations stayed on the balcony for a while and then, seeing the time was right, they headed back to the main hall.
From a distance, Li Lingyang, having just finished socializing, glanced over and saw the cheerful group.
Especially Doudou and Ningning, clinging to Yichu like little tail-waggers, one might think they were the twins.
Looking at Chengcheng, like a little prince, Su Huimiao doted on him and showed him off everywhere, telling everyone, “This is my little grandson.”
Li Lingyang pinched the bridge of his nose, with such a grandmother, no wonder Doudou preferred playing with Ningning.
What surprised Li Lingyang though, was noticing Ningning sneakily glancing at him.
That crafty little girl, what was she up to?
Thinking of the upcoming test results, his heart felt as if it was being scratched by a cat, the anticipation more complex than negotiating with a multinational corporation.
In fact, Ningning had been worried that if Li Lingyang found out she was her mommy’s daughter, he might pick on her or doubt her daddy’s identity, but…
He had barely interacted with her at all.
He didn’t care about her in the least!
Hmph, lousy father.
And yet, her little heart had harbored a slight fantasy about him? Negative review.
At that moment, the soothing romantic music abruptly stopped.
The host walked onto the stage and announced to the guests that the birthday banquet was officially starting.
A spotlight fell on Granny Li as she walked to the stage and exchanged pleasantries with the guests, then suddenly changed the topic, “I’m delighted everyone could join this old lady’s birthday banquet, but as I age, it’s becoming quite exhausting to celebrate every year. So, for the opening dance, Chu Chu will dance in my place. I wonder which gentleman might be her dance partner?”
Yichu had been supporting Granny Li and was quite close to the stage. As Granny Li’s words ended, the lighting crew turned a spotlight towards her.
Yichu’s heart sank in panic as she looked toward Granny Li in alarm.
Granny Li winked at her playfully and said leisurely, “Five years ago, my grandson let me down and lost my favorite granddaughter-in-law, but, I believe gold shines no matter where it is. I’m sure she’ll find where she truly belongs.”
Granny Li’s voice echoed throughout the venue.
She controlled a significant share of the Li Group and, though not very active in business now, securing her favor could ease any future endeavors with the backing of the Li Group.
At that, quite a few men were eager to try.
Doudou noticed many men eyeing the beautiful aunt hungrily, which she didn’t like at all.
She ran over to Li Lingyang and tugged at the hem of his clothes, dancing with her little hands, signaling him to go dance with the aunt.
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