Chapter 171: Mu Nian's Engagement Banquet

Mu Xi leaned on the stair railing, looking at the people in the living room, couldn't help letting out a low laugh, walked down slowly and patted Qing An's shoulder, "All right, don't act like a put-upon little thing, glutinous rice is so cute."

Qing An pouted aggrievedly, "A princess cat should be called Pearl, Jewel, or Glaze—something noble-sounding, or at least Your Highness like me; how does glutinous rice have any royal bearing?"

Mu Youyu stood aside, simply unable to find a response.

Mu Xi: "……"

In the blink of an eye, it was time for Mu Nian and Yan Yuejiu's official engagement banquet.

Inside the banquet hall, crystal lights refracted beams, and melodious string music flowed through the air.

Mu Youyu wore a gray long dress, the hem embroidered with fine silver-line dark patterns, swaying like a moonlight cascade as she moved; her brown hair was pinned up, and she wore a delicate blue sapphire necklace around her neck.

Standing beside her, Yan Yuejiu wore a vivid red gown, the skirt fluffy like a blooming rose, with red lips and white teeth, forming a stark contrast to Mu Youyu's elegance, yet equally eye‑catching.

As soon as the two stepped into the banquet hall, they became the focus of the entire room.

"Youbao looks absolutely gorgeous today!" Song Huaixian stepped forward first, reaching out to ruffle her hair, but Mu Xin blocked him.

"Don't mess up her hair."

"Fine, fine, fine."

Song Huaixian grudgingly withdrew his hand, looked at the person beside Mu Youyu, and praised Yan Yuejiu a few more times.

Yan Yuejiu smiled, "You look great today too."

Qing An walked straight up to Mu Youyu's side, his gaze sweeping over her, "Youbao really looks beautiful today, Sister Yan also looks lovely."

Yan Yuejiu raised her brows, "What else?"

Mu Youyu gently tugged at her skirt, smiled, and felt a familiar gaze fall upon her.

She turned her head instinctively and saw Jiang Liangjin standing at the banquet hall entrance, dressed in a dark custom suit, his wine‑red hair carefully styled, his whole bearing noble, only his eyes looking at her were filled with a gentle smile.

The moment their eyes met, the surrounding clamor seemed to fade away; Mu Youyu's heart skipped a beat, and her steps unconsciously moved two paces toward him.

Jiang Liangjin strode forward, his gaze locked on her, his voice low and pleasant: "Little princess, you look beautiful today."

Mu Xin: "No need for you to say that."

Jiang Liangjin paused, then said, "Good, Brother Xin."

He then changed his form of address.

Mu Xin instantly felt this address was much more pleasing, swallowing the retort that had risen to his lips; he merely gave him a faint glance and said nothing more.

Finally, it wasn't the disgusting "death" nickname used for everyone except his sister.

Mu Youyu lifted her eyes to Jiang Liangjin, a smile flickering in her gaze: "You look great today too."

Their oblivious interaction was noticed by a few people nearby, each reacting differently.

Qing An muttered quietly, "We're clearly here to attend the engagement banquet, so how did it turn into their date scene?"

Song Huaixian patted his shoulder and lowered his voice: "Just get used to it; when those two are together, they see only each other."

Mu Xin, however, didn't say much more.

Jun Chenling held a wine cup and took a sip.

Song Huaixian came over again, bumped Mu Xin's arm, and teased with a smile: "What, trying to block them again? Be careful Youbao throws a tantrum at you."

Mu Xin withdrew his gaze, sighed helplessly, "This kid, he's getting better and better at winning her favor."

Standing nearby, Yan Yuejiu heard the conversation, laughed and patted Mu Youyu's shoulder, her eyes full of teasing: "All right, keep watching and some people's eyes will practically stick to you."

She turned her head to look at Jiang Liangjin, "A Jin, you really need to keep a good watch on our Youbao today—such a lovely little treasure, don't let anyone snatch her away."

