"Mom, we're attending a banquet tonight. Get ready early, okay?" Ye's mother opened the door and reminded her.
"Got it," Ye Wen replied.
At 3 PM, the head maid knocked on Ye Wen's door to start pre-banquet preparations.
Did it really need to begin this early? Unnecessary, Ye Wen thought dismissively. Yet she’d clearly underestimated the complexity.
Just picking an outfit took a full hour. They settled on a pinkish-white dress—minimalist, with subtle pleats at the hem and a tiny bow at the collar. No other decorations. It looked refreshingly clean, perfectly suiting Ye Wen.
"How about this one, miss?" The head maid held up the dress.
"This one, this one…" Ye Wen was already impatient. To her, every dress looked fine. Endless choosing was driving her crazy.
The dress hem barely covered her knees, revealing a sliver of thigh—a youthful length. It paired with pure white stockings.
Even her underwear was switched to boxer shorts, accommodating Ye Wen’s current period.
Thankfully, she changed alone in the bathroom. After dressing, she admired herself in the mirror, utterly pleased with the cute girl reflected. Well… it was just appreciation, she justified inwardly.
Next came makeup.
"Miss, your skin is flawless and features delicate. Heavy makeup would ruin it. Let’s keep it light," the head maid said.
Shuizishi handled Ye Wen’s hair. No ponytail today—her silky locks flowed freely down to her waist. Shuizishi styled them to avoid stiffness, adding bounce. Her bangs parted into soft strands, the longest at her temples curving slightly under her chin. The whole look felt airy, lively, almost ethereal.
Light makeup finished quickly: just pink lip gloss and a clear gel on her cheeks. Ye Wen’s naturally long lashes needed no mascara.
Not done yet. They chose pure white ankle boots—low heels, thick soles—matching the outfit perfectly. They embodied that cute, girlish charm.
By 5:30 PM, everything was ready. Time to leave.
Starting at 3 PM had been wise…
Despite the hassle, seeing that adorable girl in the mirror filled Ye Wen with satisfaction. Like completing a carefully assembled figurine. So cute… I want to take her home…
Ye Wen slipped back into her male fantasy.
"Wenwen, ready?" Ye’s father called from outside the door.
"Ready, sir," the head maid answered, opening it.
Reluctantly, Ye Wen tore her gaze from the mirror and walked to the door.
"Hmm, excellent," Ye’s father said, clearly pleased with her outfit. He cleared his throat. "Let’s go."
A Maserati waited at the villa entrance. Surprisingly, Ye’s mother wasn’t in formal wear but dressed youthfully. Standing together, Ye Wen and her mother looked more like sisters than mother and daughter.
Ye’s father wore a standard tailored suit, his small mustache neatly trimmed. He radiated patriarchal authority.
"Why dress like that again?" he grumbled, dissatisfied.
"Who’d wear those old-fashioned outfits? They make you look years older," Ye’s mother shot back, glaring. "Unhappy?"
"Happy… happy…" Though seeming domineering, Ye’s father was actually henpecked—a rather amusing trait.
The trio got in. Steward Liu drove, dressed impeccably but never flashy.
The banquet was at a hotel’s top floor, fully reserved. An attendant greeted them as they stepped off the elevator.
Ye’s father presented the invitation and was seated at a table already occupied.
"Ah, President Ye! Long time no see," a man at the table smiled, raising his wine glass.
"Long time. Alone today?" Ye’s father picked up a full glass, clinked it with the man’s, and took a small sip.
"Your daughter and wife joined too," the man said, nodding at Ye Wen and Ye’s mother—he knew them.
Familiar with him, Ye’s mother toasted playfully. "President Wan, where’s your wife today?"
"She hates these events. Calls everyone fake and nauseating."
"Haha!" Ye’s father laughed. "She’s still so refreshingly honest."
"President Ye." Another man approached with a glass. "Heard you’d arrived. Chatting with President Wan here?"
"President Luo! I was just looking for you," Ye’s father toasted again, smiling.
"Your daughter?"
"Yes."
"Quite the beauty." President Luo’s gaze shifted to Ye’s mother. "And this is…?"
"My wife."
"Oh! I’ve heard Mrs. Ye never ages. Stunningly youthful—truly lives up to the rumors. Strangers would mistake her for your sister."
"Heh!" Ye’s father chuckled, eyeing the boy beside President Luo. "Your son?"
"My boy, yes."
"Huh? Ye Wen?" Luo Liangjian, who’d been staring at the floor, looked up and blurted in surprise.
"Oh? You two know each other?" President Luo asked.
"Classmates," Luo Liangjian said.
"Haha! What a coincidence!" Ye’s father boomed.
"Let the kids mingle. We’ll talk over here," President Luo suggested.
Ye’s father nodded, leading Ye’s mother away.
"Have fun," Ye’s mother winked mischievously at Ye Wen, her tone suggestive.
Ugh! Don’t be so obvious! I’d never like this fatso! Ye Wen screamed inwardly, keeping her face neutral.
"Never knew Ye Wen was from a wealthy family," Luo Liangjian grinned. "Come on, relax. Let’s grab food."
Ye Wen stayed silent. She hadn’t known Luo Liangjian was a rich heir either. Had history changed? Or had she missed something?
…
