HBWMA -Chapter 146 New Character, Xiao Lanlan

Because of Shen Lanxi’s gift, Jiang Wanyi spent a very pleasant day.

But when she happily returned home and was about to share the good news with Fang Mei, she was shocked by what she saw inside the house.

Several suitcases were placed in a messy, crooked manner in the living room, and all the clothes inside had been rummaged through and casually thrown onto the floor.

Jiang Wanyi froze for a moment, staring blankly at Fang Mei on the sofa. “Mom… did a thief break into the house?”

Fang Mei’s face was dark. “They were sent over from Ju Garden.”

“Ju Garden?” Jiang Wanyi stepped forward to take a look and immediately recognized them—these were her belongings left at the Shen residence.

She still hadn’t fully reacted. “Mom, what happened?”

Fang Mei closed her eyes briefly.

That morning, she suddenly remembered the matter of the invitation cards. She specifically called to check in with Steward Shen, and during their casual conversation about Shen Lanxi’s homecoming banquet, Steward Shen mentioned that the invitations had been taken by Miss Jiang, and that Jiang Huashan had said she would personally deliver them.

After hanging up, Fang Mei was still confused when the doorbell rang.

She didn’t expect that when she opened the door, she would see Zhang Ru and several movers standing outside, with eight suitcases neatly lined up at the entrance.

Before Fang Mei could even ask anything, Zhang Ru spoke first.

“Mrs. Jiang, these are the items you and Miss Wanyi left at the Shen residence. Miss Jiang asked me to pack them up and send them back to you. Oh, and the Old Master’s invitation is also inside the luggage.”

Fang Mei was furious at the time. She never expected that foolish girl could actually think this far ahead—clearly anticipating that Fang Mei would be forced to accept the luggage just for the sake of the invitation.

But what made her even more furious came later.

After Fang Mei had all eight suitcases brought in and turned them upside down one by one, she discovered she had been played—there was no invitation at all in the boxes.

Only then did she realize: Jiang Huashan had never intended to give her the invitation in the first place. She had deliberately used “sending back luggage” as a cover. As long as the items were delivered, whether the invitation was inside or not no longer mattered.

That damn girl—she actually dared to trick her.

Realizing she had been outplayed by the very chick she raised, Fang Mei’s emotions turned chaotic. In a low voice she said, “Your sister took the invitation. I’m afraid we won’t be able to attend the Shen family banquet.”

Originally, Fang Mei did not want to miss such a good opportunity to connect with the upper class. She had even considered contacting Shen Qian; with his influence, getting two invitations would be just a matter of words.

But Shen Qian was someone who weighed costs and benefits. If he found out she couldn’t even get into the Shen residence, he would definitely question her ability.

Over the past three years, she had handled many matters for Shen Qian. If she were to be seen as useless, the consequences would be unimaginable.

After weighing everything carefully, Fang Mei decided to swallow her anger for now and wait until Jiang Huashan’s fourteenth birthday to make new plans.

Jiang Wanyi’s eyes flickered slightly. After studying Fang Mei for a moment, she quietly took off her backpack.

“Mom, I have invitations.”

As she spoke, she unzipped her bag and poured out a stack of invitation cards.

Shen Lanxi had casually given her twenty to thirty invitations. Jiang Wanyi had distributed some to classmates who flattered her and still kept more than ten for herself.

Fang Mei froze. She picked up one invitation and carefully examined it, her expression shifting in surprise. “Where did you get these?”

A hint of pride appeared in Jiang Wanyi’s eyes. “Brother Lanxi gave them to me.”

Fang Mei hesitated, clearly not fully believing it.

Jiang Wanyi immediately explained, “It’s true. I told Brother Lanxi I had some friends who wanted to attend, and he gave them to me. Mom, you don’t know—Brother Lanxi is really super nice.”

Fang Mei looked at the invitations in her hands, and a faint smile gradually appeared in the depths of her dark eyes.

“Wanyi, you did very well this time.”

Soon, four days passed.

The day of the banquet arrived.

Autumn brought crisp air. The courtyard was lush and vibrant, flowers blooming in full color.

