Chapter 442: Chapter 442 - 442 Four-Hundred and Forty-Two: Pick Out

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Shi Nian handled the conversation impeccably. Yun Liu subconsciously hid behind Yun Zhang, whereas Shi Ke “politely” continued on with their previous topic of discussion.

“Speaking of which, we should be the ones thanking you, Yun Liu. I was seriously injured sometime a while ago and we couldn’t let the news leak, so I had no choice but to have Shi Nian replace me and return to the army. It just so happened that the military mess club had a social event. It was all thanks to Yun Liu covering for us that we weren’t exposed. I’ve been so busy that I didn’t have the time to thank you yet, Yun Liu. Today, I’ll take this opportunity to give you a toast in expression of our gratitude.”

Gray Wolf, who was behind him, immediately handed a wine glass to Shi Ke.

The groomsmen and bridesmaids at the side also astutely handed each person a glass of wine. Shi Ke and Shi Nian raised their glasses to Yun Liu, and Yun Nan and Fang Xi followed suit.

Yun Liu paled and couldn’t help but look towards Lan Long. She pressed her lips together tightly, afraid that her heart would jump out of her throat if she opened her mouth.

Lan Long’s gaze was cold. He finally knew at this moment where his ambitious plans had gone wrong; they’d been uncovered at Yun Liu’s end and unraveled from there, causing all his efforts to fall short.

Seeing Yun Liu’s eyes on him, his expression remained unchanged as he also raised his wine glass and smilingly commented, “That’s very capable of you, Miss Yun.”

Yun Liu shook and swayed at his words. Yun Zhang held her waist in support and stated in a clear voice, “There’s no need for you guys to be so formal. We were family friends before, and now and in the future, we’re in-laws. We’re family, and family members should help each other out. Yun Liu only did what she should’ve.”

The Shi family brothers and Yun Zhang looked at each other and smiled. No one seemed to care about Yun Liu’s chalk white face and Lan Long’s chilly glaring.

Xi Yue had been following this group of people with her stare. She wasn’t looking at her daughter, Fang Xi, but was instead focused on the tall and handsome men. She lowered her voice and said to her stepdaughters beside her, “You girls should broaden your sights. There are so many young and talented men here, you can’t just focus on Ye Tang.”

Anna and Lina’s eyes were glued to the Ye family’s table the whole time, staring at Ye Tang so hungrily that Xi Yue was surprised they weren’t drooling. Xi Yue rolled her eyes at them. Her stepson, Zhu Ping, chuckled, “Ma, it’s no use. My sisters are possessed. You’re just wasting your time there.”

Xi Yue sighed, “They shouldn’t be too persistent about him. There are plenty of good men out there, so why do they have to focus on that one? Besides—”

‘Besides, the two sisters have to make a choice in the end. They can’t possibly turn against each other over a man, right?’ was what Xi Yue was going to say, but she swallowed her words.

Zhu Ping read her thoughts and smiled. “You worry too much, Ma. My sisters can handle it themselves. You’ve facilitated the platform for their introduction. How they fight for their man is their business. They certainly won’t fall out over a man.”

Xi Yue was relieved when she heard that, thinking, ‘The Zhu family sisters are quite harmonious on this aspect.’ Her worries allayed, Xi Yue pulled Zhu Ping over with a smile and uttered, “I’ll leave them to their own devices, then. Quick, see if any of the girls here catch your eye. Everyone who can enter this hall has a prominent family background. This saves us the trouble of doing background checks.”

Zhu Ping smilingly pointed with his chin. Xi Yue followed the direction of his gaze and saw that it was the dazzling daughter of the Shi family, Shi Xiu. “Oho! My son truly has good taste! That’s the Shi family’s one and only daughter!” Xi Yue couldn’t help but praise.

“That’s not why she caught my attention. I like the beauty of her prideful and yet fragile and broken air!” Zhu Ping replied.

It had to be said that Zhu Ping had quite the accurate eye for people. The Shi Xiu tonight was indeed prideful, and also broken. The moment her eyes met Lan Long’s, she quickly averted her gaze. But then, she thought, ‘Why should I dodge him? I did nothing wrong!’ With that thought, Shi Xiu stubbornly met Lan Long’s gaze once more. Lan Long looked at her affectionately and walked towards her.

Yun Nan had been paying attention to Shi Xiu while socializing. She couldn’t help but want to keep an eye on her little sister-in-law with Lan Long around. ‘I won’t allow anyone to hurt Shi Xiu!’ she thought. ‘Of course, it’s not like anyone can hurt her, but Lan Long’s different!’

Seeing Lan Long head towards Shi Xiu, Yun Nan turned around and was about to rush over, but Shi Nian pulled her back. “Shi Nian, I have to go over and take a look. We can’t let Shi Xiu be deceived by that scumbag!” Yun Nan muttered anxiously.

Shi Nian didn’t loosen his hand. He looked in his sister’s direction and said softly, “This is Shi Xiu’s own problem. Trust her. She’ll definitely be able to resolve it!”

“I’m afraid she’ll get hurt,” Yun Nan said worriedly.

Shi Nian shook his head gently. “No one can hurt her on our Shi family’s territory. However, heartbreak is something she has to experience herself. We have no right to deal with it on her behalf. Don’t worry, Shi Xiu has the ability to protect herself.”

Yun Nan was skeptical of that, but she finally stopped in her tracks and looked concernedly towards Shi Xiu’s direction. She understood what Shi Nian was saying, and knew he was right. She knew that intellectually, but she still felt worried about leaving Shi Xiu to face Lan Long alone when she knew his ambitions.