"I've heard Mrs. Charles Yin of the Yin Family is gentle and generous," Patriarch King nodded in agreement. "It's a wife's duty to help the family grow. Let Dale go."
"Alright." Only then did Matriarch King smile.
She knew the old man would definitely support King Rong having more children!
If it weren't for the Mo Family backing Mo Zixuan, she would've already found several obedient women for King Rong to have children with!
Yin Family Estate.
After Charles Yin and Cecilia Gu toured their own estate, they took a shower and then enjoyed a comfortable meal and rest.
Naturally, someone was specifically in charge of the family banquet arrangements.
Wendy Parker, Alex, and the others coordinated directly with the local steward to draft the guest list and finalize the banquet menu.
Alex was a pro at handling these matters. Quickly, using the list of local elites, he came up with the guest list.
Soon, someone began preparing the invitations, sending them one by one to the homes of the invited elites.
Those who received an invitation from the Yin Family felt especially honored, preparing their gowns and makeup early to ensure they'd stand out at the banquet.
Those who didn’t get an invitation could only watch anxiously. Realizing they weren’t qualified to attend, they tried to sneak in by tagging along with invited guests, using 'companionship' as an excuse.
Now, everyone in the region knew the Yin Family was here to invest.
Everyone wanted to show off their strengths to the Yin Family and compete for their investment.
Wendy Parker pondered the invitations in front of her and asked, "Are we really inviting the whole King Family?"
"This is a special instruction from Charles Yin. Other families only need to send one or two people, but the King Family—it's best if everyone comes." Alex smiled mysteriously. "Charles Yin wants to see some drama!"
"We need to keep an eye out. Don't let them offend Mrs. Charles Yin," Wendy Parker said, frowning.
"Don't worry. With Charles Yin here, no one dares to offend Mrs. Charles Yin." Alex handed another invitation to a servant. "This one's for Ms. Melanie Kubo. Make sure she gets it personally."
Hearing this, Wendy Parker stuck out her tongue. Charles Yin really loved stirring things up!
Sure enough, when Melanie Kubo received the invitation, her face lit up with delight!
After all, she was already married off. Her husband was mediocre, only holding the title of viscount—strong in name but weak in reality, and their family finances were full of holes. Now, they’d become a second-rate family.
She hadn’t expected to receive an invitation from the Yin Family.
That instantly made Melanie Kubo stand tall with pride.
She felt her husband's family was only basking in her glory.
Melanie Kubo was Grand Duke Kubo’s favorite daughter—rich, well-connected, and one of the heirs to the title. Naturally, she had a high opinion of herself.
On the day of the Yin Family’s official banquet, Cecilia Gu stood at the estate entrance in a luxurious gown, greeting the guests.
The banquet was held in the first-floor hall of the estate, with plenty of umbrellas around the courtyard fountain so guests could chat and relax.
Servants in uniforms bustled everywhere, serving tea and drinks to the guests.
"Mrs. Charles Yin!" A crowd from the King Family arrived, almost rushing to Cecilia Gu in excitement. "We've heard so much about you! Mrs. Charles Yin, you're even more stunning and elegant than your photos online! You're our role model—graceful, noble, talented, and refined..."
Cecilia Gu listened to the King Family's endless compliments, smiling just enough—not too warm, not too cold. "I've heard from Zixuan that the King Family is thriving and prosperous. I’m honored to see it for myself today. Madam, you flatter me."
The old master of the King Family led a group of men over to Charles Yin, trying to get close to him.
"President Yin, I’m so sorry. We got the news late the other day and arrived at the airport half an hour behind schedule. We’re really embarrassed!" The eldest Jing brother said enthusiastically to Yin Sicheng, "Let me host a gathering in a few days—please don’t refuse! My brothers and I have admired you for a long time and would love to ask you some questions."
Yin Sicheng’s lips curled into a faint smile and he nodded slightly. "Of course. After all, we share Eastern blood. Ah, I need to greet the Earl—excuse me for now."
Yin Sicheng turned to speak with someone else, leaving the Jing family frozen in place.
The old master of the Jing family shot his sons a disappointed look, then headed inside.
He hadn’t gone far when he heard a woman’s voice from ahead: "Cruz, long time no see."
The old master of the Jing family stopped in his tracks immediately.
Cruz was the old master’s English name.
He looked up and was stunned when he saw the woman in front of him. "What are you doing here?"
