The Lin family spared no expense for the banquet. Every detail had been ticulously and extravagantly arranged. Invitations had been sent to the most influential families and big nas in the country. This was no ordinary celebration—everyone knew exactly what it was about.
Lin Sanju’s remarkable achievent at the Royal Banquet had already made waves far and wide. The opportunity he seized at that event had cented his victory in the race for the heirship.
Now, Lin Sanju stood at the center of attention, surrounded by a crowd of well-wishers offering congratulations and praise.
In response, Lin Sanju gave them a modest smile and said, "Thank you all for your support. But there’s no need to congratulate just yet—Grandfather hasn’t announced anything. Still, I promise I won’t disappoint you."
His words drew another round of cheers and applause.
"You must be so proud to have such an admirable son—confident, wise, and humble. All your hard work has truly paid off," one guest remarked to Lin Ruo and Li i, who were standing nearby.
Li i, clutching her husband’s arm, bead with pride. "Yes, I am incredibly proud of him. It wasn’t because of us that he achieved so much. We lacked as parents in many ways, but despite that, he still grew as a great man. I’m so grateful to be his mother."
Lin Ruo nodded in agreent. "It’s our children’s efforts that have brought them success. No matter the outco today, we will continue to support them. We are just happy for their accomplishnts."
Over the past four years, Lin Ruo and Li i had co to realize that their children flourished when given freedom and trust. They had learned to let go, to allow their children to grow independently, and to simply provide comfort and support when needed.
The guests, who thought the couple would boast and were ready to add fuel to the fire, were taken aback. Were these still the sa Li i and Lin Ruo they knew?
If it had been other parents, they would have taken credit and boasted to everyone that it was their efforts that brought their children into the spotlight.
"Oh, I think you guys are amazing as well." The guests laughed and continued to praise them.
The fourth branch’s table was lively, brimming with excitent and celebration.
In stark contrast, Lin Zhe’s table was somber and quiet. Lin Baozhi and his wife, Ye Qiao, sat in silence, their expressions dark as they watched the rry scene at the fourth branch’s table.
"This is unbearable. How far have we fallen?" Ye Qiao muttered through gritted teeth.
In the past, it had been their table surrounded by guests, basking in praise and admiration. Now, they sat isolated, avoided by those who once sought their favor.
Her resentnt only deepened as she glanced at the vibrant crowd across the room.
"They won’t be happy for long," Lin Baozhi muttered darkly. "The heir title belongs to our son. How dare they covet it?"
Ye Qiao’s ears perked up at his words. She turned to her husband with a spark of excitent in her eyes. Lin Baozhi gave her a firm nod, confirming her silent question. Ye Qiao’s lips curled into a sly smile, her gaze glittering with anticipation. "Oh, I can’t wait."
At the entrance, Lin Fei and Chuan Xuyan finally arrived. However, with the guests’ attention entirely fixed on the fourth branch, their arrival went largely unnoticed.
The spotlight of the event remained firmly on the fourth branch—until Bei Sangyun appeared.
She had planned to enter discreetly, keeping her presence low-key. However, Lin Sanju, who had been eagerly awaiting her arrival, was promptly notified by the butler.
Lin Sanju, who had maintained a composed and casual deanor throughout the event, suddenly lit up at the news. His usually reserved expression softened into a visible smile, betraying his excitent.
"Please excuse for a mont," he said, his tone polite but tinged with eagerness. Despite his attempt to remain composed, his genuine smile did not go unnoticed by the guests.
The sudden change in his deanor stirred whispers among the crowd.
"No matter how much we praised him, he only gave us polite smiles and distant replies. But just now, that was a real smile," one guest murmured curiously.
"I wonder what good news he’s just heard," another guest speculated.
"It must be a woman," a man in a dark blue suit chid in knowingly. "Only a woman could make a man like him smile like that."
This comnt sparked a flurry of murmurs and guesses among the guests.
"Could it be that Young Master Sanju is in love? But I haven’t heard of him being engaged," one whispered.
"Perhaps it’s just a special friend."
"Or a budding romance." The man in the dark blue suit narrowed his eyes, seeming filled with gossip. "Last ti, he turned down the young lady’s invitation from the Xin family to be her escort. That young lady is very famous in her generation. No man would refuse her unless the said man was already taken. Young Master Lin Sanju must have his heart already captured. And it could probably be that person."
His words caused the people around him to gasp in shock. The murmurs grew louder as the guests indulged in their speculations.
"Who could she be?"
"Will there be a Mrs. Lin soon? And which family is she from?"
"A lot of young ladies will be heartbroken over this. I can’t imagine who could have won his affection."
The crowd’s chatter grew louder. Lin Sunji, who was near the group and preoccupied with dodging her persistent suitors, overheard so of their words.
Hearing the phrase ’Future Mrs. Lin,’ her steps faltered, and she frowned.
Future Mrs. Lin?
Her brother was seeing soone? How had she not known about this?
"How about we follow him and take a look?" the man in the dark blue suit suggested again, his voice sparking renewed curiosity among the guests.
The group exchanged glances before nodding in agreent, their interest piqued.
Lin Sunji’s gaze flickered to the speaker. He must be a low-profile guest since she didn’t recognize him. But what exactly were they planning to take a look at?
Under the man in a dark blue suit’s lead, the guests began to leave the hall, whispering among themselves. Lin Sunji, though hesitant, found herself just as intrigued. Ignoring the suitors trying to hold her back, she decided to follow the crowd to the entrance.
Positioned at the back of the group, she could hear bits and pieces of their gossip as they walked.
"Oh? Who’s that young lady? She’s so beautiful."
"She looks familiar, but I can’t quite place her. Still, with that aura... she must be from a prominent family. They look perfect together."
"I’ve never seen Young Master Sanju smile like that. He must really like her."
Lin Sunji’s curiosity grew with each passing comnt. It was rare—almost unheard of—for her brother to interact with won, much less smile at one. Apart from herself and Bei Sangyun, there was no one else she had ever seen him so close to.
Who could they possibly be pairing him with?
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