As soon as the voice fell, everyone stood up.
Cici also stood up and applauded to welcome Grandma Evelyn Yin's entrance.
Grandma Evelyn Yin had changed into another outfit, slowly walking over with a child in each hand.
Ethan Yin and Miles Gu had also changed clothes, looking energetic and handsome, instantly attracting countless admiring glances.
Charles Yin was behind, slowly pushing Mrs. Yin forward.
Yin Siyao followed half a step behind Charles Yin, matching his pace as she came over.
Applause echoed all around, lasting for a long time.
Cici heard Rona Muir whisper, "Those two little ones are getting more and more adorable."
Cici couldn't help but smile.
Those were her sons, after all!
She felt a surge of inexplicable pride in her heart.
Once Grandma Evelyn Yin was seated, Charles Yin gently pushed Vivian Jiang into her place at the table.
Accompanying Grandma Evelyn Yin were several matriarchs from the city's most prestigious families—women of status, with both children and grandchildren.
At Mrs. Yin's table sat the leading ladies of influential families from home and abroad.
Likewise, Cici’s table was filled with the most distinguished young women in the country.
These three tables were set in one area; anyone with a keen eye could see what this arrangement meant.
So when people looked at Cici, their gazes grew deeper and more thoughtful.
The Yin family was openly telling everyone that the chosen Mrs. Charles Yin was that graceful woman in the pale blue qipao.
"Please, have a seat, everyone. Don't be shy," Grandma Evelyn Yin gestured, inviting everyone to sit. Only then did the guests take their seats.
After Mr. Steward respectfully invited the birthday star to say a few words, the banquet officially began.
Just as Cici was about to taste the sweet soup that had just been served, Mr. Steward approached with a warm smile, bowed, and said, "Miss Cecilia Grant."
Cici immediately put down her spoon and nodded politely to Mr. Steward. "Is there something I can help you with?"
Mr. Steward’s smile didn’t fade as he carefully presented a box to Cici. "This is from Grandma Evelyn Yin. She said she loved the gift from Miss Cecilia Grant, and this is her return gift to you."
Cici looked at Mr. Steward in surprise.
For a family like the Yin’s, giving a return gift was perfectly normal.
The moment Cici’s eyes landed inside the box, they widened instantly!
Unsurprisingly, everyone’s eyes turned to look at the box in Mr. Steward’s hands.
Cici didn’t dare be disrespectful. She quickly straightened up, thanked Grandma Evelyn Yin, and reached out to accept the box.
A gift from an elder must not be refused.
No matter how unexpected this gesture was, she had to accept it first.
Mr. Steward smiled as he saw Cici accept the box. "Please open it right here, Miss Cecilia Grant."
What? Open it right here?
In the West, when a guest gives a gift or the host returns one, it’s customary for the recipient to open it in front of everyone.
But in China, that would be considered quite rude.
So why did Grandma Evelyn Yin want Cici to open the box in public?
Although Cici found it odd, she still followed Mr. Steward’s instructions and opened the box.
Grandma Evelyn Yin whispered a few words to her two grandsons, and Ethan Yin and Miles Gu ran over, hugging Cici’s legs and looking up, "Mom, just accept it!"
It was the Yin Enterprises Share Certificate!
Mr. Steward seemed to anticipate Cici’s reaction and smiled. "This is a total of ten percent of the shares. Five percent originally belonged to you; Grandma Evelyn Yin kept them for you for three years, and now they’re being returned. The other five percent are unregistered shares that Grandma Evelyn Yin held for the two Yin heirs. Now, you’ll hold them on their behalf."
Everyone present was used to seeing big, dramatic gestures.
But hearing those words out loud, everyone still gasped sharply!
Ten percent of the company’s shares!
The annual dividends alone were worth billions of dollars!
In fact, many people present didn’t have that much in total assets!
Cici was truly stunned.
She’d thought the return gift from Grandma Evelyn Yin would be something small, but never imagined it would be a share certificate!
Suddenly, the box in Cici’s hands felt almost too hot to hold—she didn’t know whether to accept it or not.
Grandma Evelyn Yin whispered a few words to her two grandsons, and Ethan Yin and Gu Miao ran over, hugging Cici’s legs and looking up, "Mom, just accept it!"
Hearing the Yin heirs speak, everyone in the room gasped again!
Guests who didn’t know Cici started asking about her background.
An unknown woman, yet Grandma Evelyn Yin gave her such face and benefits in public!
She could even win the approval of the Yin family’s fourth generation!
If you didn’t try to build a relationship with a woman like this, when would you?
Cici had wanted to refuse, but in this setting, she really couldn’t.
Otherwise, it would be a slap in the Yin family's face.
So Cici could only thank Grandma Evelyn Yin again: "Thank you for your kindness and favor, Grandma. I’m truly humbled."
"We’re all family here," Grandma Evelyn Yin said with a gentle smile. "It’s good to have you back."
Just a few simple words, but they were full of meaning.
Cici put away the box and sat back down.
At that moment, everyone in the room—young and old—looked at Cici with a new intensity.