Amidst the shocked gaze of the crowd, Qi Lei arrived before Wang Qin and presented the large bouquet of carnations to his mother. He took Wang Qin's hand and left a kiss on the back of her hand like a gentleman. He then smiled warmly at her. "Happy birthday, Mother!"

Wang Qin was stunned to see what Qi Lei had done. Moments later, she nodded happily and got Qi Lei to stand up. "Xiao Lei, I'm really happy today. Truly happy!"

Whether he was putting up an act or not, Wang Qin was sincerely touched. It was also the first time Qi Lei had given her flowers. It was a meaningful bouquet of carnation. She did not care if he prepared this himself or not so long as he thought about it.

There was a huge gap between Qi Lei and her. He stopped getting closer especially after Gu Lingsha's incident.

"This is a day for celebration. Why don't you start the opening dance with Mother, Father? It's her birthday today, and I'm sure you'd want to share a dance with her, don't you?"

Qi Lei's expression darkened slightly when Qi Qiming avoided him, but he relaxed moments later as he quickly put on a smile and looked straight at Qi Qiming.

The crowd was stunned. While some people were looking forward to their dance, most of them were waiting for something else to happen.

Everyone in the circle knew Qi Qiming and Wang Qin hated each other!

Qi Lei's action was obviously adding fuel to the situation. Qi Qiming would most likely turn away and leave. This had happened many times in public, so it was a very common occurrence!

"Xiao Lei!" Wang Qin frowned and looked at Qi Lei, her eyes uneasy.

"Mother, I'm sure Father is happy to do so. It's your birthday today and it's very important for him to perform as a husband."

Qi Lei took Wang Qin's hand and guided her to Qi Qiming. As his eyes looked right into Qi Qiming's quiet and dark ones, Wang Qin could feel the tension in the air.

It was the first time Qi Qiming felt such an overpowering aura from his son.

They looked at each other for a moment before Wang Qin tugged at Qi Lei's sleeve.

In the end, Qi Qiming caved into the pressure from everyone's gaze and grabbed her hand.

The two of them headed to the dance floor. When Yang Sheng started clapping, the crowd followed with a scattered and awkward round of applause. Soon after that, people joined the dance floor while Qi Lei just stood far away and looked at his parents with a complicated expression.

The event was getting heated up. Qi Qiming would usually ignore his son, but he just accepted Qi Lei's suggestion and followed it.

The tension in the air just now faded away with the slow tempo music unraveling in the air. The atmosphere around the hall softened as Qi Lei found himself a seat and sat down to enjoy some wine. He then started looking around for that person he was waiting for...

"Look! Who's that?"

"What a beautiful lady!"

"She's even more charming than celebrities I've seen on TV. Who is she? I've never seen her before!"

"Beautiful!"

Qi Lei raised his head when he heard those comments from the crowd. He glanced over at the dance floor and noticed everyone gradually stopped their movements, including Qi Qiming and Wang Qin. They looked over at the entrance as the crowd backed away and created a path.

An elegant figure came into sight.

She was dressed in a Qinghua china dress and armed with a beautiful face and perfect skin. Under her slick eyebrows were a pair of blue eyes while her hair was tied into a neat bun with a rose-gold hair accessory. She carried the unique elegance of an exotic Caucasian!

How could there be such a beautiful person in this world!?

Everyone was stunned because of this one lady!

As Qi Lei stared at that woman, his glass dropped onto the floor and wine soaked into the floor carpet, yet he was still staring right at that woman!

It was her...

Gu Lingsha...

It really was her!

He knew her beauty was deadly and not many people could ignore her charm. She was still as beautiful as ever even after five years of not seeing her!

His body started quivering. He was afraid that this was not real and that he might wake up from his dream.

Qi Qiming and Wang Qin had stopped dancing while the latter was stunned as she gaped at the woman walking towards her.

Gu Lingsha!

Gu Lingsha!

This woman had not died in that accident, and now she had appeared right before her again. She seemed to be even more beautiful than before with a charm of maturity cast over her. She was totally stunning!

