funbook-pk Chapter 238 The show begins!
Chapter 238 The show begins!
Seria was very puzzled.
Didn't the thirteen older brothers of the Si family know Jiang Ning's character?
How exactly do they interact with Jiang Ning on a regular basis?
unless.
They are still kept in the dark.
It's ok.
She came tonight.
She will make Jiang Ning reveal her true colors in front of the Si family.
After all, the old patriarch of the Ryan family had done a great favor for Old Master Si, and the Ryan family was a Western noble family, so it was natural to arrange for Cyria to sit at the head table.
Celia and Jennifer followed in the footsteps of Si Xuchen and Si Qiliang.
By now, the seats at the main table were almost all occupied.
There are wealthy families that are on good terms with the Si family, as well as collateral relatives of the Si family.
Another half hour passed.
The banquet officially started.
The host was Huang Yiyang, a famous host from Hong Kong Television and a genuine A-list celebrity. Right from the start, Huang Yiyang used his humorous tone to make the guests in the audience laugh out loud.
After a brief opening speech, Huang Yiyang continued, "Next, please welcome today's birthday celebrant, Madam Si, to the stage to give a speech to all the guests."
Madam Si was wearing a wine-red cheongsam.
Her hair was tied up.
She was wearing elegant pearl earrings.
She also had a small red flower tucked behind her ear.
The silver hair and red flowers served as the finishing touch.
Jiang Ning helped choose both the cheongsam and the little red flower, and it was clear that Madam Si was very satisfied with her outfit tonight.
It also proves the saying, "Don't laugh at a woman with white hair wearing flowers, for time never defeats a beauty."
Madam Si slowly walked up to the stage, stood next to Huang Yiyang, and said with a smile, "First of all, I would like to thank all the guests for traveling thousands of miles to attend the Si family's happy occasion."
"Actually, today is not only my birthday, but also my granddaughter Shisheng's family reunion banquet. I hope that our Shengbao will have more joy and peace from now on, and that every year will be happy."
"Now, I'd like to introduce our Shengbao to everyone."
After he finished speaking, everyone looked down at the audience.
Although many people at the scene had already seen Jiang Ning.
But a large number of people have never seen her.
Because today, standing at the door to greet guests were not only Madam Si and Jiang Ning, but also Si's eight uncles and aunts.
I saw.
A figure appeared at the entrance.
Wearing a light blue off-the-shoulder dress, Jiang Ning lifted the hem of her skirt and walked step by step onto the stage. Her walk was very casual, but it radiated a brilliance that was even more dazzling than that of professional models on the catwalk. Facing a banquet hall with nearly a thousand people, she was not intimidated at all, showing an undeniable demeanor.
"Miss Shi has such an impressive presence! She doesn't look like she just came back from the countryside at all. She truly deserves to be the heir of the Shi family."
"Is Miss Shi wearing sky blue?"
"That's right, it's sky blue!"
"My goodness, it seems the Si family really dotes on this granddaughter. I remember Sky Blue is the store's prized possession and not for sale to the public."
"Although Sky Blue isn't for sale to the public, it belongs to the Si family! Even if the Si family's little princess wanted the stars in the sky, the Si family would find a way to pluck them down."
"Don't even mention how much the Si family dotes on Miss Shi. If I had a daughter as beautiful as Miss Shi, I would give her my head without hesitation."
"..."
Jiang Ning walked onto the stage, standing shoulder to shoulder with Madam Si, and adjusted the microphone. "Hello everyone, I am Shi Sheng. Thank you all for taking the time to attend our Si family's banquet. Please forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality."
It's just a simple sentence, without any excessive embellishment.
Just like Jiang Ning as a whole.
Like a lotus emerging from clear water, it needs no external adornment.
After saying this, Jiang Ning took the arm of Old Madam Si and turned to walk off the stage.
Just then, Celia stood up from her chair.
"Miss Shi, please wait."
In that instant, everyone's eyes turned toward Siriya, their faces filled with confusion.
What does Siriya want to do?
Everyone says the Ryan family's most favored daughter doesn't have a good personality. Could it be that she has some kind of grudge against Jiang Ning?
The guests who had already witnessed Jiang Ning and Xilia's argument were filled with excitement!
