Chapter 135

Jiang Liangjin smiled and stood to the side.

Translation: Jiang Liangjin smiled and stood at the side.

We need to keep it concise but include all info: "Jiang Liangjin smiled and stood at the side." That's fine.

Mu Xuan's icy blue eyes swept over Jiang Liangjin, he gave a slight nod, greeting him.

Translation: Mu Xin's ice-blue eyes swept over Jiang Liangjin, he gave a slight nod, counting it as a greeting.

We need to keep meaning: "Mu Xin's ice-blue eyes swept over Jiang Liangjin, he gave a slight nod, counting it as a greeting." Could be: "Mu Xin's ice-blue eyes swept over Jiang Liangjin; he gave a slight nod, counting it as a greeting." Keep as one sentence.

Mu Nian stood where he was, silent.

Translation: Mu Nian stood in place, silent.

Although Mu Youyu said she would bring Jiang Liangjin to meet people, he had only hastily met the other brothers yesterday and never got a chance to see Mu Nian.

Translation: Although Mu Youyu said she would have Jiang Liangjin meet people, yesterday he only hastily met the other brothers and had no chance to see Mu Nian.

We need to keep nuance: "Although Mu Youyu said she would have Jiang Liangjin meet people, yesterday he only hastily met the other brothers and had no chance to see Mu Nian." Good.

Jiang Liangjin wouldn't let him stay silent.

Translation: Jiang Liangjin wouldn't let him stay silent.

He stepped a little closer to Mu Youyu; the youth was handsome and clean-cut, with a perfectly obedient look, and he called out, "Eldest brother, second brother, older brother, hello?"

Translation: He moved slightly closer to Mu Youyu; the youth had a neat and handsome appearance, his face bearing just the right amount of obedience, and he called out, "Eldest brother, second brother, older brother, hello!"

We need to keep the quoted speech exactly: "Eldest brother, second brother, older brother, hello?" Actually "older brother, hello?" is "older brother, hello?" but we can translate as "Eldest brother, second brother, older brother, hello?" Might be redundant. Better: "Eldest brother, second brother, big brother, hello?" However, we need to keep meaning. The phrase "Eldest brother, second brother, older brother, hello?" is addressing three older brothers: eldest, second, and (generic) older brother. So translation: "Eldest brother, second brother, older brother, hello?" We'll keep as "Eldest brother, second brother, older brother, hello?" Might be okay.

A single greeting encompassed all the Mu brothers present.

Translation: That one greeting included all the Mu brothers present.

Mu Nian's pupils constricted slightly as he looked at him in disbelief, "You."

Translation: Mu Nian's pupils shrank slightly; he looked at him in disbelief, "You."

There was no following sentence.

Translation: No further words.

Mu Xi twitched the corner of his mouth: "Bold! With so many people, you still dare to shout randomly!"

Translation: Mu Xi's mouth twitched: "Bold! With so many people, you still dare to shout randomly!"

Mu Xuan heard that "brother": "……" He endured, endured, endured, endured; his sister was here, so he acted as if he hadn't heard.

Translation: Upon hearing that "brother," Mu Xin: "……" He endured, endured, endured, endured; his sister was here, so he pretended he hadn't heard.

We need to keep the ellipsis and the repeated "endure". Could translate: "Mu Xin heard that 'brother': '……' He endured, endured, endured, endured; his sister was here, so he acted as if he hadn't heard."

Mu Youyu was accustomed to her childhood friend's recent sudden eccentricity.

Translation: Mu Youyu was used to her childhood friend's recent sudden eccentricity.

"Bamboo horse" means childhood friend (literally "bamboo horse"). So the translation is: "Mu Youyu was used to her childhood friend's recent sudden eccentricity."

Song Huai, the third uncle of the Song family, walked over and smiled, "Ah Nian, Youbao, it's time to go on stage."

Translation: Song Shuai, the third uncle of the Song family, walked over and smiled, "Ah Nian, Youbao, it's time to go on stage."

Song Huai, the third uncle of the Song family, walked over and smiled, "Ah Nian, Youbao, it's time to go on stage."

The two responded.

Translation: The two responded.

The lights in the banquet hall suddenly dimmed, leaving only the crystal lamp above the main stage shining brightly.

Translation: The lights in the banquet hall suddenly dimmed, leaving only the crystal lamp above the main stage shining brightly.

Mu Nian and Song Huai walked side by side onto the main stage; their powerful presence filled the space as they stood left and right, leaving a gap between them, instantly commanding the entire venue.

Translation: Mu Nian and Song Huai walked onto the main stage side by side; their presence was strong, they stood left and right with a gap between them, instantly commanding the entire venue.

Mu Nian picked up the microphone, his deep voice resonating through the hall: "Thank you all for coming tonight; we have set this banquet solely to formally introduce an important person—my sister, the Mu family's sole eldest daughter, Mu Youyu."

Translation: Mu Nian picked up the microphone, his low voice resonating through the hall via the sound system: "Thank you all for coming tonight; this banquet is held solely to formally introduce an important person—my sister, the Mu family's sole eldest daughter—Mu Youyu."

