Chapter 388: He Knows Best How to Guard Against This Kind of Person

This is Jiang Lai's homecoming welcome banquet, not Jiang Lai and Ke Zhongyu's engagement banquet; the two appearing hand‑in‑hand would be inappropriate, so after spotting the guests from afar they released each other's hands.

"Brother! Sister Jiang Lai!" Ke Zhongying was the first to see them, immediately smiled and walked over, noticing Li Dan and Xie Yongsi also present, and showed a hint of puzzlement and appraisal.

Li Dan didn't disturb them, feeling it appropriate to send Xie Yongsi away.

"Jiang Lai, Ke Chief." Fu Youqing also walked toward them, with the bright‑eyed Fu Youlin beside her.

Since taking over Star Universe Technology, Fu Youlin has been busy to the point of darkness, spending at least three days a week sleeping in the office; so busy he has no time to chat with his goddess, and when he does have a moment he immediately greets her, only to get either no reply or a perfunctory one.

Such an obvious rejection he couldn't miss; realizing he was bothering her, he settled down, occasionally browsing her Moments, but the goddess has no Moments.

Most of the time he can only learn about the goddess from his sister, and of course also learns about the goddess and Ke Chief.

Fu Youlin sometimes wonders whether he's too young, out of his time, causing him to miss the goddess in a forced way.

But it's fine; watching from afar is also quite nice.

Fu Youlin cheered himself up, his eyes sparkling like a puppy's, and called out, "Jiang Lai, Ke Chief."

Jiang Lai: "Youqing, Fu Chief."

Hearing the title "Fu Chief" made Fu Youlin a bit flustered; his face slightly reddened as he said, "You and my sister are good friends; just call me by my name, call me Youlin."

Fu Youqing looked at her younger brother's demeanor and couldn't help a light laugh: her brother is really innocent, haha.

Ke Zhongyu's gaze fixed on Fu Youlin: "Since you're my sister's good friend, shouldn't you call me sister? What name should you use?"

Fu Youlin felt both afraid and unafraid toward Ke Zhongyu, with a hint of youthful daring, and earnestly said, "Ke Chief, you should have confidence in yourself."

He secretly thought to himself, lacking confidence is fine too; maybe someday he'll rise to power.

Ke Zhongying, watching their expressions, immediately said, "The elders are all inside; Sister Jiang Lai, go in quickly!"

Jiang Lai agreed, and Ke Zhongyu accompanied her inside, whispering, "A Lai, stay away from Fu Youlin."

Jiang Lai turned her head to glance at him, knowing why he was guarding against Fu Youlin, and nodded with a "mm."

Ke Zhongyu, surprised, said, "So obedient."

The next second he added, "No solo meetings offline, no chatting online."

Jiang Lai: "......"

She has no time.

"Ke Zhongyu, what are you worried about? Don't worry."

"The later entrant rises above." Ke Zhongyu was blunt, because he himself was the later entrant who rose, the second male to ascend; he knows best how to guard against this kind of person.

Jiang Lai moved a bit closer and said earnestly, "It won't happen."

The two entered the hall, and indeed the elders were all there.

Jiang Lai saw many unfamiliar faces, but also familiar ones; beside Ke Fu and Ms. Nian sat a man and a woman—one upright as a pine, the other with a gentle smile—who had been appraising her since she entered, yet their appraisal gave her no discomfort.

Jiang Lai saw Ke Zhongyu go to Ms. Nian's side, calling out "dad, mom, uncle, aunt."

It turned out those two were Ke Zhongyu's uncle and aunt.

This time, Gu Sen still led Jiang Lai in introductions.

Gu Sen's smile was broad; anyone could see his joy at his daughter's return. He first introduced to Jiang Lai who this person was, then introduced to that person, "This is my daughter Jiang Lai."

At first Jiang Lai felt a bit awkward listening, but after hearing it repeatedly it grew pleasant.

She occasionally glanced at her biological father, still modest and refined, but lacking some steadiness, showing a hint of excitement.

Jiang Lai felt a mix of emotions, only knowing to keep calling out names.

When introducing the Nian family, Nian Jingchuan first spoke: "I am Zhongyu and Zhongying's uncle; just call me uncle when you're with them. The two elders are old and didn't come; please understand."

Cui Moyuan smiled and said, "I am Zhongyu and Zhongying's aunt; just call me aunt."

Ke Zhongyu watched her calmly from the side.

Jiang Lai pressed her lips together: "Uncle, aunt."

Cui Moyuan took out a small box and handed it to her: "I don't know what you like, so I took the liberty of buying an orchid brooch. I asked Zhongyu and Zhongying; you seem to prefer something restrained and tranquil. This brooch is misty blue and gray‑blue; hope you like it."

Jiang Lai felt moved, her voice softened: "Thank you, aunt."

Nian Zhaoning was surprised: "Sister‑in‑law, how come you still prepared a gift?"

Cui Moyuan looked at her younger sister‑in‑law and said, "Acting as if you hadn't prepared anything."

Nian Zhaoning smiled slightly: "Of course I had to prepare one."

She also took out a square box, handing it to Jiang Lai while saying, "All the past, like yesterday's death; all the future, like today's birth; the past suffering is over; from now on lies a bright future, happiness and stability."

Facing Ms. Nian always makes Jiang Lai's nose tingle and eyes warm; she bends down for a brief hug with Ms. Nian: "Thank you, Aunt."