Who doesn't enjoy gossip?
What's more, it's such a big bombshell!
This is the Si family.
Besides Xilia, who else would dare to provoke the Si family's little princess in the Si family's banquet hall?
"What do you think Silya is up to now?"
"Who knows, but it's definitely not something good in the making."
Who do you think will win this time?
"It's hard to say. Although Miss Shi is quite capable, Celia is no pushover either! It's obvious that she came prepared this time. I think Miss Shi is going to suffer this time."
"I don't know why, but I'm actually starting to look forward to it!"
We're curious to see what Cyria is up to.
We are even more eager to see how Jiang Ning will retaliate.
"To be honest, I'm kind of looking forward to it too!"
"Go, Miss Shi! Don't lose to that foreigner, Celia."
"..."
Madam Si frowned slightly, about to say something, but Jiang Ning smiled faintly, "It's alright, Grandma, I can handle it."
After speaking, Jiang Ning turned to look at Cyril, her tone light, "I wonder what advice Miss Cyril has for me?"
Seria smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. "First of all, I want to congratulate you on your rebirth from the ashes and the end of eighteen years of wandering. Also, I have prepared a gift for Miss Shi."
Gift?
Everyone was stunned when these words were spoken.
So it turns out that Xilia didn't come here to cause trouble for Jiang Ning!
Or was it a gift?
This seems different from what they imagined!
How is this going?
Has Cyril suddenly become kind?
"What exactly is Siriya up to?"
"I have a feeling this gift is a bit unusual."
"Something's not right, something's really not right!"
Jiang Ning turned her head slightly and met Cyria's gaze. There was not a trace of fear in her clear eyes. "In that case, I thank Miss Cyria for her kindness."
“No,” Cyril raised her hand, then changed the subject, “Miss Shi, don’t rush to thank me, let me finish what I have to say first.”
Upon hearing Siriya's words, another murmur arose from the audience.
"I knew Cyria wouldn't be that kind!"
"What exactly is Cyria trying to do?"
"I'm so curious about what Celia's gift is."
Jiang Ning remained calm and composed, "Yes, go ahead."
Cyriya spoke slowly and deliberately, “What I want to give Miss Shi is an antique eight-tone zither called Vitality, which came from the ancient L Kingdom 100 years ago. Vitality is made entirely of pure gold and sapphire, and is extremely precious. It was once auctioned for a seven-figure price in euros. Legend has it that the sound of Vitality can not only bring infinite vitality and good fortune, but also help people with insomnia and nightmares fall asleep quickly.”
After saying this, Siriya clapped her hands three times.
clap clap.
Jennifer immediately stood up and handed a wooden box to Celia.
Seria took the wooden box, walked onto the stage, and then, under the expectant gazes of everyone, slowly opened the lid.
I saw.
The box contained a very exquisite music box.
As Siriya said, it is made entirely of gold and inlaid with sapphires, which shimmer under the light.
"My goodness, this music box is truly an antique, it's so beautiful!"
"It's just a music box, right? Is it really that magical? Can it even cure insomnia?"
“Ciriya doesn’t seem to be lying. I found the Life Force online. Its music can indeed effectively treat insomnia, but whether it can bring good fortune is unknown. Thirteen years ago, when the old master Ryan celebrated his 80th birthday, the royal family of L country personally presented the Life Force to him as a birthday gift.”
"Would Cyria be so kind as to give something so important to Miss Shi?"
"..."
The guests below the stage were buzzing with discussion, all curious about Cyria's ultimate goal.
Seria was very satisfied with everyone's reaction and continued, "In addition, the designer of Vitality is named Desa. Desa is not only a designer, but also a witch in L country. Therefore, Desa cast a spell when designing this music box. Only a person who is pure and clean can open the lid of the music box, and this person must be a woman. Therefore, in P country, only I can open the lid of Vitality."
"Miss Shi, do you think you can unlock the source of life?"
"What a charade! I refuse to believe that a grown man like me can't open the lid of a tiny music box!"
Immediately, someone in the banquet hall raised a question.
Seria smiled slightly and pointed at the person who had just spoken, saying, "Sir, if you don't believe me, you are welcome to come up on stage and try. If you can open it, I will give you my life force for free."