As his words fell, the spotlight suddenly hit Mu Youyu.

Translation: As his words fell, the spotlight suddenly hit Mu Youyu.

In the light, she wore a moon-white gown, her light brown hair pulled up, clearly highlighting the princess crown on her head!

Translation: In the light, she wore a moon-white gown, her light brown hair pulled up, clearly highlighting the princess crown on her head!

Standing between Mu Nian and Song Huai, she was upright, her face bearing a composed smile, her eyes smiling, radiating charm.

Translation: Standing between Mu Nian and Song Huai, she was upright, her face bearing a composed smile, her eyes smiling, radiating charm.

She shone like the moon surrounded by stars, instantly becoming the focus of the entire venue.

Translation: She was highlighted like stars surrounding the moon, dazzling, instantly becoming the focus of the entire venue.

Song Huai also held a microphone, his tone solemn: "She is not only the Mu family's eldest daughter, but also the sole blood‑related eldest daughter of the Song generation!"

Translation: Song Huai also held a microphone, his tone solemn: "She is not only the Mu family's eldest daughter, but also the Song family's sole blood-related eldest daughter of this generation!"

As Song Huai's words ended, the venue fell briefly silent; then Mu Xi and Mu Xuan led the applause, which instantly erupted.

Translation: As Song Huai's words fell, the venue fell briefly silent; then Mu Xi and Mu Xin led the applause from below, which instantly erupted.

Immediately, murmurs spread.

Translation: Immediately, murmurs spread.

"Wow wow wow! She looks so good, so well‑behaved—no wonder the Mu and Song families kept her hidden! Are they afraid someone might abduct her?"

Translation: "Wow wow wow! She looks so good, so well-behaved—no wonder the Mu and Song families kept her hidden! Are they afraid someone would abduct her?"

"Good heavens, this identity is too frightening…"

Translation: "Good heavens, this identity is too frightening..."

"In the country's four major conglomerates, the Mu, Song, and Jiang families are all protecting her—abroad she could basically walk sideways, right?"

Translation: "Among the nation's four major conglomerates, the Mu, Song, and Jiang families are all protecting her—does that mean she can walk sideways internationally?"

"You forgot! The Jiang and Shen families are allied through marriage, so that makes four!"

Translation: "Don't count them! The Jiang and Shen families are allied by marriage, so that's why it's called the four great!"

"Wasn't that princess crown on her head presented to the Y‑country royal family?"

Translation: "Wasn't that princess crown on her head offered to the Y Kingdom royal family?"

「……」

Translation: "……"

Mu Nian raised his hand in a silent gesture, and the hall instantly fell quiet.

Translation: Mu Nian raised his hand in a pressing gesture, and the hall instantly fell silent.

After exchanging a few polite remarks, they each took one of Mu Youyu's hands and led her off the stage, temporarily clearing the main stage.

Translation: The two then exchanged a few pleasantries, afterwards each taking one side, they led Mu Youyu down the stage, temporarily clearing the main stage.

Less than half a minute later, Mu Youyu walked back onto the stage.

Translation: Less than half a minute later, Mu Youyu went back up on stage.

But this time it was different: instead of Mu Xi, who should have been beside her as the second, it was Jiang Liangjin standing at her side.

Translation: But this time it was different; beside her was not the expected Mu Xi who should have accompanied her, but Jiang Liangjin.

On the main stage, only she and he remained, as the spotlight fell again, outlining their figures with exceptional clarity.

Translation: On the main stage, only she and he were present; the spotlight fell again, outlining their silhouettes especially clearly.

Down below, the reporters' eyes lit up; they found a good angle and the shutter clicked.

Translation: Below, the reporters' eyes lit up; they found a good angle, and the shutter sounded.

Mu Xi stared angrily at the smiling boy on stage; if it weren't for his sister coaxing him, he would not have conceded to change the order.

Translation: Mu Xi glared resentfully at the smiling youth on stage; if it weren't for his sister coquettishly begging him, he would not have compromised and changed the order.

Mu Xuan, unusually at a loss for words, asked, "What did he give you?"

Translation: Mu Xin, unusually speechless, asked, "What benefits did he give you?"

Mu Xi replied, "How could Ah Xuan say that about me?"

Translation: Mu Xi, "How could you say that, Xin?"

However, those two limited‑edition pianos really suited his taste.

Translation: However, those two discontinued pianos really suit his taste.

No, he merely thought Jiang Liangjin was all right with his sister.

Translation: No, he merely thought Jiang Liangjin was still okay with his sister.

Mu Xuan looked at his hypocritical demeanor, couldn't be bothered to expose him, and simply moved a little away in the opposite direction, leaving only two words in his mind: "……"

Translation: Mu Xin looked at his hypocritical demeanor, too lazy to expose him, merely shifting silently in the opposite direction; in his heart only two words remained: "……"

Grandfather and Grandfather Mu stood not far away, calm and silent.

Translation: Maternal grandfather and Grandfather Mu stood not far away, their expressions calm, saying nothing.

