After Lu Tianming finished speaking, another round of applause and birthday wishes rang out below. Making a welcoming gesture for everyone to carry on as they were, he then descended the small stage together with Xu Qian.
No sooner had they stepped off the stage than familiar faces ca forward to greet Lu Tianming and Xu Qian.
The person approaching looked to be about the sa age as Lu Tianming, dressed in a suit with hints of gray among his hair. Holding a wine glass, he walked straight up to Lu Tianming, raised his glass slightly, and said with a smile, "Mr. Lu, happy birthday."
Lu Tianming also wore a smile on his face, nodded his head, and took a glass of red wine from a passing servant’s tray to clink glasses with the man, "Thank you, there are so many guests tonight, I hope Mr. Tan can forgive us if our hospitality is lacking."
"Nonsense, today you are the star, it’s only right for you to be busy," Mr. Tan laughed, not minding at all.
After the two clinked glasses, they each took a sip of their wine.
Lu Tianming’s gaze fell on the woman by Mr. Tan’s side, pausing briefly, then as if only just noticing her, he spoke with a mix of surprise and curiosity, "Could this lady be your esteed daughter?"
Mr. Tan’s gaze shifted to his daughter beside him and, with a smile, nodded, "Yes, this is my daughter, Shuya. Don’t you want to say hello to your Uncle Lu..."
The woman standing next to Mr. Tan looked to be around twenty-three or twenty-four, with a delicate oval face that combined her features into an impression of innocence yet not lacking in allure. She was Mr. Tan’s daughter, Tan Shuya.
Mr. Tan’s status in An City was also quite renowned since the largest bank in An City, Dongheng Bank, was owned by the Tan Family. CK Group also had business dealings with Dongheng Bank.
In his career, Mr. Tan had made significant contributions, but it was a pity that he only had one daughter by his side in his sixties.
As the only child of the Tan family and the future heir to Dongheng Bank, Tan Shuya was undeniably doted upon and had conditions far better than those of the common socialites.
Moreover, Tan Shuya’s educational background was not only enviable due to her family, but also sothing many admired.
At the age of eighteen, Tan Shuya was admitted to Columbia University in the United States, and Lu Jingchen was also a Columbia University graduate.
Actually, Lu Jingchen was originally admitted to Harvard University but ended up at Columbia University for a number of reasons, mostly due to his grandfather, the patriarch of the Lu family—his father’s influence.
Therefore, in the end, Lu Jingchen could be considered as Tan Shuya’s senior by schooling, although this so-called seniority seed a bit distanced...
After all, when Lu Jingchen graduated, Tan Shuya had just started high school.
Although Lu Jingchen was only five years older than Tan Shuya, he was one or two years younger than his peers when he enrolled at Columbia University.
Tan Shuya stepped forward, smiled at Lu Tianming, and greeted him politely, "Hello, Uncle Lu, my na is Tan Shuya. You can call Shuya just like my father does. I’ve heard my father speak of how impressive you were in your youth long before I had the chance to et you, and I have long held you in high esteem."
Hearing Tan Shuya’s words, Lu Tianming’s heart swelled with satisfaction. Indeed, the daughter Mr. Tan raised was more clever and astute than most. rely from these words, Lu Tianming’s favorable impression of her had significantly increased.
Xu Qian gave Tan Shuya a once-over and did not show any particular expression. Regarding the girl before her, she wouldn’t say she disliked her, but neither did she feel drawn to like her.
In this day and age, there really isn’t anyone who can make her like them at first sight.
However, as soon as Xu Qian thought about this, she couldn’t help but think of that girl Song Qiao, wondering where on earth she had gone, and how she was doing now.
With thoughts like these, a wistful expression surfaced between Xu Qian’s brows, but it was very subtle, barely noticeable unless one looked closely.
Lu Tianming did not notice the peculiarity in his wife’s deanor and nodded towards Tan Shuya, speaking contentedly, "Not bad at all. Indeed, the daughter of Old Tan is remarkable. Even I can’t help but want a daughter like little Shuya."
Hearing Lu Tianming’s words, Xu Qian glanced at him faintly, silent.
Polite words, anyone can say them, it’s just a matter of who says them better.
Tan Shuya smiled sowhat embarrassedly, and when her gaze landed on Xu Qian, she hesitated before saying, "Auntie, are you feeling a bit upset?"
She had always been good at observing people, so she had taken a close look at Xu Qian and naturally noticed the lancholy between her brows.
Tan Shuya’s words directed the attention of both Lu Tianming and Old Tan onto Xu Qian. Lu Tianming furrowed his brows, knowing well the reason behind Xu Qian’s sour mood, yet he said nothing.
Because he was worried that if he did speak up, it might lead to a disagreent between the couple right then and there, which wouldn’t look good.
Xu Qian snapped back to reality, her gaze refocusing on Tan Shuya. She couldn’t help but furrow her brows; she didn’t really like such clever girls, feeling as if there were no secrets to keep in front of them.
Tan Shuya also noticed Xu Qian’s slightly knitted brows and imdiately realized that her comnt was quite inappropriate. She quickly apologized, "I’m sorry, Auntie. I asked because it seed like you were a bit unhappy, and I was concerned. If there is anything improper in that, I hope you can forgive ."
After finishing her words, Tan Shuya couldn’t help but heave an internal sigh.
She had perhaps been too hasty after all.
Since the matter was put so plainly, Xu Qian naturally could not say too much in response; she simply said, "It’s nothing. I just feel a little uncomfortable." With that, she turned to look at Lu Tianming beside her and said, "You go ahead and talk with them. I’m going to sit over there for a bit and will co find you later."
Lu Tianming, not wanting to make a fuss, simply humd in acknowledgent.
After Xu Qian left, Lu Tianming turned towards Old Tan with an apologetic smile and spoke, "Sorry, my wife has been feeling a bit down lately."
Old Tan smiled, "It’s fine, it’s just that our little Shuya is too forthright."
Just then, a commotion ca from the entrance, and Lu Tianming and the others swiftly turned to look.
Lu Jingchen, dressed in a suit and accompanied by Xi Mohan, who was also in a suit, walked in through the entrance. The two n with their commanding presences imdiately attracted the attention of everyone present.
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