Chapter 418: Drinking Milk Helps You Sleep

After the afternoon banquet ended, the Jiang family's banquet hall was rearranged by the servants.

The main lights were turned off, leaving only a few warm yellow wall sconces, and several strings of star lights were hung around the hall.

Most of the round tables were cleared away, replaced with a few long tables and sofas, snacks and drinks were set out, and there were a few small bars in the corner; the bartender was already in place, though the tables held mostly juice and sparkling water.

When Mu Youyu pushed the door and entered the hall, many people had already arrived, most of them familiar peers.

Bai Yun and Xia Chaoyi lowered their heads, whispering; the latter didn't know what he had said, Bai Yun glared at him, and he immediately shrank his neck.

Mo Song and Leng Yueyou stood together, both looking at their phones. Leng Anzhi alone stood by the pool area, arms crossed, not joining the lively crowd.

It was clear he didn't want to get too close to Leng Yueyou; Mu Youyu couldn't help it either, she didn't want to act as a mediator between the two.

Mu Youyu greeted the people she knew, then turned and went upstairs to change clothes.

Jiang Liangjin followed her upstairs; from childhood on, her parents were seldom at home, Shen Ningmu had always doted on her, loving to dress her up beautifully, and almost every year he would have clothes tailored to her measurements in advance.

The Jiang family also specially reserved a separate room and wardrobe for her.

After changing into casual clothes, Mu Youyu and Jiang Liangjin returned to the fifth-floor banquet hall; a glance turned her gaze toward the nearby pool area.

A teenager was playing pool with several people, wearing a dark hoodie and jeans, casually dressed, his features regular, thick brows and big eyes, looking quite energetic.

He took a rather professional stance, but his shot missed the pocket, and the familiar people nearby burst into laughter.

"Wow, Lu Huan, how did you get here?" Yu Ci, who had been loitering at the door, rushed straight to the pool area as soon as he entered, saying, "With your skill, you don't deserve to hog the table—move over, move over, let me have a turn."

The boy called Lu Huan lifted his eyes indignantly, pursed his lips, and said, "If you're so good, you come up—coming this late and still having the nerve to say that."

"It's just traffic!" Yu Ci snatched up a cue, bent low to aim, and sank a shot in one smooth, fluid motion.

The crowd that had just been laughing fell silent in an instant, and Lu Huan was utterly bewildered, "……When did you learn that?"

"I've always known how, I just keep it low-key." Yu Ci gloated, took another shot, and the ball grazed the pocket and slid past.

Gu Xingnan heard that, curled his lip, and spoke up at the right moment: "Long time no see."

Lu Huan raised an eyebrow, "Xingnan, long time no see—you few busy people ought to all be here now."

Mu Youyu stepped forward, smiled, and said, "Lu Huan."

This person is the son of Lu Yuchu's maternal uncle; the few of us have basically grown up together since childhood.

In elementary school she skipped a grade, happened to be in the same class as Lu Huan, and besides the family ties with Lu Yuchu's side, they often saw each other as kids and got along well.

Only back then they each had their own close cliques; when they met they'd just exchange greetings, so their relationship was never distant.

Lu Huan smiled and nodded, offered a few birthday wishes to the celebrant nearby, then walked toward Leng Anzhi.

Lin Ning saw her best friend had finished changing into her formal dress, pulled her along inward, and said, "Youbao, let's go sit over there."

Mu Youyu was tugged by her toward the sofa area; as they passed the pool area, Jiang Liangjin's steps paused for a moment, and he nodded slightly.

Yu Ci looked up and shouted, "A Jin, want to play a game?"

"No thanks." Jiang Liangjin refused without even thinking.

"It's your birthday today—what's wrong with playing one game?"

"On your birthday you don't have to keep someone company?"

Yu Ci followed his gaze to where Lin Ning had already pulled Mu Youyu away, sensed the hint, and stopped urging, "Fine, fine, fine, go do your thing."

Mu Youyu sat down in the sofa area and was immediately surrounded by several familiar female friends.

Lin Ning shoved a cup of juice into her hand, saying, "This tastes good, try it."

She took it and sipped; it was low in acid, high in sweetness—exactly to her taste—"Where's this from?"

"It's mixed over there, non‑alcoholic." Lin Ning pointed to the corner bar, "The bartender said today is Young Master Jiang's birthday, so he specially mixed a few new drinks."

Mu Youyu took another sip, her eyes sweeping the hall, "There don't seem to be many people."

"About twenty or so, all people you or Jiang Liangjin know." Lin Ning counted; as soon as she entered she had quietly scanned the room and figured out most of the relationships.

"There are a few I don't really know, heard they're friends Jiang Liangjin met outside."

"Outside friends?" Mu Youyu exclaimed.

Lin Ning casually replied, "Yeah, I don't know them; you'll see for yourself later."

Mu Youyu didn't pursue it further; just as she set down her cup, she saw Jiang Liangjin sit down on the sofa beside her, holding a cup of milk.

She couldn't help finding it funny, "You're drinking milk?"

"Yes."

"Won't you drink something else?"

"No." Jiang Liangjin tilted his head, "Drinking milk helps me sleep."

Mu Youyu asked, raising an eyebrow, "Are you a child?"

"Who says only children can drink milk?" Jiang Liangjin countered.

"All right, whatever the birthday boy says is right." Mu Youyu continued sipping her juice.

At that moment, Mo Song came over, holding a small piece of sliced apple, "Sister Yu, eat an apple—it's especially sweet."

Mu Youyu took it, "Delicious."

Mo Song: "I got it from the fruit section—there's plenty more over there!"

Leng Yueyou added, "She brought over the whole platter."

Mo Song, embarrassed, shrank his neck, "I thought it looked pretty good…"

"No problem, eat as much as you like." Mu Youyu turned her head toward Jiang Liangjin and noticed he was staring at the entrance.

Following his gaze, I spotted a gentle‑tempered stranger boy who had just entered; he looked around as soon as he came in, saw Jiang Liangjin, and immediately strode over.

Jiang Liangjin rose to his feet, went forward to meet him, and said in an even tone, "Brother Xu."

"Brother Xu?" I didn't know him.

Mu Youyu blinked; this person looked a few years older than them.

The boy stepped up, patted Jiang Liangjin on the shoulder, and said, "Happy birthday! Traffic held me up, I'm late."

Yu Ci heard this excuse and subconsciously tilted his head—how is this the same as what he said?

"Not late, just started."

Xu Shu chuckled, then suddenly froze beside him, "Is this the little princess? I've long heard your great name."

Mu Youyu stood up and politely greeted, "Hello, don't be formal."

"My name is Xu Shu, the 'shu' in Chen Shu, from B Shi, a friend of Young Master Jiang." Xu Shu introduced himself cheerfully.

"Brother Xu, hello." Mu Youyu followed Jiang Liangjin in calling out.

Xu Shu felt completely at ease being called "Brother Xu," "All good, younger sister-in-law, don't be formal."

Jiang Liangjin lightly coughed beside him, "Brother Xu."

Xu Shu immediately realized, assuming this identity was a bit too quick, he laughed and waved his hands, "Just joking, just joking, don't take it seriously."

Jiang Liangjin didn't respond, Xu Shu didn't mind, turned to him and said a few more sentences, then was dragged away to play pool.

As soon as he left, Lin Ning immediately came over, "This handsome guy is great, Jiang Liangjin has good taste in friends—I feel like I've taken a liking to several people, what should I do?"

Mu Youyu was utterly convinced, "Who have you taken a liking to?"