Grandfather recalled something and comforted his young grandson: "Forget it, let him go up; it just gives us more time, Ah Xuan can go and pick up your grandmother and mother for me."

Translation: Maternal grandfather recalled something and comforted the young grandson: "Forget it, let him go up; it just gives us more time—Mu Xin can go and pick up your grandmother and mother for me."

Grandmother and Mu's parents returned together, though they encountered a minor hiccup on the way, delaying them a bit.

Translation: Grandmother and Father Mu and Mother Mu returned together, only encountering a minor hiccup on the way, delaying them a bit.

Mu Xuan nodded, his face showing no emotional fluctuation.

Translation: Mu Xin nodded, his face showing little emotional fluctuation.

He was raised by his grandfather; his grandmother and other elders occasionally came to see him.

Translation: He was raised by his maternal grandfather; his grandmother and other elders also occasionally came to see him.

Only his nominal parents left him feeling nothing.

Translation: Only these nominal parents, he felt nothing toward them.

The family had told them several days earlier that this banquet was very important.

Translation: Family members had told them several days ago that this banquet was very important.

But Mu's father and mother said they were busy playing, wanting to send Mu Youyu money to get rid of her; however, Mu's father had long stopped managing the company, and now most of their money comes from Mu Nian.

Translation: But Father Mu and Mother Mu both said they were busy playing, wanting to give Mu Youyu money to get rid of her; however, Father Mu had long stopped managing the company, and now most of their money comes from Mu Nian.

Still, it was only because grandfather and great‑grandfather insisted on meeting that they had to return.

Translation: Still, it was because Maternal grandfather and Grandfather said they absolutely had to meet that the two were forced to return.

Mu Xuan also realized that after this, they would probably be hard to see again.

Translation: Mu Xin also understood that after this, they would likely be hard to see again.

Grandfather Mu looked at Mu's little uncle and ordered: "Go see where Mu Yishi and Mu Yichen are! They initially said they wouldn't come, then changed their minds and said they'd rush over; they should have arrived by now."

Translation: Grandfather Mu glanced at Uncle Mu beside him and ordered, "Go see where those two brats, Mu Yichi and Mu Yichen, are! They initially said they wouldn't come, then changed their minds, saying they'd rush over; they should have arrived by now."

Mu's little uncle replied: "Okay, Dad, I'll go ask right away!"

Translation: Uncle Mu replied, "Okay, Dad, I'll go ask right away!"

Having said that, he turned and left the banquet hall.

Translation: Having said that, he turned and left the banquet hall.

「……」

Translation: "……"

On the main stage, Jiang Liangjin took the microphone handed by a staff member, his gaze calmly sweeping over the guests below: "I am Jiang Liangjin, who grew up together with the eldest daughter… a childhood sweetheart."

Translation: On the main stage, Jiang Liangjin took the microphone handed by the staff, his gaze calmly sweeping over the guests below: "I am Jiang Liangjin, who grew up together with the eldest daughter…… childhood sweetheart."

"Ahhhh, Young Master Jiang!"

Translation: "Ah ah ah ah Young Master Jiang!"

"He's so handsome; together they really enhance each other's looks."

Translation: "So handsome, being together really enhances their looks."

My goddess is still so beautiful.

Jiang Su and Shen Ningmu, standing below, heard this and immediately showed satisfied smiles.

They exchanged a glance, each seeing relief in the other's eyes.

Their son finally understood how to actively assert his authority!

In the crowd, a man lowered his voice and exclaimed, "Wow, are they trying to pre-arrange an engagement?"

Song LuXiao heard his friend's remark, his face darkened, and he warned, "Stop talking nonsense, or I'll throw you out."

The man laughed heartily, quickly waved his hands, and said, "Sorry, sorry, I forgot she's your precious little sister!"

"……"

After a brief introduction, Jiang Liangjin shifted his tone, his voice suddenly becoming threatening and spreading through the hall via the sound system: "Here, I want everyone to remember this— the Jiang, Mu, Song, and Shen families have always protected their own; whoever dares to harm her in the slightest will be considered an enemy of our four great families."

The elders were satisfied: that's exactly how it should be said!

Jiang Liangjin's gaze fell on the girl beside him; his stern features softened a little, his voice calm: "She has been raised under the protection of the four great families since childhood, her nature pure and kind; if she ever falls short in the circle, I hope you will tolerate it, after all, you cannot afford to offend us."

The crowd: "……" So arrogant! But that's indeed the case.

Mu Youyu's gaze swept over the crowd below, landing on the spot nearest the main stage—Lin Ning, covering her mouth as if laughing, and Yu Yu, frozen in place.

Also, Yu Ci, trying not to laugh not far away; Gu Xingnan, with a gentle demeanor; and the Class A students clapping hard, each with different expressions.

Mu Youyu looked at these familiar faces and felt like laughing.

She held back her laughter, but her shoulders twitched slightly involuntarily.

She then thought, her nature is inherently pure and good, so she proudly lifted her chin.

Seeing the elders below nodding repeatedly, they thought, "Our precious one is so well-behaved!"