HBWMA -Chapter 208 Entering the Banquet

At 7 p.m., the banquet hall was brilliantly lit. Beautiful guests laughed and chatted as the scent of alcohol drifted through the air.

Guests in suits or jeweled gowns moved through the space, weaving in and out of the world of power and status where glasses clinked constantly.

The Jinwan G officials who had been acting recklessly in private rooms earlier were now completely different people. Each of them wore formal, conservative suits or gowns, every gesture rigid and proper.

Yan Meiting’s acting was especially flawless. Whenever someone came to toast her, she only returned it with plain water, even putting on a friendly expression as she claimed she couldn’t drink alcohol.

Yao Ge sat in a private suite, a massive surveillance screen behind her displaying every movement and word in the banquet hall under her control.

“Has Father Luo arrived yet?”

She held a glass of champagne, leisurely scanning every detail on the screen.

Her assistant immediately took out his phone. “Father Luo arrived at the hotel half an hour ago. His assistant said the father still had a gathering with his believers before the banquet, so he may be delayed by about thirty minutes.”

A believers’ gathering at a hotel?

Truly hands-on guidance.

Yao Ge let out a mocking chuckle and swirled her champagne. “And the Bai family’s representative?”

“The gentleman has also prepared. He will arrive on time.”

Yao Ge’s fingers paused slightly. The light in her eyes darkened. “And that bastard? Where is he now?”

The assistant’s expression turned subtle. “He confirmed with Young Master A-Ling five minutes ago. He should be arriving soon.”

Hearing this, Yao Ge gave the assistant a meaningful look. “Everything ready?”

“Yes, madam.” The assistant hesitated slightly. “Madam, Young Master A-Ling represents the Shen family’s image. If this goes wrong and the master and the old patriarch find out…”

“Find out what?!” Yao Ge’s expression changed instantly. Her fingers tightened around the glass. “As long as it helps Shen Qian secure Jinwan’s support rate, do you think he’ll care about the life of a bastard? As for the old man—he may be able to control everything in Country A, but outside Country A, his word doesn’t carry that much weight.”

The assistant looked at her distorted expression and no longer dared to question her.

Yao Ge’s tone turned cold. “That bastard isn’t so easy to deceive. Stay sharp and don’t mess it up.”

“Yes, madam.”

Yao Ge closed her eyes and took a long breath. When she opened them again, her face had already returned to a refined smile.

“Let’s go. Time to go entertain our guests.”

“…Yes.” The assistant lowered his head and followed quietly.

“That’s it?”

Jiang Huashan stood at the entrance of the banquet hall, looking around. Because of the injury on her forehead, she had deliberately chosen not to wear makeup. Fortunately, her striking features suited the simple white gown well enough that she still carried it effortlessly.

Shen Guiling handed over the invitation and turned to her. “Come over here first. We’ll go in together.”

The young man wore a sharply tailored black suit. Broad shoulders, narrow waist—just his back alone was enough to make the waiting guests outside turn their heads repeatedly.

Jiang Huashan obediently walked over to him. She had already observed carefully that the security here was much stricter than previous banquets. From the gaze and aura of the guards, she guessed they were not hotel security, but professional bodyguards.

“I’m sorry, esteemed guest. Your invitation is only one. According to the rules, only one person may enter.”

After repeatedly confirming Shen Guiling’s identity, the beautiful receptionist stopped Jiang Huashan and Lei Xing from entering.

Before Shen Guiling could speak, Jiang Huashan struck first.

“Shen Guiling, how about this—you give me your invitation and let me go in first. Your stepmother is definitely going to cause trouble, and she won’t be willing to let you enjoy yourself outside anyway.”

Shen Guiling acted as if he hadn’t heard anything. He turned to look at Lei Xing, who immediately understood and walked off into a corner to make a phone call.

Jiang Huashan leaned in lazily, tilting her body slightly as she whispered into his ear, “Did you not tell your stepmother I was coming?”

Shen Guiling’s ear felt ticklish. He subtly leaned away, just in time to see Yao Ge walking out of the banquet hall with a dark expression.

He immediately smiled faintly and lowered his head. “It’s not too late to say it now.”

Yao Ge was the host of this banquet, and her appearance immediately caused a stir. A beautiful receptionist quickly stepped out from the reception area.

“Madam.”

Yao Ge first glanced at Shen Guiling. When her eyes moved to Jiang Huashan, her smile remained flawless.

“Shanshan, why are you here?”

Three years had been enough for Yao Ge to learn how to deal with Jiang Huashan.

Back then, during a night banquet, Jiang Huashan had a conflict with Xiao Lanlan. The old master had actually expelled his own biological daughter from the Shen residence. Even though the second branch later tried everything to plead for Shen E, it was useless—Shen E remained a marginal figure in the family to this day, not even qualified to join the family group chat.

Jiang Huashan wore a fake, overly polite smile. “So, Auntie doesn’t welcome me?”

Yao Ge gently patted her shoulder. “How could that be? It’s just that tonight’s guests are mostly elders. I was worried you might get bored.”

Jiang Huashan replied, “Auntie is overthinking. If I get bored, I’ll just find something to entertain myself.”

The corner of Yao Ge’s mouth twitched. She lowered her voice in negotiation. “Shanshan… tonight’s banquet is extremely important for your uncle—no, for the Shen family. Auntie is asking you, please don’t cause any trouble.”

“Cause trouble” was already putting it politely. Over the past three years, whenever Jiang Huashan was unhappy, she would go completely unhinged, humiliating people without warning. The Shen family members had all developed psychological scars because of her.

But the strangest part was the old master—he was almost blindly indulgent toward her, as if possessed.

“I understand, I understand.” Jiang Huashan looked very easy to talk to. “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”

Yao Ge was far from reassured, but since this walking disaster had already arrived at the door, refusing her entry might only escalate things further.

After weighing it all, Yao Ge smiled and took a flower wreath from the welcome basket, placing it on Jiang Huashan.

“Alright then. Go have fun.”

“Thank you, Auntie.”

Yao Ge smiled, then turned to Shen Guiling, her expression subtly turning more arrogant.

Shen Guiling obediently stepped forward and nodded slightly. “Madam.”

Yao Ge gave a faint nod. “You should go in as well. Many of your father’s old friends are here tonight—help him entertain them properly.”

Shen Guiling nodded and walked into the banquet hall side by side with Jiang Huashan.

Yao Ge watched Jiang Huashan’s back, a shadow flickering in her eyes.

“A-Ran,” she said, “when you go in later, assign a few more people to watch her. Also, prepare a separate meal for her—make sure she personally takes it. Don’t let any mistakes happen.”

Mo Ran paused slightly. She had long heard there was a “little ancestor” in the Shen family—an adopted daughter, but so favored by the old master that her status was extremely high. It must be that girl just now.

“Yes, Madam.”

Yao Ge still wasn’t fully reassured. She turned back and looked into Mo Ran’s eyes.

“That little wild thing must have deliberately brought Jiang Huashan here. Tonight must not have a single mistake, or else…”

Mo Ran broke into a cold sweat and quickly nodded. “Yes, Madam. Please rest assured, everything has been arranged.”