Wang Qin's chest tightened as she looked at Qi Lei. Seeing that his eyes were glued to Gu Lingsha, she took a deep breath as her mind went blank and her chest flared in pain. She was worried and almost could not contain the anger within her!

She turned towards Qi Qiming coldly and clenched her teeth. "Qi Qiming, you invited her here, didn't you?"

Qi Qiming let out a cold laugh. Instead of replying Wang Qin, he put on a smile and looked at Gu Lingsha who was advancing.

Gu Lingsha halted her footsteps before Qi Qiming and Wang Qin, her blue eyes shining. "Long time no see, Uncle Qi, Aunt Wang."

Before Qi Qiming and Wang Qin could reply, a shadow flashed past them. Before anyone noticed it, Qi Lei had rushed over and grabbed Gu Lingsha's hand. His urgent and hurried voice revealed joy and longing that could not be concealed!

"Shasha! It's you! It's really you!"

In contrast to how worked up Qi Lei was, Gu Lingsha was very calm. She nodded slightly and gave Qi Lei an elegant smile which felt distant. Even her voice had a faint tint of gentleness in it, "Long time no see, Second Master Qi."

Wang Qin's expression was getting worse by the second and Qi Lei was stunned as well. He then held both her arms and looked at her intently. Upon feeling that his sense of loss had disappeared, his grip got stronger. "That's great. It's great that you're back, Shasha!"

"Second Master Qi, can you please let me go first?" Gu Lingsha's smile was strained as she struggled awkwardly.

Qi Qiming came closer at this moment. "How nice of you to come all the way here from City B to celebrate your Aunt Wang's birthday."

Qi Qiming glanced at Wang Qin before letting out a chuckle. His darkened expression from before was nowhere to be seen. On the other hand, Wang Qin's expression was cold like ice.

"I just landed, so I'm glad that I could make it in time. I've prepared a gift for Aunt Wang's birthday. I hope you'll like it. Aunt Wang, you didn't change much even after several years. You're just like how I remembered."

Gu Lingsha's smile was sweet and soft like the bloom of a lily, mesmerizing many people, including Qi Lei!

He was still overwhelmed by the joy of seeing her again, and he did not notice Wang Qin's clenched fists.

Wang Qin knew very well that there was no way Gu Lingsha would be this friendly to her when she had openly expressed her dissatisfaction towards her!

She would never believe it!

Gu Lingsha took a gift box from her assistant beside her and politely handed it to Wang Qin with a sweet smile. "Happy birthday, Aunt Wang! I wish for your good health and happiness!"

Wang Qin stared at Gu Lingsha for some time before forcing a fake smile on her face. "How nice of you, Ms. Gu. I'm touched that you came here all the way from City B. I should've sent you an invitation and invite your parents over as well. I really do miss them after so many years."

Wang Qin deliberately made it obvious that Gu Lingsha was uninvited!

"Mother missed Aunt Wang too. She told me to send you her regards." Gu Lingsha smiled as if she did not notice Wang Qin's insult. Qi Lei's expression darkened as he glanced at Wang Qin, pretending not to notice.

"Alright, Shasha, let me get you a seat somewhere. They still have to attend to other guests. Everyone, please continue!"

Qi Lei left Qi Qiming and Wang Qin aside as he took Gu Lingsha away despite the fact that she was clearly struggling.

Gu Lingsha frowned as Qi Lei was clamping on her hand. She complained quietly, "Lei! Let go of me!"

"No way! Shasha, all these years..."

"Please consider the place we're at right now! Don't make a fool of yourself. You're still as reckless as ever, Lei!" Gu Lingsha sighed helplessly as she patted his shoulder.

Qi Lei then stopped his footsteps and looked into her eyes. He finally let go of her when he saw her frown. "Have a seat."

He closed his eyes and calmed down a little. He then stared at Gu Lingsha's beautiful face deeply as if he wanted to imprint her face in the depth of his eyes forever.

Gu Lingsha nodded and sat down obediently while Qi Lei grabbed a glass of wine and handed it to her.