Ms. Nian lightly patted her back, feigning, "I still envy my sister‑in‑law, that you call me aunt."

She could only receive the word "Aunt."

After all, it's her own son who's incompetent; who can she blame?

Jiang Lai caught the implication, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Ms. Nian released her: "You can open it and see if it fits; I asked Zhongyu. If it doesn't fit, you can only blame him for mismeasuring your size; you can scold him."

Jiang Lai opened it, revealing a dark emerald bracelet.

Black as pure lacquer, glossy and smooth; under the light it appears imperial green.

"Put it on and try?" Ms. Nian, thrilled to finally have a chance to spend money on Jiang Lai, wanted to see her wear it.

Jiang Lai took it out and slipped it on easily.

Ke Yue: "Is it too big?"

Ke Zhongyu: "Not big, she's thin now."

Ke Yue then understood his son's meaning; it seemed he had deliberately exaggerated the size, thinking Jiang Lai would look fitting once she put on a bit more flesh.

Very foresighted.

Jiang Lai wore the bracelet from Ms. Nian, and the brooch from Ke Zhongyu's aunt naturally could not be omitted.

Mist‑blue leaves, pale‑blue petals, velvet texture—pinned to Jiang Lai's black coat, they fit perfectly.

Everyone who came today brought a gift, but the gifts were set aside separately; only Ms. Nian and Cui Mouyuan broke the norm, each preparing an extra gift.

The gift was a statement; Gu Sen's paternal worry about his daughter's marriage lessened considerably at this moment.

He introduced Jiang Lai to the elders; the rest were young people, who have their own social ways, so he didn't need to intervene.

The elders stayed inside the house, while the young people were scattered around the courtyard.

Jiang Lai went out for two minutes, and Ke Zhongyu followed her out.

Someone said, "These two kids are also fated."

Gu Kai: "The fate between the Gu and Ke families."

Ms. Nian's eyes flickered slightly as she said, "The children's own fate."

The old Gu master said, "The children's fate is the fate of the two families."

Gu Sen said, "Ultimately, it's still the children's own fate."

Nian Zhaoning glanced at Gu Sen, still knowing to defend his daughter; he wasn't beyond redemption.

……

Ke Zhongyu stepped out, saw Jiang Lai standing there, and approached, saying, "Waiting for me?"

Jiang Lai hummed, "Waiting for you."

Ke Zhongyu looked ahead: "Let's go; later a crowd will surge up, no need to worry."

As expected, when the guests saw the day's protagonists come out, they rushed forward, but seeing Ke Zhongyu beside Jiang Lai they dared not press too close, still keeping their distance.

Everyone introduced themselves voluntarily; the wealthy young masters and mistresses said where their families did business, then gave their names; officials' offspring said where their relatives worked, and those with jobs described what they did.

Jiang Lai noticed that all the young people who came today had accomplishments—likely the threshold for entering the Gu family—except for Xie Yongsi and Li Dan, whom their families had assigned to branch offices for training.

Jiang Lai's self‑introduction consisted of only four words: "My name is Jiang Lai."

Someone asked, "Aren't you Gu Jiang Lai?"

Jiang Lai: "No."

Some showed surprise and puzzlement, not understanding why she didn't change her surname to Gu.

Someone boldly asked, "What about Gu Yinxue? Is she still a Gu? Will she remain in the Gu family?"

Ke Zhongying said, "Why are you asking this? Are you just trying to make trouble? What's the connection between Gu Yinxue and Jiang Lai? Just mind your own business—it's annoying."

The little princesses of the Nian and Ke families cannot be offended; that person immediately fell silent.

Then a girl stepped forward, her voice light and lively: "Hello, Jiang Lai, I'm Qu Mei."

Qu Mei, the betrothed of Gu Zhiyan.

The Qu family's second daughter, principal of the ballet troupe, only twenty‑six years old.

An oval face, swan neck, golden ratio with wrists past the hips—just stepping forward from behind, she moved like a butterfly, stood like a pine, the very embodiment of the white swan in classical ballet.

Qu Mei also had a pair of clear, lively eyes.

At first sight, Jiang Lai couldn't help thinking she must be a fairy.

"Hello, I'm Jiang Lai."

"I know." Qu Mei's eyes were slightly narrow, the outer corners drooping; when she smiled they narrowed together, brows and eyes curved, "You're Gu Zhiyan's younger sister, Jiang Lai."

Ke Zhongying and Fu Youqing stood aside, whispering.

Ke Zhongying: "What merit or ability does Gu Zhiyan have?"

Fu Youqing chuckled lightly: "He has a good family background."

Qu Mei glanced around and asked Jiang Lai, "Have you seen Zhiyan?"

Gu Zhiyan had promised to meet her at the gate, but he still hasn't shown up; she came alone today, and without him she might feel a bit awkward.

Jiang Lai looked toward the pavilion: "He's over there, probably dealing with something."

Qu Mei smiled gently: "In that case, it wouldn't be good to disturb him."

Jiang Lai could tell she wasn't close to anyone here; though she appeared calm, her eyes still betrayed a hint of awkwardness.

"If you don't mind, stay with me for now until he's done."

Qu Mei was slightly surprised, then smiled with narrowed eyes: "Sure."

She thought, "So Gu Zhiyan's younger sister is actually nice—not as cold as others say."

By the pavilion.

Gu Zhiyan trembled as he asked, "Yinxue, did you know all this from the start?"