Chapter 41: The Grand Birthday (Part 1)

  "It's only natural," Fang Ziying said disdainfully, curling her lip. "Look at her dull expression every day, isn't it just like Fang Zixuan? But Fang Zixuan is a bookworm, at least she knows how to read books. That Su Ying Shui is useless, a beautiful airhead who can't even get into a decent university. I don't understand why Dad would let you get engaged to her."

  "Su is our shareholder, and I happen to have the intention of entering Su's main market. Marrying into the Su family is naturally the best choice. You yourself didn't get into a good university, what right do you have to say anything about her?" Fang Zichen glanced at Fang Ziying with displeasure, thinking that his sister was really too naive. Born in their kind of family, marriage was originally the best bargaining chip, as for how the future spouse would be in other aspects, he didn't care.

  "Actually, I didn't perform well back then. Otherwise, with my abilities, I would have definitely been admitted to the best university." Fang Ziyin looked disdainful, "I don't care, my future husband must be someone I like."

  "You'd better work hard then, Yang has always been passive." Fang Zichen said with a smile.

  "Who says I must be with him?" Fang Ziying felt a bit uncomfortable. Although she had been infatuated with Xiang Yang for many years, it wasn't until she went abroad that she realized how big the world was. There were many rich and handsome men out there, and those male classmates who pursued her overseas were all elegant and refined. In comparison, Xiang Yang could only be considered average-looking. And yet he always wanted her to follow him around and try to please him, this kind of life she had had enough of.

  Fang Zicheng's eyes flickered slightly, "There will be many young talents coming over tonight, you can take your pick."

  "I don't want those people." Fang Ziying's face had a delicate smile.

  "What kind of (one) do you like?"

  "First, he must be handsome; second, he must have talent; and third, he must be devoted to me." Fang Ziyin's eyes had an inscrutable glint, thinking of that considerate and sweet lover abroad, a smile involuntarily appeared on her face.

  The manner of a woman in the midst of a passionate love affair, made Fang Zichen, who was used to being among flowers, suddenly understand. He looked at her deeply and said, "You're still young, it's harmless to have some fun."

  Fang Ziyin's face was unsightly, and she wanted to retort, but Fang Zichen ignored her and walked forward with big strides.

  The style of the Fang family's old house is generally Western, after all, Nanyang was a European colony before. Although the two Fang elders are Chinese, they were born and raised in Nanyang, so when building their house, it was filled with strong European elements and a touch of Southeast Asian flavor, which is different from most villas in J City, exquisite but not flashy. This kind of luxury that has been accumulated over several generations cannot be achieved by those who suddenly became rich by hiring famous designers to build villas.

  The old mansion has only one main building, but the supporting facilities are complete, including a private golf course in the back mountain, covering an area of over ten acres.

  Mr. Fang is getting old and likes quietness, rarely hosting dinner parties at home. In previous years, his birthday was just a simple family gathering for dinner. This year coincides with Mrs. Fang's 69th birthday, according to J City's customs, the elderly must hold grand celebrations on their "nine" birthdays to prolong their lifespan and invite good fortune. Therefore, tonight's dinner party can be said to be the first formal dinner party that Fang Zixuan has ever attended.

  When Zhang Yun took her to a club with beauty salon nature, she was still confused and didn't understand why a middle school student like her had to wear such heavy makeup, put on so-called formal clothes, and even wore a complicated diamond necklace around her neck.

  Fang Zixuan looked at herself in the mirror with disgust, dressed up by others, just like wearing a RMB note on her body, so tacky. Zhang Yun, who had already finished dressing up, walked over, wrapped in expensive fur, carefully examined her daughter in the mirror and smiled complacently, "Our Zixuan is indeed just like me."

  "Miss Fang's skin is great, it's really smooth and delicate, you can tell she inherited Mrs. Fang's good genes." The makeup artist also smiled in agreement.

  "You two stand together, and those who don't know would think you're sisters."

  "Oh dear, stop teasing this old lady!" Zhang Yun's face turned red with embarrassment, but she couldn't hide her smugness.

  However, the makeup artist wasn't exaggerating, Zhang Yun was undoubtedly a beauty. Otherwise, the charming Fang Jianlin wouldn't have married her, even though she's already the mother of two children. She still had a slender waist and bright eyes and teeth. And Fang Zixuan, who inherited his parents' good looks, also showed signs of being a temptress at a young age. If it weren't for the obvious seriousness and impatience on her face, she would have been chased by those rich boys.

  "It's perfect now that you're wearing this." Watching the designer put a diamond earring on each of Fang Zixuan's ears, Zhang Yun finally smiled in satisfaction. She had always been competitive, and at tonight's gathering, not only could she not lose to others, but her daughter absolutely could not lose to other famous young ladies, especially the two other so-called famous young ladies from the Fang family.

  Fang Zi Xuan's face was filled with endurance, trying her best to ignore the foreign sensation on her earlobe. She had never been able to accept this kind of self-inflicted pain of getting her ears pierced, but it seemed that the original Fang Zi Xuan had a penchant for such behavior, not only having seven piercings on her ears, but also one on her navel.

  "Today is your grandmother's birthday banquet, my little daughter, don't put on that poker face. You're a 16 or 17-year-old girl, still a flower bud, quickly smile for mom to see." Zhang Yun patted her cheek, knowing that her daughter had never liked this kind of occasion. Every time there was a dinner party, those people would always mock and tease her, and several times she had lost her temper and rushed at the guests. Although she had become more sensible in the past two years, she still couldn't stand these lively gatherings, and Zhang Yun could only try to comfort her.

  Mrs. Fang's old age, especially the birthday that encounters nine is a major event that occurs once every ten years, so the Fang family naturally gathers all members, including the second uncle and his family who immigrated abroad, as well as Fang Zixuan's aunt and her family whom she had never met before.

  Fang Jianlan is the youngest daughter of Mrs. Fang, and also her only daughter. Mrs. Fang gave birth to this little girl when she was almost forty years old, which can be considered a late-born child. She grew up with a silver spoon in her mouth, and everyone in the family treated her like a princess. Later, although she married abroad, she married a top-notch rich man. From childhood to adulthood, she has been living a life of luxury, never experiencing any hardship. Even in her thirties, she still looks like a twenty-year-old girl, innocent and romantic.

  Mrs. Fang's dearest was this daughter, and it is said that when Fang Jianlan got married, she cried until the sky grew dark, and lay in bed for a whole month, unable to eat or drink.

  Mrs. Fang usually goes to the United States for a short stay, but after all, she doesn't see her often. As soon as she sees Fang Jianlan, she can't let go of her hand, calling out "heart's treasure" nonstop. Fortunately, Fang Jianlan has a spoiled personality, and she hugs her mother, coquettishly making Mrs. Fang laugh so hard that her mouth is stretched wide open.