Chapter 176: Yin Qiushi
Yin Qiushi had a baby face, so even though he was two years older than Feng Chengda, he appeared significantly younger.
"Dad, I've arranged everything for tonight's event. Here is the schedule." Yin Qiushi walked over and took three light blue cardboards from his briefcase, directly handing them to the three people sitting on the sofa.
Yin He accepted hers with a smile. "Brother, it's been a while. You look younger every time I see you. If we went out together, people would mistake me for your older sister."
"How could that be? In my eyes, Ah He will always be a young and beautiful little lady." Yin Qiushi said with a beaming smile. "And I see you're looking particularly radiant lately, Ah He. What skincare products are you using? It's as if you've turned twenty years younger."
No woman disliked being complimented on looking young, and Yin He was no exception. Moreover, Yin Qiushi's expression when giving compliments looked especially sincere, making one involuntarily believe he was being completely earnest.
"Oh, really? Darling, does Mom look very young right now?" Yin He tugged at Yin Chengjue's hand.
Yin Chengjue's mind was still sharp. Faced with such a question, he naturally agreed. "Of course, Mom is forever young and beautiful."
"Tsk, if your words are this sweet, why not use them to bring a lovely wife home for me?" Yin He said, cupping her cheeks with a laugh.
After being happy for a moment, Yin He sighed again. "Oh, I'm already a mother, how could I possibly be the same as twenty years ago? You men only know how to flatter me."
Yin Qiushi widened his eyes. "How so? I genuinely think you've become more and more beautiful lately, Ah He. When I came in from outside just now and saw you all, for a moment I thought I'd traveled back thirty years. I remember it was Dad's birthday then too, and you came back with five-year-old Ah Jue. You were sitting on the sofa pouring tea for Dad, and Ah Jue was lying on the sofa waving at me."
As he spoke, Yin Qiushi looked at Yin Chengjue. "That time seems to be when Ah Jue first called me 'uncle' too."
"Uncle remembers things from twenty years ago so clearly." While speaking, Yin Chengjue had already finished reading the banquet schedule Yin Qiushi had just handed over.
Yin Qiushi always did things thoroughly. The schedule was extremely detailed, even including arrangements for guest accommodations after the banquet and pre-set contingency plans A, B, and C for various unexpected events.
How much effort would it take to host according to this schedule?
Yin Chengjue handed the plan back to Yin Qiushi. "Uncle will have a tiring night. Is there anything I can help with?"
Yin Qiushi took the plan back and thought for a moment. "Help isn't the main issue. The key is that many unmarried young ladies of suitable age will be attending this time. Ah Jue, if any catch your eye, you mustn't miss the chance."
Yin He's eyes lit up. "Yes, yes, darling, you're at the right age now. It's time to start chasing a wife."
Yin Chengjue's expression stiffened slightly, and he quickly said, "That won't be necessary. If we're talking about being single, Uncle is the real eligible bachelor, right? If anyone should be in a hurry, it should be Uncle."
Yin He also chimed in. "Yes, brother, when are you finally going to find a sister-in-law for me? Although men get more mature with age, you've matured a bit excessively, haven't you?"
Seeing a crack appear in Yin Qiushi's usually composed expression, Yin Chengjue pressed on. "This is a perfect opportunity for Uncle to find a suitable aunt for me to call 'aunt'."
"This... at my age, what girl would still take a liking to me?" Yin Qiushi waved his hand dismissively. "I'm fine staying single like this for the rest of my life."
"That won't do!" Yin Changhong, who had been listening silently, frowned sternly. "Chengjue isn't in a hurry yet, but Qiushi, you're no spring chicken. Look, Chengjue has already reached the age to get me a granddaughter-in-law, but you're still a bachelor. Do you know how people talk about you outside? In the past, I let you be, wanting you to take your time and find a girl you truly loved, but you've been too slow, dragging it out until now. You're almost half a hundred, yet you're still so unhurried. Do you really intend to stay single your whole life!"
Yin Qiushi licked his somewhat dry lips, feeling like slapping himself—why did you have to bring up finding a wife for no reason!
Yin Chengjue secretly curled his lips. Having seen enough of Yin Qiushi's awkward situation, he kindly helped him out. "Today's main character is Grandfather. Let's not steal his spotlight, we're merely the background foliage. Isn't that right, Uncle?"
Yin Qiushi quickly took the offered way out. "Yes, yes, then I'll go over there to supervise and run through the schedule once more. You all can go a bit later. Ah He just returned from abroad, chat more with Dad. Dad actually misses you a lot and talks about you all the time."
Yin Changhong thumped his walking stick. "Qiushi!" His tone carried a hint of annoyance.
Yin Qiushi slipped away like greased lightning, leaving only a gust of wind.
"Really! A man of his age! Why won't he listen to advice! Every single one of you! You only know how to oppose me! Hmph!" The old master was clearly still very bothered by the fact that Yin Qiushi remained single to this day.