...

What just happened was fully observed by Xi Xinyi and Yue Hai who were just sitting on the side.

Yue Hai had a very deep impression of Gu Lingsha. He remembered every single detail of what happened back then. With Gu Lingsha's appearance, did this mean that First Master Qi, Qi Feng, was still alive? Was he going to return?

Yue Hai then remembered how Qi Qiming had been acting lately. He was not giving Wang Qin any breather and did whatever he wanted. It felt like he was paving a path for Qi Feng, and now this woman was rumored to be in love with Qi Feng, coming over here all the way from City B. Was there something behind it?

As Yue Hai was contemplating, Xi Xinyi's eyes never moved away from Qi Lei and Gu Lingsha. Even she was impressed by Gu Lingsha's beauty. She always felt that her appearance was a cut above the rest, but now she actually felt inferior when she compared herself to Gu Lingsha!

"Gu Lingsha's mother was from a British aristocratic family. She inherited her mother's beauty, and not many people can defy her charm. Her mother, Doris, attracted many men, and in the end, she decided to marry to Gu Qihao, so many men in City B were so jealous of him! Money and ladies, he lacked none of them!" Yue Hai explained when he saw Xi Xinyi's enchanted expression.

"No wonder the Qi brothers..." Xi Xinyi looked at Gu Lingsha enviously as she sighed.

City Z was getting cold as winter was coming. On the way to the Qi Residence, it was pretty quiet, while the streetlamps seemed slightly brighter than before. A black Bentley steadily passed by the yellow lights with another luxurious black car following behind.

Inside the Bentley in the front passenger seat, Xi Xiaye leaned back as her cold eyes looked outside the car window. Her expression was calm and peaceful, and it felt unreal as the lights flashed past her one by one. It was very quiet inside the car.

Ji Zitong looked at her occasionally and always saw that same peaceful-looking Xi Xiaye who had been maintaining that position for a long while.

"We're arriving, Director Xi!" Ji Zitong spoke up.

The sudden voice grabbed Xi Xiaye's attention. She looked in front and saw a well-decorated mansion which appeared very extravagant from far away. It was on par with the Mu residence.

Xi Xiaye nodded. "It's kind of far to come here from Glory World."

Xi Xiaye's clear voice fell as Ji Zitong smiled calmly. "Good thing Manager Ah Mo let Director Xi have some food first. Otherwise, I'd be worried about starving your little baby."

Ji Zitong had been with Xi Xiaye for a while now. The two of them could not chat idly and they got along quite well. Obviously, she enjoyed Xi Xiaye's calm and easygoing personality and she liked to chat with her once in a while.

Xi Xiaye's elegant face flashed with a smile while she caressed her baby bump. "So many already love it before they're born. I'm really worried that it'll be spoiled later on!"

Ji Zitong thought about it and could not help but mention her training days, "With Chairman Mu, that won't happen. When Chairman Mu was an instructor, he really had his ways and all of us cadets would obey him."

"Instructor?" Xi Xiaye softly muttered. She vaguely recalled Mu Yuchen mentioning to her that Ji Zitong had been a cadet under him and Su Chen's training. When she thought about it, the smile on her face became even brighter and touching as she said calmly, "Has he ever made things difficult for all of you?"

Ji Zitong shook her head. "Instructor Mu personally taught us. Every word he said would be filled with motivation, yet he spoke very little. Usually, he would do more and talk less. We cadets thought that he should've been born an orator."

When Xi Xiaye heard that comment, she smiled and remembered the way he was just like a teacher, always telling her those things. "With the way he is, everything he says always seems to make sense."

Ji Zitong pursed her lips and smiled. At this moment, the chauffeur gradually slowed the car down until it stopped steadily.

"Missus, we've reached the Qi family residence!" the chauffeur in front informed them and Ji Zitong swiftly got down from the car, Ah Mo and the other two black-suited bodyguards followed from behind.

"Missus, we're here!"

Before Xi Xiaye could open the door, Ah Mo had already walked over in huge strides and swiftly opened the car door for her with one hand above as he was worried that she would hit her head.

