Chapter 133

The Mu and Song families had finished their meal; upon arriving at the hotel, a greeter was already waiting at the entrance.

The hotel's exterior wall was made of whole floor-to-ceiling glass panels; stepping inside, sparkling crystal lights dotted the ceiling, and the lobby was even more ornately carved and painted.

From afar, it spelled out two words—luxury!

Mu's grandfather, uncles, and older brothers went to confirm the schedule with the person in charge.

Media reporters had already been stationed in the designated area, gazing at the impressive gathering of the Mu and Song families, their eyes full of excitement.

"Heavens, the Mu and Song families actually have this many people?"

"They all look familiar!"

"Is that the little princess of the Mu family in the middle?"

"Is that Lu Yuchu? And Song Yan! These two are A-list celebrities in the entertainment industry, superstars you usually can't hire even with money, and they're actually here!"

Their hands were trembling; tomorrow's banquet was already the focus of everyone's attention, and even capturing a bit of side-angle footage would be enough to make headline news.

But they didn't dare to film, because Mu Nian had said that tomorrow's proceedings would officially begin; right now they were just familiarizing themselves with the process, and couldn't afford a single mistake.

They could only suppress their excitement, thinking about how to get the best shot.

Mu Youyu wasn't interested in these, so she didn't go over.

Otherwise they'd probably drag her over to ask again.

As she was looking at the floral arrangement in the center of the banquet hall, a familiar clear shout came from behind: 'Little Yu!'

She turned her head and immediately saw a bright pink figure rushing toward her.

Lin Ning's signature pink hair was especially eye-catching under the lights, full of vigor.

Behind her followed Bai Yun in a light blue dress, her demeanor gentle and tranquil.

Not far behind them, Jiang Liangjin was strolling along at a leisurely pace.

Mu Youyu instinctively walked toward him, a sweet smile spreading across her face as she exclaimed, 'A Jin, how did you get here so fast?'

She was just making preparations; she had said she'd arrive after 12, but coming anytime from noon to evening was fine.

She would wait.

Before Jiang Liangjin could speak, Lin Ning beside him suddenly clutched her chest, and a series of coughs erupted: 'Cough Cough Cough!'

Mu Youyu wondered, 'Ningning, did you catch a cold?'

Lin Ning puffed her cheeks, looking aggrieved as she huffed, 'I didn't catch a cold! I clearly called you first, yet you went to talk to someone else—you don't even see me!'

She said this while lightly bumping Mu Youyu with her elbow.

Bai Yun somewhat wanted to laugh.

Xiao Yu's gaze full of Young Master Jiang, she had long stopped finding it odd.

Jiang Liangjin stood in place, silent, just quietly gazing at Mu Youyu with an indulgent look.

Mu Youyu reacted immediately, quickly stepping close to Lin Ning, grabbing her arm and gently shaking it, 'Ningning, I'm sorry, I'm sorry—next time you call me, I'll definitely respond right away, okay?'

Lin Ning is usually appeased easily.

Sure enough, the grievance on Lin Ning's face vanished instantly; she raised her chin arrogantly, looking satisfied, 'That's more like it.'

At that moment, Mu Youyu's phone chimed with a message from Mu's elder uncle: 【Youbao has come backstage, something's up!】

She immediately replied: 【Elder uncle, I'm coming.】

She turned to Lin Ning, Bai Yun, and Jiang Liangjin, smiling, 'You guys sit here for a moment; I'll go over there to see what my elder uncle needs.'

Each of them responded in turn.

Jiang Liangjin nodded, 'Go ahead, I'll wait here for you.'

Mu Youyu winked at Jiang Liangjin, adding, 'Later I'll pull you to meet someone.'

Saying that, she hurried toward her elder uncle's direction.

Jiang Liangjin saw her heading into the inner room; not seeing any familiar faces nearby, he simply found a seat and sat down.

Lin Ning pulled Bai Yun toward the only table with food.

As the two approached the main door, a woman with a voluminous head of flaxen curls and refined makeup, and a man with stern features, came into view.

It was Mu Xianyan and Mu Xianqi.

Bai Yun had just sat down on the sofa when she caught sight of the two at the door out of the corner of her eye, and instinctively tugged at Lin Ning's sleeve, lowering her voice: 'Isn't that… Princess Yan, Xiao Yu's older sister?'

Lin Ning was about to pick up a piece of watermelon to taste when she heard Bai Yun's words; she had intended to lean in and whisper a reply to Bai Yun, but couldn't hold back: 'She's my cousin! Youbao isn't close with her!'