"Darling, don't take after your uncle." Yin He instructed Yin Chengjue.
"Don't worry, I won't stay single for life." Yin Chengjue's mind conjured up Rong Yu's smiling face, and he couldn't help but smile along. "The person I find definitely won't disappoint you all."
Night soon fell. The banquet was hosted by Yin Qiushi. As the guest of honor for the birthday celebration, Yin Changhong naturally made his entrance as the finale.
For the old master's seventieth birthday, the guests naturally didn't expect the elderly man to be present for the entire event. Tasks like receiving and seeing off guests, which were tiring, would certainly be handled by the younger family members—a sign of trust and importance.
Others could also glean a thing or two from this, trying to discern the current power dynamics within the Yin family.
Yin Changhong himself only needed to make an appearance, say a few words, participate in some small activities to liven up the atmosphere, and then he could excuse himself on grounds of physical inconvenience, allowing the guests to eat and drink well while he departed first.
With Yin Qiushi presiding over and managing the banquet, Yin Chengjue and Yin He accompanied Yin Changhong on either side, entering together after all the guests had arrived.
Yin Changhong held a dragon-headed cane and wore a brown suit with golden stripes. His white hair was slicked back neatly and formally with hair gel. He wore a monocle over his left eye, its frame intricately patterned and finely crafted, making the old master look spirited and full of vitality.
Yin Chengjue stood on the left, wearing a light brown suit. The suit sleeves were rolled up a small cuff, revealing the edge of the white shirt inside and a glimpse of a golden wristwatch. The suit pants were of a slim-fit style, also cuffed slightly, making him look less formal and a bit more relaxed.
This also served to complement Yin Changhong's joyful expression.
"Oh, everyone's here. This old man's arms and legs are slow now, I walk slowly."
"Not at all, Elder Brother Yin is still as spirited as ever, unlike me, who's already become a doddering old man." Several people with some friendship with Yin Changhong came forward to exchange pleasantries with him, taking the opportunity to introduce the young people they had brought along.
Some were introducing sons, some grandsons, and some even brought their granddaughters forward. After chatting with Yin Changhong, they directly steered the conversation toward Yin Chengjue.
"Oh, this must be the young President Yin. Seeing you in person is better than hearing a hundred praises. Truly worthy of being Old Master Yin's own grandson. Such talent and handsome looks, you really have the bearing of your grandfather in his youth."
Yin Chengjue smiled and offered his business card. "President Xue, Chengjue has long wished to have a business cooperation with you, just never found the opportunity."
"Hahaha, cooperation, of course, we must." President Xue also handed over his business card and patted the young woman standing beside him. "This is my youngest daughter, Xue Qiyue. She usually stays at home tinkering with her own things. I brought her out today to see the world. It's her first time at an event like this, so she's feeling a little shy and out of her depth."
Yin Chengjue cooperatively nodded. "Miss Xue, nice to meet you."
"Y-you too! President Yin!" Xue Qiyue indeed seemed as President Xue described, appearing shy and ill at ease, not even daring to lift her head when speaking, only sneakily glancing at Yin Chengjue from the corner of her eye before quickly looking away, as if afraid of being seen.
In the time it took for this brief exchange, Yin Changhong and Yin He had already walked far ahead. Well, it couldn't be ruled out that they did so on purpose.
Even President Xue, who had just exchanged business cards with him, said a few words and turned to talk to others in the distance.
Yin Chengjue sighed inwardly. Just as he was about to apologize to the Miss Xue before him, he heard Xue Qiyue say, "Um, President Yin, do you remember me?"
Xue Qiyue quickly looked around, confirming that people nearby weren't close enough to overhear their conversation, then pointed a finger at her own nose. "President Yin, it's me! That day when you and Xiao Yu came out of the cinema and got surrounded, and then held an impromptu autograph session, I was one of the fans who went up to help organize the signing order!"
"Don't try to deny it! You have no idea, after that day, our big fan group exploded internally because someone let slip that up close, they realized the person standing next to Xiao Yu wasn't some new assistant, but you! Why would Xiao Yu go watch a movie with you? If paparazzi took pictures and recognized you two, what would happen to Xiao Yu's career?" Xue Qiyue grew more agitated as she spoke, her voice louder than the previous whisper. "I don't usually attend banquets. I came here specifically today just to ask you face to face, what exactly is your relationship with our Xiao Yu?"
Yin Chengjue hadn't expected that Rong Yu's fan would chase him here over this one question.
"Are you sure you're Xiao Yu's fan? A girlfriend-fan, or a career-fan?" Yin Chengjue was inwardly astonished, but his expression didn't change in the slightest.
Xue Qiyue answered without hesitation. "Both!"
"Then..." Yin Chengjue lowered his head, leaning slightly closer to her. "Would you mind converting into a CP fan?"
Xue Qiyue, suddenly faced with a handsome visage up close: "..."
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