Xi Xiaye slowly got down the car and smiled to him with a gentle nod. Then, she turned and looked up at the residence with her bright and quiet eyes. From afar, she could already hear joyous sounds and music flowing in the air.

"Take the stuff. Let's go in."

Then, Ji Zitong began to lead the way and Xi Xiaye followed her. Ah Mo gestured at another bodyguard who quickly brought the gifts along and quietly trailed behind.

The banquet had already begun. Xi Xiaye guessed that she would be a little late. Something came up on Mu Lingshi's end, so Ah Mo came late. Initially, she wanted to call Ji Zitong and leave, but before she left the house, Mu Yuchen called and said she must wait for Ah Mo, or she should just not go. Xi Xiaye was helpless as she could only wait for Ah Mo to arrive.

Inside the banquet hall, the soothing waltz music was gradually filling every corner. Gu Lingsha's little episode swiftly faded away and the crowd returned to the dance floor once again.

After Qi Lei and Gu Lingsha sat down, the two of them fell silent for quite a while. Even though he had so many things to say to Gu Lingshi, after seeing the coldness between her brows, Qi Lei could only smile bitterly to himself and swallow all his words. When he wanted to talk to her, he kept noticing her lowered gaze. That distance made him feel an indescribable sadness and bitterness to the point that his chest began to hurt!

What saved him from this predicament was the sound of an announcement from the door.

"Missus Mu of the Glory World Corporation has arrived!"

Usually at such a grand occasion, only the arrival of important guests would be announced. Clearly, Glory World was an important guest for the night!

When he heard the announcement, Qi Lei was subconsciously stunned. He quickly got up and his initially gray eyes sparked with a light. Wang Qin, who stood not too far away from him, was surprised. Her still charming face that was dense with some gloominess relaxed a little as she shot Qi Qiming a disdainful look and followed the crowd's surprised gaze to look toward the door.

Xi Xiaye's frail figure immediately entered everyone's sight.

She was protected by a capable and aloof female bodyguard in a black suit in front while Ah Mo carefully watched over her from behind.

Xi Xiaye had always been more low-profile. Although not many people could recognize her, Ah Mo was no stranger to the upper management. Mu Yuchen's personal assistant and bodyguard, Ah Mo, was skilled. Even the king of boxing was no match for him, so they were immediately certain of Xi Xiaye's identity.

She was the Chairman of Glory World Corporation's wife, the darling of Master Mu's heart, and the eldest daughter to City Z's former mayor, Mayor Xi Mushan. All the Xi family scandals were abuzz before this. They heard that because Master Mu wanted to make Xi Xiaye happy, he did not spare taking Yueying down, and after that, Yueying was forced to become a company under the Qi Kai Corporation.

Everyone knew about these things very well because Mu Yuchen and Xi Xiaye were a couple that rarely appeared before the media. Many people had heard of the name Xi Xiaye, but they never had the chance of meeting her in person. Even their wedding was held abroad back then, and the wedding banquet was very strictly planned, so they did not have a chance to get a glimpse of them.

Finally, today they had a chance to meet her in person, so everyone could not help but be excited. They fixed their gazes on the entrance and finally saw how she looked like.

Covered by a black mid-length windbreaker, she wore a soft, light beige evening gown. It was not the kind that cinched at the waist. She wore flats, and her delicate expression revealed an elegant aura. Her skin was fair and flawless while her hair that reached her waist was tied up and casually turned into a neat bun. There were several strands of unruly fringe on her forehead which made her seem quite charming. She gave people a feeling that she was not the kind that attracted many eyeballs or was the center of much attention. Instead, it was a kind of distant calm as she emanated a low profile but outstanding elegant character.

She clearly did not deliberately dress up, yet the aura that came from her was enough. There was no need for too many external accessories. Seeing her, everyone naturally thought about Master Mu. It seemed as if this couple were both low-profile and reserved, and at this moment, the people suddenly felt like—

For some reason, this Mu Yuchen and Xi Xiaye just felt like they were right for each other!