Through the doors of Ji Mansion's grand ballroom, a family of four made their entrance inside.
No one noticed their arrival until everyone saw Grandfather Ji and Ji Jingxu stood from their seats. Both the young and old man made their way towards this family.
Seeing who it was, everyone was in more of a surprise than when the second Ji family came in.
"It's the Lu family."
"I heard General Ji is an old friend of the Lu family."
Leading the family in, Old Lu wore a black tuxedo making him look younger than his age of fifty. To his right, Madam Lu held onto his arm as her pace matched with his.
She wore a tradition white qipao that reached her above ankles. Her hair was styles in a low bun with loose strands of hair that framed her face. Although she has reached the age of fifty, she still looked as young as when she was in her late twenties.
Following behind were none other than their two sons, Lu Tian and Lu Han.
Lu Tian wore a black tuxedo, with a white dress shirt and a black waistcoat. His hair was neatly slit back giving him a rather refine and sharp look. However, his dark eyes and cold aura made others shiver and unable to look him in the eye.
Unlike his older brother, Lu Han was the complete opposite. He held a smile to each person he passes by like he was celebrity. He wore a light grey tuxedo, with the same inner wear as his older brother and father. The sides of his head was faded up as the longer hair on top of his head combs to one side.
Meeting the family of four in the center of the room, Grandfather Ji was extremely happy.
"I see that you all made it today."
Old Lu politely bows then smiles to the old man he considers a father figure to him.
"Uncle Ji, thank you for inviting us to your home."
Madam Lu leaves her husband's side and walks over to Grandfather Ji. She held his arm and smiles to him.
"I wish uncle the best of all birthdays. May you live a long and healthy life."
To some people, they would find Madam Lu's sudden move to be impolite, but not Grandfather Ji. He has watched both Madam Lu and Old Lu grow along side his daughter and son-in-law. If she had been too formal with him like everyone else, he would have found it weird.
After all, Madam Lu was like a daughter to him.
Lu Tian took a step closer to the old man and leans forward in a polite bow too. However, he does not say a word as he looks at Ji Jingxu with a silent nod.
Watching the man his grandfather wants to pair his sister with, Ji Jingxu nod his head in greeting, but his eyes slightly narrow. He will use this chance to see if Lu Tian is a good match for Yue Ling.
"Happy birthday Grandfather Ji!"
Lu Han's energetic voice calls out to greet the old man as he also gesture a bow. He was not like his older brother, who finds it so hard to wish someone a happy birthday.
To which, Grandfather Ji laughs at Lu Han's free spirit personality. He wasn't bothered by Lu Tian's lack of socializing either. He knows the two boys like they were his own.
If Lu Tian had wished him a good birthday, he would have thought the world was coming to an end.
"Hahah, I am very glad you were all able to come. This makes me truly happy."
He nods his head a few times as he steals a few glances at Lu Tian. He couldn't help but ask inside. Why did Lu Tian come to his birthday without his granddaughter? Wasn't she suppose to introduce the boy to him? Also, where is she?
Lu Tian noticed the old man and Ji Jingxu's eyes constantly glancing to him, but he does not put too much thought into it.
He just wanted to speed things up so he could go home and be with his wife.
After all, they had left the house in the morning for work, but never saw each other afterwards. He had to prepare for the old man's birthday while his wife had to prepare for her friend's birthday.
"The Lu family and Ji family are indeed close. Truly the greatest chance to see them in person together."
"Do you think General Ji will use this banquet to unite both families?"
"Eh? But isn't Ji Chu Hua dating Gu International's heir, Gu Ting Fei?"
The guests commence in whispers as they observe the situation from afar. No one dare to disturb what looked to be a family reunion.
"Wait, isn't the qipao Madam Lu is wearing the one from De L'amour's design?"
"Oh God, you are right. It's the same one Han Yue Ling modeled for the closing piece."
Quickly as it came, the women nearby were able to get a better look at the qipao Madam Lu was wearing. They had all been invited to the fashion show and saw the qipao up close. There's no way they are seeing wrong.
Hearing the praises about her dress, Madam Lu's nose grew longer.
In her head, she was standing at the top of a mountain with one foot bent on the peak. Both her hands on her hips as the people worship her dress like a superhero.
Indeed she is wearing the dress designed by her daughter-in-law. Though, because of their height difference, the qipao is a bit longer on her in comparison to when Yue Ling wore it.
When Lu Tian invited Yue Ling to come with them, she declined saying she had to attend another event. Madam Lu and Old Lu were disappointed, but eventually got over it. Lu Tian came to the Lu family house and said Yue Ling wanted to give her (Madam Lu) a gift for the party.
Even she was surprised when she opened the gift to see the beautiful qipao.
She had always been a fan and supporter of De L'amour. Her wardrobe is mainly filled with clothes from the brand. However, to be gifted such a valuable gift was beyond her imagination. Although Yue Ling did not personally hand it to her, the thought of gifting the qipao to her personally came from her daughter-in-law.
"Ma, your nose is like Pinocchio."
Into her own little imagination, Lu Han's voice suddenly whispers near her ear and brings her back to her senses. She glares at her youngest son and scoffs.
Seeing their mother this way, Lu Tian rolled his eyes inside while Lu Han rolled his eyes for everyone to see.
Grandfather Ji smiles at the interaction between the mother and sons. He turns to look at Ji Jingxu as if saying, 'See, I told you. They're not a bad family for his sister.'
However, before he could see the young boy's reaction, he looks back to the Lu family.
"Come, I have specifically set my table for you all to join me and my grandson."