This person is named Guan Wenjun, and he is a good brother to Si Xubei.
Guan Wenjun, like Si Xubei, treated Jiang Ning like a younger sister, so she naturally couldn't stand anyone making things difficult for Jiang Ning.
Upon hearing this, Guan Wenjun immediately walked from the banquet hall onto the stage and looked at Siriya, saying, "I hope Miss Ryan will keep her word."
Cyril smirked, "Our Ryan family keeps its word and never goes back on it!"
At this point, Cyria continued, "To be fair, I'll open the lid first, so you won't doubt that the lid of my music box can't be opened at all."
As soon as Yu Luo Xiliya opened the lid of the music box, she quickly closed it again.
Then, Celia handed the music box in her hand to Guan Wenjun.
Guan Wenjun took the music box from Xilia's hand.
In that instant, everyone's eyes were focused on Guan Wenjun, and everyone wanted to know if this little music box was really that magical.
After receiving the music box, Guan Wenjun thought she could easily open the lid with a gentle lift.
did not expect.
The lid seemed glued to the music box; no matter how hard Guan Wenjun tried, it wouldn't budge.
How strange!
Guan Wenjun thought there was a hidden mechanism on the lid, but he checked it carefully several times and couldn't find it.
The guests in the banquet hall were all amazed.
No one expected that this music box would actually be so mysterious.
"Could it be that Miss Ryan secretly did something when the lid was just opened?"
Someone raised doubts.
Clearly, Guan Wenjun had also thought of these things. He looked at Siriya and said, "Miss Ryan, could you please unveil it again so I can see?"
Cyril raised her hand and lifted the lid.
Instantly, beautiful and ethereal music emanated from the box, very pleasant to the ear. Just as Xilia was about to close the lid, Guan Wenjun stopped her, "Wait, I can do it myself!"
"Please do as you wish." Cyril withdrew her hand.
Guan Wenjun closed the lid, and when she raised her hand to open it again, it remained completely still, just like before.
Guan Wenjun then realized that Xilia was not lying; he had closed the lid himself, and even if there were any mechanisms, Xilia could not have tampered with it.
The guests in the banquet hall all stared wide-eyed.
"Amazing! Absolutely amazing!"
"My goodness, a tiny music box can even distinguish between good and evil and between men and women."
"I wonder if Miss Shi can open it!"
"..."
Guan Wenjun returned the music box to Celia, her tone becoming more respectful: "Miss Ryan, I'm returning the music box to you. I truly do not have the ability to open it."
Cyril took the music box and looked at the audience. "I think now no one should doubt that I'm just making things up, right?"
After saying that, Xilia looked at Jiang Ning and continued, "I've heard that Miss Shi is beautiful, kind-hearted, pure, and innocent, and has never done anything wrong. I'm sure Miss Shi can unlock the life force. If Miss Shi can unlock the life force, I'm willing to give it to Miss Shi as a gift!"
“In that case, I shall accept it.” Jiang Ning stepped forward, took the music box, and just as her hand touched the lid.
Then, Celia said, "Miss Shi, please wait a moment."
Jiang Ning stopped what she was doing. "Miss Cyriya, is there anything else you'd like to say?"
Cyriya was certain Jiang Ning couldn't open the music box. A slight smile played on her lips as she said, enunciating each word clearly, "Just a reminder, life force isn't an ordinary object. If the person trying to open it has impure intentions, has had an abortion, or is unfaithful in love, not only will they be unable to open the lid, but their hands will also be burned by the life force!"
These words elicited rather interesting expressions from the people in the banquet hall.
Because Jiang Ning's divorce is no secret in the industry.
Some say Jiang Ning was unfaithful in her marriage, others say she had an abortion... but these are just rumors, and no one has ever come forward to confirm them.
Surprisingly, there's now a way to verify the truth of rumors!
It remains to be seen whether Jiang Ning will dare to lift the lid after hearing what Xilia said.
In the past, family scandals were kept private.
If Jiang Ning's hand is indeed burned, it will confirm the rumors and bring shame to both the Si and Shi families!
Seria pressed on, then said, "Miss Shi, I've heard you're a skilled Go player, but if your hand is burned by the life force, you might never be able to play Go again. Are you sure you want to try?"