Jiang Liangjin heard this, his expression turned a bit more serious, he gave a slight nod: "Sister Yan, rest assured, I will."

Mu Nian happened to walk over, the low pressure around him dissipating somewhat; his gaze at Jiang Liangjin, though still tinged with coldness, had eased considerably: "Come in, the banquet is about to start."

Yan Yuejiu hurried forward, linked her arm with his, and joked deliberately: "Ah Nian, see how popular our Youbao is? You'll probably have plenty to worry about in the future."

Mu Nian's expression was calm, but when his eyes fell on his sister they held a touch of indulgence as he said softly, "Whoever dares to bully her, I'll be the first to object."

Jiang Liangjin heard this, lifted his eyes to Mu Nian, his tone earnest: "I won't let her suffer any injustice."

As soon as he said that, the gazes of several people present snapped onto him, and the air instantly acquired a subtle tension.

Mu Xin was the first to speak: "Neither will I."

Song Huaixian raised his eyebrows, Qing An smiled, and Jun Chenling, seeing Mu Xin say nothing, watched the scene with interest, as if watching a spectacle.

Mu Nian gave Jiang Liangjin a deep look, said nothing more, and simply patted his shoulder with moderate force.

Yan Yuejiu laughed and smoothed things over: "All right, today is our engagement banquet—don't scare the child."

She turned her head to Mu Youyu, her tone affectionate: "Youbao, would you like to come with me later to see a few old friends over there?"

"Sure." Mu Youyu replied obediently.

Afterward, Mu Nian and Yan Yuejiu walked side by side toward the stage.

The others stayed downstairs, while Jiang Liangjin naturally kept close to Mu Youyu's side, not leaving her for a step.

On the stage at the center of the banquet hall, the host had already begun his remarks; Mu Nian and Yan Yuejiu stood side by side, a talented man and beautiful woman, drawing round after round of applause from below.

Besides Mu Nian and Yan Yuejiu, the core attendees of today's engagement banquet were the elders and close friends of both families.

Moreover, many business partners came, and media reporters were naturally invited as well.

Gu Xingnan and Yu Ci both came.

Mu Youyu first greeted the elders, then went to sit with Jiang Liangjin, looked at the two most dazzling figures on stage, and smiled, "Big Brother and Sister Yan really look great."

Jiang Liangjin sat beside her, his gaze occasionally falling on her face; looking into her eyes, the smile at the corners of his mouth unconsciously deepened.

"Yes, they make a fine pair." He agreed, glancing toward the stage, after all Mu Nian and Yan Yuejiu are the protagonists.

Grandfather Mu somewhat disagreed, reminding gently: "Youbao, from now on you should call her Big Sister‑in‑law!"

Mu Youyu immediately responded: "Big Brother and Big Sister‑in‑law are a perfect match!"

Upon hearing that, both sets of parents instantly broke into smiles.

After the remarks ended, a melodious dance tune began; Mu Nian took Yan Yuejiu's hand and led the way onto the dance floor, starting the first dance.

Their movements were graceful, their gazes meeting full of affection, making others envious.

The elders wore kind expressions as they looked at the two.

Song Huaixian moved to Mu Youyu's side, raised an eyebrow and said: "Baby, want to dance? My dance skills are not inferior to Nian ge's."

Qing An immediately shoved him aside, unwilling to show weakness: "Youbao, I'll teach you the palace dance of M Guo."

Mu Xi and Mu Xin went to see the elders first.

Jun Chenling also looked at her: "If it's the palace dance, then I should come too."

Mu Youyu was about to speak to refuse when the grip on her wrist tightened slightly; she turned her head to look at Jiang Liangjin, seeing a faint flash in his eyes, he softly asked: "Youbao, may I have this dance with you?"

Seeing his earnest expression, Mu Youyu hesitated not at all, nodded lightly: "Okay."