Melle smiled meaningfully. "If you can come, why can’t I?"
Instinctively, the old master of the Jing family glanced back at his wife still standing at the entrance, then said to Melle, "True enough. The Yin family invited all the local elites—of course you’re on the list, Melle."
Seeing her old flame acting so cold, a trace of displeasure flashed across Melle’s face. "We haven’t seen each other in years, and this is all you have to say to me?"
"Melle." The old master sighed. "We’re not young anymore."
He was over eighty now—he couldn’t live as freely as he did thirty years ago.
"That’s true." Melle nodded. She was in her sixties now, too.
"But you’re still as charming as ever," Melle said to the old master. "How could you be so heartless back then? You just left, got married, just like that?"
"You have a husband. This was always going to be our ending," the old master seemed to recall the happy times with Melle, his tone softening. "Aren’t you doing well now? Your husband dotes on you, you’ll inherit the Duke’s fortune—what more could you want?"
(This chapter isn’t finished yet~ Please click next page to continue reading the exciting story!)
"There is something. It’s you." Melle’s resentment grew. "I don’t understand—what did she have that I didn’t? Why did you leave me and marry her?"
Melle’s gaze landed on the old lady of the Jing family.
Although the old lady of the Jing family was a few years younger than Melle, her style was more old-fashioned. Unlike Melle, who was still fashionable at her age, she actually looked older than Melle.
The old master of the Jing family said helplessly, "You can’t compare them. I needed a proper wife, not someone to keep an ambiguous relationship with forever."
"Heh, what an excuse," Melle sneered. "If you’d just insisted on being with me, I could have overcome any obstacle! Don’t forget, my father is the Duke and I’m his favorite daughter! You just got blinded by that vulgar woman, didn’t you? She manipulated you and made you forget our vows!"
The old master felt embarrassed as people approached.
At this age, talking about love with an old flame was a little awkward.
"Ahem, it’s all in the past. Let’s not talk about it anymore," the old master said. "What’s done is done. Now our children are grown—we live for them now."
Melle lifted her chin proudly. "No, I, Melle, live only for myself!"
The old master didn’t respond. "I’ll go greet the other guests now."
With that, he turned and left.
Melle watched his back, slamming the table in anger, her expression growing darker.
Xiao Wang, who’d been quietly observing everything, caught the whole scene. He felt his worldview shatter a little.
If it were two young people asking each other why they didn’t love one another, it would’ve been quite a sight.
But seeing two elderly folks questioning love—it just felt weird.
Xiao A walked over. "How’s it going? Everything smooth? Any problems?"
Xiao Wang shook his head. "Everything’s fine here. By the way, the old master of the Jing family and Melle just had a long talk."
"Did they argue?" Xiao A asked.
"Nope. Honestly, I’m impressed! Even old folks can have passionate love lives." Xiao Wang laughed. "Should we keep watching them?"
"Keep an eye on them," Xiao A whispered. "Those two are the main attractions for our CEO!"
Xiao Wang couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
His CEO really had a unique hobby—inviting gossip magnets just to watch the drama!
With all the guests present, the banquet officially began.
As hosts, Yin Sicheng and Gu Xixi led the first dance, and soon everyone joined them on the dance floor.
Even in her sixties, Melle was still the star of the dance floor, while the eighty-year-old old master of the Jing family could only sit and chat.
When the old lady of the Jing family saw Melle, her internal radar immediately went up, staying alert to her old rival.
The Jing children were all busy socializing, paying no attention to their elderly parents.
Dale sat off to the side, looking a bit restless.
The old lady of the Jing family noticed and immediately said to Dale, "Today is your chance. Go talk to Madam Yin—if you win her approval, she might help you get what you want."
"Yes." Dale stood up nervously and walked toward Gu Xixi.
Gu Xixi was chatting with a rich man's wife when she saw Dale approaching. She politely excused herself and greeted Dale, "Miss Dale, are you having fun? If you need anything, just let me know."
"Madam Yin," Dale said, biting her lip, "may I speak with you privately?"
"Of course." Gu Xixi invited Dale to sit under a sun umbrella by the fountain, where someone brought them chilled drinks.
"I’m sure you already know who I am," Dale introduced herself. "I don’t really know how to say this—I was forced into it. I’ve liked Jing Rong since I was young. So, Madam Yin, you’re so kind, you’ll help me, won’t you?"