Chapter 408

It was a smoke-blue evening gown, the hem embroidered with dark patterns and scattered diamonds that sparkled under the lights, paired with a light-blue shawl.

She tilted her head to look at the person behind her, "Brother, did you pick this?"

Mu Xin stood in the doorway, corners of his mouth turning up, "Do you like it?"

Mu Youyu reached out and touched the hem, her fingertips feeling the smooth satin, and she immediately replied, "I like it!"

Mu Xi leaned against the doorframe, seeing her sister's unwilling-to-let-go look, his cold eyes softened, "You just knew it was Xin's pick? What if it was mine?"

Mu Youyu didn't even turn her head, "Second Brother's last dress pick for me was pink, covered in bows."

They had every style—big, small, puffy, waist-cinching—all covered in bows.

Mu Xi loved dressing his sister up beautifully, to the point of wanting to put a bow on her head too, "Isn't that pretty?"

"It's pretty, sure," Mu Youyu turned around, "but there's just too much."

Mu Yichi, just arrived at the doorway, leaned against the frame, smiling unsympathetically, making an exaggerated gesture, "Little Xi, what's your taste?"

Mu Xi looked at him, tone cool, "Big Brother Chi, what did you give this year?"

Mu Yichi reined in his smile, quickly changed the subject, "Youbao, go try it on quick, the makeup artist's waiting impatiently!"

The makeup artist said they hadn't seen enough of the excitement.

Song Huaixian compared his own gift, feeling supremely confident.

Mu Youyu was pushed into the changing room, and the moment the door shut, she still heard Mu Yichi's wail from outside: "Little Xi, Xibao, don't snatch my phone! I was wrong, I was wrong!"

She smiled and began changing; the gown seemed tailor-made for her, fitting perfectly, the waist cinched just right, the hem falling just above her ankle, revealing a sliver of calf.

Mu Youyu turned before the mirror; the smoke-blue complemented her skin, making it look whiter, her pink-gold long hair cascading over her shoulders, enhancing her elegant demeanor, and she quite liked it.

She pushed the door open and stepped out, leaving everyone stunned.

Grandfather Mu was the first to react, his eyes crinkling into slits as he smiled, "Yo, our little princess looks truly beautiful!"

Mu Xin proudly took credit, "I said this color would suit her."

Mu Xi gave him a once-over, handed the phone back to Mu Yichi, and said sourly, "Jiang Liangjin got off easy."

Mu Xianqi recalled what Song Huaiyu had said about the two people earlier in the year, sighing, "We really have to pick a person, and compared to others, it's still him."

The makeup artist stepped forward and began styling her.

Her hair was pulled into a loose low bun, with a few wisps falling at her temples.

Mu Yichen and Mu Yichi were very pleased; their sister was far cuter than any brother.

Song Huaiyu hesitated before speaking, "What about the crown? I think we're missing a crown."

Mu Xin: "I'll have Qing An bring a few over; we can pick later."

"That works too."

The makeup artist worked on her face for half an hour; the base was sheer, the eye makeup soft, and she swept on a layer of light pink lip gloss, making her lips look plump and moist.

After the styling was done, the makeup artist stepped back, and Mu Youyu examined herself in the mirror carefully, "Thank you, sis."

Grandfather Mu couldn't wait to have his granddaughter make her appearance, "Let's go."

Mu Xin stepped forward and draped a pre-prepared coat over her; Mu Youyu smiled in response, then moved to link her arm with his.

They split into cars, four people riding together; because of the skirt's length, Mu Youyu and Mu Xin sat in the back.

The car started, Mu Youyu sat upright, and suddenly she began to feel nervous again.

In the days she had spent before, Jiang Liangjin's birthday parties were attended by figures from the C Shi circle, and sometimes it was unavoidable that collaborators who didn't know her identity would show up.

They protected her well; at his second birthday banquet, she basically never appeared in public, only at the first, when it was just their own people, would she show herself.

Even then, at her own birthday party, besides family, she only invited friends and teachers who knew her identity.

Mu Xin soothed her gently, "Nervous?"

"A little."

"What's there to be nervous about?" Grandfather Mu chuckled, turning his head, "You're not exactly a stranger to this."

"It's precisely because I've seen it before that I'm nervous."

Grandfather Mu didn't catch the meaning of her words, taking it as a little girl's thoughts, and he smiled, reassuring, "Don't be afraid, our Youbao, bring out the poise of a little princess."

If it were a grandson, he'd have called it sentimental long ago and would have teased him about it for a while, but since it's a little granddaughter, she looks adorable no matter how you look at her.

The car pulled up in front of the luxury hotel, the parking lot ahead already filled with all sorts of high-end cars, license plates of every variety.

Mu Youyu looked out the window; it was all prominent figures from various international circles.

She braced herself mentally and pushed open the car door.

The smoke-blue hem of her skirt gave a gentle swirl as she stood by the car, lifting her gaze to the hotel entrance.

The person standing at the door spotted her at once, and someone immediately trotted inside to report.

Mu Youyu hadn't even taken a step when she saw a figure emerge from inside.

The youth wore a light-blue formal suit, the style popular in Y Guo years ago, his dark tie knotted neatly, like a prince charming from a fairy tale; his bearing was dignified and noble, making him look more mature than usual.

He strode over with long, confident steps, stopped in front of Mu Youyu, and lowered his brows to look at her.

Mu Youyu lifted her face, meeting his scorching gaze, her heart skipping a beat, "Didn't you say we weren't supposed to meet yet?"

Jiang Liangjin didn't answer, merely reaching out to ruffle her hair, "It's good that you came."

Grandfather Mu gave a light cough from the side, "Alright, let's go inside and talk; it's cold out here."

The brothers: "Mind your image."

Jiang Liangjin then came to, calling out, "Hello, Grandfather and brothers," and stepped aside to make room.

Mu Youyu walked beside him into the venue, whispering, "How did you know we'd arrived?"

"I've been waiting at the door."

Mu Youyu froze for a moment, then tilted her head to look at him; the boy's profile in the light was sharply defined, his lashes long and fine, so handsome she couldn't look away.

She suddenly recalled what her second brother had said, and the nervousness in her heart dissipated by half.

Jiang Liangjin noticed her gaze, turned his head aside, "What's up?"

Mu Youyu spoke in a clear, sweet voice: "I just think our A Jin looks especially good today."

Jiang Liangjin's steps hesitated, then the corner of his mouth lifted into an unstoppable curve: "Our Youbao is the one."

The two walked side by side into the hall, the others lagging behind, feeling sour.

This time, many important figures were invited a month ahead; basically all domestic and overseas acquaintances and partners of the Jiang-Shen family showed up.

At the Jiang Family heir's birthday banquet, who wouldn't want to come for the fun and boost their connections?

As soon as they appeared, the gazes of all the guests in the hall snapped onto them all at once, flashbulbs flashing in succession, lighting up the hall like daylight.

Mu Youyu leaned in toward Jiang Liangjin, and he seized her wrist.

"Don't be nervous, I'm not nervous either." He lowered his voice.

"I'm not nervous." She retorted stubbornly.

Jiang Liangjin let out a low chuckle, then turned his hand to clasp hers in his palm, fingers interlaced, showing no intention of letting go.

Mu Youyu felt much more at ease, returned his grip, "Let's go."