Chapter 29

Chapter 29

When Yang Zhi arrived at the destination with Chen Mo, there was a steady stream of guests at the entrance.

The engagement party's main characters were Sun Xiaoya's cousin and the eldest grandson of the Zhou family. The handsome man and beautiful woman, dressed in formal attire, stood at the door to greet the guests, creating quite an appealing scene.

Yang Zhi held the invitation as he walked forward, glancing at Chen Mo who was walking beside him.

The outfit chosen by his assistant fit well.

Taking off his school uniform and donning formal wear, Chen Mo showed no signs of discomfort or awkwardness; instead, he looked more at ease than usual.

Thinking about how Chen Mo had slept all the way here and wouldn't be too concerned about today's agenda, Yang Zhi thought for a moment and said, "The Zhou family has never really looked favorably upon our Yang family. Although my mother is the second daughter of the Zhou family, she rarely returns to her family these days. Our relationship is lukewarm. Whatever your father asks you to say or do today, don't take it too seriously."

"Is that appropriate?" Chen Mo replied with a half-smile.

To be honest, he didn't quite understand what Yang Zhi was thinking.

Logically, if the Yang family wanted him to be the breakthrough for mending ties between the Zhou and Yang families, Yang Zhi should be pushing him along rather than telling him not to take things too seriously.

Just like in his previous life, Yang Qi'an had also had this idea, at this very engagement party.

What Yang Zhi said to him back then was entirely different.

He said, "Chen Mo, when Mother insisted on marrying Father, it was met with collective opposition from the Zhou family. Even when she risked her life to give birth to you, they turned their backs on her. For years, she remained estranged from them. Now that you're back, you are the most important link between Mother and the Zhou family. Whether we can mend the relationship between the two families depends on you."

His words were ambiguous, appealing to emotions and reason.

But Chen Mo wasn't foolish.

Although he didn't know much about the situation among the major families in Sui City back then, he knew that the Zhou family was highly esteemed and had a cold and aloof demeanor. So having a young and willful daughter like Zhou Yaoqing, who remained immature even after becoming a mother, was something the Zhou family preferred not to talk about.

For many years, Yang Shule had been playing the role of the crucial link.

Since he hadn't succeeded, it only meant that the Zhou family didn't care much about this daughter.

While the Yang family used him to appease Chen Jianli, they also tried to exploit him.

How could Chen Mo fulfill their wishes?

So in his previous life, this engagement party ended in a hasty conclusion.

Mainly because the Zhou family's married second daughter brought her husband and three children to congratulate them. However, the long-lost son and adopted son got into a fight during the dinner, nearly destroying the banquet hall and sending the Zhou family's elderly matriarch to the hospital.

Chen Mo remembered that the so-called fight was merely Yang Shule pushing him into the large celebration cake tower in the center of the hall, watching with satisfaction as the Yang family's faces turned livid.

It was a crude and impulsive act, one he didn't mind being seen through, nor did he regret it.

That was the Chen Mo of his previous life.

Looking around, Chen Mo asked Yang Zhi, "Where are Mom and Dad, and little brother?"

He asked so naturally that Yang Zhi looked at him with a strange expression.

After a few seconds, he answered, "They've already gone in."

"Oh." Chen Mo drew out the last syllable.

Yang Zhi: "Why do you need them?"

"Nothing," Chen Mo said. "Isn't it better when the whole family is together?"

Yang Zhi experienced the taste of being speechless for the first time.

The banquet hall in the evening was spacious, filled with adults in elegant attire, toasting and mingling.

Since the engagement involved young people, there were many others around Chen Mo's age in the hall. Unlike formal business dinners, the atmosphere was lively and relaxed, with young people enjoying themselves.

When Chen Mo appeared, he attracted considerable attention.

His return had caused a stir, and the Yang family had kept him on the front page of the news all day. Everyone knew that the person always accompanying the Yang couple was Yang Shule, while the one now with the eldest son of the Yang family was clearly someone else.

Ignoring the countless discreet glances, Chen Mo casually took a glass of champagne from a waiter's tray.

Before he could take a sip, Yang Zhi took it away.

He replaced it with a glass of orange juice from the table and frowned, "Minors shouldn't drink alcohol."

Chen Mo looked at the glass in his hand, raised an eyebrow slightly, and chuckled.

"What are you laughing at?"

"Because I find it amusing."

With this small interaction, several acquaintances of Yang Zhi from the business world quickly gathered around.

They were all quite enthusiastic.

"Yang Zhi, is this our younger brother?"

"Introduce us, please."

"Brother, I heard you're still in high school. It must be tough, right..."

Chen Mo looked at these people who had often gossiped about him behind Yang Zhi's back in his previous life. He responded politely, holding up his glass of orange juice to toast, calling everyone "brother," appearing to be a well-mannered and obedient child.

Watching another person put their arm around Chen Mo's neck, he naturally said, "Of course, from today on, you're my real brother. Don't worry, if anything happens, I'll definitely come to you..."