Early in the morning, Jiang Huashan was woken by Zhang Ru to get dressed and groomed. She was told that all the teachers and young ladies and gentlemen had already arrived, and the old master had specially arranged for everyone to have breakfast together in the main hall.

Before she even reached the main hall, she could already hear a melodious piano performance coming from inside.

Fu Sui’er was standing guard at the entrance. The moment she saw Jiang Huashan, she immediately waved her over.

“You’re finally here. If you were any later, Xiao Lanlan would’ve finished her third performance already.”

Jiang Huashan paused slightly. “Xiao Lanlan?”

Xiao Lanlan was Shen E’s daughter. Shen E treated this daughter like she was more precious than her own eyes.

Fu Sui’er rolled her eyes. “Who else could it be? That show-off. She’s already done dancing and calligraphy. And now she’s improvising on the piano. I’m honestly impressed—by how exhausting she is.”

Jiang Huashan patted her hand, and the two walked into the main hall arm in arm.

Inside, the old master sat in the seat of honor. On his left were Shen Qian and his wife, Shen Yuan, and Shen E. On his right were Shen Che, Shen Rang, Shen Mianzhi, and Shen Jiao. Shen Lanxi, Shen Guiling, and Shen Qingyu were seated opposite them.

Xiao Lanlan sat gracefully at the grand piano, her fingers dancing swiftly across the black and white keys. At times she lowered her head with a soft smile; at times she swayed gently with the rhythm, completely absorbed and at ease.

Yao Ge had originally been speaking with Shen E. When her gaze drifted toward the doorway and she saw the two girls standing there, her expression cooled slightly. Shen E followed her gaze and gently patted Yao Ge’s hand.

As the final note landed perfectly, Xiao Lanlan rose elegantly and gave a curtsey in thanks to everyone.

“Not bad, not bad! Are we about to have a future musician in the family?” the old master said with a smile, clapping. Everyone followed with generous applause.

Xiao Lanlan looked up and smiled. Her striking, richly colored beauty came alive instantly. “Grandpa, don’t tease me.”

“You child, can’t you tell your grandpa is joking?” Shen E said with a proud smile. Then she turned toward Shen Zhuang. “Her teacher says Lanlan has remarkable musical talent—she picks things up instantly. I was originally planning to send her to the Eastman Music Academy in S Country, but this girl insists on becoming a star. I couldn’t persuade her, so I agreed to let her transfer to JG Film Academy to study acting instead.”

Shen Zhuang nodded. “Young girls change their minds easily. Let her pursue what she likes—don’t restrict her. Only one thing: make sure she doesn’t suffer any unfair treatment without anyone knowing.”

Xiao Lanlan smiled brightly. “Grandpa is the best.”

Shen E laughed softly. “Stop flattering your grandpa.”

Then her eyes shifted as if she had just noticed the two girls at the door. “Sui’er, Huashan, what are you two doing standing there? Come in.”

Shen Jiao glanced at Shen E and waved them over. “Come here.”

Jiang Huashan and Fu Sui’er walked into the hall slowly, greeting everyone one by one. By the time they finished the round of greetings, half a minute had passed.

Shen Zhuang nodded with a smile. “Good.”

After greeting everyone, the two of them obediently sat next to Shen Jiao.

Xiao Lanlan had noticed Jiang Huashan the moment she entered. Her gaze lingered on her for a full half-minute before she looked away naturally, then said in a sweet, innocent tone, “Sui’er? Oh my god! What happened to you? You look terrifying!”

Fu Sui’er couldn’t help rolling her eyes.

Xiao Lanlan immediately looked displeased. “I’m talking to you.”

Fu Sui’er replied bluntly, “I heard you. I just don’t want to talk to you.”

Shen E’s expression darkened. “Er’er, how can you speak like that? Lanlan, come back here.”

Xiao Lanlan’s face fell. She glanced at Shen Zhuang with a pitiful look, then reluctantly returned to sit beside Shen E.

Shen Zhuang coughed lightly. “Sui’er, how can you speak to your cousin like that? That’s not polite.”

Fu Sui’er frowned. “She—”

Before she could finish, Jiang Huashan casually patted her arm.

Fu Sui’er immediately backed down. She forced a fake smile toward Xiao Lanlan. “Sorry about that… cousin.”