Just as she stepped inside, still holding an exquisite gift box, Mu Xianyan, who was about to go find Mu Youyu to give her the gift, said: '?'

Her steps halted, she instinctively turned her head toward the lounge at the sound, her gaze landing on Lin Ning: 'Miss, what did you just say?'

What do you mean not close? Though she and Youbao are cousins and rarely get to see each other, they get along well—she lovingly transferred money to her younger sister!

How could she be described as not close?

Mu Xianqi raised an eyebrow, glad it wasn't about him and his sister being not close.

Lin Ning was startled by a sudden voice from behind, her fruit tray wobbling and nearly flying off, but Bai Yun caught it with quick eyes and hands.

Seeing Mu Xianyan approach, Bai Yun instinctively said, 'Princess Yan?'

Hearing her doubtful tone, Lin Ning patted her, instantly putting on a cute smile, and gave Mu Xianyan a slight nod: 'Hello, Sister Xianyan—I'm Youbao's best friend, Lin Ning.'

Bai Yun quickly corrected herself: 'Hello, Sister Xianyan! I'm Bai Yun, a friend of Xiao Yu.'

Seeing the two girls as well-behaved and cute as her younger sister, Mu Xianyan gave them an elegant nod: 'Hello.'

She didn't ask further, after all, they were friends of her younger sister—no need to be overly calculative.

Afterward, she and Mu Xianqi, who had been silent beside her, exchanged a glance and walked together toward the direction Mu Youyu had just left.

Mu Youyu arrived backstage and was immediately surrounded by several elders and brothers.

Seeing his niece arrive, Mu's elder uncle hurriedly asked, 'Youbao, who do you most want to perform with tomorrow?'

She blinked, then replied sweetly, 'With my brother!'

As soon as she said that, the grandfather, uncles, and brothers all turned to look at her, and in unison asked, "Which brother?"

Mu Youyu said matter-of-factly, "All of them!"

The grandfather, uncles, and brothers were heartbroken; they still wanted to let their own sons go on stage together with Youbao to share in the little darling's luck, but Youbao actually wanted to bring all the brothers up!

Mu Xi stood aside, shaking his head helplessly, his tone half-laughing, half-crying: "Youbao, can you pick them one by one in order?"

The stage is only a little big; if everyone wants to stand beside the sister and surround her, even the height advantage won't be able to capture her!

Moreover, he's afraid that if they go up together, they'll fight over which side to stand next to the sister, and if that happens, things will go wrong.

So just now they specially discussed and decided to let the sister choose one by herself, or go out two by two, to make an order.

Mu Youyu nodded, without hesitation, "Brother Xin Xin!"

She and Mu Xin rarely stand together in formal settings.

Mu Xin, hearing his sister choose him, smiled, but said, "I'm the third to go on stage, I have to stand with the queen, my maternal grandfather, and them."

Then Mu Youyu would stand in the middle as the mascot, so no matter what she would have a chance to stand with him.

This time, it's just to appease the other cousins; it's not actually to choose a close brother.

Mu Youyu understood, turned her gaze to Mu Xi, "Second brother!"

Grandfather Mu shook his head, explaining, "Little Xi has to read the script, but he can also stand with you."

As the Mu family's second young master, who besides Mu Nian is the most renowned and known as rare, Mu Xi being the second to go on stage is most appropriate.

At that time, Mu Youyu also stood in the middle of the stage as the mascot.

Mu Youyu pursed her lips, then turned her head to look at Mu Nian, who stood at the front with the strongest aura, "Then I choose the eldest brother!"

Mu Nian was not surprised, looking satisfied.

Grandfather Mu lightly coughed, "Ah Nian also has to read the script; after he comes down, it's Little Xi."

As the president of the Mu Clan Conglomerate, Mu Nian definitely needs to, together with the president of the Song Clan Conglomerate, his maternal uncle Song Huai, as the first to go on stage to announce her identity!

At that time, Mu Youyu also stood in the very middle.

So, these three close brothers all have a chance to stand with Mu Youyu.

Mu Youyu lost interest, "Then you still let me choose?"

Mu Nian couldn't help but laugh, walked forward and rubbed her hair, saying gently, "Besides us three, you other brothers can……"

Before he could finish his words, they heard the precious sister toss out two words: "A Jin!"

Mu Nian's face stiffened, doubting he'd misheard, "What?"

Mu Youyu's eyes held a smile as she repeated, "A Jin!"

Grandfather, uncles, and brothers: "……"