Yang Zhi felt a sudden tightness in his chest.

Upon closer examination, the reason was not that this younger brother had won over the people around him, but rather that he found his attitude towards him was even worse than towards a random stranger.

Chen Mo paid no heed to Yang Zhi's gloomy face.

When Yang Qi'an couldn't help but come looking for someone, Chen Mo met the Zhou family for the first time tonight.

It was in the lounge on the second floor of the banquet hall.

There were quite a few people there, discussing the evening's banquet enthusiastically.

Someone muttered, "Grandma, Second Miss has brought her family to wish you well."

The crowd fell silent immediately, all turning to look at the door.

Chen Mo, for the first time in both his lives, seriously observed the most powerful woman of the Zhou family. She was around seventy, with silver hair neatly coiffed at the back of her head. Dressed in an old-style qipao and wearing a jade bracelet, age had only taken away her youthful looks, but not her good manners and elegance.

Zhou Yaoqing stepped forward first, "Mom."

Since she did not receive a response from the elderly lady, she felt somewhat uneasy and subconsciously pulled the person beside her forward, saying, "You haven't seen Shule in a long time, have you? The last time you saw him, he was still in middle school. Shule, quickly greet your grandmother."

Yang Shule clenched his fingers, his nails turning his knuckles pale.

He was actually a bit afraid of this elderly lady.

This feeling was entirely different from how he felt about his grandfather, Yang Congxian. He knew clearly that his mother always treated this grandmother with great caution, and his father had places where he needed to rely on the Zhou family. Since childhood, he disliked going to the Zhou family the most. But now he had no choice. His current situation was already awkward enough, and his father had pinned his hopes on Chen Mo. If he could not win the elderly lady's favor, he would have even less standing in the Yang family.

He stepped forward, bowed, and took the elderly lady's hand, smiling slightly, "Grandmother, it's been a while. How have you been recently?"

"Pretty good." Her upbringing did not make her withdraw her hand, but her tone was indifferent, "Don't stand there, find a seat."

Yang Shule breathed a sigh of relief.

What he feared most was that the elderly lady would dismiss him because of his current status, but apparently, she did not, which meant he had won.

Sure enough, Zhou Yaoqing and Yang Qi'an both showed a hint of a smile.

The next moment, the elderly lady looked at her daughter and suddenly said, "Didn't they say you brought your whole family to see me, this old woman? Why do you only have one son?"

Zhou Yaoqing's face stiffened slightly.

She had originally responded to her husband's request to have Chen Mo meet her family, but in reality, even Shule couldn't do it, let alone Chen Mo. Besides, Chen Mo hadn't even returned home recently, making it difficult for Zhou Yaoqing to gauge his thoughts.

If he messed things up or even offended the elderly lady, then...

Zhou Yaoqing hesitated, turned back, and waved, "Xiao Mo, come in."

Most of those present were relatives of the Zhou family.

They watched the young man standing at the door.

Seeing his calm and composed demeanor, he heard the call and entered.

There were many whispers around.

"This child looks quite good."

"He does resemble their couple a bit."

"In my opinion, biological children are stronger. Didn't you see today's news? The other one was even hugging his biological father in tears. I wonder what the Yang family is thinking?"

"Don't talk about it. Zhou Yaoqing rushed into the Yang family marriage, and Yang Qi'an only settled down after having a second son. Do you think why Zhou Yaoqing values a non-biological child so much?"

...

These whispers were not only heard by Chen Mo but also by Yang Shule.

Standing before the elderly lady, Chen Mo even felt a burning gaze from the side, as if trying to pierce through him.

Chen Mo turned his head and smiled, "Brother, something wrong?"

Yang Shule was startled, pulling himself out of his emotions. He glanced at the elderly lady who was looking at him, lowered his eyebrows, and shook his head, "Nothing."

Then he moved aside.

The elderly lady noticed this little episode and looked at Chen Mo with a hint of approval.

She said, "Your mother is foolish; I spoiled her. You've suffered these years."

"Ah," Chen Mo softly replied, somewhat surprised but quickly smiled, "Grandmother, you're exaggerating. I'm doing pretty well now."

The elderly lady nodded and beckoned, "Come here."

Chen Mo stepped forward and naturally squatted down.

The elderly lady stroked his hair, "You have Zhou family blood in you. Zhou family members never bow to others and never do things they don't want to do under pressure. If you're unhappy in the Yang family, why not come to the Zhou family and live with me?"

Hearing this, Chen Mo knew that the elderly lady was fully aware of the Yang family's intentions.

But he was still grateful that she did not speak harshly to him but used this protective approach, implying that he wasn't bound to the Yang family and indirectly warning Yang Qi'an.

In his previous life, he had stubbornly missed the kindness of the Yang family patriarch and never heard the words of the Zhou family matriarch.

It was a regret.

However, Chen Mo looked up and smiled, "I'm afraid you might get tired of me if I stay too long. Today is my cousin's engagement party. If they knew I kept you from hosting the event, wouldn't your wish to hold your great-grandchild be delayed?"

A light-hearted joke easily shifted the topic.

But it did earn him several scolding remarks from around him.

"How old are you? You dare to joke about your cousin."

"Old lady, you should discipline this boy!"

"Remember to come to the Zhou family's place during the New Year and let them properly teach you a lesson, young man."

The atmosphere in the lounge was lively and harmonious.

None of the people present were fools; they could all see that Chen Mo was deliberately trying to please the old lady. Since she was willing to favor him, others naturally followed suit.

Except for Yang Zhi, who didn't participate at all, the Yang couple and even Yang Shule, who greeted the old lady first, found themselves in an awkward position, deliberately ignored by everyone.

Leaving the lounge,

Yang Qi'an looked at Chen Mo for a while, wanting to say something, but eventually stormed off.

After all, Chen Mo had indeed gained the Zhou family's favor.

But this favor was fundamentally different from what he had imagined.

It left him with no outlet for his anger.

This unexpected turn of events improved Chen Mo's mood.

As he and Yang Shule descended the stairs one after the other, he heard Yang Shule behind him ask, "Did you do that on purpose?"

Chen Mo didn't even bother to admit it outright.

He said truthfully, "I didn't intend to help the family, but I didn't do this on purpose either." He stopped on the stairs, turned back, and looked at the person behind him, giving a light smile. "Do you want to know why you must acknowledge your biological father?"

Yang Shule's eyes slowly widened as he listened.

Chen Mo retracted his smile and softly said, "Because I did it on purpose."

He successfully deterred the tail behind him.

As Chen Mo descended the stairs, he happened upon a ball in progress downstairs.

The main event was nearing its end.

Next came the guests' entrance.

The class representative, dressed in a white dress, rushed over almost colliding with Chen Mo. Upon seeing him, she grabbed his arm and said, "Help me."

"Huh?" Chen Mo was taken aback.

Sun Xiaoya was grasping at straws, pulling Chen Mo towards the dance floor while cursing, "Xi Siyan, that dog! He actually stood me up. When I see him tomorrow, I'll tear him apart!"

Chen Mo found it amusing and glanced around.

"He didn't come?"

"He said he was stuck in traffic! Can you believe that?! He's definitely lying."

By then, they had already entered the dance floor.

Sun Xiaoya looked at the person in front of her, remembering his background, and asked in despair, "Do you at least know a little bit of social dancing... right?"

"Isn't it a bit late to ask now?" Chen Mo smiled. "I'll try not to trip you."

As soon as he finished speaking, the music began.

Chen Mo politely placed his hand on the girl's waist, making a gentlemanly gesture.

Sun Xiaoya was momentarily stunned.

From the moment Chen Mo led her into the dance, Sun Xiaoya knew she had struck gold today.

Not just because of the gradually stopping gazes around them, but also because of the ease with which he led her, despite her years of practice.

Kicking, twisting, spinning.

Only the changing music filled her ears, and her body naturally adapted to the different dance styles.

From tango to rumba to salsa, it was exhilarating.

The applause around them was enthusiastic.

"Your dancing is really good," Sun Xiaoya heard the person in front of her praise without hesitation.

For the first time, she felt her ears burning, looking at Chen Mo's sweat-drenched chin, she murmured, "Can I chase after you?"

She immediately heard Chen Mo's laughter.

Sun Xiaoya instinctively reached out to wipe away the sweat on Chen Mo's chin.

In the next second, she noticed Chen Mo's laughter suddenly halted, and the person in front of her stepped back, leaving a considerable distance.

That "stuck in traffic" dog finally appeared.

Grabbing Chen Mo's arm with one hand, he looked at her and said, "What nonsense are you spouting? There are so many men in the world; are you now going after homosexuals too?"

Sun Xiaoya suddenly remembered this, her face turning awkward.

But she quickly recalled the culprit of today's disaster, her face darkening, "None of your business, you straight bastard!"

Chen Mo felt the grip on his arm tighten abruptly.

Pats, "I mean, Brother Yan, I saved you tonight. Are you trying to live longer by talking back to her like that?"

"Stop paying attention to her." Xi Siyan frowned, looked at the person in his arms, and then glanced down, "Are your legs okay after jumping for so long?"

Chen Mo shifted slightly, feeling, "Not bad."

Xi Siyan nodded.

He was also dressed in a black tuxedo tonight, though he had taken off the jacket and was holding it, with his pants tucked into his belt, standing tall and well-proportioned.

Chen Mo felt a bit regretful, "You didn't dance."

"If I didn't dance, I didn't dance. I don't like it anyway."

"That's a shame." Chen Mo leaned back slightly, in an appreciative tone, "Your butt is quite perky. If you had danced, the visual effect would have been great."

The person who truly attracted most of the attention tonight was completely unaware of the overly enthusiastic gazes when he swayed his hips and twisted his waist on the dance floor.

Xi Siyan turned the person's head back.

His tone was somewhat exasperated, "Let's go out first, don't stand here."